[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

[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....]

[kirkwalled]

[ hawke's always up for a costume change, really.

but you can always learn about something from someone when you get in knock down drag out fight with them. what hawke's learned from sousei is a few things. one of those things is that beyond the very calm and cool looking exterior is someone who, you know, does not have it that all together. hawke prefers that in people.

she gives a short wave when he looks at her and grins even more at his comment. ]

Hey, that was a mutual thing. I can't take all the blame for it.

[ she shrugs and holds out her bottle of water to him, taking a step into the dojo. when sousei looks down to check, yes, she will be in her socks. seems hawke remembered the shoe rule before she came over. ]

Thirsty?

[deontology]

[Yes indeed, she is in her socks... which means that despite the fact that they beat the snot out of each other not long ago, she remembered the rules.

Quietly, he accepts the water bottle, after sheathing his sword neatly.]

...Thank you. [He can be polite, even to crazy ladies.] I assume you are not here to wreck things again, so do not let me keep you from your exercise.

[kirkwalled]

[ don't underestimate her sousei. she doesn't take things like beating the crap out of each other personally. it's kind of a day in the life for her!

but she is glad he takes the water because really, he looks like he's about to fall over. ]

Oh, I've been here a while already so I can take a break. And it looks as if you need one too, actually. You know, before your collapse in a heap and all.

[ don't die, amusing ponytail man ]

[deontology]

[At least he doesn't take it personally either. Clearly it was meant to be.

He sips the water quietly.]

I won't collapse in a heap.

[...]

And I'm not particularly interested in taking a lengthy break. [too much time to think, really....that's exactly what he's here to not do.]

[kirkwalled]

[ hawke picks up on that right away. PROTAG SENSES TINGLING. ]

Avoiding something? [ a pause. ] But, ah, you needn't share what with me. I'm not particularly concerned.

[ she runs a hand through her hair, considering. ]

If you are looking for distraction, we could spar again. Though this time, perhaps keep within the normal limits? Having no mages around for healing is becoming a bit of a pain.

[deontology]

[He considers that, he really does, but ultimately he shakes his head, setting the practice sword aside neatly.]

I don't trust your self-control. [A pause--and he'll continue, scrupulously fair:] Or my own.

You can leave now.

[go on

shoo]

[kirkwalled]

I trust my self-control, does that not matter at all?

[ but she gets it, whatever sousei's feeling upset about (because he must be feeling upset, right?) is making him overdo it. the guy's pretty taciturn but today, it's all kind of obvious.

or at least it is for a protag. ]

If I leave, are you just going to keep at... whatever this is?

[ she feels as if that would be a bad idea ]

[deontology]

[Hawke, your protagging is just Too Strong.

Though that's an easy question for him to answer, which he does with a simple, plain and honest--]

Yes.

[Pick your dialogue options carefully.

Because taciturn is indeed the word here.]

Is that a problem?

[kirkwalled]

[ there is a quiet regret building as her protag status just Will Not let her leave. ughhh. she idly scratches at her nose as she considers this. hm. ]

Certainly not for me yet the idea of leaving you to it does strike me as odd. Perhaps I'll just sit here and watch for a while instead.

[ you can't make her leave can you?? HAHA NO YOU CAN'T ]

[deontology]

[No, he can't............so he shakes his head shortly.]

Do what you want.

[He'll just turn on his heel and move back towards the center of the room, where he wills his arms to lift his sword again, so he can once again start his practice swings and exercises, willing the trembling away as he does so.

He's full of good life choices now.]

[kirkwalled]

[ she's just going to sit off to the side on a bench and watch him. she doesn't hide it either, open curiosity on her face and a raised eyebrow when she notices the trembling.

after a few minutes of just silently watching, she'll ask at least one thing. ]

Serah. How long have you been here?

[deontology]

[He doesn't stop, though after a few moments more, he does at least answer, somewhat breathless as he does so (and that, too, is only because he's been at this for hours).]

I don't see how that's your concern.

[A pause. Another swing. He readjusts his grip, noting it to have become sloppy. Starts up again. And properly answers:]

Perhaps a few hours.

[kirkwalled]

When you put it like that, none of this is my concern. Yet, here I am.

[ she shrugs and takes a drink of water from her recovered bottle, not showing any inclination to leave at all. ]

A few hours with the sword and how long in Cerealia?

[deontology]

You're incredibly troublesome as a person.

[Though he's sure she's already aware of that.

Another pause to catch his breath, and he continues:]

Nearly six months.

[kirkwalled]

[ just waves a hand dismissively and keeps on watching from over here. she lets out a low whistle though. ]

That's a bit of time. Have you been here with someone from your home the whole while?

[deontology]

...Yes. [A sigh. He knows where this is going, okay.....] My partner and I arrived together.

[kirkwalled]

Partner? Rather intimate a title. Do you mean romantically or...?

[ no judgment here! but she does want to clarify after his sigh. ]

I only ask as you don't seem like someone who would be as... [ waving a hand as she tries to think of a word ] well adjusted? To being here, if you were alone. You're rather open to conversation.

[deontology]

[This would be a more scandalized reaction if he wasn't already used to this. Instead, he just sighs.]

No, not romantically. We have known each other since we were children, and we have always been by each other's sides.

[Why is he being so cavalier about this? Perhaps it's because Tenka's gone, and so there's really little point in prevarication. Or maybe he's just tired--or both.

And, in the wryest tone:]

That said, I was able to survive without him for ten years. Do not be so quick to write me off as poorly adjusted.

[kirkwalled]

Ah, I see. That's quite a while to keep a bond so strong. Very impressive, actually.

[ the only person she can think of like this is maybe her sister? but that's through birth, it's different. she's only known her current friends for about a year now at that, so it's still not the same.

but at his reply, her lips quirk upwards. ]

You just said you've always been by each other's sides and yet now you say you went without him for ten years. Perhaps you're plenty sociable without the man, pardon my assumption, but now I can only wonder if I accidentally stumbled upon the reason you're here today.

[ she doesn't know your history, bruh! only that that sounded kind of flip floppy. ]

[deontology]

[He arches an eyebrow in response at that, slowly lowering his practice sword again (the action of lowering it slowly takes a great deal of focus as it is, tired as he is, but he's too disciplined to just let his arm drop).]

I'm not conversing with you so you can nitpick at my words. [Just saying.......

As for the rest--]

Yes, Tenka disappeared recently. Yes, I am training to keep my focus elsewhere. Is that a problem to you as well?

[kirkwalled]

[ she waves a hand dismissively before pressing it against her chest. ]

My apologies, serah. Just something I noticed.

[ and then her hand drops and she gives a shake of her head. ]

It's not my problem, no. I'd be doing the same thing if, say, my sister were to arrive and leave. I wouldn't be very happy then, I'll admit. [ . . . ] Ah... is that what he did? Leave?

[deontology]

He did.

[Sousei's rapidly realizing that trying to brush Hawke off just makes Hawke even more determined somehow??? How is this his fate, how does he find these people.]

I am not certain of where he's gone.

[He grits his teeth.]

And even if he returns, he may not remember a thing.

[kirkwalled]

[ protagonists are just drawn to sousei is all. shit sucks, bro.

but ah, she feels sympathetic but does her best not to show it since it doesn't seem like he'd react well to that. she gives a thoughtful hum though. ]

Well, he'll remember you certainly?

[deontology]

[He crosses his arms at that, frowning slightly.]

...Yes, he will. However, before we met again in this city, we had been estranged for ten years.

[so....yeah.

he doesn't really want to do that again.]

That would suit him, however. He is always troublesome.