#(✪∀<) ~ 🟉 ᵂᶤᵗʰ ᵃ ᶜᵘʳˢᵉ ᵘᵖᵒᶰ ʸᵒᵘʳ ˢᵒᵘˡ; ʸᵒᵘ ˢᵘᶠᶠᵉʳˑ ┆ AFTERMATH.

[somegremlin-archive]

★ ༺  @thehouseofthedead 《 Dmitri. 》༻ ★

「 ★ 」   ⋮    Ｃ Ｕ Ｒ Ｓ Ｅ Ｄ．   ⋮  ━━   It   is   a   strange   feeling   he   gets   as   he   stares   at   this   unknown   man.   Usually,   he   wouldn't   have   even   bothered   at   all   and   just   went   about   their   own   business.   But   there   was   just   ...   something   about   that   GLINT   in   their   eye   and   the   shadow   cast   over   their   face   that   threw   him   off.

               ...   Maybe   it   was   just   the   overwhelming   DISTRUST   of   people   he   faced   after   the   Guild   Incident.   Nevertheless,   he   still   smiles;   in   hopes   of   keeping   up   that   facade   they   ALWAYS   put   on   around   people   LUCKY   enough   to   be   normal.

              '   ...   Can   I   help   you,   Mister   ?   '  

[saltycreationtrash]

X

[somegremlin-archive]

★ ༺    @lunartxger || (✪∀<)  ༻ ★

「 ★ 」   ⋮    Ｃ Ｕ Ｒ Ｓ Ｅ Ｄ．   ⋮  ━━     He   hasn't   seen   much;   being   trapped   in   that   CELL   for   so,   so   long.   Yet,   he's   heard   the   whispers   and   murmurs   about   the   existence   of   a   '   tiger   '.   He's   heard   about   how   Dazai   -   san   had   taken   that   tiger   in.   And   oh,   he's   bore   witness   to   Akutagawa   -   san   being   driven   to   the   brink   of   INSANITY   about   the   tiger's   acceptance   by   the   one   he'd   looked   up   to   the   most.   And   how   did   the   child   feel   about   that   ?

                    There   was   ...   JEALOUSY.   He   hated   to   admit   it.   He   hated   to   admit   a   lot   of   things.   But   there   was   a   LONGING   for   happier   times,   when   people   actually   cared   about   him.   Or   at   least,   when   Dazai   -   san   pretended.   

                    It   was   sad   when   even   a   LIE   was   better   than   the   truth.

                    Now,   all   was   said   and   done.   The   Guild   had   FINALLY   left   Yokohama.   But   their   departure   didn't   fix   things.   People   were   still   trying   to   rebuild   after   the   mess   that   they   caused.   That   they   FORCED   him   to   cause.   Their   departure   didn't   mean   a   SINGLE   THING   when   all   that   came   out   of   it   was   TRAUMA   !

                    Needless   to   say,   he   wasn't   exactly   HAPPY   to   see   the   tiger.   Almost   immediately   does   he   turn   away;   holding   his   doll   just   a   bit   TIGHTER.

                    '   ...   What   do   YOU   want   ?   '

[somegremlin-archive]

" Happy Birthday yumeno-kun. I don't really have a present for you, didn't have much time, heh. But i hope to stay friends with you a long time. " Then Naota would, whether it was expected out not, grasp the other boy's hand and gives it a small squeeze, before pulling him into a firm, warm hug.

★ ༺  @swungbat || Birthday Celebrations ! ༻ ★

「 ★ 」   ⋮    Ｃ Ｕ Ｒ Ｓ Ｅ Ｄ．   ⋮  ━━     Most   children   do   expect   something   big   for   their   birthdays.   Something   like   a   big   party   with   a   huge   cake,   lots   of   toys,   and   all   of   their   friends.   But   when   you’re   living   a   miserable   life   of   ABUSE   and   ISOLATION   …   yes,   you   still   wish   for   luxuries   like   that   but   you   grow   to   not   expect   them.   You   grow   to   find   appreciation   in   the   little   things   like   words   of   adoring   kindness.

               He   blinks   at   first;   clearly   surprised   by   those   words   …   and   he   STAYS   surprised   as   he   is   pulled   into   a   hug.   There’s   silence   at   first   …   but   then,   he   HUGS   Naota   back.   

               ’   We’ll   be   best   friends   FOREVER   !   That’s   the   best   gift   I   could   EVER   get   !   ’

               And   that   was   no   lie   either.   In   a   world   as   cruel   and   cold   as   his,   Naota’s   presence   really   WAS   the   only   gift   that   mattered.

[somegremlin-archive]

★ ༺ @girlwinded​ || (✪∀<)  ༻ ★

「 ★ 」   ⋮    Ｃ Ｕ Ｒ Ｓ Ｅ Ｄ．   ⋮  ━━     Eyes   narrowed;   a   look   of   absolute   DISTRUST   aimed   directly   at   the   woman.   He   still   remembers;   he   still   remembered   that   day   when   Mori   -   sama   let   him   out   of   the   cage   and   showed   him   all   of   the   members   of   THE   GUILD;   demanding   that   he   take   their   lives   and   turn   them   into   absolute   nothing.   And   what   happened   ?

                  Two   of   those   awful   MONSTERS   kidnapped   him,   took   him   down   to   a   dark   and   scary   place,   TORTURED   HIM,   ABUSED   HIM,   MANIPULATED   HIM   INTO   USING   HIS   POWERS.   The   sheer   amount   of   torture   and   agony   that   those   two   put   him   trough   was   something   he   could   never,   ever   forget;   even   if   he   tried   !   And   though   this   woman   did   not   play   a   direct   role   in   such   a   harrowing   event,   the   fact   that   she   was   a   part   of   THE   GUILD   made   her   one   of   them.

He   does   not   place   much   VALUE   in   the   American   woman's   word.   It   wasn't   like   he   even   trusted   most   members   of   the   Port   Mafia.   Why   would   he   ever   trust   a   member   of   The   Guild   ?

                  '   Weeell   ...   what   are   you   HERE   for   then   if   it's   not   to   kill   or   torture   me   ?   A   lot   of   people   LIKE   doing   that,   you   know   !   '

                  Even   if   he   could   lie   SOMETIMES,   something   that   grotesque   in   nature   was   not   a   lie.   He   wished   he   were   lying,   in   fact.

[somegremlin-archive]

★ ༺ @angcliclies || (✪∀<)  ༻ ★

                '   It's   funny   !   '

「 ★ 」   ⋮    Ｃ Ｕ Ｒ Ｓ Ｅ Ｄ．   ⋮  ━━     The   child   muses   out   loud;   not   particularly   caring   at   all   if   the   other   HEARD   him   or   not.   There   is   a   smile   on   his   face   ...   and   yet,   there's   a   tone   of   DISDAIN   in   his   voice.   There   was   just   something   about   the   other's   words   and   mannerisms   that   he   just   did   not   like.

                '   You   don't   look   like   GOD   at   all   !   You   look   like   just   another   kid   at   my   old   orphanage   !   '  

[somegremlin-archive]

❝Why do you pretend not to care?❞ :')

★ ༺  @swungbat || PERSONALITY STARTERS ( accepting ) ༻ ★

                  ’   Huh   ?   ’

 「 ★ 」   ⋮    Ｃ Ｕ Ｒ Ｓ Ｅ Ｄ．   ⋮  ━━     A   tilt   of   his   head.   PRETEND   ?   All   this   time,   Yumeno   had   been   playing   the   role   of   a   perfectly   innocent   child;   one   just   like   Naota   -   kun   and   the   rest   of   the   kids   in   the   world.   And   all   this   time,   he   SWORE   he   was   doing   something   right.   But   …   perhaps   he   had   slipped   ?

                 (   It’s   getting   harder   nowadays.   )

                 ’   It’s   NOT   pretending   !   Aren’t   we   kids   ?   Kids   aren’t   supposed   to   care   about   dumb   adult   stuff,   right   ?   ’  

[somegremlin-archive]

" You should come to my house sometime, Yumeno-kun, I have my own robot. His name is Canti and hes pretty cool. "

★ ༺ @swungbat ༻ ★

                ’   A   ROBOT   ?   ’

「 ★ 」   ⋮    Ｃ Ｕ Ｒ Ｓ Ｅ Ｄ．   ⋮  ━━     A   pause.   Best   to   go   visit   Naota’s   house   NOW   while   he’s   still   out.   There’s   only   so   much   time   before   the   Port   Mafia   notices   he’s   missing.

                ’   I   can   come   over   now   if   it’s   okay   !   ’

[somegremlin-archive]

Dazai knew perfectly well that the other was not going to trust him, but still decided to try it anyway. ❝ Hmnh Yumeno, do you have a favorite place? I was about to say what you'd like but the part of kill me can be another day. ❞

★ ༺ @nullcfied ༻ ★

「 ★ 」   ⋮    Ｃ Ｕ Ｒ Ｓ Ｅ Ｄ．   ⋮  ━━     If   there   was   ONE   WAY   to   put   the   child   on   edge,   it   was   very   sight   of   a   CERTAIN   bandaged   lunatic.   There   was   NO   WAY   that   Yumeno   could   EVER   forget   that   face;   not   that   the   face   that   was   once   so   warm   and   loving,   only   to   turn   so   cold   and   so   cruel.   There’s   INSTANT   distaste   on   his   face   as   he   holds   the   doll   a   bit   TIGHTER.   His   fingers   even   go   as   far   as   to   fiddle   with   the   wrapped   bandages   around   its   head   (   ironic   ).

             ’   …   Why   ?   I   thought   you   deemed   me   a   DANGER   to   society   ?   ’

            And   then   he   smiles.   It’s   creepy   …   and   it’s   JUST   like   Dazai   -   san   taught   him.

            ’   I’d   say   wherever   I   could   kill   you   would   be   my   favorite   place   but   there’s   NO   WAY   you’d   let   me   even   leave   the   Port   Mafia   base,   right   ?   Aren’t   you   just   trying   to   get   my   hopes   up   ?   ‘

[somegremlin-archive]

Cam's gone and found Yumeno. For some reason, today had felt special to her and it seemed like a good day to ask. "Yumeno-san, sweetie... Uh, I'm going to look at apartments and houses today. I'd like ya to come, and find a place you like, as well. Cause, uh... if you wanna, you can come stay with me, now that I have the money." An attempt was made.

★ ༺  @hopeful-hugz  || Birthday Celebrations … ? ༻ ★

「 ★ 」   ⋮    Ｃ Ｕ Ｒ Ｓ Ｅ Ｄ．   ⋮  ━━     It   may   have   been   his   birthday   …   but   he's   not   viewing   it   as   anything   PARTICULARLY   special.   All   that   day   marked   for   him   was   another   year   of   bearing   the   pain   of   being   trapped   in   the   Port   Mafia.   He   might   have   snuck   out   but   …   that   was   about   it.

               It's   just   the   same   cycle   over   an   over   again   of   laying   in   that   dark   cell,   escaping,   and   either   being   dragged   out   or   being   so   scared   of   punishment   that   he   returns   himself.   That   was   just   LIFE.   That   was   just   the   world   he   lived   in.   After   all,   GOD  didn’t   love   him.   No   one   did.

              The   child   kept   to   himself;   a   behavior   he's   adapted   out   of   fear   of   getting   others   involved   in   the   Port   Mafia   and   the   fear   of   getting   hurt   once   again   (   a   fear   that's   intensified   after   THE   GUILD   ).   It's   practically   a   surprise   to   him   once   a   WOMAN   approaches.

              He's   met   this   woman   before;   Cam.   She's   nice   enough   (   one   of   the   few   people   that   WERE   nice   to   him   )   …   but   NOTHING   could   prepare   him   for   the   words   she   was   to   say   next.

              ‘   You   can   come   stay   with   me,   now   that   I   have   the   money.   ’

              Starry   eyes   grow   WIDE;   disbelief   upon   his   face   as   he   heard   those   very   words.   Stay   with   Cam   ?   Something   like   that   …   it   would   mean   he'd   finally   be   OUT   of   that   jail   cell.   It   would   mean   he'd   finally   be   FREE   from   the   Port   Mafia.

              Or   would   that   REALLY   be   the   case   ?

              '   …   I   …   I   …   ’

              He's   CLEARLY   struggling   to   say   something.

              '   …   I'm   not   sure   if   that's   a   GOOD   idea.   ’

[somegremlin-archive]

"I can fix it for you. I know how to sew." Though, he would have to run back to the Agency for his grandmother's extra sewing kit or take them with.

★ ༺ @agricolis ༻ ★

「 ★ 」   ⋮    Ｃ Ｕ Ｒ Ｓ Ｅ Ｄ．   ⋮  ━━     The   doll   is   both   his   best   friend   and   his   worst   enemy.   His   savior   and   his   sentencing.   He   honestly   …   hated   the   thing.   And   YET,   he   still   had   an   emotional   attachment   to   the   doll   as   much   as   he   didn’t   want   to   admit   it.   The   ’   good      people   ’   only   turned   into   ABUSERS   in   the   end   and   really,   the   doll,   Shi   -   chan   was   the   only   one   that   stuck   around.   Like   it   or   not,   he   was   bound   to   the   doll.

                 His   ability   was   tied   to   the   destruction   of   of   the   doll   and   after   every   time,   the   doll   seemed   to   just   …   fix   itself.   But   even   the   curse   of   the   doll   had   its   limits.   The   eyes   and   hair   had   been   taken   out   by   bullies   a   LONG   time   ago   and   a   single   leg   had   been   cut   off   by   other   mafia   members.   Most   recently,   the   blue   jacket   had   gotten   messed   up   after   the   Americans   messed   with   it.   He   …   didn’t   like   that   very   much.   But   that’s   just   how   it   was   going   to   be.   After   all,   no   one   was   going   to   fix   it.   That   is   …   until   he   actually   gets   an   OFFER.

                 It's   the   same   boy   from   before.   The   one   from   the   AGENCY.   That   affiliation   alone   made   the   child   IMMEDIATELY   anxious.   Now   it   wasn't   fun   and   games   anymore.   Now,   he   was   holding   his   doll   TIGHTER.

                ’   …   Why   are   you   offering   ?   ’

                His   voice   is   just   a   bit   cold   and   even   more   cautious   as   he   anxiously   toys   with   one   of   the   tears.   It’s   going   to   take   a   some   TRUST   for   him   to   take   up   that   offer.  

[somegremlin-archive]

(runwith-thewind) "Kid, c'mon let them have some fun d we can go on a hot chocolate outing." Karen's here and she also has the best kind of treats. The stolen kind.

★ ༺ @runwith-thewind  ༻ ★

               '   You   know   what   ?   That   sounds   like   a   really   good   idea,   Karen   -   san   !   ’

「 ★ 」   ⋮    Ｃ Ｕ Ｒ Ｓ Ｅ Ｄ．   ⋮  ━━  Chocolate   sounded   A   LOT   better   than   other   things   he’s   had   to   deal   with.  

[somegremlin-archive]

★ ༺ @benefacto  ༻ ★

               '   ...   You   know,   Mister   Moneybags.   '

「 ★ 」   ⋮    Ｃ Ｕ Ｒ Ｓ Ｅ Ｄ．   ⋮  ━━   This   couldn't   be   good;   not   when   his   usually   bright   eyes   (   an   expression   he   was   once   good   at   FAKING   )   were   tainted   by   hatred   that   was   just   so   clear   in   the   Guild   Leader's   eyes.   On   that   day   when   he   was   released;   the   child   had   been   tasked   with   TAKING   DOWN   the   American   organization   with   his   ability   ...   and   though   this   man   was   not   the   one   that   ensnared   him   with   those   cursed   vines   ...   he   still   knows   this   face.

              THE   GRUDGE   WAS   ALL   THE   SAME.

              '   You're   like   a   FLY.   Buzzing   and   annoying   and   never   knowing   when   to   LEAVE.      Underneath   your   fancy   white   suit,   you're   just   an   UGLY,   DISGUSTING   fly.   '

              A   grin   spreads   itself   across   his   face;   though   it   is   NOT   that   of   innocence.   No,   it   is   of   ANGER   at   all   the   atrocities   committed   against   a   CHILD   like   him.

              '   If   you   want   anything   from   me   or   the   mafia,   you're   NOT   getting   it.   '

              And   oh,   he   couldn't   resist   one   last   insult.

              '   Oh,   and   your   breath   STINKS   too.   '

[somegremlin-archive]

Seeing a familiar face outside the bike shop window, the mechanic looks behind him before rustling through the drawers of a nearby closet. Being careful not to make too much noise opening the store window, he goes out to great him with one of his overused blankets to give the child. "Here bud, I think you might need it more than me tonight."

★ ༺ @mechagym ༻ ★

「 ★ 」   ⋮    Ｃ Ｕ Ｒ Ｓ Ｅ Ｄ．   ⋮  ━━     Ever   since   the   last   time   he   was   actually   able   to   go   outside,   the   child   …   admittedly   HAD   been   wondering   how   that   guy   with   the   PINK   hair   had   been.   How   could   he   NOT   think   about   that   ?   It’s   not   often   that   Yumeno   gets   to   go   outside   and   it’s   even   less   often   that   he   sees   people   get   locked   out   of   their   houses   by   their   parental   figures.

               (   He’s   more   used   to   being   locked   IN.   )

              Despite   efforts   to   not   be   seen,   it   was   quickly   evident   that   he   had   been   caught   by   the   sound   of   a   WINDOW   opening.   Thankfully,   it’s   just   the   pink   haired   guy   and   not   any   other   …   unsavory   figures.   But   what   the   child   doesn’t   expect   is   the   BLANKET.

              ’   …   ?   ’

              Admittedly,   it’d   be   useful   for   when   he   was   trying   to   RUN   AWAY   and   had   no   roof   over   his   head.   But   …   why   ?   Why   would   anyone   ever   give   him   ANYTHING   ?

              ’   …   Are   you   SURE   ?   Isn’t   this   yours   ?   ’  

[somegremlin-archive]

★ ༺   @propagates || (✪∀<)  ༻ ★

「 ★ 」   ⋮    Ｃ Ｕ Ｒ Ｓ Ｅ Ｄ．   ⋮  ━━     It   is   not   very   often   that   the   child   lets   such   VULGARITIES   slip;   despite   such   a   brutal   background   where   such   filth   was   commonplace   (   sometimes   even   directed   AT   them   ).   That's   not   what   they   wished   to   present   themselves   as.   They   were   one   to   take   advantage   of   their   own   cute   looks;   to   play   the   role   of   the   sweet,   innocent   child   that   they   so   longed   to   be.   But   what   happens   when   you   come   face   to   face   with   the   WORST   OF   THEM   ALL   ?

                 You   lose   control.   You   become   angry.   You   try   to   hurl   back   all   the   anger   and   hatred   they   sent   your   way   in   hopes   of   DEFENDING   yourself.

                All   was   quiet   after   that;   save   for   shaky,   anxious   breaths   from   the   child.   The   only   thing   they   were   holding   back   at   that   point   was   their   ability.   Oh,   how   they   would   have   LOVED   to   lash   out   even   further   and   unleash   his   powers;   just   to   ravage   upon   the   chaos   that   this   man   so   DESERVED   !   But   if   there   was   anything   that   could   surpass   their   ability   ...   it   was   those   VINES   !

                But   running   away   would   show   WEAKNESS   too   ...   and   they   could   SWEAR   that   they   could   feel   all   of   the   Port   Mafia   watching   them.   So   what   were   they   to   do   ?   

                Finally,   they   open   their   mouth.   A   voice   rings   out   ...   but   it   is   wracked   with   every   possible   negative   emotion.   Fear,   anger,   shock,   sorrow   ...   ALL   of   it.

                '   W   -   What   are   YOU   doing   here   ?   I   -   I   thought   ...   I   thought   the   mafia   ...   the   agency   ...   I   thought   they   took   care   of   you   already   !   '  

[somegremlin-archive]

★ ༺ @domineer​ ༻ ★

「 ★ 」   ⋮    Ｃ Ｕ Ｒ Ｓ Ｅ Ｄ．   ⋮  ━━   '   Keep   watch   '.   '   Always   have   your   eyes   over   your   shoulder   '.   '   You   never   know   who   might   ATTACK   you   at   night   '.   Such   were   the   perils   of   a   child   wandering   alone   at   night   ...   but   when   you   were   a   MONSTER   of   a   child   looking   to   escape   from   such   a   terrible   life   ...   those   dangers   were   TENFOLD.

                 But   was   he   slow   ?   Was   he   not   running   as   FAST   as   he   could;   looking   over   his   shoulder   when   he   felt   he   would   take   his   eyes   away   from   his   path   (   far   too   often   )   ?   No,   he   was   PARANOID;   fear   running   through   his   nerves   as   he   desperately   tries   to   gain   as   much   distance   between   himself   and   the   Port   Mafia   as   much   as   possible.   Little   brown   shoes   pound   upon   the   ground   and   sharp   breaths   escape   his   throat   as   he   runs;   looking   back   yet   again   to   see   if   anyone   was   chasing   him   down   with   BULLETS   blazing.   

                Just   because   he   had   a   NIGHTMARISH   ability   ...   it   didn't   mean   anything.   He   was   still   very   much   MORTAL.

                This   was   the   farthest   he's   ever   made   it.   Out   of   all   his   attempts   to   flee   his   IMPRISONMENT   and   run   away   from   that   hell,   this   was   the   farthest   he's   ever   made   it.   Would   he   let   some   lower   level   guards   DRAG   HIM   BACK   ?

                NEVER   !

                Then,   he   feels   something   brush   against   him   ...   and   a   sharp   pain   in   his   arm.

                Like   ice   does   his   body   freeze;   allowing   the   woman   he   had   accidentally   run   into   a   look   of   FEARFUL   eyes.   From   underneath   his   jacket   does   he   feel   a   bit   of   crimson   ooze   but   ...   it's   only   a   small   injury;   not   enough   to   allow   his   curse   a   good   hold.   It   would   have   been   a   terrible   idea   to   curse    anyone   right   now   anyway;   practically   a   DEATH   SENTENCE.   A   reckless   act   like   that   would   give   away   his   location   and   make   this   entire   stunt   for   NOTHING.    Not   that   he   was   even   considering   curses   at   that   moment.   No,   he's   too   worried   about   the   CONSEQUENCES   of   getting   caught.   His   head   lowers;   an   attempt   to   hide   his   UNMISTAKABLE   eyes.   If   anyone   realized   who   he   was   ...

                '   ...      S   -   Sorry,   Miss.   I'm   just   gonna   LEAVE   now.   '

                Those   same   little   brown   shoes   step   back;   away   from   the   woman   slowly.   He   NEEDED   to   continue   his   escape.