[ but otherwise... well, if the plan works? though he's not entirely sure about what the trick is, this time, if he's outright just making clear he wants junpei to go to the festival with him — but oh well! can't ponder on that for too long anyway, not when junpei starts to put the obi in place, and charles finds he suddenly needs his entire focus on staring at absolutely nothing, trying his very best to think of absolutely nothing, too, and certainly feel absolutely nothing.
it's a good thing he doesn't have to breathe, because not a single breath leaves him the entire time he simply stands there while junpei fusses with the belt —
and then the light cursing makes him look down, anyway, and the words that follow make him blink, and then laugh sharply in surprise and realisation because, oh yeah, he has no fucking clue what exactly junpei has been doing.
the grin doesn't go away even when his laughter does; and he can't quite help but lean forward just a bit as junpei finishes his job with the belt, hunch down so he's more or less eye level with him as he says, ]
You sure? Cause then you'll be seeing a lot more of me. [ he means for his tone to be joking; it lands rather closer to something else, low and pointed. and he'll blame the distraction of junpei's hands still there at his waist for then continuing with, ] You know there's plenty people here who know how to do this, put this thing on, yeah? But you're the only one I want to help me with it.
[Until 6-pack t-shirts and the same crummy jeans as always are festival-appropriate attire, it's all suits and harp concerts in spirit—
Still, Junpei assumes that, obi all squared away, they will leave this very small room and go to the festival in earnest, but oh - there's Charles, dashing that idea upon the rocks with his insinuations and his proximity and his pretty eyes. Ah. Junpei runs through a whole litany of ways to respond to that first comment, from oh, is that a promise? to I wouldn't mind seeing more of you right now, but he is, sadly, A Dingus, so what he says is, mumbled:]
Uh—sure. I'm sure.
[And he blinks a few times, like that will stave off the many mental images he now has of being just like this, only no yukata and no obi. Charles in his tank top and his goddamn suspenders, Junpei's hands on his waist, and...
Well, never mind that now. Junpei shakes his head lightly, biting back his immediate urge to say Charles just has low standards if he's so set on getting Junpei's clumsy, bumbling help.]
That's- that's cool. [perfect. nailing it.] Anything you need, right? I guess that includes folding help...
[He's not sure what else to say that wouldn't be, hm, way too much and way too awkward, so he settles,] I'm glad I get to be... that one. Who helps.
[Anyway, he's going to bury himself at sea, never mind—]
[ as junpei fumbles through his responses, something that's incredibly endearing and makes something inside him feel strangely warm (in the metaphorical kind of way), charles simply smiles at him — the warmth reflects in his eyes, too, even as his expression turns into something... not quite dazed but very close, because the longer he stands there, crouched, staring at junpei like he wants nothing more than to be able to draw this exact moment from memory forever —
well. the more he feels like it'd be so, so easy to simply — lean closer, bridge the distance like he'd already wanted to, back there in the park, and —
oh. oh, shit. so the impulse hadn't been just a temporary side-effect of being human again. is there, like, a self-help line to call where he could maybe ask if wanting to kiss your friend is normal? he's pretty sure it's not, but then, he had kissed crystal, and they were friends now, so — maybe? ]
Of course it's you, [ he says, tone distracted and matter-of-fact as he lets his gaze focus, again, take in junpei's expression, the way charles has somehow managed to lean a little closer despite himself, close enough to count every single individual eyelash, and oh, yeah, that's his phantom heart flipping inside his chest like it's trying to qualify for the olympics.
biting his lip, he straightens up to his full height very abruptly and looks away like his afterlife depends on it. which... it might? because otherwise he thinks he might just disintegrate on the spot. or maybe he could just fall through the floor? the shop might have a basement. that'd be a good plan. ]
[There is so much Charles in his immediate vicinity, like all up in his fries he might go so far as to say, smartly, that Junpei considers himself fully excused for letting his imagination get away from him again. Of course it's you, Charles says, and then they'd kiss, and Junpei would be a total savant at making out in changing rooms, actually, and Charles would be so impressed...
But in the real world which falls short of a romantic comedy, Charles stands straight and looks away, and that aches in a very particular way in Junpei's chest; not like his feelings are hurt, but a little disappointed all the same. That was a moment, certainly, and in the absence of anything smart to say about it Junpei looks down again like the obi and yukata need one more check to make sure he didn't royally fuck them up. Okay.
Cool.
Okay.]
So... you want to get going? Or mess with the patterns, or whatever...
[ it's with the ease and confidence of someone used to locking up every single feeling he doesn't want to look at that charles bundles up the way he still feels like his heart should be pounding, the way he still wants nothing more than to lean down and pull junpei to him and kiss him silly — and then he throws all of them into a part of his mind that's like his bag of tricks, endless and jumbled, and pulls the metaphorical drawstrings shut.
and just like that, when he looks at junpei again, it's with an entirely normal, bright smile, like absolutely nothing whatsoever has been amiss in the past couple of minutes. ]
Sure, let's go. [ and then glancing down at himself, lifting his arm and brushing his fingers against the fabric as though he might somehow be able to feel it, ] You know what, I think I'll leave it like this. I mean, don't wanna waste all your hard work, do I? And besides, then I don't have to focus on maintaining it.
[ new clothes are always a bit trickier, and he kind of wants to not have to think about it. and anyway, who's going to mind, when he's entirely visible to everyone here? pulling the curtain aside, he aims one more grin at junpei, ] Thanks, really. Now wait a tick, I'll go pay, then we can go. Wasted enough on our time on this, haven't I?
[Cool, cool cool cool, completely normal things happening in the changing room at the—the whatever this shop is called, Junpei can't be expected to think about things at this specific juncture, can he? No! Charles is being perfectly normal, ergo Junpei can also be perfectly normal about normal and ordinary things. Here in the changing room.
It's fine. He only startles minutely when Charles pulls back the curtain, like the entire shop (well, that one lady) is going to know exactly all of the things they... weren't doing.]
I— I wouldn't call it wasted... [he needs to shuffle out of this little room asap or he'll vaporize instantly, hold on, shuffling,] I mean, you wanted to dress up.
[Therefore: success! Junpei shrugs and sidles past to go wait by the door, idly peering out the front window like he can see the whole of the festival from here. He's feeling marginally less like he'll vomit his whole heart out once Charles has paid, so, hm, back to... festivities. Cool.]
[ it is only after decades of practise that charles is able to do this, tell himself everything is just fine with enough conviction that he's able to believe in it, too — ignoring everything he's not allowing himself to think about, like the way unsaid words burn inside his chest, the way a small part of his brain is yelling at him about being an idiot. but really, it's all fine. this is normal, everything's normal, and nothing happened.
it's fine.
he smiles at the lady and makes some small talk, paying for the clothes and insisting she keep the change; then, he makes his way back to where junpei is waiting, and promptly opens the door for him, this time, his eyebrows raised pointedly. ]
Yeah, ready. [ so out the door you go! though, ] Oh? Confident in yourself, are you? [ as he steps out to follow, a smirk accompanies those pointedly raised brows. ] Might hold you to that. I've always wanted a pet.
[ the smirk gives way to laughter as the door swings shut behind them. ] Almost got one, too, during the Infamous Puppy Debacle of '94. Too bad we had to return her back to hallowed ground.
[They're fine. It's festival time, and Junpei waves a hand as he heads out of the shop in a sort of ehhh motion. Confident? Sure, he's played a lot of fishing games in his day.]
You can't just say that and not tell me what kind of super holy puppy you nearly got. What do you mean, hallowed ground?
[What kind of dog was this! He has to know, and not just because he's curious, but because listening to Charles talk will surely—surely keep his mind off of, hm, other things Charles could be doing. Notably holding his hand while they walk to the festival, which is one of those thoughts that drifts into Junpei's active mind and then immediately screeches to a halt. It's not like they haven't held hands before, but those times were all... well.
Like, there was a different context and stuff... Not that that supplemental thought stops him from feeling kind of odd, like they could be holding hands and it would be nice! And it's not not nice to not hold hands, but— And on and on, circling the drain of his thoughts.
He wishes this yukata had pockets. He clears his throat. It has been maybe three seconds. Dog story??]
[ as if on instinct, as they walk, charles drifts closer to junpei — he doesn't think much of personal space as a concept, in general, but this is... different. like an itch under his ghostly skin that will not let up until he is close enough for their arms to brush as they walk; only the does it quiet down into a pleased, content hum.
(as ever, he doesn't really think about it — simply does as he feels like he should. what's there to think about, right?) ]
Well, [ charles starts, grinning widely, ] She turned out to be a church grim. And she was bound to a particular graveyard with this really old church in the middle of it — anyway, wouldn't have survived long outside it, would she?
[ he shrugs; they're walking close enough for junpei to feel the movement. ] She's still there. I go visit her sometimes. She's real cute, all black, red eyes, about this big — [ he reaches out and taps the middle of junpei's chest with his hand, ] You'd like her!
[Okay, so church grims are real, that's good to know. Junpei scoffs while Charles continues to explain - that is not a puppy. It's fortunate Charles has drifted so close to him, as that gives Junpei the perfect opportunity to nudge him in the side with his elbow. A giant scary dog!!]
She could eat me if she's that big! You want me to get eaten by your long-distance pet? Come on.
[If she didn't eat him, though, well, a dog is a dog! But he'd have to survive the initial encounter first.]
Did I tell you about Gab? The dog they gave us in the experiment. Never met a dog more into cheese than Gab. But he's a normal dog size.
Oi, [ he laughs back, half in response to the nudge, half to the eating allegations, ] Bessie would never! She's real friendly, she is, and only eats demons and other unholy things that aren't supposed to be on church grounds. And unless you're either and have been, I dunno, somehow hiding it all this time —
[ swaying sideways, he bumps their arms together, laughing. he's really got nothing to worry about in this very hypothetical situation, since, you know, it's not like they're actually going to run into bessie, or any church grim here. ]
No, mate, you definitely didn't. [ the expression charles directs at him is mock-offended, like he can't believe it's taken junpei this long to disclose this fact. ] I'd ask you to draw me a picture, but... [ a little cock of his head, pointed; chances are the picture would do more harm than good, actually. ]
I thought you liked my art, [he shoots back, faux-hurt. Is he not an artiste? Is Charles not so impressed? Junpei holds up his hands to indicate, well, the size of a small dog.]
Just imagine if a football- [a beat] -uh, the American kind, I guess, imagine if that kind of football was a dog... and also a little old man.
[That's Gab!! Imagine that little man, while Junpei considers the other thing. Are all church grims lore-compliant... what if she did eat him...]
And I don't think I've ever been to a church, actually. But not because I'd burst into flame on the grounds, or anything.
Never said I don't, [ comes the answer with a bright grin — because he does! he really does, actually, but, you know. he can like his silly drawings and also acknowledge that poor gab probably deserves better.
he then moves on to doing as instructed and imagining the little dog and coming to the conclusion he must be right adorable. ] So, small and cute. [ sounds like a description fitting for someone else he knows—
anyway! ] Well, you're not missing out. The boarding school I went to was Catholic, and it sucked. Besides, it's the stuff you do that decides your afterlife, not God or whatever.
[ it seems like he's about to go on, because charles actually has quite a lot of opinions about religion, it turns out — except they've made it to the festival area proper, now, which means there's more people around, and a gaggle of youngsters is rushing towards them and past and charles reaches out, grabs junpei's sleeve to sharply pull him with him as he takes a few quick steps to the side to avoid a collision. ]
Oi, watch it, won't you! [ his yell after the kids doesn't really do much, but he tried... ]
[Well, now Junpei is obligated to draw a picture of Gab and present it to Charles to add to his gallery, look forward to it. He hums - yes, Gab is so small and cute, he's the best little guy ever, sounds like a description of just Gab actually—]
I guess. Assuming I even get to an afterlife, right? So—
[Ha ha, the infinite timelines never die glitch, it's going so great for him; but before they can, apparently, get into God Or Whatever, Charles pulls on him and he, adeptly, trips over himself just a little and grabs onto Charles' arm. Purely so he doesn't fall. It takes him a moment to catch up with the scenario - kids? sorry, he was thinking about God - but,]
C'mon, they're kids. It's a festival.
[Lighten up, Charles, jeez!! Junpei would let these kids run him over whether or not he was paying attention.]
[ he manages an incredulous look at the assuming i even get to an afterlife because infinite timelines or not, he doesn't believe it's possible to outrun death forever, unless you make a deal with one of the endless — but then that thread is lost and he turns, making sure junpei isn't actually stumbling and falling over. when he's sure he isn't doing that, he reaches over with the hand not still clutching junpei's sleeve, and pats the hand holding onto him with a soft smile. ]
Yeah, I know. But they could've run into you and hurt themselves... or you.
[ his tone makes it clear which part he was more worried about. himself, he doesn't really care about — and besides, he could have phased through them if necessary.
and then, ] Right, the fish! You reckon the booth's nearby? Any other games you want to try? If you're set on winning me a fish, then I should win you something too, shouldn't I? [ maybe there's a game out here that requires throwing, he could probably manage that. ]
[He says it like it's whatever, kids scrape their knees and fall down and all of that plenty! But maybe he's not the best judge of this particular childhood behavior, considering how reckless he's historically been. He doesn't need to unpack that right now, here at this festival; those kids are just fine and Charles is fussing. Nice of him, but still fussy.
So he lets go of Charles' arm to give him a hand pat of his own, like, relax. It's fine. Fish time.]
Fish first, then we can walk around.
[He does a quick look around until he spots someone carrying a fish in a baggie, which is as good a guess as any for which direction the fish booth is in. Come, this way...]
[ too bad — junpei better get used to it, because charles will fuss over those he cares about endlessly. but the pat makes him sigh and let it go, because, well, no harm done, so it's fine.
pivoting to follow him towards where the people with fish are coming from, charles laughs, ducking his head a bit as he looks at junpei with one raised brow. ]
Oh? You got a name in mind already? [ but, ] Sure, you name the fish. If that makes you happy, I'm all for it.
[ is he resigning himself to an afterlife with a ridiculously named fish? probably. does he care? nnnot particularly.
luckily the booth isn't too far away — they pass a few food stalls and another game booth that seems to revolve around pulling strings until they make it to the one with the fish, and charles stops with a sweeping gesture towards the booth. ] Well, show me what you've got, then.
[Please cherish this fish in advance, thanks. Junpei shuffles up to the booth to be handed his papery little fishing net, trying to give it a spin over his fingers and absolutely not nailing it; he winds up just wiggling it back and forth in a not-cool way. Don't look too closely at it.]
Well, uh, come here. You can pick the fish, I'll do my best.
[He moves up to the actual tank, gesturing for Charles to come stand next to him and consider the many fish. While he looks, Junpei gives the net a tentative dip into the water and tsks over the fish zooming away from it. The true method is standing very still, one millimeter of net in the water every couple seconds... observe the technique.]
[ fellas is it gay to say he'll cherish anything junpei gives him, ever —
anyway! he does look, in fact, at the way junpei utterly fails to spin the fishing net and smiles at the sight in a way someone might describe as hopelessly endeared, just standing there until he's literally told to come over, which, right. they're here for a reason, he shouldn't just stand and stare.
he leans over slightly, to watch the fish swim around with a slight smile... they're all pretty cute, actually. but he does point to one of them, an orange one that has two white dots over its eyes like eyebrows. ] That one, then.
[ and then, turning his attention back to junpei, ] Oh? So the thing's to catch them off guard, is it?
Junpei is, however, in the zone, so even when Charles comes over to stand with him he only barely visibly acknowledges the choice of fish. Yes, sure, Eyebrows, got it— and then he waves his other hand at Charles without looking at him, giving him a little whap in the chest. Shh!!]
Yeah, and it's a quiet activity— Give me a minute, man.
[He leaves his hand there as a helpful reminder for Charles to hush and let him work. Watch him cook, as the youths say. His excitable swatting wiggles the net just enough to scare off the fish, so now he must start over from the beginning and aim for the eyebrow fish. He'll most definitely miss his first attempt, so sit tight.
On, like, the fourth try, he finally gets the dang fish.] —Finally, jeez. Look, I got him!
As many as you need, [ he answers easily (and quietly, yes, he knows how to be quiet!) before he actually does shut up, bouncing silently up and down on his feet like standing still and not talking is too much for him, actually.
the hand pressed against his chest does help, though, and to distract himself, he brings up his own hand, grabs a hold of junpei's sleeve so he can look at the fish pattern in more detail, though being careful not to distract him from the momentous task of fish-catching.
and when junpei finally gets eyebrows the fish, charles actually whoops in genuine delight. ] You did! Mate, that was brills. [ letting go of his sleeve, he throws his arm around junpei's shoulders and draws him into a side-hug... carefully, though, as not to jostle him and the hard-won fish too much. ]
[Okay, that's all still kind of distracting, actually, bouncing around like that just in Junpei's periphery. But he's got the fish now so it's completely fine, Charles can bounce and do whatever as much as he wants. Junpei holds the caught fish out to the game's booth runner, to get it in a baggie to take home.
The side-hug... is cool, he's got no complaints. Good thing he has an excuse to stand right here where he is, while the fish gets squared away and handed back to him.]
Yeah? It's the technique, I'm telling you. Now you've got to take care of him, his name's... Fish.
[Cherish this animal forever, or at least for however long a goldfish lives.]
Although now we've got to carry him around for the rest of the festival...
[ said with a tone that falls squarely in the middle of "are you fucking kidding me" and "why do i find that really cute", the latter to his chagrin, something must really be wrong with him. ]
You know, this is the last time I'm gonna let you name anything.
[ with a shake of his head, charles steps back, reaching for the little bag with the fish named fish. ]
Oh, right. I could find a mirror? Won't take long, that. [ he looks around — not too many reflective surfaces around the booths, though. which means he'd have to double back to one of the clothing stores, probably, which also means leaving junpei here, which. hm. ] Or maybe just keep carrying him until we come across one...
Hey, I'm really good at naming things! I named all the cabinets in my apartment back home, so— yeah.
[Oops, That's Silly and other realizations that come after he's already said the silly thing. Ahem. Anyway...
Well, the fish dilemma. Junpei wiggles his finger at Fish the fish, watching it go around and around in the bag. Hm.]
It's up to you... How long are fish supposed to be in these cheap bags, though? Sorry, I should have saved this until the end.
[He got way too excited about fish, and they have not even purchased an adequately sized tank or any fish food or little plastic treasure chests for decoration! This is hubris in its purest form. He's apologizing to the fish, too, a little.]
[ he has to duck his head to hide the smile, then, because damn if that isn't the most adorable thing he's ever heard in his afterlife. with a little shake of his head, he focuses back on the matter at hand — ]
Hey, it's fine, innit? I forgot that we'd need to carry him around, too. [ frankly, even after months without his bag of tricks, he still forgets he can't just stuff things in there. ]
I'll take him back, you go on, I'll catch up with you. Get something to eat, yeah?
[ he gestures towards the booths that are selling all kinds of snacks — it's not like he'll miss out on anything, with those, and it'll be much less boring for junpei, too, then. which makes him feel a lot better about ditching him for a bit. ]
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[ but otherwise... well, if the plan works? though he's not entirely sure about what the trick is, this time, if he's outright just making clear he wants junpei to go to the festival with him — but oh well! can't ponder on that for too long anyway, not when junpei starts to put the obi in place, and charles finds he suddenly needs his entire focus on staring at absolutely nothing, trying his very best to think of absolutely nothing, too, and certainly feel absolutely nothing.
it's a good thing he doesn't have to breathe, because not a single breath leaves him the entire time he simply stands there while junpei fusses with the belt —
and then the light cursing makes him look down, anyway, and the words that follow make him blink, and then laugh sharply in surprise and realisation because, oh yeah, he has no fucking clue what exactly junpei has been doing.
the grin doesn't go away even when his laughter does; and he can't quite help but lean forward just a bit as junpei finishes his job with the belt, hunch down so he's more or less eye level with him as he says, ]
You sure? Cause then you'll be seeing a lot more of me. [ he means for his tone to be joking; it lands rather closer to something else, low and pointed. and he'll blame the distraction of junpei's hands still there at his waist for then continuing with, ] You know there's plenty people here who know how to do this, put this thing on, yeah? But you're the only one I want to help me with it.
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Still, Junpei assumes that, obi all squared away, they will leave this very small room and go to the festival in earnest, but oh - there's Charles, dashing that idea upon the rocks with his insinuations and his proximity and his pretty eyes. Ah. Junpei runs through a whole litany of ways to respond to that first comment, from oh, is that a promise? to I wouldn't mind seeing more of you right now, but he is, sadly, A Dingus, so what he says is, mumbled:]
Uh—sure. I'm sure.
[And he blinks a few times, like that will stave off the many mental images he now has of being just like this, only no yukata and no obi. Charles in his tank top and his goddamn suspenders, Junpei's hands on his waist, and...
Well, never mind that now. Junpei shakes his head lightly, biting back his immediate urge to say Charles just has low standards if he's so set on getting Junpei's clumsy, bumbling help.]
That's- that's cool. [perfect. nailing it.] Anything you need, right? I guess that includes folding help...
[He's not sure what else to say that wouldn't be, hm, way too much and way too awkward, so he settles,] I'm glad I get to be... that one. Who helps.
[Anyway, he's going to bury himself at sea, never mind—]
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well. the more he feels like it'd be so, so easy to simply — lean closer, bridge the distance like he'd already wanted to, back there in the park, and —
oh. oh, shit. so the impulse hadn't been just a temporary side-effect of being human again. is there, like, a self-help line to call where he could maybe ask if wanting to kiss your friend is normal? he's pretty sure it's not, but then, he had kissed crystal, and they were friends now, so — maybe? ]
Of course it's you, [ he says, tone distracted and matter-of-fact as he lets his gaze focus, again, take in junpei's expression, the way charles has somehow managed to lean a little closer despite himself, close enough to count every single individual eyelash, and oh, yeah, that's his phantom heart flipping inside his chest like it's trying to qualify for the olympics.
biting his lip, he straightens up to his full height very abruptly and looks away like his afterlife depends on it. which... it might? because otherwise he thinks he might just disintegrate on the spot. or maybe he could just fall through the floor? the shop might have a basement. that'd be a good plan. ]
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But in the real world which falls short of a romantic comedy, Charles stands straight and looks away, and that aches in a very particular way in Junpei's chest; not like his feelings are hurt, but a little disappointed all the same. That was a moment, certainly, and in the absence of anything smart to say about it Junpei looks down again like the obi and yukata need one more check to make sure he didn't royally fuck them up. Okay.
Cool.
Okay.]
So... you want to get going? Or mess with the patterns, or whatever...
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and just like that, when he looks at junpei again, it's with an entirely normal, bright smile, like absolutely nothing whatsoever has been amiss in the past couple of minutes. ]
Sure, let's go. [ and then glancing down at himself, lifting his arm and brushing his fingers against the fabric as though he might somehow be able to feel it, ] You know what, I think I'll leave it like this. I mean, don't wanna waste all your hard work, do I? And besides, then I don't have to focus on maintaining it.
[ new clothes are always a bit trickier, and he kind of wants to not have to think about it. and anyway, who's going to mind, when he's entirely visible to everyone here? pulling the curtain aside, he aims one more grin at junpei, ] Thanks, really. Now wait a tick, I'll go pay, then we can go. Wasted enough on our time on this, haven't I?
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It's fine. He only startles minutely when Charles pulls back the curtain, like the entire shop (well, that one lady) is going to know exactly all of the things they... weren't doing.]
I— I wouldn't call it wasted... [he needs to shuffle out of this little room asap or he'll vaporize instantly, hold on, shuffling,] I mean, you wanted to dress up.
[Therefore: success! Junpei shrugs and sidles past to go wait by the door, idly peering out the front window like he can see the whole of the festival from here. He's feeling marginally less like he'll vomit his whole heart out once Charles has paid, so, hm, back to... festivities. Cool.]
You ready? I bet I could win you a fish.
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it's fine.
he smiles at the lady and makes some small talk, paying for the clothes and insisting she keep the change; then, he makes his way back to where junpei is waiting, and promptly opens the door for him, this time, his eyebrows raised pointedly. ]
Yeah, ready. [ so out the door you go! though, ] Oh? Confident in yourself, are you? [ as he steps out to follow, a smirk accompanies those pointedly raised brows. ] Might hold you to that. I've always wanted a pet.
[ the smirk gives way to laughter as the door swings shut behind them. ] Almost got one, too, during the Infamous Puppy Debacle of '94. Too bad we had to return her back to hallowed ground.
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You can't just say that and not tell me what kind of super holy puppy you nearly got. What do you mean, hallowed ground?
[What kind of dog was this! He has to know, and not just because he's curious, but because listening to Charles talk will surely—surely keep his mind off of, hm, other things Charles could be doing. Notably holding his hand while they walk to the festival, which is one of those thoughts that drifts into Junpei's active mind and then immediately screeches to a halt. It's not like they haven't held hands before, but those times were all... well.
Like, there was a different context and stuff... Not that that supplemental thought stops him from feeling kind of odd, like they could be holding hands and it would be nice! And it's not not nice to not hold hands, but— And on and on, circling the drain of his thoughts.
He wishes this yukata had pockets. He clears his throat. It has been maybe three seconds. Dog story??]
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(as ever, he doesn't really think about it — simply does as he feels like he should. what's there to think about, right?) ]
Well, [ charles starts, grinning widely, ] She turned out to be a church grim. And she was bound to a particular graveyard with this really old church in the middle of it — anyway, wouldn't have survived long outside it, would she?
[ he shrugs; they're walking close enough for junpei to feel the movement. ] She's still there. I go visit her sometimes. She's real cute, all black, red eyes, about this big — [ he reaches out and taps the middle of junpei's chest with his hand, ] You'd like her!
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She could eat me if she's that big! You want me to get eaten by your long-distance pet? Come on.
[If she didn't eat him, though, well, a dog is a dog! But he'd have to survive the initial encounter first.]
Did I tell you about Gab? The dog they gave us in the experiment. Never met a dog more into cheese than Gab. But he's a normal dog size.
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[ swaying sideways, he bumps their arms together, laughing. he's really got nothing to worry about in this very hypothetical situation, since, you know, it's not like they're actually going to run into bessie, or any church grim here. ]
No, mate, you definitely didn't. [ the expression charles directs at him is mock-offended, like he can't believe it's taken junpei this long to disclose this fact. ] I'd ask you to draw me a picture, but... [ a little cock of his head, pointed; chances are the picture would do more harm than good, actually. ]
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Just imagine if a football- [a beat] -uh, the American kind, I guess, imagine if that kind of football was a dog... and also a little old man.
[That's Gab!! Imagine that little man, while Junpei considers the other thing. Are all church grims lore-compliant... what if she did eat him...]
And I don't think I've ever been to a church, actually. But not because I'd burst into flame on the grounds, or anything.
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he then moves on to doing as instructed and imagining the little dog and coming to the conclusion he must be right adorable. ] So, small and cute. [ sounds like a description fitting for someone else he knows—
anyway! ] Well, you're not missing out. The boarding school I went to was Catholic, and it sucked. Besides, it's the stuff you do that decides your afterlife, not God or whatever.
[ it seems like he's about to go on, because charles actually has quite a lot of opinions about religion, it turns out — except they've made it to the festival area proper, now, which means there's more people around, and a gaggle of youngsters is rushing towards them and past and charles reaches out, grabs junpei's sleeve to sharply pull him with him as he takes a few quick steps to the side to avoid a collision. ]
Oi, watch it, won't you! [ his yell after the kids doesn't really do much, but he tried... ]
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I guess. Assuming I even get to an afterlife, right? So—
[Ha ha, the infinite timelines never die glitch, it's going so great for him; but before they can, apparently, get into God Or Whatever, Charles pulls on him and he, adeptly, trips over himself just a little and grabs onto Charles' arm. Purely so he doesn't fall. It takes him a moment to catch up with the scenario - kids? sorry, he was thinking about God - but,]
C'mon, they're kids. It's a festival.
[Lighten up, Charles, jeez!! Junpei would let these kids run him over whether or not he was paying attention.]
Maybe they just won their fish.
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Yeah, I know. But they could've run into you and hurt themselves... or you.
[ his tone makes it clear which part he was more worried about. himself, he doesn't really care about — and besides, he could have phased through them if necessary.
and then, ] Right, the fish! You reckon the booth's nearby? Any other games you want to try? If you're set on winning me a fish, then I should win you something too, shouldn't I? [ maybe there's a game out here that requires throwing, he could probably manage that. ]
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[He says it like it's whatever, kids scrape their knees and fall down and all of that plenty! But maybe he's not the best judge of this particular childhood behavior, considering how reckless he's historically been. He doesn't need to unpack that right now, here at this festival; those kids are just fine and Charles is fussing. Nice of him, but still fussy.
So he lets go of Charles' arm to give him a hand pat of his own, like, relax. It's fine. Fish time.]
Fish first, then we can walk around.
[He does a quick look around until he spots someone carrying a fish in a baggie, which is as good a guess as any for which direction the fish booth is in. Come, this way...]
And—I get to name the fish.
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pivoting to follow him towards where the people with fish are coming from, charles laughs, ducking his head a bit as he looks at junpei with one raised brow. ]
Oh? You got a name in mind already? [ but, ] Sure, you name the fish. If that makes you happy, I'm all for it.
[ is he resigning himself to an afterlife with a ridiculously named fish? probably. does he care? nnnot particularly.
luckily the booth isn't too far away — they pass a few food stalls and another game booth that seems to revolve around pulling strings until they make it to the one with the fish, and charles stops with a sweeping gesture towards the booth. ] Well, show me what you've got, then.
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[Please cherish this fish in advance, thanks. Junpei shuffles up to the booth to be handed his papery little fishing net, trying to give it a spin over his fingers and absolutely not nailing it; he winds up just wiggling it back and forth in a not-cool way. Don't look too closely at it.]
Well, uh, come here. You can pick the fish, I'll do my best.
[He moves up to the actual tank, gesturing for Charles to come stand next to him and consider the many fish. While he looks, Junpei gives the net a tentative dip into the water and tsks over the fish zooming away from it. The true method is standing very still, one millimeter of net in the water every couple seconds... observe the technique.]
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anyway! he does look, in fact, at the way junpei utterly fails to spin the fishing net and smiles at the sight in a way someone might describe as hopelessly endeared, just standing there until he's literally told to come over, which, right. they're here for a reason, he shouldn't just stand and stare.
he leans over slightly, to watch the fish swim around with a slight smile... they're all pretty cute, actually. but he does point to one of them, an orange one that has two white dots over its eyes like eyebrows. ] That one, then.
[ and then, turning his attention back to junpei, ] Oh? So the thing's to catch them off guard, is it?
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Junpei is, however, in the zone, so even when Charles comes over to stand with him he only barely visibly acknowledges the choice of fish. Yes, sure, Eyebrows, got it— and then he waves his other hand at Charles without looking at him, giving him a little whap in the chest. Shh!!]
Yeah, and it's a quiet activity— Give me a minute, man.
[He leaves his hand there as a helpful reminder for Charles to hush and let him work. Watch him cook, as the youths say. His excitable swatting wiggles the net just enough to scare off the fish, so now he must start over from the beginning and aim for the eyebrow fish. He'll most definitely miss his first attempt, so sit tight.
On, like, the fourth try, he finally gets the dang fish.] —Finally, jeez. Look, I got him!
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the hand pressed against his chest does help, though, and to distract himself, he brings up his own hand, grabs a hold of junpei's sleeve so he can look at the fish pattern in more detail, though being careful not to distract him from the momentous task of fish-catching.
and when junpei finally gets eyebrows the fish, charles actually whoops in genuine delight. ] You did! Mate, that was brills. [ letting go of his sleeve, he throws his arm around junpei's shoulders and draws him into a side-hug... carefully, though, as not to jostle him and the hard-won fish too much. ]
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The side-hug... is cool, he's got no complaints. Good thing he has an excuse to stand right here where he is, while the fish gets squared away and handed back to him.]
Yeah? It's the technique, I'm telling you. Now you've got to take care of him, his name's... Fish.
[Cherish this animal forever, or at least for however long a goldfish lives.]
Although now we've got to carry him around for the rest of the festival...
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[ said with a tone that falls squarely in the middle of "are you fucking kidding me" and "why do i find that really cute", the latter to his chagrin, something must really be wrong with him. ]
You know, this is the last time I'm gonna let you name anything.
[ with a shake of his head, charles steps back, reaching for the little bag with the fish named fish. ]
Oh, right. I could find a mirror? Won't take long, that. [ he looks around — not too many reflective surfaces around the booths, though. which means he'd have to double back to one of the clothing stores, probably, which also means leaving junpei here, which. hm. ] Or maybe just keep carrying him until we come across one...
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[Oops, That's Silly and other realizations that come after he's already said the silly thing. Ahem. Anyway...
Well, the fish dilemma. Junpei wiggles his finger at Fish the fish, watching it go around and around in the bag. Hm.]
It's up to you... How long are fish supposed to be in these cheap bags, though? Sorry, I should have saved this until the end.
[He got way too excited about fish, and they have not even purchased an adequately sized tank or any fish food or little plastic treasure chests for decoration! This is hubris in its purest form. He's apologizing to the fish, too, a little.]
I can wait here, it's cool.
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[ he has to duck his head to hide the smile, then, because damn if that isn't the most adorable thing he's ever heard in his afterlife. with a little shake of his head, he focuses back on the matter at hand — ]
Hey, it's fine, innit? I forgot that we'd need to carry him around, too. [ frankly, even after months without his bag of tricks, he still forgets he can't just stuff things in there. ]
I'll take him back, you go on, I'll catch up with you. Get something to eat, yeah?
[ he gestures towards the booths that are selling all kinds of snacks — it's not like he'll miss out on anything, with those, and it'll be much less boring for junpei, too, then. which makes him feel a lot better about ditching him for a bit. ]
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🎀 hell....................yea