expiationlogs | june catchall (open!)

Entry tags:

june catchall (open!)

Who: Shinji! and! you!
Where: various
What: ya boy shinjiro, man about town (feat. brunch, Axe Swinging, and misc tdm-inspired loitering)
Warnings: nothing yet

cooking mama sequel

[While he doesn't actually live in the inn anymore, Shinji is here at the inn today, helping himself to the kitchen as the locals so generously allow him to. Things have been weird? He remembers passing out and waking up somewhere else entirely (or: he was kidnapped to the grove, and unconscious throughout), and while he was out, it seems like a bunch of people had a strange and uncomfortable time.

So!

Well. All Shinji knows to show empathy is making food and punching, and one of those isn't really viable, and the other one he's only doing so that he doesn't have to think about the implications of being mysteriously kidnapped. All this to say he is at the inn, in the kitchen, making Food. He's both very skilled and weirdly fast at food preparation, so there is a lot, and since he lives on a farm with a bunch of egg-laying chickens, primarily it's Brunch.

If you come in looking for a nibble, he immediately snaps:]

Don't touch that. [And then just as immediately, prepares a delightful brunch plate and slides it over a countertop.] Eat this. And don't complain about it, okay?

[Complain... about free brunch... He can't just give out food normally or someone might notice he has Human Empathy.]

axe you a question

[Or: The training arc prompt, because if sleeping with a big axe next to his bed doesn't deter magical shadow kidnappers, he'll just have to... stop sleeping and swing it around all the time?

Whatever. He's workshopping it. He's never really, um, trained before, is the thing— not formally? Not really? His bestie is the training-addicted jock, Shinji is merely a tank with a big axe. So while he is here, at the random spot he's chosen to train in (somewhere with less foot traffic, see, is the sole requirement), he has no planned routine.

Or even, like. Stretches? Do people stretch? Goddamn. It's warm out but he's dressed like it's winter and he's carrying a big axe, which might not be the most comforting of figures to be addressed by, suddenly:]

Hey. You. ....Do you know how to fight? [hm, well, no, and he frowns because now it's embarrassing-] Do you know how to train.

misc around town mini prompts

[You may run into Shinji:

A. Loitering in the statue garden, where he will be staring at his own statue with an air of obvious and grim Sulking, suspiciously fist-sized rock in hand at his side... ah jeez...!!

B. Not-quite-celebrating at ....the post-event celebration, that is to say, lurking to pick up some food and then disappearing again. He gruffly brushes off any local trying to rope him back in, using the logic that he definitely just slept through the whole thing so please leave him the hell alone this time, but as it starts to get darker he's definitely hanging around as a self-appointed Party Bouncer in case anything out there gets any ideas. Or in case someone in the party starts some shit.

C. Out in the woodsy areas that need replanting, crouched down next to a hole in the ground with a seed in hand. A magic seed. He's literally seen a fairy but he still feels the need to ask,] ....This isn't for real, right?

wildcard/etc

[wriggles back in from my hiatus, hello.... hmu via pm or at jojoveller if you would like a custom starter, we can hash something out!! or: do whatever, surprise me.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Shinji isn't expecting to be followed - first mistake, he supposes, since he's out here specifically to keep an eye out and already he's not paying attention (second mistake is forgetting people like being around him, oops, his fault) - and so he does startle for a second at the sudden pat on the head. It's only a second, before he relaxes as much as he's capable back into his usual... not sulk? But his usual.

He lets out a huff, a touch amused; hi, hello-- only Astralin can get away with patting him on the head without him curling up like an offended pillbug. That's dad privilege.]

Yeah. ....Means no one's coming from out there.

[See, he's playing bodyguard again, he's not just avoiding a social event...!]

[The smile on his face grows even wider, and he can't help but chuckle at Shinji's huff. Well aware, to some degree, that he could easily get away with such actions because of their relationship. It was similar to his biological sons back home, but that didn't change how he'd treat Shinji. In fact, he seemed even more affectionate upon his return. His gaze breaking away from Shinji as he stares out at the fields ahead of them once more.]

Yes, we certainly have time to ourselves. It is rather unfortunate that I walked out here with you, is it not?

[He jokes, of course, and his words have a slight jingle to them. Astralin becoming much more playful in his elder years.]

I only jest... I never got to properly thank you for caring for the animals and the plants. I thank you again for your hard work during the time I was... Asleep.

[how could dad tease him like this]

C'mon...

[Jeez!! Shinji's capacity to admit any of his tenderest feelings out loud is still quite low, but he takes Astralin's little jokes in stride, crossing his arms and leaning his shoulders back against the wall with another huff. It's not quite dark-dark out, so if one were to look closely enough, the tiniest of smiles might be visible... he's definitely trying to hunch his shoulders some to hide this.

Jeez.

The farm, though. Yes. He knows- he would like to say something like, "of course, I just couldn't leave the animals alone," or "it was for your sake," but again: he has teen with extra emotional constipation disease, so he says,]

Just don't pull something like that again.

[Astralin wants to laugh almost, but he holds back the fit of laughter quite easily. However, it betrays his features, and there's a wide smile on his face when it appears that Shinji still has trouble with his own emotional constipation. Which, he didn't mind, of course -- after all, he had kids now, and his own kids had their own set of problems when growing up. One of them very similar to Shinji, so he was used to it by now.]

I will try not to. I do not know what those above will attempt, but... All we do can do is hope that it will not happen again, hm?

[Finally, he gets tired of standing, and he finds purchase at a nearby chair. Both hands resting on his knee, as his presses his back against the wall behind him. His eyes peering up at Shinji once more, with a rather amused, but caring look on his face.]

I did not think you would be in a place like this... You are not particularly fond of crowds, are you?

I guess.

[I guess, he says, like Astralin's disappearance isn't now a thing he has to worry about literally all the time. He worries about what will happen to Kotone in this place, whenever "sentencing" comes calling, and now Astralin is prone to vanishing (once is enough to qualify) and so—

Well. I guess. He'll be thinking about it constantly, but in a very casual way (no).

He glances down at Astralin, then back out at the growing dark.]

No. Crowds aren't fond of me, either. There's no telling what else is still out there, though, huh? I missed the first fight, [a brief scowl, annoyed with himself about that,] so now I'm ready.

Ah, how fitting of us, then. Crowds are not fond of me either, you see.

[Even after all this time, Astralin still hates crowds, and he stands out in one for sure. Luckily, people tend to avoid him due to his height and his overall aloof appearance, so it all works out. Still, he can't help but chuckle when Shinji speaks, and there's a small smile that appears on his face.]

What do you fight with? I do not think I have ever asked that. If I were looking at you, I would say that you are decent in hand to hand combat, but I am rather curious to know what weapon you wield.

Hmm.

[It's still Shinji's strongly held opinion that anyone who makes Astralin uncomfortable should get clocked in the jaw, but he'll keep it down for the time being. They have already escaped the crowded party, after all, so this is fine. Still; should the need arise, his mean right hook is ready.

Anyway, weapons... He snorts, because yeah, mean right hook and so on, but:] It's an axe.

[And he has a complex about the very concept of considering himself an axe-wielder or any type of wielder, actually, but that's borne from his complex about why he has to fight in the first place, so he's not going to think about it right now. Some other time.]

The one I always used turned up a couple weeks ago, it's- [a brief fumble, as he almost says "at home" and then completely fails to, instead,] -at the house.

An axe? Had I known that earlier, I would not be chopping my own wood.

[He's joking, of course, and there's a small chuckle in his voice. That chuckle paired off with a rather wide, and amused smile to hear that someone like Shinji would use such a weapon. It's... Interesting, after the man looked like he was about to punch someone, but you know. Maybe his son as proficient in both axe and fist!!]

Is that so? Does it need any sharpening? Or to be looked at by the smithy? There may be a time where you need it to fend off monsters, or... Something much more nefarious. I do not know what this place holds for us.

[Astralin doesn't say anything, and he gives Shinji that space, and that time to adjust to... Well. All the familial things.]

[Ah-- oh, that's a joke. Shinji grunts, like, should he chop wood? He could, if Astralin asks, or maybe just because he's made a joke about it now... There's always going to be some part of Shinji that's going to feel at least somewhat out of place, and that part of him will try and convince the rest of him to chop wood as some kind of-- like, paying rent? Deserving to live in Astralin's house?

He'll think about the wood-chopping problem. Later.]

....It's fine. I haven't had to use it here yet.

[The sad thing is that he knows that Shinji would help him on the farm if he asked!! But he doesn't want to ask his son to do such hard labor after he went missing for a week. Astralin making a face as he turns his gaze back to the fields in front of him. Quickly adjusting his posture, and squinting into the distance when he notices something in the fields.

He has to wonder if Shinji wants to use his axe now. Though, he makes eye contact with Shinji for a moment in silence, wondering if he saw something in the shadows like he did.]

... Hm.

[Well, ten points for great communication, then. Shinji is... fine... like this, for the time being. It's a holding pattern, but he's learned to live with that for the past couple years in some shape or another, so.

Well, so. It's not an immediate concern, not like the way Astralin perks up and looks out into the dark; Shinji follows his gaze, brow furrowed. Is there something there, or is he on edge enough to start seeing hostiles in every breeze-blown stalk of wheat...]

....Want to go check it out?

[He has to wonder if he's seeing shadows or not, and he lifts his body up from the wall. The back of his hand running through his hair, and making a soft humming noise. His hand reaching out for the scythe on his back unconsciously, and pressing it against the floor as he nods his head.]

Yes, we might as well. I do not know what beast, or... Human may linger, but if they are dangerous, I would not want to ruin anyone's fun. We deal with it quietly, yes?

[The grip on his scythe his strong, but he does smile softly at Shinji. Astralin had his back, after all.]

[Well, Shinji has already assumed the worst, and here he is without his goddamn axe. This doesn't seem to stop him from stepping forward from his little guarding spot, arms folded, expression hard. Time to beat some sense into somebody out in the dark, he supposes. And if it's some kind of beast, and it comes down to it, well...

He'll get by without the axe. In a pinch. If he has to. He hums, nodding to Astralin just once.]

Yeah. Did you see where it went?

Toward the east... It moved rather quickly, did it not?

[While it wasn't a large shadow, it moved very swiftly. Which, he isn't sure how to parse that. Faintly wondering if Shinji should stay behind since he didn't have his axe with him, but what's the worst it can be? He thinks to himself, as he stares over at Shinji with a hesitant expression on his features.]

... Come on.

[Annnddd his parental safety is out the window. Mainly because he knows that Shinji can take care of himself in a pinch.

He takes a step forward, off the steps of the tavern, and toward the dimmer area of the city. His hand unconsciously pulling out his scythe, and making small steps toward the area.]

You are familiar with monsters, are you not? What are they called in your world?

[Shinji merely grunts his agreement and follows Astralin out into the waiting dark. He's glad for the lack of concern for his well-being right this second, because he's certain that if this thing is indeed a beast of some considerable speed and threat, Astralin worrying about him unneeded will make things worse for them all in the long run. So: to business, then, trudging after something possibly-dangerous in the dark.

Honestly, he feels better doing this than loitering around at the party, either in it or just outside. When it comes to fighting monsters, he knows precisely what it is he should be doing.]

....Shadows, [he says, and there goes the seal on not telling anyone what's up at home beyond vague asides about "monsters,"] But they're just monsters. Somebody must have thought "Shadows" sounded special.

[The sort of vanity of people who would do experiments on children BUT it's not time for that, nope, it's hunting time. Shinji turns towards a suspicious rustling sound, gesturing for Astralin to look.]

That it?

Shadows? That is... Quite the name for monsters.

[His footsteps are careful, meticulous even. Monsters back home were actually very docile in nature, but he wasn't sure about the creatures in Expiation. Who knew what they would do here, and what they were capable of. He could never be too careful, and he didn't want to see Shinji injured because he was unarmed, or Astralin himself was careless in his footsteps.

So, when they reach a bush, and there's that suspicious rustling sound, Astralinc can't help but prepare his scythe with one hand. The other hand reaching for the bush, where he prepares to try and scare off the monster, or at least reveal it.]

Yes. On my count, Shinjiro.

One. Two. ...Three!

[Without hesitating, the man rips back the bush. ... Only to reveal a very familiar chicken. A very big chicken, who had a bow on it's head that Astralin had just put on this very morning.

The creature being none other, than the famous 'Scramble.]

... Ah.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

june catchall (open!)

papa.......

son... headpats are here

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject