expiationlogs | ( OPEN 💀 case of the glitching city )

[ slowly, as charles' state of being settles back into what he knows the best, corporeal only because he wishes it to be so, thoughts crash into each other in his head — this is unfair, countered by but at least you got to experience being alive again, how's that unfair, with a dash of yeah but maybe it'd have been better to not know it at all —

though above all of them, louder than the rest, there's just one thing. ]

I know, [ he says, because he does know. ] And I didn't even say thanks. [ though that's mostly because saying thank you seems... too little, somehow, like it's not enough at all. so instead, charles tries to hold onto the words that are escaping him the more he tries to look for them. ]

Look. As a ghost, you don't really — I mean, we meet a lot of people, but they all, well, move on. So you don't meet people who stay. And for the longest time it was just me and Edwin, and now we've got Crystal, but — I just, I'm not really used to... [ what, making friends? having someone genuinely care about him, to the point of saying anything and bloody well meaning it, too? probably both.

he takes a breath he no longer needs and keeps going. ] Anyway, what I mean to say is, well, this whole being kidnapped here to a place that can mess with us however it wants, well, that kind of sucks. Except... except I can't really say I'm all that mad about it, not really.

[ with a soft smile and a squeeze to junpei's hand, he says, ] I mean, got to meet you, didn't I?

[There's so much earnestness in what Charles is saying that Junpei can't help flushing pink, ducking his head briefly in sheepish appreciation. He understands the sentiment completely— after all, all the people he's closest to these days are people he met in actual, literal murder games. Even after the myriad shitty incidents of a few weeks ago, and the shitty incident of today...

Well, he gets it.]

Come on... [Come on!! He's got nothing more after that, just wow, he can't keep up with all this, but in a good way, somehow.]

Yeah— I get it. I mean, it's not always terrible around here, but... it'd be worse without you around.

[ seeing junpei embarrassed by it all makes charles grin, idly thinking that, yeah, red suits him pretty well too —

except then he apparently feels the need to return the sentiment, and here's the thing: charles has no issues speaking what he feels, expressing his care and admiration and gratefulness in words... but when others do that to him? he doesn't really know how to take it, feels the need to deflect it somehow, so he doesn't crumble under the feeling.

which is partly why he leans his chin into his free hand, feels his grin widen into something more pointed. ]

Hmm, so you're saying I make things better?

[ there's a lilt to his words, a spark to his eyes. and if he's using flirting as a means to deflect from the way his heart is flipping in his chest, well! no one needs to know that. ]

[Oh, Charles can't look at him like that, he's going to vaporize on the spot at this rate. He— picks his fork back up to eat some more pasta, suddenly, because he's desperately craving pasta and not because Charles giving him that look makes his stomach lurch. (So he's putting more pasta in it, details, he's never claimed to make great decisions.)

So now he's taking advantage of the time to chew... ahem...]

Well, uh... basically, yeah.

[Yeah! Would he be eating this pasta in this fancy restaurant without Charles? No! But more than that, it's true, he really is saying that; having any kind of steady companionship makes it better instantly, another thing Junpei's learned from his previous kidnapping stints, and Charles is... more than that. In some way.

Some nebulous way. Junpei shrugs.]

You think I'm just going to forget what you did for me when I was going nuts? Nope. And that was just the one time.

[ too bad, because charles can and will look at him like that — even though his slightly sheepish response takes the edge off of his grin, softens it a touch, into something altogether different; the kind of look that says he could sit there and smile at junpei like this for hours without tiring of it, the kind that says i didn't expect you to agree but you make everything better, too.

with a slight shrug, ] No way I wasn't gonna help you. It's not like it was a hardship. [ well, the looking after him part, in any case — the uselessness had been a whole different thing. ]

'Sides, you've helped me plenty, too, yeah? Just look at today. I really should...

[ he trails off, the way one might when realising something. ] Oh, shit, I never gave you your actual birthday present, did I?

[Somewhere, Madam Gia is catching a glimpse of this with a knowing eye... which makes one out of three of them.

Junpei gives Charles a look, eyebrow raised; they've already gone through the entirety of the Gnosia incident and he's already expressed what an undeserving little shit he definitely was, so he's not going to rehash it again. Honestly they don't need to rehash anything, much as Junpei enjoys his fun lists; going back and forth listing the ways they've helped each other out is nice, but he doesn't need the citations. He already knows!

But oh, what's this birthday present with the steel chair, huh—]

You really got me something?

[ it is nice at least someone has any idea of what is actually going on...

raising his eyebrows, charles assumes an affronted look, as if just the fact he needs to ask is wounding him gravely. ] Told you I would. What, you didn't really think I'd just get you drinks and call it a day?

[ unbelievable. he lets go, then, pushing his chair back as he stands. ] Wait a tick, yeah? I'll be right back.

[ with a winning smile, he turns to head back inside, calling out for madam gia that the food was delicious — some muffled words of argument follow, as charles tries to pay for the pasta and madam gia insists it's all on the house... and then he steps into the mirror, hanging on the restaurant wall. he's gone maybe two whole minutes before he steps out of it again with a rectangular package wrapped in silly wrapping paper and, well, it's sort of a haphazard job, anyway. ]

Here. [ he hands junpei the present with a grin that's doing its very best to hide his mild anxiety over whether he's actually got him something he'll like. ]

[Okay, well, first point,] Drinks aren't not a gift...

[Drinks were fine! They had a nice time! He was only hungover due to his own hubris, so actually, calling it a day would have been more than enough. But okay, okay; he holds up his hands in defeat, yes, he'll wait, he still has some pasta to pick at anyway...

And okay, the argument with Madam Gia makes him smile a bit, giving the nearest fruit tree a look, like, can you believe this guy? Then it's two minutes to finish his meal at last before Charles comes back.

With—puppy wrapping paper, and Junpei's first thought of course does not stop for processing at all and comes right out:] Damn, it's even wrapped.

[He really went all out!! Junpei turns in his chair to take the box onto his lap and pick at a corner; sure, the wrapping job isn't pristine, but he doesn't want to just destroy it in a second. He'll find a good spot to peel back, only actually unwrapping the package about halfway before he can peek inside. It's...]

You remembered my sneaker collection...?

[Of course he did, of course Charles would do something crazy like listen to him when he talks, ugh— Junpei makes a face, trying to keep his smile down to a reasonable level and not, like, embarrassingly giddy, like he feels about these shoes. It's almost working.]

They're, uh, they're really cool. Thanks.

It's barely wrapped, [ he mutters, because he knows most people would call it a botched job, but it's not his fault a neat wrap job has never been his strong suit! then, as he bounces on his feet while waiting for junpei to open the gift, there's a line of tension in his shoulders; an eerily similar way to when charles had first shown junpei his drawings, as if he's bracing himself, holds himself very still when junpei speaks of charles remembering his sneaker collection, like this fact might be a bad thing, somehow — but just as before, the sight of his friend, smiling, is enough for the tension to bleed out entirely and bring a small smile to his lips, too. ]

... Course I did. [ he's pretty sure he could rattle off a number of random facts about him, now, down to his exact opinions about specific music genres, or movies, or the smoothie flavours from earlier in the day.

a little sheepishly, charles scratches behind his ear, glancing down. ] They, um, should be your size, but the guy said you can exchange them if they don't fit. I know you're usually supposed to try shoes on beforehand and all but... anyway. Now you don't have to worry about clogs, yeah?

[Junpei wiggles one whole shoe out of the box to hold it up and look at it properly, still touched; and it's a nice sneaker, even better! He'll have to ask later where the cool sneaker store is in this bizarre town, but for now: he likes the gift. And he scoffs, raising an eyebrow at Charles' overly long explanation... buddy...]

Yeah, I've been to a shoe store before. [He's heard of returns, please, anyway,] But thanks again, for saving me from clogs. I was getting worried.

[Well, the thanks is genuine at the very least; he wiggles the shoe back into its box with the other one and sort of... drapes the torn part of the wrapping paper over it again. There. Of course he's taking as much silly dog wrapping paper home as possible.]

Really though, they're great. I'll try 'em on as soon as I get back to the inn.

[ shh don't look at him and his tendency to ramble when he's nervous!

though fortunately it seems that the thanks remove the last of the lingering anxiety and charles just beams at junpei, then, bright and happy. ]

Pretty chuffed you like them, [ he says, his wide smile making his eyes crinkle at the corners. ] Wasn't sure if...

[ trailing off, he just gives a small shrug and promptly changes the subject. ] Right, we done here, yeah? I'll walk you back. [ does he pause, for even a second, to think that going out to eat together and then walking the other back to their place is classic date behaviour? absolutely not. ]

[Obviously this is just an extension of his birthday now— this part specifically and none of the rest— so, yeah, why wouldn't Charles walk him back? It makes total sense to Junpei, who stands with a last glance down at their table.]

You sure you don't want to make a scene about a free meal again?

[Teasing, sorry, he can't help it, it was— cute.

But never mind that now. Box tucked under his arm, he's ready to go. He nods for Charles to head out; he'll follow.]

Oi! [ his affronted yelp is softened by the way he's smiling, still, even as he shakes his head with a, ] Heard that, did you?

[ hey, it's not his fault he thinks he should be paying for a meal this good! or, well, it is, but it's the same part of him that can't take a book from a store without leaving money behind, even though he knows the people in the shop will just be confused about the missing book and the suddenly-appeared money. ] I tried my best, but I know when I'm beaten.

[ and madam gia won this round! only this round, though.

he does lead them back through the restaurant, saying bye to madam gia and promising to be back — yes, both of them, of course — and as they start the trek back to the inn, ] You know, technically we could have tried the mirror. Back home, we don't travel with humans 'cause there's a lot of risks, but it might be different, here. Stuff doesn't work the same, the place is smaller... [ he shrugs. ] I'll look into it. Don't wanna risk you, but — [ but. since junpei had been so interested in the magic stuff, before, maybe... if it works, he'd get to see how it is, mirror hopping. ]

[With a grin he shrugs, like, yes of course he heard, and? Like he didn't know already that Charles is that type of guy.

He waves to Madam Gia as they go, and it feels so much better to be out walking after a nice meal and not, hm, trauma. But oh—]

Wait, you mean it's possible? I want to get in a magic mirror.

[Of course he wants to do this, this is the closest he'll ever get to teleporting. He's about to say something about how he doesn't care about the risks, he'll do it anyway, how much worse could it be than bouncing himself around other timelines - and yet he can picture already the face Charles would make at him if he did that, which would kill him instantly, so.

He doesn't say that.]

Does it have to be a big one?

Well, yeah, [ comes the answer to the first question, a bit sheepish — really, he probably should have thought about this before, but they never transport humans that way back home, edwin's rules. but technically? absolutely possible. after all, he can carry any kind of inanimate object with him without issue... and here, there's less chances to get lost, and no supernatural entities to be a threat — removing the main reasons they refuse to let crystal tag along with them. ]

No, reckon any reflective surface would do, but the bigger it is the easier it is. You really wanna try?

[ well. he looks around, and spots one of those small boutiques that usually have some kind of a large mirror in them, for the aesthetic if nothing else. ]

Think they might have one. But if we do it, you have to hold onto me and promise not to try and follow anything else, yeah? Just follow after me and I'll take care of the rest.

[He's about to ask if "any reflective surface" includes things like water and really shiny cars, but luckily he's interrupted from that thought--]

Yeah, I can do that. Uh, what else is there to follow, you know, just in case...?

[He's committed to walking straight into a mirror, but maybe he should know if there are mirror monsters or something, he thinks. So he doesn't flip out in a totally cool and collected way.

Holding on he can do, though, waiting for a whole few seconds before reaching over to take Charles' hand. He's ready. Unless there are mirror monsters.]

[ more the fool him, because it does! well, water, in any case. the only reason charles didn't suggest a nearby fountain is to spare junpei's feet from getting soaked.

it should probably feel strange, the way it doesn't feel strange to be holding junpei's hand — it's easy and comforting, if anything, and charles tugs him along to the boutique, actually remembering to open the door for the both of them. ]

Well, it can be really overwhelming. You can sort of feel everything everywhere pulling you towards it? But there shouldn't be any supernatural entities here, so...

[ so no monsters! he looks around, and yes, there is a mirror! a win for him. with a quick "just passing through!" to the young lady manning the store, he takes a breath and steps into the mirror, its surface blurring. carefully, he makes sure junpei follows — and inside the mirror, a weird path opens up; almost like a hallway that doesn't lead anywhere in particular and yet leads everywhere, countless of mirrors reflecting on the sides, noises overlapping as every mirror in aldrip tries to pull them in. ]

You good? [ charles glances back, giving his hand a squeeze. ]

[Oh good, no monsters. Junpei gives the poor employee an apologetic shrug, like, sorry about walking through here purely to do this weird thing! And then—

Well, he expected a little more flair for walking into a mirror world, honestly. His quips about this are immediately cut off by how strange it feels to be in there, the noise and the pull and the purest form of liminal space he's ever had to look at - it's actually kind of bad to look at? Wow.

He squeezes back and then doesn't loosen his grip, mildly concerned that maybe he will get lost in this hallway to everywhere if he doesn't focus. Oh, it's so uncomfortable, maybe this wasn't a great idea, at least when sliding through timelines you don't have to physically walk around in the mirror void...

With a strained, quiet laugh, he says,] This is weird.

[But no mirror monsters, so there's that.]

Which one's mine? How do you tell?

Sorry, [ he says back, automatically, because — yeah, it's a lot. it's not particularly comfortable even when you're a ghost made up of nothing but spectral atoms; for a human, it's probably even worse. ]

I just, uh, have to focus. [ it's... he can't really explain how he knows, he just does? when you focus hard enough, you can differentiate the pulls, simply feel the right destination. ] Edwin's always been better at navigating. He doesn't get so distracted by all the noise, you know? And I follow better, used to a moving target, I guess —

[ again, he says this like it's a failing of his, taking this long (read: maybe thirty seconds) to locate the right mirror, his tone apologetic, until — ] There!

[ he pivots them around to face a mirror that somehow has moved closer, or maybe into existence, while others are moving around it, the cacophony of noises even worse, now, every single mirror trying to drag them in at once; and then he pulls junpei closer so he can push him into the mirror first, with a slightly worried, ] Let's get you out of here, yeah?

[Why, Junpei wonders, are mirrors so—mean? Demanding? He's sure there has to be an actual reason this place is the way it is, and if he wasn't feeling his thoughts turn into static in real time, he might give that more time to explore. Instead he gets as far as "why are mirrors mean" and then the bizarre pull of everything in here drags him out of it, and oh shit, Charles has been talking as well?

He says,] What? [because he only caught maybe half of that amidst all the other noise, and at least tone is easier to parse than the words themselves, so he adds,] You're doing better than me...

[Ha ha, his little joke. Then it's stumbling out of the mirror again, and somehow the sudden absence of all that sound is just as jarring as being in the middle of it. He wobbles, blinking a few times to shake off the lingering odd feeling.]

Okay... it was cool, but I never want to do that again.

[ in half a second, charles follows behind, stepping closer to grab his shoulders, to make sure he doesn't, you know, tip over and collapse on the floor. quite frankly, he had sort of wanted to do that, the first time he did mirror travel, and he'd been a ghost then. ]

Hey, steady, [ he says, with a small, apologetic smile. ]

Promise you don't have to. We can take the long way round from now on. [ though, he pauses, then, a frown crossing his expression, because — ]

Well. I promise you don't have to, unless you're in danger and I have to get you out of somewhere real fast. [ he makes a face, like he wants to say sorry but also like he's not going to budge on this, no matter what — because to him, junpei's safety will always, always be more important than some discomfort. ]

[There's another wobble, one that might have led to him giving up and just flopping uselessly to the floor without Charles' intervention, so - thanks. Junpei hums and takes an extra moment to readjust to being out of the mirror. He wants to put down his cool new shoes, but he also doesn't want to move very much for another minute or two.]

I'll try to stay out of horrible danger, [he says, trying to make it sound like he would never be in horrible danger in the first place, despite, well, already being in it since coming to Aldrip. And also all those times before, that Charles knows about, and the times he doesn't.

But he'll try! That part is real! So alright—]

I mean, I really will... I won't complain about a rescue, though.

[ charles just keeps holding onto him, not entirely sure he won't just fall over if he lets go. and — well, as much as he'd like to believe that it's an extremely unlikely event for junpei to be in danger, previous events have proved that wrong. so really, the best he can do is try, and that's... you know, maybe that's as good as it's going to get. and with this promise, he also has junpei's explicit permission to protect him, place himself between him and danger, which — good. ]

Well, [ charles' expression turns into a sincere smile, then, ] Aces, then. It's a promise I'll hold you to.

[ a pause. ] And sorry, honest. Guess we know now why mirror hopping isn't good for humans, don't we?

[He has Junpei's permission to protect him if he really has to, don't get too wild about it—

Regardless, he's grateful for Charles holding him up, leaning into his hold just a little. Here's Charles looking after him again, and in the same moment deciding he'll do that a seemingly infinite number of times, and it's unbalancing just like the mirror. Positively, sure, but ah— he's grateful, really, he is.]

Don't worry about it. At least now I can brag about going through magic mirrors. [he'll be a real wizard yet!!] Thanks for, y'know, taking me through.

Mate, you're about to keel over, and you're thanking me?

[ his tone is just a tad on the side of incredulous, but — well, he can't say he doesn't feel a bit relieved, too, to know that despite the discomfort he hadn't made a mistake in actually bringing him through the mirror. maybe he should have started by showing him the enchantment for disguises, one of the few that is his responsibility instead of edwin's...

maybe another time. instead, he breathes a laugh, giving a slight nod. ] Anytime. I mean, in spirit. Not in practise. [ as previously established!! ]

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