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after vivarium
after vivarium!
| It may have been weeks, months, or even years, but finally, everyone makes it out of the warehouse just fine. The authorities have broken in and let everyone out, or maybe the characters managed to escape on their own. Either way, Zero and Calhoun vanish without a trace and they still haven't been caught to this day. It's infuriating, but the important part is that they're now free. What exactly entrails after that ending though? How to Play: ✖ Make a top-level comment, either blank or filled with some info/prose. ✖ Tag others, whether it's shortly after the escape or much later. ✖ Action, text, video, whatever, it's all good. ✖ Have multiple threads? ✖ Done! |
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Thank you, and no, no changes. I'll keep you up to date if there are.
[It turns out there were no changes ultimately, so about a week later Hershel was in good old Japan. He was kind of nervous about the cafe business, kind of sad too. It was all very bittersweet, ultimately, that for all they managed Zero was still out there and Akiko wasn't.
But, on the plus side, Japan was pretty rad. Hershel enjoyed travel quite a bit, and it was pretty clear from the way he stared around even in the airport that he was kind of excited about all this, regardless of the grey cloud that came with this silver lining. He headed to the area he was supposed to meet Sasuke at, probably someplace close to the airport. With how often he was probably going to go to Japan he really needed to try learning Japanese one of these days. Maybe he could take a course at school or something that wasn't Heiji's attempts at making him Osaka.]
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If only the others didn't insist on stalking him. He can kind of understand, since he vanished twice on them for extended periods of time, and one of those was a kidnapping from right under their noses. But it's still annoying.
However, once he spots Hershel, he gives a small smile and raises his hand in a wave.]
Konnichiwa. How was the flight?
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The flight was long but quiet, thankfully. Not as many people this time of year. [He rustles through his pack, pulling out what looks like a tin, full of cookies.] Here, from my mother. She insisted I make room for them. [If she met Sasuke yet she probably made a lot of comments along the line of 'oh you're visiting that sweet boy does he eat at all he's too thin' etc etc but he'll just. not mention that.]
How have you been doing? It's still a bit overwhelming to be out, isn't it?
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[What a shocker.]
...I've been doing better. It's been strange, returning to normal life. [Mostly normal. He's technically Yuusuke's partner in his investigations into the school, and Neko about flipped when he finally came back, but. Normal enough.]
I can go into more detail as go; do you want to rest at the hotel first?
[He'll also reach out for at least one bag, if not more. Kinda depends on how much Hershel is willing to let him help.]
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Oh, it'd probably be good to at least put my bags away. [Good call, Sasuke. He'll allow Sasuke to take that ONE bag but he's got the rest, can't impose on his sort of host, you know. He fumbles for a bit, pulling his phone out of his pocket to check a map.] It's just a few blocks down this way.
[And he starts walking, glancing to Sasuke again.] How have your family been handling it?
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But as for his family...]
...They've been mainly keeping an eye on me. I think me getting kidnapped from home rattled them more than they'd like to admit.
[Someone who can grab the son of a ninja and get away with it for so long was definitely a cause for concern. Especially when they'd only just dragged said son back home after he pulled a disappearing act for two years.
It goes unsaid, but they're likely under watch right now, too. Sorry Hershel, try not to be too embarrassing during your stay.]
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Understandably, I suppose. The circumstances were... peculiar. [Understatement of the century.] We were gone for so long it seemed like a lot of people just assumed us dead. Imagine going through the grieving process just to find them still alive.
[That's probably what his father was like, he wasn't sure if Sasuke's family were the hopeful type or not. From what he heard there were some weird shit going on anyway.
Also he'll try not to embarrass you too much in front of your family spies, Sasuke. No promises though.]
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[Hershel has more than likely heard about the two year stint by now. They made the mistake of assuming he'd died the first time; this time they seem to have worked under the assumption that he was still alive, if only because they still couldn't find any trace of him. Again.]
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He glances at Sasuke.] How have you been getting on with them now? [Aka how's that angel Yuusuke. He could dream that things would get better.]
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It's... better. Yuusuke and I are on the same job now, so we're supposed to work as partners.
[Which means about the worst Yuusuke can get away with is the occasional headlock, but hey, it's an improvement over knives.]
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"Supposed to work as partners" seems rather telling. [His tone is a bit dry, but at least that sounds better than 'Yuusuke tried to stab me this morning.'] Still, it sounds like you're doing a tad better with him. Maybe your absence had some effect.
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...I don't think that's it.
[Otherwise knives wouldn't have been a problem after the first two years.]
I'm pretty sure he just doesn't want to mess up our mission. I don't really mind, though; it's... nice, getting back to school.
[And the people there. Even if it was still sometimes awkward.]
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I suppose you're right, after the first time- [He tries not to sigh. He had the foolish dream of Yuusuke not being shit to Sasuke one day, the hope was still alive in his heart despite it all.] It's a start, I imagine.
Ah, yes, how's Neko? [Just how upset was she.]
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Also, no need to read too deeply into how quickly he looks elsewhere before answering.]
She's doing well. Since the only members of the ninja club are her, Yuusuke, and another student, I've been helping her with their activities.
[It doesn't help that their upperclassmen probably picked Yuusuke as the next club leader when they graduated. It's true he's got the highest skill level out of the three, but personality-wise...]
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I imagine the activities a 'ninja club' participate in would need some practice and instruction. You've always been very patient, you must make a good teacher. [Why is Yuusuke allowed to lead people though...]
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I wouldn't say that. Yuusuke just doesn't bother teaching at all.
[He's definitely more of the sink or swim mentality. Must be nice to be super talented at whatever you try to the point where you never learn how to study or practice.]
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What would Neko say? [Probably that you're a good teacher, he assumes. He shakes his head.] What are your plans now that things have begun to settle down anyway?
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Is he getting flustered? It's probably slightly harder to tell with how determined he is not to look at Hershel at the moment.]
...I've just been keeping my head down. My family keeps worrying that I'll be kidnapped again, since I wasn't even safe at home.
[To say it was a blow to the Sagami family's pride would be an understatement.]
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[And potentially Sasuke's future beau?? Stay tuned.]
I see, I suppose I can't blame them for that worry. It must have been very jarring. [He sighs, rubbing the side of his neck.] Sometimes it feels like nothing will really go completely back to normal, doesn't it?
[I forgot are they on their way to the hotel to put stuff away, right, because if they are there it is coming up.]
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...You'd probably get along well with her. [They could bond over fretting about Sasuke's life decisions.] She's very kind.
[Hey look it's the hotel that sure is a welcome sight. Hopefully Hershel isn't claustrophobic because the rooms are very good at utilizing the fairly tiny space they have. Welcome to Japan, dude.]
I can handle checking in, but don't worry about talking with the staff; they're used to English speakers visiting.
[And he will indeed go ahead and do that since Japanese is easier for everyone. Aside from letting them scan his passport, Hershel can easily sit tight through the process.]
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She certainly sounds it. Another reason to try and learn Japanese, I think. [Form Fret Squad 2: The Re-Frettening.]
[He's vaguely used to small spaces because London, but wow this is even more than what he imagined. Japan is a mysterious place.] Ah, of course, thank you.
[And sit tight he does, glancing around at the scenery and trying to be as polite a paper weight as possible. He's relieved when they can go up to his room, thanking the people Sasuke dealt with as politely as he could. Manners. On the way there he asks:] Is there anything I should know, culture-wise and all? I don't want to accidentally offend anyone.
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As for Hershel's question, he stops to think about it for a moment while they're on the elevator.]
...I think you'll probably be fine. You're a foreigner, so people will cut you some slack. [Plus, he's already pretty polite...]
Just try to keep your voice low and avoid being blunt, if you can. [He only really mentions those in particular because they both know Heiji, and, well...]
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I tried reading up a bit on Japanese customs, I think I know how to handle myself when eating, at least. [He's the kind of person who worries about this. Also he had to laugh a little at the last statement since his mind immediately went to Heiji.]
I take it not everyone in Japan is as rambunctious as some in Osaka are? [When they reach his door he unlocks it, and another small room. Oh Japan. He walks in and places his bags down with a sigh. They were getting heavy after lugging them around for a while.] I should probably let Heiji know I made it, if he isn't busy on some strange adventure.
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This is also one of those rooms with only enough walking space around the bed to allow for some small drawers and a compact fridge attached to the counter/desk space on one side. Enjoy.]
People from Osaka have a reputation...
I think Heiji probably matches it exactly, personality-wise.
[He'll set Hershel's bag down for now, so Hershel can let Heiji know they're in the same country now. Unless he was studying abroad, anyway.]
We can go whenever you're ready. We don't even have to go today, if you need some time.