savetheweak | ic inbox for labyrinthum

[Something about that question catches Oda off guard. It feels personal somehow, even given its simplicity. He's not ashamed of the answer, only himself - and he still doesn't know exactly why Haruaki's here, or what kind of apology he might owe him.

[He rolls the pill bottle back and forth between his palms, then flips the cap open and knocks a few back. He sets the bottle back down on the coffee table between them.]

Thanks, Abe-sensei.

It was a friend of mine. Dolph Laserhawk's his name.

[ Ah, the tall guy... Haruaki doesn't know him well at all, but now he at least knows he's a good enough guy to be a friend of Odasaku's and to help him out in a time of need.

He nods, quiet for a moment before prodding gently. ]

It's scary. Isn't it? Losing control of yourself like that, I mean...

[ He still remembers what it was like to watch a part of his soul hunt down his students with no mercy. ]

I'm glad someone was able to reach you. And I hope you're not beating yourself up about it.

[It's rather bold of Abe to assume things like fears or one's proclivity to beat themself up. Maybe Oda should be irritated by his new friend's presumptions, but he isn't. All he can think is that Abe himself must have gone through something similar.]

I wouldn't necessarily say I was afraid...

[He wasn't the last time he lost control of himself either. He doesn't really operate on fear.]

It's hard to explain. I was just...doing my job.

[Oda closes his eyes, shakes his head.]

Anyway. I'm glad too. [He doesn't address beating himself up.] You managed to stay safe, didn't you, Abe-san?

[ Weirdly, Haruaki perks up at that, a bright smile blooming over his face as he shakes his head. ]

Not really! Someone who was transformed into one of the flying crystal monsters almost killed me! [ He has no idea who it was still. ] I got away, though. Just call me Lucky-Aki!

[Oda's eyebrows subtly raise.]

Well, shit. I guess so. I'm glad you're alright now.

Do you have any way of protecting yourself? [He hates to doubt it, but...kind of doubts it.] Some tough friends around, at least?

[ Eh... ]

I'm pretty sure if anything hurt me, Takahashi-sensei would take care of it...

[ Shudder. ]

The guy who usually looks out for me isn't here and I don't have my powers back yet, so I guess I shouldn't be so reckless, huh?

It can be hard to avoid in this place. The sooner you can get your powers back, whatever they are, I'd recommend it...

They only work against youkai, though, so I think I'm pretty screwed either way...

[ Which. Is a problem. But it only gives Haruaki thoughtful, concerned pause for a moment before he brushes it off, back to a sunny grin. ]

I'm sure I'll figure it out, I always do!

Not to be a pessimist... [Is he a pessimist? He might be a pessimist.]

Everyone here ends up screwed eventually. You never know how much good you'll end up doing either.

Stick close to your friends.

[ It's fine if Odasaku is a pessimist; it hardly makes a dent in Haruaki's optimism. Even when things are difficult or frightening, he has faith in the hand that's been guiding his life. ]

I will, Odasaku. Ah, but I don't want to keep you too long! You should be resting!

[ He stands up then, goes back to the bag of medicines emptied onto the table and rifles through it once more. ]

I do have one more thing for you, if that's okay?

Abe-san...

[It's a lot, isn't it? After only speaking once or twice?]

That's nice of you. I don't need much, you know.

[ Haruaki just waves that off, turns away for a moment back to the bag, then crosses over to hand Odasaku a paperback book. ]

I've been looking around the library in my spare time. I can't believe how many books there are from different worlds! I don't have time to read them all... but sometimes I find ones I've already read. Like this!

[ The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea. Considering who Odasaku is, who his housemate is, Haruaki can't reasonably assume that the book existed in their world. Maybe no classic Japanese literature does– in which case, he has some serious gaps in Odasaku's education to fill! ]

It's from the perspective of some rowdy teenagers, so I want to assign it to my students one day, but they're not at that level yet... I hope you'll enjoy it.

[It's thoughtful. He and Abe have connected over things like writing, literature, past lives, and borrowed names. His fingers brush over the title on the cover. He looks at his friend in that way that might as well be smiling, though he's not sure that he actually does. He holds the book up between them like they're toasting.]

I'll start reading tonight. Something to do while I'm recovering.

Thanks, Abe-san...

[ Haruaki holds both his fists up in front of his chest, fighting! style, as if to toast back. ]

You're welcome, Odasaku. I'll let you rest now, okay?

[ He doesn't wait for an answer, already gathering his things up to head for the door–

Where he pauses and turns back with a more mischievous little grin. ]

Oh, and when you feel better... make sure you go admire your gargoyle~

ic inbox for labyrinthum

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part of his soul did what now

: ) i guess you'll find out

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do you know how hard it was to find an author not in bsd

my bsd oc stephanie meyer

stop....... she can be his landlord after thoreau retires. ALSO WRAPT?