Shiba let out a short, half-derisive laugh. He knew that Neku was telling the truth, that Shiba hadn’t–didn’t want to have–been in control… but a part of his ego still stung. Being on top of the world for so long, only to crash down so utterly, was an embarrassment he couldn’t forget.

“You are correct.” Shiba paused, eyes lowering for a moment. He had almost decided to ask Neku if he had any memories of Kubo. But the exorcism would have taken care of his, too. So, instead, he pivoted topics. “Where were you, then? I tore Shibuya apart looking for you.”

“Were you watching?”

Honestly, Neku’s silence probably could’ve spoken for itself as he’d paused and let his expression drop. Something about Shiba’s retort just didn’t sit right with him -- and probably never would as long as he could talk about ripping Shibuya apart at its seams so effortlessly like he was.

“ Somewhere that wasn’t here, ” Obviously, but would Neku give Shiba the satisfaction of answering every question of his on cue? No, not right then anyway, so hopefully Shiba hadn’t expected as much.

▮ Wisdom and Knowledge

You are the divine guardian of truths both knowable and unknowable, of all words and languages spoken and unspoken. Much like Death itself, you are perhaps one of the least understood of all deities, and yet the secrets you hold are highly sought after by scientists, philosophers, and theologians alike. 

The origin of all innovation, your realm is the source of crucial advances in architecture, agriculture, political governance, and military strategy which have allowed many civilizations to become a dominant force in the mortal realm. Your domain may also include the forces of magic and mysticism, and many cautionary tales exist among mortals of those who have unwittingly destroyed themselves or lost their minds in the reckless pursuit of mysteries and technology far beyond their comprehension.

(♚)┊ Oh, a game of possibilities ? how fun. He’d entertain the thought for now, playing into his former proxy’s questionnaire with a few of his own.

❝ And do what, exactly — were you even the least bit aware of the target you had in your back ? ❞ Since the long game it wasn’t hard to surmise others going after Neku’s abilities. Of which, didn’t falter to reach his expectations. Granted tossing him to a strange temporal space for three years in Shinjuku didn’t seem like the friendliest of acts but, there was a reason for it. 

       ❝ Do you think you would of been capable of fending for yourself – had I lend you to that Reaper ? Foremost, been capable of protecting your friends? ❞  

“ Always have been, haven’t I? Even if I couldn’t, you should’ve known that I wouldn’t have abandoned my partners like that. If they need me, then I’m there. Even if it’s over something like that. ”

A shrug of his would follow. If Neku’d had anything to say before the matter, the he would’ve voiced his opinion that Joshua’s show of concern had definitely been a little extreme. Locking him up for years just so he could protect and ulterior motive of his had been more than anything Neku could’ve bargained for -- even if he’d learned a lot about soul searching in the process. Still though-

“Hmmm…” he hummed to himself as he sipped some kind of juice from his cup, then asked, “Not th’ talkative sort are ya?”

His wings flexed a bit as he further scrutinized this Neku guy. He couldn’t really blame Neku for that, for he was very much the same in some ways. In all honesty, he wasn’t here for trouble; he was just a very curious critter at the moment, wanting to see if Neku really was what others made him out to be.

“What’s yer take on this game?”

Talkative? Neku? Not really. Even Neku would’ve been the first to agree that being chatty and vocal wasn’t really one of his strong suits, no matter how much he was starting to get the hang of being more open and outgoing than what he had been. Being more tolerant of others and accepting of different opinions was definitely something he was learning-

But Neku would still meet the Reaper’s question with a shrug and a raised eyebrow. Was that a trick question?

“ What’s there to take from it? The Game’s always played for the same reason every time. To give Players who actually want another shot at life the chance -- just like it’s your job to keep them from it. ” 

There’d be a pause as Neku’s arms found themselves lifted to cross over his chest. 

♫ an undoing influence

Can someone tell you what to do? You have been carrying so much love within you for so long it is starting to turn into anger (why does it matter, all you see is red anyways) and you have been dragging this body through each day and every night you are split open on your bed and it is so so so lonely. If someone were to walk in while you were on your bed that way and they stitched you back in a new way, lining the seams with their love and kisses, you’d probably find this dreary world a little more bearable. 

You want someone to turn you over and over until you look in the mirror and see yourself looking back at yourself with a gentleness which has been lacking in you since forever.

@sakvraba​

“So,” he  began, voice low and almost smooth like silk as he approached the figure,”You th’ legendary ‘Neku’ I kept hearin’ ‘bout?”

His gaze was inquisitive, eyes narrowing a tad as he looked over this so-called ‘legend’. Was he truly all the hype the other players and reapers made him out to be? Piers snickered. He was a Reaper clad in mostly Tigre Punks attire with a dash of whatever else he was wearing. Most of the brands here weren’t exactly his taste, save for Cony Cony and one other store.

‘He looks like some kinda emo…’ he mused to himself.

“ Depends on who’s asking. ”

His tone was laced with as much disinterest as he would’ve given anyone before. Just because Neku had learned to be more open and attentive with the world around him didn’t mean he necessarily had to be accepting of everyone he met -- especially with shady passerbys like this guy. Something was off about him, in a way that was both familiar and off putting to Neku at the same time; that much he’d picked up on right away.

‘Ugh, is this even food!? There’s no way she expects me to eat that!’

“ ... ” Neku’s silent protest was thankfully just that: words kept to himself as the smell of whatever had been plopped in his plate finally drifted up from the table. The scent of the food was almost as disgusting as the sight of it with the only thing that’d looked halfway appetizing to him being the small potatoes that were either undercooked or had been dipped in green dye -- Neku was almost afraid to ask which.

Either way, he’d play it safe. This meal was more likely to give a horse indigestion than take away his hunger pains, so he’d stick with not eating today’s mystery meat. He’d pick up a bento on the way back home, but not before he’d very obviously reject Sera’s cooking with a blunt-