video post † 005 † 10-14-10

[slantedcross]

[Youji's a little careless right now. He only meant to check the contacts list for the tenth time, but his motor skills have been compromised by a few drinks. Video opens on a profile shot and tilted a bit to the side; he's thrown his arm across the top of the couch with the device still in his hand.

[The repeated checking was necessary because Youji's eyes have deceived him before. And often. Not that he really expects to have been deceived, because he followed up his initial discovery with a very thorough walk around Somni and Espoir. The Dreamberry can't be tricked, and he doesn't think she would have tried, but the habits of a lifetime can be difficult to break, and his include paranoia, suspicion, and the inability to believe in things without proof.

[Youji sighs a bit, looking tired. Not sleepy, but like he's really had enough of this. You would think it'd get easier, this losing people thing, especially when it comes to girlfriends and/or potential candidates for the same. Names just never stop getting added to the list--Asuka, Maki, Tiffone, Kimika, Schell--and it's well beyond his ability to get to know a woman without getting attached, without loving her at least a tiny bit. Part of him even still has a soft spot for Mayumi Tsujii, much as he hates himself for it. Schell was right; he never was cut out for Weiss.

[Even so, he can find it in himself to be grateful, even thankful, that this is the way it happened. A quiet disappearance. A return home, to where she rightfully belongs, and not an early death. There was no gunshot, no drug overdose, no explosion; no last look, no final kiss, no dying declaration of love.

[He has nothing but fond memories, and no betrayal, no failure to taint that. She was kind, she was pleasant, she cared and had been willing to put up with him. When his worst regret is that he hadn't quite managed to actually get her on an actual date, Youji's willing to count that as a positive experience.

[All the same. He turns to look across at the Dreamberry.]

...when did Good morning, I suppose.

[Not really. It's traditional to make an announcement, isn't it, even when you're fairly certain that everyone who would have looked already has... Ran did so for Omi, and Aya-chan for Sena.]

Best I can tell, Iris isn't in Somarium any longer.

[It never gets any easier.]

I suppose if someone feels like commiserating, this is the venue.

[He can't think of a good closing line for that, so the video simply snaps off.]

[note: Replies will probably be later tonight when I get off work.]

Comments

[white-polaris.livejournal.com]

I pray you never shut out your heart, Youji.

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

I'll keep that in mind.

Have never been much able to bear disappointing a lady.

[white-polaris.livejournal.com]

I do not wish for you to disappoint yourself, Youji.

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

[He's trying very, very hard not to be sarcastic. Serenity doesn't deserve that, and he knows it.]

I'm sure I can manage that.

[For your sake, he'll at least pretend.]

[white-polaris.livejournal.com]

I'm here, if you would like someone to speak to, or just to sit with. I'm here Youji.

1/2

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

[Split-second silence. Definitely said too much.]

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

Can't pass that up, can I?

[Sounds a lot more like himself.]

[white-polaris.livejournal.com]

Youji...

How old do you think I am?

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

[...the hell kind of question is that.]

It's never occurred to me to wonder.

[Which is a lie, but this not a question that you ever, ever answer truthfully. She acts rather older than she looks.]

[white-polaris.livejournal.com]

[She has a point to this, really.]

Would you believe me if I told you I was several hundreds years old? Even older than that in fact? That I was several thousands years old?

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

I don't think you'd lie.

[white-polaris.livejournal.com]

I have seen and experienced quite a bit in my long life, Youji. There is not really anything you could tell me that I would find difficult to believe. I will never force you to come and see me if you do not desire it, but know that my door is never closed to you and anything you are going through.

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

[Nice offer, but Youji knows better than to take her up on it. Doesn't matter how long you live, some actions are simply not acceptable from a human standpoint. Believable, yes; acceptable, no.

[But the other things... She is sincere. He believes that, absolutely, having spent a lot of time perfecting his people-reading skills. She strikes him as a maternal woman, and while there's usually little appeal in that, it is a bit of change.]

You might have guessed, it isn't unfamiliar territory.

[That's all he's going to say, and he says it with a weak laugh in his voice.]

[white-polaris.livejournal.com]

[Oh Youji, you have no idea.]

Even territory we often walk can be a little nicer with company.

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

Sometimes just the offer is enough.

[white-polaris.livejournal.com]

Yes, but sometimes knowing the offer is a sincere one can be even better.

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

You don't have to worry about me not knowing that.

[white-polaris.livejournal.com]

I simply want to ensure you are alright, Youji. Surely a gentleman will indulge a lady about such a thing.

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

Ah.

So you'd attack my weak point.

[white-polaris.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid I'm quite cruel in using such a thing against you, but yes. I hope you will forgive me.

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

That might be doable.

[Trying to dodge the topic now. kthx.]

[white-polaris.livejournal.com]

[Don't think she isn't noticing.] Wonderful.

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

An incentive will not be frowned upon, however.

[white-polaris.livejournal.com]

A glass of my best wine perhaps?

[slantedcross.livejournal.com]

Also doable.