beneathmoonlight | Inbox: Atsushi Nakajima

[ ... that went better than he thought it would. apparently. john gives a nod at the thanks, even if he doesn't think he was all too proactively helpful. if his words have helped somehow, then he guesses they've helped somehow. ]

[ he takes a glance to either side of the path, clutching the gift gingerly beneath his arm. he lifts a hand to scratch at his chin. ]

Well, if you're fine either way, even if I'd like to hear your preference—

[ it's supposed to be a good time for atsushi, too!! he shoves his free hand into a pocket, nodding and making a move to start down a path. ]

Strollin' through the park's good. You like dogs any? [ the irony. ] There's a dog park here, too.

I love dogs.

[He loves most animals, really, except insects, so he follows John down the path, not really caring where they’re going as long as he gets to walk there with his friend.]

Can I ask you something kind of personal, John-san? You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.

[As if that wouldn’t pique his curiousity.]

It’s about memories...

Oh, good.

[ to the dog park they go, then! ]

[ ... as out of the blue that that topic is, there's something of a pause on john's part. it's never been a pleasant thing. but he remains smiling, tone light: ]

Memories, sure. What's up?

Do you...ever get happy ones?

[Atsushi still seems cheerful enough, hands clasped behind his back as they walk along, and oh goodness, there’s puppies in the dog park...]

I just...haven’t gotten any yet. Happy memories, I mean.

[ there are indeed puppies! john holds open the gate for atsushi, mindful of letting any of the dogs free. dogs everywhere... curious and friendly ones, too, that bound right up, tails a-waggin'.

before he thinks to let any sniff at his hand before petting, though-- he hums at that inquiry, considering. because he actually has to reflect-- which memories came when, how long was it before... ]

... It was seven months, before I remembered my other self bein' happy in one. In a good way.

[ he'll crouch, then, to gently pat a dog on the head. ]

So! Reckon it's hit or miss; sometimes the happy memories are all people get, you know? Haha. And still, I bet there are people that have been on the app since its launch and have yet to get a single one. The former's almost more difficult to believe.

Oh my gosh, they’re all so cute!!

[Atsushi is immediately bombarded with canines seeking affection, and he laughs when his face gets a big, long lick from a massive Great Dane. Dogs truly are wonderful creatures.]

Yeah. I shouldn’t give up on ever getting a happy memory.

[He scratches behind a pomeranian’s ears with a big, bright smile.]

Maybe my other self turned his life around too.

[He only knows that he was orphaned and alone on the streets, but what became of him after that is a mystery.]

Did your other self like plants too?

[ —admittedly, it is a little nice to see someone light up so much like that. it's contagious, nearly. john chuckles in response, giving the poodle mix that's intent on invading his personal space more scratches behind the ears.

of course, he can keep up any airs here, even if atsushi's comment does stir... morbid curiosity, a sense that it's not his business, and... an immediate, kickback response of don't get your hopes too high.

he hums. ]

Yeah, it's definitely possible. [ lightly; curious or not, he won't press unless atsushi feels like elaborating. ] You haven't been on the app long, right? —Might be too early to tell.

[ the poodle's flopping onto its back now, showing its belly. geez, what a glutton for attention. the question garners a nod. ]

He did! Geez, reckon he yammered on 'bout 'em more than I do, haha. More knowledgeable, too... Makes me realize that, even if I know a lot, I still got a lot to learn.

Yeah, maybe I should give it more time. And I think you already know way more about plants than most people.

[Atsushi really is having fun, but he can’t help but want to share some of the memories he experienced, perhaps in search of some kind of solidarity. But would it it ruin the happy mood that’s settled between them now? He’d already ruined it once earlier, in his mind, so maybe he shouldn’t say anything...]

I do remember saving someone from drowning. That’s good, right?

[So much for not sharing.]

Edited 2018-02-26 15:21 (UTC)

[ oh. ]

Well! If bad would be the opposite, in pushin' their head down 'til they stop strugglin'-- yeah, sounds as if that would be a good thing.

[ probably!

he inclines his head, offering a broader smile. even if john doesn't willingly include himself in within the criteria, he does realize it's natural that people would want to share their memories with others. so. ]

You were a nice person, then... like you are now, yeah? I'd hope that'd make you feel at least somewhat better 'bout things; and, hopefully, you'll get more memories of helpin' people out.

[That’s a funny joke...kind of...very morbidly funny...Atsushi will just...nod. Besides, John has a really, really nice smile...]

Ah...maybe. All I can do is hope the rest are good memories.

[So many doggies, so little time. Atsushi makes sure to pet each and every one of them at least once.

He wonders what kind of memories John has experienced, but he’s afraid to ask. Those seem deeply personal, after all, and if John wanted to share he probably would have by now.]

Do you want to go anywhere after this, John-san? We could get ice cream or something.

[He’s not ready to go just yet, but he won’t force John to hang out all day, either.]

Edited 2018-02-26 22:00 (UTC)

[ atsushi, what a man for rolling with that ]

[ wanna see him make things REALLY AWKWARD? because in this instance, john can feel it in his bones when he has to explain in situations like this-- not that he feels shame, far from, but.. ]

Ah, I like ice cream as much as the next guy, but I don't often eat out like that.

[ mostly truth; there have been exceptions. ]

Lil' strapped for cash, that's all.

Oh...I’m sorry, I didn’t know.

[Awkward indeed. If Atsushi offers to pay it’ll look like he pities John or something, which couldn’t be further from the truth. He feels for him, but he knows what it’s like to not have a cent in your name, and pity never helps.]

That’s fine. We can just hang out here until it gets dark. The stars might be out later!

[He hugs his knees to his chest.]

Do you like the ocean at all? Going to the beach is always fun, too. Maybe not today, but someday...

[A shy smile.]

If you want to hang out again after this, I mean.

[ ... mm.

atsushi is-- trying. a lot. john's not really frankly sure why, or what for, just that he's chalked it up to something of his personality. his eyelids hood a moment as suggestions are thrown this way and that, and he has to think on a few of those. for now, he mirrors his companion, sitting himself with care onto the grass so as to make himself more comfortable. ]

Atsushi. You've done nothin' wrong; I'm gonna wanna hang out with you again. I haven't been to the beach in a real long time, but I wouldn't mind goin' for a walk on it whenever.

[ his expression is even a bit warmer now, perhaps. ]

As for stars, yeah— I love them. Harder to see near the city, but off a bit in the forest and by the lake, it's pretty. If you wanna see, I'll definitely show you there.

[Atsushi breathes a sigh of relief when John reassures him, and though he’s constantly plagued with guilt and worry about various things in his life, he feels like he can truly relax just a bit now. He gives John the softest of smiles along with a little nod, his heart soaring at the idea of simply lying back and looking at the stars in the middle of nature.]

I’d like that a lot.

[Nevermind that stargazing sounds kind of like a date or something...]

Could we go tonight?

[ it-- sure does sound kind of like a date! it's probably a good thing for both of them that john doesn't put that together. or if he does realize, he doesn't seem to think it applies. ]

Sure thing! The dome's up and disappeared, but who knows if it's really gone for good, so...

[ good timing. he's more visibly excited now, too; he's already thinking of all the constellations he can probably point out. but, oh. maybe atsushi would already be familiar. ... he could try to guess at that, he supposes: ]

You said you moved to Recolle, yeah? Did you come from some other big city, or a small town, or--?

Oh! I moved to Recolle from Yokohama, Japan. What about you?

[At least they’ll have something to look forward to once it gets dark. Atsushi is familiar with a few constellations, but pointing them out is a bit tougher than simply remembering their names.]

I miss home sometimes, but there’s so many opportunities here, and a lot of nice people, so!

... Oklahoma.

[ ... ]

[ it's just a coincidence. ]

But, ah— Yokohama, huh. [ his expression hadn't shifted, even if there had been a beat of a pause. it'd be too forward to ask if atsushi remembered where his other self was from, and he's not sure if he wants to know right this moment. ] Can't say I've been outta this country, so... What nice things do you miss 'bout it?

[ if he doesn't mind rehashing-- it's a question blurted out without a lot of thought beforehand. ]

Oh? I haven’t been there before. I’ve heard there’s tornadoes sometimes...

[Atsushi does notice the pause before John answers. Had he said something wrong? But it's probably nothing...]

It’s a beautiful city in most seasons. There’s a giant Ferris wheel that lights up at night, too! And most people I met were polite enough.

[He looks wistful as he glances up at the sky.]

I grew up in an orphanage until I was adopted at age eleven, but I still found it beautiful.

Inbox: Atsushi Nakajima

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