[ open + closed ] hello darkness, my old friend

[livingimpaired]

WHO: Kei Shigaraki and you; one closed prompt to Mizuki Sena.
WHERE: RAMEN shop, his back-alley clinic and throughout the city.
WHEN: 3/4 and throughout the month.
WHAT: Kei just trying to live a quiet, peaceful life.
WARNINGS: Kei's an asshole. cw: suicidal thoughts/inclinations in thread with Albert Wesker. cw: gore, mental illness, etc. in Atsushi briefly and Heine's.

i. who likes lava? (restaurant.)

[ As always, whenever anyone enters the shop, they are greeted with a heavy smell of spices. It hangs in the air that one can just tell that the food cooked is going to burn -- unless they ask for it to be toned down. It is thanks to a few people that he decides to reinstate the discounts of before.

To those of Retrospect, he offers a 50% discount to them with no strings attached. However, should they be feeling weak and close to death (of which he will have to determine for himself), he will give a 75% discount. Still, he really wonders if people will be into eating from his menu. It certainly will be entertaining -- ah, profitable, if he gathers a lot.

There is only one thing new to the restaurant. On the counter, there is a plate of chocolates. The sign next to them reads "free" and indeed, they are free to anyone who wants them. Unfortunately, the catch is that thanks to the efforts of Orihime Inoue and Akira Kurusu, they're filled with mapo tofu sauce. Enjoy. ]

ii. no discounts here! (back-alley clinic.)

[ In the late night (or a sudden call in the middle of the day), he steps into small building that he uses as his back-alley clinic. It is attached to his restaurant to allow him to easily enter and had, at one time, been extra storage room for the shop. He takes in a deep breath as he sets himself down on the stool in front of his client. ]

Well, how can I help you today? And I'm afraid that I'm going to have to once more say that there isn't going to be any discounts to my service. [ He holds his hand up before he suddenly gets up out of his chair. Walking over to pick up a plate of chocolates that is resting on the counter, he walks back to hold them out. ] But I do have these. Please, help yourself.

iii. TAKE ME TO CHURCH (closed to Mizuki Sena (adoringpast), 3/4).

[ Mass is over.

Kei actually wears a suit instead of his usual black turtleneck and jacket. It is pressed and looks well-taken care of. His hand is pressed over his mouth as he walks down the street, yet he does not appear to be ill. No, his expression is best read as thoughtful. However, he continues to breath hard out of his nose and onto his knuckles. Occasionally, he shakes his head before his hand finally drops. He looks down to his nephew and says one thing: ]

It's been longer than a month since you've been to church. [ A very calm statement. There is no disappointment in it. If anything, he sounds contemplative like he's commenting on a brush stroke an artist took to a painting. ] I'm surprised... You really went out of your way for me. [ Yes, that is what is surprising him so much. His nephew, who has been neglected by his brother, who has been made ignorant of what kind of person Kei is, went far out of his comfort zone to appease his simple wish. ]

It seems like I won't be able to repay you with just one day of ramen. Was that your plan all along, Mizuki?

iv. wildcard

[ Kei is also being garbage blowing through the city. If you don't like any of these prompts, you can throw down your own! I'll work with it. Or if you want to talk it out, you can send me a PP at saltandburn. ]

Comments

2

[glaciers]

[Shouto's not really here for the clinic part of this clinic. His injuries were the ghost kind that came from his partner's mishaps and they aren't even connected anymore.

But he does take a chocolate and stare down at it. It's funny that he's talked so much to this man without really meeting him in person. But sometimes it's much easier to talk to people with that distance between them.

For this though, Kei had asked him to talk in person. So he's here.]

That conversation we had over the app a few days ago. I want to continue it.

[livingimpaired]

[ He smiles warmly when the chocolate is taken before he walks back to set the tray back down on the counter. Kei lifts his head up when he hears what Shouto wants to talk about. Honestly, he had also wanted to continue the conversation but thought that the young man would want to wait on it. He had thought that he would have to bring it up himself -- and that the reason Shouto was even here was to talk about Izuku Midoriya. ]

I see. [ A small nod as he walks back to takes his seat once more. Interlacing his fingers, he rests his hands on top of his knee after crossing his legs. ] Let's see... we left off with your feelings at that time when all the adults would dismiss the "bad" that you were feeling... which is why I believe it is difficult for you to allow it to be shown now.

[glaciers]

[Sometimes when Shouto realizes he has an area to work on, he'll actually go and work on that area. This is, unfortunately, an area that he really needs to work on right now, because he'll be needing to give testimonials and such to the police and the judges.

The more times he can say it and go through it, then the easier it'll be.

He hopes.]

Is that what you think? ... I guess I have trouble with my feelings, but I'm not sure it's related to that, exactly.

It's more like I have thoughts and feelings I don't want. But they're still there.

[livingimpaired]

Yes. To constantly be invalidated based on what you're feeling and what you have experienced by those around you... you had to change how you felt in order to be taken seriously. That is why I think it is a problem from the past that is an issue for you now.

[ His head tilts to the side, a little surprised at how honest Shouto is with him. Is it because he's an adult? No, that isn't it. Adults have, until recently, been dismissive of him. It may be because Kei believes everything he says without question, but he'll ask about that later. ]

But thoughts and feelings that you don't want? What would those be?

[glaciers]

[ He eats the chocolate as he considers it. Did he really change that drastically? He didn't think he has, but on the other hand he's been this way for years. It's what he remembers.]

My feelings haven't changed, the way I've expressed then has.

You won't tell anyone else what I tell you today, right? I'm not gonna act on it, it's just something I hate.

[livingimpaired]

[ Indeed, the trick at the clinic is that the chocolates he prepared are actually chocolates rather than filled with mapo tofu sauce. He has enough reasonableness inside of him to not torment his clients, at least. ]

Ah, that would make sense. [ How Shouto expresses them would have to be different, wouldn't it? ]

I won't tell anything that I hear today, or any day. We're in my very illegal back-alley clinic. If I admitted to how I got the information, I might as well be carting myself off to jail, if not prison. [ Pulling his hands apart, he holds his hand out to the young man. ] So, please, speak freely.

wildcard cuz im a bad bitch

[odasaku]

[ having taken into account the advice given to him on the app, odasaku had set off to gather the necessary things to take care of this cat. the cat food is a lot more expensive than he thought, but the sacrifice is worth it— it’s not like he spends much either.

that said, every day around the late hours of the afternoon, oda passes by the ramen shop. he never goes in, though, he never even turns his head towards the entrance to see who might be inside. no, his objective is the stray cat that hovers around the shop, thin from malnutrition and a rough life. for the past few days, odasaku has been feeding the animal diligently, watching from a distance and then taking the bowls away once they’re cleaned.

today is no different. odasaku watches from a distance as the cat eats desperately, the food and water disappearing in a matter of minutes. but when he goes to pick up the bowl, he’s surprised that, not only does the cat not run away, it actually meows at him, rubbing its head against the back of oda’s hand. ]

Sorry, cat, you already ate it all. [ still, he can’t help but feel compelled to pet the animal, and is pleasantly surprised when the cat doesn’t hurt him. ] You’ll get fat if you eat too much, probably.

[livingimpaired]

What's this? A loiter?

[ He exits the shop so that he could close it for his own lunch hour. It's passed the point where his regulars would come to enjoy (suffer through) a burning pile of lava. Stepping forward, he tucks his hands into his jacket pockets. Is that man all right? Kei notices him bent over and pauses as he sees the cat.

Blinking slow, he looks back toward the man. "By the way, I found a cat near a ramen restaurant that looked hungry, but I didn’t have food with me. Any good suggestions on how to feed a stray cat?" Indeed, that was Oda's post on the network wasn't it. Kei thought that he should respond to it, but he relented. His curiosity about the man was something that he was uncertain about, too.

I was surprised to read that you even would waste your time on a stray creature. It isn't there isn't a lot in the city. What is so special about this one? Why would you do something that has no benefit to yourself? Are your emotions really as empty as mine? Or is it that you're seeking out something you can give them without giving up the emptiness? ]

Sakutarou Oda. How are you doing today?

[odasaku]

[ as soon as the cat hears the steps of an unknown man, it seems to regain the instincts of a stray cat, scurrying away in the blink of an eye. oda’s confused for a second— did i upset it?

but as soon as he hears the stranger’s voice, oda understands. it must be the owner of the ramen shop. they must have seen his post and recognized him. and when he turns to see who the voice belonged to—

oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.

not showing his frustration, odasaku keeps a poker face on. he picks up the makeshift bowls (plastic containers) before standing up; it’s the first time he meets someone taller than him. ]

I’m fine. Finished feeding the cat. I’m guessing you work here.

[glaciers]

[Thanks for not making Shouto suffer anymore than he already has.

He hasn't put that much thought into it, but that's probably the reason some of his emotions are muted. Or at least more distant than they should reasonably be. It's safer to look less interested, it's easier if he doesn't emote much.... maybe.]

I hate my father, I think everyone who knows me is aware of that.

[The next words seem to cause him great strain. He's only admitted it once before.]

But I wish he'd die.

[livingimpaired]

[ He gets a gold star for not being as evil as he could be -- and only attempting to worry his clients that he would give them awful chocolate.

Kei blinks as he mulls over the words spoken next. The strain and seeming agony over feeling those emotions at all. His eyes roll up as he looks at the ceiling, gaze drifting to the dark corners of the room. ]

Do you want to kill him, or merely wish he was dead?

[livingimpaired]

Yes, this is my shop.

[ He makes a small hand gesture toward the entrance. His gaze returns to Oda's face, looking over the calm that he is met with. It is very much like still, clean waters. Beneath the expression -- and his head ducks a little like he is attempting to look past the man's face -- is no sense of darkness. Why. ]

Feeding the cat, hm. Have you decided on a name for it? Or perhaps, you should simply take it home? [ He lets his gaze slipping away from the man to look toward where the cat had gone. Do you only take so much responsibility for others' lives? ]

[odasaku]

Maybe.

[ truthfully speaking, odasaku hadn't even considered the idea of taking the cat with him. the most he had suggested was giving it up to the shelter once it became used to people, but nothing more. hell, he really doesn't mind following this routine, feeding the cat in the same place, daily.

but saying any of that would imply starting a conversation with this man-- something oda would much rather avoid at all costs. so he'll keep his responses short and vague. ]

Sorry if I bothered you. [ he shrugs, his expression indifferent. if it really does bother kei... then odasaku doesn't really care that much. ]

[livingimpaired]

You didn't. I don't care if it lives or dies.

[ His shoulders lift and lower in a quick shrug. ] I can't be responsible for every stray that happens to wander around here. [ But it seems like Oda took a shine to it? Would he abandon it just as easily? Then what was the point at all in offering it the chance to survive? ]

Either way, if you have such lukewarm feelings, should I call animal control?

[odasaku]

[ odasaku's stomach ties itself in knots, blue eyes narrowing just slightly towards kei's response.

i don't care if it lives or dies. ]

Must be nice to live like that.

[ is that sarcasm or honesty? not even sakutarou's sure of the answer-- a mix of both, most likely. it must be nice, to feel so indifferently about the lives of others. unable to feel pain if they live or die.

but, at the same time, that type of indifference only reinforces the idea that this man is nothing close to what people consider normal. if he is empty, as he once told oda on the app, then he's like a dark room. a room so dark that, when the door is closed, not even the door is able to be seen.

it's terrifying.

still, odasaku manages to somehow keep himself in check, shaking his head. ]

That won't be necessary. Give me until the evening. You scared it off, so it probably won't come back until you're gone.

I

[beneathmoonlight]

[Now that he’s back in the city, Atsushi makes a point to visit everyone he’s gotten close to during his time here. One such person is Kei Shigaraki, his newfound father figure, and Atsushi drops by the Ramen shop to say hello on his way back to the bakery. When he walks in the door he doesn’t immediately see Kei, but he does see a plate of free chocolates. Now, most people would be at least somewhat wary of that, but Atsushi, being naive and trusting as he is, takes one of the chocolates and pops it into his mouth, and-

OH. OH GOD. IT BURNS!!!!! His mouth is on fire!! Eyes watering, he coughs and frantically searches for a glass of water to numb the pain.]

W-why????!

[livingimpaired]

[ Kei cocks his head, uncertain if the compliment is sarcastic or not. His chin ducks as he laughs abruptly. The very idea that it is nice to live as he does tickles him. He shakes his head, covering his mouth to hide his smile, but his shoulders give him away. They are still lifted and shaking a little due to his quiet laughter. A hard sigh is breathed into his hand before he drops it away. ]

No. I wouldn't recommend anyone live as I do. It works for me and is comfortable for me, but for anyone else, it would be a torturous and unpleasant existence.

[ His voice returns to the same calm as before. Like he did not even break out into laughter. He narrows his eyes to carefully scrutinize Oda's face, taking in every little piece of his expression. He muses over the request that he has been given. Wait until tonight? Still, in all honesty, he had no intention of causing any harm intentionally or otherwise. Social obligations tells him that it would reflect poorly on the restaurant if he did.

He may not care how people feel about him, but the shop is another matter entirely. Others that are aware of the cat care if it lives. In short, he didn't lie to Oda about his indifference but rather attempted to make a humane cage in order to catch the man in feeling something. If it were me, I would have made a snap decision. But then, I wouldn't be here in the first place. So why? Is he going to decide if it is worth the trouble, or is there another reason?

Oda's lack of response to him offering to call animal control meant the trap didn't snap down on his neck. Unfortunate. ]

That is more than fair to me. In any case, I am not the one invested in the cat. So, I could just as easily allow you to continue to watch over it as you do now. Shall we add that to your decision for tonight, too?

[odasaku]

[ odasaku's gullible, but not stupid. he catches the way the man laughs and it doesn't just irritate him-- it angers odasaku.

he thinks back on the man's post on the app, and how many people had answered him. how many of them saw his true nature? is he the only one that can see how insanely dangerous this man is? or is he imagin-- no. no.

he sighs, as if he was talking about the weather with an acquaintance and not dealing with a psychopath in the making. ]

Well, the longer you stay there, the longer I'm gonna take to coax the cat back out again. This is still public property, too; I don't need your permission.

[ and just to show how little he cares about kei's "permission", he's gonna pull out a cigarette and light it. haha smoking right in front of you asshole. ]

[livingimpaired]

Atsushi?!

[ Kei had been in the small backroom that connects to the kitchen. He hears the horrid coughing and immediately came out to see what is happening. It surprises him to see the young man apparently in a lot of pain and he hurries over to see what is the matter. ]

What is-- [ Oh. The chocolates. ] Right. [ He turns, hiding his amusement, as he rushes back behind the counter to pour a glass of milk for Atsushi. Returning quickly, he holds it out to him. ] Perhaps that batch was a little strong?

[livingimpaired]

Then lets have a bit of a walk away from here, then. It is a matter that requires some discussing, because it seems you misunderstood an important detail.

[ He needles with a warm smile; it is sincere and honest. It is a smile that he didn't think that he had. ]

You don't need my permission. You need my silence.

[ But he is already formulating what he should do if Oda decides it is too much trouble. Howard might like a cat. It may help ease his personal anxiety to put all his anxiety onto a creature to care for. And, yes, Kei is fully aware that his friendship with Howard would curdle like milk if the professor caught wind that he was planning anything unfortunate with a feline victim. That would get in the way of me being able to see Howard's metamorphosis... and I don't want to hurt Howard anymore than everyone else may unintentionally. ]

You are lucky. I was just going for a late lunch. So I will treat you since I am taking your time up.

[odasaku]

[ i am the unluckiest man in the world, if i'm stuck in this situation. oda holds himself back from glaring at kei, deciding instead to focus his attention on the man's offer.

lunch? with him? he might as well agree to waterboarding. the last thing odasaku desires is to be another second with kei, as eager as the other may be.

luckily (because you can't lose every round) he has an excuse. ]

I brought my own lunch, actually. I'm comin' back from work. [ he fishes out of his backpack a bag with some tupperware and plastic utensils just to show it to kei.

with his other hand, he brings the cigarette to his lips, taking a drag. at least that eases the anxiety. ] Don't worry 'bout me. I'll be fine.

[glaciers]

[He's seen that other him, cold, callous and cruel. Sure he wouldn't want to kill a bunch of villains, but he's not above it either. Murder was justified if it meant information.

His own feelings aren't even that. It's just frustration and anger that have built up for years. Ever since the first time his mother took a blow trying to protect him.

She didn't deserve that.]

I want to. Like it would be cathartic or something.

It's so stupid, these feelings are stupid. If I was imprisoned for that then Mom would be alone.

[livingimpaired]

All right. Let's walk until we have to part, then.

[ He shrugs his shoulders as he wonders if perhaps Oda is mad at him. Why? The level of hostility doesn't quite make sense to him. Are you really as empty as I am? Anger is such a foreign concept to him. Unlike love, he knows he can feel it but rarely does. But it is a fairly rare occurrence. ]

Or are you too angry that you cannot stand the thought of a short walk with me? [ Indeed, why not just cut to the chase and ask? ]

[livingimpaired]

They aren't stupid.

[ He looks away from those shadows to look to Shouto. His smile is a sympathetic one, as he shakes his head. ]

You could easily kill him without anyone knowing. [ A calm statement of fact. ] But no, it wouldn't make you feel better. You would only come to realize that your father made you a murderer. And yes, your mother would be alone, too, but the weight of having taken the life of someone is a heavy one.

You would never be free of him, then. Instead he would be a ghost for you to always feel haunting your existence. And I am afraid that the man is not worth that, Shouto. [ He lifts his hands, he brings one hand down onto another to illustrate his point. ] Cut your ties with him in all ways.

The anger. The hate. The murderous wish. Cut them completely away from you and have him mean nothing to your life anymore. Indeed, his existence to you should become to mean nothing more than an insect, a worm. That is the only way you can start to feel free.

[odasaku]

Not exactly.

[ as quickly as it comes, the anger disappears with the smoke from his cigarette. he recognizes that something about the man ticks him off, forces warning bells to ring in his head. what angers oda about him.... is not the way he talks to him. he could tower over him with that imposing aura for hours, and oda wouldn’t give a damn.

it’s... it’s...

he sighs, closing his eyes as he takes another drag of the cigarette. ]

I feel you might have the wrong idea about me, Kei.