1st Bullet ⊗ Voice

[pishirogane]

[The audio becomes live just in time for a single word to be heard]

Fascinating...

[A few more random clicks here and there before the actions cease. It's quiet save for the ambience coming from around the speaker. Their voice suddenly cuts through, whispering first.]

It certainly appears to be on... Greetings. Upon arrival to this place, I

Comments

1/? ...and tags will be slower than ever due to comp troubles

[punk_emperor]

[He knows that voice. He knows it and oh god not Naoto, not here. They'll make her do awful, terrible things and oh hell no! No, no, no. Not Naoto.

In his panic, dread settled in his stomach, Kanji manages to drop the fansuwoth as he turns it on so there's a clatter and a spinning image of a dimly lit ceiling.]

N--

[pishirogane]

Thank you, Kanji-kun, but there's no need. I should be able to manage on my own.

[Unless the head isn't one for easy negotiations... she should ask someone]

[punk_emperor]

I know. [He rubs his head sheepishly--hissing a little in surprise as he accidentally jostles his earlobe.] But if there's anything you do need that I can help with, you'll ask right?

[It's said with a desire to be helpful and wanted.]

[pishirogane]

[...? What was that?] Yes...

... Kanji-kun, is everything alright?

[punk_emperor]

[He blinks for a minute and then gets a look of realization. Then he turns to the side--he doesn't have anywhere near the usual amount of earrings in, and the lobe looks a little puffy.]

They took all of my earrings and stuff. I told 'em the holes would close up! Bastards.

[He starts to rub at his ear then stops.] But they finally started giving 'em back recently, and only this one was really bad. They're still bastards for taking my jewelry though.

I hope I get the rest back soon. It feels weird not having 'em all.

[pishirogane]

[That doesn't look healthy]

Perhaps you should have a doctor look at that.

[punk_emperor]

If it's like this tomorrow, I will. Don't worry! I pierced 'em myself to begin with--well, the first couple, then Ma started giving me permission to go to Okina for it--so I think they're supposed to be puffy and sore right after.

[Yup, he's an idiot who really would stick a needle through his ear to look cool.]

[pishirogane]

Sore, yes, but not so puffy.

[She does have earrings too... or at least, she did.]

[punk_emperor]

[And he's always liked her earrings. ...though it's a good bet that however Naoto got them, it was professionally done. Actually--]

They took yours too, didn't they? Damn. I went lookin' for replacements, you know to keep the holes open until I got mine back, but they were real expensive...

[pishirogane]

[She was young when they were done]

It's understandable. The metal for jewelry must be hard to come by here.

[punk_emperor]

I could... I dunno if you like hoops but--

I could lend you a pair of mine, just til you got yours back. Maybe I can talk old man Ino into giving me another pair right now--I'm probably gonna have to reopen the rest anyway so it doesn't matter much if it's now or later.

[He's trying to help! ...and the thought of Naoto wearing a pair of his earrings kind of feels him with a giddy-terrified-warm and fuzzy sensation.]

[pishirogane]

Thank you for the offer, but it's only my earlobes that have been pierced. When compared to your cartilage piercings, the pain to get them redone is minimal...

[Wouldn't they get in trouble? She's not supposed to have such belongings on her right now.]

[punk_emperor]

I guess, if you're sure...

[Well maybe he can scrape up enough to get her a simple pair. And it's only stealing back such items that's worth punishment--buying them with the allowance or getting gifts is fine. ...the problem being how low the allowances are compared to the price of such things.]

[pishirogane]

[... He seems disappointed. Okay Naoto, you're trying to get better, but what should you say? Hm... would someone else accept the offer or fully explain the whole situation? She'll try the latter.]

... You wouldn't get in trouble lending them to me, would you? I'm not sure how Sir Koga would react were a newly bought contract suddenly having accessories after being stripped of their prior ones.

[punk_emperor]

I don't think so? Old man Ino doesn't care what we do with our stuff, as long as it's ours and we aren't stealin' or nothing. I think he thinks the dolls I've been making with my allowance really don't... fit with the house image, but I ain't where the-- [he chokes before he continues] clients and entertainers hang out.

[He runs his hand through his hair thoughtfully] I don't know about this Koga guy though... I guess you'd have to ask if it's okay for you to accept a gift?

[pishirogane]

Your dolls? What is your house's image?

He might assume I'm already an entertainer if I'm asking about gifts...