the13tharcana | IC contact post for Adstringendum

[They only look plain because they aren't far enough out for things to really shift. Walk about a half a mile out, and you're in for a show.]

A few times, yes.

[Well, that's not something Ryoji will probably have the opportunity to see for himself anytime soon. Unless someone were to talk him into going with them or something...]

Out of curiosity?

[It's always safer to travel with at least one other person. Though Joshua doesn't usually play by that rule...]

Curiosity and boredom, mostly.

[At times like these Ryoji kind of missed his ability to change into his Thanatos form. But only a little bit.]

Well, this is enough of open space for you, isn't it?

[Good thing it's only a little bit, because as far as Joshua is concerned, Ryoji isn't getting it back.

He pauses, looking around for a moment.]

... yes, this should work nicely.

[Not too far from the city walls at all, but far enough that he has plenty of room. He slips his hands into his pockets, smiling.]

Ready?

[And he's more than thankful for that, considering.

--Oh, just give Ryoji a moment as he takes a few steps backward, because he's still not sure what to expect there, exactly. And then he just waves at Josh once he figures he's put enough distance between the two of them.]

Ready when you are!

[Hm? Ryoji, what are you... Joshua shakes his head, laughing softly to himself. He's put enough distance between them. Ryoji has nothing to fear.

With that, he doesn't say another word. He simply closes his eyes, tipping his head down. In that all-too-familiar light, his wings spread out from his back, stretching out into the air, the same size that they've always been. But the glow doesn't fade. In fact, it expands.

After a couple of seconds, it's bright enough that Joshua isn't visible at all anymore. And it keeps growing, bigger and bigger, encompassing something much, much larger than Joshua had been.

When the light fades, it leaves behind a kirin, large and white with violet details, scales flashing in the growing daylight. Its front legs, horns and tail are all stylized, almost like tattoos, but living - they're definitely capable of moving.

Probably the most striking detail of all is the fact that it's towering over Ryoji. He barely comes up to its knee.]

[Ryoji watches the whole thing intently, more and more amazed with each passing second. And he can't help but note how his change wasn't as flashy, and definitely way more boring compared to all this. That one time when Ryoji ended up showing his Thanatos form to Josh and the other was hardly impressed by it? Everything made so much more sense now.]

Wow, Joshua-senpai... this is amazing.

[And really, Ryoji both looks and sounds to be in awe. Frankly, he's never seen anything like this before. The size of the figure before him makes it a bit hard to take it all in properly, though, and as he tries his best to look from an angle that wouldn't make his neck hurt, it soon ends up with him losing his balance and falling to the ground. But he just laughs as that, amused, and stays in a sitting position for the time being, staring at the kirin before (above?) him with a smile.

Josh, you were beautiful.]

I can see how you were worried that the bridge might be too small to move around on, haha.

Are you able to talk like this?

Edited 2012-09-06 22:43 (UTC)

[It doesn't take too long before the kirin kneels down into a lying position, front and back legs curled up against its body. It brings it closer to Ryoji, so it isn't quite as intimidating.

It's also because this form is taking quite a bit of energy from him, and even standing is a bit difficult, but he won't mention that.

A soft chuckle comes from the kirin, deeper than Joshua's normal voice, almost like several voices making the same sound all at once.]

I can, yes.

[Ryoji's smile widens even more at the response. And soon, he's back to his feet, closing the distance that was still left between them a little more.]

...May I touch you?

[The boy asks out of simple courtesy, but he was actually already reaching and pressing a hand to the creature's torso.

Ryoji knew that Josh wasn't fond of physical contact by now, but this was probably a one-chance opportunity and he wasn't about to let it slip past him. He told himself that he could be curious this once. He just wanted to see how those scales felt to the touch for himself.]

[Of course, Ryoji is already there before he can respond. Usually, he doesn't really care for physical contact even in his normal form. But, since Ryoji already has his hand on him...

The muscles beneath the scales tense and relax under Ryoji's hand, and he'll feel a buzzing sort of energy at his palm, making his skin feel almost as if his hand and arm have fallen asleep. But the scales themselves are smooth, almost like touching a fish. And for how unreal the kirin looks, it's incredibly warm to the touch.]

[Ryoji's careful, of course, prepared to pull back at any time if need be. And he does twitch at first, as the sudden, unfamiliar static spreads along his hand. But he soon relaxes himself, and just blinks at the weird sensation. He also didn't expect it to feel so warm like this, but considering this form seemed to be made more out of energy than something solid, it was probably to be expected.]

How weird... [Weird, but also nice at the same time. And somehow Ryoji finds himself with his eyes closed in moments to come, concentrating on the feeling and trying get used to it.]

...Is this this Soul energy you were talking about earlier?

[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.

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the13tharcana - 2012-09-27 21:43 (UTC) - Expand