awashlogs | campfires required

[ It's a tiny fire, so Ryoji huddles up as close as he can next to it, careful to keep both ends of his scarf out of the way. What stories can he tell... His happiest moments were in Kyoto, but he was also sworn to secrecy about that (Mitsuru is here; Ryoji has enough self preservation to keep his lips sealed). ]

What something you two want to hear about? I'm afraid I don't know many stories, aside from drawing from life experiences.

[ They can talk about his one month of existence, or prophecies of death. It's all up in the air. ]

[It's probably a really good thing that Ryoji's got that much self preservation, at least.

Minato just tilts his head at that, though, on Ryoji's other side with his arms loosely wrapped around his knees.

Why can none of these losers make a better fire...]

I'm still not sure what kind of stories we need to tell to complete this quest... can they be made up?

Why not? It didn't specify fact or fiction. Just, uh, understanding "worth". So...why don't you tell us something important, I guess? Or just somethin' you like. I'll tell y'all how I got my shades, I guess, after.

[ dave does that count as a story....................... ]

Oh! I would love to learn about your shades!

[ He turns from Dave to Minato, leaning dangerously close to the fire so he can see Minato's entire face. ]

And you are never seen without your music. It must be something very special to you. Why don't you tell us about that?

[Ryoji... Minato is pretty used to Ryoji being Ryoji, so he just kind of reaches out a little on automatic as if to be prepared to make sure Ryoji doesn't pitch face first into the fire.

That aside, though:]

Well... yeah, that's fine. I can talk about that.

[As for Ryoji... Minato knows Ryoji's history and everything, so--]

Do you have a story to tell? [That you're comfortable with telling, Ryoji...]

[ ...minato seems to have ryoji not burning his face off under control, thankfully. ]

Somethin' on theme, maybe.

Hmm... [ Ryoji tugs at his scarf, which is only not on fire already thanks to Minato's good graces, but there's really no story behind this other than the fact that he came into existence one day ready made. There might've been a good one to tell about a ring, but that's the wrong version of the game. Is there anything left? ]

Something I'm never without. I'll tell a story about me and Minato. [ There. On theme. ] But you two go first!

[... Hm.

Well.

Okay then. Minato doesn't even bat an eye at that, shrugging. Since Dave specified that he would go after, and Ryoji wants the two of them to go first, that means...]

I guess I'm up, then...

[His music, huh? It's not a very exciting story, but most orphans don't have exciting stories. It's part of the parcel of not really having a home or family, and nothing to their name. Still, as far as Minato's concerned, it's a positive thing, if not really a story.]

It's not really much of a story, but... when I was younger I moved around a lot. [Shunted from family to family, unwanted and unneeded. But that's in the past, and that's what made him into the person he is. And this isn't a bitter story.]

But music... it stays the same, no matter where you are. It was kind of comforting, you know? So when I could, I saved up the money to buy an mp3 player and some headphones. And I've kept them ever since.

[And then it didn't matter where he moved. He had it with him, always, and that was comfort. He fiddles with it idly, turned off so as to preserve what little battery is still has.

...A shrug, his hands tucked back into his pockets now that Ryoji's not at risk of burning himself.]

... Like I said, it's not much of a story, but I guess that's the origin of that.

It's a language all it's own.

[ music, he means. dave says it almost randomly, but that's how they always used to talk. rose and jade and john and dave; songs sent back and forth across timezones that had been impassable for years, mixed and remixed and spun around with someone else's flair. dave's missed it for years, but the comfort of music remains.

...that makes it his turn, he supposes, and dave carefully doesn't lift his hands to his shades. ]

Do you know who Ben Stiller is? American actor. These used to belong to him, authentic. Which is ind o unfortunate to think about because that means they were definitely on his kind of horsey face at some point? And also they were mostly a joke gift, I think, because that's kind of how Egbert rolls. But I got them for my thirteenth birthday, from John. I used to wear a pair of shades like my Bro's before these.

[ the stupid anime shades; the always good little soldier. ]

...Anyway, on my thirteenth birthday I got these and a picture of Ben Stiller and a certificate of authenticity and a note about how he thought I was cool and I should do my own thing. Idiot.

[ idiot, affectionately.

and considering dave is canonically on record as preferring the universe cracking to his shades cracking, they're kind of his Most Important Item. thanks, dave. he's really sentimental about anything from his friends. ]

[ Ryoji listens quietly, eyes fluttering shut as if listening to a bedtime story. And they're wonderful stories, telling him more than he ever would have guessed just by looking at these things that are always present, that they easily get overlooked.

Minato speaks of his past, of an object he procured with his own two hands so that he would never be left alone, a little reminder that for as much as the world changes and seems to pass him by sometimes, he can set his own pace and love what he loves. Dave speaks of friendship, of the little nuances in friendship where a joke holds so much meaning through the simple fact that it's shared and understood, words of sincerity and encouragement and trust that Ryoji can hear off Dave's voice when he speaks of John, even if his words don't match.

These are things Ryoji never got the chance to know, and can never fully understand. His past consists of flashes with too much blank space, and from his birth until his last month of existence, the only person he knew in the world was Minato, and even then, his role was that of an informant first, friend second, maybe too late.

...

It's his turn, isn't it? Ryoji opens his eyes before the silence can settle too much. ]

Then, I'll go. Minato, remember that day we spent at the arcade? Junpei was teaching me how to play the UFO catcher; he won you a doll, and I, a Doguu. When we left the arcade, we kept running into all these people that you knew...

[ There were so many people. Names wouldn't help Dave understand the impact that day had on Ryoji, so he takes the moment to gather his thoughts and find the right descriptors. ]

We met the Bouzu, and the President who wanted us to model! Then there was the old man at the book shop-- he gave us a lot of bread for our help, didn't he? Next we met a young lady... she called you Onii-chan, and gave us takoyaki to share with the man in the striped shirt, and we got to talk a lot... It was fun. I had a lot of fun that day, meeting everybody that you knew. There are so many different sorts of people in the world, and by staying by your side, you gave me the chance to be a part of that world.

[Minato, unsurprisingly, has no idea who Ben Stiller is--but it doesn't matter. That's not the point; the point is that they're a gift from a friend, something treasured, something that was given by a friend to have greater meaning than just the gift themselves.

He thinks of a shelf of knickknacks with practically no monetary worth, and thinks he has a pretty good idea of just what those mean to Dave. It's a warm story to share, and he's grateful for it--he flashes Dave a small smile and a nod. A good story, and he's glad he got to hear it.

And Ryoji...

Ryoji. Who could've thought that a day like that would have such an impact on him? But also, of course it did. With what Ryoji has experienced and what he hasn't, isn't it only natural that a day like that, where they just went around and spoke with Minato's friends, had that much meaning? He's glad for it, though. If nothing else, he's glad that they could experience a day like that, despite everything.

Ultimately, he just wraps his arms around his knees a bit more tightly, lips quirked upwards, but towards the fire. And what he says is:]

That Doguu was really heavy, too. [But still, he treasured it. Just like Dave's shades. Just like a lighter, a bead ring, a set of keys. He could ask more questions in response to that--"Do you think you can make your own world like that?" lingers on his mind--but this isn't really the time or place, not right now. It's fine.

They're just sharing stories, right now.]

Is "Doguu" some kinda mascot character, or are the two of you just sayin' dog all sickly cute...

[ he's great with emotional responses! but dave listened all the same. an ordinary day with a friend, getting to be a part of their world...it sounds nice. dave never had one of those before the game started, really, and when he tries to picture it, a day with john and rose and jade all in the same place doing stupid ordinary kid stuff...

...it sounds nice.

and it makes him feel a little sad, when the last time he saw jade she wasn't exactly alive. ]

[ It was nice. It was one of the only times he got to be around so many people where it wasn't mandatory like a school was- they'd run into all these people by chance, talked to them out of choice, and left behind parts of themselves to be remembered. For anybody else, it might have been just an ordinary day, but for Ryoji, even those ordinary days are special and to be treasured. ]

A Doguu is a clay figurine. They take illness and misfortune upon themselves so that their owners may be free of them. To give one to another would be like wishing them good health and pleasant days. It's a gift, like your shades, but passed along from person to person, because it's not the object itself that is important, but the feeling behind it.

[ A renewable resource! In this way, Doguus are pretty amazing; just one can bring happiness to so many people. ]

[It's really just like Ryoji to look that deeply into something like that, too. It's true that that's what they are, but... still, what's one to make of odd effigy-like objects that can be won just like that from a crane machine?

Now that he thinks about it, that's a pretty weird thing to be able to win...

Ah well. Iwatodai was just sort of... Like That sometimes. Maybe it doesn't have to be thought about too hard.]

Right... Mutatsu-san took it next, so it served its purpose.

[From person to person, not staying there for long, but a gift nonetheless. It had allowed them to have a pretty amazing day all around, helping people as they went, right?]

What are they usually shaped like? I mean, is there a thing that they usually look like, or is it just whatever floats your boat?

[ look.

dave strider doesn't have many traditions, or he wasn't raised with many. so he's kind of lowkey fascinated by the fact other people were raised with them. ]

Doguu? Normally, they are shaped as people, but an object of any appearance can serve the same purpose.

[ As demonstration, Ryoji unravels the scarf from around his neck and starts draping it over Dave's head like some sort of sloppy turban. ]

This is me wishing you warmth and safety until the end of time.

[ But maybe, with the tradition of passing things around, he would like that scarf back some time. ]

[... Yeah.

Minato just kinda watches this happen, hands tucked into his pockets as ever, pretty impassive. He's not at all surprised that this is happening, so like.

Enjoy your new turban, Dave...? This is kind of how things with Ryoji go.]

[ there's a very short moment - half a second, maybe less - where dave tenses at the unexpected contact. but it's just ryoji, who maybe isn't harmless but who is weird and doesn't seem to mean dave specifically any harm.

so he forces himself to relax and not flinch and holds still to let the turban happen. ]

I hope it works. I am so sick of being cold. I was not raised for these temperatures.

[ honestly has it really been that bad...there was only Some snow. ]

[... Hm.

Minato, watching, wonders sometimes what it is Dave's been through--

But Dave relaxes, and it seems there's no harm done today.]

I guess it has been a little chilly. ["A little". It's been a bit colder than what he's used to from Iwatodai, but not a ton.]

Has it been that cold?

[ Unlike Dave, who was born in a year-round hell, or Minato, who's experienced the cycle of seasons year after year, what Ryoji knows is the tipping point towards winter, the ice and the cold and grey skies heavy with snow.

He also won't die running around in below freezing temperatures, though, so ymmv ]

I'm from a desert state. And a particular area where it tends to be, like, hotter? We get rain and shit, but the snow pretty much never sticks and the cold ain't too bad generally.

[ so..............

he's just a little baby about cold weather, apparently. ]

[Yeah, this would be pretty cold for someone used to the desert.

Hmm...]

Do you guys think it's been getting warmer? It's hard to place what time of year it is just from this weather.

[Could be fall! Could be winter! Could be a shitty spring! Or something in between!]

[ Who even knows? It's hard for Ryoji to tell temperature when he's always normally cold, and I don't even know what other seasons are like anymore because it's been winter here literally November until now and it's going to snow again this weekend, make it stop.

There are other ways to tell than just the weather, though. ]

Normally you could tell by the color of the trees... [ No help there. ] Or whether the animals are raising their young.

[ Those sorts of hints, the natural cycles of life and death and renewal. ]

Normally I can tell when I am without needin' any of that.

[ GRUMBLE GRUMBLE COMPLAIN look...he's gotten so used to his aspect just always being there that the lack of a precise date, even if he knows at least the hour, is kind of ridiculously unsettling. ]

It was April 13th when I got here, though. I mean, back when I came from. I kind of think given the weather it...might be coming out of winter? There was that little bit of snow, and more doesn't seem to be happening.

[April 13th where Dave came from, and for Minato...

He just shrugs a little.]

March 5th, so we're not that far off, but not really the same either.

[The time discrepancies make this all so much more complicated, really.]

But you're right, Ryoji... like if leaves were falling, even if they don't have color, wouldn't it be fall? [But that hasn't happened... hm.]

[ January 31st. Ryoji doesn't add his date to the list; Minato doesn't need to be reminded of that day and everything that had happened then. ]

Is it still that cold in April? It's spring, isn't it? Tell me what spring is like!

[ Him, who's never seen spring. ]

I mean. I wasn't on...Earth...and there was a volcano. But like, back home? Kinda already warming up, in Texas. Not that chilly. Might be different where you were in Japan...?

[ he looks at minato, since like. he's never been. ]

[... Well.

Minato just shrugs a little.]

Sometimes, it can still be a little chilly in April. In Iwatodai, anyway. But usually it starts to warm up pretty quickly.

Enough for the plants to start coming back, at least.

I wish I could see a volcano someday...

[ It's one of those things that are violently destructive, but in the aftermath, brings about new land forms and rich soil and an abundance of life. Pretty amazing. ]

But there are good things about winter too, isn't there? We should enjoy this season while it's here.

No. Snow exists and it is the absolute worst and it's cold and wet and it gets everywhere and there isn't heating here so it's even worse than worse? And the good stuff isn't here, like hot chocolate or ice skates or like. Christmas carols.

[ DAVE REALLY...DOESN'T LIKE WINTER... ]

[...Hmmm. Minato's not a huge fan of winter, admittedly, in comparison to the other seasons, but he doesn't think it's that bad.]

At least it's not too hot...?

[THAT'S... that's probably a plus.

Maybe.]

[ Yeah, if it's too hot, what's he supposed to do with his scarf? Leave it at home? Ridiculous. ]

Carols are songs, aren't they? We could have those here. We could sing.

I'd actually like that. Since chargers ain't a thing, other sources of music are like. Dead to me. Literally dead, my phone has gone to the great white beyond known as "no charge".

[ a pause. ]

Great black beyond?

[Don't...remind him... he's still mourning his mp3 player.]

I guess we were talking about that before. Bringing together everyone with instruments so there's at least some sort of music.

[And then they can sing!! He's pretty okay with singing, honestly.]

That would be very fun! Music is the creation of humankind, and it comes from the soul.

[ It's also fun and catchy and all that good stuff too, probably. While talking about it is all well and good, having something of a jam session come into fruition would be even better, and Ryoji sits there with hopeful eyes that they (ie. them two, not him) will make this happen. ]

I think I have a decent-ish voice.

[ he does. it's actually a very good voice when he bothers to sing instead of rap stupidly. an ear for pitch and key helps. ]

I'll just have to see if Eggs is up to it.

I'll ask Caramia-san too... he can bring his guitar.

[Music!! They will do their best, Ryoji, for the sake of M u s i c.]

If nothing else, it might cheer everyone else up. [And Minato too, a little, because it's way too quiet here.]

We'll be singing Christmas carols?

[ Bringing this back to what Dave said he misses— Ryoji might not know Christmas songs by heart, but he knows of Christmas, knows that they're full of love and happiness and spending time with those dearest to you. Thinking back to Christmas...

(Fuuka: I wonder what Ryoji-kun will do this Christmas... Is he going to spend it with a girl, having fun? Or, is he going to spend it alone, crying?
> I bet he'll have fun.
> I think he'll cry.
I always had him cry but what did you pick, Cal? His fate is in your hands.) ]

[ oh my god card why are you this way ]

Yeah, that's the best thing to sing. [ DAVE STRIDER, WHO DESIRES A BRO TO COSPLAY SANTA AND HANG OUT WITH HIM why is dave this way...why is canon making me admit that is a thing. someone save me ] We could do some others - well, we might have to teach people carols anyway. Not sure every world has the same religious sing alongs, y'know?

[Why you gotta put me on the spot like this-- okay no I'm honest enough with myself to admit that I also always had him cry.

Sorry Ryoji.]

I guess we don't know for a fact that it isn't December... [This place could just have a weird climate?]

[ I can't decide which is a worse canon lmao, please voice your wishes, Dave, I'm sure somebody will dress up as Santa for you.

Anyways!!! Ryoji's Christmas was officially sad, so he's determined now to experience a good Christmas and if that involves singing carols in the middle of April, so be it. ]

That's right! It'll be a cultural exchange! We can learn about each other's songs, and exchange gifts, and hang mistletoe and...!

[ all good things Christmassy ]

[ why are you both mean t ryoji........ ]

Technically if it were December it'd be my birthday. [ the third... ] So you're angling for a Christmas kiss, dude?

[Because look at that face... you gotta be mean to it.

But also. Uh.]

If there's mistletoe here, will we be able to even tell without color?

We might not be able to tell, so on the safe side, we should kiss. It would be nice to experience a Christmas kiss someday.

[ look at this face and tell me Ryoji doesn't deserve to be sad, excited as he is about Christmas kisses that he jumps to his feet, all about ready to go out into the woods to find his own mistletoe ]

Looks like you're up, Minato. Give the dude a Christmas kiss.

[ there problem solved ]

[Oh come on, Dave.

Minato's eyebrows arch a little, and then dryly:]

Ryoji, I think Dave's a Christmas expert. Better bring him along on your quest for mistletoe.

[And this is how all three of them end up running around the woods looking for colorless mistletoe, probably.

GOOD WORK, TEAM, WE CAN WRAP IT UP.]

campfires required

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