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... Did I not?
[Okay, hold on, looking at the name and profile this app's got... Nox Miller... Nox Miller... oh.
OH.
FROM THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL TEAM.
Oh fuck well now he just felt bad.]
I, uh, I guess I didn't if you're shouting like that... [At least he had the decency to sound genuinely guilty.]
[Okay, hold on, looking at the name and profile this app's got... Nox Miller... Nox Miller... oh.
OH.
FROM THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL TEAM.
Oh fuck well now he just felt bad.]
I, uh, I guess I didn't if you're shouting like that... [At least he had the decency to sound genuinely guilty.]
You- [He... he has no idea what to do with this. Lorenzo being so chill about this shit was always something Nox remembered, and he does sound guilty about it at least?
Nox just inhales, exhales, and... completely loses his energy to yell. Lighter's ears are spared for now.]
So... besides being not fucking dead, where the hell have you been all this time?
Nox just inhales, exhales, and... completely loses his energy to yell. Lighter's ears are spared for now.]
So... besides being not fucking dead, where the hell have you been all this time?
A lot has happened between then and now. I'm sorry for not letting you know I was still around.
[He wasn't so tactless either to not admit he was wrong. But he also wasn't lying, a lot has happened since then.
Not a lot he's willing to open up about.]
I've come through this town a handful of times, believe it or not. But you know me, never one to settle in one place for too long. Not until I found steady work with decent pay here anyway. I only came back at the start of this year after staying in China for a while. Then I got this app on my phone.
Kinda weird it didn't show up last summer. I don't know if you're aware, but a lot of stuff went downhill on my side of the road around that time.
[He meant the magic part, but he wasn't sure how much or little Nox new about that or the Black Order or anything.]
[He wasn't so tactless either to not admit he was wrong. But he also wasn't lying, a lot has happened since then.
Not a lot he's willing to open up about.]
I've come through this town a handful of times, believe it or not. But you know me, never one to settle in one place for too long. Not until I found steady work with decent pay here anyway. I only came back at the start of this year after staying in China for a while. Then I got this app on my phone.
Kinda weird it didn't show up last summer. I don't know if you're aware, but a lot of stuff went downhill on my side of the road around that time.
[He meant the magic part, but he wasn't sure how much or little Nox new about that or the Black Order or anything.]
Look, as long as you're not fucking dead then I can deal.
[Honestly, Nox gets it. They've always sort of been like this. In a way, it reminds him of Vergil, in how things can be a big pause and also where not much is said in between them.
But he does get filled in, which is good.]
Yeah, you definitely had more adventures than me for sure. Been on the app forrrrrrr... three years now? Jesus christ has it been that long, fucking hell. Other than that, just dealing with Kaisou's bullshit ever since I came back home. I teach PE and coach the high school's basketball team now.
[The last part, though, that gets a pause.] If you mean the shit with the Black Order sending an entire kill-team, yeah, that was a thing.
........Is this the part where I tell you I'm part-demon, or does that come later?
[Honestly, Nox gets it. They've always sort of been like this. In a way, it reminds him of Vergil, in how things can be a big pause and also where not much is said in between them.
But he does get filled in, which is good.]
Yeah, you definitely had more adventures than me for sure. Been on the app forrrrrrr... three years now? Jesus christ has it been that long, fucking hell. Other than that, just dealing with Kaisou's bullshit ever since I came back home. I teach PE and coach the high school's basketball team now.
[The last part, though, that gets a pause.] If you mean the shit with the Black Order sending an entire kill-team, yeah, that was a thing.
........Is this the part where I tell you I'm part-demon, or does that come later?
Oh, so I don't have to dance around knowing about the magic side anymore. That makes things much easier for me.
[Hooray for one less thing to slip on! There is a huff of a laugh though.]
Hey, good on you finding something steady after college. I'm sure the kids there must think you're the cool teacher, huh? Either way, I'm glad they've got a guy like you helping them along.
[Except the introverts.
... but also uh.
There's a long silence because.
What.]
Uh, yeah that's what I meant... But holy shit. You're part-demon? Is this a new development?
[Hooray for one less thing to slip on! There is a huff of a laugh though.]
Hey, good on you finding something steady after college. I'm sure the kids there must think you're the cool teacher, huh? Either way, I'm glad they've got a guy like you helping them along.
[Except the introverts.
... but also uh.
There's a long silence because.
What.]
Uh, yeah that's what I meant... But holy shit. You're part-demon? Is this a new development?
[It's been heavy this time around with the Spirit Realm. So, Harumasa wants to lighten the mood a bit. Maybe it'll bring a smile to Lighter's face or something. He doesn't know, but it's worth trying.
The idea comes to him like a bolt from the blue and he's laughing so hard to himself. At noon on the dot, Lighter will receive a music file from Harumasa. It's not just any file, though. It's Harumasa's cover of the song and it's damn well sung. It's not Corey Hart, but he makes it his own.]
The idea comes to him like a bolt from the blue and he's laughing so hard to himself. At noon on the dot, Lighter will receive a music file from Harumasa. It's not just any file, though. It's Harumasa's cover of the song and it's damn well sung. It's not Corey Hart, but he makes it his own.]
[Lighter's sure as hell been feeling the weight. He's been a bit broody, different from his usual in the fortress where sure he had RBF but he'd smile when chatted up. That's when he has been in there, he's more often kept himself busy with other work until he gets tired. At least he wasn't overworking and he knew not to do anything more than what's being paid for.
He was a bit surprised seeing a random text but he listened to the whole thing and honestly felt flattered. It gave him the laugh he really needed right about now.]
🤘
Not bad! I wasn't expecting to be serenaded today, my heart really skipped a beat there.
He was a bit surprised seeing a random text but he listened to the whole thing and honestly felt flattered. It gave him the laugh he really needed right about now.]
🤘
Not bad! I wasn't expecting to be serenaded today, my heart really skipped a beat there.
[Harumasa smiles, though he's 50/50 on whether or not Lighter's serious. He'll assume he's not until he's given evidence to the contrary.]
😉💖
Honestly, I was between that or Eye of the Tiger, but I felt the latter wasn't as good. It'll stay in my backpocket for later~
Who wouldn't like to get to know a tall, mysterious guy in shades?
😉💖
Honestly, I was between that or Eye of the Tiger, but I felt the latter wasn't as good. It'll stay in my backpocket for later~
Who wouldn't like to get to know a tall, mysterious guy in shades?
[And Lighter will give absolutely no information on whether he's serious or not.
This withholding of information is not intentional, he's just stupid.]
Save that one for a dramatic entrance next time you decide to paw at my door. Knowing you, you'll find a way to still make it surprising.
[That or Lighter will forget he had this conversation.]
Well, we have time to get to know each other really well.
[LORENZO FUENTES.]
This withholding of information is not intentional, he's just stupid.]
Save that one for a dramatic entrance next time you decide to paw at my door. Knowing you, you'll find a way to still make it surprising.
[That or Lighter will forget he had this conversation.]
Well, we have time to get to know each other really well.
[LORENZO FUENTES.]
That's a good point~ As long as you don't freak out again when I'm at your door.
[.............................
HELLO?]
If you wanna get to know me really well, it'll have to be over several dinners and/or lunches~! I find that to be the fastest way to get to know a guy.
[.............................
HELLO?]
If you wanna get to know me really well, it'll have to be over several dinners and/or lunches~! I find that to be the fastest way to get to know a guy.
Definitely not, I don't even know how the hell you managed it for so long around my normie ass.
[Yeah, he remembers that laugh. Gods he's missed this moron.]
Kinda, the kids on the team say I'm a hardass, but they know I mean well. I try not to be too cool, because then you get other teachers on you for being "a terrible influence."
Uhhhhhhhh not so much new development as more like... I was part-demon in my past life? And it came back again in this one. Kaisou also decided my ass needed to be part dragon at some point too, so that's fun. It's been... kinda wild since I woke back up.
[Yeah, he remembers that laugh. Gods he's missed this moron.]
Kinda, the kids on the team say I'm a hardass, but they know I mean well. I try not to be too cool, because then you get other teachers on you for being "a terrible influence."
Uhhhhhhhh not so much new development as more like... I was part-demon in my past life? And it came back again in this one. Kaisou also decided my ass needed to be part dragon at some point too, so that's fun. It's been... kinda wild since I woke back up.
It's easier than you'd think when you couldn't see it anyway.
[Lorenzo preferred to not have anything spring an awkward conversation anyway. He laughed again though.]
Guess you've got a point there. Faculty higher ups don't know what kids tend to lean towards, huh? It's why I was only with the church youth group for one summer.
[Nox could probably hear the shrug.]
... Damn, that's fuckin' crazy. [did you miss how comically accepting of random bullshit lorenzo was nox]
[Lorenzo preferred to not have anything spring an awkward conversation anyway. He laughed again though.]
Guess you've got a point there. Faculty higher ups don't know what kids tend to lean towards, huh? It's why I was only with the church youth group for one summer.
[Nox could probably hear the shrug.]
... Damn, that's fuckin' crazy. [did you miss how comically accepting of random bullshit lorenzo was nox]
...eh, yeah, I guess. October's still a pain in the ass to try and explain shit though.
[Constantly having to tell people the hair color and everything else is related to Halloween or something similar gets really old really quick. Luckily it's only that month, otherwise Nox may just lose his mind over it.]
Tell me about it- most admins don't even know what the fuck kids like most days, and they try and make decisions for them anyway. Always a hassle to deal with.
[YEAH HE CAN.]
Yeah, sure fucking is. Better than having nothing to do and watching paint dry, at least.
[Man, he didn't realize how much he missed this till it hit him in the face. Now he's laughing just a little.]
Just saying, Kaisou is probably gonna grab you by the throat at some point and give you shit you didn't expect. Be ready for it, yeah?
[Constantly having to tell people the hair color and everything else is related to Halloween or something similar gets really old really quick. Luckily it's only that month, otherwise Nox may just lose his mind over it.]
Tell me about it- most admins don't even know what the fuck kids like most days, and they try and make decisions for them anyway. Always a hassle to deal with.
[YEAH HE CAN.]
Yeah, sure fucking is. Better than having nothing to do and watching paint dry, at least.
[Man, he didn't realize how much he missed this till it hit him in the face. Now he's laughing just a little.]
Just saying, Kaisou is probably gonna grab you by the throat at some point and give you shit you didn't expect. Be ready for it, yeah?
Just pray they keep buying what you say that month and we won't have to worry. I'd say I've got you if you need a quick way out, but you've probably got that covered huh?
[Between demon and dragon and whatever else, Nox won't need Lorenzo's bike for a quick escape.]
Heh, I've already stumbled on some weird shit I think. That past life stuff you mentioned... found someone that I remember knowing but don't ever remember meeting. It was kinda freaky, not gonna lie. But she's a good person. That's what my gut's telling me.
And either way, I've been through some wild shit over the years. Even if I get blindsided I'll always find my own way back around.
[Lorenzo seems to have mellowed out a little bit, but he still certainly had his nonchalant confidence. Just with awareness that he's got limits now.]
[Between demon and dragon and whatever else, Nox won't need Lorenzo's bike for a quick escape.]
Heh, I've already stumbled on some weird shit I think. That past life stuff you mentioned... found someone that I remember knowing but don't ever remember meeting. It was kinda freaky, not gonna lie. But she's a good person. That's what my gut's telling me.
And either way, I've been through some wild shit over the years. Even if I get blindsided I'll always find my own way back around.
[Lorenzo seems to have mellowed out a little bit, but he still certainly had his nonchalant confidence. Just with awareness that he's got limits now.]
[Last night was so much. Jun and Harumasa are still in the hospital, and most of their family hovering around in shifts, meaning the Fortress is unusually quiet and still burning off the stress of those events. Maxima had to get several hyena bites stitched up, and he's grateful that the hospital has staff who understand when not to ask too many questions about things like "why were you fighting hyenas".
He doesn't do well with idleness, so he took on kitchen duty today. Dinner is beef stroganoff, his own best recipe; but since the cafeteria is also subdued and half-empty, he's taken it on himself to bring his share and one additional serving to the room of someone who was missing from the crowd. Lighter seemed stiff and distant while they were all at the hospital yesterday, and with everything else Maxima simply didn't have the energy to work out what was causing it; maybe giving him some time to cool down will have helped.]
Lorenzo, are you in? ...I brought dinner.
He doesn't do well with idleness, so he took on kitchen duty today. Dinner is beef stroganoff, his own best recipe; but since the cafeteria is also subdued and half-empty, he's taken it on himself to bring his share and one additional serving to the room of someone who was missing from the crowd. Lighter seemed stiff and distant while they were all at the hospital yesterday, and with everything else Maxima simply didn't have the energy to work out what was causing it; maybe giving him some time to cool down will have helped.]
Lorenzo, are you in? ...I brought dinner.
[Lorenzo felt completely deflated after all was said and done. He came close to snapping on people once the adrenaline wore down but managed to keep it to a simmer rather than a boil. Since having a bit of time to cool down he felt a bit bad about it. Folks were just trying to help.
As if he wasn't stewing in enough guilt because of what happened.
It's why he was relieved when Maxima came over to his room with food. That and, well, anything beat hospital food. He tried to give a wave with his arm now in a cast, but remembered himself and waved with his other hand instead.]
Yeah, I'm around. And dinner with company is sounding real good right now.
[He was clearly feeling better, but the difference is he felt like shit instead of felt like shit in the seventh layer of hell.]
Howr're you feeling?
As if he wasn't stewing in enough guilt because of what happened.
It's why he was relieved when Maxima came over to his room with food. That and, well, anything beat hospital food. He tried to give a wave with his arm now in a cast, but remembered himself and waved with his other hand instead.]
Yeah, I'm around. And dinner with company is sounding real good right now.
[He was clearly feeling better, but the difference is he felt like shit instead of felt like shit in the seventh layer of hell.]
Howr're you feeling?
I've had worse days.
[A tired, sardonic smile as he enters and closes the door behind him, finding somewhere to set the food down; he knows that's not a reassuring thing to say, but that's kind of the point of his being here. They've both been through a lot, and not just recently.]
It's stroganoff. A recipe from home. Don't eat it too quickly - it holds in the heat.
[He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly as he sits down, the lingering exhaustion beginning to show.] ...I'm sore as anything, but...I think the quiet is the most troubling thing. No one's going to bounce back until Jun and Harumasa are with us again.
[A tired, sardonic smile as he enters and closes the door behind him, finding somewhere to set the food down; he knows that's not a reassuring thing to say, but that's kind of the point of his being here. They've both been through a lot, and not just recently.]
It's stroganoff. A recipe from home. Don't eat it too quickly - it holds in the heat.
[He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly as he sits down, the lingering exhaustion beginning to show.] ...I'm sore as anything, but...I think the quiet is the most troubling thing. No one's going to bounce back until Jun and Harumasa are with us again.
[A huff of a laugh.]
Same here. [A broken arm isn't the worst injury he's ever had, even as a boxer. It'll basically be like nothing happened a week or so from now. There's a nod in thanks for the food and he did think it looked damn tasty. Sure he had a low bar right now, but Maxima wasn't a bad cook.
He didn't blame the man for letting the exhaustion finally set in, God knows it was gonna take longer than a day for them to really recover. Mentally and physically.]
Yeah, it feels like something's really missing without them around. They're getting the best care they can, I'm taking solace in that.
[Jun would be fine, it was Harumasa Lighter was really worried about. But even with Jun being fine.
Neither of them would have gone to the hospital if not for Lighter's foolishness. And it's that thought that made him drag a hand down his face.]
Fucking God...
Same here. [A broken arm isn't the worst injury he's ever had, even as a boxer. It'll basically be like nothing happened a week or so from now. There's a nod in thanks for the food and he did think it looked damn tasty. Sure he had a low bar right now, but Maxima wasn't a bad cook.
He didn't blame the man for letting the exhaustion finally set in, God knows it was gonna take longer than a day for them to really recover. Mentally and physically.]
Yeah, it feels like something's really missing without them around. They're getting the best care they can, I'm taking solace in that.
[Jun would be fine, it was Harumasa Lighter was really worried about. But even with Jun being fine.
Neither of them would have gone to the hospital if not for Lighter's foolishness. And it's that thought that made him drag a hand down his face.]
Fucking God...
[There was something more to it all. Maxima hadn't had time to really process what had happened at the start of the game, the swift sequence of events that had immediately derailed their night. He still isn't sure exactly why all of that happened the way it did.]
...I noticed last night as well, you seemed to be taking it hard. I'm sure their family wouldn't mind a close friend stopping in, if you're worried for them.
[He doesn't think it's just worry, but he's hoping that's enough for Lighter to open up about what it actually is.]
...I noticed last night as well, you seemed to be taking it hard. I'm sure their family wouldn't mind a close friend stopping in, if you're worried for them.
[He doesn't think it's just worry, but he's hoping that's enough for Lighter to open up about what it actually is.]
[Sharply:]
It's fine. They're in the best place they can be right now. I'm no good at paying hospital visits.
[Realizing that came out harsher than intended, Lighter sighed.]
Sorry... I'm still pretty on edge. That's why it's not a great idea for me to see them until they're recovered.
[...]
Jun knew I was supposed to take that shot. I guess he must have told Harumasa too. If I knew what was coming...
["I could have stopped them from being hurt. It would have killed me like it should have."]
Guess there's no use dwelling on it anymore. It's never fun seeing a kid get hurt, especially not that badly. [Another huffed laugh, humorless.] Even if he's really not a kid anymore.
It's fine. They're in the best place they can be right now. I'm no good at paying hospital visits.
[Realizing that came out harsher than intended, Lighter sighed.]
Sorry... I'm still pretty on edge. That's why it's not a great idea for me to see them until they're recovered.
[...]
Jun knew I was supposed to take that shot. I guess he must have told Harumasa too. If I knew what was coming...
["I could have stopped them from being hurt. It would have killed me like it should have."]
Guess there's no use dwelling on it anymore. It's never fun seeing a kid get hurt, especially not that badly. [Another huffed laugh, humorless.] Even if he's really not a kid anymore.
He knew...?
[That puts everything in a different light. He'd picked up on some odd tension in the room despite the occasion, but not enough to make him concerned until it had all gone off at once. Jun must have told Varian, that's why Varian was so twitchy. Had Wriothesley's vigilance also been a part of the plan, or had he simply sensed something wrong as well?]
...Why wouldn't they tell you? Let you protect yourself? Why the...charade of normalcy?
[There's a trace of real anger in his voice. Being protected over and over again is a wound to his pride, and to have that choice made against his will...]
...I certainly can't blame you for being upset, under the circumstances.
[That puts everything in a different light. He'd picked up on some odd tension in the room despite the occasion, but not enough to make him concerned until it had all gone off at once. Jun must have told Varian, that's why Varian was so twitchy. Had Wriothesley's vigilance also been a part of the plan, or had he simply sensed something wrong as well?]
...Why wouldn't they tell you? Let you protect yourself? Why the...charade of normalcy?
[There's a trace of real anger in his voice. Being protected over and over again is a wound to his pride, and to have that choice made against his will...]
...I certainly can't blame you for being upset, under the circumstances.
They wanted to keep it from happening and make sure I survived. ["... Lighter, why do you sound like you think I made a mistake with saving your life? "]
... Don't hold it against them too much. I see where they're coming from, even if it was insanely reckless.
[But of course he was still upset. Just probably not for the reason Maxima thought. It wasn't that Lighter wasn't grateful to still be alive. It was that... it was that if his second chance ran out why not let it play out?
Fuck's sake, son...]
... Don't hold it against them too much. I see where they're coming from, even if it was insanely reckless.
[But of course he was still upset. Just probably not for the reason Maxima thought. It wasn't that Lighter wasn't grateful to still be alive. It was that... it was that if his second chance ran out why not let it play out?
Fuck's sake, son...]
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