[team two] Remembering
Hi. I'm new to the shiritori game. I used to write a lot more, but now it seems like I only write once or twice a year and only for exchanges, so hopefully this works out well. I usually write Kisumai and the occasional Kanju, but since it looks like I can write any fandom here, I might look into exploring other fandoms a bit.
Before reading, it might help to watch this first if you're not familiar with Joss Whedon's series Dollhouse at all. This is set in my Tokyo Dollhouse verse that I wrote for the Fic2 exchange a few years ago. I've always wanted to write more in this verse but it just wasn't happening. ^^
A little background info for this bit: Totsuka used to be an Active at the Tokyo Dollhouse (not that he knows it, but Kitayama was his handler) and has come in for his first health check up after his release. He thinks he doesn't remember anything about his time in the Dollhouse, but finds out that maybe he does.
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He must be dreaming. The man who comes out to greet him in the lobby looks exactly like the man he sees in his dreams. Distracted, he bows a little belatedly. “I’m Totsuka Shota. I have an appointment with Mr. Fujigaya?”
“There was an urgent matter requiring Mr. Fujigaya’s attention this morning. I’m Kitayama Hiromitsu. I will be assisting you during your visit today,” the man says with a polite smile. “If you’ll follow me.”
‘Kitayama Hiromitsu,’ Totsuka repeats in his head as follows Kitayama past the main bank of elevators to an unmarked door. Kitayama swipes them through and leads him down the hall to a single elevator, this time requiring Kitayama’s security card and fingerprint. They ride the elevator going down and Totsuka can’t quite keep himself from staring at Kitayama in the elevator door’s reflective surface.
“Is something the matter?”
Totsuka smiles. “I apologize. It was rude of me to stare. It’s just… Have we met before? I can’t shake the feeling that I know you from somewhere…”
There’s a slight pause before Kitayama replies, “I’m sorry. I can’t say that we have.”
'Or is it that you're not supposed to talk about it?' Totsuka wants to push the matter a bit further, but the elevator stops and the doors open.
It’s almost unreal being back here, Totsuka thinks, taking in the sight of all the Actives in their doll-like states going about their daily business. It’s hard to believe that this was his life for 5 years.
‘Not that it felt like 5 years,’ he reminds himself. As far as he remembers, one second he’s signed his contract, sitting in the programming chair, and the next, he’s opening his eyes and the programer’s telling him his contracted time is over and he’s free to go.
“If you’ll come this way, our in-house doctor will see you first.” Kitayama touches his arm ever so lightly, but Totsuka feels as though he’s been shocked. Totsuka can feel the warmth spread through his whole body, and he’s absolutely certain. He might not remember details, but he knows Kitayama.
Regular check-ups are required of all former Actives of the Dollhouse. As he undergoes all the testing, he’s almost hyperaware of Kitayama and Kitayama of him, watching Totsuka carefully as if to make sure he's okay.
After seeing the doctor, he’s led up to the programer. While he sits back in the chair, he lets his mind drift a bit to the dreams he sees Kitayama in.
They’re never bad dreams, or they’re never bad dreams once Kitayama shows up. Sometimes he’ll dream that he’s in trouble, but then Kitayama will come and suddenly he’s safe. Other times he’ll just be sitting with a book, Kitayama’s head resting in his lap. He doesn’t believe they’re memories, but he knows there must have been something between the two of them.
Once all the tests are complete and he gets the okay from both doctor and programer, Kitayama leads him back up to the lobby area.
“I heard Mr. Fujigaya had to call to remind you to come in for your check up,” Kitayama says conversationally.
“Don’t worry, I’ll remember on my own,” Totsuka assures, looking him in the eye. Kitayama’s eyes widen ever so slightly and Totsuka hopes that maybe he gets the double meaning behind his words.
Alright faded_lace, you're up!
Before reading, it might help to watch this first if you're not familiar with Joss Whedon's series Dollhouse at all. This is set in my Tokyo Dollhouse verse that I wrote for the Fic2 exchange a few years ago. I've always wanted to write more in this verse but it just wasn't happening. ^^
A little background info for this bit: Totsuka used to be an Active at the Tokyo Dollhouse (not that he knows it, but Kitayama was his handler) and has come in for his first health check up after his release. He thinks he doesn't remember anything about his time in the Dollhouse, but finds out that maybe he does.
---------
He must be dreaming. The man who comes out to greet him in the lobby looks exactly like the man he sees in his dreams. Distracted, he bows a little belatedly. “I’m Totsuka Shota. I have an appointment with Mr. Fujigaya?”
“There was an urgent matter requiring Mr. Fujigaya’s attention this morning. I’m Kitayama Hiromitsu. I will be assisting you during your visit today,” the man says with a polite smile. “If you’ll follow me.”
‘Kitayama Hiromitsu,’ Totsuka repeats in his head as follows Kitayama past the main bank of elevators to an unmarked door. Kitayama swipes them through and leads him down the hall to a single elevator, this time requiring Kitayama’s security card and fingerprint. They ride the elevator going down and Totsuka can’t quite keep himself from staring at Kitayama in the elevator door’s reflective surface.
“Is something the matter?”
Totsuka smiles. “I apologize. It was rude of me to stare. It’s just… Have we met before? I can’t shake the feeling that I know you from somewhere…”
There’s a slight pause before Kitayama replies, “I’m sorry. I can’t say that we have.”
'Or is it that you're not supposed to talk about it?' Totsuka wants to push the matter a bit further, but the elevator stops and the doors open.
It’s almost unreal being back here, Totsuka thinks, taking in the sight of all the Actives in their doll-like states going about their daily business. It’s hard to believe that this was his life for 5 years.
‘Not that it felt like 5 years,’ he reminds himself. As far as he remembers, one second he’s signed his contract, sitting in the programming chair, and the next, he’s opening his eyes and the programer’s telling him his contracted time is over and he’s free to go.
“If you’ll come this way, our in-house doctor will see you first.” Kitayama touches his arm ever so lightly, but Totsuka feels as though he’s been shocked. Totsuka can feel the warmth spread through his whole body, and he’s absolutely certain. He might not remember details, but he knows Kitayama.
Regular check-ups are required of all former Actives of the Dollhouse. As he undergoes all the testing, he’s almost hyperaware of Kitayama and Kitayama of him, watching Totsuka carefully as if to make sure he's okay.
After seeing the doctor, he’s led up to the programer. While he sits back in the chair, he lets his mind drift a bit to the dreams he sees Kitayama in.
They’re never bad dreams, or they’re never bad dreams once Kitayama shows up. Sometimes he’ll dream that he’s in trouble, but then Kitayama will come and suddenly he’s safe. Other times he’ll just be sitting with a book, Kitayama’s head resting in his lap. He doesn’t believe they’re memories, but he knows there must have been something between the two of them.
Once all the tests are complete and he gets the okay from both doctor and programer, Kitayama leads him back up to the lobby area.
“I heard Mr. Fujigaya had to call to remind you to come in for your check up,” Kitayama says conversationally.
“Don’t worry, I’ll remember on my own,” Totsuka assures, looking him in the eye. Kitayama’s eyes widen ever so slightly and Totsuka hopes that maybe he gets the double meaning behind his words.
Alright faded_lace, you're up!