[open]

[deontology]

Who: abe no "i'm so gloomy now" sousei & all of you people
When: IC: 1/21-23 || OOC: 6/17-20ish WHENEVER
Where: Various, catch him wherever suits!
What: What do you do when your partner's gone missing? Do dumb things and check on all of his adopted children, naturally.
Rating/Warning: None!

---

a. open - around the shopping district;

[At first, he didn't really think anything was wrong. Tenka going missing was naturally concerning, but he could've been at work, or the like. But as the day drags on and he doesn't show up, Sousei actually picks up his phone to call him.

User not Registered.

That's...that's very bad. Don't mind Sousei just standing in the middle of the sidewalk staring down at the CereVice in his hand.

At least, until he snaps back into action, turns abruptly, and starts going in the other direction. Too bad he didn't look where he was going first, hopefully his abrupt stop and equally abrupt direction change didn't cause any traffic jams.

Otherwise he can be found poking his head into shops and through alleyways and possibly even opening up and peering into trash cans. What does he think he's going to find there? Who knows. He has to give it a try, though. Even if he does look ridiculous with a trash can lid held over his head.]

b. open - gym;

[And as it drifts into the next day with still no Tenka, Sousei has to admit what he very much doesn't want to--namely that Tenka's gone, and they have no idea if he'll come back or anything. The city has only just started to run properly again after that entire ghost scare; still, it's hard to really appreciate that when it's becoming starkly obvious that everything is not quite right now.

Which is why he can be found in the gym even before his shift begins, practicing. It's good to practice. It's a good way to stay fit, and sharp, which is necessary after that entire fiasco.

Of course, he may be taking this a little too far, as the time drags on into hours and his breathing comes in short, sharp pants. He should probably take a break, but it doesn't seem like it's all too likely right now.]

c. semi-open: to tenka's close cr/people he adopted/etc;

[If Tenka knew you or was trying to take care of you or wanted to help you in some way or was even just amused by you, chances are he told Sousei. And now, as it edges into the third and four and fifth day and still no sign of Tenka coming back, he has to admit that that's probably the case. It had taken Soramaru two weeks to come back, so it isn't as though there isn't hope--but even so, he can't leave this for two weeks.

So he goes to perform his Not Fun Dad duties (which, for the record, he never signed up for). So if Tenka knew your address, he'll be awkwardly knocking on your door, or if he otherwise sees you around the city, he'll be approaching.

Awkwardly.

Sorry if you've never met him before, but he has a Duty to perform, and that duty is looking out for Tenka's gigantic swarm of adoptees and making sure they're all okay after that entire ViViD and technological fiasco.]

Excuse me.

[Don't mind him. He's just a little more Awkward than Tenka--and he's a little tired, though it's hard to tell from his face.]

Comments

c!

[perfectstrike]

[Not hearing from Tenka for a couple days is strange, but not unheard of. Even with his dad tendencies, Peko is hardly one of his needier children, considering she has yet to even knock on his door to bother him without an invitation.

So the knock at hers, when she isn't expecting Kuzuryuu to come by, takes her by surprise. Most people she's familiar with would call first... or just try to pound down the door. So she makes a point to grab her sword and peer through the peephole without a word, before finally unlocking the door.]

Abe?

[She sounds confused and a little concerned as she glances up at him. There's a few faded bruises and healing cuts still visible from her experiences in ViViD, but otherwise she's no worse for the wear than usual. She's dressed in a plain, navy blue yukata for casual wear, sheathed katana still held loosely in one hand; while she doesn't invite him in, she doesn't shut the door on him, either. It's like she's not entirely conscious of the idea that it's good manners to not leave someone standing on the doorstep.]

What is it?

[deontology]

[Well, that's convenient that she was home and present, at least. Sousei probably did not exactly think this entire Quest through, but if he had, he might've backed out and that would've been no good.

So here he is instead.

It takes him a moment to respond; he's looking her over, noting the bruises and cuts and trying to look for further injury. Upon finding none, he does relax, if a fraction.]

Pekoyama.

[At least he doesn't seem to mind the lapse in manners--he's not really great about manners himself half the time.]

I've come to check in on you. [A brief pause.] And to inform you that Tenka is no longer in the city.

[wow cushion that blow a little, Sousei.]

b!

[adornmental]

[HMM what's this, a gloomy guy in the dojo sparring for way longer than he should be?? Who could this possibly remind Kashuu of...

It's the familiarity of the sight that gets him to pause first, and the fact that he recognizes Sousei soon after that gets him to actually say something. He's here for practice too - only just arrived from his shift - but a sword doesn't need to be around watching the entire bout to be able to read how it's gone in the movements of a person. As he removes his shoes and goes to put his bag over by the side of the door, he calls out with a light-sounding:]

Haven't you been in here for a while?

[deontology]

[Who could it be!!!

But no, Sousei really hadn't had any intention of stopping, even with interruptions--but he recognizes the voice, and he knows how persistent Kashuu can be, and so ultimately he lowers his sword (his proper sword; there's no need to use a practice sword when there's nobody around) and turns to face him.

So he worked up a sweat and his arm might be trembling a little, no big deal.]

Perhaps. Did you need something, Kiyomitsu?

a;

[journaler]

[It's nice to have lights back in the city. All things considered, Leia is in a decent mood as she strolls the shopping district. She isn't looking for anything in particular for the moment, but this kind of aimless wandering is just what she's missed. There are just some things you can't do in the dark!

... At least, not without some risk.

Normally she'd be okay with that, too, but it's nice not to have to worry as much, after everything that's happened.

She sighs and walks past a trashcan she's probably seen a million times before, but literally backtracks when it hits her what she just saw.]

... Mr. Sousei?

[deontology]

[Look.

There might have been a crabhead in the trashcan.

You never know. (Though Sousei wouldn't really want to consider the state Tenka would have to be in to be in a trashcan.) Regardless, he sets the lid down, frowning at it, before turning his attention back to Leia.]

Rolando. What is it?

[NOTHING AT ALL STRANGE HERE, MOVE ALONG...]

C

[mermaiding]

[No one really comes knocking on her door. Honestly she'd half-expected to see Sano on the other side of the door, as he's the only one she could think of that would seek her out for any reason, so Sousei at the door is met with open surprise, and then unease.

She's got a bad feeling about this.

Oona's managed to, well, sort of ignore Tenka's absence. They've just been missing each other, that's all! They were fairly busy people, they had things to do, places to be, people to see. It wasn't anything to get alarmed about, right?

But seeing Sousei there made her stomach twist uneasily] ...Sousei? [A mumble, almost, and with a frown she steps aside to let him in. Her apartment is surprisingly neat, if a bit cluttered with the pretty objects she buys liberally, and the holoshit set up to make it seem like some underwater grotto.]

[deontology]

[He steps in because she invites him in, and it's polite, and he knows this isn't going to go over well, but Oona has the right to know, and needs to know, and it falls upon him to deliver this news.

And Tenka deserves so much misery for putting him in this position, but that's the rub, isn't it? Tenka's not here.

So Sousei crosses his arms neatly behind his back, posture as military straight as ever, and meets Oona's eyes.]

... Oona. [...he thinks he should probably check on That Other Thing before he drops the drama bomb.] How are your injuries?

c;

[immobileyes]

[ Mary would have to be oblivious not to notice Tenka's absence, when she usually came over for tutoring sessions. Not every day now, not when she's still trying to recover from the city's 'cleansing' spree, and when she answers the door, she looks... tired. And slightly bandaged up. ]

... Sousei-san?

[ And staring up at him with some trepidation, because he's never come to her apartment before, and maybe he's mad-- ]

[deontology]

[...Yeah. Look at those wide eyes. At the very least, he knows Mary must be partially aware of the situation; it's strange for Tenka to not be present for her tutoring sessions, though she hasn't yet flat out asked.

..]

Kozakura. How are your injuries?

[First thing first.]

a.

[patroller]

[ While most trash cans contained an assortment of... trash, this particular can proved different. Slightly. When Sousei pulled back the lid, Jaco sprang up with his gun; pointing it at the sky. ]

What are you doing?! You will ruin my cover!

[ If this little reveal didn't already blow his cover, Jaco's yelling certainly killed it. Far across the street, a native of the colony seemed startled by their antics and ran into a passing crowd. ]

Drat!

[deontology]

[Wha.... what just happened.

Look, Sousei was searching through the trash cans to find a person, but he wasn't actually expecting to...well, to find a person.

So he blinks at that, glances over his shoulder, and then back at the trash can lid in his hand. Should he...put it back...?]

...What?

[Ah yes, a stunning response.]

What are you doing?

B

[nostatus]

[ Shinpachi has actually already noticed Tenka was gone. By coincidence, actually - he wanted to call the other guy to let him know they should have another bar night with all of them together, but the moment he tries to click Tenka's profile, he gets another message.

He's seen it before. When Leanne disappeared, when many of the Shinsengumi disappeared. It means they're no longer in this place - or at least, not among them. And while it's not uncommon for people to return sometimes like Saitou did (surely Tenka would, right? who has more of an unbeatable spirit than that guy all of all people?), it's still rough in a sense.

But Shinpachi knows it's got to be rougher on one specific person than anyone else. And he did promise Tenka to look after Sousei if he couldn't, so right after work, Shinpachi is making his way to the first place he knows he'd find Sousei. And it's then that he spots the other guy, looking completely exhausted (even if he's still going) after doubtlessly hours of this training. Bingo.

Waiting for a moment that the other man has to rest inbetween exercising to catch his breath, Shinpachi strikes, draping his arm straight over the other's shoulders. ]

Yo, Sousei..!

[ There's nothing about his cheerful greeting that betrays the intentions behind him searching out the other, at least. Good job for once, Shinpoodles.. ]

[deontology]

[It's a perfectly timed ambush.

Sousei can't keep going with Shinpachi's arm slung over his shoulders, though he was at least vaguely aware of the other's presence while he was waiting on the fringe of things. Sousei frowns, tense as ever with the physical touch, though he doesn't bother to shove Shinpachi off.

He's at least learned that this is just the way Shinpachi is.

(Or it might have something to do with the fact that he's been practicing for hours, and Shinpachi is heavy, and there's a slight tremble to his arms now, and he doesn't want to draw attention to it.)]

...Nagakura. What is it?

[Does he know? Is Sousei going to have to deliver the news again? He's not sure, but he really doesn't want to. He's tired of the distraught expressions that he's been the cause of, even if by proxy.

Tenka should be ashamed.]

C

[reprizesal]

[After the situation with the debt collectors, Sayo have been... quiet for a while. Although he's usually quiet, it's clear that he's been very affected by it. In order to distract himself and keep himself busy, he's been helping out around the apartment even more than usual. Well, whenever he doesn't have school stuff to worry about.

Sitting in the living room, he's been watching his pet caterpillar interacting with his CYbuddy kitten without a word. When he heard Sousei's voce, he glances over and see him.]

...Sousei-san.

[Sup.]

[deontology]

[Poor Sayo..... Sousei's honestly not sure how to approach this situation. They all know, living here, that Tenka's gone. They know he's not coming back.

And Sayo had been shaken up by that event.

... Normally, this task would be left up to Tenka, but he can't very well do that now, can he? And so Sousei approaches, and settles himself at the living room table, and nods.]

Sayo. What is your status? [how are you doing?]

c

[particularity]

[Hinata doesn't expect Sousei at his door at all... but there he is, standing right there. His party before had been surprising enough, never you mind a visit seemingly out of the blue.

He spends a long moment just blinking before OH RIGHT.]

Sousei, hey.

[He opens up the door wider, trying not to pay attention from the faint sense of unease somewhere in him.]

[deontology]

[When Sousei shows up at the door, it's bad news...THANKS GUYS. Even if it's...true....

Anyway, Sousei nods in response to that, posture military straight, arms neatly crossed behind his back. And his voice is as steady and level as ever, if not more so; he's making an effort, here and now, to not let any emotion bleed in.]

Hinata. [There's no good way to say this easily, he knows that--so he just gets it out in the open.] I've come to inform you that Tenka is no longer in the city.

[~surprise~]

a

[psycholawgy]

[ It isn't everyday that you find somebody checking out the trash. And this guy totally looks respectable, too!! Athena feels like she's talked to him before, but she isn't sure if it's the right guy. There's so many people here, after all. She could be wrong.

She tries to sneak up on Sousei while he's fixated with the bin. Athena can be playful, but she isn't going to shove an old man into the trash just because he's calling for it. (It would be great, though.) Instead of that, she just tries to surprise him with a loud: ]

Boo!

[deontology]

[Wow who are you calling an old man!!! (Even if he's totally inwardly an old man).

He was pretty focused on his search, but that doesn't mean that he isn't so far gone that he doesn't notice when someone's behind him. He just didn't think that she had anything to do with him, so when she suddenly yells as if to surprise him, Sousei freezes.

And then slowly turns, trash can lid still in one hand, and arches a slow eyebrow.

Ah, hers is a familiar face, and significantly more memorable than his own. Give him a moment.]

You're-- Athena Cykes. [...... he has so many questions right now, he doesn't know where to start.] What are you doing?

[that'll do.]

a!!

[hoasen]

[Just as he's doing that thing where he's turning abruptly, a small number of people spill to the side. Vietnam, being just behind them, managed to skip back in order to avoid being crushed by a few.]

Goodness!

[And that's when she spots--] Sousei?

[deontology]

[It actually takes him a moment to respond. He's just now realized that Tenka's gone, and it's enough of a shock that his entire attention is focused on the CereVice in his hand, and he nearly walks right past her before his brain finally registers that someone said his name.

He pauses.

And blinks, and looks up, and it takes him half a moment to wipe the worried expression off of his face to return to something more like his usual calm.]

...Vietnam. Did you need something?

a

[hagureoni]

[That was one weird sight - not one Senkimaru could not understand though, if you were hungry, you were hungry and sometimes you were just forced to make do with leftovers.

Still, while he didn't like this place, it at least provided a decent amount of food and water. There was no need to search in trash cans. Usually.]
Are you one of those people they kidnapped by mistake?

[deontology]

[Ah yes....Sousei has been upgraded to Hobo Vagabond.

The question gets a pause, even as Sousei slowly lowers the trash can lid to place it back where it belongs. He has to...think that one over, there's been a lot of kidnappings.

But his brain is pretty scattered right now, so ultimately he gives up and just asks, tone flat--]

... Which kidnapping are you referring to?

gym;

[invoker]

[ Mitsuru tends to come into the gym at late hours. She wouldn't have to interact with too many people over places and machines, plus the peace of night time was something she enjoyed. Unlike the bustle and bright flares of ViViD, being in a relatively low tech landscape for Cerealia was intensely cathartic.

The workout she had been doing was somewhere between meditation and yoga, shifting from one graceful position to the next. It wasn't until her break midway through that she had noticed the only person left in the gym with her was Sousei, and he seemed to be running ragged.

She approached his workout station carefully, with a plastic cup of water. Hopefully he would notice that she had approached him. ]

[deontology]

[Running ragged indeed. There's nothing wrong with training, of course, and of pushing your boundaries until you can't push them any longer; that's how you improve and get better.

But this is, without a doubt, Sousei overdoing it.

Still, even so, he's not so out of it that he doesn't notice someone approaching him on the fringe of his awareness, and slowly, he lowers his sword, turning to face her. ...Ah, a familiar face.]

Kirijo. What is it?

[He's eying that water, but mostly because he knows it's for him and he's not sure he can reach out and take it without making it obvious now how badly his arms are trembling from him overdoing it.]

a

[firstcloud]

[ Dear child who is older than him, what are you up to?

Kagemitsu stops on his way from shopping together with Poko, very confused at seeing what Sousei is up to. ]

Sousei-kun? Is something wrong?

[deontology]

[oh............. nothing to see here, nothing at all!!!

... Yeah, okay, he can't avoid this. Gently, Sousei replaces the trash can lid, and then he meets Kagemitsu's eyes and.

Pauses.]

...Kumou-san. [hi.....

No, give him a moment, he's honestly at a loss of what to say. Somehow, it's harder to say this to Tenka's ancestor than anyone else.]

b as in because we need another thread in the gym

[spes_phthisica]

[Souji notices Sousei when he opens the door just a crack, but for a while holds off on going insidde. He won't offer to spar with him, and not just because Sousei is using his own sword and even Souji realizes that the two of them should never spar with bladed weapons. He can tell very well when someone is using their training as a way to distract a mind too heavily burdened; he has seen it before many times.

But when he passes a bit later and finds the other man still caught up, his breath coming harshly now and his muscles appearing to tremble slightly from the strain... then he sighs quietly and goes to fetch a few things.

Walking inside on quiet bare feet, he carries with him a tray with some hot towels for Sousei to wipe himself off with, a pitcher of water, a pot of tea, and some glasses and mugs to go with them.]

How about taking a break now, huh? [Purposely making it at least a bit hard to turn him down, since he's already prepared everything, although he's sure that Sousei can be painfully stubborn if he feels like it.]

they should just live in the gym

[deontology]

[Admittedly, that does make it much harder to ignore Souji's suggestion. Not that he hadn't been aware of him before; even trying to take his mind off of things, Sousei's very observant...but he'd thought, when Souji had left, that that had been the last of it.

He should have known better.

Slowly, Sousei lowers his sword, ignoring the tremble in his arms from massively overdoing it and inspecting the spread Souji had brought with him.]

... This is all unnecessary.

[As far as stubbornness goes, it's an incredibly weak response. He's not going to be able to say no to all of this, but he has to at least make the (weak) attempt.]

b.

[souperb]

[ it's not as if milla comes to the gym with the intention of seeing sousei, but she also can't ever ignore him when she recognizes him in the distance. her purpose was to get her on bit of exercise in, hair tied and her sword at her side for those just in case moments.

.... but, ah. maybe that'll have to be shoved to the side, when she comes closer to him and notices his current state.

yes. there's no ignoring that. so, with her arms crossed and voice level, she offers sousei a curt: ]

Hey.

[ hey. that's a show of concern, certainly. ]

... Someone must've made you mad.

[ no, she really has no idea, and that's not a serious a statement as it could be. sousei's a friend, and she figures something is bothering him, even if she doesn't know what. ]

[deontology]

[He wasn't expecting to hear her there; honestly, he's let his guard down in a way that he'd find otherwise almost inexcusable. But he's tired, and it's...frustrating, how helpless he is in situations like these, and so when he hears Milla's voice, he actually spins, expression momentarily surprised.

...Slowly, he lowers his sword, clearing his throat as he regains his composure, and ignoring the way his arms tremble now that he's stopped with the ridiculous amount of activity he'd been putting them through.

Whatever, arms, nobody asked you.]

Milla. [... Someone must've made him mad? ...Yeah, he thinks in a way he's really mad (and upset, and hurt, and so many other things) that Tenka left after all of those promises, but again, it wasn't really Tenka's fault.

That's even more frustrating.]

... It is nothing like that. Rather... [A breath out, slow and steadier than before.] ...I suppose I wanted to take my mind off of the current situation.

c!

[heiwana]

[ Kousetsu has been taking it easy after the whole ViVid fiasco. He'll be tending to the small bonsai tree that he's placed within his, Sayo and Souza's room. He doesn't know what to think about Tenka being gone these past few days. It's worrisome and troublesome the apartment was far too quiet for his liking. He was actually getting used to Tenka's lively nature and having that abruptly missing is strange. So when Sousei comes into his room his frown is apparent as he turns on his knees to regard the other. ]

...Sousei-san. Is everything alright? [ Stoic faces aren't telling but he can see that Sousei is slightly worn out. ]

[deontology]

[Intruding on the space of the swords in their home has never really been Sousei's intention, and yet... well, he does have to make sure that they know exactly what's going to happen here. Exactly what has happened.

And so, he inclines his head slightly in response to the question (it'd be silly to answer it, they both know he's going to say he's fine when he's really not).]

... I wanted to make sure that you are entirely aware of the current situation, Kousetsu. Tenka is...no longer in the city.

[A pause, but short.]

Nonetheless, nothing has changed in regards to your living situation as a family. [The Samonjis are still welcome, even without Tenka in the home, despite Tenka being the one to invite them in.]

a)

[fingersnaps]

( Manfred has several errands to run in the clothing stores of Cerealia, and he runs his errands like he used to run his trials: timed down to the second. So when the imbecile in front of him halts and then has the gall to turn around, Manfred is utterly outraged.

He taps his cane against the ground to attract the man's attention. )

You should look where you're going.

[deontology]

[An older, outraged, demanding man in fancy clothing does not bring to mind good associations for Sousei. In fact, that's basically what he associates with the worst of things--corrupt governments and his and his selfish, pitiful boss, and all of those things that came of that.

So naturally, he doesn't seem to be very amused by that, even if he can admit he shouldn't have froze all of a sudden like that.

Stiffly, but at least with the thin veneer of politeness--]

Excuse me.

[But it's been a rough day for Various Reasons, so he otherwise isn't getting out of Manfred's way. Yeah, he does absolutely expect Manfred to move for him--or maybe he's being combative simply because he's in such a terrible mood.]

A

[faithfulflame]

[The site of the normally dignified Sousei poking his head into an alley is strange enough, but seeing him lift the lid of a trashcan is even more strange.

That coupled with the emanating waves of worry pouring off him is...distressing, and prompts Rei to walk over and tap him on the shoulder]

Sousei-san. Are you...missing something? A cat?

[deontology]

[A...cat...

He stiffens at the approach, but upon seeing who it is, simply nods in response. Not that it's...a cat.........]

... Rather, I'm looking for someone.

[Okay, so it may be evidence of how desperate he is and how he's already looked basically everywhere else that he's looking in the...trash....

nobody said it was rational.]

a

[tsuranuki]

[ Saitou's seen stranger things in life compared to someone looking through trash cans. If Sousei is doing such, he must have a good reason.

He does wait until Sousei is done with that before he approaches him. ] What are you looking for?

[deontology]

[...Saitou is a saint.

Though.

Sousei still doesn't exactly have a good answer for him. Ah......]

... I was just being thorough. [Aka he knew he wouldn't find who he was looking for in the trash, but he's just. That desperate.]

a

[helmets]

[ he'll have a motorcycle up in his face.

okay, not exactly. celty manages to swerve her motorcycle around him when he turns, just managing to miss crashing into him. there's a sharp whinny as the bike skids to a stop a few feet behind him, but otherwise, no harm done.

her helmet turns up to him afterwards and she takes out her device, turning on the text to voice function. ]

I'm sorry. Are you alright, Sousei?

[deontology]

[That was...close. But he doesn't even quite seem to recognize how close that was, and he may just be out of it enough to have even missed that very un-motorcycle noise coming from her motorcycle (then again, maybe that's just what some motorcycles do? He's sure not sure).

Rather, he blinks, coming back to himself abruptly, stashing his CereVice away as if burned.]

... I'm sorry. That was my fault. [He can at least acknowledge that much. And, hastily--]

I'm fine. I was simply...distracted by something. I hope I did not cause you too much trouble.

the invisible wildcard prompt

[prehensible]

[ souza's been, for lack of a better word, a wreck since tenka disappeared. honestly, he was really due for a depressive episode, and given his affection for the human, it's really no wonder that one had finally been triggered. --between his brothers and his master, however, he's finally getting himself under some sort of control.

when sousei comes home that evening, therefore, souza is curled on the sofa in the most comfortable clothing he owns, a cup in his hands and a second waiting on the tray on the coffee-table.

he glances up at the human man with a small, slightly wan smile, reaching to pat the couch beside himself. ] You look tired.

you cracked the secret code

[deontology]

[He wasn't really expecting Souza to be waiting, though he also really shouldn't be surprised. The sword had been hit hard by Tenka's disappearance; it's for that reason that he can't quite dismiss him when he invites Sousei to sit next to him, even if he's not entirely certain he's up for the company.

Tenka would do this, after all. If he's supposed to be stepping up in Tenka's place (like always, ever and ever, Tenka forever leaves his roles for Sousei to step into, and Sousei's really getting tired of it), then he has to do it.

Quietly, he settles onto the couch next to Souza, and inclines his head. If he's obvious enough that Souza can tell, that's...a bad thing.]

... I'm fine. [the obvious response.] How are you doing? [The obvious question--though Sousei means it, sincere and concerned, even if the concern is well-hidden behind his typical, calm tone.]

b;

[topscores]

[Why is Nice in the gym? we just don't know. Maybe he was just following Sousei around Very Stealthily (or. not. because crutches.), but he just watches him while eating a sandwich for a while as Sousei wears himself out.

Not that he's surprised, but.]

If you pass out, I'm not picking you up.

[What a bro.]

[deontology]

[Good god, you're such a stalker...he's known Nice was following him around (he's hardly subtle on those crutches) but... he figured if he was boring enough, Nice would leave.

But it seems he's decided to be the peanut gallery instead.

Sousei pauses when he finished his repetitions, and slowly lowers his sword.]

...I would not expect you to.

[And he lifts his sword again.

GOOD COMMUNICATION, GUYS.]

a!!!

[littlestcloud]

[ That first day, Chuutarou hadn't been too worried about not seeing his brother at the normal time. It wasn't too odd Tenka hadn't come home right away, he could have been with friends or maybe got stopped by someone in the streets or suddenly went shopping (even if that would have been more Sora-nii's or Sou-ni-nii's thing), and he had been busy trying to get all his homework done so Ten-nii would teach him how to use his CereVice.

Even when it was getting to be unusually late, Chuutarou wasn't worried. Ten-nii promised that he would never leave, not after his "extended absence" at home.

Eventually, Chuutarou has a brilliant realization--Sou-nii must know where he is! So he goes out into the town, still not knowing how to really use his CereVice beyond answering incoming calls, and runs around looking for Sousei.

......He finds Sousei peering into a trashcan, and keeps up his run, hardly looking like he'll attempt to not plow straight into the Yamainu]

Sou-nii!

[deontology]

[...Ah.

This will be the hardest one of all, won't it? Still, Sousei is startled enough by Chuutarou's headlong run that he drops the lid of the trash can to clatter back into place, and turns to at least brace himself for impact.

WHERE DOES THIS CHILD GET ALL OF THIS ENERGY...]

Chuutarou?

[where....]

b!

[kirkwalled]

[ this time, hawke knows better. this time she's not in armor but sweatpants and a t-shirt. this time, she doesn't even have her dog. it seems like she was actually at the gym to, you know, be at the gym. she has a towel around her neck and a water bottle in her hands and if it wasn't for the smear of red across her nose, she'd look completely modern. it's crazy. hawke stop being so adaptable.

she wanders across sousei as she's taking a break from actual exercise (and lots and lots of leering) because she was curious how that dojo was doing. she didn't expect sousei to actually be there because how often does that happen? she'll lean in the doorway for a bit as she watches him obviously overexert himself. ]

You know, I hear training is more fun with a partner.

[deontology]

[They've only met once, and yet he would recognize that smug voice anywhere already....

Slowly, he lowers his sword (and that takes a great deal of control, especially considering how long he's been at it), turning to look at Hawke flatly.

She looks...about the same as always, but there's no armor, no boots, and she looks--

Yeah, she does look like she belongs here a bit better than she did last time. At least she's capable of learning. But despite his abysmal mood, it's hard not to be at least a little amused as her words.]

If I need to train with a partner, that partner won't be you. You destroyed half the dojo last time. [technically they did together but....]