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WHO: Kei Shigaraki + OPEN.
WHERE: Various locations in the city.
WHEN: Early weeks of June.
WHAT: Early month catch-all.
WARNINGS: None, really.

i. Afternoon. Stealing from stores.

[ Kei had been worried about what to do about his clothes, and this mishap has given him the answer that he needs. To change out his entire wardrobe, that would require funds that he did not actually have handy. But now he doesn't have to worry about that, at all.

So, he can be seen through the windows of shops at the cash register. He is removing the security devices attached to his new clothes and tossing them in the garbage, before folding up his "purchases" into large shopping bags. He does not appear to be particularly hurried or bothered. If anything he seems too at ease with what he's doing.

The other thing that may be out of place is what he's wearing. He has not changed out his casual wear yet -- and is wearing a tee-shirt that reads STRONKEST SQUIRREL with a cartoon squirrel flexing on the back of the shirt. How ... odd. ]

ii. Nighttime. Streets.

[ There is something peaceful about everything. Even though, he can occasionally hear the people still out at the late hour; it is like they are not there. The noises made by a passing invisible person can be considered no more than the ambient sounds of the city.

Kei, of course, realizes that the peaceful feeling he is experiencing is coming from a darker place. It comes from the knowledge that people are suffering. There are those that wish to see their loved ones and can't. There are those that find the emptiness of this city to feel no more than an omen of death. Misery is building up within the people -- and he finds peace in it.

It isn't anything that he's proud of. It certainly isn't anything that he will be able to discuss with anyone. But should he run into anyone at this late hour, he will be in high spirits. He will have a warmer smile than usual. The guilt he feels isn't quite enough to damper his spirits. ]

A fine night for a walk, is it not?

iii. WILDCARD

[ Honestly, I am fine with him running into anyone anywhere, and if these two prompts don't work, feel free to hit me up with anything else! ]

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[ Pitou and the dolls sit behind the cash register. The cat creature had demanded the company, arranging them around them in a ring, like tucking themselves away inside the safety of a magic circle. They are laconic and unfriendly with customers, but they can make change well enough. Once the NPCs are gone, in fact, so many Retrospect denizens already know what a crabby bag of shit they are and barely bat an eyelash.

With a small amount of passive-aggressive wheedling, they can be convinced to help close up the restaurant, especially in exchange for food. They don't seem to care much if they actually get paid, their main request tends to be, ]

Chicken, for the cats.

Oh, hey! Mr. Shigaraki.

[ it's been a while. ]

[ and john's just gotten off work, as evident by the apron (with "sweet stems" stitched into it; he likes that part to it) still tied about his waist, when he crosses paths with kei. john matches that smile with a grin of his own, offering a wave before he tucks both his hands into his pockets. ]

Right? The weather's nice, too. [ he ducks his head, slightly, giving the man a look in the dimmed light. ] I'd usually like to go for a stroll elsewhere, but it's not too bad, here.

Asking for payment in advance?

[ He turns to look to his part-timer with a slight tilt of his head. Kei still chuckles to himself that Pitou is willing even to ask for what they want rather than simply leaving the restaurant for him to clean alone. ]

Ah, my employee is doing his best to clean up by himself now. [ He crosses his arms as he listens. Kei pauses as he shakes his head. ] I will give him a week or so before he quits. He did not sign up to work and manage the entire restaurant by himself, after all.

[ But he chuckles all the same. ] He cannot see or notice what we're doing, but I agree that it'll be good for us to help him out. [ And he realizes how impossible that actually is. No matter what it is that they do, the "mess" for his employee is going to feel the same. ]

So. What do you think of all this?

[ Oh. It's John.

It is in a flash that Kei recalls what Atsushi told him about what had occurred between the two of them. His head cocks to the side as his smile pulls back to a more withdrawn, closed grin. He thinks about how his reaction should be -- as a person that has normal human emotions, and tries not to laugh at the very absurd idea. ]
You're right. It is.

[ He believes that John and Atsushi have buried the hatchet, as it were. But a person who cares about another individual can be irrational. Kei dips his chin down as he hides how his smile twists at his own evaluation of what he should do and what he plans to do.

Because he intends to play the villain with minimal attachment. He doesn't feel anything about it. Atsushi's situation doesn't change how he is going to live his life. But his following actions will, which brings some dark amusement to him. ]

Though, I must say that I find it somewhat disagreeable that you're able to smile so cheerfully when you've hurt someone close to me. It does make me wonder if you're capable of regret.

[ Yes, he thinks, that's a good start. ]

Edited 2018-06-05 17:23 (UTC)

[ that alone is enough to knock the smile from john's expression, as completely unanticipated as the comments are— here, they'd been talking about the weather. he pauses in place, surprise to pass over his face, and then to muddy with confusion. finally, his eyes narrow, brows furrowed as he cuts kei a glance. ]

[ someone close to him...? john feels a wave of unease. he'd hoped he'd put this past him. ]

[ atsushi? but of course, is the first name that comes to mind. ]

Who're you talking 'bout...?

[ taken aback as he is, the question slips out regardless. ]

Atsushi.

[ Kei recalls how the person in question seemed almost terrified about what he would do, but the shop owner only came to a simple conclusion -- and that was to be righteously angry. And it is an empty, hollow righteousness that he has no right to feel toward any particular subject.

But he wonders if the words and gestures will ring true for John. He wonders if the anger will be felt as if it is real. ]

He is exceptionally kind and willing to forgive others their trespasses. And we should forgive those that trespass against us. [ He is careful not to smile. ] However, I wonder if anyone has even shown a little bit of anger to you for his sake.

[ He looks down. ] Though, I'm certain that most are willing to respect his wishes to forgive you, but I'm afraid I can't quite do that, John. [ Such a play production; Kei's almost proud of it. ]

[ john buys every word; he's exceptionally familiar with righteous anger. it's understandable. kei might not show those telltale signs of the emotion, but he doesn't need to. and immediately, john feels like he's been put on the defense, watching the other man with some semblance of indignation. a month: it might not objectively be long, but he'd worked hard in moving past this. ]

[ maybe he shouldn't have, and maybe he hasn't been successful in the first place. ]

[ john's eyes flash-- kei's not wrong: most people had been willing to accept what had happened, as small as that circle of people is. he's tempted to spit something ugly, what's there to forgive? that hadn't been me. ]

[ ... and he'd just had the lord's prayer quoted at him. that's something that's happened. ]

They could forgive because hurtin' him like that hadn't been anythin' I wanted to do. [ that comes easily enough; despite his shock, his voice keeps steady. ] Do you think any of that was willing?

Edited 2018-06-05 21:37 (UTC)

[ Mmn. So they did forgive it.

He breathes out a small sigh. It is one of relief, but given the tone of the conversation, it could be read as frustration or disappointment. People acting just as he assumed that they would makes for a better set-up to his production. ]

I don't know, John. I don't know you.

[ And that much is the truth; he doesn't know John that well, but he's fairly certain that it had not been willing. At the same time, what does he know? He keeps his chin down as he smiles to himself -- amused with his own private joke. ]

Perhaps, there is some dark desire in you to hurt others. [ He walks forward toward him; his hands behind his back as he keeps his tone calm, neutral. Kei pauses as he cocks his head to the side. No, he should put a little bit of emotion into his words. He twists the sound of them so they sound harsher and is pleased with the end result. ]

And it merely fed upon it. But that's true for anyone, don't you think? Do you think that is a fair way to end what had happened? All is forgiven like it never happened... and it's all swept away off the table. Would you feel that is fair if the situation was reversed?

[ john has to stop himself from visibly flinching. some dark desire? is the little echo in his head response to those words. is that really true of him, or everyone? is that true at all? whatever the case--as perhaps, again, could be true for anyone--it's not something that he likes to consider. ]

No.

[ so the response is quick, short. ]

[ the smile's long-vanished now, his lip beginning to curl and reveal the edge of teeth. ]

[ he stands his ground as kei approaches him, feeling like he's being looked at like some curious, unsightly specimen. he's annoyed, even letting this get to him in the first place. he shouldn't care what kei has to think of him: it's like he said, they don't know each other. in a way, he doesn't. and yet he still feels compelled to dig his heels into the dirt and set the situation straight as he sees it, as much as he mourns what could've been the flippant, dismissive course of action. his eyes have widened; kei's taller than him, so he has to tip his chin to evenly meet his gaze. ]

How could I know that? [ his tone is snappish. and, then, his easy fallback: ] If that happened to someone else, then I'd blame Retrospec. You're tryin' to blame the wrong guy.

Don't you find it tiring to have to constantly blame the app for the actions of others?

[ His head tilts to the side as he applauds himself inwardly at the question. ]
Perhaps, you had no control, but you are the one who did it. Certainly, you must feel somewhat cheated in having faced no judgement for what you did.

[ Kei allows his stare to be as it actually is -- dead, devoid of interest. It helps to set the tone of his performed anger. In reality, it is his honest and true face. He could never be so angry at someone, at anyone; the only person that he felt true hatred for is a real and honest monster.
John, in comparison, is little more than a point that he is attempting to make. To the young man, to Atsushi should he hear of it, and to others. ]

Everyone is simply complacent and forgiving of one another's actions. Perhaps, I am blaming the wrong person, but I believe that is quite a human thing. [ And so he hints there is something inhuman about how John has moved past the possession of the months before. Sometimes subtly is best. ]

[Kara, of course, has no qualms about walking around late at night. She's heading back from campus, and even with monster attacks happening and the eerie lack of people to talk to and make noise, her attitude isn't dampened in the slightest. She's bopping along, hovering just off the ground.

Turning at the sound of a familiar voice, she grins.]

It is.

[He's in high spirits.......]

You're out late. How's things, Kei?

[ He gives a small tip of his head to Kara in greeting. Tilting his head, like he actually needs to, he notes that she is hovering off of the ground. Well, she did get more enjoyment out of flight than he did (and does). ]

Things are as well as they could be with the city as empty as it is. [ A small shrug. His high spirits fade just a little as he feels the guilt start crawling up the back of his spine. As well as they could be, huh? ]

I will say that there is a different feeling of church these days... to hear the echoed voices in the empty room. [ He smiles, as he offers a better answer, and eases the guilt that he feels over the other reasons for his fine mood. ] Not that there are any services at this hour, but more of something to try, if you are so willing.

[ Hm. ] And what of you, Kara? Is younger Kara doing all right, too?

[Things could always be better. This is eerie and weird, all things considered and her heart does ache for the missing people. Where are they? How are they? It's not a problem she can solve at the moment, but she's doing her part to generate soul energy at least.]

I'm better than all right, as is my sister.

[She twirls, moving backwards so she can look at him, skimming still. Flight is becoming almost second nature to her, and as strange as it might seem to observers she's begun embracing her differences a little more. This is her power, and she does have the right to use it so long as it doesn't interfere with the rights of another.]

I'd be happy to listen to a service. I feel the need to thank God more and more lately.

[And almost as an afterthought:]

I think my asthma is improving.

[ Kei resists hearing the thought, and feeling, the disappointment that both are doing all right. He shakes his head as he shakes himself out of his good mood -- in seeing someone who is legitimately happy for good reasons, he can only dislike his own more. It is a cold splash of water, but he feels it is deserved. ]

That is wonderful news. I was concerned how your sister might be with the city becoming as it is. After all, it does seem like the young are more affected than we are.

[ The twirling is met with a half-smile. His fingers flex but he smooth out his smile. There is little annoyance in what he feels, but a sense of how distant he feels to this moment, to this happiness. He never noticed or was bothered with it before.

His gaze drops away, looking out and down the empty street. ]

Is that so? That means that you're living well and happily, then. Such feelings will end up being quite contagious, and I feel as though we will eventually be needing such contagious warmth. [ Sounding quite sincere, he feels a warmer touch upon his shoulders. Like the guilt forgiving him just a little because he reminds others to be thankful, and to bask in the feelings of joy.

He looks back at her, curious. ]

No more attacks as soon as memories come to you?

I don't.

[ firmly, to both being tired of blaming the app as well as feeling cheated of judgment. he's tired of blaming the app in that the app causes, but that's justified. john's gaze sharpens; kei continues to openly prod at sore points, and so he feels his hands curl into loose fists at his sides. the flatness of kei's expression does further set the scene: it's another reminder of those pitched fears, that people could only view him and his past self as something worthy of contempt.

he's letting himself get worked up over-- this, of all things. kei's opinion shouldn't matter, and john thinks he doesn't have to listen to it. it takes a moment before the suggestion of his inhumanity sinks in, and it's then that comes to a decision. ]

I'm not gonna try to reason with you.

[ it's mostly frustration that bleeds into his voice. he's going to try to move past kei, then. ]

Have a good night, Mr. Shigaraki.

It's true. She's got a lot more to worry about than I do, but she seems to be handling it alright.

[With the noteworthy exception of being quite clumsy. Kara hadn't noticed it before, but Little K's certainly got a knack for running into things. It's one of the many reasons she hopes the girl regains that durability soon.]

And yes, that's right. No more attacks in the last...three days? Maybe four. I've actually not recalled any since the start of June. It's strange, thinking I might be breathing normally for the first time in my life.

[All it took was Retrospec. And it's sort of an amazing feeling, too. She inhales deeply, grinning at him.]

I haven't seen you around much lately. How's everything on your end? Restaurant doing well?

[ He reaches to catch hold of John's arm before he moves past him. His grip is light and could be easily broken. Lowering his tone, he shifts the sound of his words. Normally sympathetic sounding words twist to sound cold, unfeeling. ]

In some way, I think you'll end up feeling better.

[ Kei decides to not allow him to leave without having the last word. ]

As much as you attempt to put Retrospec-induced actions behind, it is not something that can be forgotten. It'll come back eventually.

[ So how does one heal a wound of that kind? He has no feelings one way or the other, and so he has no qualms with tearing into the infected injury. Expose it to the air and let the flames of false anger shear and cleanse the flesh. ]

There is nothing to reason with, John. My anger is my own, and whatever words an unrepentant man has... falls upon deaf ears, anyway.

[ These things must be addressed with cruelty rather than warm love, because there is a sense of resentment that hides beneath the service of forgiveness. The resentment is, indeed, focused on the app, but what does that get a person? Nowhere. What will happen, will happen. What has happened, happened. The resentment will grow beneath the surface and with no one to blame, it makes recovery difficult. Furthermore, Atsushi wants to be friends with John, but there will be a barrier; John may want to be friends with Atsushi, but is it mostly out of some misplaced guilt?

And so, a villain must be made.

These are his feelings, and while he cares little about the situation itself, while he feels little anger about what had actually happened, he decides that he likes Atsushi and John just enough to attempt to help rather than watch a tragedy slowly unfold as the months go on. ]

Well, she does also have you to support her, so I suppose I worried for no reason.

[ He swallows, nodding. Yes, worrying for no reason, that is a way to put it, isn't it? ]

It certainly is a good kind of strange, though. [ A small nod. His own appearance and physical capabilities has changed -- and most would consider it for the better. However, Kei misses the sense of weakness his old body had; there was comfort in it. But his feelings are certainly not unique. ]

I've been something of a hermit. [ He admits readily. Stepping back, he makes a gesture with his hand that she should walk -- or float as the case may be -- where she is heading and he can follow along. ]

The restaurant is doing well. I can hear my employee working hard, but I'm certain that by the end of the month, he is going to quit. He didn't sign up to maintain the shop entirely by himself, after all. [ A small shake of his head. ] It's regrettable.

But as for me, I've come to realize I can hate someone.

[ Pitou crunches aggressively into the candy shell of a sucker in response to this question, only deigning to answer after chomping on it loudly for a few moments. ]

I think it's not very surprising. A lot of what goes on here can only be explained by multiple layers of existence, now they're just overlapping concurrently rather than entirely disparate.

[ Crunch crunch. ]

It does tell me something that I can't see or sense his aura. Someone might be able to sneak up on me one day.

[ And then they'd get their eyes clawed out. ]

[Hux squints at Kei for a moment, wondering why someone is so cheerful, especially this late at night. He doesn't seem drunk, so maybe he's just having a good night? Everything seems to be going to shit lately though...

Unless he's the endlessly optimistic type, Hux has another theory.]

Are you going to mug me?

[Clearly the reasonable conclusion to jump to. And despite the somewhat negative question, he doesn't seem worried.]

A hermit, eh?

[Well, she can't really argue, and she's interested in catching up, so she will continue to float along with him. No sense in interrupting to ask anything.

Her brows knit together at the mention of the shop, and how he's clearly let it go. That poor guy running it. Hell of a thing to drop on a kid like that, but if it's in business that's at least a start.

Now that last bit, that is interesting. she works her jaw silently, considering her words a bit more carefully before asking:]

Oh? How'd you come to realize that?

[ Clearly, that is the most reasonable conclusion to come to. He cocks his head to the side as he stares at him somewhat confused. Not so much by the question, but the fact that the man doesn't appear to be too worried or anxious. ]

Do you have anything I would want to mug you for?

[ Why can't he just say "no?" ]

I exhausted my social nature the month before.

[ Not entirely untrue. He did open up his apartment to others to visit Sakura, and had an impromptu roommate. Kei is someone that recharges best when he is alone, but he also finds himself seeking out darker thoughts on his own, too. It's not the best situation for him, but -- ]

From memories. [ Kei is careful to say it that way. It's the truth and a truth that will lead to a wrong conclusion. After all, it wasn't just his own memory that he realized he could hate someone, but someone else's. Tucking his hands into his pockets, he walks with his head tilted up toward the sky. ]

There's nothing exhilarating in hate. I am certain you know that already, but it is still comforting to know that I can hate someone. [ His gaze drifts over to look to her. ] I find myself so easy-going that I wondered if it was possible.

Edited 2018-06-08 05:18 (UTC)

Why isn't it surprising?

[ He makes a gesture toward the empty restaurant, even though he can hear the sound of plates clicking together indicating his one worker is working to clean up. ]

Someone is obviously disrupting these layers, and so it would mean... what?

[ Unless, it is Retrospec themselves disrupting the layers. And for what purpose would that be? It is unfortunate, but he cannot guess the reason why, because he has not taken the time to really analyze the people attached to the app.

Not necessarily out of ignorance or dismissiveness. Kei merely recognized an endeavor that would get him nowhere. His personality is one that would not allow him to draw close to the humans -- Zee and the others. They would sense something off about him as most do, and he would only be able to speak to the persona that they give; there would be nothing he could glean about the deeper workings of the app, because they would refuse to show him their human side. ]

I wish I had sent people to befriend our guardians in the tower sooner. And all the same, I worry about the day that happens. That someone would sneak up on you.

[She meets his gaze, eyebrow arching ever so slightly. Comforting to know he can hate? She had him pegged for hiding his emotions, not concerned that he didn't possess them. Easygoing, though, he is not.]

Hate is...an intense emotion. [She can't say she hates anyone, not really.] I don't know if it's one I've experienced personally. At least, not completely Even the guy I told you about in my visions is just a jerk, but I don't think he's someone I hated.

[She looks away, down the street.]

Who was it that you hated?

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wildcard - aka i do what i want

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