★ You are allowed 10 comments maximum to this thread. ★ Your friendly ghost will be intangible, see-through, and unable to speak. ★ Yes, that means you have to play charades again. ★ Once their time is up, your ghostly friend will disappear without warning.
H-hey, Roxis! It's, uh, nice to see you again. [ after everything that happened in w4 that they never brought up again because they're two idiots. ] I guess I'm not getting a letter tonight, then?
blinks and tilts his head? like, he can go back and write a letter? then? it will probably not make it through until Friday though that's true. did you want a letter instead.
but nah, he's just going to glance around curiously- huh, big city looks different from this side, much more modern than he's used to- before drifting over to flat and peering over his shoulder at whatever he's doing idk i pictured flat as being in the arcade or whatever it was in his top level. don't stop on his account. what have you been up to.
outside of, you know, wearing ridiculous costumes and running Yet More Booths. ]
[ god don’t tilt your head at him like that, roxis. he doesn’t know why you chose him!!
because i’m Nice i’m going to say that he is at the arcade. he doesn’t have as many tickets as he had in the top level, mostly because he has quite literally been giving it away—he has no need for any of it. as for what roxis will see, well, it’s just an ongoing play of an old school p*cman that— well, looks like roxis’ sudden arrival distracted flat into a loss. ah, well, that’s fine. good, actually, since he doesn’t have to split his attention.
with the game lost, flat will turn around to face roxis properly, bandaged hands in his coat pockets. ]
Well, it doesn’t matter—I’m happy to see you again, even if you’re see through! Funny, I was just talking about you with Mister Joonghyuk a couple hours ago. But you know what they say, right? Speak of the devil and he shall appear? Ah, but you’re too nice for a devil. But Power’s nice, too!
[ he’s rambling. nervous rambling, actually, but he’ll try to pull himself together! ]
But you’re here to see me. I’m not sure why you would choose me if you wanted to say an important message…so do you just want to look around? [ his face lights up a little bit! ] I can take you somewhere other than here! I mean, I really like the arcade, but there’s more to explore. Have you ever gone to see a movie? You probably haven’t have you? Well, I figure you have a time limit… so let’s just walk around until you disappear.
[ he’ll take a couple steps towards the exit, hoping that roxis will follow suit. there’s no time to waste! ]
[ oh, right, joonghyuk. he looks a little thoughtful, really, but he just nods when flat says that like he already knows it would have happened. albeit with a bit of a softly amused-seeming exhalation of breath when flat keeps rambling on and ends up at power of all people. he nods again to the time limit thing. whoops at interrupting the game though.
but sure, roxis follows flat as soon as he begins to head for the exit.
let's go. how far can they get in six tags let's find out. ]
[ flat will make haste! as soon as he sees roxis walking in his direction, he’ll jog out of the exit. the rest of star circle comes into view, lively and busy. ]
Stay by my side!
[ is roxis visible to others? if not, that’s fine too. flat isn’t really shy about looking like a weirdo, especially when he’s with someone he cares about.
he won’t go into any of the places, but just point them out. “this is the movie theater”, “this is the clothes shop”, “this is the pharmacy”, so on and so forth. he doesn’t know what roxis has and doesn’t have in his world, so flat tries to be both quick and thorough in the worst tour of the city that he’ll ever get.
once out of star circle, the crowd lessens, and flat’s pace slows just a tad. he shows roxis the outside of the library. ]
Mister Dokja found some good information here. It makes me wonder if I should have checked out the library back in the Clock Tower more…
[ because who needs a library when you’re a genius, or something.
he’ll then walk him by the church of the fallen woerm. he doesn’t understand why there’s worms, don’t ask him, but he thinks it’s neat. moves on.
then it’s the park… and that’s where flat finally sits down on a bench with a sigh. sorry roxis, there’s only so much speedwalking that he can do. after a few minutes to catch his breath, he smiles up at roxis. ]
So? Neat place, right? I love big cities like this— I mean, small towns and villages are charming, too, but there’s something about seeing so many people that makes me happy.
[ no one reacts oddly to seeing a translucent mirage following along at flat's heels, so the most likely answer is that no, no one else can see him. wouldn't be the first time for flat, would it? he passes through any other pedestrians in the crowd who might not know to avoid him and they right back as well (though maybe they might or might not feel a bit of a chill when this happens?), so at least being bumped into isn't going to be much of a problem.
though roxis does roll his eyes a bit, his expression leveling out in resigned exasperation when flat wonders idly about the clock tower library. of course flat wouldn't use libraries. of course. what did he expect.
church of fallen woerm... weird choice of patron to worship but ok. then comes the park and,
how are you out of breath already, flat. guess that's the difference between a mage and an alchemist, though— the latter's both trained in and used to making longer trips out into harsher terrain for the sake of ingredients. or maybe it's just because he's dead? who can say, but in the end roxis doesn't look winded at all despite their pace. he might look mildly chiding, actually? like if he could he'd be making tsking noises? flat your stamina? he's not expecting anything crazy, but you never know when you might need to have to outrun something?
anyway what do you want him to say, flat, you know he can't speak. he'll just shake his head no and move to take a seat beside flat on the bench while he catches his breath...
only to fall right through before catching himself because ah. yes. intangible. not like the ball. dammit. ]
[ it’s okay, roxis, this is literally just flat; most magi do pass PE and self-defense. he can sense the other’s disappointment and he gives him a sheepish smile, like it’s something that just can’t be helped. without his abilities, he’s just a normal idiot… or well, they can both pretend that he is.
but when roxis falls through, flat immediately turns in his direction. ]
Are you okay? Do you need help? [ what dumb questions. but they’re honest, as he goes back up to his feet to stare at roxis, tilting his head. flat starts to take out one of his hands to offer to roxis, but puts it back once he remembers that the alchemist would most likely fall through.
jack, too, perched on his shoulder as a crow, tilts its head too. ]
Ghosts are supposed to be intangible—I thought you would know that after coming to the living world. [ which brings the question that won’t leave him: why is roxis here?
he’ll wait for the other to get back to his feet. ] Is there anywhere else you want to see? There’s not much else, aside from the apartments, the bus terminal, and the hospitals. But you’re not here to look for anything in specific, are you? You would have warned me beforehand. So there’s no reason for you to be here. But if you’re wasting an item on me, then there’s a reason for that, too. You wouldn’t be wasteful just because, I think.
[ yeah but if he's entirely intangible why doesn't he simply fall through the floor entirely? tsk. his head is like, only halfway poking through the bench at this point, at least before he sighs and pushes himself back to his feet anyway.
he'll tilt his own head for a moment, since all he's been left with are physical cues. he shakes his head at the questions, doesn't meet flat's eyes when he says there's no reason for roxis to be here, but... sure, if flat really wants to know and tori really wants to get plot out of this, there's ... a message he might be able to get away with passing on.
roxis raises a finger to his lips in the gesture for quiet, then scans the skyline of the city. eventually he finds what he's looking for, because he'll point out
then place a hand across his chest to indicate himself while raising one finger of the other.
let that sink in for a moment, then lower that finger ... and slowly count to ten on his hands, raising one finger at a time. once all are raised, he'll lower them and repeat, counting up to seven.
[ me with the pepe silva board for like a whole day: there has to be a reason for this ]
[ flat follows roxis' gaze, eyeing first the three billboards before returning his attention on the other, blue eyes wide as plates as he tries to interpret the charades. 10...7, 17?
...oh. oh.
once he understands...flat smiles. it's not the usual grin that's full of energy, but something a bit softer around the edges; almost bittersweet. the relief is clear on his face, happy to know about the news. he'll mimic the gesture, putting a finger to his lips. he's still not sure why roxis would place such trust in him, but the fact that he does is more than enough for flat. ]
Thanks for everything. [ it's a bit of a shame that he can't reach out for him, but even if he could, he's not sure what he would do. flat just wrings his hands for a moment, thinking of what to say.
he averts his gaze for a moment, his smile faltering for a moment before it returns. ]
for what? what has he done that he needs to be thanked for it? if it's about information, then he's only done what anyone with any shred of common decency or sense of self preservation would have. it's hardly like the living wouldn't have stumbled their way to the same answers eventually without him, and certainly someone else would have done similar and coordinated an attempt to pass back whatever they could in his absence. haven't they all been trying to do that?
if it's about his time here, fleeting and brief, where he can't be anything other than a reminder and messenger ... if it's about flat's time here, where they can both pretend he's normal, and not facing what he is where he came from ...
well. that adds all that much more weight to it, doesn't it.
roxis' expression levels out further as flat struggles for a reaction, searches for words. this... was intended as reassuring, that they might, after fumbling so long in the dark, might finally see the semblance of a light at the end of the tunnel or at least have an idea of how to reach it— but perhaps he's misstepped, perhaps he's...
but flat really has never been good at figuring out what to say, has he, when something slips beneath and strips away the cheer he wears as raiment and shield? they don't have time, roxis can feel it encroaching even if he doesn't know exactly how long he has left in this realm. it's fine. he's done what he needs to do, on this whim of his; he'll give flat all the time he needs to put together and construct a response.
and...
is that what it'll be, then?
what a simple thing to be glad for. what a small thing to be glad for. and yet, it's earnest... isn't it?
( what terrible similarities one finds in people, in such unlikely places. )
roxis will close his eyes as he shakes his head, just a bit, with what looks to be the shadow of a wry laugh. when they open again, his smile remains tight, but... it's there.
last time was uneven between them. that isn't fair, is it? it still isn't, perhaps, with the way he is now, even less than he was then, but all the same...
he tilts his head once more, as if evaluating or thinking something over. there's a glance over at jack, perched on a shoulder, the aching lack of vosgetel on his own further setting him apart from those still alive,
and then he's stepping forward to cover the distance between them, leaning in and turning his head to feather a kiss across flat's cheek. light and chaste, barely even the ghost of a touch even if he'd had any form or solidity to him rather than simply being the hollow remains of someone who's been gone for longer than not, during their time here stuck suffering the angels' pointless competition.
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no subject
this is! sudden! ]
H-hey, Roxis! It's, uh, nice to see you again. [ after everything that happened in w4 that they never brought up again because they're two idiots. ] I guess I'm not getting a letter tonight, then?
no subject
blinks and tilts his head? like, he can go back and write a letter? then? it will probably not make it through until Friday though that's true. did you want a letter instead.
but nah, he's just going to glance around curiously- huh, big city looks different from this side, much more modern than he's used to- before drifting over to flat and peering over his shoulder at whatever he's doing idk i pictured flat as being in the arcade or whatever it was in his top level. don't stop on his account. what have you been up to.
outside of, you know, wearing ridiculous costumes and running Yet More Booths. ]
no subject
[ god don’t tilt your head at him like that, roxis. he doesn’t know why you chose him!!
because i’m Nice i’m going to say that he is at the arcade. he doesn’t have as many tickets as he had in the top level, mostly because he has quite literally been giving it away—he has no need for any of it. as for what roxis will see, well, it’s just an ongoing play of an old school p*cman that— well, looks like roxis’ sudden arrival distracted flat into a loss. ah, well, that’s fine. good, actually, since he doesn’t have to split his attention.
with the game lost, flat will turn around to face roxis properly, bandaged hands in his coat pockets. ]
Well, it doesn’t matter—I’m happy to see you again, even if you’re see through! Funny, I was just talking about you with Mister Joonghyuk a couple hours ago. But you know what they say, right? Speak of the devil and he shall appear? Ah, but you’re too nice for a devil. But Power’s nice, too!
[ he’s rambling. nervous rambling, actually, but he’ll try to pull himself together! ]
But you’re here to see me. I’m not sure why you would choose me if you wanted to say an important message…so do you just want to look around? [ his face lights up a little bit! ] I can take you somewhere other than here! I mean, I really like the arcade, but there’s more to explore. Have you ever gone to see a movie? You probably haven’t have you? Well, I figure you have a time limit… so let’s just walk around until you disappear.
[ he’ll take a couple steps towards the exit, hoping that roxis will follow suit. there’s no time to waste! ]
no subject
but sure, roxis follows flat as soon as he begins to head for the exit.
let's go. how far can they get in six tags let's find out. ]
no subject
Stay by my side!
[ is roxis visible to others? if not, that’s fine too. flat isn’t really shy about looking like a weirdo, especially when he’s with someone he cares about.
he won’t go into any of the places, but just point them out. “this is the movie theater”, “this is the clothes shop”, “this is the pharmacy”, so on and so forth. he doesn’t know what roxis has and doesn’t have in his world, so flat tries to be both quick and thorough in the worst tour of the city that he’ll ever get.
once out of star circle, the crowd lessens, and flat’s pace slows just a tad. he shows roxis the outside of the library. ]
Mister Dokja found some good information here. It makes me wonder if I should have checked out the library back in the Clock Tower more…
[ because who needs a library when you’re a genius, or something.
he’ll then walk him by the church of the fallen woerm. he doesn’t understand why there’s worms, don’t ask him, but he thinks it’s neat. moves on.
then it’s the park… and that’s where flat finally sits down on a bench with a sigh. sorry roxis, there’s only so much speedwalking that he can do. after a few minutes to catch his breath, he smiles up at roxis. ]
So? Neat place, right? I love big cities like this— I mean, small towns and villages are charming, too, but there’s something about seeing so many people that makes me happy.
[ he’ll nod towards roxis. ]
Any questions?
no subject
though roxis does roll his eyes a bit, his expression leveling out in resigned exasperation when flat wonders idly about the clock tower library. of course flat wouldn't use libraries. of course. what did he expect.
church of fallen woerm... weird choice of patron to worship but ok. then comes the park and,
how are you out of breath already, flat. guess that's the difference between a mage and an alchemist, though— the latter's both trained in and used to making longer trips out into harsher terrain for the sake of ingredients. or maybe it's just because he's dead? who can say, but in the end roxis doesn't look winded at all despite their pace. he might look mildly chiding, actually? like if he could he'd be making tsking noises? flat your stamina? he's not expecting anything crazy, but you never know when you might need to have to outrun something?
anyway what do you want him to say, flat, you know he can't speak. he'll just shake his head no and move to take a seat beside flat on the bench while he catches his breath...
only to fall right through before catching himself because ah. yes. intangible. not like the ball. dammit. ]
no subject
but when roxis falls through, flat immediately turns in his direction. ]
Are you okay? Do you need help? [ what dumb questions. but they’re honest, as he goes back up to his feet to stare at roxis, tilting his head. flat starts to take out one of his hands to offer to roxis, but puts it back once he remembers that the alchemist would most likely fall through.
jack, too, perched on his shoulder as a crow, tilts its head too. ]
Ghosts are supposed to be intangible—I thought you would know that after coming to the living world. [ which brings the question that won’t leave him: why is roxis here?
he’ll wait for the other to get back to his feet. ] Is there anywhere else you want to see? There’s not much else, aside from the apartments, the bus terminal, and the hospitals. But you’re not here to look for anything in specific, are you? You would have warned me beforehand. So there’s no reason for you to be here. But if you’re wasting an item on me, then there’s a reason for that, too. You wouldn’t be wasteful just because, I think.
no subject
he'll tilt his own head for a moment, since all he's been left with are physical cues. he shakes his head at the questions, doesn't meet flat's eyes when he says there's no reason for roxis to be here, but... sure, if flat really wants to know and tori really wants to get plot out of this, there's ... a message he might be able to get away with passing on.
roxis raises a finger to his lips in the gesture for quiet, then scans the skyline of the city. eventually he finds what he's looking for, because he'll point out
three specific billboards.
then place a hand across his chest to indicate himself while raising one finger of the other.
let that sink in for a moment, then lower that finger ... and slowly count to ten on his hands, raising one finger at a time. once all are raised, he'll lower them and repeat, counting up to seven.
once more, he repeats the gesture for quiet. ]
no subject
[ flat follows roxis' gaze, eyeing first the three billboards before returning his attention on the other, blue eyes wide as plates as he tries to interpret the charades. 10...7, 17?
...oh. oh.
once he understands...flat smiles. it's not the usual grin that's full of energy, but something a bit softer around the edges; almost bittersweet. the relief is clear on his face, happy to know about the news. he'll mimic the gesture, putting a finger to his lips. he's still not sure why roxis would place such trust in him, but the fact that he does is more than enough for flat. ]
Thanks for everything. [ it's a bit of a shame that he can't reach out for him, but even if he could, he's not sure what he would do. flat just wrings his hands for a moment, thinking of what to say.
he averts his gaze for a moment, his smile faltering for a moment before it returns. ]
I'm glad I got to see you again, Roxis.
no subject
for what? what has he done that he needs to be thanked for it? if it's about information, then he's only done what anyone with any shred of common decency or sense of self preservation would have. it's hardly like the living wouldn't have stumbled their way to the same answers eventually without him, and certainly someone else would have done similar and coordinated an attempt to pass back whatever they could in his absence. haven't they all been trying to do that?
if it's about his time here, fleeting and brief, where he can't be anything other than a reminder and messenger ... if it's about flat's time here, where they can both pretend he's normal, and not facing what he is where he came from ...
well. that adds all that much more weight to it, doesn't it.
roxis' expression levels out further as flat struggles for a reaction, searches for words. this... was intended as reassuring, that they might, after fumbling so long in the dark, might finally see the semblance of a light at the end of the tunnel or at least have an idea of how to reach it— but perhaps he's misstepped, perhaps he's...
but flat really has never been good at figuring out what to say, has he, when something slips beneath and strips away the cheer he wears as raiment and shield? they don't have time, roxis can feel it encroaching even if he doesn't know exactly how long he has left in this realm. it's fine. he's done what he needs to do, on this whim of his; he'll give flat all the time he needs to put together and construct a response.
and...
is that what it'll be, then?
what a simple thing to be glad for. what a small thing to be glad for. and yet, it's earnest... isn't it?
( what terrible similarities one finds in people, in such unlikely places. )
roxis will close his eyes as he shakes his head, just a bit, with what looks to be the shadow of a wry laugh. when they open again, his smile remains tight, but... it's there.
last time was uneven between them. that isn't fair, is it? it still isn't, perhaps, with the way he is now, even less than he was then, but all the same...
he tilts his head once more, as if evaluating or thinking something over. there's a glance over at jack, perched on a shoulder, the aching lack of vosgetel on his own further setting him apart from those still alive,
and then he's stepping forward to cover the distance between them, leaning in and turning his head to feather a kiss across flat's cheek. light and chaste, barely even the ghost of a touch even if he'd had any form or solidity to him rather than simply being the hollow remains of someone who's been gone for longer than not, during their time here stuck suffering the angels' pointless competition.
and then he's gone. ]