[Yamato... Honestly, Malice expected this to push him away. He expected Yamato to be confused, to maybe try to understand, but ultimately to decide that Malice is a horrible person. Because he is. And even if he regrets his actions, he's still—
(a monster is what Mika had called them. is that what they are?)
Malice shakes his head as if to clear it.]
Yeah. I did. Didn't want anyone else seein' any of this. Or... y'know, seein' me like this. I don't like admittin' I ain't as strong as I act.
[He's not one to put on much of an act to begin with, but having anyone see him at such a low point just feels... terrible, really. Yet somehow, it isn't all that bad with Yamato.]
You're talkin' like you understand - at least partially. Don't tell me you've had to deal with bullshit like this too?
[Not the same bullshit, obviously, but something that makes this easier for Yamato to sympathize with.]
It's alright. I'm the same way...being vulnerable around anyone is a terrifying thought.
[ So, yeah, he was pretty uncomfortable when he opened up to Malice about his history a few days ago, but he doesn't regret doing so. ]
Mm...I consider my impure motives for joining IDOLiSH7 a betrayal in itself. Being surrounded by guys who are passionate and serious about becoming idols made my guilt start to eat at me even more than it normally would've. They cared about me, and I...I'm nothing but a liability to them. They might go down because I was being selfish.
[ Yeah. ]
And when you mentioned the circumstances surrounding your birth...heh. You know that I was a secret lovechild, too. I can't say there were plans for me to be eliminated, but it still hurt all the same, when I found out. My father never once came clean to me himself. I had to learn everything all on my own.
[He remembers, and hearing it all laid out like that... they do have a shocking amount of similarities, don't they? Huh.]
Can't comment on your situation with IDOLiSH7, but I can say that they'd be losin' a great guy if they turn their backs on you.
[Maybe they'd be well within their rights to. But that doesn't matter to Malice, because it's not like Yamato has hurt him. Sometimes you've just gotta be a selfish, self-centered asshole. Some things don't change overnight, after all.]
You've done pretty damn well for yourself despite that, y'know? You're real level-headed when dealin' with... [vague gesture toward the phantoms] dumb crap like this.
Thanks, Yama. I mean it. For some reason it kinda helped to talk about it? I'm feelin' less worked up, anyway.
[ A great guy, huh? Why is it that the people here think so highly of him? He supposes that his image is enough of a reason for that, but when people like Malice, who know his history, say that...he doesn't think he deserves it. He didn't deserve Ginger's grace, and he certainly doesn't think he deserves Malice's, despite everything.
Some things don't change overnight, indeed.
Genuine compliments from Malice, though, aren't things he'll take for granted. He's more relieved that the guy's feeling better more than how those words made Yamato feel, anyway. ]
Good to know. I'm glad I could help.
[ He'll just...go ahead and take a seat next to him, at the desk. ]
Finding somewhere to belong, though? It's hard. For some people, it may take them their whole lives to find that. But you're here, now. ... I don't think you'll need to wait for that any longer.
[Malice glances back over at the phantoms and... oh, look they're fading. Slowly, one by one, they begin to fade out of sight. Some of them look back over before they go, but only Cody waves as a farewell.
Malice remains staring at the spot they were for a moment before he turns his attention back to Yamato.]
Believe me, I'd like nothin' more.
[Things will be different this time, he tells himself. They have to be.]
I'm not gonna make the same mistake again. Not that I could anyway, not like my ol' lady's hangin' 'round here willin' to offer me anythin'.
[ He's glad to see the phantoms fading, though. The atmosphere seems a lot less tense and emotionally charged. Must mean Malice is feeling better. That's a nice thought. ]
You have people who'd set you straight, too. And people who might possibly go after her if they saw her.
[ Assuming he's told anyone else about this, anyway. ]
If anything, you can put me in both categories. I'd do my best to keep her from bothering you.
[ Is this way of saying he'll protect Malice...? Even he's not sure. It's not like Malice really needs that, anyway, but. Let him have this, okay. ]
...But you don't have'ta worry 'bout me. I'll figure out some way to handle her.
[He wants revenge, after all. It's on his to-do list.]
Thanks, though. I really do appreciate it; y'all have really been good to me an' I'm not really sure how I got so luck to end up with a group that's so willin' to help out.
Yeah, yeah...I see where you're going with this...
[ The right thing to do would be to discourage him from violence, but also, no. Have you met Malice.
Anyway. ]
Eh, I like to think that people are dishing out what they're getting. The people who care about you are fine with things because you're doing the same for them in return. I don't think everyone's the type to put themselves forward for just anyone.
Hah, true enough. I am tryin' to do better by people, anyway. Helps that this's a whole different world an' a whole new set of rules; definitely better than bein' back home!
[no shitty vampire nobles to deal with!!! 10/10 would get spirited away again.]
Oh, an' if you could keep this 'tween the two of us? Ain't all that fond of the idea of others hearin' 'bout it. If I'm gonna tell 'em, I want it to be on my own terms.
To be honest, I'm not sure. It just appeared in my room. Haven't opened it or anything just yet, but I was wondering if you've also been getting random gifts appearing.
Yeah, I have. That's what caused [gestures toward the window] all'a that. It was some kinda... ointment, I guess. So be careful 'round that if you get any.
[Though maybe it would be less distressing for you...? Eh, better be safe than sorry.]
Might as well see what that book's about though, yeah? Could be interestin'.
At least there's two of us, if something strange were to happen.
[ He looks at Malice before he opens the book. There's a flash of light that emits from it, and just like Malice's phantoms, some of Yamato's own appear as well.
Riku, Iori, Tamaki, Sougo, Nagi and Mitsuki. All of them are in the room now, looking at Yamato with warm smiles on their faces.
He's speechless for a moment...then he utters a word under his breath:
[Okay, why does the book do the same thing as the ointment?? That doesn't make sense!! Complaints aside, this is... definitely not great. He remembers what Yamato's told him about IDOLiSH7, so he recognizes the name and now he can put faces to the other members, but...]
Riku's our center. He's got the best singing voice, and he's passionate about singing and being an idol. Iori's the serious one, but he's a softie on the inside.
Tama and Iori are classmates. He loves pudding. Sou's got big dreams and he's extremely dedicated to music.
Nagi...he's the heart of the group. He believes in us more than anyone else in the world. And Mitsu– he knows me best. He wasn't necessarily the ideal idol at first, but he's worked hard and his charisma shines through.
[Malice looks them all over one by one as Yamato speaks. Each of them sound so vibrant and charming in their own ways, and hearing Yamato speak of them really does confirm what he already knew - that of course Yamato misses them dearly, because they're his close friends.]
They sound like great people. An' I'm sure they miss you too.
[ When he first got here, he'd accepted that he'd lost his place. Now however, he sees things differently. He wants to return. He wants them to have a place for him again, despite everything. ]
If they didn't, I couldn't blame them. I hurt them. I...well, you know the story.
Yeah. But I think they'd want to hear you out, at least. Figure out why it happened the way it did. An' I wouldn't be surprised at all if they decided to forgive you.
[Both because humans seem to have a tendency to keep reaching out to others, and because they all seem like caring individuals. And also because it's Yamato, and who wouldn't like Yamato enough to forgive him??]
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(a monster is what Mika had called them. is that what they are?)
Malice shakes his head as if to clear it.]
Yeah. I did. Didn't want anyone else seein' any of this. Or... y'know, seein' me like this. I don't like admittin' I ain't as strong as I act.
[He's not one to put on much of an act to begin with, but having anyone see him at such a low point just feels... terrible, really. Yet somehow, it isn't all that bad with Yamato.]
You're talkin' like you understand - at least partially. Don't tell me you've had to deal with bullshit like this too?
[Not the same bullshit, obviously, but something that makes this easier for Yamato to sympathize with.]
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[ So, yeah, he was pretty uncomfortable when he opened up to Malice about his history a few days ago, but he doesn't regret doing so. ]
Mm...I consider my impure motives for joining IDOLiSH7 a betrayal in itself. Being surrounded by guys who are passionate and serious about becoming idols made my guilt start to eat at me even more than it normally would've. They cared about me, and I...I'm nothing but a liability to them. They might go down because I was being selfish.
[ Yeah. ]
And when you mentioned the circumstances surrounding your birth...heh. You know that I was a secret lovechild, too. I can't say there were plans for me to be eliminated, but it still hurt all the same, when I found out. My father never once came clean to me himself. I had to learn everything all on my own.
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Can't comment on your situation with IDOLiSH7, but I can say that they'd be losin' a great guy if they turn their backs on you.
[Maybe they'd be well within their rights to. But that doesn't matter to Malice, because it's not like Yamato has hurt him. Sometimes you've just gotta be a selfish, self-centered asshole. Some things don't change overnight, after all.]
You've done pretty damn well for yourself despite that, y'know? You're real level-headed when dealin' with... [vague gesture toward the phantoms] dumb crap like this.
Thanks, Yama. I mean it. For some reason it kinda helped to talk about it? I'm feelin' less worked up, anyway.
[Huh. Weird!]
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Some things don't change overnight, indeed.
Genuine compliments from Malice, though, aren't things he'll take for granted. He's more relieved that the guy's feeling better more than how those words made Yamato feel, anyway. ]
Good to know. I'm glad I could help.
[ He'll just...go ahead and take a seat next to him, at the desk. ]
Finding somewhere to belong, though? It's hard. For some people, it may take them their whole lives to find that. But you're here, now. ... I don't think you'll need to wait for that any longer.
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[Malice glances back over at the phantoms and... oh, look they're fading. Slowly, one by one, they begin to fade out of sight. Some of them look back over before they go, but only Cody waves as a farewell.
Malice remains staring at the spot they were for a moment before he turns his attention back to Yamato.]
Believe me, I'd like nothin' more.
[Things will be different this time, he tells himself. They have to be.]
I'm not gonna make the same mistake again. Not that I could anyway, not like my ol' lady's hangin' 'round here willin' to offer me anythin'.
[He scoffs at that and moves to sit on his bed.]
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You have people who'd set you straight, too. And people who might possibly go after her if they saw her.
[ Assuming he's told anyone else about this, anyway. ]
If anything, you can put me in both categories. I'd do my best to keep her from bothering you.
[ Is this way of saying he'll protect Malice...? Even he's not sure. It's not like Malice really needs that, anyway, but. Let him have this, okay. ]
1/2
[You see where he's going with this, right?]
There's a reason I'm so fond of fire!
[PREPARING TO BEAT UP HIS MOM, LET'S GOOOOOO]
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[He wants revenge, after all. It's on his to-do list.]
Thanks, though. I really do appreciate it; y'all have really been good to me an' I'm not really sure how I got so luck to end up with a group that's so willin' to help out.
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[ The right thing to do would be to discourage him from violence, but also, no. Have you met Malice.
Anyway. ]
Eh, I like to think that people are dishing out what they're getting. The people who care about you are fine with things because you're doing the same for them in return. I don't think everyone's the type to put themselves forward for just anyone.
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Hah, true enough. I am tryin' to do better by people, anyway. Helps that this's a whole different world an' a whole new set of rules; definitely better than bein' back home!
[no shitty vampire nobles to deal with!!! 10/10 would get spirited away again.]
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[ Home... Will he have one when he gets back? ]
So far, seems like you're doing pretty alright.
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[...]
Oh, an' if you could keep this 'tween the two of us? Ain't all that fond of the idea of others hearin' 'bout it. If I'm gonna tell 'em, I want it to be on my own terms.
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[ So, yeah. Secret's safe with him. ]
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[Though this one sort of forced his hand... Oh well, at least it worked out well enough.]
Oh right, you brought a book with you, what is it?
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[ It seems pretty sus... ]
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[Though maybe it would be less distressing for you...? Eh, better be safe than sorry.]
Might as well see what that book's about though, yeah? Could be interestin'.
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[ He looks at Malice before he opens the book. There's a flash of light that emits from it, and just like Malice's phantoms, some of Yamato's own appear as well.
Riku, Iori, Tamaki, Sougo, Nagi and Mitsuki. All of them are in the room now, looking at Yamato with warm smiles on their faces.
He's speechless for a moment...then he utters a word under his breath:
IDOLiSH7. ]
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You miss 'em, yeah?
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[ His voice gets shaky. Quiet. ]
A lot, actually.
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Tell me 'bout 'em. If you wanna, I mean.
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[ He points at each of them as he speaks: ]
Riku's our center. He's got the best singing voice, and he's passionate about singing and being an idol. Iori's the serious one, but he's a softie on the inside.
Tama and Iori are classmates. He loves pudding. Sou's got big dreams and he's extremely dedicated to music.
Nagi...he's the heart of the group. He believes in us more than anyone else in the world. And Mitsu– he knows me best. He wasn't necessarily the ideal idol at first, but he's worked hard and his charisma shines through.
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They sound like great people. An' I'm sure they miss you too.
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[ When he first got here, he'd accepted that he'd lost his place. Now however, he sees things differently. He wants to return. He wants them to have a place for him again, despite everything. ]
If they didn't, I couldn't blame them. I hurt them. I...well, you know the story.
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[Both because humans seem to have a tendency to keep reaching out to others, and because they all seem like caring individuals. And also because it's Yamato, and who wouldn't like Yamato enough to forgive him??]
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[ That gets a chuckle out of him. It's not mean-spirited, but he still has to know, even if his question's only half-serious: ]
You think that highly of me, huh?
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