video post † 002 † 03-03-10

[slantedcross]

[He's utterly exhausted, after Asuka nightmares, noctaere, warehouses and turning twenty-six. The strain shows around his eyes and in his voice. As a result, he's more caustic than not, and isn't thinking in terms of people's (mainly Sena's, in this case) feelings.]

If you're still alive, call me.

I've spoken to Iris, Ken, and Alice since that--ordeal began, but that's it. I'd like to know who needs funeral arrangements made up before the week is out.

[Beat. Youji forgot to turn the Dreamberry off.]

I'm too old for this, this is not how I was expecting to spend my twenty-six--oh hell, it's still--[CLICK.]

Comments

[takatori-heir.livejournal.com]

[ohai, guess who's not handling nightmares and... that very well...]

Y-youji-kun...? H-happy birthday...

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday to you, too.

[Youji is now wondering what Omi's nightmare was, since he's kind of mean that way.]

Do you need anything, Omi?

[takatori-heir.livejournal.com]

I-I'm fine... I'm gonna go out for a walk later... get some fresh air...

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

That might be the best thing you can do. Still, I'm sorry your eighteenth was something like that.

[He's not going to say anything like "call if you need something" or "be careful," because Omi is smarter than he is, honestly.]

[takatori-heir.livejournal.com]

Nineteenth, actually... I'm nineteen now... At least according to what P-- Oji-san said...

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

Either way, it's an important one.

[He heard that slip, and it gives him some ideas, but he isn't going to draw attention to it.]

[takatori-heir.livejournal.com]

It's not that important... And besides, February 29th doesn't even exist this year.

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

If you want to celebrate, it's important.

Or if you want to switch birthdays, we can. I'd like a birthday that doesn't come along every year.

[takatori-heir.livejournal.com]

[soft, almost sad smile and chuckle]

I don't think it works like that, Youji-kun...

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

It works however we want it to work. Our birthdays are only three days apart, anyway. It wouldn't make that much of a difference.

[takatori-heir.livejournal.com]

Nevermind...

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

...sure you're okay, Omi?

[takatori-heir.livejournal.com]

It's nothing, Youji-kun. I just realized... I've been here for almost a year now...

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

Homesick?

[takatori-heir.livejournal.com]

[not exactly]

Kinda...

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

Worried about the old man?

[takatori-heir.livejournal.com]

My grandfather...

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

What about him?

[takatori-heir.livejournal.com]

I'm worried about him.

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

[Slight hesitation; Youji's start isn't as fluid and glib as it should be, but he recovers quickly.]

Last I knew, you were still taking care of him.

[takatori-heir.livejournal.com]

A---aaa...

[ignore that pause there...]

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

[If we must.. Subject change!]

So what do you want for your birthday?

[takatori-heir.livejournal.com]

Aa, Youji-kun, it's alright...

[wait... things are free here...]

I can always use more computer stuff... There's an electronics store at the mall...

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

...And now I wonder why I bothered to ask.

[Youji smiles knowingly.]

You do have Internet access here, don't you, Omi? I suppose it's okay, now that you're old enough to go looking for that kind of thing...

[takatori-heir.livejournal.com]

YOUJI-KUN!

And no, there's no internet...