deercountry | open | homesickness

Who:

undermoonlight + Open
What: Atsushi explores and misses Yokohama
When: Sept 1st - 6th
Where: Boardwalk, Odd End, & Earworm

Content Warnings: N/A for this log.

A | The Boardwalk

[Out of reach, purposefully ignored, is a thought: "This is pointless. They're not coming here."

But Atsushi comes back to the Boardwalk anyway. He's figured out by now that new squids won't be appearing on the shores and no new faces will be arriving, but he still wants them to. He's spent a few hours walking up and down the beach in search of familiar items, but nothing from Yokohama has washed up on shore.

When he goes back to the boardwalk, hoping to clear his head, he only finds himself more distracted. Male presenting characters with brown hair might hear a startled Atsushi walk up behind them and call out hopefully, only to be quite disappointed when they turn around. Otherwise, characters may notice him calling out to a native;]

[He goes from reaching out his hand to lowering it. Disappointed. Sometimes he'll do this to a non-sleeper and watch them walk away afterward. In these cases, Atsushi gives them a few seconds to get away. Then he clenches his fist and lowers his head; Guilty, ashamed, and frustrated all at once.]

B | Cassandra District - Odd End

[Missing Yokohama makes Atsushi want to be a proper apprentice. He's been poking into shops for a while now in search of a blank notebook to write notes in, and Odd End feels hopeful. The things here don't cater to the uncomfortable blood magic that seems to be everywhere else.

Some of the odds and ends even seem charming at first glance. He doesn't recognize the occult value for the candles or plants, but he does think they look interesting. Usagi might like that candle and Makoto likes plants, doesn't she? But as soon as he crosses paths with someone else, Atsushi withdraws his hands and awkwardly tries to move away.]

need

C | Cellar Door Distract - Passing Earworm

[After some wandering, Atsushi ends up in the Cellar Door district. It feels nicer than the rest of the Trench (which isn't saying much,) and the atmosphere change does help him relax. Enough so that he's able to notice the Earworm and look at the sign curiously.]

[He stands awkwardly there for a moment longer. Atsushi never had time for this sort of thing in Yokohama. His only experiences with them are judgmental ones, where he thinks they're indecent and vulgar. But compared to the hellhole that is the Trench, the Earworm looks like a nice place to visit. It looks like a normal place for someone his age to go.

After getting a look from the bouncer, Atsushi steps away in a hurry. Shaking his head and scolding himself aloud;]

[But he does look over his shoulder as he tries to walk away. And nearly collides into someone as a result;]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That's my name, don't wear it out.

[She says with a grin. She doesn't seem too bothered by the close call collision.]

Not really- At least not yet- Maybe something for Ange if I find something nice.

[She glances at the candle and then grins as she looks at Atsushi.]

You sure you're just browsing?

I bet Makoto would like that.

...You two are still a thing, right?

[His gaze nervously returns to the candle. Is it that obvious? Maybe that means that it would make a good gift? It reminds Ruby of Makoto too, so it's not like Atsushi is mistaken in this case, right?]

I... I think so? But I was gone for a long time apparently.

[Does he still have the right to date someone that he abandoned like that?]

What about Ange-chan? Are you two, um..?

Oh- okay. I can see how that might be a little awkward-

But I don't think she got together with anyone else while you were gone. So I don't know if that helps but you could always talk to her about it. Or hold off if you're figuring things out.

[She feels her own cheeks heat up a touch as he mentions Ange. She fumbles with her hands until they find their way into her pockets.]

Y-yeah! Since uh- February? So under a year but getting closer by the day-

We just kind of latched onto each other one day.

She didn't..?

[That is reassuring to hear. There's still some guilt over the abandonment part, but he's selfish enough to be glad she didn't leave him so quickly.

Seeing Ruby get flustered over Ange, though? That's endearing enough for Atsushi to stop stewing in self pity and chuckle lightly in amusement.]

I'm glad. Ange-chan always seemed so lonely. I'm sure she has a lot of fun with you, huh?

[Ruby is so bright and cheery. Atsushi imagines that kind of light is nice for Ange.]

Don't think so. So go on and talk to her sometime. Even if you don't go right back to where you were I don't think you're going to lose the connection you had.

[She feels herself grin a little at that.]

Yeah- I think she was afraid to really let anyone in. I think it's something she's working on now.

But yeah- She would probably deny it's any fun at all, or declare that it's entirely too much fun. But I think she's having a really good time.

That certainly sounds like Ange-chan...

Is she living with you? I forgot to check if she was living alone or not.

[He's still worrying about Makoto, but a small nod signals that he understands. So much has changed since he left, but there's so much that's the same too. It's reassuring.]

If there's one thing Ange is good at doing. It's pretending not to have a good time.

[She smiles warmly. Glad that she had been working on breaking down those walls that Ange kept up.]

She is- We moved in together a little bit before the dream collapsed. We're staying with a few people from my world.

[She grins and lets her hands rest behind her head briefly.]

How about you? did you move back in with Usagi or where are you?

open | homesickness

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I misplaced this! Feel free to drop.