it's a long way forward

[leggie]

[It's been days since he left that village behind, and he hasn't had nearly enough time to stop and rest. Every village or town he's run across has chased him off for falling out of the sky, too poor to offer any help of their own and too afraid to attempt to question his state. Desperately, he's kept his presence disguised, hiding from those other colored entities that were part of this destiny he wanted nothing to do with. He slept in trees for a couple hours at a time, moving again before too long when it no longer felt secure enough.

He was running from something he couldn't escape, but each time he tried to find somewhere to go, it wasn't right. Maybe his predecessor was right. Maybe there wasn't anyone who would take him like he is, green leg showing in the spot that his shoes don't cover. Maybe he was too much of a monster.

No. Determined, Jae-Ha urged himself forward despite that worry. No matter where he ended up, or if he had to live alone for the rest of his life, it was better than existing and waiting in that prison of a village. He wouldn't become like his predecessor. He wouldn't wait around to take it out on the next generation.

When he spots a blonde boy crouched near something in a clearing of the woods, Jae-Ha's chest tightens. This could be a chance, couldn't it? He was his age— younger, clearly, but not an adult like all of the ones that have chased him off. And better than that, he was alone. Maybe, just maybe, he could say something to reach him, to get some food other than the occasional bits of bread or fruit he's stolen from carts or nabbed from trees along the way.

His appearance comes in a flash, a green blur dropping out of the sky and right in front of Sanji. He's a mess in his dirtied robes, his face and body still badly beaten from a few days prior, his hair dirty and sticky even tied back, and heavy bags beneath his eyes from the lack of rest. When he drops down to a knee, both to temporarily hide the green of his right foot and to humble himself, it's more of a fall of pure exhaustion.

He doesn't bow his head like you should with a gesture like this, instead staring directly at Sanji with determined eyes.]

Please, let me stay with you, at least for a night. I'll do anything.

[It's about time for a desperate offer like this, isn't it?]

Comments

[leggie]

Oh.

[He's never had "dinner" like this. And even Sanji leaving makes him a little nervous that he might never see him again. But that's a silly worry, isn't it? He's here, with him. If anything happens, he can rush to his side with these legs that no one is holding him back from using.

Yes. He blinks out of his lost stare and nods firmly.]

I'll be here, then.

[lil_eggplant]

[Sanji nods back at him, just as firm in his promise to return, and then with one last look, sneaks between the cracked space of the door before closing it.

It will be nearly an hour of silence. Outside in the halls, Jae-Ha might hear the occasional maid gossip, older women clicking their tongues as they go about their business, but eventually their voices will disappear into the quiet.

At least until there's a knock -- and the door whispering open.

It's not Sanji who peeks his head through, either.]

[leggie]

[He assumes the knock is Sanji at first and glances over, but when the face is different, Jae-Ha nearly falls off the bed he's been sitting patiently on. He hops off and stumbles backwards, ducking behind the side of it like that might reverse that she's just seen him.

No one was supposed to come in here! He thought he was safe!]

[lil_eggplant]

[Oh... how surprising. There is a person here. It'd only been a hunch of hers, and Reiju had tried to dismiss it as ridiculous - that even Sanji, with all his caring heart, wouldn't dare permit a stranger to enter their father's home.

It turns out she underestimates her brother in all the best and worst ways. As the green-haired boy throws himself behind the bed like a frog, she deftly slips inside and closes the door behind her.

And locks it.]

I already saw you. [The smile on her face is automatic, and not one of goodwill. More like a placeholder of sorts.]

Are you the one my brother wanted money for?

[leggie]

[Ah... He doesn't like that cornering question at all. Slowly, he stands, hands clutching at the side of Sanji's bed as he stares at this girl. He's nervous, but he masks it with a serious expression.]

Yes. [He's quick to continue.] But if you try to get him in trouble, I won't let you.

[Sanji might have said his sister was fine, but Jae-Ha is skeptical. If he thought his treatment from his brothers was normal, who knew what else he might think was fine.]

[lil_eggplant]

[Now that he's done hiding, Reiju notes the boy is probably around her age or a little older. He's certainly tall. And she doesn't immediately reply to what could be taken as a threat, either, instead letting her visible eyebrow climb higher up her forehead]

This is my house, you know. [The smile doesn't go anywhere, nor does she look all that concerned. Instead, she makes a show of smoothing down her robes before folding her hands behind her back, then watching Jae-Ha with slitted eyes] I belong here.

But if Father finds you, Sanji will be beaten. And you... [Her eyes flicker to the side] Likely killed.

[leggie]

[He doesn't like this. He doesn't like that he already messed up and feels in danger of messing up so much more. What if Sanji is already in trouble? What if he needs to check on him? Or what if doing that would get him caught by others, and cause the trouble?

His hands curl into fists at his sides.]

I won't let anything happen to him.

[lil_eggplant]

[And to that... she tilts her head. Some of the smile dies. She looks at Jae-Ha with sharp precision and perhaps contempt, but her tone remains even as she speaks]

Because he gave you clothes?

[leggie]

Because he's my friend.

[Jae-Ha answers firmly in response.] Why are you asking me all of this?

[lil_eggplant]

[Why is she indeed...

Rather than answer, the smile comes back full force. If it's honest or mocking is anyone's guess.]

Don't say I didn't warn you. [She angles a head toward the door] He's trying to bring you back food, though he's no good at sneaking.

[It's why her other brothers always find new places to torment him.]

[leggie]

[That makes his heart sink with worry, and he rushes to the locked door to try and listen. If he can unlock it and just peek... But he has to make sure he can't hear anyone, first. What if Sanji gets in trouble?]

Can't you tell him I don't need it if he's going to get in trouble?

[lil_eggplant]

[She'd laugh if she had an audience, but instead Reiju gives a short shake of her head, faintly pink hair swishing around her ears]

I'm not getting in trouble for you two. [This boy must be mad. She isn't a tattle, but neither does she feel like sticking her neck out, either.

... Though after a pause, she seems to relent in some way, and adds:] They'll just think he's hungry. No one will tell Father.

[leggie]

[He frowns, placing a hand against the door and glancing back to stare at this girl. Sanji liked her, he knows, but so far Jae-Ha doesn't like her at all.]

If you don't want to get in trouble, why are you still in here?

[lil_eggplant]

[Because being in this room won't incriminate her; she can lie and say she saw a stranger sneaking inside, and had rushed in out of concern for Sanji.

She doesn't tell him that, of course. Rather, she plans to tell off his lack of manners when suddenly the door in front of them tries to open, the knob twisting uselessly before there's a knock.

Reiju doesn't hesitate. She'll push Jae-Ha out of the way to open it if he doesn't move, smile never moving even as Sanji pokes his head in--

And his expression promptly loses all color]

Wha- [He yelps when she grabs him by the collar and pulls him in, shutting the door behind him and locking it once more. Some of the food Sanji had stashed in his robe goes tumbling to the floor. The boy hardly notices over his panicked gaping]

Oi, you can't come here without telling me! [And then, more panicked, as he tries in vain to hide Jae-Ha behind him:] Y-you can't tell, Reiju! Please, he's my friend!

[leggie]

[He's successfully urged behind Sanji in this weak attempt to be hidden, but he reaches one of his arms around the boy protectively, holding him close as he stares down his sister.]

It's okay. [He says that, even if he still has no idea what she wants and he's very bothered by that smile. But even if he has to jump away and take Sanji with him, he can do that. He'd prefer to avoid yanking him from his home, though...]

[lil_eggplant]

[It happens again - Reiju dropping her smile an inch when Jae-Ha seems to do or say something she's not prepared for, and her eyes zero in on the protective arm he wraps around her brother.

Eventually, she'll turn all her attention to Sanji, and uses a voice that is more openly chiding and disapproving.]

Of course I'm not going to tell, I'm not like the others.

But it's your fault if you get caught. [Frankly:] Father might not forgive you this time. [She sighs at him, at his furious little glare that tells her all she needs to know, and it's why she turns for the door, aiming a few more parting words before she leaves entirely.] You're not a street urchin like he is, Sanji. Is a stranger worth it? There's no point in being so nice.

Go away already! [Jeez, he hates it when his sister gets like this, and Sanji's cheeks flush as he watches her leave. Out of spite, he locks the door with a loud click and hopes she can hear it]

[leggie]

[Jae-Ha watches as Reiju leaves and Sanji moves to lock the door, and he slowly ducks down to his knees to pick up what had fallen. He won't let it go to waste, no matter what it is.]

I'm sorry. I should have hidden anyway. [Maybe then she would have figured it was in her imagination and left. Instead, they're at her mercy, and Jae-Ha is already bothered by it.]

She said it was obvious you were sneaking food.

[lil_eggplant]

Only to her. Because she's nosy.

[He's still huffing in light irritation, but all other outward signs point to Sanji having gotten over his sister's appearance. He barely looks angry, in fact, and bends down to help Jae-Ha pick up the food]

It's okay, Reiju doesn't break promises like this. [Mostly because she never makes them, but. Eh.] I know she sounds mean, but she's not a real bully. Not like my brothers.

[leggie]

[Ugh. It breaks his heart to hear things like that, even after how he grew up himself. He focuses more on picking up the food, staying on his knees once the floor is clear and everything he's managed to gather is in his lap or arms.]

You don't have to bring me food every time you eat. I didn't eat much before, so I don't need to now. I don't want you to risk it. It's not worth it.

[lil_eggplant]

But-- [His mouth works into a frown, and his body lines with displeased energy] You gotta eat more! You're bigger than me.

[It's simple math, and looking at Jae-Ha only solidifies his position on the matter] And you're too skinny, so of course I gotta feed you.

[With a visible pout] Is it because of Reiju? She just talks too much!

[leggie]

[He's stuck wondering what she meant when she said Sanji's father wouldn't forgive him this time. Were the villagers right? Was he just bringing misfortune to someone else, now that he was out of the village? He can't hold back the frown that forms even more genuine than before, his head ducking a little more over the food.

He doesn't want to mess up with the first friend he's ever had and cause trouble.]

Everyone will get suspicious if you keep doing this. You brought enough to last me days... [It shouldn't last him days, really...] So this is enough.

[lil_eggplant]

... Fine.

[Returned like a punch to the face, and Sanji makes no effort to hide his scorn or his disappointment. His shoulders hunch as he looks away like a petulant child]

[leggie]

[He frowns more at that, a little more sad as he stares at the food items in his arms.]

I'm not trying to be ungrateful. I just don't want to lose you already. I've never had anything like a friend before.

[lil_eggplant]

You're not gonna lose me!

[Sanji has already built some resistance to Jae-Ha's sad face, which means his disappointment hasn't gone anywhere, but he wheels around with both hands on his hips]

We'll be friends as long as we want! [So forever, he's pretty sure, and stares at Jae-Ha like he won't accept anything less]

[leggie]

[Standing up, he moves over to drop the food gently on the bed, and then moves back to Sanji. He's going by feeling here, but he wraps his arms around him to pull him into a loose hug.]

Maybe we can work together to sneak stuff. I'm pretty good at it. I escaped lots of times.