[closed] don't know, i don't know how i can move again

[wishalone]

WHO: kyoko & tidus
WHAT: tidus tells kyoko about what happened to yuna. kyoko is forced to reflect on what happened to sayaka. bonding, sparring, screaming off rooftops, the works
WHERE: idk somewhere, probably transitory
WHEN: backdated to early december
WARNINGS: discussions of death and grief inevitable. this is gonna be a log of two angry, traumatized teenagers in mourning. this space will be updated as needed
BONUS: [title & cut text source, aka mood music]

[It's been a while since they hung out. After the whole axe-throwing thing, it was pretty common for Kyoko and Tidus to just go out and find things to do out in the city, shoot the shit... You know, regular teenager stuff. As if it hasn't been forever since she's done this kind of thing. As if they weren't in a city where they'd been dragged against their wills, where they couldn't tell when they were being watched. As if they hadn't both been dead before all this happened.

It broke up her routine of scouring the city for witches. Which... She's not used to being a good thing.

But: it's been a while since they hung out. Kyoko doesn't think twice about it. She's not so self-important to think that he's always going to want to seek her out, or to expect his time. She's used to living freely, always on her own schedule, never at anyone's beck and call. That's been her life for the past couple years, ever since she gave up on trying to go to school and pretend to be normal. And besides, he was busy stressing out about not being able to get in contact with his girlfriend, as he'd told her the last time they'd talked. Kyoko had thought it was best to give him the space to get that shit sorted out.

Later, she's going to reflect back on that, and realize that's precisely why she should've tried to at least touch base with him when he went radio silent himself. The last time she broke schedule, went off the map... Mami had to come track her down.

But: that's in her future. Right now, she's meeting up with him down at the dorm building front doors, because they're finally going to hang out again. She stands against a wall while she waits, holding an open bag with one hand as she digs out chips with the other.]

Comments

[wishalone]

[He --

There's another record scratch in Kyoko's brain, but this one's even louder and more disruptive than the last.

And then... She starts laughing. It doesn't fit the mood, but she can't help it. She's laughing hard enough she's clutching her sides with one arm and holding herself up on the crates with the other, box of pocky dropped in her lap.]

You... teach me... magic...

[That doesn't help explain anything, does it?]

[blitzcheer]

[ Wha--

This is clearly an insult on his person and he is going to start getting defensive! ]

H-hey, I can do it! It's gonna take some work -- [ ok a lot of work but!! ] -- but it'll be worth it! We should try!

[ Kyoko PLEASE he knows he's the least qualified person to be teaching any magic, but he's trying here!! ]

[wishalone]

[He has no idea. He has absolutely no idea, and Kyoko can't even begin to explain it to him.

At least not in words.

She hadn't planned on telling him -- It's not personal. She hadn't planned on telling anyone. And maybe this is more impulsive than it should be, but Kyoko is suddenly jumping up to her feet anyway, up on top of the crates, balancing there as she crams her pocky box into her hoodie pocket. Despite her rickety foundation, she kicks off the crates and flips over Tidus' head, landing behind him on the pavement, grinning like the cat that got the cream.]

You think you're gonna teach me somethin' about magic?

[Kyoko holds her hand out, first two fingers extended. The gem of her silver ring flashes red sparks, glows, the shimmering red light taking the shape of an egg, then solidifying, held up between those upheld fingers just long enough for Tidus to get a good look at it. A flick of her wrist, and it bursts into red light again. The light coats her arm -- She clasps her hands in front of her heart as if in prayer, and it coats both arms -- her entire torso -- She's tapping and kicking out her feet in quick dance steps, and the light wraps around her legs -- Her entire body enveloped in magic, alight and flickering like flame as she spins. All the while, her hands separate, at first just a few inches, then farther and farther, a golden shaft appearing between them, as if she's pulling it into existence from nothing.

When she stops, she's wielding a spear longer than she is tall, and the light has snapped into place as new clothing: a long red dress, edged with white ruffles, open in the front to show the red pleated skirt underneath, high black socks, tall red boots, arms covered up to her biceps in white sleeves with black cuffs. And, right at the base of her high collar, the last of the magical light flares, opening like an eye, manifesting as a red oval gemstone.

To really show off, she lets it all flutter as if in a high wind, even flaring her ponytail dramatically behind her.

Her grin really can't be described as anything other than "shit-eating" now. She gives her spear a twirl with the kind of ease that suggests it's a natural part of her body.]

I'm pretty sure it should be the other way 'round.

[blitzcheer]

[ Kyoko's initial moves don't fill Tidus in. She had acted like magic was an incredulous concept at the dance, had turned down the halfhearted offer to try and teach her back then. You don't need magic to know how to jump and flip, so Tidus follows her movements without expectation, turning on his feet without a clue for what was to come.

Because even if this had been his own world - the world he'd come to think his - would he have been able to anticipate it? He stands wide-eyed, her intentions made: to show him, the shit-eating grin she wears just the icing on her raspberry-coloured cake. Full outfit. Magical stones. She even has a spear.

What the heck!?

He continues to stand dumbfounded a second longer after she speaks before finally snapping out of it -- and he jabs a solo forefinger out at her. ]

You lied!

[ He's not angry. He's offended.

And more than he just was! ]

[wishalone]

Don't take it so personally. [Based on the playful lilt in her voice, it doesn't sound like she thinks he's actually taking it all that hard. She gives her spear another spin and then plants the end against the pavement.] Magical girls don't tell other people they're magical girls. It's better that way.

You should be flattered. Nobody else here has any clue.

[blitzcheer]

Real honoured.

[ The sarcasm roles off his tongue without any weight, but you don't have to dig too deep to find the fond note in it. Still there's a justified frown worn across Tidus's mouth, but the side of it tugs as a thought brews, his gaze flickering to the mess surrounding the wall close.

Magical girl. She's got a weapon that puts him at an instant disadvantage, but does that mean he should give up now?

As if. Tidus starts to walk--lifting his chin up at her first before looking away. ]

So you're all magic now? Is being flashy part of the job?

[ But now he's eyeing the junk, without completely ignoring Kyokko. There's the axes somewhere closer to the pallets, but that's not what he wants. What he wants is...

not the same one he was bashing before, but a lengthier plank of wood amongst a few others. He tests the feel of it - horrible, the grip was going to be a problem -, and manages to catch it when he throws it spinning in the air easily.

Because there's not only one show off here. ]

[wishalone]

Duh. Have you never read a magical girl manga before? Do they even have those where you're from? [She lifts her spear and rests it across her shoulders, both hands casually curled around its pole. She taps the toes of one booted foot against the asphalt as she watches him walk over and picks up a new piece of wood. He weighs it, tosses it, catches it...

... and she makes a point of yawning broadly. Yeah, she's impressed. Uh-huh. Something about his attitude says that's not all he's got, but his opening moves are leaving a lot to be desired. Come on, already, she complains to herself.]