[It doesn't take too long for him to show up at the Roost, having thankfully avoided zealots on the way. Which is good, because he's... not got a job stone on him. They're all in the bag.]
[Probably should have thought of that.]
[He opens the door slightly and slips in, clearing his throat.]
[Manabu is seated at the edge of the bar furthest from the door, his chin resting in his hand, eyes downcast on something he's reading. Magnet's the one who reacts to the door first, hopping out of a booth seat and trotting over, tail up and wagging slightly, coming in for a sniff.
at the creak of the door, Manabu lifts his head and looks over, eyes wide and alert. the sclera of his blind eye's a little darker than usual.
when it hits who it is...]
Hey. Get inside. I'll get your stuff. [that'll prompt him to get out of his stool and vanish into the back.]
[Nara'a kneels and offers his hand to Magnet, petting him gently if it's accepted. He stands, his own omen dangling on his shoulder as it's wont to do.]
Yeah. Thanks.
[Nara'a's bag is relatively large - an adventuring pack rather than a simple messenger bag or backpack. But it's got pockets galore, and that's where the good stuff is. Not that he expects Manabu to have taken it. He's... just glad the other man got to it before someone like Dabi.]
[He sits down and sighs, propping an elbow up on the bar and resting his chin in his hand. What a mess...]
[while Manabu may still be very upset with Nara'a, inwardly he gets it. he's been the beast, he's been the one put down by friends...and now he knows both sides. Magnet, full of that knowledge, can offer the consolation Manabu himself isn't ready to give properly, licking at fingers and accepting pets in a much more docile manner than his more excitable, normal state.
Manabu returns with the heavy bag on his shoulder; he tilts himself to let the weight of the thing slide off at Nara's feet, all the while:] Hey, get up a sec? Grit your teeth.
[because the second he does, Manabu's punching him in the jaw without much more warning.]
[he's a short guy, which puts him at a bit of a disadvantage in a lot of ways. but just because Manabu's short doesn't mean he can't throw his slight weight into a hit - and he does. there's frustration backing the blow, tightly controlled into one shot. just one. no more. so even though his fist remains tightly clenched, and though his hair is sparking at some ends, Manabu steps away. one and done.]
It's not about deserving. It's about remembering. Next time your blood starts acting up...your jaw better hurt and remind you to do something about it.
[He's not going to promise, not in a place like Trench that can warp them so wildly. He rubs at his face and... yeah, he's probably going to bruise from that. It's fine.]
... Bad joke. Sorry. I've... been poisoned before. Seen someone get poisoned in front of me. Drinking from containers I haven't seen sealed still makes me a little nervous.
[Magnet gets scritches. What a good boy... he deserves all the pets.]
That's good. I... I'm still working on that. The 'taking care of myself' thing.
[it's good to have his back to him - the chance to try and stamp that anger and unhappiness down to vent later...while using some of it to heat up some tea. by the time leaves have finished steeping, he turns, pushing the cup Nara'a's way.]
I usually...take it bitter. But I have honey if you want.
[Right. Right, okay. He bites back the urge to just tell Manabu to use his damned words - now isn't the time. He just rubs at his jaw and stirs the honey a bit before spooning a bit into the tea.]
Manabu... I know. I just... there's a reason I tried to tell you to stay away. I didn't want to hurt you...
[He sighs and nods, rubbing his face. Gods, how many people would he trust to take him out? Not many. He's surprised that Manabu managed it, but... well. He's a good shot. It was probably something like that.]
[He can't remember much anyway. Maybe it's for the best.]
[He closes his eyes for a few moments, taking a few deep breaths. It's... frustrating. He can't excuse his behavior, but... mm. He has a lot of people to apologize to.]
... Do you have somewhere to go back to? If you went home, I mean. I know some people don't.
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stupid. stupid. stupid.
he just turns the omni off.]
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[Probably should have thought of that.]
[He opens the door slightly and slips in, clearing his throat.]
... Manabu?
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at the creak of the door, Manabu lifts his head and looks over, eyes wide and alert. the sclera of his blind eye's a little darker than usual.
when it hits who it is...]
Hey. Get inside. I'll get your stuff. [that'll prompt him to get out of his stool and vanish into the back.]
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Yeah. Thanks.
[Nara'a's bag is relatively large - an adventuring pack rather than a simple messenger bag or backpack. But it's got pockets galore, and that's where the good stuff is. Not that he expects Manabu to have taken it. He's... just glad the other man got to it before someone like Dabi.]
[He sits down and sighs, propping an elbow up on the bar and resting his chin in his hand. What a mess...]
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Manabu returns with the heavy bag on his shoulder; he tilts himself to let the weight of the thing slide off at Nara's feet, all the while:] Hey, get up a sec? Grit your teeth.
[because the second he does, Manabu's punching him in the jaw without much more warning.]
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[Gods, Manabu can punch hard. He staggers a bit and shakes his head, ears flicking wildly.]
... Yeah. I deserved that one.
[He's not going to pretend he didn't. In his right mind or no, he still hit Manabu.]
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It's not about deserving. It's about remembering. Next time your blood starts acting up...your jaw better hurt and remind you to do something about it.
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[He's not going to promise, not in a place like Trench that can warp them so wildly. He rubs at his face and... yeah, he's probably going to bruise from that. It's fine.]
You're... a good friend.
[Not the kindest, but bluntness is appreciated.]
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while walking around the bar:] What do you want to drink?
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[It's a valid concern, okay? Or it was, at least.]
Are you taking the time to rest, too? You can't be on edge all the time...
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as Nara'a sits back down, Magnet ambles over to sit at his feet. Manabu's back is to them while he's combing the shelves for something suitable.]
I'm fine. [...] I'm pissed off, but I take care of myself. Otherwise I can't take care of anybody else.
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[Magnet gets scritches. What a good boy... he deserves all the pets.]
That's good. I... I'm still working on that. The 'taking care of myself' thing.
[... Obviously.]
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as he does so:] Well, get better at it. You getting messed up or having a hard time doesn't happen in a vacuum in a place like this.
[jeez. he can hear himself and how harsh he sounds and...and he's not crazy about it? but it's also...
it feels like Bruce is with him. talking through him. saying the things he'd said to Manabu again and again as a rookie.
time really has changed him, despite all his efforts to stay true to himself...]
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I know. And I know I hurt the people around me when I don't take care of myself. I'm... going to have to try harder to do that.
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I usually...take it bitter. But I have honey if you want.
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[... He's just tired. He doesn't want to hurt people anymore. He's done enough damage. His hands run through his hair and he sighs.]
You can punch me again, if you want.
[It won't make anything better, but...]
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[he turns, setting the honey jar down with a small spoon.]
It's just...the only way I know. To make my feelings clear. Okay?
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Manabu... I know. I just... there's a reason I tried to tell you to stay away. I didn't want to hurt you...
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And if I didn't go out there, you'd have hurt someone else. [well, besides Kazuma.] It's not really a question of what to do there, you know?
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... You're right. I just... you shouldn't have had to take me out. You're my friend.
But I... understand what you mean. I... would have done the same. Even if it's not the best idea...
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[he looks back over, his expression sullen.]
I'd need you to take me out. Because there's no one else I could trust to. Besides you...you and D, really.
[everyone else he would trust to do so is gone now. and he can never ask Ryunosuke or Kazuma or Jun to do such a heinous thing.]
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[He sighs and nods, rubbing his face. Gods, how many people would he trust to take him out? Not many. He's surprised that Manabu managed it, but... well. He's a good shot. It was probably something like that.]
[He can't remember much anyway. Maybe it's for the best.]
Yeah. D's on my list, too.
[He takes a sip of tea while he thinks.]
Thank you. For being kind, even when it was hard.
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Manabu looks away again at the thanks. he'll never be good at gracefully accepting it, even when it's warranted; that's just the kind of guy he is.]
Just... Avoid it at all costs again, okay? That's better than thanks.
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[He closes his eyes for a few moments, taking a few deep breaths. It's... frustrating. He can't excuse his behavior, but... mm. He has a lot of people to apologize to.]
... Do you have somewhere to go back to? If you went home, I mean. I know some people don't.
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[he looks back, blinking. what's this now...?
he hesitates.]
...Mn. My mother's waiting. And my platoon.
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6.2 spoilers
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