ya gotta wanna be a battering ram

[headandhand]

WHO: The entire dang city.
WHAT: Dualis Days, a week-long summer celebration.
WHERE: Central Square Park and the rest of the city.
WHEN: June 17-23.
WARNINGS: Terrorist violence, likely some blood and injuries. Please warn in individual threads!

June 17; Central Square Park.

Every year for as far back as anyone can remember, the start of summer is heralded by the week-long festival known as Dualis Days. This celebration officially kicks off at midday in the middle of Central Square Park with a commencement speech by the current mayor. This year marks Marcelina Dubanowski's third term as mayor of Dualis; she is an average-sized, middle-aged human-presenting woman with blonde hair styled in a short bob and a plastic, toothy smile that never seems to turn entirely off.

"Welcome, one and all!" she begins, with the practiced cadence of someone who is quite comfortable with public speaking. She invites all citizens, new and old, to spend the next week indulging in festivities in all districts of the city and getting to know their neighbors a little better. This is a joyous time of celebration, and the crowd responds with enthusiastic applause as the mayor finishes her speech and introduces this year's parade marshall, Peshtigo Tengfei.

Tengfei blows a whistle six times to signal the start of the parade - and this is where the celebration goes sideways.

A loud explosion tears through the air, and it's followed by panicked screams and the sharp screech of microphone feedback. A bomb has gone off at the platform where the mayor was standing, collapsing the wood and tearing it to splinters and dust. Chaos erupts in the gathered crowd, and as the people shift in all directions to get clear of any possible additional bombs, a loud siren cuts through the cacophony, calling attention to the sudden crackle of video feed present on all television screens throughout the city, including those set up in the park to broadcast the mayor's speech for those standing far from the stage. The picture is plain, a black background and bold white block letters filling the screen:

WAKE UP
WAKE UP
DON'T BELIEVE THE LIES

The final image is an anatomical graphic of a human heart, displayed for about three seconds, and then the feed goes black again.

Confused murmurs sweep through the crowd as citizens resume tending to the injured and evacuating the area until official first responders arrive.

June 17-23; aftermath around the city.

Dualis Days continues as scheduled, though Mayor Dubanowski is unable to enjoy the festival, as she is spending the week in the hospital recovering from her injuries. A team of Iterations guard her door - no visitors allowed - but the news media frequently report updates on her condition. Nothing to worry about, folks! Return to your celebrations, and don't mind the increased visible presence of the Hand as Iterations are stationed every few blocks throughout the city. It's only for your protection, after all.

Comments

[firacrux]

What, what's wrong with pastries? Seifer just raises an eyebrow at that look, not even thinking about the fact that he'd forgotten to mention a very important detail.

One which Nida very nearly did indeed make him stumble over, well there was a stumble, not a full tumble. He coughed, looking alarmed. "Shit! That's right," It would appear he'd only just recalled his fateful meeting with one belted up Leonhart. Which did earn a barked laugh, probably not a reaction Nida wanted to hear right now.

"Hyne, they must hate you here. Yeah I ran into him, all tied up like a fuckin' mummy in those belts of his." Which, with the encounter being so humorous, made it stand out a lot less in the heat of bullshit. "Sorry, Nids, gotta admit it slipped my mind what with the whole bomb and Jason back from the dead thing."

Surprisingly well. It helped he got to screw with Squall for a good long while and get his "revenge" for Squall having the audacity to exist. It was very petty.

[skyward_eyes]

Later, later he was going to have fun with the mental image. For now he has to process the apology. Which is taken with a simple nod, even as his hand reaches out to lay on Seifer’s arm. The other goes to where his tags are under his shirt.

“He may have been my boss, and could probably get me to jump to orders before I thought about it, but you’re my brother before that. You’re my brother before I’m Billy’s boyfriend. You’re first. I need that to be clear here and now. Only other idiot that gets that priority is the one back in our hands who has the same rights.”

And Hyne is his face serious. This isn’t discussed. This isn’t anything but felt from the heart. And the weight on him over waiting for an answer is almost scary. Because he could lose something here, and he doesn’t want to.

“You don’t get to run or assume I am his man or any of that shit. You do get free reign to come and annoy him if you want it. I just... I need to know you aren’t going to freak out on me.”

[firacrux]

It was pretty hilarious, especially watching him drug along by two massive individuals hell bent on making him have some fun. Best way to run into the asshole, honestly. Seifer paused at the hand, frowning over at Nida. So serious all of the sudden, and here he just wanted to eat something fried and full of sugar.

He offered a small, reassuring smile. One of the few genuine ones he ever wears. "I know, Nida. You ain't goin' anywhere, and neither am I," He nodded to himself, as though reaffirming and sealing that claim within his mind. He's not leaving. No one is leaving.

"I think I'm alright. Funny, it's easier now I was able to look him in the eye, all spittin' like a pissed off cat, than imagining it." His mind had made it worse for him. Now that he could pick on Squall directly it was easier to remember that once upon a time he could put Squall on his ass. That he could keep him on his toes like no one's business. That, deep down, he wasn't some mythological being or even the one responsible for the shit they face.

Squall's just Squall. Ever pulled around by the tides surrounding him. "I'm gonna be okay." He repeats.

[skyward_eyes]

Gonna be okay. Well, Nida lives with that. He takes a soft breath and his expression softens. That’s all he needs. It’s everything. Nida hesitates for a moment before hauling Seifer into his arms for a hug. A tight one, as strong as his still toned arms can manage. His brother, not thinking he’s going to run. That means so much.

“Good. Because you are now my tool to annoy my roommate if I need it. Not that I intend to be there much. But he might be more tenable than whoever your roommate is.”

Then he pulls away from his brother and takes a breath. “Fried and terrible for me. For spite of SeeD Nomura who had spent all night in a clinic.

[firacrux]

Seifer lets out a confused sound at the unexpected hug, a few beats before winding his arms to squeeze Nida back. He wasn't expecting an emotional carnival trip, but here they are. It's taken some time but he's finally settling in well enough to trust that Nida means what he says. He's not going to leave. Neither is Seifer.

"Hah! Good. In that case you're gonna love hearin' that I pissed him off so much he forgot how to fight and fell on his own ass." Alright he was still mummified and Seifer wasn't playing fair at all. But it's totally hilarious and Seifer looks quite triumphant about the whole thing.

"Good 'cause I'm feelin' loaded with sugary strawberries and whatever that cream-cheese syrup stuff they've got is." They have some getting fat to do.

[skyward_eyes]

Oh dear, Seifer already managed that? At least that's something to work with he supposes. Frankly, though, he wishes he was there to see it. Because it would have been amazing to see Squall Leonhart fall on his ass over Seifer. Mostly because Nida had been put on his ass by Seifer more than a few times in the last months.

"The me that is your brother is a bit pleased at that mental image and wants to buy you that elephant ear so you don't have to pay. The me that is a SeeD has to ask if that was really necessary, could you please have beat him in a way that allowed more dignity? And the me that is deathly allergic to strawberries and didn't think to ask the doctors at the clinic I was at last night for epi-pens says you can buy your own elephant ear. Though the cream-cheese stuff sounds good."

Geez, this whole mess is getting complicated, isn't it? He only wishes that Rinoa was here for them too, to serve as a bit of a bridge between the two knights. Nida didn't even know where he wanted to stand with Squall at this point. All he'd gone through, all he'd suffered through, that hadn't been Squall's fault. Not even his own Squall's fault. Definitely couldn't put it on the kid Squall is now. Hyne, he's thinking about Squall Leonhart as a kid. There was something wrong with that. Fuck, he was dating someone not even that much older than Squall.

How had his life gotten to this point.

"After the snacks, though, I was going to look in on Jason. I didn't mean to bail on you two. It just... It was a lot to deal with so soon after everything that happened while I was home."

[firacrux]

Of course he did! Seifer doesn't waste time. Especially when it comes to fighting with Squall. Admittedly Seifer had a very unfair advantage that time, didn't mean it wasn't hilarious to watch him flail around in ineffectual rage.

"It was definitely necessary, hell no I ain't givin' him more dignity, and I assumed I was payin' anyway. Don't worry it's not like we're gonna make out after." It'll be fine Nida, they have healthcare! They don't know about it yet, but they have it! Listen sometimes he just wants strawberries can he really be blamed? Nida might as well if he weren't allergic.

Welcome to existential hell, Nida, are you sure you don't want to reconsider the strawberry filled death? No, don't do it, Seifer's just being an asshole and rubbing it in his face on accident. They're so good.

"Don't worry about it, I took care of him. You were pretty upset by the time we were done." He'd never seen Nida be quite that emotional and volatile in reaction before. Must have really hit him hard, seeing Jason alive again. Acting like the fool he always did.

[skyward_eyes]

“I’ve lost so much and so many people lately. I didn’t... I didn’t know how to handle. People that leave me don’t come back, Seifer. Elijah, he...”

Hyne he lost so much with that man. And Jason had been a horrid straw on top of that chocobo load. And frankly, he hadn’t handled it right. Some of what he’d done to Jason had just been leftover grief. Handled it poorly and now Jason was going to hate him.

“And it was like he was asking to get shocked.”

[firacrux]

"Hey," He reached over to pull Nida to him for a tight embrace. It's hard, losing loved ones. Nida's situation even worse for the circumstances it all went down in. "It's alright. I know. They're not supposed to come back..." And yet he had. Thank goodness for that, too. They weren't ready to let him go.

Jason won't hate him, Seifer's pretty sure he understands. With everything that had been going on no one could blame Nida for his outburst. He did have to chuckle at that last observation. "Probably, damned idiot doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut." Not that Seifer was any better, mind you. He can still insist he hasn't been tased yet.

[skyward_eyes]

Okay, apparently his turn for an unexpected hug.

“I just wish they did come back,” he whispers as he settles against his brother. Which is stupid. That isn’t how the world works. Except apparently here it is.

Still made him feel like a terrible brother.

“I... thanks. I swear you better not get killed. Again. Please.”

[firacrux]

Yes. And no slapping to accompany it.

"I think everyone does." He murmurs softly. It's why Garden's such a popular option, don't have to worry about your own people dying when you can send out strangers that no one will miss. Here, in this weird place, they get to break the rules apparently.

A huff. "Hey it ain't like I'm plannin' on it!" You never plan for that kind of thing. He'll be careful as he can.

[skyward_eyes]

This is stupid. He did something stupid that was going to make things difficult with Jason. But hey, at least Seifer and Jason could bond over Nida being stupid. Should be good for a laugh.

“I really need to come up with a way to make it up to him. Being a fucking moron and all. Hyne yesterday was too long. Wish I’d had more sleep.”

[firacrux]

He did do something stupid, Seifer wouldn't deny that. Rubbing it in didn't seem like it'd help anyone much right now, though, so he's just going to let it go. They smoothed things over for the most part, it'll get better. No one's laughing at his pain, don't worry.

"An apology might be a good place to start." Seifer clapped him on his back before finally releasing him slowly. Come on, snacks. They need snacks. "You're probably right. Not bein' stressed and exhausted would've helped."

[skyward_eyes]

“As if any of us are much good at those.”

He had tried, though. Hyne how he had tried. And in the end it had been too much. And he’d had to deal with another problem shortly after.

“Maybe I can try cooking dinner for us? I am getting good enough to make noodles.”

[firacrux]

"True, which is why it means more when it's genuine."

People who were good at lip service were harder to believe. The three of them were proud and awkward about such things. Maybe Jason just needed some time to detox and calm down. Sometimes what they needed was space.

"That's not a bad idea. I wouldn't mind a night off." Not that he minds the cooking, he loves cooking. But hey he likes being spoiled too.

[skyward_eyes]

"Oh, who said you were part of my intended 'us'?" Nida teases. Finally they arrive at the booth with these 'elephant ears.' "I'm not trying to win you back over."

And he still doesn't know if he's going to figure it out either. But he has to figure it out. Jason matters to him. But repairing things wasn't something he's ever learned.

[firacrux]

The highest eyebrow arching to date. "Oh really? If that's the way it is you can forget any tips or help from me. Asshole."

Yeah well Nida has to go first on the elephant ears, mister allergies. Seifer's just going to hang back, and maybe look a little sullen that he's being kicked out. Spends all night trying to clean up after him and this is the thanks he gets? Fine, he'll just feed Aqua, at least she appreciates it.

Mending things is hard.

[skyward_eyes]

"I have to prove that it's me apologizing, and not you facilitating," Nida explains. Because yeah, he has to be polite.

He does move forward and offer a few instructions for his elephant ear. And soon it's on a plate for him, and he seems pleased before he returns to Seifer .

"I was hoping you'd still be willing to teach me more, though. I get distracted when Billy tries to teach me."

Brother is more reliable.

[firacrux]

"You couldn't have just said that?" No reason to act like he's just unwelcome. He's not a mind reader, and will take people at their word. And take those words very personally sometimes. Sorry Nida he's not as good at the dry jabs game.

Once Nida has his Seifer can order his disgustingly strawberry and syrup covered monstrosity. He's going to have the worst stomach ache later and he's going to love it.

He huffs, and even though he's feeling very slightly wounded he's realized it's not personal so no, he won't take it out on Nida. "Yeah, of course. You know I'm happy to help." So don't be mean to him.

[skyward_eyes]

"You're a better chef than Billy is anyway. As much because you've taught yourself everything as because your food is damn good. Except that."

Nida's giving his brother wide berth now, because yes, he's very concerned about his health. But he'll stick around for a bit. Billy isn't expecting him just yet.

[firacrux]

"You're just jealous you can't enjoy it," It's so gooey and sugary and amazing. "Relax, I'm not gonna bite you." He's fairly certain that the strawberries aren't going to jump off his plate and bite him either. In fact, he'll make sure they're all soundly defeated for him.

"I'm glad you like my cooking though." He enjoys sharing. It's nice being able to do something nice. And not have to talk about it.

[skyward_eyes]

"Well, I can say for sure that everyone's pleased that it was never me in charge of meals back in the village. I wasn't even allowed to cook for the first dates I had with Billy."

Death by food poisoning would have been horrid. So of course he's grateful to his brother, who will be receiving part of Nida's put aside pay check to cover groceries.

[firacrux]

Seifer just snickered, yeah he's not surprised. No offense Nida but you're not great in the kitchen. "Good thing you still got me around, huh?" Just let him feel a little useful he's not good for much else.

Yes that would have been, and he'll appreciate the help with groceries. He's going to browbeat everyone who eats to pitch in for the cost. He'll cook, he just wants help covering it.

[skyward_eyes]

"I'll always want you around," Nida smiles warmly at his brother. "Now more than ever."

And he feels like it's a fair statement. Seifer just... accepts him. And calls him on his stupidity. And forces him to stay sharp in ways no one else does.

Not to mention people didn't understand what he'd gone through quite like Seifer could.

[firacrux]

"Alright," He does look relieved, even offering a small though genuine smile. Nida should know by now he gets paranoid and a little wound up when he thinks he's being pushed out. They all have their issues. "Good. Well, then you guys have a good meal. Hope he calms down soon."

It's what he's there for! Glad to always be there to make sure no one's resting on their laurels when they could always be getting better.

And that, their shared experience, their traumas and life in Garden, they both understand better than most could what it is to have lived that particular life. Seifer had never made SeeD, but being a Sorceress' puppet is close enough.