#starjynx

@starjynx via [ x ] still accepting!

福原多聞__It was the sound of a balloon slowly but surely losing air, a long and solemn shriek that lasted far longer than the actual outburst, as his soul swiftly escaped its mortal coils by passage of his gaping mouth.

"HIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeee....." It had perhaps been the worst idea ever, to attempt and help by whatever means was available to him; No one in their right mind, which he didn't believe his castmate was, ever, would be able to concentrate with someone as damp and depressing as a slug moistening their space with terrible vibes. He had just assumed that maybe... maybe they shared something similar to loneliness, but there were way, way, way better options than him!

"I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, WAS IT ME? IS IT ME? AM I MAKING IT WORSE BY JUST EXISTING AT ALL? I CAN GO COVER MYSELF IN FRUIT JUICE AND LET ANTS EAT ME ALIVE, SO MY BODY IS GOOD FOR SOMETHING."

" Valentine's Day is coming up soon, Takiishi! ----- I've got a big surprise planned out for you. I'm positive this year will be far more extravagant than the last. -- I promise. "

@starjynx said: ❛ those things will kill you, you know? ❜ ( from akkun for kazutora ) CIGARETTE THEMED STARTERS

Kazutora steps out back from the shop, apron left inside as he pulls out his pack of cigarettes and lighter. It's slow and the sun is setting ; they'll be closing up soon. He probably could have waited the two hours, but he's getting antsy and restless, and a smoke break gives him an excuse to get out of the confinement of the shop. It's a nice job for the most part, he's lucky Chifuyu gave him the position but it's still . . . Kazutora shoves the thought away as he pulls out a cigarette and lights it.

He's barely gotten the first inhale of the toxic relief that nicotine brings when Akkun's voice breaks the quiet. Kazutora's eyes flick up from the dancing flame of his lighter, letting it snap shut with a click. IT WILL KILL HIM? Kazutora wants to laugh. He can feel the pressure building in his throat : he doesn't say it. Doesn't say not fast enough. He exhales, watching the smoke leave and drift up into the darkening sky. Right. The grooming salon always closes two hours before the shop. Akkun must have seen him step out.

" I think I've got far bigger threats that could kill me to worry about if I wanted to than a little cigarette. " Kazutora snorts, waving away the concern with dismissiveness. His motorcycle stunts, alcohol, someone from the past, the list went ON AND ON.

He lifts the cigarette to his lips again and takes another draw. At least he's doing it out back rather than at the front of the story where the street would see. He made that mistake exactly once and never again after the lecture from Chifuyu. Kazutora likes it better in the alleys and back area anyways, with the shadows rather than the spotlight in the front of the store.

endo vc when chika pops in with his biggums eyes:

@starjynx commented: "deep breaths. you don't have to be okay." From Mina via 🎮 - still accepting!

鳴 海 弦__He let nothing out. Not in front of Hibino, who could scream and decry the injustices before him as easily as a child. Not in front of his student, who he knew would blame herself for the weakness that was his to shoulder. Not in front of his other men, the rest of the Defense Force, who had been entrusted to him in a bitter irony just in time. Ashiro might not care, though - or, rather, he might not care if she saw the full scope of his ability to cope with failing to save the guy who had given him purpose, direction and a home. Breathing seemed luxury through the seething miasma of his perceptions, clattering viciously between flashing electric currents and the genuine lives before him, to the point of not being sure where his breathing apparatus was connected. Opening his mouth within the mask, he attempted to answer, though nothing of value came forth besides a hissing wheeze. Having just returned from the aftermath, he had refused treatment in favor of wandering off to throw a silent fit in an empty office, sitting ingloriously against the wall in the dark; He hadn't been expecting company, especially her. He couldn't cry, he didn't really remember how, and all that would come out right now was blood from having overclocked his brain with his numbered weapon. ... don't have to, though... Bullshit. This was the place he had, the only place. Someone like him? And he hadn't been able to - - his only merit was - - A hitch of breath as he reached up to rip the mouthpiece from his face, bared teeth now visible, a charged vehemence saturating the room - it wasn't towards her, of course. She wasn't the one who had - -...