towerofanimus | Track 02 - Here Comes the Sun [OPEN]

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Track 02 - Here Comes the Sun [OPEN]

Characters: Yosuke Hanamura and YOU!
Setting: Floor 25
Format: I'll follow, but action is far faster for me
Summary: Yosuke's in a half-thinking, half-escapist mood. What better place to do both?
Warnings: None!

[In the middle of this springtime meadow is one high school student, sprawled out on the grass with his headphones on and blasting music. He switches every few minutes between nodding his head to the beat and looking oddly contemplative. But he's aware of his surroundings, and as people pass he'll do one of two things]

[If Yosuke doesn't know you, he'll simply smile and offer a friendly wave]

[If he does, he'll slip the headphones off his hears and give a greeting] Hey!

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[She blinks twice, then looks him straight in the eye.]

Wait, disawhatnow?

[blink]

... you're joking, right? I know you didn't sleep through something that crazy.

...I went home.

[He's stunned for a moment but tries not to show it. So that's why she seems so sure her home is gone - if she went to it and... but no. If he lets that get to him he'll start to doubt himself, and this is the first time he's felt sure of anything in a while. So rather than let himself think, he starts talking]

The tower started going crazy. First monsters just started showing up - and I mean all sorts of monsters. Stuff that had no right to be here. Stuff from home. And if home is gone, then that crap should be gone too.

So after they ran crazy for a while, the tower started... disappearing. Like the floors vanished and it was just the stairs. And then it was like everything reset, and went back to normal. And the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that something went wrong with whatever is keeping us here. So it did whatever it could to distract us until what went wrong was fixed.

So whatever you saw, wherever you went - it was a lie. It had to be.

You weren't there.

[Her fist clenches around the collar of his shirt, and her tone manages to convey both anger and sadness in wrathful harmony.]

It was Karakura. I was there. I walked the same streets I grew up on, it wasn't something that could just be faked. [Even though it had been, once, but she wasn't really aware of that detail.] And I don't know how to describe how dead that place was. The dust-filled sky, the cracked ground, the crumbling walls, hell, even the goddamn sun was dying. And it wasn't just that.

...I can sense your spirit. If I couldn't see, hear or feel anything right now, I'd still know you were in front of me, because I can feel your spiritual energy. I feel it all the time. Plants, animals, people, even objects, they all have it.

Imagine having that, and then suddenly feeling nothing. There's no way to describe it. I've never been anywhere that felt so dead.

[It's do or die, and to his credit, Yosuke doesn't back down, even held like he is. Oh yeah, there's a part of him inside going 'oh god she's going to murder me', but he keeps his gaze level on her eyes and doesn't shrink back. Souji wouldn't back down, and if he wants to believe that his partner still exists - if he doesn't want to turn his back on everything they accomplished - then he has to fight in that spirit here and now. So once the storm is over, he shoots back]

Yeah, you're right. I wasn't there. I can't imagine something like that. I can only guess how terrible it was, and I know I wouldn't want to have to go through that. But I still think it's a lie. No, I know it's a lie.

So go ahead and deck me or whatever if it helps you get it out, because I've been where you are! I've been angry at the world, I've felt like I've lost everything. [And as he briefly remembers those moments in the hospital, he knows it's not somewhere he ever wants to be again] And I know once you get a grip and think, you'll come around. If that takes decking me, then do it, because I'm not just spouting some shit to make you feel better.

I know home isn't gone.

[For a moment, her grip on his shirt tightens, but she releases it after only a moment.]

It wouldn't be worth it. As long as we're both in this, fighting over it isn't gonna solve a damn thing.

[She returns to her previous slouch, wrapping her arms around her knees.] But don't act like you know anything for sure.

[Oh thank god - he wasn't too eager to get his face caved in. Crisis sort of averted! But as he fixes his collar he fights the urge to be angry at her, and instead sighs]

I know, I shouldn't act like I know it for sure. But everything I've learned points to this place being a lie.

Maybe I'm just lying to myself. But either way, I am not ready to throw in the towel. So I'll keep believing.

Maybe... but every morning that I wake up and can't sense anyone I know...

... yeah, I know. It's not easy.

[He gives her shoulder a playful punch]

But you're tougher than that, right? Don't tell me I was all wrong about you.

I dunno. I never really wanted to be strong for my own sake. Without Orihime or Ichigo to be strong for, that strength just feels... empty, I guess.

[She lets a wry grin slip through the cracks.] Not that they've really needed it lately, but still.

[It may be inappropriate as hell, but he can't help trying to lighten the mood a little. Or he's setting himself up to get a beating. Either way, he cracks a grin]

So does that mean you're just a weak, vulnerable girl I can take advantage of? Because if you're not used to being strong for you, well - you are hot. Just saying.

[He just gets a look from her that screams murder.]

You can't possibly be for real.

[He just bursts out laughing]

Damn, am I that transparent? There go my dreams of being an actor.

[A chuckle.]

Hey, what happened to not giving up, huh?

[Unconsciously, her hand starts to drift over his, and she doesn't notice when it comes to settle there.]

Shit, you got me. Man, I really sound like some sort of action hero, with my big dramatic speeches about hope and perseverance.

[It's impossible for him to not notice the hand, but he tries not to read too much into it. After all, he just saw her at a pretty low point, and she probably just wants some comfort. He'll be happy to be the one to give it, and to not make a big deal about it]

Hey, nothing wrong with that. Sounds like just my type, personally.

Your type, huh? [Must have been that Ichigo guy she was talking about. Makes sense]

I didn't think there were enough heroes left in the world to make it a type.

[The idea hadn't occurred to her, but actually, yeah.]

Maybe there are, or maybe I just have high standards for myself.

Nothing wrong with that! I have a friend I bet you'd get along great with.

Maybe not, but I'm probably gonna die single for it.

Sounds great, though. I'd love to meet him. Or her, whichev-

[...And now she notices that she's holding his hand. Immediately, her face goes red, and she withdraws her hand with such force that the recoil nearly knocks her on her back. She lets out a nervous laugh, attempting futilely to cover her tracks.]

...Er, wow, whoops! How'd that get there? Hehe...

[Yosuke had been determined to not make a big deal about having a pretty girl grab his hand. But as she reacts like that, he doesn't really have a choice anymore. But instead of getting embarrassed, he just stares at her, talking flatly]

Well it's a good thing you noticed. If your hand had been there any longer you would've turned to stone. But how'd you guess my sinister power?

[...That's is response? She starts to wonder if he's as prude as Ichigo, before remembering he's called her hot at least once, so that can't be it. She blurts out the first thought that comes to her head, without stopping to consider if it's a good idea.]

I cannot figure out what your deal is.

[And now it's his turn to be confused. But as well as he managed to keep himself calm a few moments ago, it all falls to pieces the instant his brain jumps to a conclusion. Just look at that blush!]

Wait, you were putting the moves on me?! I- I thought it was just a comfort thing!

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