Two | Action/Accidental Video

[notsoholyspirit]

[Spirit has been doing his best to behave, spending the vast majority of his time working or exploring the city. Generally, this has gone on completely without incident--barring a few run-ins with unsavory folk, he's been doing all right for himself.

Today, however, is not that day. It's already late when the video feed turns on. There isn't any image, just a black screen and quiet scuffing. The phone is still in his pocket.]

S'...h-hey. S'not even that late yet!

Look pal, you've been here for ages and you've had enough. Get out. Go home or something, I don't care.

[A door opens and slams. Any passers-by near Jack's Bar would be greeted with one intoxicated Deathscythe being tossed off the premises.

It's only a few moments later that the phone is fished out of his pocket. Anyone watching is greeted with a frowning face.]

Ah, shit...sorry.

[With that, the feed abruptly turns off.]

[ooc: feel free to run into Spirit along any part of this misadventure, from before he's kicked out to on his way home!]

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[notsoholyspirit]

[This was one thing Spirit recognized and try as he might, he knows there isn't much he can do about it. He had spent hours trying to figure out what might calm his restless meister down and ultimately found that little but sheer exhaustion fit the bill. As much as he wanted to do something to stop Stein himself, he understands that there probably is nothing he can do.]

All right.

[So he'll sit and watch and listen, and when Stein does eventually wear himself out, he'll be there to help ensure the meister actually gets in bed and doesn't just sit on the floor to sleep.]

[tinystitches]

[There's silence for a long time, as Stein paces and paces and tries to calm his racing mind.

The sun is coming up by the time anything changes, and then it's just a quiet, hesitant question.]

... Senpai?

[If Spirit doesn't answer, that would be all right. Stein doesn't know if he wants to have this conversation, but the idea, the question has sunk its claws into something in this head and he won't be able to think about anything else until it's answered.]

[notsoholyspirit]

[The weapon has been sitting on the couch, silent the entire time. For a long time he simply watched Stein pace. After hours of that he found himself nodding off, though it was a light doze and one he's easily awoken from.]

Yeah, Stein?

[tinystitches]

[Stein had been hoping that Spirit was asleep, that his quiet word wouldn't be enough to get the weapon's attention. But it was. So he stands almost still, fiddling with the hem of his shirt but finally not pacing anymore.]

When I grow up... [He never expected to grow up.]

Am I... [He's being too hesitant, voice too quiet.] ... happy? Am I happy with following Death's rules? Do I want to?

[notsoholyspirit]

[Parents, however unfit they are, recognize the sound of little voices with minimal effort. Of course he heard the meister.

But the brevity of the question he's presented with is not what he's expecting. Spirit leans forward, resting his forehead in his palms.]

That's something I'm not sure I can answer.

[He's quiet for a moment.] I know what I think...and I know what I believe your adult self would say.

But even if I was sure, I'm not sure it's really my place to tell you.

[The weapon sighs, frowning.] I'll tell you this: You're a Professor at the Academy and considered one of the strongest to have ever graduated. You're trusted for your skill and were indispensable in the fight against the kishin.

I just...can't tell you what that means to you.

[tinystitches]

[Stein really did want simplicity this time, he wanted a yes or no answer that would give him the information he needed to stop feeling so unsettled. This idea, this vague image of a person he will be, it's uncomfortable, it's wrong, it doesn't remind him of himself at all.

He's never really wanted to understand people, but he wants to understand his future self. Spirit didn't give him enough of an answer.]

Am I... [There's that pause again, over something he's never been allowed to have. He phrases it differently.]

Do I hate it, senpai?

[notsoholyspirit]

No. I don't think you hate it.

[For what it's worth, Spirit wants to tell Stein the answer. He believes the meister is content now, in their world--but he can't know for sure. He isn't Stein and time and time again he's proven that he doesn't always read the man perfectly.]

I think you're content at home now, Stein.

[tinystitches]

How? [He turns around at looks across the room at Spirit, studying the weapon for any sign of an answer.]

What do I need to do to get that result?

[notsoholyspirit]

[Spirit sinks in the seat, shirking Stein's gaze.]

You have to wait. With time, you grow up.

[Blue eyes finally land on Stein and he sighs.] That's what you have to do.

[tinystitches]

[He looks away from Spirit.]

I don't want to wait. [He's impatient. He's always been impatient, and he always will be.]

[notsoholyspirit]

Sorry, Stein.

[The weapon sits back on the couch, closing his eyes.]

[tinystitches]

[Stein sighs, then goes back to pacing. He's tired by now, but his mind just keeps racing.]