[ He's reading through the paper -- yes, the paper -- when one Joshua LaRue walks into the Great Hall a little after noon1.
Riley likes that boy. He is, as Hikaru put it once, "a good kid" -- and the Daywalker has seen sufficient enough examples of how that is true.
Case and point, the smile young Josh sends Rethe's way, the manner by which he acknowledges all those present at the Malice King's table, and hm ( sipping quietly at his tea now ) perceptive enough and backed with enough courage to casually join the Blade King where he's decided to pretend that he is alright.
[Riley isn't the only one watching. As things stand, that phone call he's taking? He can't be assed to pay attention to it properly, not after he saw his best friend come down to join them looking like he got thrown under a bus and insisting that he had enjoyed it.
Fucking idiot.
Still, the lot of them are on better footing now. They all know when to push, when to hang back. This is why, while everyone was pretty much on the same wavelength about Hikaru Shinta except Hikaru Shinta himself, no one was saying anything. Everyone was doing their own thing.
That didn't mean, though, that he couldn't keep his gaze fixed on one particular table in the Great Hall, where it looked like something huge and invisible was pressing down on the Blade King's shoulders hard enough to crush him.
Sigh. Lighting up now, moving his phone away from his ear just so that the other person on the end could continue thinking that he's listening.]
[ A soft sound of assent as he flips a page, two fingers tapping on his lips as he reads through an interesting section in the Society pages covering the exploits of one Barbara Gomez.
She is practically his daughter. And a good father keeps tabs where he can.
Sliding a quick glance up. Watching the exchange in silence up until the point where Joshua LaRue is rising from his seat. ]
[Watching that too, even as he's beating the other person on the end of the line with a metaphorical funny stick ("Yes, yes, just get it done, Jesus, yes, don't fuck with me, no, yes").
Following LaRue for just one moment before doubling back to Hikaru.
Well.
Hanging up now, with an irritated noise, then he's going back to his laptop. He does this often enough after a phone call: it is easy to assume that his annoyance has been generated by his work.
This has nothing to do with his work.]
will not put time because so lazy to think what time it is, it's clear anyway: this is lunch
[ This is where Riley is glancing over at Jessiah to note all that.
And this is Riley discreetly slipping out that lovely phone you issued to him, Mr. Vice, so that he can type out a text.
It is best, after all, to be discreet wherever something concerns their beloved Blade King. ]
TO: JESSIAH VICE I smell trouble afoot, Mr. Vice. Be it so bold of me to seek your input on this: How far gone do you think our dear friend, the Blade King is?
[And of course, Jessie doesn't even lift an eyebrow or wonder why Riley's doing this. He's texting back, and from the way it might look to anyone else, especially since Fenris is materializing and bringing out the Card's laptop for him, it's because somebody messaged him with Vice-related matters.]
TO: RILEY FALNER If you check the dictionary right about now, Riley, I'm pretty sure you'll see his picture beside the word "gone".
[ You are so resourceful, Jessie. It's one of the things that he loves about you.
Taking a sip now, from his tea, appearing completely uninterested in the Awkward Exchange Between Those Two. Tapping a finger on his lips now as he types up a response, because this is one way of keeping him from actually smiling. ]
TO: JESSIAH VICE This is going to be terribly painful to watch, but it's rather interesting how Mr. LaRue seems to be at an utter loss as to what he's doing wrong. I don't think the boy knows. Not just yet.
[This is the message that Cisco Montelibano-Profaci receives, from one Tohru Fukuzawa:]
SENT: 2:03 AM Incoming.
[It refers to the fact that, at present, coinciding with the usual time that one Joshua LaRue is either in the Rhiannon Towers in London or in his bed at the Brennan Residence, there is one Hikaru Shinta slumped right beside the door of the apartment that Vincenzo Profaci shares with his wife above Haven. His arms are hugging his legs tight to his chest. His face is buried into his knees.
No, the Blade King has not been at his best lately.]
[ She's smoking a cigarette with all intents of turning in for the night when her phone buzzes on the table by her bedside. Suffice to say, the name above the single-word message is enough to snap her awake. It's a rare thing, after all, for her and Tohru to communicate -- but when they do reach out, it is because of the boy who was once much like an older brother, and then a younger brother, and in most recent years since, a surrogate son.
The music is a throb beneath her bare feet, but it's buffered enough by the stairs and the hall that even if they stay out here, it will be easy to talk.
Sitting down now, legs folded as she reaches out to gently stroke the tips of her fingers along the hair curving along his ear. ]
You want to go inside?
[ When Rethe had first called her, asking if she had a moment to talk before proceeding to recount the incident at the Great Hall, she'd stayed up late enough to wait for the texts that never came. By the end of the first week, she'd begun to worry, but knowing his habits, and doing a bit of snooping around herself, she let the silence lie.
[The only response that she ends up getting - or, more like, seeing - is the way Hikaru's shoulders shake just once before he's unfolding, wrapping his arms around her shoulders, and very quietly burying his face into her chest. It's almost like the one thing he wants to do his hide away somewhere, and disappear while he's at it.
[ She freezes at first -- but only because the move has no precedent, and because it has been a very, very long time since either of her children have been just like this.
Squeezing back tight now, arms firm around him, hands steady where they fall.
Okay. Someone clearly left out more than a handful of details.
Softly shushing him now, shifting closer so that what little space left is bridged and he can lean into her as much as he needs. ] What happened?
[He shouldn't be this goddamned grateful to have somebody - this one, in particular - to fall apart with. This isn't good for him. This really fucking isn't.
No words, still: he's incapable of them. As such, there's just another quiet tremble, and a vehement shake of his head.
Even if there were words for this, where could he even begin?]
[ Settling back to holding him then. He clearly needed time, for whatever it was that had sent him running to her like this. And there could only be a handful of things that could shake the Blade King like this.
Actually no. Just one.
And following that thought, and remembering that it had been Rethe who had delivered the news... oh.
Resting her cheek atop his head now, one hand smoothing a path up and down Hikaru's spine. ]
Did you have a fight with Josh?
[ She was fond of all the War Hounds, having watched them carve out a path similar to those she had stood proud alongside. But Joshua LaRue had warranted special -- if distant -- attention. ]
...Okay. It was a bad idea to even start thinking about that, because it led into that one horrible morning where all of his instincts had failed him, into that encounter at the club, what had even gotten them started on those fucking club runs in the first place, and...
[ It's a curious sight -- Joshua Lee Brennan, better known as Josh LaRue: Sin-Eater, Hunter, War Hound -- is sitting quietly outside of the Blade King's door.
Just sitting, sometimes checking his phone for messages and replying in quick succession, other times reading through something, face serious and focused as if he were assessing a report or a news article; or, earbuds in place, listening to songs from the various playlists he's put together ( or been given, as there are perks to being best friends with one of the world's most famous DJs, ) if not browsing through Youtube or the various networks he has access to.
Yeah. Just chilling. Outside Hikaru Shinta's bedroom door at Falner.
[Have a Kaz sauntering in fresh from home, he’s got a few more old, slightly obscure cds for Rethe. He’s got an eyebrow raised when he sees you, Josh, parked outside his other brother’s room.
Hou…
He shoots a quick text to Rethe, saying Josh is here. He’s gonna need a moment.]
Josh?
[Oh he knows it’s you, and now he’s parking himself next to you, concern plain as day on his face.]
Mmh, they are. [ He shrugs and smiles, as if to say ’Well, I like listening to him mix.’]
Uh, Hikaru-nii not in?
[Even at this age there’s an apparent curiosity in his voice, tinged with concern, because he’s looking right at you, as if trying to discern whether or not there’s something wrong.]
[Workaholic, away for long periods. Yeah, the War Hounds probably have his work patterns down pat. Kaz would like it if his aniki would just slow down sometimes.
Oh but Joshua, the fact that you've been waiting at his door catches Kaz's attention. He doesn't press, but he does lean back and pull out his cigs.]
[Today, Kaz is just vaguely around, not paying attention to anything, really. He’s borrowed the collected works of Anne Rice today, just for kicks. He’s still, serene as he leafs though Queen of the Damned.
Bothering him is easy. He’ll talk, but he’s also thinking.]
[Today is a day where, beyond all of the usual suspects, the papers are the ones who appear to be out to kill one Hikaru Shinta.
He's been glued to his tablet, or his phone, or his laptop, or all three at pretty much the same time the entire day regardless of his location. Several administrative screw-ups on the part of some of his Magistrates coupled with logistical nightmares from some of Zangyaku's extended operations have all decided to occur at the same time.
After the first few hours of sitting around in Falner, Hikaru had decided to give up and cloister himself away in his flat with Josh. He then promptly lost track of time in pursuit of finishing. Well. Everything.
It's night time now: he's been there since a little after lunch. And yes, he's kind of forgotten to eat. Maybe it is a good thing that Josh isn't around to see this.]
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icarusalsoflew) wrote2014-02-26 02:34 am
While Awkward Is Happening.
Riley likes that boy. He is, as Hikaru put it once, "a good kid" -- and the Daywalker has seen sufficient enough examples of how that is true.
Case and point, the smile young Josh sends Rethe's way, the manner by which he acknowledges all those present at the Malice King's table, and hm ( sipping quietly at his tea now ) perceptive enough and backed with enough courage to casually join the Blade King where he's decided to pretend that he is alright.
Setting his cup down. Going back to the paper.
Or is he? ]
Cry
Fucking idiot.
Still, the lot of them are on better footing now. They all know when to push, when to hang back. This is why, while everyone was pretty much on the same wavelength about Hikaru Shinta except Hikaru Shinta himself, no one was saying anything. Everyone was doing their own thing.
That didn't mean, though, that he couldn't keep his gaze fixed on one particular table in the Great Hall, where it looked like something huge and invisible was pressing down on the Blade King's shoulders hard enough to crush him.
Sigh. Lighting up now, moving his phone away from his ear just so that the other person on the end could continue thinking that he's listening.]
Guess last night wasn't so fun for them.
[Quiet and matter-of-fact.]
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She is practically his daughter. And a good father keeps tabs where he can.
Sliding a quick glance up. Watching the exchange in silence up until the point where Joshua LaRue is rising from his seat. ]
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Following LaRue for just one moment before doubling back to Hikaru.
Well.
Hanging up now, with an irritated noise, then he's going back to his laptop. He does this often enough after a phone call: it is easy to assume that his annoyance has been generated by his work.
This has nothing to do with his work.]
will not put time because so lazy to think what time it is, it's clear anyway: this is lunch
And this is Riley discreetly slipping out that lovely phone you issued to him, Mr. Vice, so that he can type out a text.
It is best, after all, to be discreet wherever something concerns their beloved Blade King. ]
i am okay with this XD
:3 hee
Taking a sip now, from his tea, appearing completely uninterested in the Awkward Exchange Between Those Two. Tapping a finger on his lips now as he types up a response, because this is one way of keeping him from actually smiling. ]
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[For Hikaru, anyway, but he's the one who stands to lose the most. The rest of them are just going to be on the sidelines of this whole mess.]
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During Week 2
[It refers to the fact that, at present, coinciding with the usual time that one Joshua LaRue is either in the Rhiannon Towers in London or in his bed at the Brennan Residence, there is one Hikaru Shinta slumped right beside the door of the apartment that Vincenzo Profaci shares with his wife above Haven. His arms are hugging his legs tight to his chest. His face is buried into his knees.
No, the Blade King has not been at his best lately.]
aw bb :c
The music is a throb beneath her bare feet, but it's buffered enough by the stairs and the hall that even if they stay out here, it will be easy to talk.
Sitting down now, legs folded as she reaches out to gently stroke the tips of her fingers along the hair curving along his ear. ]
You want to go inside?
[ When Rethe had first called her, asking if she had a moment to talk before proceeding to recount the incident at the Great Hall, she'd stayed up late enough to wait for the texts that never came. By the end of the first week, she'd begun to worry, but knowing his habits, and doing a bit of snooping around herself, she let the silence lie.
What mattered was that he was here now. ]
Hikaru. Sweetheart, come on. Let's go inside.
composure fucking gone, lol
Why the fucking hell was this so hard?]
O U C H
Squeezing back tight now, arms firm around him, hands steady where they fall.
Okay. Someone clearly left out more than a handful of details.
Softly shushing him now, shifting closer so that what little space left is bridged and he can lean into her as much as he needs. ] What happened?
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No words, still: he's incapable of them. As such, there's just another quiet tremble, and a vehement shake of his head.
Even if there were words for this, where could he even begin?]
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Actually no. Just one.
And following that thought, and remembering that it had been Rethe who had delivered the news... oh.
Resting her cheek atop his head now, one hand smoothing a path up and down Hikaru's spine. ]
Did you have a fight with Josh?
[ She was fond of all the War Hounds, having watched them carve out a path similar to those she had stood proud alongside. But Joshua LaRue had warranted special -- if distant -- attention. ]
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...Okay. It was a bad idea to even start thinking about that, because it led into that one horrible morning where all of his instincts had failed him, into that encounter at the club, what had even gotten them started on those fucking club runs in the first place, and...
And.
Have a quiet sob from Hikaru's end, Cisco.]
I guess.
[His voice is very, very small right now.]
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You guess?
[ And the look in her eyes is simple, and he would know it. They know each other fairly well.
Oh, Hikaru. How bad? How far? ]
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i wasn't sure if we were done but i wanted more so tag :c
i am okay with this. ♥
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crey i am sorry cisco
lololol
Week 3 Shenanigans, Day 1 Through 3: Go!
Just sitting, sometimes checking his phone for messages and replying in quick succession, other times reading through something, face serious and focused as if he were assessing a report or a news article; or, earbuds in place, listening to songs from the various playlists he's put together ( or been given, as there are perks to being best friends with one of the world's most famous DJs, ) if not browsing through Youtube or the various networks he has access to.
Yeah. Just chilling. Outside Hikaru Shinta's bedroom door at Falner.
NBD. ]
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Hou…
He shoots a quick text to Rethe, saying Josh is here. He’s gonna need a moment.]
Josh?
[Oh he knows it’s you, and now he’s parking himself next to you, concern plain as day on his face.]
You okay? What’s wrong?
[Typical little brother worrying.]
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( He's always glad to see you, kiddo. )
Tugging out those earbuds and noting the CDs with a slowly growing grin. ]
Those for Rethe?
[ Squinting down at them a little: Sleepthief. Good pick. ]
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Uh, Hikaru-nii not in?
[Even at this age there’s an apparent curiosity in his voice, tinged with concern, because he’s looking right at you, as if trying to discern whether or not there’s something wrong.]
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And in answer to that query -- have a shrug. ]
Guess not. He hasn't been back. And I've been waiting here on and off since yesterday.
[ Glancing down the hall now. ]
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[Workaholic, away for long periods. Yeah, the War Hounds probably have his work patterns down pat. Kaz would like it if his aniki would just slow down sometimes.
Oh but Joshua, the fact that you've been waiting at his door catches Kaz's attention. He doesn't press, but he does lean back and pull out his cigs.]
Want one?
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Yeah. I know how he gets.
[ Working himself far too hard, in the hopes that it'll serve as distraction enough. ]
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Week 3 Shenanigans, Day Three, Outside the Arcanum
Bothering him is easy. He’ll talk, but he’s also thinking.]
9.5: "let's be alone together"
He's been glued to his tablet, or his phone, or his laptop, or all three at pretty much the same time the entire day regardless of his location. Several administrative screw-ups on the part of some of his Magistrates coupled with logistical nightmares from some of Zangyaku's extended operations have all decided to occur at the same time.
After the first few hours of sitting around in Falner, Hikaru had decided to give up and cloister himself away in his flat with Josh. He then promptly lost track of time in pursuit of finishing. Well. Everything.
It's night time now: he's been there since a little after lunch. And yes, he's kind of forgotten to eat. Maybe it is a good thing that Josh isn't around to see this.]