[open] Perfect weather for a game of catch.

[gainedlove]

Who: Frisk, Asriel, Chara, and YOU
When: Sssssssometime this month, wibbly wobbly have fun with it
Where: A park in Kauto R1
What: Kids having a picnic, what could be better?
Warnings: Chara, will be updated as needed


It's been a long trip.

Definitions of 'long' are a little variable, but all three children have been anxious to see an end to their travels. It didn't start when they crossed through the Ingress, but long before that.

Someone climbed a mountain for an unhappy reason.

Someone carried a body to a field of golden flowers.

Someone took a long journey, just wanting to live their life.

But now they've come, not to The End, but an end. It's not perfect, not quite what any of them were expecting. But it's better, it's theirs, and...they can stay. What it means to each child, what they think of it and what they have to say, it all varies. But no one and nothing can or will take this from them.

The three of them are gathered together in a park. Birds are singing, flowers are blooming...a blanket is laid out on the grass, and in a cooler drinks and snacks are kept on hand. A few toys lay nearby, but it seems that for now the trio is content enough to relax and talk amongst themselves. Smiles adorn their faces (though one face in particular wears theirs a little sharply), and the scene is...nice. This is nice.

Even if they may not agree, they have long since earned this respite.


(( ooc: Feel free to come and pester the kiddos! Everyone will be responding separately, though there may be threadjacking or some doubling up. Have fun! ))

Comments

[shiro2hero]

He's been overwhelmed since his arrival. Overwhelmed and trying to process this whole thing. Sure, he found the house for everyone, let them sort it all out. Put in for work. But the whole idea of living like a normal person is something he doesn't quite know how to deal with yet.

So.

The park. Just to clear his head.

Except there's a bunch of familiar kids there before him. He hangs back a bit, on a bench, idly watching them.

[gainedlove]

It takes a bit before Frisk notices Shiro out of the corner of their eye. They pause and turn, watching him with a calm, oddly flat expression before the smile faintly and wave to him, beckoning him over. They won't call out--that would be forcing him a bit too hard, probably, and he seems like he might just want to be alone right now. But Frisk still wants to offer the invitation, should he want some company.

[shiro2hero]

Oh. The sad child from the other world. The one he'd gotten into the dog person vs. cat person discussion with. No wonder they looked familiar. He lifts a hand, and waves back, idly.

Then, after a second or two of debate, stands up to wander in their direction.

"Having a good time?"

[gainedlove]

Frisk smiles wider when he heads over, scooting around to face Shiro properly. They're fiddling with a frisbee in their hands, turning it over and over, but despite the nervous motion they seem fairly relaxed compared to the last time he saw them.

"Uh-huh! This place's nice so far. We even got a house all together!"

[shiro2hero]

"Yeah?"

That earns a smile in return. Tired, but genuine. Like a lot of his expressions. But then this one turns a lot more tired than anything.

"Hopefully it's going better for you guys than us."

[gainedlove]

"Yeah! 'N now we can all stay together without worryin' at all!"

Frisk's brows furrow together, and they cast Shiro a concerned look. That doesn't sound good... "What happened? 'S somethin' wrong with your house?"

[shiro2hero]

"That's good to hear. I'm happy for you guys."

It really is nice to hear that some people are adjusting well. That they're taking to this place better than he is.

He waves off their concern, though. "No, the house is fine. We're just... having some family problems."

[gainedlove]

"Problems? What kind? Was there a fight?" They shouldn't pry so much, but they can't help but be a little concerned--especially if it's taking a toll on someone as nice as Shiro is.

[shiro2hero]

"Yeah."

Probably not the kind Frisk is thinking. But to say anything else would be lying by omission.

"A few people don't... get along as well as I was hoping they would."

[gainedlove]

"Oh." Boy, does Frisk ever know about situations like that. They hesitate for a moment before getting up and moving over so they can pat Shiro on the arm with a sympathetic smile. "Um, 'f you need help gettin' them t' get along, I could try t' help? I'm kinda good at that."

[pleasereset]

It isn't for a while before Asriel ends up straying a little from Frisk and Chara, thanks to a ball rolling too far from their little picnic area. Without thinking too much about it, Asriel gives chase until he's just a few feet away from where Shiro is sitting.

And he notices that Shiro's watching him. He picks up the runaway ball and straightens up.

"Oh um... hi there, mister! You were with our group, right?"

Asriel thinks he's seen him while they were all traveling and exploring anyway. Asriel perks up a little more, suddenly remembering why Shiro looks a somewhat familiar.

"Wait, I think I recognize you... you made friends with one of those big, mean cats!" He remembers that network post, and his expression turns more nervous. "It's... not with you right now, is it?"

[shiro2hero]

He's already holding up his hands in the universal, parental-type gesture of "caught me", when the alien-looking child notices him.

"Yeah, I was. Sorry -- I didn't mean to butt in."

Seemed like the people from the ship were everywhere. Not in a bad way, really. This way, maybe other people could understand the strain of the different world. Suddenly having a more normal life.

He blinks for a second. "What--? Oh! No, he... he stayed behind. I wasn't going to force him to come along, don't worry."

[pleasereset]

Visible relief crosses his face when he mentions the cat stayed behind.

"That's good... er, no offense. They're just kind of scary, that's all."

Being a small, fuzzy creature that looks like a very edible goat, Asriel's had his run-in with a few of those animals. None of them ever seemed too friendly.

"What do you think of the new planet? It's pretty different from being on a spaceship all the time! Or ending up one of those scarier planets."

[shiro2hero]

"It's all right. He's happier back there, anyway."

Hey, cats aren't everyone's best friend. He just happened to get lucky with Purple back there. And... it's a little sad the big guy is gone, not that he'll actually say so.

Instead, there's another question, and he rubs a hand over his face.

"I think it's going to take some getting used to, honestly. I'm... really not used to this kind of thing. How about you?"

[pleasereset]

"... I'm not really used to it either."

Asriel's not sure how much detail he wants to go into, but his journey on the Moira was filled with all kinds of unpleasantness. Part of him wonders if any of this is real or if it'll even last.

"To be completely honest, it still doesn't feel real."

[shiro2hero]

"Yeah... yeah, I feel you there."

Because Asriel isn't the only one who had a long road to get here. Not that he's going to bring it up. Not for the kid. Or anyone, if he can help it.

"Let's hope it sinks in sooner than later."

[inconsequence]

A familiar face, naturally, is not necessarily a well-liked or even remotely wanted one. That must be the general assumption; people seldom actively desire that creatures such as themself occupy the same space.

They watch him as he watches them, back ramrod-straight, hands folded neatly in their lap, eyes boring into his silhouette. Their cohorts are observant and to claim otherwise would be a disservice to the pair of them, but they are trusting - entirely too trusting, to a very particular fault.

It does not do to grow complacent as one is being watched.

Assuming he does not speak first, they will do so in his stead:

"Have you something to say, Mr. Shiro?"

[shiro2hero]

He lifts his head from where he'd been staring, letting his mind wander. Just trying to absorb the situation. Adjust. His name makes him blink, and the sudden, familiar voice gets him to turn his head.

That blank look shifts into something closer to a smile.

"Hey. Glad to see you made it."

Genuinely glad, albeit tired, if the lines under his eyes have anything to say about it.

"I didn't mean to interrupt. Sorry."

[inconsequence]

An error, most likely. It is a detriment to most everyone, an unfortunate mistake, that they made it, as it were. Only then Frisk would have cried. Asriel, too, would have cried. It is for their sakes alone that they remain here now, and not drawn a bright red smile over their throat.

He is a poor actor. He does not keep anything contained, nor does he appear to be making any attempt to.

"How very unfortunate that you think so." Their tone is wry, as are their words. Far easier to deflect than to acknowledge the possibility that he may be, poor actor that he is, genuine.

Even more unfortunate.

"You've interrupted nothing. It is perfect weather for a walk, after all."

[shiro2hero]

"Really? Most people just say 'thanks'."

But his voice stays light. Propping his chin up on the palm of his hand. If he was any kind of actor, the fact he hasn't slept well since the body floor, or since his housemates started fighting battle royales with the doors, would probably kill it.

He looks more like he needs a nap than anyone trying to hide anything.

"That's good to know. Hate to think we ended up somewhere walks were illegal."

[inconsequence]

"I have it on good authority that my continued existence is a crime, actually." All said with a winning, dazzling smile, of course, as is their prerogative. Most people just say "thanks." Chara is, unfortunately for all parties, not what one would or should call highly usual.

The term anomaly would imply as such.

Always wise to place the potentially intruding party on the offensive. Potentially, in any case, though he resists such preoccupations. Clever of him, but - not ideal, in the long run, if they wish to intimidate.

They always do wish to intimidate.

[shiro2hero]

"... I can't tell if you're joking, serious, or if I'm tired enough I'm hallucinating this whole conversation."

All of that is likely. Given his life lately, it's literally all likely. And probably something he shouldn't say to anyone and everyone. A thought which crosses his mind belatedly.

And he's running a hand down his face again.

"Sorry. It's. Been a long few days."

[inconsequence]

Admitting one's weakness to a demon is an elementary error at best. Perhaps standard fatigue is all they may blame, though they're certainly inclined to believe that Shiro is stricken with a fatal case of baseless trust.

"No rest for the wicked?" Their tone is not soft. It is, perhaps, not as hard as it has the potential to be. To cultivate a false sense of security, possibly. That seems suitably cruel - demonic, even.

As befits their nature, of course.

[shiro2hero]

It might be a bad move, but he's honest to a fault. And he's also aware he looks as exhausted as he feels, these days. Since so many people keep reminding him to get some rest.

Hiding it wouldn't work, if the tried.

"There's a couple people in my house who'd agree with that."

And that's why he's so tired, god help him.

[inconsequence]

His apparent insistence in treating them as a person rather than something less than human is most vexing, it is true; largely due to the fact that their claims of satanic origin have been greeted with acceptance to their undeniably cruel nature, warnings and caution as should be suitable.

And yet, this one. He offers them the opportunity to call for help.
Yet they know what happens when creatures like them call for help.
"Perhaps you should be more selective about housemates." With their smile, it is very possible they are playing a joke. It is equally plausible that it is no such thing.