[Open] April Catch-All

[thetaintedsorrow]

Who: Chuuya Nakahara (thetaintedsorrow) & you!
What: Event aftermath and various shenanigans
When: April
Where: Olympia
Warning(s): None yet, but NSFW will be marked if it happens



I. Bird is the Word

[To all those familiar with Chuuya, the news of the mystery egg he’d magically acquired finally hatching isn’t surprising, nor is the news that it’s a bird. However, what they may not know is that Apollo (a name carefully chosen for his precious child) has grown into something quite flashy in the past month. A royal flycatcher, to be precise, with beautiful plumage to rival any peacock. It’s quite fitting that Apollo is tiny and beautiful, considering who his mother is, but don’t tell Chuuya that.

He’s quite an energetic little thing, and Chuuya can be found out and about in town with the little guy perched on top of his hat, or in the mansion with Apollo perched on his shoulder.

Should anyone get close (within five feet) of Chuuya, they’ll find themselves with a faceful of feathers and an earful of chirps as Apollo checks them out, up close and personal. Of course Chuuya is amused.]

Looks like he likes you.

II. Shots, Shots, Shots

[Chuuya can also be found, sans Apollo, in one of the multitude of bars located around town. He’s currently nursing a glass of fireball whiskey, but anyone who approaches him for either company or simply to harass him will be abruptly challenged to a drinking contest. God bless your soul if you take him up on it.

Should they decline he’ll simply shrug and continue sipping at the amber liquid in his glass.

Either way, they’ll receive this greeting: ]

You here for booze or company?

III. Among the Stars

[Lastly, Chuuya will make a trip to Thesa Station to see all the newly awakened refugees. He can be found checking out the stasis pods, hanging around in one of the lounge areas, or simply indulging in a glass of wine at the mess hall.

He’ll have Apollo on his shoulder, but don’t be afraid. He won’t peck your eyes out. Chuuya may very well try it though, if you see fit to call him tiny. Otherwise he’ll be friendly enough, no matter where he’s approached on the station.]

How’s it going?

IV. Wildcard!

[Surprise me! Or plot things with me! I’m over at arcanestardust!]

Comments

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Lucky for Atsushi Apollo is simply curious, and instead of a peck on the head, the tiny bird lands on top of it, making himself at home in Atsushi’s hair with a few whistles and peeps. Meanwhile Chuuya is busy play-fighting with a very enthusiastic Daifuku. Listen, he’ll get a job soon; he’s just pet sitting right now, that’s all.

He glances up when the door opens, chuckling at Apollo’s complete disregard for Atsushi’s personal space.]

He figured out how to fly pretty damn quick.

[Chuuya glances at the bags in Atsushi’s hands.]

Go on a shopping spree?

[gekkajuu]

[Cue Atsushi trying to look cross-eyed up at his own hair. Of course - Chuuya's bird! Atsushi didn't think it'd fly so quickly. Putting the bags down, he reaches up to carefully pick Apollo out of his hair.]

Hm? Oh... I didn't mean to, but... everyone was very impressed by that brooch I was given. One thing led to another, and... suffice to say, I got enough free samples that I could skip lunch. But I had to buy things at least once in a while...

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Apollo has other plans, it seems, and when Atsushi plucks him out of his hair he simply flits over to Daifuku and lands on the cub’s head with a chirp. What a bold little thing.

Chuuya huffs at Atsushi’s explanation; is he the only one the goddamn city that didn’t get one of those things?]

Well. At least you got free food.

[Chuuya wanders over to peruse what Atsushi brought home.]

Any free booze in here?

[gekkajuu]

Yes! That is: it wasn't free, but it was a really good deal, and I wanted you to have something...

[Not that Atsushi has any idea that Chuuya is jealous of the brooch, but it was even harder to unintendedly buy things for himself without buying off some of the guilt by getting other people things, too. Besides, it had been a special offer for him as a hero, and he did get that gold as well...]

There you go!

[A nicely wrapped bottle of something-or-other for you! Not that Atsushi knows what to expect of it, exactly.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Wait...Atsushi bought him something? With his own money? Even if it was on sale or whatever, Chuuya is incredibly surprised that Atsushi would think to get him something.]

Thanks...

[Chuuya takes the bottle and unwraps it, and...oh god, this is fucking hilarious. It’s the same exact kind of wine that Chuuya had snatched from Simwe’s palace during the riots...

And god damn if it wasn’t the best wine he’s ever tasted.]

This is good shit.

[A few peeps from Apollo echo Chuuyas approval. It’s not sunflower seeds, but it makes his Master happy, and Apollo seems to sense that.]

You wanna share it with me?

[gekkajuu]

Me?! I don't really -... That is: I'm still a minor.

[By Japanese standards - and apparently being on a different planet hasn't made him feel any less like he shouldn't drink and do certain other things. But then, in some ways, it feels good to not be an adult yet. He should probably have his life in order by the time he turns 20.

Not that he hasn't drunk since coming here, but... that was always unwittingly, and it tended to end poorly.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

Eh? You drank before, at the bar.

[Atsushi pls, live a little.

Chuuya simply shrugs; he’s not about to force it on the guy.]

Suit yourself.

[Apollo flits back over to Atsushi, this time resting on his shoulder with a chirp. No doubt he’s wondering where his treat is, considering that anytime Chuuya goes out without him he brings him something back. As if Atsushi should know that Chuuya’s pet is spoiled beyond belief.]

Daifuku tried catching him earlier. Didn’t work.

[gekkajuu]

I... guess I did.

[And that had seemed to make sense at the time - he'd felt pressured by the bartender - yet in this context -... It's strange how many things Atsushi keeps telling himself about himself that are only partial truths at best; it's stranger still how he can be aware of them and still believe them to a point.]

... Then, I'd like to try a little. But just a little!

[He needs to get over the many ways he keeps bringing himself down.

Ohhhh look at that birdy, so close~! Atsushi gives Apollo a sidelong glance, not wanting to scare him off by turning his head completely.]

Sorry about that, Apollo. Daifuku is a little enthusiastic sometimes.

[thetaintedsorrow]

Sure thing.

[As if it’s possible to only drink a little of this particular wine. Well, when you’re Chuuya, at least.

Chuuya will head to the kitchen to grab two wine glasses, completely forgetting about Atsushi’s bags. Real nice, Chuuya. At least Apollo sticks around, though he’s of absolutely no help as he takes a piece of Atsushi’s hair in his beak and plays with it.]

More like poor Daifuku. He got a nice peck to the head. No bleeding or anything though.

[Chuuya pops open the wine, licking his lips in anticipation before pouring them both a glass.]

This is some real good shit.

[Ah, it smells incredible! Chuuya can’t wait to savor it.

He holds Atsushi’s glass out for him to come get it.]

Bet everyone wanted your attention with that little trinket, huh? Not just the salesmen, either.

[gekkajuu]

Really!? Well, that will teach him a lesson.

[Atsushi likes how rambunctious Daifuku can be, but it's reassuring to know that Chuuya's tiny little bird can defend itself. If Daifuku hurt it by accident, Atsushi would never forgive himself.

It's fine: Atsushi just puts down the bags a little further from the door - even if there's no actual genkan, it's hard not to treat the space as such - moving very carefully so as to not disturb Apollo. It's probably exaggerated, but he's trying to be considerate. (Or he's just a scaredy-cat; could be that.)]

I suppose so...? [Atsushi: still missing the point completely. But he walks over and accepts that glass, anyway.] It's a little embarrassing, having everyone treat me as a hero. I wasn't all that heroic...

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Apollo isn’t so easily bothered; Atsushi will literally have to shoo him away, otherwise he’s simply going to sit on his shoulder and preen his feathers like the little diva he is. Looks like he takes after his mother in wanting to look his absolute best.

Chuuya takes a sip of the wine, humming in approval as the finely aged liquid coats his tongue.]

Well, if even the empress noticed you, then you must be doing something right.

[Should he bring up the harem thing again?

Hm. Nah. Not yet.]

Go ahead. Try it.

[Chuuya nods at the wine glass. What a good influence.]

[gekkajuu]

[Chuuya really doesn't need to bring up the harem thing again: Atsushi blushes like mad at the mere suggestion of it.]

She didn't notice me like that!

[Except for the harem part, but that was a joke. Probably. Maybe...

Atsushi pouts, but still accepts the glass. Sniffing it, he decides it definitely smells... like wine. But maybe a little softer than usual?

He takes a sip, and it's still a little sour for his taste, but really not bad. Wine is not likely to become his favorite anytime soon, but it's doable.]

It's delicious!

[thetaintedsorrow]

[It sure is fun to watch Atsushi flip out like that. No wonder everyone loves messing with him.]

Uh huh. Sure.

[Chuuya is honestly surprised that Atsushi seems to like the wine; no offense, soosh, but your palette doesn’t exactly seem refined.]

Sure is.

[It’s then that Chuuya is struck with a brilliant (in his mind) idea.]

What if I set up a bar in the house? I can mix up anything and everything.

[He takes another sip of his wine, and Apollo, bored with all this talk, flits off to go find a certain cub to pester.]

You could invite over whatever buddies you want.

[gekkajuu]

[Well, Chuuya did say that the wine was supposedly "real good shit", so Atsushi can't exactly say it sucks! It's just common politeness. Still, it's not so gross that he can drink it. Good enough??]

That sounds like a good idea!

[It's strange to hear "buddies" and automatically want to say he doesn't have any... only to realize that he actually does. Atsushi smiles at the reminder, feeling his chest grow warm. (Could also be the wine, really...)]

I wonder what would be the best place for it?

I know you said we could just handwave it BUT

[thetaintedsorrow]

Wait, really?

[Somehow he didn’t think Atsushi would so readily agree. He can’t say he’s upset about it, though.]

Probably the living room. It’s got enough space, and opens up onto the terrace.

[There probably shouldn’t be such a pleased look in Chuuya’s eyes considering his booze problem, but there it is.]

Heh. It could be my birthday present to myself.

[gekkajuu]

[To be fair, Atsushi may come to regret it, if Chuuya destroys the house when drunk someday. But on the whole, it seems safer to drink at home? So it's fine!]

"My birthday"... Is your birthday coming up, Chuuya-san?

[Man, Chuuya is really into the idea of having a bar, isn't he? Atsushi is starting to Get Ideas.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Listen, he won’t do it on purpose, at least.]

Yeah. End of the month. April 29th.

[Not that he’s expecting anything whatsoever. This is the most he’s shared when it comes such simple facts about his life in quite a while.]

When’s yours?

[gekkajuu]

[At least don't destroy the neighbors' houses, too?! Repairing their own is doable; having to repair everyone else's would just be embarrassing.]

I see!

[Oh gosh... He wants to do this now. He really wants to install a bar as a surprise for Chuuya's birthday! It will cost a lot of money, but... it would be absolutely worth it.

Okay, maybe that's also the wine talking - but not only the wine!]

Mine is May 5th. We're pretty close together~

[thetaintedsorrow]

May, huh? How old are you gonna be?

[Not an intrusive question at all! Not that Atsushi probably minds; Chuuya knows for a fact that he’s older than the boy, and he’s never been self-conscious about his age, so.

Actually...]

Guess my age. I wanna know how old you think I am.

[gekkajuu]

19... Well, time worked a little funny when we first arrived, so I don't know if the number counts for anything anymore.

[He's still happy to celebrate birthdays, though. Of course he is. It's the little things that matter!

Guessing Chuuya's age, though...]

Hmm... [He gives Chuuya a long, hard look, trying to give a proper estimate. Of course Chuuya is older than him... The guy seems a lot more mature than him, too. And he's so good at fighting...

But it's hard to guess ages! Atsushi doesn't quite feel like he's living up to his own age yet, and then you have super mature people like Dazai and Kunikida, and people like Ranpo who act like a child even if they're older...

... HE'S THINKING ABOUT THIS TOO LONG, why does it feel like a quiz?!]

Maybe... 25?

[thetaintedsorrow]

It counts.

[If it doesn’t then he’ll have to think about it even harder, which he doesn’t want to do right now. He’s already well into a third glass of wine, after all, so the time for seriously pondering things is over. At least his guess that Atsushi was around 18 wasn’t wrong.

Chuuya is highly amused that Atsushi didn’t just toss a number out there. The guy really does overthink things constantly...]

Bzzzt! Wrong!

[Chuuya isn’t offended at the guess, at least, probably because he’s already buzzed.]

22. You were close. Good guess considering people like Reign and Diva exist.

[gekkajuu]

Well, I knew you aren't like them.

[Or so he presumes. Who really knows, especially with Chuuya?]

Then, you're a little younger than I thought. But that's good! That is: ...

[Atsushi is still nursing his first glass, very slow indeed about drinking it, but it's arguably not helping him make sense, even if he's far from drunk.

What did he want to say, though - that it's good that they're not so far apart in age? That makes no sense, especially considering people like Diva and Reign.]

I mean... I guess... it feels like it makes us closer?

[Yeaaaah, now he's just embarrassed. Watch him take a drink of his wine to hide his embarrassment - and promptly choke on it, since he wasn't prepared for that much alcohol all at once.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Vampire Chuuya would be a hell of a thing.

Chuuya finishes off his current glass before eying Atsushi’s. He thinks it’s still the same glass he’s been nursing, unless Atsushi magically snuck the bottle away from Chuuya somehow. He didn’t think Atsushi would drink all that much, but still, he better finish that glass or Chuuya is going to snatch it from him.

Chuuya, being pleasantly tipsy as he is, certainly won’t overlook Atsushi choking out of embarrassment from stumbling over his own words, though he almost feels bad for laughing because of it. Almost.]

Closer, huh?

[Chuuya, having next to no filter when sober, has absolutely none right now. RIP Atsushi.]

Well, you’ve had your dick in my ass. That was pretty close.

[gekkajuu]

T-That's not..!

[Yeah, that's not helping with the choking on his wine any, thanks!! Atsushi is just going to put his mostly-empty glass away at this point, so he doesn't end up spilling it as he coughs his way to clearer breathing.]

That's not the kind of close I meant! Not... that it wasn't nice.

[Because it definitely was. He won't even try to deny that.]

But it wouldn't be as good... if we couldn't be close the other way, too, I think.

[thetaintedsorrow]

The other way?

[Processing...give Chuuya’s alcohol muddled-brain a second to catch up.

Oh. OHHHHHH.

Chuuya is silent for a moment. He’s lived his entire life doing things his own way, fighting and drinking and fucking and hardly giving a damn about the consequences as long as it didn’t impact the Port Mafia in a negative way. That kind of life, where you have no idea what day could be your last, hardly leaves room for feelings to develop. Attachment is dangerous; and Chuuya, having been betrayed time and again, is just a tiny bit jaded in that regard.

But...this is a different life, a different world...]

You know I’ve killed people, right? Destroyed shit, ruined peoples’ lives.

[Chuuya frowns behind his glass.]

Is that really kind of person you want to get close to?