[ To be fair, Yuta certainly did not expect to end up at a speed dating event after finding himself in another world entirely either, yet here they are and for better or for worse, what else is there to do but go along with the flow? It helps tremendously that he's seated across someone who seems to be like-minded; reason enough for Yuta to brighten when the answer he receives reveals as much. There's also another reason that comes trotting over, thoroughly distracting him.
When animals tend to shy away from him due to his overwhelming cursed energy, a dog just casually coming over and even greeting him (!) is a source of delightful wonder to Yuta. Given that fact, he doesn't even think to question the seriousness of the deadpan statement. ]
I don't see why not.
[ It's obvious the dog is special in some way. (Even if not, cuteness factor makes it so in his humble opinion.) So, in line with that thinking and to be polite in return, a greeting is obviously in order. ]
Hello, Koromaru-kun. You have a wonderful name.
[ If he seems a little excited to be talking to a dog... well, that's because he is. ]
[ Ah, so Yuta's a kindred spirit. Minato could certainly be trapped at this speed dating event someone worse. Plus, it helps that Yuta looks positively elated to be speaking with Koromaru. It seems a little cursed energy isn't enough to intimidate him.
...perhaps it's due to the fact that his own human companion likely gives off some form of Bad Energy too.
Koromaru looks over at Yuta with curiosity glinting in his eyes. A wonderful name, was it? The dog glances back at Minato and pants with a pleased expression. Indeed, it seems Koromaru approves of this new acquaintance. ]
I think he likes you.
[ He won't share that Koromaru's always been fairly easy-going and generally liked everyone. Can't be unintentionally shattering Yuta's glee over being accepted into Koromaru's company. Seeing the other person speaking kindly to his canine companion though... that certainly nets Yuta some brownie points with Yuta. ]
...you like dogs?
[ It seems the laminated card of speed dating questions is long forgotten. This is way better, obviously! ]
[ That Koromaru seems to understand his words and appears pleased by them delights him all the more. What a special dog indeed. It's a good thing Panda isn't around to see Yuta so enamored and take his usual offense at anyone not liking pandas above all other animals. He'd probably be in trouble for fawning as much as he is. ]
I'm honored.
[ He means it 100% sincerely too. Whether Koromaru's overly friendly by nature or not, this is an anomaly for Yuta all the same and he appreciates this rare interaction when it's usually only shikigami tolerating his presence without fleeing. He's quick to nod at the question too, already forgetting all about the cards they're meant to be reading from. ]
I do! I mean, what kid didn't want a dog best friend growing up? Other than the ones who were already lucky enough to have one, that is.
[ There's truly nothing like a furry friend to help lighten the mood. ]
I haven't known him for too long.
[ It's been almost two years, hasn't it? There'd been the year he spent on Port Island, and then another year out here in Aldrip. Two years -- time sure flies. ]
...but we've known each other even before arriving here.
[ Even now, it's lost on Minato how Koromaru managed to follow him here. He'd merely appeared one day carrying a note in his mouth. Written on it was merely a brief message indicating the dog's presence was a gift from "Those Who Were There," whoever those people were.
There's a small frown on Minato's face. Was everyone worried about Koromaru? Had he gone missing from Port Island? ...oh well, no use considering that right now. Minato glances back up at Yuta with his earlier expression sliding into something more impassive once again. ]
[ That bit of information definitely snags on Yuta's attention like a burr, gaze darting from Minato to Koromaru. ]
That must be nice though, having a friend from home here with you.
[ There's a hint of wistful longing slipping into his voice that creeps more blatantly into his expression, eyes growing a little hooded with it. He hasn't encountered anyone he knows here which is probably for the better given the nature of this place, but there's a gnawing loneliness nestled in his chest that he's been doing his best to ignore. He'd so been looking forward to finally getting to spend time with his friends now that the big battle was over — to heal and to grieve their losses together, find a way forward in the wake of all the upheaval the country has had to endure — and instead he's here. Alone. It's not at all like when he went abroad; Miguel had been there to look after him and all his friends had been a text message or a call away no matter the time differences, still very much a presence in his life even if he lost sleep over missing them.
This is starkly different. His reasons for being aren't here and it's hard not to feel lost. But he has to keep going, has to find a way back; atone for his crime or whatever it is that will help facilitate his return faster. He needs to go back, not want his loved ones here.
Lost in his own melancholic thoughts, he misses Minato's frown entirely, gaze only snapping back when the other boy speaks and his eyes go a little wide. ]
Eh, really? Is that okay?
[ A prospect that brings him some cheer, though he's still cautious about getting his hopes up too much as he holds out his hand for Koromaru to at least sniff first. ]
[ Perhaps it does help stem the loneliness in a way. There are others here from home, and others from a different version of said home. But their mutual connection, no matter how tenuous, had been enough to build immediate rapport. It's nice, certainly, though it'd been wholly unexpected for someone who'd prepared to spend to spend the rest of eternity utterly alone. ]
Mm.
[ It's an acknowledgement of both Yuta's response and the sentiment behind it. Whoever this person is, it seems he terribly misses the people he'd left.
This person, then, was likely someone who had a future. ]
New people seem to arrive here roughly every month. ...maybe one of your friends will too.
[ Some found that information reassuring. Others might find it distressing, to learn that their loved ones could potentially suffer a similar fate. Either way, it appears Koromaru offers a proper distraction. The dog leans forward, sniffing at Yuta's fingertips. He spends... quite a bit of time doing so. Unknown to both boys, he's busy getting a sense of the energy that seems to flow through Yuta's body.
Only when he's satisfied does Koromaru offer Yuta's fingers a friendly lick. When one of your best friends carried around the literal harbinger of death, a little cursed energy is no big deal!! ]
[ Yuta hums, expression appropriately conflicted hearing that. People being brought in every month seems like a lot, doesn't it? There's definitely a chance some of his friends might end up here too, especially when some of them have done things that will be considered crimes regardless of the circumstances. (He thinks of Maki and what she's done and his stomach plummets just a bit.) He's fine being punished for the crime he's been accused of when it's true and he deserves it, but he doesn't want that for them. So... ]
As much as I'd like to see them, it's probably better that they don't. I'd rather they stay home than have to deal with the whole 'sentencing' thing here.
[ He replies wryly while Koromaru takes his time sniffing his hand. Yuta does nothing to hurry the dog along, patiently keeping his hand outstretched for inspection. That he's bothering at all is a good sign, right? That's more than other animals have cared to do. The oppressive cursed energy that flows through his body and spills out of him is enough to keep them at bay; something pervasive in its enormity but steady like a stream when he's not fighting. It's unpleasant for the fact that it is cursed energy yet there's no active ill will coming from Yuta behind it.
Still, he's kind of expecting Koromaru to just dismiss him eventually, so the gentle lap at his fingers comes as a pleasant surprise and Yuta's instantly brightening, gaze snapping back to the dog in delighted amazement. ]
Thank you. [ For the acceptance, he means. Taking that lick as a sign it's okay for Yuta to pet him, he does so. A gentle hand coming to stroke the top of Koromaru's head and scratch behind his ears while Yuta melts a little. ] Ahh you're so soft, Koromaru-kun.
[ They're of somewhat like mind. It would be nice to see the others, but Minato had long accepted that he'd never see them ever again. And though he'd made peace with that outcome, it's nevertheless true that his heart swelled a bit when Koromaru found him again. He'd been something familiar after facing all the uncertainty swirling about throughout Aldrip, as if he'd known he should appear at that specific time.
Koromaru's always had a knack for knowing when others needed comfort the most. It seems Yuta's no exception. The dog permits him to stroke the top of his head, panting happily as Yuta scratches behind his ears. His tail even wags a bit too. ]
...yeah, that's probably for the best.
[ Minato doesn't mean to be a downer considering how pleased Yuta seems to be while petting Koromaru. ]
Sentencing can happen more than once, so... no one really knows how long we'll be here.
[ After all, he'd been sentenced twice now, and still he had yet to be released from this strange place. Not that he'd be truly be going anywhere, and nor would he be returning to others given the fact that his life had already been extinguished, but. Details. ]
[ There's a little hum of agreement even as Yuta's eyes remain fixed on Koromaru. It is for the best. Even if Yuta is going to miss his friends with every fiber of his being. No doubt it's going to lead to many more sleepless nights in his future much like it had in Kenya, only worse now that he does not have a single line of connection to them and taking in consideration everything he's recently endured that will haunt him. The consequences of his monstrous actions, the grief; he'll have to endure it on his own and it's— fine.
It has to be. Better him than them.
Koromaru's tolerance of him is a balm, the soft fur soothing under his fingers, the little canine signs of happiness at his touch like tiny sparks of joy. Unfortunately, it's not enough to distract from the disheartening fact that Minato drops. Although his fingers slow their behind-the-ear scratching, they don't stop entirely as Yuta's head snaps up to look at Minato with incredulous surprise. ]
Seriously? [ That is not how any justice system is supposed to work. ] Is it for the same crime we're originally accused of or do they accuse you of something new?
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expiationlogs2025-02-10 12:12 pm
no subject
When animals tend to shy away from him due to his overwhelming cursed energy, a dog just casually coming over and even greeting him (!) is a source of delightful wonder to Yuta. Given that fact, he doesn't even think to question the seriousness of the deadpan statement. ]
I don't see why not.
[ It's obvious the dog is special in some way. (Even if not, cuteness factor makes it so in his humble opinion.) So, in line with that thinking and to be polite in return, a greeting is obviously in order. ]
Hello, Koromaru-kun. You have a wonderful name.
[ If he seems a little excited to be talking to a dog... well, that's because he is. ]
no subject
...perhaps it's due to the fact that his own human companion likely gives off some form of Bad Energy too.
Koromaru looks over at Yuta with curiosity glinting in his eyes. A wonderful name, was it? The dog glances back at Minato and pants with a pleased expression. Indeed, it seems Koromaru approves of this new acquaintance. ]
I think he likes you.
[ He won't share that Koromaru's always been fairly easy-going and generally liked everyone. Can't be unintentionally shattering Yuta's glee over being accepted into Koromaru's company. Seeing the other person speaking kindly to his canine companion though... that certainly nets Yuta some brownie points with Yuta. ]
...you like dogs?
[ It seems the laminated card of speed dating questions is long forgotten. This is way better, obviously! ]
no subject
I'm honored.
[ He means it 100% sincerely too. Whether Koromaru's overly friendly by nature or not, this is an anomaly for Yuta all the same and he appreciates this rare interaction when it's usually only shikigami tolerating his presence without fleeing. He's quick to nod at the question too, already forgetting all about the cards they're meant to be reading from. ]
I do! I mean, what kid didn't want a dog best friend growing up? Other than the ones who were already lucky enough to have one, that is.
[ It seems like such a no-brainer to him. ]
no subject
I haven't known him for too long.
[ It's been almost two years, hasn't it? There'd been the year he spent on Port Island, and then another year out here in Aldrip. Two years -- time sure flies. ]
...but we've known each other even before arriving here.
[ Even now, it's lost on Minato how Koromaru managed to follow him here. He'd merely appeared one day carrying a note in his mouth. Written on it was merely a brief message indicating the dog's presence was a gift from "Those Who Were There," whoever those people were.
There's a small frown on Minato's face. Was everyone worried about Koromaru? Had he gone missing from Port Island? ...oh well, no use considering that right now. Minato glances back up at Yuta with his earlier expression sliding into something more impassive once again. ]
He'll probably let you pet him, if you want.
no subject
That must be nice though, having a friend from home here with you.
[ There's a hint of wistful longing slipping into his voice that creeps more blatantly into his expression, eyes growing a little hooded with it. He hasn't encountered anyone he knows here which is probably for the better given the nature of this place, but there's a gnawing loneliness nestled in his chest that he's been doing his best to ignore. He'd so been looking forward to finally getting to spend time with his friends now that the big battle was over — to heal and to grieve their losses together, find a way forward in the wake of all the upheaval the country has had to endure — and instead he's here. Alone. It's not at all like when he went abroad; Miguel had been there to look after him and all his friends had been a text message or a call away no matter the time differences, still very much a presence in his life even if he lost sleep over missing them.
This is starkly different. His reasons for being aren't here and it's hard not to feel lost. But he has to keep going, has to find a way back; atone for his crime or whatever it is that will help facilitate his return faster. He needs to go back, not want his loved ones here.
Lost in his own melancholic thoughts, he misses Minato's frown entirely, gaze only snapping back when the other boy speaks and his eyes go a little wide. ]
Eh, really? Is that okay?
[ A prospect that brings him some cheer, though he's still cautious about getting his hopes up too much as he holds out his hand for Koromaru to at least sniff first. ]
no subject
Mm.
[ It's an acknowledgement of both Yuta's response and the sentiment behind it. Whoever this person is, it seems he terribly misses the people he'd left.
This person, then, was likely someone who had a future. ]
New people seem to arrive here roughly every month. ...maybe one of your friends will too.
[ Some found that information reassuring. Others might find it distressing, to learn that their loved ones could potentially suffer a similar fate. Either way, it appears Koromaru offers a proper distraction. The dog leans forward, sniffing at Yuta's fingertips. He spends... quite a bit of time doing so. Unknown to both boys, he's busy getting a sense of the energy that seems to flow through Yuta's body.
Only when he's satisfied does Koromaru offer Yuta's fingers a friendly lick. When one of your best friends carried around the literal harbinger of death, a little cursed energy is no big deal!! ]
no subject
As much as I'd like to see them, it's probably better that they don't. I'd rather they stay home than have to deal with the whole 'sentencing' thing here.
[ He replies wryly while Koromaru takes his time sniffing his hand. Yuta does nothing to hurry the dog along, patiently keeping his hand outstretched for inspection. That he's bothering at all is a good sign, right? That's more than other animals have cared to do. The oppressive cursed energy that flows through his body and spills out of him is enough to keep them at bay; something pervasive in its enormity but steady like a stream when he's not fighting. It's unpleasant for the fact that it is cursed energy yet there's no active ill will coming from Yuta behind it.
Still, he's kind of expecting Koromaru to just dismiss him eventually, so the gentle lap at his fingers comes as a pleasant surprise and Yuta's instantly brightening, gaze snapping back to the dog in delighted amazement. ]
Thank you. [ For the acceptance, he means. Taking that lick as a sign it's okay for Yuta to pet him, he does so. A gentle hand coming to stroke the top of Koromaru's head and scratch behind his ears while Yuta melts a little. ] Ahh you're so soft, Koromaru-kun.
no subject
Koromaru's always had a knack for knowing when others needed comfort the most. It seems Yuta's no exception. The dog permits him to stroke the top of his head, panting happily as Yuta scratches behind his ears. His tail even wags a bit too. ]
...yeah, that's probably for the best.
[ Minato doesn't mean to be a downer considering how pleased Yuta seems to be while petting Koromaru. ]
Sentencing can happen more than once, so... no one really knows how long we'll be here.
[ After all, he'd been sentenced twice now, and still he had yet to be released from this strange place. Not that he'd be truly be going anywhere, and nor would he be returning to others given the fact that his life had already been extinguished, but. Details. ]
no subject
It has to be. Better him than them.
Koromaru's tolerance of him is a balm, the soft fur soothing under his fingers, the little canine signs of happiness at his touch like tiny sparks of joy. Unfortunately, it's not enough to distract from the disheartening fact that Minato drops. Although his fingers slow their behind-the-ear scratching, they don't stop entirely as Yuta's head snaps up to look at Minato with incredulous surprise. ]
Seriously? [ That is not how any justice system is supposed to work. ] Is it for the same crime we're originally accused of or do they accuse you of something new?