eluvio | [TEXT] UN: STOPMESSAGES

Mm, are you thinking that I might retaliate if you say something mean? Even despite seeing my frail body, it flatters me that you'd think of my feelings or reactions in a situation like this.

[Mostly he's just teasing and having fun, yet again. But with another chuckle, he moves on his way and looks to make sure Sasuke is following. As expected, he walks like a spoiled rich boy and it's clear from his movements that his body is in fact frail and weak. He's got no tricks up his sleeve, even if his eyes might give away his real feelings from time to time. Even if he always keeps this calm and proper smile, sometimes his eyes light up like a child's, excited and mischievous.]

I assume you've already brought your tokens with you?

I'm thinking about a possible headache before it arises. [ Which is the truth even if it's said quietly; there aren't many situations wherein he could be convinced to avoid being "mean" for its own sake. Self-censorship is a social grace that has flown right over his head for many, many years. Help him. ]

I have, all six. [ Yes. Six. Not seven.

Sasuke keeps a close eye on him as they walk, blessed with an incredibly sharp gaze that he uses to analyze every nuance in his movement. Which foot he steps with just a little bit more firmly, evidence of whether he's right- or left-handed. How confident his gait is. How rigid his posture is. Most of the time he gains a better understanding of people through physicality than through words; it's why he and Naruto fought instead of debated in order to communicate. ]

[He's left-handed, prim and proper and wears false confidence like a mask. As relaxed as he might seem, it's largely in part to him trying not to overexert himself, because even a simple task like walking can get to be too much if he does too much of it.

Despite all of that, there's clear determination in everything he does, and that certainly includes putting up with Sasuke's cruel words. They're nothing, really, compared to other things he's heard or seen. In a way, he thinks he can understand them, too, so they don't bother him very much at all. He has other things to focus on.]

Fufu, but did you know there are actually seven? I suppose that means there's one district we're limited from visiting, but it's not one I intended to take you to, anyway.

You're not very talkative, are you? Well, that's fine. There are others that I've met who speak even less than you, and I admire them a great amount. If you'd prefer to be silent, then I can do all of the talking. Leave it to me~.

[ It's entirely tempting to say nothing. Really, it is. It's practically been welcomed.

But to be silent would be to forfeit his right to judge, and potentially to complain about something he finds unnecessary and idiotic. He will never give that up. ]

I know about it already. Luxuria, was it? The sex district. I have no interest... regardless of needlessly imposed age restrictions. [ Romance. His greatest skill. ]

I've been talking too much today as it is already, anyway.

It's true that there's nothing so interesting there but trouble, but I had thought you might be the type who would want something out of reach. How curious.

[Eichi is very used to quiet people his age indeed, though, and he has no trouble carrying conversation all the way down to the planet. He's not overly obnoxious, thankfully— just talkative in a way that seems like he's simply saying thoughts aloud. As it turns out, that's pretty much what he's doing.

He reaches into his pocket at the center of all of the districts and flashes a blue token at Sasuke.] We'll need this one. Some might have thought the orange token to be more suited for this journey, but that's a dangerous district indeed. Rather than focusing on quality and flavor, that district is full of foods of all types that you won't be able to stop eating. It's dangerous for me to consume certain foods in great quantities, so I have to limit myself there.

The district of Acedia is relaxing, so it's much easier to find small shops with food that makes you comfortable. That's where the specific one I mentioned is located.

Sex can be found anywhere. I wouldn't call that "out of reach". [ Well. That was blunt. And luckily a topic they don't have to dwell on while they journey to the surface; just try to ignore Sasuke's slight pauses every time he has to interact with any piece of technology whatsoever. For the sake of his pride.

He's hidden away the dagger on his person by the time they're ready to choose their district, thankfully, trading it out for the blue token that's been indicated... but... ]

Relaxing? And like the others, that influences a person's will also? That sounds even more dangerous.

[...Well, that's not wrong. But how scandalous. Eichi decides not to comment on that, silently waiting until Sasuke shows his own blue coin and speaks about it to chuckle. His laugh is trailed by a small cough.]

To someone who's afraid to let his guard down, I suppose you're right. Don't worry, your senses won't dull at all. If you only stay in the district for a short time, and avoid the tea that's created with flowers to lull you to sleep, then you can enjoy your food and leave without a problem. It took an hour for me to feel noticeably different in this particular district.

I take issue with the word "afraid", but fine. [ Of course he does. ]

... should I notice any effects, this excursion will be over. I don't need to deal with that. Do you understand? [ Right. Maybe he does need to "deal with that" if he's this tightly wound, but this has been the case for years. And years. And years. ]

It's already enough that I'm out here with you in the first place.

Of course. Would it help to purchase a cloak of some sort to hide you? Or, since I'm taller than you, you can stand behind me at the right angle as we pass crowds. A perfect plan.

[Use him as a shield. ✰ Haha, but Sasuke is so serious it's very entertaining. Eichi loves it. He gestures for him to follow as they head towards the gate.]

Let me know the moment you feel uncomfortable, and I'll do my best to help. I wouldn't want to trouble you, after all. [He says, after nagging him until he went out to eat with him...]

Edited 2017-03-17 05:42 (UTC)

[ urgggh ]

Patronizing me does not make me more likely to escort you off the ship again in the future. We aren't here for my health. [ No, even if something as simple as fresh fish sounds extremely appealing right now. There'd been no time to eat in the days of non-stop fighting he'd been subjected to prior to coming here and what has been available on the ship has been... lacking. ]

Were you here alone during your first exploration? [ He keeps close out of habit, guard up, and they appear laughably different. Sasuke's posture is rigid and uncompromising but his clothing is so shabby and damaged that it almost takes away from that impression altogether. ]

Am I patronizing you? I don't mean it at all. I was thinking of your comfort, not your health. I'm rather comfortable, myself.

[Even if he does cough a little harder shortly after, enough to bring up a hand to cover his mouth. Hm. It's fine, probably. He pushes forward, both in step and in conversation.] No. I insisted that a friend I made here come with me, but he became rather distracted in that district you're not permitted into, so I left and moved on on my own.

Is this your first time on the planet?

Thinking about my comfort is patronizing. [ Which gives a little insight into how he lives his life. He snorts faintly at the implication that Eichi's "friend" found something in Luxuria worth stealing his attention, however, immediately judging it as he removes the appropriate token once they're ready to pass through the gate. ]

It is, but I have other plans here before too long. I'll take advantage of all the open space before we move on.

Fufu, I'm not the type who has scolding for a hobby, so you shouldn't worry about my concern. I have friends of my own who are constantly worried about me, and it gets rather tiring, you know? I'm not a child, so I can handle myself. I don't need someone following me around and stopping me from every little thing I'd like to try.

[Except he gets scolded for shit he really shouldn't be doing, like wandering around lost in the winter... But nevermind that. They show their tokens and enter the district, and Eichi already knows where to go. He wastes no time leading the way.]

How do you intend to make use of the space?

[ Eichi's reassurances aside, Sasuke is convinced he can feel an immediate effect upon stepping into the district. A sort of weak haze that, placebo effect or not, causes his posture to become even more rigid to combat it. What is this place...

Are those pillows? In the street? ]

... I plan to train, whether alone or in a spar. The close quarters on the ship make it impossible to let loose. [ A pause. ] Then again, as you've said, you wouldn't know much about it. Whether you need someone to stop you from overextending yourself or not...

Mm, that may not be a bad idea for someone like you. I can tell that you're strong from how you hold yourself.

[And unlike Sasuke who's having immediate trouble, Eichi is used to forcing himself to relax in order to move forward. If anything, this district helps his health a little, causing his heart to not act up so quickly and to continue in slow, steady beats. He seems the same as usual as he walks, and thankfully, the little place he has in mind isn't too far in.]

There's bound to be danger again. Have you heard about the last planet we visited?

[ Sasuke looks down at himself, then, as if trying to ascertain what about his bearing implies strength. Maybe the missing arm. Maybe the fact that he's carrying weaponry. So many options. ]

Oros? I heard a few details. From what I gathered, it didn't end as peacefully as it should've. [ An understatement, but he wants to hear Eichi's take on it rather than regurgitating what he's heard from others. ]

No, it didn't.

[He's a little solemn sounding as he says that, but he maintains his smile because he thinks that's the sort of image he should keep up with.] I wasn't on the main mission myself, since my weak body wouldn't be suited for the job, but I went with two others to investigate the fek and gather information. It was a rough start, but they turned out to be a kind people.

But before long, there were evacuation orders. I guided as many of them off of the planet as I could, since they deemed me and the other two trustworthy, but I'm afraid only a few were able to survive.

[ Ah. Some new information. Well, at least that helps him piece all of this together. ]

I see. That explains the population on the ship, at least. [ A pause. ] For someone who seems sensitive about how incredibly frail you are, you bring it up a lot. [ Just as a casual observation. ]

Sensitive? I'm not sensitive at all. [Yes he is.] I'm used to death in my family, so it's a casual thing with us now. Some say I'm morbid, but really it just seems normal to me.

[It's a coping mechanism... Stop him.]

[ ... ]

That isn't what I was talking about; you made that about death too suddenly.

Look here, we've arrived already~.

[Eichi completely ignores that comment, gesturing to the little place with a calm sort of cheer. He enters, holding the door open long enough so that Sasuke can come in as well.]

Let's find a seat and you can take a look at the menu. It will be my treat today, okay? ♪

[ Is he singing? No. Only nearly.

Sasuke feels he should be far more annoyed by this bullshit than he currently is but there's something about the atmosphere in this quaint little restaurant that saps his ire, leaving him quietly frowning instead of making a rude comment. Damn.

He's quick to find an isolated table in the corner, back facing the wall out of sheer paranoid habit, and he drags a menu closer to himself from where they're propped up in a holder. ... The tea selections alone are incredible. ]

Do you really struggle so much to find company that you're resorting to mine?

Is the only way you can believe that I'd want your company that I must be struggling for some? Fufu, it's true that my usual friends are off on their own currently and I'm left with no one to speak to, but I could easily wander anywhere I'd like and make some new ones.

[He knows he's got some level of charisma, at least... And for what he lacks, he has social skills. But anyway.] You seem interesting to me, so I'd like to become friends. Before you say something cold and indifferent like "we won't be friends," know that you can't stop me from trying. Fufu, it's a little like a challenge.

We won't be friends.

[ He almost sounds distracted as he continues to peruse the menu, eyes dragging over words and pictures... but mostly the latter. ]

At some point the challenge becomes an exercise in masochism. Only you can decide when to give up.

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i'm not dead, i promise