|
Post by Panda on Mar 24, 2023 20:12:48 GMT
[Initiated by Yves.]
|
|
|
Post by Kachu on Mar 25, 2023 23:50:54 GMT
Mikoto knocks firmly on the door to Yves's apartment. They seemed to have gone door to door already, either visiting others or helplessly making a fool of themselves by visiting the wrong people. If they were tired, however, it didn't show on them.
"Yves? Are you in, my friend? I have something to discuss with you." Mikoto calls out, not too loud, but loud enough to be heard if anyone were beyond the door.
They stood firm with excellent posture. Though that's not that unusual for them, it felt a touch more... serious this time.
|
|
|
Post by Akkordian on Mar 26, 2023 5:18:36 GMT
There’s a somewhat worrying amount of scrambling and thudding from the other side of the threshold, and a few moments later the door swings open.
“H-hello, Mikoto, what’s…up?” The as-frazzled-as-usual girl isn’t wearing her classic iconic blue sweater, for once, wearing a black band t-shirt with a little skeleton man wearing a black marching band uniform on it, and Cookie Monster pajama bottoms. :)
|
|
|
Post by Kachu on Mar 26, 2023 14:37:38 GMT
"I've... I would like to talk with you, if that's alright." They say, before glancing around them outside.
"In my dreams the other night, I've heard something concerning." Mikoto blinks. "Cute outfit..."
"Sorry, concerning makes it sound like you should be concerned!" They shake their head rather aggressively. "No, it is concerning for me. My goddess, from my home, spoke to me in my dreams, only to tell me I've been neglecting the kinship from someone very special. Someone... not too unlike myself, actually."
Mikoto coughs. "I apologize. I might be overstepping my boundaries here. But... If you wouldn't mind terribly... Just to chat. I would like to chat with you, Yves. You are a very important friend, like the other lovely talented individuals with us. Even if what I've heard during my slumber is far from the truth- I would be doing this regardless."
"Hmm... No that's right... not exactly the same but..." Mikoto starts mumbling and talking to the inside of their collar, seemingly to themselves.
|
|
|
Post by Akkordian on Mar 26, 2023 16:44:36 GMT
“Oh, thank you. And, of- of course.” Yves nods stepping aside and awkwardly welcoming Mikoto inside her room.
“I’d, uh, like to talk with you too. I’ve been… meaning, to get around to it. Talking with our classmates, I mean. But I didn’t wanna, overwhelm myself. With too much…”
Yves’s room seems fairly plain, in all honesty, aside from her desk, the shelves strewn with random knickknacks, tins, binders, playmats, and other miscellany, as well as the assortment of cards she had assumedly been rifling through. The quilt on her bed also matches her trademark sweater, and a pink-and-cream colored stuffed bear is sitting on her pillow.
“So, what did you… wanna talk about? Is it something, serious?”
|
|
|
Post by Kachu on Mar 26, 2023 18:38:48 GMT
Mikoto finds a seat somewhere on the floor and rests on their knees. It's rather elegant, given their posture.
"Your room is lovely. Thank you for inviting me in."
Then, they put a sleeve up to their chin, but it's a little strange with their coat in the way. "I suppose it's not serious, no. Though I am serious in my attempt to speak with you- and befriend you."
"But I feel like, you and I... there's a connection. A special kind of kinship, not shared with the other students." Mikoto rests a hand over their chest. "Do you understand? You and I... we seem to be... different."
|
|
|
Post by Akkordian on Mar 26, 2023 19:04:57 GMT
“Y-yeah, of course.” Yves replies, as she settles back in at her desk, pulling her knees up to her chest and giving Mikoto her attention.
She nods, following along, a look of deep melancholy flashing on her face, mellowing out into understanding as soon as it came.
“Yeah, we are… in our own ways, aren’t we?” She offers the swordsmith a faint smile, brushing her bangs from her face fruitlessly. “We’ve got our, um… solidarity. Together. I actually was really glad I wasn’t the only person here that was… different. It was comforting, a bit. I think.”
|
|
|
Post by Kachu on Mar 26, 2023 19:08:19 GMT
"If this is too bold of me, then please- You need only say the word. I would never wish to make a friend uncomfortable." Mikoto nods slowly and affirmatively. But they're so firm with their posture it might still be unsettling.
"I just wished to come here and... talk. Meeting with someone like you, someone wonderful and friendly, who at the same time isn't dissimilar to me... I don't want to waste this chance. We need to become close friends, I think. Or rather, that's what I wish. Someone to speak with, where each of us can be unafraid... Do you understand?"
"Hmm... Maybe I am too bold... I apologize. I should not be making demands of you. I want to be here as someone you can speak with- spend time with. Together, we are stronger, yes?"
|
|
|
Post by Akkordian on Mar 26, 2023 19:18:57 GMT
“I’m not like- I’d like to be friends with you too! I’m not, um, you’re not making me upset, or being too forward, or anything, I just…”
Yves lets out a long, shaky breath before continuing, “No one has really pointed out that I’m… well, y’know. It was almost enough to make me forget, for a bit, how I feel whenever I think about… it.”
|
|
|
Post by Kachu on Mar 26, 2023 19:37:31 GMT
"...Ah. I'm sorry. Perhaps I shouldn't have brought anything like that up, then. I apologize." Mikoto hangs their head a little bit, their tone dropping to something more serious.
"The last thing I wanted was for something like this to happen. No worries! We shall discuss something else... instead..."
...
"I don't believe I have many hobbies that align with your interests, friend. Tell me- do you happen to enjoy archery? Or... Shogi? Though I usually only play against myself, given that I am alone most of the time. Hrmm..." Mikoto mumbles to themselves. Various distinctly Japanese and/or strange hobbies are mentioned, and Mikoto spends a good ten minutes talking about how COOL they think arcades are before suddenly blinking and jolting their head back.
"Forgive me! I was getting ahead of myself. What do you like to do, friend?"
|
|
|
Post by Akkordian on Mar 26, 2023 20:18:42 GMT
Yves listens to everything Mikoto says, especially the ramble about arcades, with unabated, genuine interest.
“I, um, I play Yu-Gi-Oh! against myself, sometimes, because I’ve never had any, well… friends to play with. Outside of the players that hang around at my grandpa’s store. But I’ve never played shogi, before…”
She swivels her chair around, back and forth, then fully turns towards her new alphabet army friend.
“Mikoto, um… listen. I, well, appreciate you sharing your interests with me. I do! I’d like to talk more, and, like, we could teach each other how to play our games, maybe, or something, but- I don’t mind talking about, what you wanted to talk about. Before. I… made myself feel weird, it wasn’t you. It’s… rarely ever someone else, with me.”
|
|
|
Post by Kachu on Mar 26, 2023 20:41:39 GMT
"No, no... I..." Mikoto hangs their head a little. "There wasn't much to.. talk about. I do not even know what I could say."
"I am just thankful to find someone not too unlike me, you know? People often would speak in hushed tones near me at home, for many reasons. As I grew older, I began to embrace the stares I would get. I thought... it was me. That these things and feelings that people come to term with were what made me strange."
"But... I was just happy to get the chance to, spend time with someone else like this. That's what I wanted here..."
|
|
|
Post by Akkordian on Mar 26, 2023 21:05:40 GMT
“I… I’ve dealt with the same kind of thing, back home. I know I could’ve had it a lot worse, since I’ve never been… bullied. For real. But I’ve always felt so isolated, from everyone else. Well, I felt that way even before I- but, um, there’s never been anyone else I could talk to about… how I feel, aside from Grandpa and Nana. No one I felt I could talk to, who would understand, and…”
Yves hugs her knees tighter, and stares at the space between Mikoto and Barnie Bear.
“Before I started to grow my hair out, some of the guys that entered the tournaments at our store would… call me a boy. Most- most of them, actually. And, I’d correct them, but, uh… they wouldn’t care. Sometimes. And they’d just keep doing it.”
|
|
|
Post by Kachu on Mar 27, 2023 0:32:04 GMT
“Hmm…” Mikoto listens and nods along when Yves speaks. “I’m sorry. Those people- the ones who were still wrong about you… they do not have a good head on their shoulders.”
Mikoto sounds disappointed, but it’s clear what’s causing it. They’re disappointed in those horrible people. “Now, friend, that time is over.” Mikoto sits up, not sulking anymore. “If you need someone to talk to, go yell at, or laugh with, or anything in between… I am happy to offer a hand.” Mikoto nods. “You are what you say you are. Of course I’m not… exactly the same as you… I think… but I’m sure I can be of some assistance regardless!”
“And. Um. Well.”
Mikoto looks around Yves’ room again. “…did you always have such cute things? And clothes. And. Erm. Nevermind” Mikoto turns their head and coughs a little awkwardly.
|
|
|
Post by Akkordian on Mar 27, 2023 1:06:26 GMT
“…thank you, Mikoto. If- if you ever need that shoulder to lean on, I’d be, um, happy. To help you in any way I can, even if I don’t have exactly the same experience as you. If you want it, that is.”
Yves offers her new cool pal a smile, and giggles softly when they get flustered.
“No, not at all, actually. I was… a pretty gloomy kid, really. And I liked the…typical stuff. Black hoodies, black skinny jeans… and my talent is being really good at a card game, after all. The only really cute thing I had, aside from some cards that I liked, was actually Barnie Bear.” Yves gestures to the stuffed bear friend laying on her bed, “I’ve had her since I was pretty little and… she kinda… represents the real me that I didn’t know how to express, for a long time. And it was only thanks to Grandpa and Nana being there for me that I could love myself and who I am. In my own little ways.”
|
|
|
Post by Kachu on Mar 27, 2023 1:27:00 GMT
“Well, it’s quite impressive to not lose yourself to all that dark clothing.” Mikoto nods. “Your room here is wonderful. And it is very good fortune that you’re given a chance to express yourself properly!” They exclaim, and pound a fist into an open palm. But because of their sleeves, it just looks pretty weird.
“Your bear… they’re cute too.”
|
|
|
Post by Akkordian on Mar 27, 2023 2:14:25 GMT
“Aw, thank you. I thought my room was a little plain, honestly…” She seems to find Mikoto’s sleeve antics entertaining enough to stave off her usual melancholy and anxieties.
“Would you like to hold Barnie Bear? She loves cuddles from a new friend.”
|
|
|
Post by Kachu on Mar 27, 2023 3:25:09 GMT
"Are.. are you sure?" Mikoto glances over at Barnie Bear. It's obvious. They want to hold them.
"It might not be the best idea..."
|
|
|
Post by Akkordian on Mar 27, 2023 3:47:02 GMT
“Why’s it a bad idea? C’mon, just hold her, she’s just a little stuffed bear. You’ve got to just do what your heart tells you to.”
|
|
|
Post by Kachu on Mar 27, 2023 3:58:02 GMT
Mikoto blinks a few times and hesitantly picks the bear up and puts them on their lap. "Well, I just like to be cautious..."
"...They are indeed very cute..."
|
|
|
Post by Akkordian on Mar 27, 2023 4:41:46 GMT
“Nana always tells me that loving myself is the most important thing. Even when I feel down.” Yves sagely nods as I just barely resist the urge to put a RuPaul quote there.
“I’m… sorry about the people in your village that don’t… understand you. Is staring all they would do? You don’t have to answer if it’s, um, hard, but… you haven’t been hurt, have you?”
|
|
|
Post by Kachu on Mar 27, 2023 15:58:57 GMT
Mikoto gently shakes their head. "I am fine. I'm finer than I've ever been."
"And I mean... It's hard, but... I don't want it to be. I don't want to think about everything that's happened to me, and feel bad. I've made friends who did like me. I've met people who would tug on my hair on the long bus rides home. But at the end of the day, all of that has already happened."
"I am happy with myself now, in the present. I hope we can both be the same in that regard."
|
|
|
Post by Akkordian on Mar 27, 2023 18:00:23 GMT
"I'm, uh, glad, to know that you're in a good place. With yourself. I... I don't really know if I can say that I am, too. To be honest..." The smile that Yves has been wearing for most of the conversation dips at the edges, and her chin disappears behind her knees as she dips her head.
|
|
|
Post by Kachu on Mar 27, 2023 19:26:07 GMT
"Fret not, friend." Mikoto says in a reassuring tone. "We, as people, are works in progress. Never yet finished."
"If you are not happy for yourself now, there is tomorrow. If not tomorrow, there is the day after that. Even if it takes weeks and months of working yourself to the bone, training your mind and body to be happy with what you have around you... It's something that will happen."
"As long as you don't give in to despair, and you never surrender, you can keep fighting. Continue fighting. Continue being strong until the next chapter of 'Yves' can begin. And if you need to, you have friends you can lean on for support."
|
|
|
Post by Akkordian on Mar 27, 2023 19:38:44 GMT
"You're... you're right. I'm not all alone anymore, and now I actually have friends, and we all need to lean on each other if we're gonna... make it out of here. And if they can just see me for the real me, then I should be able to, too."
"You always seem to know exactly what to say, when someone needs a pick-me-up. It's... kinda incredible. Even if some of the things you say are a little, um, out there, you've really got a lot of wisdom for someone our age."
|
|
|
Post by Kachu on Mar 27, 2023 20:19:47 GMT
"A little out there?" Mikoto tilts their head, entirely oblivious to what Yves is referring to.
"Wisdom comes with age, many will say, but I find that to be folly. Where it comes from is the heart. Though I suppose there is a tangible connection between the two."
Mikoto lifts a hand to their chest again. "You can come seek me out if you ever need an ear, friend. I promise I will always be around to do so. And I will keep you safe, as well! None of my friends will die here. Such a reality has no hope of existing!"
|
|
|
Post by Akkordian on Mar 27, 2023 20:32:47 GMT
Yves, with her ever-volatile moods, perks back up again, raising her head and smiling softly at Mikoto.
"Thank you. I'll take you up on that offer. If I, um, need it. And if you ever need anything from me, or just someone to talk to, again, I'll be here to help. As best I can. Because... we're all in this together, right?"
|
|
|
Post by Kachu on Mar 27, 2023 20:44:37 GMT
Mikoto nods. It's almost aggressive. "Yes! Exactly, friend!"
"...Ah, but I do apologize for our talk being so heavy. It was a rather spur of the moment decision to come to you like this, but I am relieved I did. Still, I am a terrible guest, as I've not brought any sort of housewarming gift..."
|
|
|
Post by Akkordian on Mar 27, 2023 21:30:07 GMT
Yves unwraps her arms from around her knees, shaking her head. "It's, um, it's fine! I don't really mind, it's... probably better to talk about this stuff, than just bottling it up. I think. And, um, you don't have to worry about getting me anything. The company's enough. I really like spending time with people, I'm just... bad at it..."
|
|
|
Post by Kachu on Mar 28, 2023 0:09:58 GMT
“Nonsense.” Mikoto shakes their head. “To both of the things you said. Next time, I’ll make up for it.”
“And you cannot be bad at something like that. Different, perhaps, but I would not say you are lacking as company.”
|
|