recolle | (CLOSED) a parent-master conference

(CLOSED) a parent-master conference

WHO: Ichirou, Marcell, Yato
WHERE: The Inkwell
WHEN: Early November
WHAT: A discussion about Yukine's future.
WARNINGS: None.

[ It might seem odd: a couple of texts from Yato to Ichirou and Marcell telling them to meet him in person when they can. Just the three of them. If they ask why, he'll simply say that it's about their son. He trusts that that'll be enough to convince them.

To ensure that they aren't overheard by the son in question, Yato invites them to a sanctuary against teens, much the same way the girls' restroom is a haven from boys: none other than his favorite bar, meeting spot, and workplace, The Inkwell. Off-hours, of course.

Whenever Marcell and Ichirou are able to make their way over, the door will be unlocked and Yato will be waiting at the bar. With his tracksuit damaged beyond repair, he's dressed like a normal person in a t-shirt and jeans... almost. A simple scarf is tied around his neck but its material is oddly luxurious, and his faithful old boots are as dusty as ever.

When he spots his guests, he waits for them to get settled, unsmiling. ]

Hey. Take a seat.

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[He really doesn't know what this could be about, but, AGAINST ALL LOGIC he actually somewhat trusts Yato, so here he is.

Seeing their expression, though...he didn't even look this serious when attempted murder was involved, so now he's a little worried. So he'll be taking a seat, and waiting for Marcell to do so, as well.]

[ Marcell is inclined to...at least sort of trust Yato, given it's rare for Yato to sound this serious. It's so out of character from what Marcell has seen from him that he has to, really. He takes a seat next to Ichirou, and nods to Yato. ]

Hello, Yato.

[ He doesn't really expect it'll be a happy conversation, given the tone that's been set. ]

[ Ichirou, Yato's only sort-of friend on the force... Yato nods to them both before crossing his arms. ]

I'm here to talk about Yuki. I don't know how much he's told you, but there are some things you should know about him and me.

My only condition is that you two keep this information between yourselves until I've had the chance to talk to him.

[Concern is high.]

...Alright...

[He hasn't made the leap that they remember each other in their memories yet.]

What is it?

[ Marcell assumes, incorrectly, that Yato means his relationship with Yukine previously. Which isn't exactly wrong, actually, it just isn't what he's thinking this is. ]

[ That isn't technically a yes from Marcell, but good enough. Yato will trust him to be discreet. ]

First off, I'm a god. Now and in my other life. Yuki already knows about that.

Second, Yuki was my shinki in our other lives. That means he was my vessel and retainer... and a ghost. With the way things are going, I expect he might be one again pretty soon.

[His body seizes up, a little.]

What the hell do you mean, he'll be one again soon.

I'm sure you've noticed his tattoo.

[ Yato touches the spot on his own left collarbone. ]

It's a shinki's tattoo. I gave it to him when I named him in our other life. You can pray it'll stay a simple tattoo and nothing else, but I wouldn't count on it.

[He has a hell of a lot of questions, but Yato probably doesn't know a ton more than him...]

What's going to happen, then?

Most people will stop being able to see him. Even fewer people will be able to remember him. He'll be overlooked by the system. Continuing school will be difficult.

Even you two will forget him with time. Normal life won't be an option anymore.

[ 'Even you two will forget him with time.' is the part that makes Marcell seize up a little, without even realising it. Not just that, but the whole thing about...Yukine being forgotten, he can't have a normal life -- ]

Isn't there anything we can do?

[ Marcell is probably asking for a way to stop the changes in Yukine, but Yato has no acceptable answer to that. The only thing he's learned to do is make the most out of the Far Shore condition thrust upon him. ]

Keep reminders of him around. Make sure you don't go too long without seeing him. You'll figure out what "too long" is with experience. Most of all, appreciate your time with him... not that you need me telling you that.

[ If these points are coming out a little too rapidly, it's because Yato's had too much time to think about them. Yato sighs and shoves his hands in his pockets, easing the tension in his shoulders. ]

I know this is a lot of information to take in, but it'll be even worse for Yuki. I thought it would be best if you two were ready to support him when he needs it.

[He very visibly places his hands on the table. If he gripped his own leg, or the edge of the table, or worse yet, Marcell's hand or leg he might break them. It's something he's had to be careful of.]

I see.

[He's trying to stay calm. Stay calm. It's hard. He's basically been told his son is going to lose any chance of a normal life.]

I really appreciate you telling us.

[His tone is...flat. But it's so obviously manufactured. He can't let the slightest bit of emotion through or he'll lose control of himself, and then he wouldn't know what he'd do.]

...Thank you.

[ Marcell realises that this isn't something Yato probably would want to be thanked for, but what else is there to say? He places a hand over one of Silver's on the table, gently. ]

We'll...we'll do our best.

[ Even as he's trying to keep himself together too. ]

[ Are they really feeling thankful? Yato imagines there are other feelings threatening to drown out that courtesy. They're doing their best not to freak out in front of him, and he can't blame them for the cracks in their composure. He can understand at least a fraction of what they're going through. ]

For what it's worth, it won't be the end for him.

[ He can assure them of that much. After all, being on the Far Shore hasn't been the end of Yato yet. ]

If you've got any more questions or complaints, you might as well air 'em out now. Otherwise, you know how to contact me.

...Wait.

Does all this apply to you?

Is that why you get away with so much? [see: not in jail, but he doesn't want to say that in front of Marcell]

[ Ichirou will be the first member of the police force to understand Yato's circumstances... and Yato is okay with that. Better Ichirou than any of the others. Yato gives the barest of smiles, humorless. ]

You got it. Gods and spirits don't belong with the living. We reside on a different plane -- I called it the Far Shore. I'm not invisible, obviously, but I stay in the blind spots of humans' perceptions. When I try to grab someone's attention, they'll notice me, but they'll forget who I am once I'm out of the scene. Just like a background extra in a movie.

The humans on Retrospec are different. You all remember longer than the rest. The closer you are to me, the better you tend to remember. Usually. But the moment you get dropped from the network... [ He snaps his fingers. ] I'm a stranger, just like that. My own dad probably doesn't recognize me. It'll likely be the same for Yuki.

[That visibly alarms him.]

I see.

That explains it.

...Doesn't that mean...

[ So that's what Yato meant when he said continuing school will probably be difficult for Yukine. Honestly, Marcell is overwhelmed just thinking about all this -- that he can't really do anything other than be there for Yukine makes it even harder.

He doesn't say anything about "Is that why you get away with so much?", but only because he figures it's something he should ask Ichirou in private later. ]

Of course, there's no telling how fast any changes will take place. It came in bits and pieces for me, over the course of about half a year. Yuki's had his tattoo for months already, but it doesn't seem like much else has happened. Though he's been seeing more memories lately...

[ Which was enough of a sign for Yato to get Yukine's parents involved. Yato looks at them both in turn, taking in their expressions, and then turns to grab a bottle of beer cased behind the bar. ]

I think that's enough information for you guys to chew on for now. Go home. Talk it over.

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(CLOSED) a parent-master conference

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