Urk, that's right. In that virtual memory he hadn't... he still believed things had been like that, that he was just looking for that man. ]
No, I'm... [ afraid he was supposed to be dead this whole time and his believing that man was still alive in virtual reality was a horrible cruel way to cater to his admittedly pretty fragile psyche at the time, and yet-- ]
--afraid he's still asleep. Although in a sense I guess that means I did. [ Come face to face with his dead master, alive and waiting the day he'd wake up again as a living, breathing punch to the gut for Allen. Hopefully Sorey will forgive the somewhat wincing smile; the kind that's a little painful to look at because of how much it hurts--
But it's like he's reminded himself he has to smile anyway. ]
Have many of your friends woken yet, Sorey...?
[ He says it lightly, like just making polite and friend conversation--and not him trying to carefully step around something painful. ]
[ How did they get here??? Sorey didn’t expect such a pained response from Allen, who had seemed so... otherwise optimistic? before. Yet, here they are, one of them wearing the most forcefully-summoned smile one could ever imagine. The kind that prompts Sorey to want to give him a hug, though he refrains. For now.
And, just like that, in one exchanged question, they’re both on the emotional ropes here. ]
...One did. [ Sorey breathes in deeply and then out -- enough to show a visible shift in his chest and shoulders -- and summons a bittersweet smile. ]
He’s back to sleep now though, with all the others. Has been for about three weeks. [ But who's counting?
There. Now they both have things they’ve tiptoed around and would rather avoid going into great detail about! Nice, level territory. So then, a topic change? Yes pls topic change. ]
So! Have you... found your housemates yet?
[ Let’s talk about that instead of emotionally gut-punching ourselves. ]
[ Once a sad tragic shounen, always a sad tragic shounen. Especially one whose mask is that painfully stitched-together smile.
Allen looks a bit surprised to hear that however, and his expression smooths. Did...? They could fall back asleep and have to be put back in stasis? That's.. really unnerving, honestly. As if things couldn't get more uncertain. ]
I'm sorry.. [ It's automatic, reflexive as it is genuine, and he gives a small shake of his head at the question. ]
Not yet. [ And, frowning lightly, he looks down and picks at his nametag again for a moment. ] It's house... 114, I believe?
[ But after three weeks of telling himself that, the boy practically needs an air compressor to keep those hopes afloat. Anyway. Moving on! ]
You must be way across town from me! I’m house 13.
[ And he’s not making any concrete offers here, but-- ]
Well, if things don't work out -- or if you're ever in my neighborhood and need a place to stay for any reason -- we’ve got an open bedroom for the time being.
[ He’s not inviting you to permanently sleep in Mikleo’s bed, Allen -- he’s not, not any more than this is an invitation into his own -- but... frankly, he’s not sure when the vacant space will be put to use again otherwise, so... it may as well be warmed by someone, right? ]
[ The sheer irony of this conversation now hurts my soul.
But Sorey, that... honestly catches Allen by complete surprise. He is a kind and generous person himself, though perhaps that is also why it strikes him so much, but... you've only just actually met him in the real and true world and without even knowing that much about him—just offered to let him stay if his roommates suck? Which spoilers, they (he) will: until he falls ill or asleep and is put back in stasis. Which is admittedly blissful to Allen —
— until he realizes how lonely that is again. ]
Everyone is... [ he cuts off, not knowing how to continue. what does he say to that ]
— it really is a community, huh? [ Why does he seem a little haunted by that idea? And like it threatens to close his throat over. ]
Thank you. [ Just. What else could he possibly say to that? His throat won't let him.
Not that it's an offer he's likely to take up for not wanting to be a bother, but still. ]
Sure, yeah, they did just meet for real, outside of... whatever the hell that whole thing before was (let them never speak of it again). But even without his ability to detect malevolence (and also purify it), Sorey thinks he’s seen enough people of every variety and walk of life here, there, and everywhere to know a genuinely good one when he sees one. Anyway, seriously, where’s the harm in an offer? It’s not like the former Shepherd of Glenwood is helpless to defend himself, should something craaaazy happen. He can handle it! He’s got his big boy pants on now.
To the comment, Sorey considers for a moment, cupping his chin in thought. ] I guess in some way it is, yeah! I’ve met a lot of people here, and everyone’s been friendly and helpful.
[ Even the friend who pulls a gun on him all the time. Yes, this includes you, Sanzo. THAT’S RIGHT HE CALLED YOU HELPFUL. DEAL WITH IT. ]
You’re welcome! And don’t feel obligated, just know that my door’s always open.
[ Still smiling warmly, he puts his hands on his hips for a moment and lets his eyes scan over the crowds. ]
So, you think you’ll go back to work here as a traveling performer?
sorry for delay!! the whole being let go panic and massive job hunt thing...
[ It's just.. unexpected. And incredibly warming. Most people outside of the Order had found him unsettling, after all. Not someone they'd extend a warm invitation to. And it's why he finds himself unsure of how even to really respond to it.
You're a good person, Sorey. Almost strangely so. It isn't something he's likely to forget, and why he is a touch awestruck. ]
Ah... [ That's right. What is he to do now, if all of his reasons for what he did before don't really exist anymore. ]
I hadn't really thought about it, but I guess so? [ it's a decent way to scrape enough money together to survive and gamble with, but also... ]
Even with everything being what it is — I can't imagine that much would have changed.
It's nice, being able to make people smile.
[ Especially when everything else has gone to hell and nothing else really makes sense anymore. ]
oh no i must've missed that! D: i hope you're ok!!
[ He’s not unsettling!! Sorey can even forgo the peculiar mark on his face, though it is a point of curiosity he desperately wants to inquire about. Bless his good manners for ensuring he absolutely does not do that. And as much as Allen thinks this peculiarly-kind associate of his is a good person, the inverse is most definitely true on Sorey’s end. Allen is a good bean in the other’s book, as well.
On the note of making people smile, here -- have one from this former Shepherd, though it’s pretty much his semi-permanent state of being, (out of combat, that is). ]
I’m sure you do that all the time.
[ Wow was that a pass made at Allen???
Naaah... Sorey’s too pure for flirting.
...Isn’t he? ]
Glad to hear you’ll be picking it back up! Normalcy is... something a lot of us really don’t have anymore, after coming here. It’s good that you’re able to hang onto something familiar.
[ Hey, that makes him think of something: that roving, fluffy tumor he had roaming around the inside of his parka... was that part of the virtual reality, too? ]
By the way, didn’t you have a, um... [ he scratches his cheek a moment ] ...I think you called him ‘Tim’? Is he okay?
1/2 I didn't talk about it in lieu of scrambling to fix things lmks. I HAVE A TEMP JOB FOR NOW im ok
[ LET US BE GLAD THAT ALLEN IS LIKEWISE PUR— no he isn't but he's also so disinterested in that sort of thing and Sorey's such a guilelessly nice sort of person it would never even occur to Allen. Yes. Let's be grateful for that.
Especially with just how much his expression suddenly falls at that and he's a bit crestfallen. ]
Ah.. [ He actually wasn't — prepared for that. Anyone asking about Tim. Who would know, after all? But that's right, somehow his mind had stitched together that dog version of Tim in the vision...
Sorey would remember and ask about him. Of course he would. Shit... ]
[ Smile, Allen Walker. Smile and just shrug it off. ]
No, I... don't suppose they had Tim in mind for who they'd try to save from the Storm, would they? [ Everyone in a pod — they were human, after all. Humanoid. He's trying to smile through saying that. Really, he is. It isn't like Sorey even ever actually met the real Timcanpy, right? Wouldn't be someone who would have missed him.
It's just very hard to. Threatens to stick in his throat like a bone; the loss of his only constant companion. ]
I'm not sure what happened to him.
[ He won't choke up in front of someone he barely even knows, no matter how understanding a person they are. He won't. Just... it kills him a little as well. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Sorey
Urk, that's right. In that virtual memory he hadn't... he still believed things had been like that, that he was just looking for that man. ]
No, I'm... [ afraid he was supposed to be dead this whole time and his believing that man was still alive in virtual reality was a horrible cruel way to cater to his
admittedly pretty fragilepsyche at the time, and yet-- ]--afraid he's still asleep. Although in a sense I guess that means I did. [ Come face to face with his dead master, alive and waiting the day he'd wake up again as a living, breathing punch to the gut for Allen. Hopefully Sorey will forgive the somewhat wincing smile; the kind that's a little painful to look at because of how much it hurts--
But it's like he's reminded himself he has to smile anyway. ]
Have many of your friends woken yet, Sorey...?
[ He says it lightly, like just making polite and friend conversation--and not him trying to carefully step around something painful. ]
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For now.And, just like that, in one exchanged question, they’re both on the emotional ropes here. ]
...One did. [ Sorey breathes in deeply and then out -- enough to show a visible shift in his chest and shoulders -- and summons a bittersweet smile. ]
He’s back to sleep now though, with all the others. Has been for about three weeks. [ But who's counting?
There. Now they both have things they’ve tiptoed around and would rather avoid going into great detail about! Nice, level territory. So then, a topic change? Yes pls topic change. ]
So! Have you... found your housemates yet?
[ Let’s talk about that instead of emotionally gut-punching ourselves. ]
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Allen looks a bit surprised to hear that however, and his expression smooths. Did...? They could fall back asleep and have to be put back in stasis? That's.. really unnerving, honestly. As if things couldn't get more uncertain. ]
I'm sorry.. [ It's automatic, reflexive as it is genuine, and he gives a small shake of his head at the question. ]
Not yet. [ And, frowning lightly, he looks down and picks at his nametag again for a moment. ] It's house... 114, I believe?
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[ But after three weeks of telling himself that, the boy practically needs an air compressor to keep those hopes afloat. Anyway. Moving on! ]
You must be way across town from me! I’m house 13.
[ And he’s not making any concrete offers here, but-- ]
Well, if things don't work out -- or if you're ever in my neighborhood and need a place to stay for any reason -- we’ve got an open bedroom for the time being.
[ He’s not inviting you to permanently sleep in Mikleo’s bed, Allen -- he’s not, not any more than this is an invitation into his own -- but... frankly, he’s not sure when the vacant space will be put to use again otherwise, so... it may as well be warmed by someone, right? ]
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But Sorey, that... honestly catches Allen by complete surprise. He is a kind and generous person himself, though perhaps that is also why it strikes him so much, but... you've only just actually met him in the real and true world and without even knowing that much about him—just offered to let him stay if his roommates suck? Which spoilers, they (he) will: until he falls ill or asleep and is put back in stasis. Which is admittedly blissful to Allen —
— until he realizes how lonely that is again. ]
Everyone is... [ he cuts off, not knowing how to continue. what does he say to that ]
— it really is a community, huh? [ Why does he seem a little haunted by that idea? And like it threatens to close his throat over. ]
Thank you. [ Just. What else could he possibly say to that? His throat won't let him.
Not that it's an offer he's likely to take up for not wanting to be a bother, but still. ]
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Sure, yeah, they did just meet for real, outside of... whatever the hell that whole thing before was (let them never speak of it again). But even without his ability to detect malevolence (and also purify it), Sorey thinks he’s seen enough people of every variety and walk of life here, there, and everywhere to know a genuinely good one when he sees one. Anyway, seriously, where’s the harm in an offer? It’s not like the former Shepherd of Glenwood is helpless to defend himself, should something craaaazy happen. He can handle it!
He’s got his big boy pants on now.To the comment, Sorey considers for a moment, cupping his chin in thought. ] I guess in some way it is, yeah! I’ve met a lot of people here, and everyone’s been friendly and helpful.
[ Even the friend who pulls a gun on him all the time. Yes, this includes you, Sanzo. THAT’S RIGHT HE CALLED YOU HELPFUL. DEAL WITH IT. ]
You’re welcome! And don’t feel obligated, just know that my door’s always open.
[ Still smiling warmly, he puts his hands on his hips for a moment and lets his eyes scan over the crowds. ]
So, you think you’ll go back to work here as a traveling performer?
sorry for delay!! the whole being let go panic and massive job hunt thing...
You're a good person, Sorey. Almost strangely so. It isn't something he's likely to forget, and why he is a touch awestruck. ]
Ah... [ That's right. What is he to do now, if all of his reasons for what he did before don't really exist anymore. ]
I hadn't really thought about it, but I guess so? [ it's a decent way to scrape enough money together to survive
and gamble with, but also... ]Even with everything being what it is — I can't imagine that much would have changed.
It's nice, being able to make people smile.
[ Especially when everything else has gone to hell and nothing else really makes sense anymore. ]
oh no i must've missed that! D: i hope you're ok!!
On the note of making people smile, here -- have one from this former Shepherd, though it’s pretty much his semi-permanent state of being, (out of combat, that is). ]
I’m sure you do that all the time.
[ Wow was that a pass made at Allen???
Naaah... Sorey’s too pure for flirting.
...Isn’t he? ]
Glad to hear you’ll be picking it back up! Normalcy is... something a lot of us really don’t have anymore, after coming here. It’s good that you’re able to hang onto something familiar.
[ Hey, that makes him think of something: that roving, fluffy tumor he had roaming around the inside of his parka... was that part of the virtual reality, too? ]
By the way, didn’t you have a, um... [ he scratches his cheek a moment ] ...I think you called him ‘Tim’? Is he okay?
1/2 I didn't talk about it in lieu of scrambling to fix things lmks. I HAVE A TEMP JOB FOR NOW im ok
Especially with just how much his expression suddenly falls at that and he's a bit crestfallen. ]
Ah.. [ He actually wasn't — prepared for that. Anyone asking about Tim. Who would know, after all? But that's right, somehow his mind had stitched together that dog version of Tim in the vision...
Sorey would remember and ask about him. Of course he would. Shit... ]
2/2
No, I... don't suppose they had Tim in mind for who they'd try to save from the Storm, would they? [ Everyone in a pod — they were human, after all. Humanoid. He's trying to smile through saying that. Really, he is. It isn't like Sorey even ever actually met the real Timcanpy, right? Wouldn't be someone who would have missed him.
It's just very hard to. Threatens to stick in his throat like a bone; the loss of his only constant companion. ]
I'm not sure what happened to him.
[ He won't choke up in front of someone he barely even knows, no matter how understanding a person they are. He won't. Just... it kills him a little as well. ]