the13tharcana | IC contact post for Adstringendum

[The kirin is oddly patient with it all, simply resting as Ryoji sits there getting used to the buzzing feel of the energy pouring through this form.

In response to the question, its head simply nods, confirming Ryoji's thoughts. There is a better explanation for it, but... well, to be quite honest, Joshua is finding it hard to find the energy to speak at the moment. His connection to Shibuya is simply far too small here, and what little energy he can gather is used quickly in this form. It's one thing to be standing in Shibuya, surrounded by her boundless energy, but here...

He can't keep this up too much longer if he wants to be able to walk home. A minute more, perhaps.]

[With his eyes closed, he doesn't really catch the nod at first. So there's pretty much the lack of response and Ryoji soon opens his eyes, looking up to Josh again. Then he's remembering the other's words from earlier, how changing into this form uses up a lot of energy, and all of a sudden it's making him worry.]

Ah, are you okay...?

[Ryoji still doesn't budge as he asks, though.]

[Sorry, Ryoji! He'd reply if he could, really.

There isn't a lot that he can do, really. And it's just wasting energy, sitting in this form and doing nothing... The glowing steadily comes back, the only real warning that Ryoji will get before the change happens. It's like the transformation in reverse - the light intensifies, almost blinding, and the form of the kirin shifts, shrinking down smaller and smaller until finally, nothing is left except Joshua, on his hands and knees on the ground, trying to keep upright.

Damn, that had drained him more than he thought it would.]

[Oh. Well-- As the glowing starts to shrink, Ryoji pulls away almost immediately, trying not to panic. For a moment there, he's not really sure what to do as he just watches the form dissipate. And as Josh is finally recognizable and back in his human form down on the ground, he wastes no time in approaching him, soon on his own knees right next to the other. Ryoji's sure not to touch him this time, though.]

Joshua-senpai...?

[He'd ask if Josh was alright, but the exhaustion in his features is pretty apparent on its own. Oh dear... if he knew this would affect him so much, he'd think twice before talking him into all of this.]

Would you like to lay down for a bit?

[He could offer his scarf as a temporary pillow, at the very least.]

[Joshua simply shakes his head, keeping his eyes closed, fingers tense against the ground. It's taking a lot of effort to keep from collapsing to the ground right now. And the fact that he let it go on long enough to where Ryoji is seeing him weak like this...]

I'm fine.

[It's an attempt at dismissing it. If he just rests a moment, he'll be fine. Maybe.]

[It's not like Ryoji was intending to use it to his advantage or anything, you know, Josh. If anything, he is simply worried about you. And maybe feels a little guilty for putting you through something like this in the first place.]

Are you sure? You look a little pale...

[And all of a sudden it occurs to him that it's probably a bad idea for them to stay in the wastes while Josh is exhausted like this...]

[He knows. It's more of a matter of wounded pride than anything else. Being caught weak and vulnerable is not an acceptable outcome at any time, ever.]

I'm fine.

[And to prove his point, he moves, attempting to stand! ... unfortunately, he only gets partially to his feet before he begins to pitch forward, arms flailing out in front of him to grab anything he might be able to use to hold himself up.

Proving his point, indeed!]

[Aww, Josh. So much for you proving your point, indeed. How unfortunate for you that Ryoji was probably the only thing that was there for you to grab. Or at least he was conveniently in your reach at the moment.

As Ryoji notices Joshua losing his balance, there's not much hesitation as he reaches out himself this time. He catches the other in order to steady him, giving him an apologetic kind of smile.

Then there's a gentle tug and while Ryoji's making sure that Josh stays steadily in place all the while, he is turning with his back to him and going to his knees once again.]

Come on, I'll carry you. [Have another smile as Ryoji looks back over his shoulder.]

And if you're about to complain, think what would happen if something were to attack us right now... We shouldn't be out here like this.

[... well, at least he hadn't hit the ground.

For a moment after the offer, Joshua simply stares at Ryoji, almost confused. But it quickly turns into irritation, something far more stubborn.

Ryoji does have a point. For coming out here to hide the fact that he was shifting to his Noise form, he'd been a bit careless in letting it go on that long. If something did attack... well, Ryoji is nothing more than a normal human. And with himself this out of commission, they wouldn't stand a chance.

He frowns, glancing away for a moment before shifting enough to sort of... awkwardly climb up onto Ryoji's back.]

No one hears a word about any of this. [And yes, that is a threat.]

[Always so stubborn, Josh. But that's also what Ryoji finds admirable in you.

He's glad that the other decides to take him up on that offer, though. He gives Josh a hand with the climbing, guiding his hands over his shoulders, so that he could hook them around his neck for leverage.]

Don't worry, Joshua-senpai. It's going to be our little secret~

[And with that, Ryoji was getting up to his feet with a small hop, pulling the other with him with unexpected ease. Now don't mind him giggling there a bit.]

Did anyone ever tell you that you're light as a feather?

[Of course he's stubborn. He'd like to keep his pride in-tact, thank you.

It's awkward enough that he's having to hold on to Ryoji like this. He's trying not to focus too much on it, to be honest. And for the first few seconds, it doesn't bother him.

... until Ryoji hops up, which makes him cling tightly on reflex to avoid falling. He almost misses the slight joke because of it.]

... funny.

[Whoops. He didn't mean to startle you with that, Josh, honest. Ryoji needed to make sure he wouldn't be making any abrupt moves from now on, considering.

And not dwelling too much on it, he slowly starts to make his way in the direction of the city walls. He's quiet for a longer while at first, as he's trying not to focus on the incidental closeness they shared... as nice as it was.]

...Sorry about this.

[... well. At least neither of them is really thinking about the closeness there. Joshua is personally thinking of Ryoji as a very warm, very comfortable moving pillow.

Which is possibly why he currently has his cheek resting on the back of Ryoji's shoulder. Don't even say a word, Ryoji.]

There isn't anything to apologize for.

[He's not saying anything! And he far from minds being a pillow for you, Josh, but that's probably no surprise to anyone by now.

He just hopes Joshua is comfortable enough like this - as much as comfortable he can actually be while being this close to someone. Or, in fact, this close to him, especially.]

I was being curious, didn't consider the possible consequences, and talked you into it... so it's technically my fault.

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