The drag of Yosuke staying gone - his mounting anxieties, however irrational, that he'd never return - have been ... draining. And it's only a piece of what every day has been, which has been fighting, supply runs, and trying to plan, trying to figure out what they can do. He's been acting mostly normal, almost like nothing was wrong, but maybe only because that mask was easiest to wear.
Rise and Naoto will know, more than most, the pain he hasn't been showing.
He bolts upright at Rise's whisper, staring at her with wide eyes before all their CereVices buzz. Yu yanks the device out of his pocket with his heart in his throat and just stares at the screen for a long moment. Both girls manage to text before he snaps out of it. Naoto gets a sharp look and a shake of his head. ]
You're with me, [ he says out loud. To Rise: ] Stay here. We'll need you monitoring all three of us.
[ And then he returns to his CereVice, trying to ignore the way his hands are shaking. ]
Wherever you are, try to stay out of sight. Run if the Flamines find you. We'll come for you.
[ When he gets the message notifications, Yosuke breathes a huge sigh of relief.
And then inhales.
And immediately regrets it.
Don't mind him choking on the gross air for a minute. ]
idk its like a box or something im seeing old food and junkand stuff its like a trash h am i in a dumpster wtf is there are flamingos pink ones y r theyhere
[ There's something menacing about those flamingos. ]
theres not much option 2 run tbh ive got like 3 meters to one side and 1 1/2 to the other i cant get out so i got the outta sight thing down jsyk
[SENPAI THAT'S RUDE? Yosuke's been through a very hard and trying time...
...and...somehow...wound up in the trash. With flamingos. Okay, she's definitely smiling and it's good to see Yu laughing more than anything. She wants to argue that she should come with them, but she knows better. That would slow them down.]
You better bring him back here right away, okay? [She can't keep the relief out of her voice, but her fingers are lightning-fast as she types again.]
At least you aren't lonely? o(*>ω<*)o Those things have been all over the city.
Okay. I think I pinned down your location. I'm going to send Yu-senpai and Naoto-kun to get you. Are you guys going to be able to get out without being spotted?
I think so. [She casts an eye at Yu. He still looks so tired, and the Flamines are going to be drawn to him.] Are you sure you want to come? I'm reasonably certain I can make it on my own... [But no, she discards the idea immediately, and shakes her head. Of course Yu will want to come.] No, nevermind. It's better that we go in pairs.
[Besides, why did you text that to them, Rise? they're all right here.]
Senpai, just try and deal with the odor until we're there. Realistically speaking, it's probably one of the safest places you could possibly be right now.
[To the two in the room, she brightens visibly and nods. She likes being useful, and she likes being able to see where they all are now.]
Give me a sec and I'll send you a map pin to his exact location. Good luck! And please be careful? [She shoots Naoto a meaningful look solely meant to say "please make sure our senpai aren't morons and get killed again..."
In the group chat, however, things are quiet for a moment until Rise goes to give them a location of Yosuke and the dumpster.]
Hey guys! This is where you need to go and here's the best path to get there.
[Attached is a map pin and directions, just as she said. However...]
All right. If you're sure. [Naoto's not positive it's a long-term fix, but it does seem to be holding temporarily. She stands, adjusting her cap and making sure her own mask is tight inside her jacket.] We'll be careful, Rise. Don't worry about that. [She returns the look. She's going to keep their senpai safe no matter what.
She does, however, glance down at the text and then frowns. Yosuke seems to understand it, but she can't recall anything having to do with trash...] Whatever the reference, it's beyond me.
We should probably talk about that later, however.
[ He could help teasing, but he doesn't want to. He isn't really that clear what his emotions are doing. Elation mixes with bone deep anxiety mixes with a strange kind of eager near-panic.
And he definitely catches the look Rise and Naoto share. He doesn't react to it in any way, because they have certainly earned their skepticism and concern. He can hardly deny them that. ]
Yeah. [ Naoto said his piece for him, even, about being careful. ] Now let's go. [ He'll head out the door once Naoto joins him. Actually looking at the map pin Rise sent tells him they aren't actually too far, though with the city under siege, really any distance is dangerous. They'll just have to be vigilant, as with every foray outside right now. ]
its not a gr8 story dont worry about it guys srsly jsut hurry
[ His dignity is already in the trash...
...ahaha, literally. Speaking of which, all he can really do is sit and hang out. Every once in a while he hears something moving around outside, and he's kind of certain that the flamingos have been changing places, but...
Just has to wait for his Knights in Shining Armor. ]
[Naoto makes a mental note to ask about this later as they head out.
Luckily, they really aren't that far, and the Flamines don't cross their path for better or for worse. Still, Naoto remains on edge the entire journey, interpreting the slightest noise as potential cause for alarm.
There's an alleyway they're approaching, and she checks it against the map pin. This seems to be the spot. When they get close enough to look inside the alley itself, Naoto jumps slightly where she stands, raising her weapon... but the Flamine that's lying across the dumpster is still.] I... believe we've found the reason why Yosuke-senpai couldn't open it from the inside.
[She holsters her handgun, moving to the dumpster... the Flamine seems way too heavy to move on her own. She knocks on the side.] Senpai? Are you in here?
no subject
The drag of Yosuke staying gone - his mounting anxieties, however irrational, that he'd never return - have been ... draining. And it's only a piece of what every day has been, which has been fighting, supply runs, and trying to plan, trying to figure out what they can do. He's been acting mostly normal, almost like nothing was wrong, but maybe only because that mask was easiest to wear.
Rise and Naoto will know, more than most, the pain he hasn't been showing.
He bolts upright at Rise's whisper, staring at her with wide eyes before all their CereVices buzz. Yu yanks the device out of his pocket with his heart in his throat and just stares at the screen for a long moment. Both girls manage to text before he snaps out of it. Naoto gets a sharp look and a shake of his head. ]
You're with me, [ he says out loud. To Rise: ] Stay here. We'll need you monitoring all three of us.
[ And then he returns to his CereVice, trying to ignore the way his hands are shaking. ]
Wherever you are, try to stay out of sight. Run if the Flamines find you. We'll come for you.
no subject
And then inhales.
And immediately regrets it.
Don't mind him choking on the gross air for a minute. ]
idk its like a box or something
im seeing old food and junkand stuff
its like a trash h
am i in a dumpster
wtf
is
there are flamingos
pink ones y r theyhere
[ There's something menacing about those flamingos. ]
theres not much option 2 run tbh
ive got like
3 meters to one side and 1 1/2 to the other
i cant get out
so
i got the outta sight thing down jsyk
AND WAIT THERE'S MORE
i thought iwa sg oin crazy
no subject
to first stare witlessly at his cerevice
and once that processes
to lean into rise
because he's shaking with silent laughter
he'll be fine just
just
just give him a second okay ]
no subject
...and...somehow...wound up in the trash. With flamingos. Okay, she's definitely smiling and it's good to see Yu laughing more than anything. She wants to argue that she should come with them, but she knows better. That would slow them down.]
You better bring him back here right away, okay? [She can't keep the relief out of her voice, but her fingers are lightning-fast as she types again.]
At least you aren't lonely? o(*>ω<*)o Those things have been all over the city.
Okay. I think I pinned down your location. I'm going to send Yu-senpai and Naoto-kun to get you. Are you guys going to be able to get out without being spotted?
no subject
...you're not getting a hug from me until you shower though
no subject
[Besides, why did you text that to them, Rise? they're all right here.]
Senpai, just try and deal with the odor until we're there. Realistically speaking, it's probably one of the safest places you could possibly be right now.
I'm happy to hear you're all right.
no subject
its doin that on its own
but thx
[ Typing isn't easy when the only light is from his CereVice. And it illuminates the visage of the flamingos. ]
ok these things r srsly freakin me out rn
the flmaingos
plz hurry
no subject
[ Yu is still grinning down at his CereVice as he types, heady with happiness and relief. ]
It'll be alright, [ he says to Naoto. ] It's been much easier since Yuri-san fixed my mask.
[ Something he'd done willingly after she finally managed to bring him back to safety. At Rise, he smiles. ]
Don't worry. We'll be quick. Just tell us where to go. We're counting on you.
[ He gets to his feet, nodding at Naoto before heading for the door. ]
You know, this is very nostalgic.
[ In the group text. he's rattin you out re: how you two met, yoosk ]
no subject
[ What is he--oh.
OH.
EXCUSE YOU. ]
dude
really
is that where were going right now
how could u do this 2 me
[ IN FRONT OF THE GIRLS... ]
no subject
Give me a sec and I'll send you a map pin to his exact location. Good luck! And please be careful? [She shoots Naoto a meaningful look solely meant to say "please make sure our senpai aren't morons and get killed again..."
In the group chat, however, things are quiet for a moment until Rise goes to give them a location of Yosuke and the dumpster.]
Hey guys! This is where you need to go and here's the best path to get there.
[Attached is a map pin and directions, just as she said. However...]
Ummmm...how is the trash nostalgic?
no subject
She does, however, glance down at the text and then frowns. Yosuke seems to understand it, but she can't recall anything having to do with trash...] Whatever the reference, it's beyond me.
We should probably talk about that later, however.
Are you ready to go?
no subject
[ He could help teasing, but he doesn't want to. He isn't really that clear what his emotions are doing. Elation mixes with bone deep anxiety mixes with a strange kind of eager near-panic.
And he definitely catches the look Rise and Naoto share. He doesn't react to it in any way, because they have certainly earned their skepticism and concern. He can hardly deny them that. ]
Yeah. [ Naoto said his piece for him, even, about being careful. ] Now let's go. [ He'll head out the door once Naoto joins him. Actually looking at the map pin Rise sent tells him they aren't actually too far, though with the city under siege, really any distance is dangerous. They'll just have to be vigilant, as with every foray outside right now. ]
no subject
jsut hurry
[ His dignity is already in the trash...
...ahaha, literally. Speaking of which, all he can really do is sit and hang out. Every once in a while he hears something moving around outside, and he's kind of certain that the flamingos have been changing places, but...
Just has to wait for his Knights in Shining Armor. ]
no subject
Luckily, they really aren't that far, and the Flamines don't cross their path for better or for worse. Still, Naoto remains on edge the entire journey, interpreting the slightest noise as potential cause for alarm.
There's an alleyway they're approaching, and she checks it against the map pin. This seems to be the spot. When they get close enough to look inside the alley itself, Naoto jumps slightly where she stands, raising her weapon... but the Flamine that's lying across the dumpster is still.] I... believe we've found the reason why Yosuke-senpai couldn't open it from the inside.
[She holsters her handgun, moving to the dumpster... the Flamine seems way too heavy to move on her own. She knocks on the side.] Senpai? Are you in here?