talta | Call Me Out 2018

[...She's annoyed.

She's really, really annoyed.

Sarada doesn't like catching stray cats anymore than the rest of them, even if she might be a lot less vocal than Certain Members of their team. So when they finally had something that wasn't, needless to say she was pretty excited. The thieves' danger rating was pretty low, but they got a real, actual cargo retrieval mission.

She was excited. Now - wandering in the forest, separated from Mitsuki and Konohamaru-sensei, ankle badly bruised, and completely covered in mud - Sarada is not.]

Next time? Listen when I tell you not to charge in head first, Baka-Boruto.

How is this my fault? Attacking right away was the quickest way to get the stolen cargo!

[ It was a super easy mission, plus those enemies seemed like the weak type just acting all proud over their one stolen item. ]

It's your fault because you don't know how to work together with everyone!

[Sarada grits her teeth. That had been bad. She almost stomped her foot in agitation, but the twinge of pain stopped her just in time.]

The quickest way isn't always the best way. You should know that by now. And when you're in a team, you always need to think of the others around you and not just yourself.

[She sighs and waves her hand dismissively.]

Like right now, you should learn from my example. Right now I want to strangle you or at least kick you into the mud, but I'm not because I know it would be bad for us as a team and we wouldn't get home safely.

[See, she's the Best Example.]

[ Please no kicking him into the mud, he knows how strong Sarada can be. ]

I was thinking about everyone, if I defeated those guys first then we all could go home no problem. All you had to do was back me up if needed!

[ Totally not helping at all. Teamwork isn't Boruto's thing at all and even knowing they do work well if they talk he didn't stop and think about it at all. ]

[She breathes out hard, enough that some of the hair stirs by the side of her face. Forcibly, Sarada reminds herself of her own words that she just spoke. She can picture Boruto covered in mud mentally; that's a better alternative than doing it for real.]

Honestly, your thinking is really shortsighted... I'm a little amazed. [She ducks down under a branch in her way as she speaks.] You're looking at the bigger picture but not the details. Obviously taking care of them was our goal, but if you don't assess the field, then you'll get yourself or the rest of us killed very easily. It's not as serious for a mission like this, but one day it will be.

For instance... Enemies could've been hidden around the area. Even if we were stronger than genin, a good surprise attack would be enough to wound anyone. And Mitsuki and I have the knowledge to know not to rush in, but if you were seriously hurt... Mitsuki might think it through, but I'm inexperienced enough that I'd be worried and rush in without thinking.

[...wait.

WAIT NO, SHE DIDN'T MEAN TO ACTUALLY SAY THAT...

Thinking fast, Sarada tries to backpedal a little. She can definitely save this situation, blush spreading across her face or no.]

A-anyway! When you rush out there, it's not just you running out there, so have a little more thought next time. I won't always be there to save you. [She huffs. If she weren't hurt she'd stalk ahead of him so he can't see her face.] Not like today. I pushed you out of the way of the landslide, you know... So take a little responsibility, Boruto.

What you want me to carry you or something as an apology ?

[ He's bad at this, sure Mitsuki always goes with his ideas but he's not here to back him up. Sure they could have all gotten hurt it was a higher ranked mission, but it's just easy stuff now, there's no need to get worked up. ]

I get it, if they surprised us my plan wouldn't work, and we'd have trouble. Though, you should be able to see that coming it's that what you're good at?

I- Baka-Boruto, I never said anything like that...!

[Uuuuu, this is bad, her face is really red now...]

I-if you tried to carry me, we'd both probably fall, I bet... Just another accident waiting to happen...

[That’s a lie. She knows he'd probably be fine, and they'd probably even be getting back to the others faster than they are now. There's even a part of her that wants him to, really.

But it's embarrassing to say that, okay.

She sighs, though, and tries to disregard it for now. If they don't talk about it more than that, then surely it'll be fine...]

If those idiots we dealt with earlier tried something? Of course I'd be able to put a stop to it. They aren't clever enough to fool me. [She pushes her glasses up her nose, something entering her tone that's almost... solemn.] But we won't always be fighting idiots, Boruto. You should know just as well as I do that there are more dangerous people out there.

[He and his partner had been progressing well enough - Asuma's still feeling a little lost now and then, but having some kind of goal to shoot for has ultimately helped him shove aside his uncertainties. He may not know why he's trying so hard to live again, but he's got a partner who wants to come back to life too, and, well...

Who is he to drag them down and away from a goal like that?

Today, they've got some time to spare. His partner wants to make a stop in one of the shops to get some better gear, and Asuma finds the idea agreeable enough; he's currently decked out in Natural Puppy, but they've earned more cash since their last shopping adventure, and as strange and silly as it is, their choice in clothes really can mean life or death for them. He eggs his partner on with a bright smile, but as he does...

...? Are they being watched? He glances around curiously, though with his general inquisitiveness, it's not so strange for him to be checking out the crowds of people for the nth time.]

[He should probably be taking refuge in the Dead God's Pad, squirreled away like Kitaniji used to be when it was his turn to suffer through this. That's probably where he belongs now - but it's never been Neku's style to sit still. Not in his city, and not for this.

He's still new enough that most Reapers don't know his face, except for the ones who've been around long enough. But that's more convenient than not. Neku doesn't want to talk to them. Perhaps it's a sense of responsibility that weighs on him, but he just wants to watch.

...Maybe casually make things easier for the Players in really small ways, but nobody else needs to know that. Except for the one who knows everything, of course, and he's more likely to tease Neku over it than actually reprimand him the way he's likely supposed to.

But things don't always seem to go according to plans, as the pair he's watching over today in particular... seems to be staring right at him. Or one half of it is. Oh. That's a first.]

...Tch. [He rubs the back of his neck, mumbling too low for anyone to hear.] Of course it's the lively one that ends up catching me.

[Yet, he doesn't turn around or try to divert attention from himself. He could, but instead he just meets that gaze unflinchingly. And maybe with a little guilt pricking his heart, because Neku is still far too soft to be doing this job.

He remembers taking Asuma's entry fee, after all, even if Asuma can't remember it himself.]

[Hmm...]

Okay! Let's go, let's go!

[Is what he says, scurrying behind his partner and pushing them towards the shop. He keeps his eyes on Neku however, watching to see if his gaze follows them even as they begin to walk in the door.]

[And watch them it does. He could easily slip away as soon as they're both inside, and Neku knows that.

But he doesn't. In fact, Neku gets even closer. He doesn't know what possesses him to do it, but whenever Asuma and his partner exit, he'll be leaning against the nearest railing. Not quite in front of the entrance, but close enough to watch with quiet eyes.

He'll speak if spoken to. But Neku knows he doesn't deserve to seek out Asuma's attention. He's here to watch over them and make sure no one tries anything funny.

Nothing more, and nothing less. Right?]

[Neku won't have long to wait. It's only after a couple minutes that Asuma peeks out of the store again, trotting on out--

Alone.

His hands are clasped behind his back as he approaches Neku, bouncing as he stops right in front of him.]

Is there some reason you're watching us, Mr. Reaper?

[His voice is cheerful and... oddly genuine. There's no sarcasm in his tone; he may as well be greeting a close friend.]

[He shuts his eyes. Neku knows he should've expected this.

Just as he knows that probably, deep down, part of him had wanted this.

His eyes reopen, and when he speaks, it's with a quiet voice that can still somehow be heard over the hustle and bustle surrounding them.]

You could say it's because I felt like it, I guess. [Ever so slightly, his gaze narrows.] You shouldn't be out in the streets without your Partner.

[It isn't quite a reprimand, but it's certainly said in a sharper way.]

Probably not. [Eheheh...] But what he doesn't know won't hurt him.

Unless you're planning to erase us?

[He doesn't sound even slightly concerned about that outcome, though. If that's what he wanted, Neku would have been far more subtle - that, or erased him the second he stepped out of the shop.]

You're talking pretty casually, there.

[Is he talking about Asuma hiding things from his Partner, or about how he easily he brings up being Erased? The answer is both, actually, but Neku won't elaborate on his own words - even if there's a sharpness in his eyes as well now.]

But I don't have any plans to erase you or your Partner. I'm just here to watch and observe.

[So he was right...]

Then... is there some reason you're watching us in particular?

[He's been following them a while...]

...

[He makes a small noise in the back of his throat, eyes darting to the side.

It's not a question he wanted to answer, but it's one he should've expected at the least. But now that it's out there, has has to because...]

If I had to give an answer... I guess I'd call it a sense of obligation.

[He shouldn't let that much be known. Neku knows that. And yet...]

[Asuma tilts his head to the side, expression curious.]

Obligation... Why would a Reaper feel obligated towards Players?

We have some responsibilities towards you, though they aren't much. [Shut up, Neku, something yells inside of him, but he ignores it.] And if you asked most Reapers, they'd say we don't owe you anything at all. But some of us...

[Because I...]

Some of us are more sentimental than others.

[Because it's my fault.]

It's not anything you need to worry about, though. For your sake and mine, it's better if you don't think about it too deeply.

Sentimental?

[How curious. How very, very curious.

Neku made his first mistake long ago, when he decided to stick around when Asuma approached him. The mistakes just continue piling up when he chooses to actually indulge Asuma in his questions.]

Hey-- are you saying some Reapers feel sorry for us?

[He'd seen others, during the first day. That mad dash to make a partner before you got erased. It was hard not to notice their lack of compassion, especially when they were going out of their way to erase as many players as they could with wave after wave of Noise.

But already, this one's different. Already, this one's made no move to harm them, and even stuck around to chat with Asuma for a bit.

He wonders if he can get him to chat a bit more.]

[If there had been any doubt in his mind about whether or not he'd made a mistake by continuing to talk to Asuma, it faded some time ago.

And yet, he can't make himself leave. Even as more words spill from his mouth and Neku says things he knows shouldn't be said.

He really, truly can't. Not when he's faced with those eyes.]

Maybe some do, maybe some don't. It's not my duty to police the others into doing their jobs. [That's probably the biggest lie he's ever told in his life, but the inflection of his voice gives away nothing. There isn't even the slightest change.

There's still no change as he continues, without missing a beat-] Some people are vegetarians, aren't they? While others could care less about where their hamburger comes from. And sometimes... [It's only then that there's a pause, but it's brief.] Sometimes there are the people that are in between.

Point is, no one person is the same. Reapers are like that as well. Believe it or not, we were humans once too.

[And casually remembering to lump himself in with the others while he's at it, there we go.]

Were you?

[That brings up some questions of its own. It makes sense, it's not like they look inhuman even with those wings, but it's also a bit different from the angel imagery that inundates so many depictions of the afterlife.

He hums thoughtfully for a moment before asking his next question:]

Then would that make you a vegetarian, or inbetween?

[There's a small smile on his lips now, leaning forward a bit in his curiosity. Because there's so much of it for this new world he's found himself in, even in spite of the direct threat it poses to his continued existence.]

[He nods at the first question, and his voice is soft when he answers.]

...Yeah. I was.

[A part of him still is, really. No Conductor would feel as guilty as he does over doing the job that keeps him alive, right?

But at the second question, Neku can't help snorting at it.]

I've always been a meat eater. I'll never turn down a good burger. [But after a beat-] ...Still. Enough time doing this, and I've been able to see the in-between.

You haven't tried to eat us, though.

[So far. He may be pushing his luck, maybe not, but-

He's just so curious, and so far, Neku's kept indulging him.]

...You guys weren't to my taste. That's all.

[He shrugs it off, like it isn't important. But then Neku gives him a stern glance.]

That doesn't mean the rest of the Reapers won't, though. I'm the exception to the rule, not an example.

Then-- how do we make sure we aren't tasty for the other Reapers, too?

[He actually leans forward a bit, hands clenched into useless fists. Actions aside, he does wish to survive this, if mostly for his partner's sake.]

[There's something about the way that Asuma's leaning towards him that makes something in his chest soften. Part of Neku hates it, because that doesn't make this easier on any of them - but he should expect himself to feel that way by now, shouldn't he?]

The kinds of thing I went through made you guys not tasty to me. That sort of thing isn't easy to replicate, and wouldn't work on all of them anyway.

The best thing you can do is protect yourself. Fight the Noise and get stronger. And more important than that... trust your Partner and stick together with them, no matter what.

[At the very end, there's just a tinge of regret in his voice, his eyes sliding away before returning.]

Oh.

[Droooooooop. He thought he might have been onto something.]

Darn. I was hoping I could get some hot tips for me and my partner...

[His tone remains light, almost joking, but his expression is... far more melancholy. He really does want his partner to make it through this, even if he's not nearly as enthused about trying to survive as he should be.]

[Here, there is no Hizumi Mizushiro, little brother of Yaiba who must be murdered at Ayumu's hands. Instead, there's only Hizumi Shiozuru, the first and last of the intended second batch of Blade Children who had been squirreled away by Savers in an attempt to mask his existence entirely.

Ayumu has his back on this fabricated lie, and has his back too on the entirely truthful story that they had in fact found a way to break the curse entirely in this world. So long as she could build up enough positive emotions in her amulet, she could use the same method to save herself.

...All of that, of course, has nothing to do with the reason they're out today. No, this is more a matter of getting some extra cash, and curious as he is about his "half-sibling" he'd never before met, Hizumi had volunteered to help her out with a taskboard job.]

Lessee... There's always the huntin' ones, but... [Hmmm!] What's your opinion on waitressing?

[Looks like that maid and butler café is hiring temporarily again. Of course, there's still lots and lots of other options if that doesn't exactly suit her tastes.]

[The question makes her cheeks go a little pink, but Ryouko looks more exasperated than anything by it.]

My opinion is that I wouldn't be very good at it... I'm not really good with girlish things. [Not necessarily a conscious choice, of course, but you know how it is.] I'd rather stay away from hunting, too... TMaybe that's kind of obvious why, even if they would be animals.

[She... doesn't think she needs to explain it. Her eyes roam over Hizumi a bit. It's still a bit of a process getting acquainted with him, after all.]

Don't they have any other jobs? [Her voice perks up a bit, turns a little hopeful.] Maybe something physical that doesn't involve fighting anything?

Is it somethin' you're interested in, though?

[Regarding girlish things, anyway. But he won't push that too much now, instead eyeing the task board.]

Alright, then how about... farmin'? Looks like they need specific emotions for that one, though.

[Happiness and love for the sweet fruits... and anger for the spices.]

[There are good reasons for a native of Verens not to threaten Naegi in his own workplace, no matter how much of an asshole they are or how bad relations are with natives at the moment.

One of them is that you can't actually kill a person permanently here, and healing is relatively easy to come by. Another is that he has a wide network of friends and allies.

A third, extremely important reason is that if Cherryblod happens to be coming to visit unannounced, and he happens to see you threaten Naegi, there will suddenly be a large amount of blood dripping onto the floor, creating a blood trail behind Cherryblod as he puts himself in between the native and Naegi.]

Might I have a word?

[He's smiling. It's not a good smile.]

[His heart had been pounding in his throat. Perhaps it's his luck in play, and that's why this happened when Hinata hadn't been in the building.

Pressed up against the wall with nowhere to run, he'd desperately sent out a message through his amulet, begging for help, begging for someone to hear him...

This isn't supposed to happen, here. It's supposed to be safe, here.]

"Everything is for free in your business, isn't it?" [Naegi yelps when the man's hand slams into the wall beside his head.] "So why can't I just take whatever I want?

[He wants to speak. Wants to protest, be brave the way he was in the Class Trials, when he'd had to face the possibility of his own death. It should be nothing, but it's enough of a shock that he can't form any words. Not in his head, let alone out loud.

The man's face is twisting when the unexpected happens, and the door opens, and that's-

Naegi's brain doesn't quite catch up with what's happening. Not at the man who has sprung away from him, nor at the blood that is dripping in a trail behind who's shown up. It's not until that very person is between him and the one who'd threatened him that Naegi forms a word and then it's-]

...Dad. [Small and choked. And yet it's said certain and assured, not with the usual concern over whether he should be saying "Cherryblod-san" or "Dad". It's said with desperation, reaching out for safety in this situation that isn't safe at all.] Why are you... You shouldn't be...

[But he breaks off as the man snorts. He does that, and yet he's visibly shaken, eyes darting between Cherryblod and the floor.]

"Dad", huh? Doesn't look it. What the hell is going on here?"

Ought to be my line, you know.

[His child is afraid. His child is desperate enough to beg for help, and that isn't supposed to happen. That can't be allowed to happen.

When Cherryblod moves, it's sudden and quick. One second he's just standing there, smiling, and the next his hand is wrapped around the other man's throat and squeezing.]

Surely you weren't just threatening my son. Would be beyond foolish, don't you think so?

[It's impossible to answer verbally with Cherryblod squeezing so hard.]

"Y-!"

[It's little more than a puff of air, can't even really be called the beginning of a word. The man's fingers go for the ones wrapped around his throat, but he doesn't have the strength to pry them off. It was one thing to threaten the young man whose shorter than the average Japanese boy several years his junior; another entirely to deal with the strength of a grown man suffocating him.

And Naegi feels his heart making a leap for his throat, for a different reason entirely.

He trips forward, hands out, grabbing onto Cherryblod's sleeves as securely as he can and-]

Dad, don't- Don't- Please, let him go! [Maybe it's because his brain is in panic mode, but he can't picture anything but the worst happening. And if it does, he can't bear that - the weight of this man's life, or for Cherryblod to bear it.] If... If something happens to him, then the Reaper-

[He breaks off, buries his head in Cherryblod's sleeve. Tries not to think about the blood he slipped through to stand here.]

Please... I promise I'm okay, so please...

[Naegi has every reason to be concerned. If Cherryblod did kill this man, he wouldn't lose sleep over it. He threatened Naegi, therefore he dies.

But he would feel guilt over killing him in front of Naegi, especially with Naegi begging him to spare him. Naegi doesn't need to witness the level of cruelty that Cherryblod is capable of.

So, after a second, he releases the man's throat.]

Run along now.

[He doesn't waste any time. As soon as he's released, he's scurrying backwards with his hands, choking both on his terror and having his windpipe free again. His throat works for a second, like he's going to try and say something, maybe a curse- but then he's vaulting to his feet and running away without muttering a thing. It's not worth it.

It isn't until he hears the bang of the front door that Naegi feels his knees shake, weak and wanting to buckle. He can feel the adrenaline crash encroaching on him like a train at full speed, but he can't collapse yet. He can't, because-]

Dad, are- [His voice breaks a bit, so he swallows and tries again.] Are you okay? [That's probably a question that should be reversed, and even Naegi recognizes that, but he can't help asking because worry is clogging his throat...] All of this blood- Is this an emotional effect, or are you hurt?

[Please don't be hurt.]

Emotional effect, nothing to worry about.

[Aside from the implications of his anger appearing in the form of blood. That's going to be hell to clean up later...

Naegi's knees are shaking - he's not someone used to worse violence than this - so Cherryblod holds him close to his chest. He'd want to hug him no matter what.]

Did he hurt you?

I... don't know if I can not worry about you. [Even as Naegi says it, he finds himself relaxing into the hug, burying his head and breathing out unsteadily. Although it's still being threatened at close quarters the way he had been that has Naegi shaking, the blood brings back... memories. Really bad memories, but it's easier to chase away when he's being hugged like this.] Especially when there's just... so much...

[Does he the mean the blood, or the situation? Perhaps it's both.]

...But I'm okay. He didn't do anything to me, it was just... [He swallows.] It was scary.

[That feels childish to say, but it's the truth.]

It must have been. But you're safe now.

[Cherryblod rubs Naegi's back gently, as soothing as when his daughter came to him after a nightmare.]

Not going anywhere anytime soon. ...Would be rude not to clean up your floor after making a mess.

Call Me Out 2018

team 7 fun times

it's arguable if Sarada's having fun but hopefully Boruto is

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Neku! Spoiler version of your choice

I flipped a coin and got Option A so here we go ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Ryoko! We are now in Empatheias

eyes emoji's at you in spirit

(o¬‿¬o )

Naegi, because I don't think we did a proper Cherryblood thread in Emp

we did not!! finally slams into this, forgive me for imgur icons sobs

forgive me for the same

always <3

ilu

ilu too!!!!!

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