Joyous Day | [REDACTED] (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
troublereduction) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
wizardmanor2024-04-06 05:28 am
troublereduction) wrote in wizardmanor2024-04-06 05:28 am
Floor 2, Room 3
JOYOUS DAY
[ For a moment, Day is alarmed by Yamato's initial reaction, wondering what on earth happened, and then he notices everything else going on. There's a flare of knee-jerk panic, the kind where someone's going "oh, shit", then everything else hits him, and...
Day relaxes, somewhat. Because yeah, he gets it, too. ]
...Havin' a hard time, huh?
Day relaxes, somewhat. Because yeah, he gets it, too. ]
...Havin' a hard time, huh?
...Haha. Wonder what could've given that away.
[ Embarrassed. He's embarrassed. This is a very deep part of him that he doesn't want others to see, but he actually likes Day, so there will be no lashing out on his end. ]
It's alright, though. Things've always been this way.
[ Embarrassed. He's embarrassed. This is a very deep part of him that he doesn't want others to see, but he actually likes Day, so there will be no lashing out on his end. ]
It's alright, though. Things've always been this way.
[ "Things've always been this way.", and Day finds himself worrying again. It's the sympathy of someone who thinks people ought to be able to be happy. ]
...Do you wanna talk about it? We can take off the rings. [ He's pretty sure it's the rings' fault. ]
...Do you wanna talk about it? We can take off the rings. [ He's pretty sure it's the rings' fault. ]
...
[ Does he want to talk about it? Not particularly, to be honest, but he's already told a few about his history. And, again, he likes Day. Maybe opening up won't be as bad as he thinks.
He removes his ring quietly, looks down at his hands. ]
I had a hard time with something before I wound up here. I told you that I'm an idol, right? ... I got into a fight with one of the group members. He was frustrated that I didn't open up to him about issues that were clearly bothering me.
[ Does he want to talk about it? Not particularly, to be honest, but he's already told a few about his history. And, again, he likes Day. Maybe opening up won't be as bad as he thinks.
He removes his ring quietly, looks down at his hands. ]
I had a hard time with something before I wound up here. I told you that I'm an idol, right? ... I got into a fight with one of the group members. He was frustrated that I didn't open up to him about issues that were clearly bothering me.
[ Day also removes his, filing away a mental note that these rings aren't to be used lightly. The things that show up in his room... ]
What were you keepin' from him? [ He figures it has to be something big for Yamato to be cagey about. ]
What were you keepin' from him? [ He figures it has to be something big for Yamato to be cagey about. ]
...My personal history. All of it. I joined that group to get revenge because of it, and...my motives were impure. I was ashamed to say anything to him about it.
[ And now, he's ashamed of how he acted. So there's that, too. ]
I'm the lovechild of a famous actor and his mistress. He's not my legal father, either. He hid that from me while he was off spearheading a secret group of actors, covering up for each other's dirty secrets. I found out everything on my own.
He never spoke to me about it himself.
[ And now, he's ashamed of how he acted. So there's that, too. ]
I'm the lovechild of a famous actor and his mistress. He's not my legal father, either. He hid that from me while he was off spearheading a secret group of actors, covering up for each other's dirty secrets. I found out everything on my own.
He never spoke to me about it himself.
[ Day won't claim to totally understand the idol thing—he thinks gets the gist of it, mostly—but he understands scandal and dirty secrets. In that regard, it's not so different from any of the nobility and their politics that he's encountered no matter where he was in Creation. ]
...And I'm guessin' you also didn't want to say anything because of how it might affect the group's reputation? [ It's a bit of a stab in the dark, but he knows how it goes: even if there were ulterior motives, people can't help forming real connections and attachments. And as far as Day could see, Yamato is someone kind enough to feel guilt for both that and potentially putting other people at risk. ]
...And I'm guessin' you also didn't want to say anything because of how it might affect the group's reputation? [ It's a bit of a stab in the dark, but he knows how it goes: even if there were ulterior motives, people can't help forming real connections and attachments. And as far as Day could see, Yamato is someone kind enough to feel guilt for both that and potentially putting other people at risk. ]
Sharin' joy and serenity with someone else ain't ever a waste. And it definitely ain't a waste on you. [ He says this sincerely like it should be a universal truth. And there is that word again, "serenity".
Day tries to take in how it feels to hold Ginger's hand, how they're different and similar. He wonders if Ginger can even get callouses since he's a celestial being, compared to his own hand where practice, training and labour have shaped it. He's pretty sure Ginger is older than him too because the way he talks about eternity gives it away, but it's easy to forget that when he gets shy and flustered the way he does. ]
You don't have to feel awkward 'bout the, ah, urges 'round me. [Whether it's the fact he has them at all or if he ever needs to talk about them. Day feels like he should say this since he's turned out to be the dedicated post-feeding session healer for Ginger. ] The Division of Serenity handles lotta stuff related to that sorta thing, so I'm used to it.
Day tries to take in how it feels to hold Ginger's hand, how they're different and similar. He wonders if Ginger can even get callouses since he's a celestial being, compared to his own hand where practice, training and labour have shaped it. He's pretty sure Ginger is older than him too because the way he talks about eternity gives it away, but it's easy to forget that when he gets shy and flustered the way he does. ]
You don't have to feel awkward 'bout the, ah, urges 'round me. [Whether it's the fact he has them at all or if he ever needs to talk about them. Day feels like he should say this since he's turned out to be the dedicated post-feeding session healer for Ginger. ] The Division of Serenity handles lotta stuff related to that sorta thing, so I'm used to it.
Edited 2024-05-06 21:29 (UTC)
Yeah. Exactly that.
[ Is he that easy to read, he wonders? He doesn't know how he feels about it, but if Day gets it, if Day understands...talking about it wouldn't have been so bad, after all. ]
If they go down because of me and my history, I -- I don't think I'd ever forgive myself for it. It's been on my mind, since I got here. It's been rough.
[ Is he that easy to read, he wonders? He doesn't know how he feels about it, but if Day gets it, if Day understands...talking about it wouldn't have been so bad, after all. ]
If they go down because of me and my history, I -- I don't think I'd ever forgive myself for it. It's been on my mind, since I got here. It's been rough.
[ It might be less that Yamato is easy to read and more Day has somehow gotten a good enough read on him—but who knows?
Day doesn't say anything at first. His fingers lightly tap on the table while he thinks, because while doesn't want to speak recklessly, he doesn't want to seem insincere either. ]
I ain't gonna claim I know them well, but from what I can tell you have people who love you enough to come runnin' after you. I think anyone who'd want to grab hold of you like that ain't gonna be so concerned 'bout things like "liability" so much as they'd be worried 'bout your happiness. It ain't like you can find love like that on the ground every day, yeah? [ He should know a thing or two about that. ]
And, well... [ There's a very wry, dry smile. ] A lot of things survive scandal more often than you'd think. But a love that is severed usually can't be fixed, and I think you already know what's more important.
Day doesn't say anything at first. His fingers lightly tap on the table while he thinks, because while doesn't want to speak recklessly, he doesn't want to seem insincere either. ]
I ain't gonna claim I know them well, but from what I can tell you have people who love you enough to come runnin' after you. I think anyone who'd want to grab hold of you like that ain't gonna be so concerned 'bout things like "liability" so much as they'd be worried 'bout your happiness. It ain't like you can find love like that on the ground every day, yeah? [ He should know a thing or two about that. ]
And, well... [ There's a very wry, dry smile. ] A lot of things survive scandal more often than you'd think. But a love that is severed usually can't be fixed, and I think you already know what's more important.
Edited 2024-05-07 07:59 (UTC)
...Day...
[ The words he's saying -- even if he doesn't know IDOLiSH7, even if he doesn't know the truth, his words are at least comforting. And somehow, they seem right. Does he love IDOLiSH7? Do they love him, too?
Yes. And...yes, is his hope. Maybe one day he'll be able to believe it fully. For now, though, this will do.
His lips curl upward into a smile. ]
Thank you. I mean it.
[ He's a good guy, Yamato thinks, and if they were still wearing their rings, Day'd have felt that gratefulness radiating from him. ]
I needed someone to tell me that, I think.
[ The words he's saying -- even if he doesn't know IDOLiSH7, even if he doesn't know the truth, his words are at least comforting. And somehow, they seem right. Does he love IDOLiSH7? Do they love him, too?
Yes. And...yes, is his hope. Maybe one day he'll be able to believe it fully. For now, though, this will do.
His lips curl upward into a smile. ]
Thank you. I mean it.
[ He's a good guy, Yamato thinks, and if they were still wearing their rings, Day'd have felt that gratefulness radiating from him. ]
I needed someone to tell me that, I think.
[ Day returns the smile, warm and gentle. He rests an elbow on the table, so he can prop his head up with a hand. ]
You're welcome. Everyone needs a little push now and then.
And I guess it's already obvious, but you don't gotta worry about the whole hidden lovechild thing with me. Technically I'd count as a bastard myself?
You're welcome. Everyone needs a little push now and then.
And I guess it's already obvious, but you don't gotta worry about the whole hidden lovechild thing with me. Technically I'd count as a bastard myself?
I kind of got that, yeah.
[ Another one, huh. Geez. He, Malice, and Day should form a club at this point. ]
Do you feel like talking about that? Might be nice to commiserate or something, but it's up to you. I know it's a sensitive subject for a lot of people. It is for me.
[ But he opened up anyway. That, to him, says more about Day than it does himself. ]
[ Another one, huh. Geez. He, Malice, and Day should form a club at this point. ]
Do you feel like talking about that? Might be nice to commiserate or something, but it's up to you. I know it's a sensitive subject for a lot of people. It is for me.
[ But he opened up anyway. That, to him, says more about Day than it does himself. ]
[ And Day is going to be grateful every day that Yamato decided to share it with him. These days, his own background doesn't bother him much (in part because there are other, more important things to concern himself with). ]
Haha, it ain't anything excitin'. I'm a shrine foundlin'. Left on the steps outside the local shrine as a babe. The monk there was pretty unimpressed with whoever my parents were, but she took me in and raised me along with another kid.
It's just that in a small town out in the countryside, lookin' like this—[ He gestures at his hair. ] —stands out a lot, 'cause you don't see this with the locals. And I was a really rowdy kid.
Haha, it ain't anything excitin'. I'm a shrine foundlin'. Left on the steps outside the local shrine as a babe. The monk there was pretty unimpressed with whoever my parents were, but she took me in and raised me along with another kid.
It's just that in a small town out in the countryside, lookin' like this—[ He gestures at his hair. ] —stands out a lot, 'cause you don't see this with the locals. And I was a really rowdy kid.
[ But it is, Ginger’s troubled, weary, worried heart insists. Eventually, he’ll make a big mistake with Day, too. It’ll happen - surely - because he’s a demon who can’t sit still, but once he’s up, indecisiveness guides his every action. And control is something he will always, always struggle with.
The most he can do is keep trying. He can be careful with the parts he’s given to safeguard.
In the end, it’s Day’s decision. ]
The Division of Serenity? Why is… um… that stuff… under your division?
[ The more time Day spends around Ginger, especially during moments of heated battle, he’ll find that angels don’t scar and hybrids like Ginger are no exception. Ginger can fall ill, can get hurt, but no traces will remain once he’s healed. That’s why he thinks the internal hurts are the worst, the scariest. They scar over and only you know how ugly they are. ]
The most he can do is keep trying. He can be careful with the parts he’s given to safeguard.
In the end, it’s Day’s decision. ]
The Division of Serenity? Why is… um… that stuff… under your division?
[ The more time Day spends around Ginger, especially during moments of heated battle, he’ll find that angels don’t scar and hybrids like Ginger are no exception. Ginger can fall ill, can get hurt, but no traces will remain once he’s healed. That’s why he thinks the internal hurts are the worst, the scariest. They scar over and only you know how ugly they are. ]
[It takes a little while for Malice to leave Yamato's room, but that's probably not exactly a surprise given everything they decided to be in front of the healers (sorry not sorry). But Day's room is the first Malice goes to after that, pausing in front of the door before knocking. He's got his prosthetic arm off because today has already been so much and he just wants to go back to sleep.
But first, he has some people to check on.]
Hey, it's Malice. You got a sec?
But first, he has some people to check on.]
Hey, it's Malice. You got a sec?
[ Day...manages to answer, except. Well, frankly, he also looks kind of exhausted. Debatable if he actually got rest that felt restful. At first, he seems kind of startled to see Malice, then...relieved? ]
Yeah, sure. Wanna come in? [ He'll step aside to make way for Malice. ]
Yeah, sure. Wanna come in? [ He'll step aside to make way for Malice. ]
[ (When will I actually get Day into a fight and let him punch something.) Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, Day is steadily giving more to Ginger, bit by bit—in the things he shares with him, and how he's gradually letting his guard down. "Joyous Day" is becoming attainable and less like the morning mist, one way or another.
Again, Ginger is probably the only person he'd tell any of this without having to mull over whether he should, if only because the vibe of overworked celestial bureaucrat is so powerful he doesn't need to worry about whether Ginger gets it. ]
We handle destinies involvin' relationships. [ And he gives a slight Look with raised eyebrows as if to say, "You can probably guess what that includes, yeah?" ] ...Never did ask you what you do, either. [ They both just went "same hat" so hard that neither of them actually asked what bureaucracy they were involved in,,, ]
Again, Ginger is probably the only person he'd tell any of this without having to mull over whether he should, if only because the vibe of overworked celestial bureaucrat is so powerful he doesn't need to worry about whether Ginger gets it. ]
We handle destinies involvin' relationships. [ And he gives a slight Look with raised eyebrows as if to say, "You can probably guess what that includes, yeah?" ] ...Never did ask you what you do, either. [ They both just went "same hat" so hard that neither of them actually asked what bureaucracy they were involved in,,, ]
Edited 2024-05-07 23:44 (UTC)
You, rowdy? Somehow, I can see it.
[ He says this with a little laugh. Day seems a little more soft-spoken now, so the image is kind of adorable. ]
That's nice, though, that someone took you in. It's good you had a family. ... Do you still talk to any of them?
[ He says this with a little laugh. Day seems a little more soft-spoken now, so the image is kind of adorable. ]
That's nice, though, that someone took you in. It's good you had a family. ... Do you still talk to any of them?
[ He doesn't know how to feel about the fact that everyone who's commented on it has said they can see him as a rowdy kid, especially because he knows that sometimes meant he was a pretty delinquent one. Look, he knows he has an arm tattoo that doesn't help that impression, but still.
...But at that question: ]
Been years since I last saw them. [ And in contrast to what he's saying, Day is smiling. It's almost reflexive because Day takes one principle from the Scripture of the Hunted Maiden to heart: "smiling at your troubles".
It probably seems lonely, how easily this all just happens. ]
...But at that question: ]
Been years since I last saw them. [ And in contrast to what he's saying, Day is smiling. It's almost reflexive because Day takes one principle from the Scripture of the Hunted Maiden to heart: "smiling at your troubles".
It probably seems lonely, how easily this all just happens. ]
Years, huh?
[ Hmm. Yamato wonders if there's more to it than just that. He thinks of his own situation and ponders that it might be so. Does he ask?
...Yes. Yes, he does. ]
Is that good or a bad thing?
[ Hmm. Yamato wonders if there's more to it than just that. He thinks of his own situation and ponders that it might be so. Does he ask?
...Yes. Yes, he does. ]
Is that good or a bad thing?
Haha, well... [ Something complicated crosses his face, like he doesn't know what his answer is. ] Some of it's 'cause I haven't had time. [ Which is true, on some level. ] The other bit is...
You mind if I tell you a bit of a story? See whether you think it's a good or bad thing. [ They may as well, why they're here with drinks and a ton of feelings already as is. ]
You mind if I tell you a bit of a story? See whether you think it's a good or bad thing. [ They may as well, why they're here with drinks and a ton of feelings already as is. ]
Not at all. I've got time for it.
[ He says like he has anything else to do right now, but he'll hear Day out. Day gave him the time of day (haha), after all, so he ought to do the same. ]
[ He says like he has anything else to do right now, but he'll hear Day out. Day gave him the time of day (haha), after all, so he ought to do the same. ]
[ Hope you're ready then, Yamato. ]
There's this story back home, 'bout how a long time ago the Five Elemental Dragons gave their blood to a group of mortals and blessed them with the power to control the elements. I dunno how true that is, but it’s true there're people who can do that, and the ability is passed down through the blood. We call them Dragon-Blooded, or Princes of the Earth, and bein' one's a big deal. People think it's a sign of...[ There's a moment where Day makes a face. ] Spiritual enlightenment. That in exchange for innate power, they have a duty to their spiritual lessers.
On the isle where I grew up, most of them are from the nobility, but it's the kinda thing that can skip generations, and it ain't like Dynasts don't have their illicit trysts. So sometimes a lowborn commoner awakens that power, 'cause somewhere in their family tree there was someone with the blood of dragons in 'em. And when that happens, by law you gotta report them to one of the ministries. The arbiters come to take custody and bring them to get "properly educated" as a Prince of the Earth, 'cause by decree they're now an adopted child of the Empress. [ Does he sound a little bitter here? Maybe. ]
It happened to my sister when we were 'bout sixteen. Second time I ever managed to convince her to ditch lessons. We went to the woods right outside of town to hide and just hang out for a while 'fore I was supposed to leave for the city. And...I dunno, somethin' must have happened there, 'cause by the time we went back she was sproutin' flowers in her hair. Everyone in town was so excited. [ He says this, but even now when he's just recalling it, he sounds distinctly unexcited. ] Kept congratulatin' her and couldn't wait to report it to the arbiters.
There's this story back home, 'bout how a long time ago the Five Elemental Dragons gave their blood to a group of mortals and blessed them with the power to control the elements. I dunno how true that is, but it’s true there're people who can do that, and the ability is passed down through the blood. We call them Dragon-Blooded, or Princes of the Earth, and bein' one's a big deal. People think it's a sign of...[ There's a moment where Day makes a face. ] Spiritual enlightenment. That in exchange for innate power, they have a duty to their spiritual lessers.
On the isle where I grew up, most of them are from the nobility, but it's the kinda thing that can skip generations, and it ain't like Dynasts don't have their illicit trysts. So sometimes a lowborn commoner awakens that power, 'cause somewhere in their family tree there was someone with the blood of dragons in 'em. And when that happens, by law you gotta report them to one of the ministries. The arbiters come to take custody and bring them to get "properly educated" as a Prince of the Earth, 'cause by decree they're now an adopted child of the Empress. [ Does he sound a little bitter here? Maybe. ]
It happened to my sister when we were 'bout sixteen. Second time I ever managed to convince her to ditch lessons. We went to the woods right outside of town to hide and just hang out for a while 'fore I was supposed to leave for the city. And...I dunno, somethin' must have happened there, 'cause by the time we went back she was sproutin' flowers in her hair. Everyone in town was so excited. [ He says this, but even now when he's just recalling it, he sounds distinctly unexcited. ] Kept congratulatin' her and couldn't wait to report it to the arbiters.
Edited (I keep forgetting his accent,) 2024-05-09 19:11 (UTC)
Sure thing.
[a vampire has to be invited in after all... wait no.
Malice enters, glancing around Day's room as he does so. Once the door's shut, he wastes no time in asking:]
You okay? I'm guessin' all that healin' magic drained you?
[a vampire has to be invited in after all... wait no.
Malice enters, glancing around Day's room as he does so. Once the door's shut, he wastes no time in asking:]
You okay? I'm guessin' all that healin' magic drained you?
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