scene xxv

[encored]

ACTION;
A) [In the morning, Charles can be found living up to his actual age, being an old man and setting up a chessboard in the park! Someone save him before he starts feeding pigeons and wearing sweater vests. He doesn't seem to have a partner to play with. Not until you walk by, that is, at which point he smiles and gestures to the other side of the table.]

Why don't you take a seat? Let's have a match. [SUSPICIOUS... No, he's just that bored and in a rare social mood.]

B) [Or maybe you catch him a little later on, after he's packed away his chess set and is out walking his, uh... Horace. The giant beast actually seems pretty tame, all things considered, only stopping to sniff moving things (like you, whoops!) and occasionally making gross growling noises and drooling on the ground. So majestic.

For the unfortunate citizens, these two losers can also be found in much less docile situations - Charles trying to shoo his droolbeast away from a drone it's attempting to gnaw on, or perhaps Horace lolloping down the road with a few geese in its mouth.]

PHONE;
[And carrying on with the trend of being utterly unruffled by everything that happened over the weekend, Charles will pick up his phone in the early evening with a question for the masses.]

I'd like to know your opinion on concerts. Proper orchestral performances, I mean. Who here enjoys them? If something with that sort of music happened to be available in the city, would you attend? [His little fancy cultured self is starting to feel more deprived than usual okay... Having at least one other star performer now, all that's left is to gauge the interest of a potential audience.]

Comments

dear aki, o-oh... sou determined... *^*

[bloodsugar]

['horrible sense of style' more like WHAT sense of style amirite...

welp let him just barrel over any negative implications in that statement and hear what he wants, okay? okay.]

A~hh, you don't have to be so dramatic, Charles~! How does it go? The harder they protest, the more they would obviously miss and pang and long after you when you're gone...

Don't you worry! I'm not going anywhere, okay? I'll be here for a long, long time to be your steadfast friend... so no tears are necessary! Honestly, hearing you play this kind of card only makes me wonder if you're afraid of losing such a beloved camaraderie as we share... are you lamenting that possibility~? Do you need a hug...?

[because he's fully prepared to give you one...}

dear mako, it is the way of the aki

[encored]

[POINTS FOR EFFORT OKAY points for effort. wow it really is hard dealing with an emotional weeble-wobble though. hdu not react to any of his milder taunts and insults!! he's going to have to step up his game at this rate and that won't be good for anyone...]

I've never heard a paraphrase that's longer than the actual phrase before. Either way, that's incorrect. That wasn't a protest so much as a statement of truth. I can't promise no tears though, not with the prospect of you being here for so very long hanging over my head like a storm cloud. [SIGH]

If you so much as try to touch me, the mouse will be making a nice snack of your hands.

dear aki, so i wonder what your theme song sounds like...

[bloodsugar]

[bring your A-game Charles, BRING IT. hideous games of chicken must commence one day, right...]

Now, now...! Wearing such a sour expression might cause your face to freeze that way, and how could we have that~? That baby face is one of your charming points, Charles! Are you really so keen on ruining it~?

[perpetually-ignoring-threats.jpg]

dear mako, i will include it in this tag

[encored]

[for your listening pleasure

BUT YES CLEARLY he will win this future game of chicken and relish in Abel's tears, it will be a beautiful day.

for now though he'll just be busy looking insulted. baby face baby face that is always the exact opposite of what he wants to hear.]

Don't be daft, this face doesn't look that young. [self consciously putting a hand to his cheek anyway...] But I wouldn't have to worry about permanent twists starting to take hold if I didn't have to deal with the idiocy that causes these expressions, you know. If anyone's ruining anything here, it's you.

dear aki, i just choked on my water. now i'm dead.

[bloodsugar]

[abel's tears ahem are we jumping to conclusions here...!!! it'll be CHARLES crying and throwing a temper tantrum upon his inevitable defeat, okok.

oh yes, because that is totally manly. holding your cheek and looking affronted at being called a baby face. yes.]

You're practically an infant! Why, I could simply pinch those cute widdle cheeks...

[yes, here is he again, ignoring the relevant points and

taking a step forward, wiggling his fingers as if pinching his cheeks is exactly what Abel intends to do at this very moment...]

dear mako, i was so shocked by your sudden death i forgot the subject line

[encored]

[HE MAY THROW TEMPER TANTRUMS BUT HE NEVER CRIES...! ...no okay he's actually gotten slack before over being a crybaby but those were really stressful times okay. hopefully nothing abel will ever find himself replicating!!

he tries so hard to be everything but a kid and fails so miserably...]

You do seem very intent on losing yourself a few fingers today, don't you. [HUFFING AND PUFFING] Honestly, a face like this is more irritation than its worth.

dear aki, this is what your theme song did to me... you have only yourself to blame!!

[bloodsugar]

[really stressful times

inevitable after chicken...

it's okay, Charles. at least you have Ciel to give you headpats.]

A-aww... how cute are you when you screw your face up in such an indignant expression?! [yes this is baby talk, and yes he's advancing to come and pinch your cheeks...]

DEAR MAKO I CAN'T SAVE YOU NOW i can't even save myself

[encored]

[it's true, he'll take solace where he can get it okay]

I would suggest you keep in mind exactly who and what you're talking at so stupidly right now.

[DOES HE REALLY WANT TO ADVANCE ON A PUNCH-HAPPY PERSON really... because if he does get into the range of Charles's arms he will be getting just that; a swift punch.....]

NO AKI NO DON'T GO DOWN THE PATH OF THE LOST!!

[bloodsugar]

[oh yes, he really does fully intend to pinch at Charles' cheeks!! and it will be

incredibly suspicious when Charles' fist starts flying toward him that he trips over some ~~mysterious~~ cracks in the sidewalk, only to faceplant right toward said Chiropteran with a sudden squawk--!!

oh no whatever shall they do?!]

going going gone... it's ok i'll still send flowers to your grave

[encored]

[someone here needs to severely brush up on their grace and poise...!

but yes wow funny that, his reflexes kick in pretty fast and he will literally be reaching toward Abel as soon as he starts falling at him! but... not out of any act of kindness, sadly... more because if he actually catches Abel it will put him in the perfect position to fling him over his back.]

oh flowers you say... what kind?

[bloodsugar]

[grace and poise have no place here. you know this, my son... look into your heart......

--OH GOOD LORD IN HEAVEN-- that squawk is succeeded by another, far less squeaky and far more... yell-y sort -- and Abel is jutting his hands out to grip at Charles' shirt sleeves...

oh this grip is surprisingly tight, isn't it? either he's going to rip your PRECIOUS CLOTHING or you might be taking a tumble with the momentum, too, dear boy whoops!! however did THAT happen--?]

wait no i changed my mind you get pitcher plants

[encored]

[HE WAS PREPARED FOR TOMFOOLERY THIS TIME!! or at least, prepared in the sense that his balance is hardly toppled even though Abel's big fat self should be more than enough to tip him over.

his shirt, on the other hand, is much less prepared for the sudden assault. THERE GOES SOME NICE TAILORED SLEEVES. now he really looks ready to kill...]

I have never in my life had the utter, absolute misfortune of meeting someone so physically inept! What is wrong with you? [yes Charles like you aren't at fault despite being the one to try flinging him to his death...]

...whatever i'll take what i can get, at least my death is mourned...

[bloodsugar]

[...ooph.

he has the grace, at least, not to immediately rise and continue his cheek-assault; instead, he'll be laying here in a heap where he's been so CRUELLY displaced!! there's this terribly whiny and decidedly pathetic groaning going on over here as Charles prattles on about his ~MISFORTUNE~ and all... sorry, but we can't hear you right now over the sound of our own melodrama!!]

B-- broke something, I think I broke something that time... Am I dead--? This horrible pain surely must be fatal--!!

[he's rubbing his hip (as you know, he's an old man or whatever) and looking suitably woe-begotten. woe. ...woe, Charles... WOE... are you pitying him yet? you should be.]

yes look on the... bright side........

[encored]

[no, there is no trace of pity in his entire person... in fact, if Abel doesn't roll out of the way or otherwise attempt to stop him, Charles will be planting a foot square on his shoulder and leaaaning down.]

I'll deliver to you all of the pains of fatality if you don't pay for a tailor to have this fixed. [HOLDING HIS ARM OUT. his poor sleeve is ripped, there is no time for mourning over broken bones or backs or old man knees in the face of this sort of tragedy!]

/eyes glimmer with optimistic tears of hope...

[bloodsugar]

[oh god why Charles-- he will make an excellent show of clutching Charles' ankle, giving another squawk of pain at being manhandled in such an abysmally heartless fashion!! how could you?! but they're friends babby bat what are you doing--?!]

--All the pains of-- [pardon, he has to pause to wheeze as if this very threat has stolen the breath from his lungs.]

Wh-- why on earth would you go and say something like that?! Charles, don't you know that's really scary?!? What if you induced some... TERROR COMA talking like that?! You'd have to go the rest of your days with that grievous sin on your conscience, weighing you down-- not to mention the tragedy my passing would leave on your poor soul!! Think of yourself, if not everyone else, p-- please!!

quietly hands a tissue and floats away on a breeze...

[encored]

[ew gross now he's going to have to wash his ankle off later. so inconsiderate!!

anyway LOOMING AND SHIFTING HIS IMPRESSIVE WEIGHT ONTO THAT ONE FOOT. except it's not a very impressive weight at all but whatever, he can try... tailored clothing care is serious business okay wandering Vatican priests just wouldn't understand! (even if they totally should with all the detailing on those robes abel pls)]

My, what a wonderful idea! Please save me the headache of having to deal with you myself and drop into a coma. In fact, go into one immediately. The sooner the better.

1/2

[bloodsugar]

[...oh that's a very

interesting face you've got on there did anyone tell you that]

2/2

[bloodsugar]

[--no, no!! focus!! he's trying to displace his foot (honestly this doesn't really hurt but he's hamming it up as much as possible for melodrama's sake; what else would you expect) -- giving a pitiable cough.]

Wh-- what?! Why are you being so mean to me?! Whatever have I done to you but be your unfailingly loyal and beloved best friend, Charles--?! Th... think I'm going to cry, I--

[encored]

[his weight is pretty impressive when he puts it to good use!! like when he flings himself out of windows and onto the ribcages of unsuspecting people passing by his house......

but he's giving Abel a 'gum on the bottom of my shoe' look, nose wrinkling at the mention of potential water works.]

What, so you can ruin my shoes with the salt in it? Was my shirt not enough collateral damage for you today? [letting his foot be displaced... but only so he can further invade abel's personal bubble by jabbing a finger into his chest.] It's your own fault you got the both of us into this mess, so I expect you to take responsibility for it.

[bloodsugar]

[...Charles why. why would you do that. don't you know people use their ribcages? why. this is why we can't have nice things.

--oh my a finger in his chest, too? this is just getting OUTRAGEOUS now (because a finger is worse than his shoe in his shoulder right? are we graduating to higher or sinking to lower levels now, does one dare to ask...)]

--I'm a poor, IMPOVERISHED PRIEST vowed to a simpleton's life of penniless!! What do you want from me?! That shirt probably costs more than my full month's wages, Charles--!! Y-- you're just picking on me because we haven't been spending time together, aren't you--?! L... look, I'm s- sorry that I hurt your feelings, but this is no way for you to behave at all!! I get the message, and we'll be inseparable from now on to avoid this kind of thing from repeating, so just let off, would you?!

[encored]

[ribcages are still functional even when broken!!

and yes now they've graduated (or sunk??) to him grabbing Abel by the collar instead. sometimes he just can't contain his innate urges to throttle and choke everything that irritates him, it is a terrible affliction...]

I don't want an excessive amount of your presence in my life, I just want you to pay for the damages done to my shirt! Why is that so difficult for you to comprehend?

[bloodsugar]

R-- eally!! You don't have to pretend at being the tough guy, I-- I get it, okay?! I promise, I won't so much as let you out of my sight--! [he's holding his hands placatingly, eyes shimmering with heartfelt tears...]

I won't deny you the affection you feel you've been denied, and... and I sincerely and whole-heartedly apologize from the depths of my heart to have s-so... so callously hurt you--! P... please forgive me, and give me a chance to repent, Charles!!

[encored]

Pay for my shirt-!! [SHAKING HIM NOW. he is very single-minded in his pursuits sometimes... all of those teary apologies and heart-felt pleas for forgiveness will have to wait for a time when Charles isn't dealing with ripped cuffs.....]

[bloodsugar]

[alksjdlkjf this is a very jumbled reply, with the shaking--]

--haVEN'T gotTEN anY muh-- [...] ney--

[wow, it's almost like you can hear that singular braincell rattling around in there! are you listening?!]

[encored]

[why yes, yes he is! abel's head is practically its own maraca]

Then make some money and pay me back! [drops his handful of collar with a huff and dusts his hands off like he'd just touched something underneath a public bus seat by accident...]

Now I need to go all the way back to my house to change. I only just got out here, you know. That stupid mouse takes a day and a half to walk anywhere and now I have to go right back the way I came.