(no subject)

[a_violent_end]

Who: Shizuo and YOU
Where: The island
When: Friday evening
Style: Whichever
Status: OPEN FOR ALL THE CR

[Shizuo isn't as bothered by this curse as some of the people he's come across thus far. He tends not to be a pretty deep-thinker, and since he's a pretty honest individual, there isn't much for him to hide - with a little exception, but Shizuo has enough of a command on himself to avoid thinking about certain things in public. When he decides to go to the island, it's not with the intent to avoid people - at least, not more than usual - but because spending time here a week prior had shown Shizuo that the beach is nice and calm at night. The stars are especially peaceful.

His thought bubble calmly cycles through words like Izaya, stargazing, telescope, calm as he finishes a cigarette, walking along the water. He pauses and looks up at the night sky, and his bubble seems to pause with him - clearing itself of all text for a brief moment.]

Comments

[saiyan_prince]

[Vegeta hasn't really left the island other than going to get food since this curse started. He emerges from the water with a large fish not far from Shizuo, looking...

Well, he's not sure how he feels about this. He tries his best to make his thoughts a complete blank, staring silently at the taller man.

Even when wet, his hair stands straight up.]

[a_violent_end]

[When something emerges from the water, Shizuo turns his attention to it, and finds himself facing Vegeta. Definitely unexpected, but Shizuo isn't really sure what to do. His bubble, likewise, hovers in a sort of middle ground between words. He hasn't seen Vegeta since after Sola's suicide, when the Saiyan dubbed him a human, expressed some frustration, and walked away.

Shizuo just regards him for a moment, matching Vegeta's silence, before it finally occurs to him to flick his cigarette and greet him. His bubble then cycles through words about fighting and losing and being human - and might even briefly flash something about Izaya calling him a monster, but that's short-lived.]

Hey.

[And he's just going to leave it at that, since he isn't really sure what Vegeta's opinion is of him now - and since Shizuo isn't really sure how he feels about their situation, either.]

[saiyan_prince]

[And suddenly Vegeta's bubble activates, responding to Shizuo's. It shows Izaya, mentioning something about Shizuo growing stronger when he's hurt. Vegeta looked excited in the memory. And then Izaya again on the island with him, telling him the opposite of what he tells Shizuo -

That Shizuo is human.

Vegeta shakes his head, turning away. He doesn't seem to realize that his bubble displays the word alone on it.]

[a_violent_end]

[That...is upsetting. Shizuo tries to ward off the thoughts of feeling like a disappointment, but his bubble scrolls through that text anyway. He's glad Vegeta is looking away, since that's kind of an embarrassing thing to reveal. But Shizuo can't help but wish that the whole situation with Vegeta had ended on a different note.

And Izaya. Protecting him but simultaneously putting Vegeta off on fighting him. Because he didn't want Shizuo to break again. Shizuo's bubble regurgitates some conflicting and emotional babble about that, and once again, he's glad Vegeta isn't looking. Finally, it stops.

Instead, it focuses on that word conveyed in Vegeta's bubble.

And then Shizuo does something that's probably pretty stupid. He starts walking toward Vegeta, ignoring the water washing over his shoes, and he talks.]

I feel like I should say sorry or something.

[He discards his cigarette.]

I get it, though.

[His bubble reports that it understands how Vegeta feels, because Shizuo himself has often felt very alone - being as he is.]

I know I'm not as strong as you, but I'm stronger than anyone I know back where I come from, and it makes for a pretty shitty life.

[His own bubble echoes that word in Vegeta's bubble - alone - and then foolishly changes to lonely.]

[nos_servabit]

[There seems to be another star near the shore of the ocean, but Shizuo might realize it is anything but a star as it gets closer. Soon, a man dressed in white with a calm smile comes walking over, and that "star" is, in fact, the thought bubble trailing after him. Basically, his bubble is filled with warm golden light, and although dark shapes occasionally move in the light's depths, it hurts a bit to stare at it too long, like staring into a lightbulb.]

[He pauses by Shizuo, the light from his bubble casting a nice glow over the both of them.]

Good evening, Shizuo. Enjoying the stars?

[a_violent_end]

[Shizuo finds his attention claimed by that approaching light, and when Jacob seemingly materializes beside it in the darkness, Shizuo's bubble openly reports that Jacob's bubble is one of the best he's seen. He likes how warm and bright it is, even if it's hard to focus on for too long.]

I am, actually.

[His bubble mentions that he hadn't really been one to take the time too look at the stars up until a week ago, and then flashes Izaya's name, before returning to brief mentions of stars and night.]

You have a nice bubble.

[Maybe that's a weird thing to say, but Shizuo says it anyway, especially because he is now trying to focus on keeping his thoughts from staying too much in the direction of Izaya - since that would only lead him to think about their recent conversation about Jacob.]

[nos_servabit]

Thank you. Though it's not the usual one that other people have been getting, honestly.

[He smiles gently as he clasps his hands before him, glancing at Shizuo's bubble before turning toward the sky that the man had been looking at a while ago.]

Do you often watch the stars, Shizuo? I find that they are interesting things...civilizations thought that they were the children of gods, or that they were specially there because once upon a time, they were once heroes and heroines who were commended by being put up in the night sky.

[A pause.] Though science tells us that they're nothing but big balls of burning gas, tumbling in space. So many different opinions, but which one is the right one...?

[a_violent_end]

No, I've really only started lately.

[And honestly, he doesn't spend a lot of time thinking about what the stars may symbolize or what their origins may be. Shizuo just likes them for what he sees them as - simple stars, nothing more.]

I don't know. I never really thought about that. I just like to look at them.

[He shrugs.]

[closedcircuit]

[Ky approaches first without remembering that most people didn't want to be around others with their bubbles visible, but when he remembers before he's fully there he pauses and inclines his head, careful to look away from the other's bubble.]

My apologies for disturbing you.

[a_violent_end]

[Shizuo doesn't really feel encroached upon. He's in a pretty good mood, given how calm he feels. He discards his cigarette before Ky reaches him, and then gives him a small shake of his head.]

It's okay.

[His bubble scrolls through some text about how it's nice of Ky to look away from his bubble - very considerate.]

You don't have to worry about looking at my bubble.

[It just seems like an unnecessarily difficult thing to do.]

I'll try not to look at yours, though. If you want.

[closedcircuit]

[ Ky offers him a sunny smile when he says that. He's not used to isolating himself, and the week is grating on him. ]

Oh, that's not necessary. 

[ Ky's bubble right now shows an exuberant six-year-old version of him. Ky glances at it and then away, half bemused and half embarrassed. 

He extends his hand out to Shizuo. ]

I'm Ky Kiske. It's nice to meet you. 

[a_violent_end]

[Shizuo accepts his hand.]

I'm Shizuo Heiwajima. Good to meet you too.

[He isn't going to pry and ask about Ky's bubble, but it makes his own bubble surfaces words about his childhood, even mentioning his parents. He doesn't focus on that, though.]

It's nice up here, isn't it?

[Shizuo's not the most talkative guy by nature, but the island seems like a good topic. His bubble begins to scroll through some rambles about stars and the night sky.]

Uh. You're welcome for the derpy as shit post

[kingwithnocrown]

[You hear that? That might have been a twig snap.

Or leaves rustling.

You are not alone Shizuo. What do you do? Probably not notice. A shadow streaks across your back. Oh sweet lord of mercy, what could be out there on that island?

It's getting closer.

Oh shit. It's getting closer. Another rustle. Another whirring of wind. Sweet JESUS is this a demon--

Eyes glow and-

The predator swoops in for the kill. He leaps down from who the seriously fuck knows where and lands right on top of Shizuo.

Like. How did he even manage that? His knees are on either of Shizuo's shoulders and he's got his hands on either side of Shizuo's face as he bends over in half to look at Shizuo upside-down and nice and close. Can you even imagine what that'd look like? Probably.

You have been captured.. Congratulations.]

You're thinking about me. I am so flattered, Shizu-chan. We just saw each other and you can't let me go. Boy, I must have an iron fist around your heart.

[a_violent_end]

[Shizuo's not the most observant person around. Izaya knows this, of course - and that fact coupled with Izaya's own ability to be sneaky results in Shizuo being caught unaware. He barely so much as flinches under the surprise of Izaya's weight on his shoulders, but he does give Izaya a (more or less) good-natured glare. His shades are slightly askew on his face now, though, so he might look more humorous than he intends.]

Flea.

[But the way he says the word is less like an insult and more as though Izaya has somehow endeared himself to Shizuo -

Yeah. It's affectionate. And Izaya's right. As usual. His bubble announces this.]

Look who's talking. Stalker.

[kingwithnocrown]

Ahh! I have no idea what you're talking about. That's so rude to call me a stalker. I have feelings too, Shizu-chan.

[That tone of pout is hardly serious. He shifts around on Shizuo's shoulders and leans further forward until he practically threatens to fall off. He doesn't, of course.]

It's not my fault your excruciatingly bright head of blond hair is easy to track and follow. Besides. You're taller than me. So you walk faster. I had to catch up.

[Izaya moves around a bit more but this time, he situates himself so that his legs are actually hanging over Shizuo's shoulders comfortably and securely and he's sitting up on him now. He folds his arms over on Shizuo's head and leans against him.]

Don't let me interrupt your walk. You can keep going.

[a_violent_end]

[Shizuo shakes his head despite the fact that Izaya is just about hanging off of it.]

I don't know. You've always been faster than me. I don't think being taller has anything to do with it.

[But he does resume his walk as Izaya settles against him. This may be an uncommon way of strolling with a lover along the beach, but Shizuo's bubble reports that he likes it anyway. He just likes Izaya close, and that's really all that matters.

He's quiet for a moment, just walking along the water, but then his bubble starts to quiver a little and Shizuo speaks up.]

Izaya, I need to ask you something, but I don't really know how to ask it.

[bufudine]

[You know what feels good after sparring? Swimming. Serph loves Vatheon's beach; it's a reminder of what he's working towards, that Nirvana that's eluded him so far. Tonight is not a hunting night, but nevertheless, it's probably best to return to the shore before it gets to be too late into the night.

QUICK CALL FOR HELP IT'S A WATER MONSTER EMERGING FROM THE WAVES-- oh, no, it's just Serph, dragging his waterlogged ass out of the water. He might just be flicking water all over Shizuo, though, as he shakes his head to get rid of excess water.

Serph's thought bubble shows a vision of calm waters.]

[a_violent_end]

[Shizuo doesn't flinch as the water gets on him. In fact, it feels a little refreshing. He does smile a little though.]

Guess we had the same idea.

[Or similar ideas, at least. Shizuo might not have decided to swim, but a walk on the beach was nice after spending time training and working out his excess energy. His own thought bubble begins to cycle through a recap of his sparring sessions with Serph, reflecting on how he feels like they are making a difference already.]

[bufudine]

[...Ah. He hadn't seen you there, Shizuo. Serph's hands go to his hair to fix it and get it out of his eyes. It doesn't take him long and one he's done, he gives Shizuo a nod in greeting.]

It's good to relax when there's the opportunity to do so.

[Other people might be worried about getting cold, especially when they're dripping wet in the night air, but not Serph; he's spent years being soaked in the constant rain at night and never felt the chill.

Even though they often spar, Serph keeps those sessions focused on their purpose: helping Shizuo. There's plenty of opportunities for more casual talk, like now. Serph tilts his head.]

Were you about to go for a swim?

[Because most people totally go for swims in their clothing like he does. Serph's bubble gently ripples to show the night sky, a representation of how he thinks it's late for starting a swim.]

[innocentgear]

<sub>[Dizzy isn't bother by the curse at all. Her thoughts are simple and there isn't anything she feels like she has to hide. Not at the moment anyway.

Currently she takes a stroll near the shore, a tiny smile on her face.

For a moment she seems to be lost in thoughts, but nothing else, but bright, warm and happy colors shows in her bubble.

Then she notices Shizuo. The Gear walks up to him, a smile still on her face.]</sub>

Good evening.

[a_violent_end]

[Shizuo, like Dizzy, is a relatively simple-thinker. He smiles as she approaches, remembering her from the first day she arrived in Vatheon.]

Hey.

[Then he glances at her bubble.]

Your bubble is really colorful.

[Shizuo's is nothing but simple text - no images.]

I haven't seen you since you first got here. How's it been going?

[innocentgear]

Isn't it?

_{[Dizzy looks a bit amused that her bubble is showing almost nothing else but colors.]}

I found someone from my world here. His name is Ky and he is a very kind person.

_{[she smiles.]}

He's helping me a lot.

[zelda_hylia]

Zelda has learned something during this curse. When trying to hide, it's better to do it right out in the open. Spots that should be in "solitude" have been quite occupied. Still, it was Shizuo. She hopped down from her perch to land next to him, dressed far more simply than usual. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and it didn't look like she'd been home for days. Thank the goddesses this curse was almost over.

"Hello, Shizuo."

[a_violent_end]

Shizuo turned when Zelda landed beside him, then smiled. He hadn't seen her in a few days, which after everything that happened between them, seemed a little long. And he had things to tell her. His bubble related the fact that he was glad to see her, and started rambling about thought-bubbles.

"Zelda, hey," he greeted her. "How have you been?" Sure, her appearance was a little rough, but it was still a polite question to ask. Shizuo knew this curse had been tough for some people, even if he wasn't particularly bothered by it.

[zelda_hylia]

"Well, considering. And you?" Her thoughts reflected images of people she'd met during the curse, of Serph turning into -

Wait. No. That was rude, revealing someone else's secrets. She forced herself to think of something else, instead remembering Serph singing the Song of Healing with Sheik slightly off key. She ran a hand through her hair somewhat anxiously. Why was talking to Shizuo during this curse harder than talking to other people? It was hard to talk to Zelos, too (in Zelos's case, she outright refused to do it). It was probably because she trusted them. Her mind became difficult to control.