teaism | it's a long way forward

it's a long way forward

[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?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[If Sanji weren't in the way, wasn't standing there between them being the bleeding heart that he always is, Reiju knows she'd jump the distance and punch this boy in the nose.

Sanji must realize it, too, because in an instant he's pushing Jae-Ha back, asking him to please let it go, it's fine, Reiju is just that way, all the while ignoring his injury to keep his friend safe and defend his sister's honor.

Her lips twist as a sour aftertaste floods her mouth.]

You're the one who's hurting him. [Going for the low blows, now, and her voice is soft with a dagger's edge] I came here to help, and you're picking a fight. He's injured but has to spend his time making sure no one finds you.

What happens when you run out of apples? And my brothers see you? And Father finds you? You think that isn't hurting him, watching you run around like a silly bumpkin who can take on the world? You're just a penniless boy my brother took mercy on.

[As much as he wants to snap back at those words, Sanji is practically begging him to stop. She doesn't know what he's capable of, and there's no way he's going to give her that ammo, either. But it sure will come up the next time someone tries to seriously hurt Sanji.

But being accused of hurting him makes him doubt himself, too. He thinks he's doing what's right, handling this the best way possible... But he can see that Sanji seems to expect Reiju's care here. Maybe it would be wrong to get in the way.

Giving her the glare of a monster, he lets her keep her bandages and steps back, squeezing Sanji's hand before letting his own drop away.]

I wonder how long your excuses will make you feel better. [And then he's looking at Sanji, a silent agreement that he'll stop.] Go ahead. You need to rest. [Once she's done fixing him up.]

[Reiju doesn't know if her words have found their mark - but oh, she hopes it. Sanji might be the kindest of her family, and her other brothers are the demons, but she's the one caught in the middle, the most human of them all. She'll take delight in her good deeds and watch her enemies squirm without remorse.

How dare he presume that she isn't capable of caring for her own sibling?

Mouth still pressed into a line, she marches over, refusing to give Jae-Ha a response. Her movements are swift and efficient. Robes and shirt off, she tells Sanji, and moments later wipes his bare skin down with an ointment to ward off sickness. Then come the bandages next, and it's obvious she's used to doing this; the girl finishes in record time, with the dressings now covering Sanji's chest in neat circles.]

... Thank you, Reiju. [Her brother speaks softly. She can feel his eyes roaming her face, and normally this would be the point where she'd... try. Maybe give him an awkward pat on the head. Or tell him that things will look up once he trains enough. He's a lord's son. He has potential. He does belong to this family. ]

You need better friends, Sanji. [It's all she'll say, cruel and calculated, before gathering her things and leaving without a good night]

[If she cared, then why was she punishing Sanji because of Jae-Ha? Trying to drive him away? Jealous? He doesn't know, but he glares at the door long after it's been shut.

Finally, he moves quietly over to the bed to sit beside Sanji, staring at his own lap.]

Sorry.

[Sanji thought he couldn't feel worse, but the weight in his chest is like all the rocks in the creek piled on top of each other. He brings his knees back to his chin, mouth half-buried behind one.]

... Why are so angry at her?

[He just. Doesn't get it. Jae-Ha's fury. Reiju's already explained why she can't do the things she wants to do. She's told Sanji that she's actually kind. And he believes her, he does. Ever since mother died, she's been the only one to care at all.

He wants to keep the two of them - Reiju and Jae-Ha.]

Because kindness and care shouldn't have an ending point.

[He turns, looking to Sanji with emotional eyes as his fingers curl over his own knees. How can he properly explain this? He's been wondering it for a while now, but now the words just come out.]

When you really care, things like fear don't matter. You just do whatever you can to help. I've never had it shown to me... but that's what I feel, right here. [A hand moves up to touch over his own heart.] It would be fine for her to fear for herself if she didn't make excuses for it. It's not okay, and she knows it.

[He tilts his head to watch Jae-Ha speak, eyes darting to every corner of the other boy's expression. And he does his best to understand, mumbling the words under his breath like they might reveal their meaning that way.]

So... [A deep breath, and his face floods with trepidation]

Reiju doesn't care that much?

Edited 2017-03-27 06:11 (UTC)

...No, it's not that.

[He realizes his mistake in all of this and frowns as he looks down to his lap. He wasn't trying to tell Sanji that she didn't care. Just that—] She just doesn't know the right way to show it. She's setting you up to think it just stops there, but it doesn't. Okay? It doesn't stop there with me. I'm not in the same situation as her, so I can... maybe I can help more.

[He pauses, linking his own hands together.] Am I hurting you?

[To that question, Sanji shakes his head quickly and honestly, turning more of his body so he can see Jae-Ha without bending his neck.] You never hurt me! Reiju was lying.

[And for all the relief that comes from hearing Jae-Ha affirm Sanji's greatest wish - that his sister cares about him - he refuses to let his first and best friend doubt himself because she was being mean to him.]

You're the best friend I've ever had. So I don't mind hiding you. [Some of his smile returns] I'll tell her to apologize tomorrow. I bet she's just grumpy because we gotta train more.

[It's selfish of him, probably, but Sanji doesn't want his two people fighting like this... just so long as Jae-Ha doesn't end up liking her more or anything.]

If you tell her that, she'll hate me more. It's okay. [He'll get over it. He's just so grumpy himself, letting out a heavy sigh and leaning to bump their shoulders together.]

I'm sorry you got hurt before I could do anything. Trying to stay hidden is hard when they're doing that to you. I'll train, too, and get better at stuff like that. You can do whatever you want. That's what freedom should be.

[Oh, he's absolutely gonna tell her. Jae-Ha will get a surprise come morning, of that Sanji's determined to see through.

The thought helps to keep his spirits up after such a terrible evening. Grinning a little more, he bumps his shoulder back into Jae-Ha's]

S'okay. They didn't hurt me that much. [Puffing up with an odd sense of pride. His body can take a lot of punishment, y'know.] ... That apple trick was funny.

And we should train together, Jae-Ha! I bet I'd get stronger that way. [Sanji, he's monstrously strong compared to you...]

We can train together.

[He probably won't spar with him unless it's to practice holding back but still fighting, but they can do similar exercises and help each other out!! He thinks it'd be good.]

Just don't compare yourself to me. I'm a monster. No one should have a leg like this.

[Aaaand there goes that smile, replaced immediately by a glower. That word again. Sanji leans forward, sticking his face right in Jae-Ha's like he always does when he's displeased about something]

Don't call yourself that! You're not a monster! [Glaring with all the disapproval his body can contain]

Call yourself something cool - like a dragon! [That's what he calls you in his head]

[Jae-Ha isn't expecting that. He blinks in surprise, and there's even a faint bit of color on his cheeks while Sanji defends him like that.]

A dragon... Isn't it the same thing? It's like... a beautiful monster. [Ahhh, but he doesn't want Sanji angry again, so he quickly raises his hands.]

Okay, I'm a dragon.

[Beautiful... well.

He supposes if that's the word Jae-Ha wants to use. Sanji would use "handsome" himself.]

Good. [Huffing back in place, though it takes a while for the boy's irritation to lower] Dragons are cool. They can fly, and have scales, and are strong-- [He nods in agreement to himself]

Oh, and they're green! So you're a perfect dragon.

[That color in his cheeks is growing, and eventually he has to reach over and pinch at Sanji's. He won't tell him about the other dragons right now. Telling him to make sure a king doesn't steal him away was enough, he thinks...]

I'm not perfect... stop it. You need to go to sleep now, so we can start training tomorrow.

[For that pinch and those words, Sanji sticks out his tongue. Beeeeeh, Jae-Ha is perfect and Sanji is right, so the older boy can just deal with it.

He will, however, concede that sleep would be amazing. At the order, his body remembers how tired it is, and almost immediately, Sanji's eyelids begin to sink]

Okay. I know a good place we can go in the morning, too. [Still smiling and leaning against Jae-Ha's shoulders, like he might drift off right here]

Don't forget it.

[He really cares about Sanji. He hopes he can keep him safe, from now on. Maybe next time, they won't even be able to hurt him before Jae-Ha steps in. At the weight against him now, Jae-Ha shifts and scoops up Sanji's legs from over the side of the bed, moving almost like he's going to princess carry him— except he just shifts him onto the bed more properly and then flops down next to him, on his stomach.

His legs kick in the air behind him.]

Good night.

[Sanji replies through a yawn, having already curled up nearby Jae-Ha like a content cat] Night. [And then he's dead to the world for the next ten hours.

A new day, at least, seems less scary than it had the previous night. That Sanji wakes up in a good mood is impressive enough, but he's also an excited bundle throughout breakfast, rushing Jae-Ha through their morning routine and out the window (safer than taking the front door, okay?) Only once does he leave Jae-Ha's side before they head out, making the other boy swear not to follow him, but don't worry, he's back quick enough so Jae-Ha won't have too much reason to worry.

As for his "secret" training spot, it really isn't so secret - just annoying to reach unless one is diligent, a far patch of field that's nearby the orchards.
Sanji promises they won't be bothered here, except not twenty minutes into their workout regimen, someone does come walking through the bushes.

It's Reiju, dressed in her usual silks and with her hair done in a pretty ornament, expression light and seemingly uncaring. Without much comment,
she marches right up to Jae-Ha, ready or not - and then stops in front of him with her arms folded behind her back. Over his head, she exchanges a glance with her brother before directing her attention (and a thin, irritable smile) at the older boy.]

Good morning. I hope you are well. [True or not, she's groomed for manners, and lifts her chin slightly before continuing]

... It's been... brought to my attention that my behavior yesterday was uncalled for, apparently. [Yes, apparently. Someone lodged a complaint] And as I've no interest in shaming the family name over rude technicalities, or giving the wrong impression... [A pause. Yes, she's laying it on thick, but at the same time is obviously avoiding the point a certain someone wanted her to get to. It's with a sigh and a shoulder slouch that she relents]

This one time, I will apologize for any grievances I might've caused.

[Because for some reason, peasant, her brother cares for you. At least in this way, his happiness is more important than her grudge and personal agendas.]

[Oh boy. Jae-Ha had been wondering what Sanji was up to in that short moment of being separated, but now it's exceedingly clear. Watching Reiju like this, prim and proper and apologizing, is enough to have the corners of his lips quirking up, but it's the real apology that has him chuckling.

A real chuckle, like he's genuinely amused.]

Seeing you swallow your pride and apologize, even when I told Sanji you didn't have to, it's really funny. But I'll say sorry, too. You obviously care, if you've gone this far.

[It's the fact that she cares enough to do this that has him so happy. And in teasing answer, he reaches over to pat the top of her head a couple of times.] We both have the same goal, so it's okay.

[... She can have you murdered at any time, Jae-Ha B| Just remember that as you keep patting her head like she's an animal. Each hair on her head is worth fives times a commoner's life.

Surprisingly enough, Sanji doesn't look amused by this, either. Oh sure, he'd seemed delighted by the apology at first, but Reiju watches her little brother's expression sour the longer Jae-Ha's attention is diverted, until eventually the blond creeps up behind the old boy's and peeks at Reiju from underneath his bangs.]

You can go now, Reiju. You already apologized.

[-- Oh. Oh ho, did he really just--]

Are you trying to dismiss me already, Sanji? [Smiling in delight now] I outrank you, and I haven't even seen what you two are doing yet.

Who cares about rankings?

[Jae-Ha messes up her hair a little extra, more of a ruffle than a pat, before he steps away and towards Sanji with a smile. He's in a better mood, after all...]

Come on, Sanji, let's keep going.

[Jae-Ha really. Now Reiju has to straighten her hair back into place, giving the boy her age a stiff glare and hoping he feels it on his back.

And sorry, Sanji, Reiju really isn't going anywhere until her curiosity is satisfied. This is the price that must be paid for making her come out here to apologize to a ruffian. She's very quick to remind him of it, too, whenever his frown turns too sour, or he tries to imply that this is a "boys club" with no room for girls.]

How about I spar you, and whoever wins gets to stay?

[At the suggestion, Sanji looks aghast] No way!

She can spar me.

[Jae-Ha is quick to step forward, standing casually. He doesn't have a fighter's stance at all, after being locked up for twelve years, but he can feel it well enough. He knows how to use this power through his heart, and though he does have to train it, he has a very fair starting place for a twelve year old.]

If you lose, you have to leave us alone today.

[Reiju's visible eye narrows on Jae-Ha's face with some amount of interest. It's clear from her relaxed shoulders that she isn't worried about a defeat, but she takes the time to silently commend this boy for stepping up in Sanji's honor - even if that won't help her brother get stronger.]

I'll leave if you can hit me three times. [A slight amendment to the deal; she doesn't want to get these robes too dirty.] And... hmm, let's see. [A wide smile] I stay if I hit you three times. Does that sound fair?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject