early morning stargazing; open

[artisticliberty]

» WHO? a new arrival, and, potentially, you?
» WHEN? the morning after the drinking party
» WHERE? observation deck, deck one
» WHAT? intro pooooooost
» WARNINGS? nah!

[good morning, reverie terminal. did you sleep well? still nursing that hangover? well, if you take a stroll over to the observation deck, you'll see a young man you haven't seen before with his hands and face pressed to the window, gazing in awe at the stars and the early morning sun. actually, that's probably not healthy, come to think of it. and on top of that, he's talking to himself. cool cool cool, that's totally normal.]

How beautiful... the stars are truly a font of inspiration. I could never have imagined I'd see such a magnificent sight... and here I am, without my sketchbook. This is a cruel irony, indeed.

[he pauses for a moment, then digs in the pocket of his jumpsuit, and pulls out... a pen!]

This will have to do for now.

[and he proceeds to roll up his sleeve and starts drawing on his arm.]

Comments

after yusuke has met the thieves--!!

[uragiru]

[ god, he still feels awful. he knew that hangovers were supposed to be bad, but he really had no measure of what they felt like until now, and— well, if he hadn't regretted last night because of the texts he sent Ren while he was drunk, then he almost definitely regrets it because of this. the nausea just won't go away even now, hours after waking up. he wants to skip this whole day but he's so uncomfortable he doesn't think he could fall asleep. if Venus ever tries to talk him into that again...

sitting around feeling shitty in his room doesn't really do him any better than walking around, and he keeps re-reading those texts Ren sent him last night while he's waiting for responses from Ryuji, so he decides to at least take a walk along the Observation Deck before he tries to eat something; keep himself busy and maybe he'll stop thinking about it. You should be saved. You should have so much that I can't give you.

of course trying to get away from those idiots means he just runs into another one of them. it always does on this godforsaken station. he double-takes first when he sees Yusuke, struck by the strangeness of the fact that he definitely wasn't on this station yesterday and now he just is, all of a sudden — but he's almost certain that it's him. and while he'd rather not... he should probably greet him just the once, to dispel any initial shock. he doesn't think Yusuke is likely to have any investment in his presence here, so maybe it will be painless. but then, he thought that about the others too, and not a single one of them will just leave him the fuck alone to whatever fate he deserves. ]

Kitagawa-san? [ he calls out the name before he wanders over to stand beside Yusuke, getting a look at what he's doing — and when he sees the pen scribbles all along his forearm, he just puts a hand to his face and laughs, soft and tired. ] That's— How very much like you...

[ it doesn't seem mocking. astounded, maybe. but he speaks in the gentle, careful tones he used to, the fake personality he always wore before they saw his true self at the very end. ]

[artisticliberty]

[by this point, yusuke's been thoroughly brought up to speed... at least, he has a better grasp of things now, though some of it is difficult to believe. but yusuke is a visual learner, so being able to observe for himself the oddness of the situation helps. seeing akechi in person confirms for him what he's heard--not that he wouldn't believe the other phantom thieves' at their words, but this is someone he never expected to see alive and whole ever again.

by the time akechi comes around, yusuke has drawn multiple constellations on his forearm, up to his elbow. the stars aren't going anywhere soon, so yusuke can afford to tear his gaze away for a moment.]

... So it's true. You really are here.

[he looks akechi over with a critical eye--not so much judgmental as assessing.]

[uragiru]

[ the surprise on his face quickly smooths into something blank: ] You've spoken with the others.

[ not a shock at all to see him alive, then. he supposes he should have expected that at least one of the others would have found Yusuke already like some kind of sixth sense. now he has to wonder what they've told him about the past month, the current state of his relationship with them all... he'd like to hope for nothing, but he's not that optimistic. no matter which of them Yusuke has met up with so far, he's sure they all had something enlightening to say about Goro Akechi and how pathetic he's been out here.

there's still a faint bloodstain on the stomach of his jumpsuit that won't come out no matter how many times he washes it, but other than that, he looks well enough for a dead kid. he turns his back to the view and leans against the window, more for the cold surface of it than anything. it takes the edge off his nausea. ]

Yes, I'm here. [ he puts a hand over his stomach, reflexively. ] I don't know how, given that I distinctly remember dying and I have the injury to prove it, but I could hardly expect this place to make sense.

[artisticliberty]

[it would take someone far less observant than yusuke to miss the bloodstain, and his brow furrows when he notices it. he wonders what the matching wound underneath looks like: in a state of perpetual ruin, unable to be healed yet causing no further damage, either? he wonders if it's painful.]

It's been a while. I never expected to see you in the flesh again, much less in another galaxy entirely.

yusuke why

[mapsio]

[Living day to day (?) life here is tough. The past couple of days have been pretty action-filled. Between arguing with Akechi, crying on Ren's shoulder, and then the fake Phantom Thief thing... well, needless to say Haru is very worn. Not quite worse for wear yet though.

So as she passes the observation deck she has to do a double-take. Yusuke? Yusuke...? YUSUKE!

She approaches him.]

Yusuke-kun! You're here?

[She sounds almost like she doesn't believe her own eyes.]

u no why

[artisticliberty]

[yusuke hasn't quite had time to fully process the massive change in environment, so he's coping the best way he knows how--with art. he wasn't expecting to see other people he knows here, so suddenly hearing haru's voice is enough to really shake him out of his thoughts. he turns around quickly, pen in hand]

Haru? What are you doing here?

[mapsio]

I have been here for quite some time, actually.

[That sounds vague and unhelpful.]

It's a surprise to see you here.

[artisticliberty]

That cannot be right... we only saw one another yesterday.

[but there's something about the way haru's speaking that doesn't strike yusuke as playful or hiding. what could this mean?]

What is going on?

[mapsio]

The most plain way to put it? We're in space. On a space station.

[She looks out of the observation deck.]

What is the last thing that you remember, Yusuke-kun?

[lightduties]

[Rhea'li often haunts the Observation Deck, being the location with the most exposure to the sun and the stars, the only part that is familiar to him. Rhea'li himself appears to be a short-ish human man... if it weren't for his cat-like ears -- pierced with a single loop of brass -- and a long, fluffy tail poking out the back of his jumpsuit.

When he spots Yusuke, his ears perk up.

A writing tool! If this guy wouldn't mind lending it, or if he could point him in the direction of where to find more, all he needs now is paper... the more important part that continues to thwart him. Never before has he been so desperate for mere ink and paper. Still, it's disappointing that this guy doesn't have his sketchbook... Nevertheless, Rhea'li approaches, tail swaying behind him.]

If I may interrupt...

[He gestures towards the pen. A hint of slightly elongated canines can be spotted as he speaks.]

Where did you find that?

[artisticliberty]

[yusuke's passed by a number of... unusual-looking individuals at this point, and to be fair, he's seen stranger things in the metaverse--but he's still caught off-guard when rhea'li approaches him, blinking in surprise at first, and then looking rhea'li over pretty obviously, like he's really taking in the sight before him.]

It was in my pocket when I woke up.

[lightduties]

[Though his expression remains neutral, the tips of his ears droop. Another case of items simply appearing. Is there nothing he can do besides hope quill, ink, and paper would simply appear? Or better yet, his grimoire? Sitting still never agreed with him.]

I see.

[This is going to sound weird but that's not going to stop him.]

Would you be opposed if I borrow it at a later time?

[artisticliberty]

[yusuke would sympathize with that plight. he feels vulnerable without his sketchbook, without knowing where his paints and canvases are, without knowing exactly how many sketching pencils he has on his person at all times.]

It is just a pen... do you not have one of your own?

haru broughted a nice gift to leader-kun

[intrusivethot]

[ Things that Ren does in the morning, generally: eat protein gloop, brush said goop off his teeth, drink subpar approximations of coffee, shave every few days, and decide on how long he's going to spend in the hydroponics garden occupying his mind and restless fingers.

Things that Ren does in the morning, this day specifically: dread Ryuji's bad reaction to waking up in Ren's bed, do what he can to take care of Ryuji and the walloping hangover he woke up with.

And - answer the door to find one (1) Kitagawa Yusuke standing placidly at it, seemingly no worse for wear for being placed on this hunk of space hell. ]

Yusuke-kun? What - when did you get here?

[ Ren steps out of the way, granting Yusuke passage inside because, to borrow a popular phrase, was this for real!? ]

haru is a helper

[artisticliberty]

[yusuke, for his part, is standing there with a fuckin... starry night-esque mural up his entire arm by this point. it almost looks like a sleeve tattoo, if it weren't for the fact that it was drawn entirely with a ballpoint pen.]

Several hours ago. I woke up and did not recognize my surroundings, so I began to look for others... and then I saw the stars, so I stopped to draw them.

[says this all casually, you know, like one does]

When did you get here?

[ryuji]

[There's this moment when you've done your dirty work so deeply on another friend that you can almost feel your own mannerisms working mechanisations in their head. The forreal comment floating around in Akira's head is apt. It's beautiful. Ryuji would be so proud.

As he lay on the bed, half dead, half alive, he swears he hears the words Yusuke-kun, and he realizes that he's still probably dreaming. That's the only sort of thing that could be happening right now, all things considered. Ryuji was resigned to believe that the rest of them were never going come to station, and he was happy for that. He'd rather visit them in his dreams and chill out at their hangouts in his happy little fake reality.

Except.]

Nhn? Yusuke? [He looks up from the pillow, his eyes adjusting.]

What... the hell? Is this forreal?

[Someone has to do it.]

[intrusivethot]

[ Ryuji, Skull, light of his life, thanks for always being on the same page as your Renren. ]

It's for real.

[ Freakin'... of course Yusuke has to stop and doodle the starscape before anything else. Why would he look for other people in a mysterious new place or arm himself or, whatever, scavenge for food. Never change, Yusuke. ]

We've been here... uh, a month more or less? I've been keeping track by how badly it looks like Ryuj needs a dye.

[ He's just gonna loosely hold you by the wrist and get a look at the constellations you've made out of your arm cuz, wow Yusuke. ]

We've got a shower in here if you need.

[possidetur]

( vanessa has found herself visiting and revisiting the observation deck. it's a similar sight each day with the stars and the planet below but in some ways, it provides a moment of solace, some peace to allow her to think in.

often there are others there also, people with the same thought or others, like her, that are not using to looking out of a window and finding starts. vanessa can admit that she has been captivated by the sight on numerous occasions )

Perhaps there is some paper to be found? It would endure longer.

[artisticliberty]

[oh, if only. yusuke sighs as he continues to draw on his arm]

I only had my pen on me when I awoke, but if I was in possession of my sketchbook, I would have used that. Unfortunately, I cannot find any paper, so I am making do with this.

[possidetur]

It is not a waste, to have something drawn that you will end up losing?

( he had to wash the arm eventually, right? )

[artisticliberty]

Not at all. All art is temporary, in a cosmic sense. Some of the most beautiful creations and experiences in life are fated to perish after only a short time; that does not make them any less beautiful.

[yusuke has some opinions on the tangibility and purposes of art]

[boazjachin]

[Well. News travels fast. Makoto, The Responsible One™, has not chosen today for her first hangover. Which is for the best, because she wants to be at her best to greet Yusuke. Who's Yusuke-ing all over the place. There's a fond smile on her face as she sidles up next to him.]

Good morning. Are you enjoying space?

[Yusuke on his bullshit is so soothing. She's missed him. Space is chaotic, but Yusuke is familiar chaos.]

[artisticliberty]

[yusuke glances at makoto for a moment with a smile, before going back to his Extremely Important drawing on arms project]

It has always provided me with a bounty of inspiration. Good morning, Makoto.

[boazjachin]

Always?

[That's not so surprising, she supposes. She's not the most creative person around, but space seems pretty inspiring. It's big and empty and full of secrets.]

I'm surprised you haven't found paper yet. [A beat.] And that you aren't sketching on the walls. I suppose you can't take walls with you?

[artisticliberty]

Unfortunately, all I had on my person when I awoke was this pen. It's ill-suited for drawing on walls.

[he looks grumpy. he feels so naked without his sketchbook]

And I was not willing to leave the scene to continue my search for paper, lest I lose my way and be unable to return.

[priorities: yusuke has them]