[open dreamdive] no longer human

[thesettingsun]

WHO: You!
WHERE: Shuji's subconscious.
WHEN: August 18.
WHAT: Dreamdiving!
WARNINGS: Depends on how the dive goes, but a likely one is suicide.

[Maybe you weren't even in line of sight of Shuji. Just about everyone has a reason to be out and about on a Saruday afternoon, and nobody wants their day interrupted by the ground falling out from under them. Maybe you don't even instantly recognize that the library entrance you fall into would be part of Shuji's subconscious and not anybody else's.

This is how things ended up for you today, unfortunately. Might as well take a look around and see if you can't spot the man himself.

Locations are in top-levels added as divers enter them.]

Comments

[vitis]

[ it does look awfully sharp, and john's pointedly aware of a scythe's other purpose, besides in apparently, slashing people: cutting at plants. sure, he knows his vines are stronger than any natural vine, what with blocking bullets and all, but it's still enough that he's on edge. ]

And why don't you quit wastin' our time, and just hand it over? [ he sticks his hands into his pockets, his posture bracing. ] We know I'm gotta get it sooner or later.

[ why is he so dumb. sorry. ]

[thesettingsun]

[Shuji hasn't actually seen his vines do anything impressive like that, so it's possible that they're only normal-vine strength in here.]

Sooner or later, probably. But did you know something? The longer someone's in a coma, the less likely it is that they'll ever wake up.

[vitis]

[ it's a shame that john hasn't thought of that. ]

[ but that's enough for him to hear, even as chatty as john himself can be. a vine will dart outwards, then, aiming to grasp the wrist that holds the scythe; should it have the speed he's accustomed to, it's a fairly quick motion.

otherwise, well... ]

[thesettingsun]

[John has never used his vines at full speed when he's showing them off to Shuji, is the thing. So it's slower, and before it reaches Dazai he slices through the vine like butter.]

If you're done talking, you should just leave.

[vitis]

[ john watches the vine get sliced easily (like a scythe would through some crop); that causes a mix of shock to pass over his face, then confusion, and then frustration. it's quite the diplay, what with his smile now something more of a grimace. ]

That's not an option. I need that book.

[thesettingsun]

Too bad~~

[Dazai's next swing isn't aimed at the vines - rather, he rushes forward and aims this swing at John's torso.]

[vitis]

[ ohh my jesus ]

[ dazai's out for blood, that much is clear. thankfully, john knows an attack when he sees once coming-- his vines pathetically throw themselves at dazai's feet as he launches backward to barely dodge the swipe. ]

[ he lingers at the doorway, now, having remained close to it regardless (long-range combat is more his suit) ]

[ ... but there's nothing he really can do here, is there? if not by force, his brain's struggling for options. ]

What's your problem??

[thesettingsun]

[ Dazai can’t pass through the doorway, so retreating saves John for now.]

I don’t want an inferior copy using my face and my name. Is that so hard to understand?

[vitis]

Yeah?

[ he takes a breath, relieved that dazai doesn't seem to follow with another attack (even if he doesn't know why that's so, it does warrant another step back). but any relief is dashed the moment shuji's insulted; he feels a distracting pinprick of irritation run up his spine again. ]

[ he's trying not to be an idiot again, though, so: ]

Because you're not copies. You're different people.

[thesettingsun]

[It's like Dazai knows John's protective of Shuji or something??]

If he's another person, then that's even less excuse for stealing what's mine. Either way, I don't want him living when I'm not.

[vitis]

[ WILD..... ]

... He didn't steal anythin' from you. [ that gets john's eyebrows to pinch together. ] You can't honestly feel that threatened by him, do you?

[thesettingsun]

You're one to talk, considering how well you took Steinbeck having your body again and kidnapping one of your friends. Tell me you weren't a little bit threatened by that, hm?

[vitis]

[ it's another stinging reminder; his eyes flash. ]

But that's not what I mean. [ if it were? yes. incredibly, incredibly threatened. ] I don't feel threatened by Steinbeck bein' inferior or superior or whatever the hell, he's just a shit person and I already know that.

Seems more like you're scared that you could be the inferior one, I'd guess.

[thesettingsun]

I have nothing to be scared of. I've been remembered, and he'll be forgotten.

[This is certain. There's no reason for him to be envious of Shuji.]

[vitis]

Nope.

[ he gives a definitive shake of his head. ]

He won't be forgotten, because I can't forget him— that's all there is to it. Steinbeck wouldn't forget, either. [ even if feelings may change, yes. but forget? no. ]

[thesettingsun]

You'll die.

[Casually.]

Everyone who knew 'Shuji' will die sooner or later, and he'll have left nothing worthwhile in this world.

[vitis]

Sure he will. He's a published author and he's still affected a ton of a people— it's not like people just dyin' off is the end of remembrance for everyone.

[thesettingsun]

Do you know how many authors are forgotten as soon as they stop publishing? [Dazai's irritation grows rapidly.] It's not a sure thing to be remembered generations after your death! Don't just belittle my achievement like that!

[this isn't about you, Dazai, but okay

The more pissed off he is, the less attention he's paying to John and any sign of movement.]

[vitis]

Then quit belittlin' Shuji.

[ the vines, long ago thrown at dazai's feet, have begun to climb past him and elsewhere— planned and meticulous (hence, unnatural) as their growth is, not even a leaf should rustle out of place. ]

I can't say I get what's with you at all. [ but his tone isn't accusatory— he genuinely does not understand, as simple as it might seem. ] There really a point to all of this?

[thesettingsun]

[Dazai hasn't noticed anything with the vines. So far so good.]

I can belittle him if I want to, it's not any of your business. Getting flowers doesn't actually make you his boyfriend.

[vitis]

It's my business 'cause he's my friend.

[ or, well. it's also john business because he's decided it's his business, apparently. ]

[ the vines, climbing upward, will deftly slip the book from its place. ]

Didn't realize boyfriends had the monopoly, there.

[thesettingsun]

[Still hasn't noticed, too busy being a dick.]

Do you screw with all of your friends' heads? Because that's what you're doing.

[vitis]

[ that response gets john to wrinkle his nose.

and meanwhile, the vines wrap around the book so as to obscure its form, lowering themselves to the ground once more. in its bunch as it is, it travels toward him with careful slowness. ]

You're not my friend. [ spoken simply. ] And I don't screw 'round with Shuji's head, either, so don't try that one on me.

[thesettingsun]

Bold words from someone still carrying the evidence.

[...no, he doesn't mean the book from this office, he means John's book that he snagged from the library.]

[vitis]

[ that. admittedly does get the vines to halt completely in their midst, particularly john's heart skips a beat wherein he thinks he's been realized. thankfully, from within his jacket, he does feel the book pressed to his side.

his brows furrow, mouth twisting ]

I'm— [ ah. he shifts. ] —How do you mean that, messing with his mind?