coffeemusings

[coffeemusings]

Made it to season 5 of S.ons of Anarchy and still on season 1 of Seraph of the End. Both shows I’m watching for the first time while rewatching Inuyasha and Wolf’s Rain AND playing A.ssassin’a Creed: Shadows and replaying Suikoden xD Also trying to read more, but there’s not enough time in the day to do all those things lmao.

[coffeemusings]

Continued from here. @rcsetorn

Nala let out a soft purr when the General stroked the top of her head, her eyes falling closed in contentment and her head pressing against her hand. It never failed to make the lioness relax and it showed in the way her body slacked a little. Only when Beatrix spoke, did Nala remember how late into the night it was and the question she asked the General because of it. "Did I interrupt?" The lioness asked, not wanting to intrude on her time alone, especially since this time at night was usually the most peaceful.

But then the question was turned on her and Nala looked around. "A little of both, I suppose. But here's not exactly much to hunt within the castle walls." Then she chuckled. "Though making prey of the Knights of Pluto tempts me more each day." How some of them survived this long, let alone became a Knight, baffled the lioness sometimes. Not only were they quite inept at times, they some of them were rather annoying. "But I doubt their taste would be a pleasant one." Just the thought had the lioness grimacing.

[coffeemusings]

. ✦ ── 𝐍𝐎 𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐄 : this set has nineteen dialogue prompts , feel free to merge some or fix up as you like .

‘ you shouldn’t have crossed me . ’

‘ i warned you about what would happen if you didn’t stay away . ’

‘ one wrong move , and you’ll regret it . ’

‘ you’ve got a death wish , don’t you . ’

‘ this is where it all ends for you . ’

‘ i’ve been patient long enough . time to pay . ’

‘ did you really think you could escape ? ’

‘ i’ll make sure you don’t walk away from this . ’

‘ you’re not leaving until I say so . ’

‘ that’s the last mistake you’ll ever make . ’

‘ calm the fuck down , you caused this for yourself . ’

‘ i should have killed you the moment i saw you . ’

‘ [your/my] blood is on [my/your] hands now . ’

‘ this is your final warning . ’

‘ run . i dare you . ’

‘ you think i won’t hurt you ? think again . ’

‘ what’s it going to be : your life , or mine ? ’

‘ i didn’t want to do this , y'know i've got no other choice . ’

‘ the only thing left for you now is the end . ’

[coffeemusings]

It was a mystery as to where Sora went. Or where he was taken to. But it was a mystery everyone was determined to solve, including him. It's what Sora deserved, after all. To be found, to be saved, because that's exactly what he'd do, and what he's done, for every single person here. Including him. Though, the one that has probably helped him most, that allowed him to be his own person - well, aside from one other person, someone he made a promise to - was standing not far from him, in front of the mansion doors. Waiting? Hesitating? He wasn't sure.

He chuckled at Riku's greeting and came to a stop just behind him. "Guess it's too hard to stay away." He smirked, and in a way that was true. Because after everything they'd been through, Riku, and everyone else he met? They became important to him. They became his friends. And he became theirs. Something he didn't expect would ever happen... not after everything he did, even though it hadn't entirely been his fault. But still, he felt undeserving of having his own life, his own person, once upon a time, but had been convinced otherwise and he had Riku to thank for that.

So here he was, here he stood, as his own being. With his own name.

"I could ask you the same question. But I just got here." He wondered how long Riku had been out here and if something was stopping him from going inside. "Are you alright?"

.･ﾟ: * ✧ @coffeemusings || starter for Replica Riku

And despite the mansion being well full of those working diligently to find traces of Sora, among them being Roxas, Xion and some Twilight Town residents... he thinks he heard Naminé was helping, too, today. It still looked like the type of place that ghosts wander to.

One of which happens upon him, making Riku turn his gaze away from the front gate and over his shoulder, to see him trotting up the wooded path. Well it's well enough the both of them had the same face, because they could both count as ghosts these days.

❝ I had a feeling I might see you again. ❞ He went by a different name these days... didn't he?

❝ Not going in? ❞ he asks, although the answer might be obvious. And it wasn't like he had any room to talk. Looking back at the mansion one last time before turning to fully face the replica. The last time they stood here, together, things didn't turn out so well...

[coffeemusings]

InuYasha was admittedly surprised when Bankotsu agreed to potentially changing his ways with this second chance. He didn't expect him to agree so quickly, but then again, if he continued his old ways as a merciless mercenary, InuYasha would just stop at nothing to kill him again, so maybe that convinced him. The thought had the half demon grinning. But he'd keep that to himself. "Look, all ya have to do is not kill anyone innocent." He told him, arms crossed in each sleeve over his waist as they walked. "You can still be what you are, but goin' after demons and whatnot. There's always plenty of those to kill around here. Hell, Miroku gets paid to do that." At times, so did InuYasha, but he didn't do it for the money. Miroku did. Mostly. "You can make a livin' huntin' demons for people and you still get to kill, but for the right reasons." If Bankotsu was serious about this, then InuYasha would be willing to help him.

And he seemed to be. Huh. Who woulda thought. Though, he was right about the others... they may feel differently about turning over a new leaf if they were even alive. "I haven't picked up their scents yet. Unless they're different this time around, but yours wasn't." And at the mention of Jakotsu, InuYasha made a face. "Hard to forget him. Most annoyin' of them all." A brief pause. "Him and Mukotsu. That bastard I could do without." He growled out. That was the bastard that tried to assault Kagome and nearly killed her and the others with his poison. "I'd rather Jakotsu over him, even though his obsession with me was creepy as hell. What was his deal, anyway?"

InuYasha scoffed in disgust. "Yeah, the Saimyōshō. I hated those damned, stupid bees." Honestly probably the most annoying part when it came to fighting Naraku. Those stupid insects were always wherever Naraku was, or wherever one of his incarnations were. Miroku was lucky he didn't die from sucking so many of those things into his wind tunnel. "Seemed like anyone that worked for Naraku didn't have much of a choice. He either manipulated them into helpin' him or trapped them. Hell, even his own incarnations tried to get away from him." Kagura, especially. If he was being honest, InuYasha hated that she had to die, but... at least she was free in the end.

Now Bankotsu was free, too, and InuYasha hoped he wasn't going to mess that up by killing innocents again. If so, then InuYasha would stop at nothing to kill him. Again.

InuYasha listened to him go on about his past, but it's when he mentioned Naraku that his ears twitched. "Wait, you met Naraku way back then? And he just happened to tell you about the Jewel? Did ya go searchin' for it after her told you?" He asked. "Cause if so, it sounds to me like he set you up somehow. Like maybe he was the reason you all were tricked and killed, just so he could bring you back one day and force you to work for him." Did it sound far fetched? Probably, but this was Naraku they were talking about. And it was obvious that when they were brought back, they didn't have a choice but to work for them. They'd been under his control thanks to the jewel shards. But now, there was no jewel shard controlling him. He seemed to be free. Seemed to being the keyword because they still didn't know how or what brought him back. Or why.

"But hey, you're alive again and even though we don't know how or why, you don't seem like you're bein' controlled by anything. So try not to waste this new life 'o yours on merciless bloodshed." Both a suggestion and a demand. "Who knows, maybe we'll find some of the others there or on the way... if they're alive, too." Though to be honest, a few of them he could happily do without.

[coffeemusings]

Panic filled the half demon the second he woke, instantly looking for Kagome. Thankfully, she was nearby, and her voice - as always - instantly calmed him. His heart slowed and he let out a breath as he relaxed, tired eyes taking her - and all of her strength and beauty - in. Because of her, he'd been able to rest all night, without any disturbance or interruption. She kept him safe and took care of him, and for that, he was grateful. Forever grateful for his Kagome.

"Yeah..." He sighed in relief, relaxing against the wall as he watched her, his nose instantly picking up the smell of food. It made his stomach grumble. "Did you get to rest, too?" He asked, always concerned for her wellbeing in return. He hoped she didn't stay awake all night just to make sure he slept. Humans needed rest more than demons, though she was stronger than most humans. Hell, even stronger than some demons. She's certainly proven that. But still... he just wanted her to be okay. It wasn't just InuYasha that had a rough night after all. Kagome was there with him the entire time.

His stomach let out a louder growl this time and so he hopped to his feet, clearly rejuvenated and feeling himself again. At least physically. "Smells amazin', Kagome." He complimented with a smile, daring to peak over her shoulder. "Watcha makin'?" Ever the curious half demon, he plopped his chin on her shoulder and wrapped his left arm around her waist to hold her from behind while his other hand reached around and in front of her, intending to sneak a taste of whatever it was she was making.

Kagome's words, though comforting, didn't fully erase the guilt within him. People still died because he failed to protect them. Because he didn't get here in time to fight off the demons before they claimed innocent lives. All because of the damned New Moon.

Did he regret choosing to stay a half demon? Of course not. He accepted who he was and what he was. He accepted it long ago. Kagome was his family, his wife, and that was a huge reason why he chose to stay a half demon - Miroku, Sango, Shippo, too. That and, well, had he become a full fledged demon, he would've been different. Bloodthirsty, power hungry and vicious. He refused to let himself become that permanently. So no, he didn't regret staying a half demon.

But on nights like this, he just... damnit. He growled to himself as his eyes fell closed, repeating Kagome's words of reassurance and focusing on how amazing her soft, gentle hands felt in his hair. He sighed and turned his head so he could nuzzle his face against her warm hand, nodding. "Yeah, alright..." He muttered sleepily with no argument, a sign of how far he'd come from when they first met. How once upon a time, Kagome offering to protect InuYasha would make him scoff and laugh, because she was just a human and he didn't need protecting, but now? Now he appreciated it. Appreciated her. They protected each other. Always.

--------

Morning had come and the second the first light of the sun graced the sky, InuYasha's eyes opened and his ears twitched. "Hm?" He hummed and it only took him a second to remember. He sat up with a start. "Kagome!?"

[coffeemusings]

Inuyasha in "Tessaiga Breaks" Inuyasha: Season 1, Episode 43 (2001)

[coffeemusings]

InuYasha scoffed in disgust. "Yeah, the Saimyōshō. I hated those damned, stupid bees." Honestly probably the most annoying part when it came to fighting Naraku. Those stupid insects were always wherever Naraku was, or wherever one of his incarnations were. Miroku was lucky he didn't die from sucking so many of those things into his wind tunnel. "Seemed like anyone that worked for Naraku didn't have much of a choice. He either manipulated them into helpin' him or trapped them. Hell, even his own incarnations tried to get away from him." Kagura, especially. If he was being honest, InuYasha hated that she had to die, but... at least she was free in the end.

Now Bankotsu was free, too, and InuYasha hoped he wasn't going to mess that up by killing innocents again. If so, then InuYasha would stop at nothing to kill him. Again.

InuYasha listened to him go on about his past, but it's when he mentioned Naraku that his ears twitched. "Wait, you met Naraku way back then? And he just happened to tell you about the Jewel? Did ya go searchin' for it after her told you?" He asked. "Cause if so, it sounds to me like he set you up somehow. Like maybe he was the reason you all were tricked and killed, just so he could bring you back one day and force you to work for him." Did it sound far fetched? Probably, but this was Naraku they were talking about. And it was obvious that when they were brought back, they didn't have a choice but to work for them. They'd been under his control thanks to the jewel shards. But now, there was no jewel shard controlling him. He seemed to be free. Seemed to being the keyword because they still didn't know how or what brought him back. Or why.

"But hey, you're alive again and even though we don't know how or why, you don't seem like you're bein' controlled by anything. So try not to waste this new life 'o yours on merciless bloodshed." Both a suggestion and a demand. "Who knows, maybe we'll find some of the others there or on the way... if they're alive, too." Though to be honest, a few of them he could happily do without.

"H-hey, wait! You're going now?" InuYasha meant what he said. He planned on following Bankotsu, in part to make sure he held up his end of the truce and the other, well, the half demon was admittedly curious about where he grew up. And just about his past in general. But damn, he didn't want to disappear without a word and worry everyone. He growled to himself, looking at Bankotsu heading one way and then looking in the opposite direction where his home was. It wouldn't exactly be the first time he was gone for days at a time. His job as protector of these lands caused that sometimes, but Kagome was usually aware of it. Though, to be fair, she knew InuYasha ran off to investigate the smell of blood, mixed with a familiar scent, so... maybe it would be fine.

And if she got worried, she'd just send Shippo or Kirara to find him. Then he could explain what happened and why he left in a hurry.

So, he followed Bankotsu, easily catching up to him. "If you're serious about goin' now, then so am I. Kagome will be fine. She'll know I left for a good reason." And she was safe, that was the most important thing. Not only was she more than capable of taking care of herself, but she was under the care and protection of so many others. Eastern Country was quite the ways from here, but he wasn't turning back now. "So, what, ya ya never went to check the last time you were brought back? When Naraku was behind it?" Which hadn't been too long ago so with the way Bankotsu spoke, it sounded like he hadn't been to his home since he was first, and actually, alive.

And that's when Bankotsu began to talk about his village. His past. And InuYasha went silent. He listened to his every word, intrigued and curious. Questions filled his mind, but he waited for Bankotsu to finish before asking any. His brow quirked when he mentioned mercenaries coming to his village and picking on the week, head turning to look at him. "So you became one of them? Instead of becomin' like your old man, you chose the path of ruthless killer?" There was more to this story... there had to be. Why the hell did he become the very thing that hurt his people?

[coffeemusings]

Ellie didn't bother to look for a date either. Honestly, why bother? They were both hungry and the food was still sealed tight so they'd be fine, right? She was excited as hell to eat some junk food and Joel seemed just as excited from the smile on his face which was a rare thing and she was tempted to point out, but eh, she'd annoy him with one thing at a time. So, she led him to the stash which was still fairly full. "Yeah? Thanks! Guess I saved us from starving, huh?" She half joked and when he leaned down to pick up a package, Ellie scoffed. "Hey! You gotta pay for those! I worked hard finding this stash! That'll be... hmm.." She hummed in thought. "Five dollars. Each." She held out her hand, trying to keep her expression serious, despite it very obviously being a joke. She didn't know how much this stuff was back in his time before the infection and she was curious, but more than that, she was starving.

She opened the bag of lays chips first and took a bite, groaning loudly at the loud crunch and salty taste. "Oh, man, these are so good!" She held out the bag to him for him to take one, but when he mentioned getting rid of the comics, she pulled the bag back. "Ha, nice try, Joel! I'm never getting rid of those babies. You'll just have to fit most of these snacks in your bag," she countered with a smirk, which grew when an idea popped into her head. Time to annoy him! "In fact, you know what else I'm never getting rid of?" She kneeled down to set down her bag, unzipped it and reached in to pull out a much smaller book. Joel would likely recognize it. She cleared her throat. "What did the grape say when it got crushed?" Brief pause. "Nothing, it just let out a little wine."

Okay, sure, the comics wouldn't exactly be useful when it came to fighting against the infected, but they were a source of entertainment for Ellie and an awesome one at that! Could be for Joel, too, if he ever actually tried reading them, but no matter how hard Ellie tried to convince him, he wouldn't budge. Lame. Even more so because of his huff. Ellie swears he does that same exact huff every time she finds another one of the comics. "See, right there! You just did it again!" She quickly pointed out, one hand held behind her back and the other holding the new comic book she found, which she waved when he asked if she found anything they can use. But she was only kidding. She just liked to annoy him a little sometimes.

"You mean like a stash of delicious snacks someone was probably trying to hide from intruders?" She grinned. "Fuck yeah, I did!" She then tossed a small bag of lays potato chips at him with the hand she'd been hiding. "Not much in there, but better than nothing, right? Come on, it's in here." She headed back into the room where the open container with a few different snacks now lay open, having been dragged out of the closet. She looked at Joel, grinning. "Whose awesome?"

[coffeemusings]

Just when I thought I finally found somewhere to watch S.eraph of the End, YouTube only has three episodes ugh. Sucks they removed it from all streaming platforms. I was really enjoying it. Might just give in and buy the first season on Amazon Prime. Until then, I’ll just continue SOA and read.

[coffeemusings]

Okay, sure, the comics wouldn't exactly be useful when it came to fighting against the infected, but they were a source of entertainment for Ellie and an awesome one at that! Could be for Joel, too, if he ever actually tried reading them, but no matter how hard Ellie tried to convince him, he wouldn't budge. Lame. Even more so because of his huff. Ellie swears he does that same exact huff every time she finds another one of the comics. "See, right there! You just did it again!" She quickly pointed out, one hand held behind her back and the other holding the new comic book she found, which she waved when he asked if she found anything they can use. But she was only kidding. She just liked to annoy him a little sometimes.

"You mean like a stash of delicious snacks someone was probably trying to hide from intruders?" She grinned. "Fuck yeah, I did!" She then tossed a small bag of lays potato chips at him with the hand she'd been hiding. "Not much in there, but better than nothing, right? Come on, it's in here." She headed back into the room where the open container with a few different snacks now lay open, having been dragged out of the closet. She looked at Joel, grinning. "Whose awesome?"

@coffeemusings asked: "Did you just huff?" From Ellie!

" no. " he responds, letting yet another huff pass through his lips. he was growing increasingly frustrated with a situation that he should have predicted, which only frustrated him more. searching yet another neighborhood for supplies he could only hope hadn't already picked over. the girl was going to starve before he could even get her near the fireflies. all they'd found was one of them damn comics she'd been reading, and though he was glad to have added to her collection, comics weren't going to keep them alive. " find anything we can use? " he questions, trying his best to fix his tone with a sigh.

[coffeemusings]

"Hm?" Nala's ear twitched at the sound of rustling grass behind her, but there was no one to be seen. She shrugged and turned back to her task at hand: hunting. Practice hunting, anyway. Her eyes remained trained on the calf in front of her, a good few feet away, grazing on the grass. Quietly, Nala stalked closer, closing the distance between her and the prey. Just a few more feet and she would make her move... make her attack. Closer... closer... and--

"Gotcha!"

Nala gasped in surprised when Simba leapt from the grass behind her, successfully pouncing her into the ground and scaring away the calf that she'd worked so hard on hunting. "H-hey! Not cool, Simba!" Nala scolded as she pushed him off of her with a grunt, giving no warning as she tackled him in return, intending to pin him as she's done many a times before. "You ruined my hunt!"

He's going to pounce on your muse in three ... Two ...

One!

"Gotcha!"

[coffeemusings]

"H-hey, wait! You're going now?" InuYasha meant what he said. He planned on following Bankotsu, in part to make sure he held up his end of the truce and the other, well, the half demon was admittedly curious about where he grew up. And just about his past in general. But damn, he didn't want to disappear without a word and worry everyone. He growled to himself, looking at Bankotsu heading one way and then looking in the opposite direction where his home was. It wouldn't exactly be the first time he was gone for days at a time. His job as protector of these lands caused that sometimes, but Kagome was usually aware of it. Though, to be fair, she knew InuYasha ran off to investigate the smell of blood, mixed with a familiar scent, so... maybe it would be fine.

And if she got worried, she'd just send Shippo or Kirara to find him. Then he could explain what happened and why he left in a hurry.

So, he followed Bankotsu, easily catching up to him. "If you're serious about goin' now, then so am I. Kagome will be fine. She'll know I left for a good reason." And she was safe, that was the most important thing. Not only was she more than capable of taking care of herself, but she was under the care and protection of so many others. Eastern Country was quite the ways from here, but he wasn't turning back now. "So, what, ya ya never went to check the last time you were brought back? When Naraku was behind it?" Which hadn't been too long ago so with the way Bankotsu spoke, it sounded like he hadn't been to his home since he was first, and actually, alive.

And that's when Bankotsu began to talk about his village. His past. And InuYasha went silent. He listened to his every word, intrigued and curious. Questions filled his mind, but he waited for Bankotsu to finish before asking any. His brow quirked when he mentioned mercenaries coming to his village and picking on the week, head turning to look at him. "So you became one of them? Instead of becomin' like your old man, you chose the path of ruthless killer?" There was more to this story... there had to be. Why the hell did he become the very thing that hurt his people?

"Yeah, yeah, alright, I got it." The half demon waved his hand. "I ain't shakin' your hand though, so you can forget that." Did he trust Bankotsu was going to actually keep to this truce? Not really. Not at all, actually, but... he'd keep an eye on him. And he'd spread the word so his allies did the same. After all, InuYasha was protector of these lands, him and his comrades, so if anything happened, they'd hear about it. But... people could change. Kagome taught him that. Though he wasn't so sure about someone like Bankotsu who got off on killing and bloodshed, but for the moment, he'd give him the benefit of the doubt. Especially because he seemed grateful that Naraku was dead. "Tch, yeah, was only a matter of time 'til he couldn't run away, anymore. That's all the bastard ever did. Ran and hid, letting his damned reincarnations always do the work." Those and whoever he manipulated or trapped into helping him. Bankotsu and his comrades, included, but they weren't exactly innocent.

Though, as to who could've brought him back this time, InuYasha had no clue. "You mean aside from all the usual, weak demons all over the place?" He shook his head. "No. But... maybe, whoever the hell it is, is just waitin' to make their appearance. Maybe they're hidin', like Naraku did." Resurrecting Bankotsu could be part of some bigger plan, but there hadn't been any major incidents aside from village attacks here and there. But he was right. Whoever resurrected them, did it without the jewel and that definitely meant they were powerful as hell. The power to bring someone back to life? InuYasha growled to himself, feeling a little on edge. More so for his family rather than himself.

His village, huh? Actually, that wasn't a bad idea... "If you think I'm lettin' you go there alone, you're dead wrong, Bankotsu. Checkin' your village is probably as good a place as any to look into whatever the hell is goin' on, so I'm comin' too." He smirked, leaving no room for argument. "So lead the way, will ya?" It wasn't just so Inuyasha could try and figure out what brought him back to life, but also keep an eye on him for a bit. That and he was curious about his life before becoming a mercenary.

[coffeemusings]

Thinking about a plot idea where Garnet and Zidane are together, but maybe Zidane isn't feeling at his happiest, perhaps because he doesn't travel as much as he used to. He loves Garnet, of course, and he wants to be with her, but Garnet notices something is off with him and she has her suspicions as to why. Turns out, Garnet is feeling the same way. During her journey with Zidane and friends, she was able to learn so much. Both about the world and herself and she feels like that journey... isn't quite finished. That maybe she returned home and became Queen too soon. She's still so young and there's still so much she wants and needs to learn and so she decides to step down from being Queen, or at least take a break from it, to instead do some traveling, so she can continue to learn about the world and learn about herself, as well. To really find and know herself, especially since her life growing up was essentially a lie so she'd like to learn more about her real home and the people that lived there. Who takes over queen? Potentially Beatrix! ( cough @rcsetorn cough ) and so Garnet leaves Alexandria with Zidane whom is more than happy and willing to go on another adventure with her (or if there isn't a Zidane I can find that is interested in this plot, she goes alone or with someone else lol). But yeah, I've been thinking a lot about this plot, as well as another older plot I've had that I need to find my writings about xD

[coffeemusings]

His finger throbbed painfully and Hiroto had half a mind to use his fire magic on it, but he refrained from doing so. Especially when Namine explained why it pinched him. He huffed in both annoyance and understanding as he rubbed his finger. "Fine... I get it." He grumbled, pouting a little. It was pretty cute, actually. "Who knew picking shells could be so..." That's when Namine leaned forward and kissed his thumb. HUH!? She kissed his thumb!? "Dangerous..." He finished his sentence, his entire face now red as though he'd been out here for hours. His heart did that weird flutter thing, only this time it lasted a lot longer and he could feel it in his stomach, too. She... kissed him. Namine kissed him. He wasn't dreaming. He wasn't imagining things. She... really did that.

He stood there, stunned into silence. Frozen. He wasn't even sure what they were just talking about! Until Namine continued explaining, breaking Hiro out of his daze. He felt all... funny. Warm and giddy. And... wait. He looked down at his thumb. It actually felt better. He smiled and quickly followed after her. "Hermit crab..." He repeated, once he could actually speak again. "Kinda feel bad I dropped it." He frowned, but when he turned back, he saw it crawling away. So he smiled again. "Thanks for, um, for uh, what you did... to my... my thumb," he rubbed the back of his neck with a blush, then gave her a thumbs up with the still red thumb, a goofy smile on his face "It feels better already!"

Hiro's face turned red when Namine confirmed that it wasn't a shell and he rubbed the back of his head with an awkward chuckle. "Guess I should let you take lead on this one, huh?" But looking down at the small object in his hand, something told Hiro that it shouldn't be there. The texture was hard and rough, filled with ridges, and it would definitely hurt if stepped on barefooted so he slipped it into his pocket and followed Namine. The sand felt warm even with his shoes on, though it was harder to walk in compared to solid ground. And when he looked in the distance, he noticed others on the beach and they were... dressed differently. And they weren't wearing any shoes. He'd been about to point that out, but then Namine called out that she found a shell so he hurried over.

"This is a shell?" He asked, gently taking it from her hand and looking it over, turning it every which way. It had ridges just like the object he found earlier... so he pulled it out to compare then slipped it back into his pocket. Yeah, the seashell was definitely prettier. Especially when she held it up to the sun, causing it to shimmer. "It's pretty. I wonder if there are different colors..." But his question had already been answered when Namine pointed out more in the distance. He didn't hesitate. He hurried over and scooped one up. "Hey! This one is gray... and this one orange!" He continued to pick more up. "Oh, this one is different..." He held it up for Namine to see. "Kind of reminds me of an ice cream swirl.." He grinned, handing it to her.

Then, from the corner of his eye, he saw something move. He looked down and... wait, did that shell just move? "Hey, I think this one moved, Namine.." He leaned down and plucked it from the wet sand, turning it over and his eyes widened a little. "There's something in here! It's... moving.." He brought it closer to his face, wondering just what was inside. Then he raised his other and, using his index finger to gently touch at the strange, small creature...

PINCH.

"OW!" Hiroto exclaimed, withdrawing his finger and dropping the shell back onto the wet sand. "What... what was that!? Did it poison me!?" He asked, looking at the now red mark on the tip of his finger.

[coffeemusings]

He joked! He laughed! That was a good sign, wasn't it? It made Garnet's smile widen, her heart filling with joy and... and hope. "You've never disappointed me before, Ton." A brief pause, her eyes still on him. "And I'm quite sure you wont now." Though their exchange had been lighthearted and playful, her words in that moment were meant to reassure him. Because clearly something was different about him. And Garnet wanted him to know that he could tell her... if he wanted to. That even after all this time of no communication, she missed him. Deeply. And she was overjoyed to see him again.

She wanted to be the girl he felt happy and comfortable with years ago. Whatever happened to him, whatever was happening to him, she wanted to know. They were... still them, weren't they?

The air suddenly grew tense as the silence lingered and when he spoke again, the subject was different. So was the smile on her face. It disappeared.

"No, I wasn't." She said, but it was obvious how glad she was that she did. "I... was trying to do some investigating." She looked down at her lap. "Recently, more monsters have been appearing around Alexandria and it seems they're more hostile. They've come close to the city's gates. Closer than they have in long time." Which meant something could be setting them off. While making more and more appear. But what? Garnet wasn't sure. It's why she was out here.

"I thought it was something I could look into on my own, so I left without informing anyone." An embarrassed smile, accompanied with a light chuckle. "Wouldn't be the first time, right?" She then looked up at him because he'd know what she was referring to. Their many incidents of sneaking out and about Alexandria.

"...And you?" Why was he near Alexandria? So close to the city, so close... to her.

Garnet's eyes welled with tears when he confirmed his identity, relief washing over her entire being. The urge to reach out and hug him was overwhelming, but given how... different he seemed, she wasn't sure if that would be a welcome gesture or not and the last thing she wanted was to make him uncomfortable.

Memories of their time together started replaying through the Queen's mind, her heart filling with warmth and unbridled joy from seeing him again. From hearing his voice. Knowing he was alive, that he was... she stopped that train of thought. Was he okay?

Silence filled the air, tense and somewhat awkward, as though neither knew exactly what to say. She waited for him to speak and he was probably waiting for her. Or maybe he wasn't. Maybe he was hoping for nothing else to be said. But... how could she remain silent? The person she grew to care so much about, that she missed so deeply, was right here in front of her. It had been years.

He spoke again and Garnet's lips curled into a small smile. That sounded like a jest to her and it made her giggle. "Well, I'm quite sure those monsters had no intention of making me anything to eat," instead, she was to be the meal. "so I do think I prefer your company." It had been years since they last saw each other, since they last wrote, and in this moment, it felt like they had never been apart.

"It smells wonderful," she complimented, then waited for a moment before adding, "but it's far more wonderful seeing you again. I..." A swallow, her gaze dropping to her hands for a brief moment before she looked up at him again. "I've missed you."

[coffeemusings]

-Waves- Trying to get back to writing! Motivation has taken a hit with everything going on, but I do miss it. I'm also going to be going through my follower/following list and slim it down a little, mostly because there's been some I've tried to reach out to/write with, but haven't gotten anything in return. I get that interested isn't always there, though. Completely understandable. Aside from being under a lot of stress with work, I've been reading more which is good for me. Finished the first book of the Strain and now going to start on A C.ourt of S.ilver Flames. Been playing D.isney D.reamlight Valley and F.inal F.antrasy IX while waiting for the S.uikoden and D.ays G.one remaster AND I started watching Sons of Anarchy. I love it so far! Anyway, I appreciate everyone's patience. Feel free to DM if you'd like to chat or plot <3