My crazy pups...
My Hakkai and Grim's Gojyo had a conversation a week or so ago.
Hakkai: I thought that I was speaking to him just a moment ago. *blinkblink*
Gojyo: You probably were. First time in whitespace?
Hakkai: Oh, is that where we are? *looking around*
Gojyo: Yup. Dunno quite how it works, but, well... *gestures* that's about all there is to it. That, an' th'muns. They're kinda evil.
Gojyo: Not REALLY evil, okay? But that cat-powder shit is pretty evil.
Hakkai: Hm. I suppose I would be wasting my time if I asked how I got here.
Gojyo: *shrugs* Pretty much.
Gojyo: *lights a smoke* So where're you from? Or when, or however th'fuck this works?
Hakkai: *another blink* Ah... I'm not sure that I understand what you mean, Gojyo.
Gojyo: *waves the cigarette* Right, right, first time in th'whitespace an' all that. Um. How th'FUCK do I say this? You an' me, we're probably not from th'same world.
Gojyo: But we're from kinda-th'same worlds. Just little things are different, an' sometimes someone's farther along in, um, time. *sheepishly* I know it sounds crazy...
Hakkai: *absently waves a hand to waft the smoke in the opposite direction**apologetic smile* Yes, I'm afraid so. Still...
Gojyo: Still... that's th'way it is. *exhales away from hakkai* Where were you, before you got sucked in here?
Hakkai: At the inn, just getting ready to go to bed. *thoughful look* I suppose I should be more specific than that. Do you remember someone who called himself 'Kami-sama'?
Gojyo: *glare* Yeah.
Gojyo: Shit, you're there?!
Hakkai: *slightly confused smile* I'm sorry?
Gojyo: *whee concerned!* That Kamisama guy... you fight him already?
Hakkai: Ah... No. He disappeared without a trace, and besides, Sanzo was quite adamant about the fact that he is not our problem.
Gojyo: *cigarette! he has a cigarette. what a nice cigarette.* Must be one of th'things that's different between our worlds, then.
Hakkai: *look* It could be, I'm sure.
Gojyo: *...oh.* He killed those kids, an' he was just... *oops* Um, I mean, shit, I don't know what I mean. Did your version of me... *runs his hand through his hair*, Dammit, I can't even ASK without fuckin' things up!
Hakkai: *calmly* Yes?
Gojyo: *eye contact - check* Your version of me go after him?
Hakkai: *have another, very direct look* Do you think he will?
Gojyo: *direct look right back atcha!* After what that bastard did? Yeah. *smokesmoke* You gonna try an' stop him?
Hakkai: No... *this smile? really fake* Sanzo won't wait for him.
Gojyo: *snorts* 'Course he won't. He's said it enough times.
Hakkai: So he has. I wonder why. *there's a couch, maybe sitting down would be a good idea**siiighsmile* I think that trying to stop him would be as futile as trying to stop Sanzo from leaving anyway.
Gojyo: So we don't get th'idea he gives a shit? *oh, this is gonna be a FUN conversation. perches on the edge of the couch* You know he'd stay if you asked him to.
Hakkai: Ah, yes, that would be a terrible misconception on our part. *raises eyebrows slightly* You sound certain.
Gojyo: *raises an eyebrow* When's th'last time you asked him t'do something an' he didn't? ...Other'n cleanin' stuff.
Hakkai: *smilesmile* Ah ha ha, aside from that, yes. No matter how many times I tell him not to, he still uses beer cans as ashtrays.
Gojyo: *not laughing, really* At least he doesn't always drink th'last beer like SOME priests I could name.
Hakkai: *smiling* That's true.
Gojyo: M'just not a cleaning kinda guy, is all. *heee* Prefer makin' messes t'cleanin' 'em up.
Hakkai: *no idea what you might be implying there, of course* It really wouldn't hurt to pick up a few things here and there, you know.
Gojyo: *chuckles quietly* Don't think I could stop.
Hakkai: Making messes? I imagine not.
Gojyo: *corner-of-his-eye glance* Pickin' stuff up. *shrugs and sprawls back* Habit of poor people, or so th'great Sanzo-sama said.
Hakkai: ... Would you pick them all up, if you could?
Gojyo: *totally remembering, and it's not a happy memory* When I make a big mess, I clean it up, yeah.
Hakkai: *watching him closely, then shakes his head* Yes, I know.
Gojyo: *frowning* It happen th'same for you? Kinkaku an' his... that monster, they showed up at th'inn while I, er, he, was out doing th'shoppin'?
Hakkai: Yes. *looks up at where the ceiling should be* This place rather reminded me of it at first, but there certainly aren't any bones lying around here.
Gojyo: *you now have the kappa's complete attention* So you were... where were you an' th'monkey?
Hakkai: I'm not entirely sure. Come to think of it, Ginkaku did mention that we were in an alternate dimension inside the gourd.
Gojyo: *ponderpondersmoke* He never said what it was like. My world's Hakkai, I mean.
Hakkai: *blink* Did you ask?
Gojyo: *what?* 'Course not! S'not th'kinda thing you just ask, y'know? "So, hey, sorry for killin' ya, what was Hell like?"
Hakkai: Ha ha, I suppose not. *looks over* You weren't the only one who was careless, Gojyo.
Gojyo: *grinds out his cigarette* No, but I was th'one who should've known better... an' I told 'em where t'find th'rest of ya.
Gojyo: But I cleaned up my mess, at least.
Hakkai: Gojyo, we all should have known better.
Gojyo:*shakes his head* No, you're not understandin'. I'd been in th'Ne--, uh, in a place like th'whitespace here, an' I knew about Kamisama, an' th'two little demon kids, an' I still kept talkin'.
Hakkai: *stare* You knew what was going to happen?
Gojyo: *whipped puppy* Kinda. Knew enough that I should've kept my mouth shut.
Hakkai: *"kinda"?**sigh, headshake* Gojyo...
Hakkai: *...not-his-gojyo*
Gojyo: *laughing it off. totally.* Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm a fuckin' moron sometimes.
Hakkai: *small smile* Sometimes?
Gojyo: ...Oi. I have good ideas sometimes, too!
Hakkai: Oh?
Gojyo: *unconsciously toying with his earring* Yeah. *mock indignation, GO!*...Hey, don't sound so surprised, or I'll get offended!
Hakkai: *chuckles* I certainly wouldn't want to offend you.
Gojyo: Damn right you don't! *preens* Bein' pissy all th'time is bad for ya. Just look at Baldy!
Hakkai: *smiling* Smoking is bad for you, too.
Gojyo: *eyebrow of O RLY?* Me NOT smokin' is bad for me, an' everyone else, too.
Hakkai: *still smiling!* Even so.
Gojyo: What can I say? I like things that're bad for me.
Hakkai: You do seem to have an affinity for bad habits.
Gojyo: I've got a bunch of good habits, too... it's just that th'bad ones are more fun!
Hakkai: *laughs* If you say so, Gojyo.
Gojyo: *leery leer leer* You doubtin'?
Gojyo: ...Shit. Sorry. Shouldn't'a said that.
Gojyo: *smoking now*
Hakkai: *it wasn't what he said, exactly**slow blink... finally recovers with a smile* Doubt you? Of course not.
Gojyo: *REALLY doesn't like that smile. or most of them, for that matter.* You gonna let him go? After Kamisama, I mean.
Hakkai: I can't ask him to stay.
Gojyo: ...Would you? If you could?
Hakkai: *sigh* Should I have to, Gojyo?
Gojyo: ...No. M'just curious, is all. *shifts uncomfortably* An' you shouldn't ask him t'stay. It's... it's important.
Hakkai: I told you that I won't. *bitter? no, not at all* What is it that you really want to ask?
Gojyo: Huh? Nothin'! *weak laugh* Shouldn't you be askin' me stuff? I mean, what with me bein' farther along an' all...
Hakkai: Gojyo...
Gojyo: Yeah?
Hakkai: Please.
Gojyo: *he can fake-smile too, see?* Said there was nothin'. *whee casual!* Wonder what else is different between your world an' mine. You ever meet that Homura guy?
Hakkai: *not bad, but this fake smile wins* I'm afraid not.
Gojyo: *ow. yeah, it does.* Heh. Lucky you. Hear he was a pain in th'ass. *eyebrow of "ew"* Had a thing for th'monkey. Fuckin' wrong.
Hakkai: Goku? *looks mildly disturbed by that thought* I see. Hopefully we won't meet him later, then.
Gojyo: Nah, from what I hear, if he doesn't show up before, um, before where you are now, then he won't be a problem. *all this small talk is seriously twitchy-making*
Hakkai: Ah, good. *really? so sorry about that* I do believe that we have enough to deal with as it is.
Gojyo: *muttering* You're not fuckin' kidding.
Hakkai: *half-smile* No, I'm not.
Gojyo: *lights yet another cigarette, toying with the lighter* Hey, Hakkai. Do me a favor?
Hakkai: Hm?
Gojyo: *toy toy flip spin flick. flick. flick.* Don't die.
Hakkai: *this smile is almost genuine* Of course, Gojyo. I can just imagine how the trash would pile up if I wasn't there to remind you to take it out.
Gojyo: *half-a-second of thinking about how it DID pile up, then there's pouting* M'not THAT bad.
Hakkai: And I think that Sanzo really would shoot you if I didn't intervene sometimes.
Gojyo: *more zomgpouting* He probably would, fuckin' touchy monk.
Hakkai: *can't help but laugh at the pouting* And who would do the grocery shopping, I wonder?
Gojyo: *snorts* Like I don't do most of it as it is? *eh heh...* Now cookin' might be a problem...
Hakkai: You know Sanzo wouldn't do it, and Goku... well.
Gojyo: *gah.* I knew th'monkey'd eat anythin', but he's not allowed to'cook ever again. Puttin' fuckin' chocolate in th'beef pot. *shakes his head*
Hakkai: *faint smirk* Sanzo would have put mayonaise instead.
Gojyo: *expression of supreme disgust* How he can eat that old-man food, I just don't fuckin' know.
Hakkai: You're one to talk, Gojyo. Your ramen has some very... interesting ingredients.
Gojyo: What? What's so weird about my cookin'?
Hakkai: *almost-reproachful look* Everything in the fridge? Really now.
Gojyo: *hee* Was still good, though.
Hakkai: You certainly ate all of it.
Gojyo: *eyebrow* Don't think I didn' see you stealin' some too.
Hakkai: Perhaps you're thinking of some different ramen.
Gojyo: *flutters a hand* Deny it if ya want to, doesn't matter t'me.
Hakkai: *smiles* I'm sure.
Gojyo: *hn.* Maybe I am thinkin' of somethin' different. *why yes, he WAS thinking of food he made in the nexus. dumbass.*
Hakkai: It's quite possible.
Gojyo: *shrugs* Not like it matters.
Hakkai: If it doesn't matter, then why have we been talking at all?
Gojyo: *pointed look* Meant that stupid shit like what weird-ass food I made months ago doesn't matter. 'Course, if you've got somethin' better t'do, I'm all ears.
Hakkai: *looks around* It doesn't seem as if there's much else to do here.
Gojyo: *snorts* Never stopped me before. *um. shit. flirting with this hakkai = WEIRDWRONG*
Hakkai: *blinks at him*
Gojyo: *facepalm* I'm gonna stop talkin' now. That was a good idea. I should do that.
Hakkai: Are you feeling alright, Gojyo?
Gojyo: Don'tcha think you've got enough t'deal with without worryin' about another Gojyo? M'fine! *la la la nothing's wrong*
Hakkai: *concerned look* Are you sure?
Gojyo: *no. really really not.* HAKkai. I said m'fine. Quit worryin', or all your hair's gonna fall out.
Hakkai: *siiiiigh* If you insist, Gojyo. *does not believe that at all, mind you*
Gojyo: Shit. Looks like my mun is passin' out. *stands up and stretches, with a wink* Last chance t'find out about your future!
Hakkai: *smiles* I can't think of anything I'd like to ask. Perhaps we'll have another chance to talk. *still worried about you, whether you like it or not*
Gojyo: Considerin' who your mun is? Wouldn't be surprised. ...So, uh, I'll catch ya later?
Hakkai: *nod* Goodnight, Gojyo.
Gojyo: Yeah. G'night.
Hakkai: I thought that I was speaking to him just a moment ago. *blinkblink*
Gojyo: You probably were. First time in whitespace?
Hakkai: Oh, is that where we are? *looking around*
Gojyo: Yup. Dunno quite how it works, but, well... *gestures* that's about all there is to it. That, an' th'muns. They're kinda evil.
Gojyo: Not REALLY evil, okay? But that cat-powder shit is pretty evil.
Hakkai: Hm. I suppose I would be wasting my time if I asked how I got here.
Gojyo: *shrugs* Pretty much.
Gojyo: *lights a smoke* So where're you from? Or when, or however th'fuck this works?
Hakkai: *another blink* Ah... I'm not sure that I understand what you mean, Gojyo.
Gojyo: *waves the cigarette* Right, right, first time in th'whitespace an' all that. Um. How th'FUCK do I say this? You an' me, we're probably not from th'same world.
Gojyo: But we're from kinda-th'same worlds. Just little things are different, an' sometimes someone's farther along in, um, time. *sheepishly* I know it sounds crazy...
Hakkai: *absently waves a hand to waft the smoke in the opposite direction**apologetic smile* Yes, I'm afraid so. Still...
Gojyo: Still... that's th'way it is. *exhales away from hakkai* Where were you, before you got sucked in here?
Hakkai: At the inn, just getting ready to go to bed. *thoughful look* I suppose I should be more specific than that. Do you remember someone who called himself 'Kami-sama'?
Gojyo: *glare* Yeah.
Gojyo: Shit, you're there?!
Hakkai: *slightly confused smile* I'm sorry?
Gojyo: *whee concerned!* That Kamisama guy... you fight him already?
Hakkai: Ah... No. He disappeared without a trace, and besides, Sanzo was quite adamant about the fact that he is not our problem.
Gojyo: *cigarette! he has a cigarette. what a nice cigarette.* Must be one of th'things that's different between our worlds, then.
Hakkai: *look* It could be, I'm sure.
Gojyo: *...oh.* He killed those kids, an' he was just... *oops* Um, I mean, shit, I don't know what I mean. Did your version of me... *runs his hand through his hair*, Dammit, I can't even ASK without fuckin' things up!
Hakkai: *calmly* Yes?
Gojyo: *eye contact - check* Your version of me go after him?
Hakkai: *have another, very direct look* Do you think he will?
Gojyo: *direct look right back atcha!* After what that bastard did? Yeah. *smokesmoke* You gonna try an' stop him?
Hakkai: No... *this smile? really fake* Sanzo won't wait for him.
Gojyo: *snorts* 'Course he won't. He's said it enough times.
Hakkai: So he has. I wonder why. *there's a couch, maybe sitting down would be a good idea**siiighsmile* I think that trying to stop him would be as futile as trying to stop Sanzo from leaving anyway.
Gojyo: So we don't get th'idea he gives a shit? *oh, this is gonna be a FUN conversation. perches on the edge of the couch* You know he'd stay if you asked him to.
Hakkai: Ah, yes, that would be a terrible misconception on our part. *raises eyebrows slightly* You sound certain.
Gojyo: *raises an eyebrow* When's th'last time you asked him t'do something an' he didn't? ...Other'n cleanin' stuff.
Hakkai: *smilesmile* Ah ha ha, aside from that, yes. No matter how many times I tell him not to, he still uses beer cans as ashtrays.
Gojyo: *not laughing, really* At least he doesn't always drink th'last beer like SOME priests I could name.
Hakkai: *smiling* That's true.
Gojyo: M'just not a cleaning kinda guy, is all. *heee* Prefer makin' messes t'cleanin' 'em up.
Hakkai: *no idea what you might be implying there, of course* It really wouldn't hurt to pick up a few things here and there, you know.
Gojyo: *chuckles quietly* Don't think I could stop.
Hakkai: Making messes? I imagine not.
Gojyo: *corner-of-his-eye glance* Pickin' stuff up. *shrugs and sprawls back* Habit of poor people, or so th'great Sanzo-sama said.
Hakkai: ... Would you pick them all up, if you could?
Gojyo: *totally remembering, and it's not a happy memory* When I make a big mess, I clean it up, yeah.
Hakkai: *watching him closely, then shakes his head* Yes, I know.
Gojyo: *frowning* It happen th'same for you? Kinkaku an' his... that monster, they showed up at th'inn while I, er, he, was out doing th'shoppin'?
Hakkai: Yes. *looks up at where the ceiling should be* This place rather reminded me of it at first, but there certainly aren't any bones lying around here.
Gojyo: *you now have the kappa's complete attention* So you were... where were you an' th'monkey?
Hakkai: I'm not entirely sure. Come to think of it, Ginkaku did mention that we were in an alternate dimension inside the gourd.
Gojyo: *ponderpondersmoke* He never said what it was like. My world's Hakkai, I mean.
Hakkai: *blink* Did you ask?
Gojyo: *what?* 'Course not! S'not th'kinda thing you just ask, y'know? "So, hey, sorry for killin' ya, what was Hell like?"
Hakkai: Ha ha, I suppose not. *looks over* You weren't the only one who was careless, Gojyo.
Gojyo: *grinds out his cigarette* No, but I was th'one who should've known better... an' I told 'em where t'find th'rest of ya.
Gojyo: But I cleaned up my mess, at least.
Hakkai: Gojyo, we all should have known better.
Gojyo:*shakes his head* No, you're not understandin'. I'd been in th'Ne--, uh, in a place like th'whitespace here, an' I knew about Kamisama, an' th'two little demon kids, an' I still kept talkin'.
Hakkai: *stare* You knew what was going to happen?
Gojyo: *whipped puppy* Kinda. Knew enough that I should've kept my mouth shut.
Hakkai: *"kinda"?**sigh, headshake* Gojyo...
Hakkai: *...not-his-gojyo*
Gojyo: *laughing it off. totally.* Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm a fuckin' moron sometimes.
Hakkai: *small smile* Sometimes?
Gojyo: ...Oi. I have good ideas sometimes, too!
Hakkai: Oh?
Gojyo: *unconsciously toying with his earring* Yeah. *mock indignation, GO!*...Hey, don't sound so surprised, or I'll get offended!
Hakkai: *chuckles* I certainly wouldn't want to offend you.
Gojyo: Damn right you don't! *preens* Bein' pissy all th'time is bad for ya. Just look at Baldy!
Hakkai: *smiling* Smoking is bad for you, too.
Gojyo: *eyebrow of O RLY?* Me NOT smokin' is bad for me, an' everyone else, too.
Hakkai: *still smiling!* Even so.
Gojyo: What can I say? I like things that're bad for me.
Hakkai: You do seem to have an affinity for bad habits.
Gojyo: I've got a bunch of good habits, too... it's just that th'bad ones are more fun!
Hakkai: *laughs* If you say so, Gojyo.
Gojyo: *leery leer leer* You doubtin'?
Gojyo: ...Shit. Sorry. Shouldn't'a said that.
Gojyo: *smoking now*
Hakkai: *it wasn't what he said, exactly**slow blink... finally recovers with a smile* Doubt you? Of course not.
Gojyo: *REALLY doesn't like that smile. or most of them, for that matter.* You gonna let him go? After Kamisama, I mean.
Hakkai: I can't ask him to stay.
Gojyo: ...Would you? If you could?
Hakkai: *sigh* Should I have to, Gojyo?
Gojyo: ...No. M'just curious, is all. *shifts uncomfortably* An' you shouldn't ask him t'stay. It's... it's important.
Hakkai: I told you that I won't. *bitter? no, not at all* What is it that you really want to ask?
Gojyo: Huh? Nothin'! *weak laugh* Shouldn't you be askin' me stuff? I mean, what with me bein' farther along an' all...
Hakkai: Gojyo...
Gojyo: Yeah?
Hakkai: Please.
Gojyo: *he can fake-smile too, see?* Said there was nothin'. *whee casual!* Wonder what else is different between your world an' mine. You ever meet that Homura guy?
Hakkai: *not bad, but this fake smile wins* I'm afraid not.
Gojyo: *ow. yeah, it does.* Heh. Lucky you. Hear he was a pain in th'ass. *eyebrow of "ew"* Had a thing for th'monkey. Fuckin' wrong.
Hakkai: Goku? *looks mildly disturbed by that thought* I see. Hopefully we won't meet him later, then.
Gojyo: Nah, from what I hear, if he doesn't show up before, um, before where you are now, then he won't be a problem. *all this small talk is seriously twitchy-making*
Hakkai: Ah, good. *really? so sorry about that* I do believe that we have enough to deal with as it is.
Gojyo: *muttering* You're not fuckin' kidding.
Hakkai: *half-smile* No, I'm not.
Gojyo: *lights yet another cigarette, toying with the lighter* Hey, Hakkai. Do me a favor?
Hakkai: Hm?
Gojyo: *toy toy flip spin flick. flick. flick.* Don't die.
Hakkai: *this smile is almost genuine* Of course, Gojyo. I can just imagine how the trash would pile up if I wasn't there to remind you to take it out.
Gojyo: *half-a-second of thinking about how it DID pile up, then there's pouting* M'not THAT bad.
Hakkai: And I think that Sanzo really would shoot you if I didn't intervene sometimes.
Gojyo: *more zomgpouting* He probably would, fuckin' touchy monk.
Hakkai: *can't help but laugh at the pouting* And who would do the grocery shopping, I wonder?
Gojyo: *snorts* Like I don't do most of it as it is? *eh heh...* Now cookin' might be a problem...
Hakkai: You know Sanzo wouldn't do it, and Goku... well.
Gojyo: *gah.* I knew th'monkey'd eat anythin', but he's not allowed to'cook ever again. Puttin' fuckin' chocolate in th'beef pot. *shakes his head*
Hakkai: *faint smirk* Sanzo would have put mayonaise instead.
Gojyo: *expression of supreme disgust* How he can eat that old-man food, I just don't fuckin' know.
Hakkai: You're one to talk, Gojyo. Your ramen has some very... interesting ingredients.
Gojyo: What? What's so weird about my cookin'?
Hakkai: *almost-reproachful look* Everything in the fridge? Really now.
Gojyo: *hee* Was still good, though.
Hakkai: You certainly ate all of it.
Gojyo: *eyebrow* Don't think I didn' see you stealin' some too.
Hakkai: Perhaps you're thinking of some different ramen.
Gojyo: *flutters a hand* Deny it if ya want to, doesn't matter t'me.
Hakkai: *smiles* I'm sure.
Gojyo: *hn.* Maybe I am thinkin' of somethin' different. *why yes, he WAS thinking of food he made in the nexus. dumbass.*
Hakkai: It's quite possible.
Gojyo: *shrugs* Not like it matters.
Hakkai: If it doesn't matter, then why have we been talking at all?
Gojyo: *pointed look* Meant that stupid shit like what weird-ass food I made months ago doesn't matter. 'Course, if you've got somethin' better t'do, I'm all ears.
Hakkai: *looks around* It doesn't seem as if there's much else to do here.
Gojyo: *snorts* Never stopped me before. *um. shit. flirting with this hakkai = WEIRDWRONG*
Hakkai: *blinks at him*
Gojyo: *facepalm* I'm gonna stop talkin' now. That was a good idea. I should do that.
Hakkai: Are you feeling alright, Gojyo?
Gojyo: Don'tcha think you've got enough t'deal with without worryin' about another Gojyo? M'fine! *la la la nothing's wrong*
Hakkai: *concerned look* Are you sure?
Gojyo: *no. really really not.* HAKkai. I said m'fine. Quit worryin', or all your hair's gonna fall out.
Hakkai: *siiiiigh* If you insist, Gojyo. *does not believe that at all, mind you*
Gojyo: Shit. Looks like my mun is passin' out. *stands up and stretches, with a wink* Last chance t'find out about your future!
Hakkai: *smiles* I can't think of anything I'd like to ask. Perhaps we'll have another chance to talk. *still worried about you, whether you like it or not*
Gojyo: Considerin' who your mun is? Wouldn't be surprised. ...So, uh, I'll catch ya later?
Hakkai: *nod* Goodnight, Gojyo.
Gojyo: Yeah. G'night.