ᴄʟᴏsᴇᴅ | you were strangely less in pain

[sylphystia]

Who: Dezel and Sora
Broadcast: Nope!
Action: The planet, or else wherever Sora can be found.
When: Backdated slightly to July 25th

[action]

[Dezel has taken a little time to collect himself, to lick his wounds. Screaming at Zaveid while around other people was not the best decision he's made but that's how his anger is. It just... comes up. Dezel tries so hard to be cool and logical, but he's never been like that. There was a time when he was reckless and irresponsible and maybe a little bit like Sorey, but those years are gone, and he can barely remember them anyway. All that's left is the unending guilt and the hollow nagging of something that should be there.

But he can fill himself up with new memories. Zaveid had said as much and Dezel knows it to be true. He's made plenty of new memories with the Shepherd and his motley crew, and he's even made a few friends here, in the fleet, after he thought he would never be able to do so again. Part of him still thinks he should leave Sora be. If their friendship is toast, then maybe Sora can move on. Make better friends.

Except they're still on the same ship, and the planet won't be around forever, and it doesn't seem fair for Dezel to dump his pain on Sora and then exit his life entirely.

So Dezel returns to the planet not long after he said he would avoid it. He has no reason to, now; his problems with Zaveid have been resolved, and he's sure they'll leave the system soon. All the more reason to be free as a bird while he can. But he's not here for a short flight, he's here with a covered box full of tiramisu and he sure as fuck isn't leaving until he finds Sora.

It takes him a while. Dezel follows the wind around and around, used to its whims by now, until he can sense where the boy has been. That narrows it down, and within half an hour of noon, Dezel finds Sora. He doesn't approach immediately. He thinks he should probably think of what to say before barging in, but the words don't come-- they never do.

He walks slowly, deliberately, so that Sora can hear him coming.]

... Hey.

Comments

[notzubats]

[So predictable. There's another pause, before he reaches up and puts a hand on Dezel's shoulder.]

Hey, c'mon.

[Apologies are nice, but it's pretty clear that Dezel is beating himself up more than Sora actually thinks is necessary. The guy clearly didn't have that great of an opinion of himself.]

Look. I dunno if it's the same with Seraphim, maybe it is, but when a human gets really bad news? Sometimes they need some time to...just be sad. Or maybe even mad. It's just how we are.

But it doesn't mean it won't get better. And I know it doesn't mean we're gonna stop being friends. Or that you don't deserve my friendship because you messed up. Real friendship's much stronger than that.

[sylphystia]

[He blinks openly as Sora places a hand on his shoulder, not expecting the contact at all. He doesn't shrug it off, though.]

Then you're not going to leave?

[... Of course Sora wouldn't give up on him. He's just a little too much like Sorey and his pals to do that.

He lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, and he bows his head.]

I really am an idiot.

[notzubats]

[I don't have the slightest notion how you could see similarities between Sorey and Sora they are completely different gosh]

No, of course I'm not. We're friends.

[He gives Dezel a pat on the back of the shoulder before he pulls his hand away]

Did you really think I would?

[sylphystia]

[Dezel doesn't say anything for a long moment. He feels that question almost doesn't deserve an answer. He's embarrassed, and yeah, he's hopeless.]

I wouldn't have blamed you.

[The next part is quieter, a little more vulnerable.]

People around me always get hurt. It's... some power I have.

[notzubats]

[Some...power? Sora's not real sure what he means by that. If anything, in his time that he's known Dezel, it's been Sora's powers that've caused more trouble if anything. This beach was proof of that]

Hmmm...

[He moves to start digging through his short pockets. A moment later, he pulls out what seems to be some sort of charm. Five seashells from this world's beaches, tied together by string into the shape of the star. He holds out the charm to Dezel.]

Here, take this.

[sylphystia]

[Dezel hesitates. He's not sure what he's being handed, and the wind isn't being very useful. Some kind of... charm? He takes it in his hands carefully, delicately, and realizes it has the same power behind it as an offering. He can feel it.]

... Did you make this?

[notzubats]

Uh, yeah. Back home, sailors would make lucky charms outta Thalassa shells to ensure a safe voyage. I thought since traveling through space is kinda like a voyage at sea...

[He reaches up and adjusts the hat on his head again, slightly nervously]

I couldn't find Thalassa shells exactly, so I had to make do. And Kairi was always way better at making these things than I ever was so I dunno if it'll be that lucky, but...

...Well, even just a little extra luck can't hurt, right?

[sylphystia]

[Sora goes on about the legend involved with making charms, and Dezel is distracted by how nervous he is. Like Dezel is going to reject it or something. Never. This is an offering, all of the second one he's ever had (if one counts the little pinwheel in the faith center), and it's precious.

Dezel smiles, really smiles, and it feels like the sun basking on his shoulders, like his heart is a little lighter for doing it.]

I'll take good care of it.

[A pause, and he reaches to the box he set aside. The charm goes right into his jacket.]

Actually, I brought you something.

SCREAMS OH GOD DEZEL DON'T SMILE ITS SCARY

[notzubats]

[Okay wow...Dezel is actually really smiling. That is a rare sight indeed, and even if Sora still feels down? It still makes him smile a little in return.]

Good! It took me awhile to find enough shells.

[He's got no doubt Dezel will look after it. If the hat was any indication? Dezel treasures the things he has]

You did?

dezel is the sequel to jaws 6 that no one ever wanted

[sylphystia]

[Dezel gently unlatches the box, revealing some kind of tiramisu dusted with cocoa powder and smelling heavenly.]

I had some stuff laying around.

[So casually.]

It's tiramisu. I don't know if you've had it before.

[notzubats]

[Holy shit Dezel. That casual remark gets a snort]

Yeah, sure you did.

[Maybe if you lived in the Sugar Rush game he'd believe you but nah]

I haven't. Looks good! What is it?

[sylphystia]

[DON'T CALL HIM OUT ON BEING NICE!!!! THEN YOU DON'T GET ANYTHING.

Regardless, Dezel launches into an explanation easily.]

It's a special kind of cake made by soaking sponge cake in coffee, then layering it with chocolate and cream. [He hands Sora the box.] ... Don't eat it all at once.

[notzubats]

[He'll take the box and grins]

Hey, I won't! I'm not a pig! [Okay he might've done it if Dezel hadn't said otherwise, but still!]

But...thanks. I'll eat it when I can't get sand on it. [Since sand from the beach getting in the food would probably be gross]

[sylphystia]

[knowingly:] It can be tempting if you've never had it before.

[Sand doesn't taste good, it's true. He reaches over to take his hat back, but he makes sure to ruffle Sora's hair afterward.]

You might see Zaveid around-- the guy I was yelling at. Don't rip his head off, all right? The whole thing is my fault.

[notzubats]

[The hair immediately poofs and spikes back up as Dezel ruffles it. So much for Sora ever having normal looking hair man]

[And right. Zaveid. That guy] Okay. Are you guys still fighting?

[sylphystia]

[It's okay, Dezel's is forever flat as a pancake.]

No. [He can't help a sigh.] I think we-- used to be friends. But I forgot him, along with everything else.

[Not like that'll hit home for Sora or anything!!!!]

[notzubats]

[It's okay, his canon point is about 3 days off from finding out that sucky truth bomb]

You...forgot?

Like...everything?

[sylphystia]

[Oh, good. Phew. We can continue without another round of things exploding.

Dezel's voice grows quiet, and he actually seems uncomfortable. He keeps fidgeting with his gloves.]

Just about. If the memories were irrelevant to my goal, I forgot them. That's how I've lived for the past five years.

[notzubats]

...Yikes.

No wonder you're so grouchy.

[sylphystia]

[Dezel twitches, and if you look closely, he appears to be embarrassed by this.]

T-that's got nothing to do with it!

[notzubats]

How would you know?

[YOU DON'T REMEMBER BEYOTCH. But he pats him on the shoulder]

But that's okay. Just means we can either try to get those memories back, or form new ones!

[sylphystia]

[He huffs but he doesn't argue. It's true that he's grouchier than he used to be, but it's because he lost everything dear to him. And it's true that memories are a part of it, but he never regretted losing them until recently.]

I know they're still there. I just... [There's a feeling of trepidation when he tries to remember, followed by a massive headache.] ... have to be patient, I guess. [Ugh. Not his strong suit.]

I'm fine with the memories I've made. I wouldn't trade them for anything.

[notzubats]

Yeah...maybe they'll come to you when you're not thinking about 'em! Sometimes remembering things work like that.

[Like remembering where you put your wallet! ]

Well that's good. I like the memories I've made with you too.

[sylphystia]

[-- It's a little more complicated than that, Sora.]

Maybe.

[Dezel isn't sure how to respond to being called out on liking people, so he just changes the subject.]

... I should get going.

[notzubats]

[Look he's a simple kid, ok. You go to him for simple answers.]

Uh...okay.

[Maybe he needs to go tsun somewhere...]

I'll head back to the ship in a bit.