[The affection felt strange, but for some reason, he always let Cheshire do this. Was it because he understood this was in his feline nature, or did he miss feeling something with everything spiraling the way it was? He didn't want to go numb again. Not after everything that had happened here with Mai and the bonds he had made here. Maybe he really was pushing himself too hard, like Mai always tried to tell him. His hindsight seemed duller than his foresight...]
You are kind to say so, Cheshire.
[That sounded terrible, but it wasn't in his nature to correct his speech. They headed out of his office for the large conference room... with the even bigger wall window.]
[ Sometimes Cheshire did find himself wondering if not just about everyone in this place did their utmost to exhaust themselves. A bit of relaxation was never wrong, once in a while. But then, Cheshire was almost always relaxed and didn't put much effort into many things at all. ]
Am I? [ He chuckles. ] No one ever say that.
[ Which is true. (His ears moves as he thinks.) Cheshire always screws people over, hide things from them, and gets him and others in trouble a lot of times. People rarely find him helpful, even when he actually does help out.
And then there were those times when he wanted to help, but couldn't. Because what could a simple pet do? ]
[He left the statement at that. He was so used to troublesome people at this point. They almost seemed better company than those that weren't. He waved a hand over the room. There were several potted plants placed about the room with book shelves lining the two walls on either side of them. Where Kazuya had gotten the books to mostly fill these shelves was a mystery, but he had read every, single one. There were some decorative pieces to fill in the gaps. Those had been Mai's idea...]
This is our conference room. When we were busier, this is where we held office meetings, presentations to the public, and on occasions met with individuals to discuss concerns we might help with. It goes mostly untouched these days, unfortunately, but I see the plants are cared for.
[ Troublemakers made their own fun, after all. At least this one, could do it in a nice way. Sometimes. If he felt like it. And this time it's a simple quest of exploring.
Now the question was, how did suddenly Cheshire hold a book in his hand, looking over the back of it, and curiously opening it in the middle. He does listen, though, and his eyes move around the room when he deems the books to be something he can focus on later. ]
People leave and go home, or something like that. Are you so few that you can hold your meetings in one of your own offices now, then?
Actually, it is more that not many feel compelled enough to come to a meeting, I'm afraid. Too many are complacent here. They look to the Defense Force to protect them, leaving the path of return to others that care to try. They are not many of us in comparison. A good bit of SPR's members have awakened back in their worlds again, my assistant among them.
That's a shame. But perhaps it is that they also might not wish to go home, and because of that, they don't want to help hurrying it on. [ Well. ] Or something like that. People can be difficult to understand, and I'm just an animal, after all. With your assistant, you mean the one you have talked about before?
[To Kazuya, he summed it up to the same lazy, ignorance of his own world. People claiming to want answers to the unexplained, yet they do nothing more than point fingers and cry 'impossible'. He had long since learned to ignore those voices around the world, focusing on his work and what it would do for the future. That was pretty much what he was doing here in Hypnosia, working to find answers few sought to look for...]
Mai Taniyami. She is new to our field of study in our world, but she shows the drive and confidence ones requires to succeed in Parapsychology. A latent psychic herself, she has been helpful to me over the year we have worked together, and during her stay in this world, she assisted me just as well.
[Helpful? Why had he used that word? Normally, he would refer to people as useful or not. Perhaps after the many trials he had gone through in this city the young man had evolved his opinion. People truly were either helpful to him these days... or not.]
[ Well. Cheshire didn't want to go back to Wonderland, and he couldn't go back to being an actual cat, so... ]
That's wonderful! [ Had he had two hands, he would have clasped them together to put more emphasis on it. But he doesn't. ] Maybe she helped you in more ways that you realized, too!
[He blinked curiously. What was the mischief maker talking about? He always wondered if he would regret being so intrigued by the catman, but in times such as these, he didn't hold much care left in worrying over regrets.]
[Well, that was forward. The young man was not accustom to being touched so much, but he usually let the fey man get away with it. Perhaps it was because he felt he was in his own element, the paranormal, when he was around Cheshire. Out of respect for his newest friend, his brain started to move the cogs and gears in thought...]
[His eyes fell on the plant behind the catman. Mai had chosen it, as he requested. It reminded him of how Eugene had always spoken about life, growing vibrantly before the rest of the world, yet it sets down roots that remain even after death. The two people that had stemmed roots into his life the deepest had left him feeling quiet empty once the roots no longer feed into his heart. First, Eugene had been ripped away from him forever, leaving him half the man he ever had been. Then, just when he was beginning to think he had found a person to fill the void in his heart, Mai had vanished from Hypnosia. More ways than one, huh?]
I suppose I do fall into patterns with people like them.
[ Of course. Cheshire was either cryptic, or forward, depending on what mood he was in. The cat had that sort of nature.
As Kazuya thought, Cheshire looks over a few more of the books, even though he was curious about exactly what sort of thoughts were passing through the his mind. He kept from actually glancing up, though, and only observed him through the corner of his eye, until he spoke. Then Cheshire looked up from the pages of the book. ]
To me? It would imply they were toxic relationships, but I should think I learn to move forward when they leave... As my brother would say though, one cannot live in the world alone forever. Such relationship tend to be draining to me honestly. They demand a great deal of... attention.
[He can remember vividly how both of them would impede on his reading time or while he was thinking about something. They both griped and complained about his lack of sympathy like broken records. He wasn't his fault he wasn't as empathetic as they were. He tried, but it just seemed pointless in the end.]
[ In Wonderland, not moving forward after a loss would be deadly, as the Regrets would be attracted to feelings like that. But, he might or might not have mentioned it before, but he's not going to mention it now.
But his brother said that? He was right about that; though Cheshire had difficulties with that, too. In Wonderland, he found it dangerous to get attached. In the first place, it wasn't his role to protect the Duchess, least of all from the Duke, but he had, and he had been badly wounded for it. He could understand the reasons for wanting to stay away from getting deeply involved with people (and that was why he had so many lovers) ]
Then, you just need more practice. Of course you get tired by doing something you're not used to doing.
[ But of course he's not going to reminiscence out loud. ]
[He felt things were coming to a head with Nocturne. They were not going to stand idly by much longer, and with the gate so near its needed repair, it was just a matter of time in Kazuya's mind before something big happened... but he couldn't hint at that to Cheshire. No need to burden the catman with such troubles.]
Some would say I am already a lost cause. I believe I mentioned how not many find me pleasant company before. I do not hold that against anyone. I am not like others, and I do not seek out those that would hold me back from who I am. I have grown accustom to being alone.
[Kazuya paused a moment, considering what to say to that. He was still unsure of his current status back in his own world, as Mai came from his past. He walked toward the large window to look out a the city, solemnly.]
I am not certain I will awaken once affairs have been settled here.
[ "Awaken"? Did that mean he was either dead or comatose? Well, either way, that was a gloomy look, and that wasn't something that Cheshire was all too fond of. ]
[A gasp escape him when the catman picked him up off the ground. This was not something he was accustom to. No one picked him up. Ever. He gaped down at the smiling face. Cheshire was something else. He had made the ever serious Kazuya Shibuya... blush?!]
Ch-Cheshire!
[Have a nervous grasp on your arm for added security.]
[ He isn't going to drop him, no matter how... precarious the position may be. It's not in the plans, at least, and as long as Kazuya doesn't start to struggle, all should be fine.
But that was a bit of an unexpected reaction. Also a reaction that was both cute and amusing. ]
[He doesn't struggle. He just glances down at Cheshire's face with a face of surprise. He couldn't remember a time when he was picked up by someone... that wasn't a medical emergency. The arm was strong, holding him fast. He didn't fear falling for some reason. The only thing that crossed his mind was...]
Why...? Why did pick me up?
[He didn't sound angry. He didn't even sound startled anymore. His curious mind just wanted to know why someone so alive would take interest in someone so... dead.]
[ He grins, and had he still had two arms, he would have poked him inthe cheek or something. Though that wasn't going to happen, so just staying like this is plenty. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[He stood from his desk to walk around.]
I'll show you around the main office of SPR first.
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[ He's going to replace the candy bag in his pocket. Feel free to take of them.
He wrapped his arm around Kazuya's, and like a friendly cat, nuzzled his nose into his hair for just a brief moment, then grinned. ]
Really sweet.
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You are kind to say so, Cheshire.
[That sounded terrible, but it wasn't in his nature to correct his speech. They headed out of his office for the large conference room... with the even bigger wall window.]
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Am I? [ He chuckles. ] No one ever say that.
[ Which is true. (His ears moves as he thinks.) Cheshire always screws people over, hide things from them, and gets him and others in trouble a lot of times. People rarely find him helpful, even when he actually does help out.
And then there were those times when he wanted to help, but couldn't. Because what could a simple pet do? ]
But I'm just stating the truth.
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[He left the statement at that. He was so used to troublesome people at this point. They almost seemed better company than those that weren't. He waved a hand over the room. There were several potted plants placed about the room with book shelves lining the two walls on either side of them. Where Kazuya had gotten the books to mostly fill these shelves was a mystery, but he had read every, single one. There were some decorative pieces to fill in the gaps. Those had been Mai's idea...]
This is our conference room. When we were busier, this is where we held office meetings, presentations to the public, and on occasions met with individuals to discuss concerns we might help with. It goes mostly untouched these days, unfortunately, but I see the plants are cared for.
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Now the question was, how did suddenly Cheshire hold a book in his hand, looking over the back of it, and curiously opening it in the middle. He does listen, though, and his eyes move around the room when he deems the books to be something he can focus on later. ]
People leave and go home, or something like that. Are you so few that you can hold your meetings in one of your own offices now, then?
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Mai Taniyami. She is new to our field of study in our world, but she shows the drive and confidence ones requires to succeed in Parapsychology. A latent psychic herself, she has been helpful to me over the year we have worked together, and during her stay in this world, she assisted me just as well.
[Helpful? Why had he used that word? Normally, he would refer to people as useful or not. Perhaps after the many trials he had gone through in this city the young man had evolved his opinion. People truly were either helpful to him these days... or not.]
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That's wonderful! [ Had he had two hands, he would have clasped them together to put more emphasis on it. But he doesn't. ] Maybe she helped you in more ways that you realized, too!
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[He blinked curiously. What was the mischief maker talking about? He always wondered if he would regret being so intrigued by the catman, but in times such as these, he didn't hold much care left in worrying over regrets.]
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He chuckled, and tapped a finger against Kazuya's chest, over his heart. ]
Why don't you give it some thought?
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[His eyes fell on the plant behind the catman. Mai had chosen it, as he requested. It reminded him of how Eugene had always spoken about life, growing vibrantly before the rest of the world, yet it sets down roots that remain even after death. The two people that had stemmed roots into his life the deepest had left him feeling quiet empty once the roots no longer feed into his heart. First, Eugene had been ripped away from him forever, leaving him half the man he ever had been. Then, just when he was beginning to think he had found a person to fill the void in his heart, Mai had vanished from Hypnosia. More ways than one, huh?]
I suppose I do fall into patterns with people like them.
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As Kazuya thought, Cheshire looks over a few more of the books, even though he was curious about exactly what sort of thoughts were passing through the his mind. He kept from actually glancing up, though, and only observed him through the corner of his eye, until he spoke. Then Cheshire looked up from the pages of the book. ]
And is that a good or a bad thing to you?
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[He can remember vividly how both of them would impede on his reading time or while he was thinking about something. They both griped and complained about his lack of sympathy like broken records. He wasn't his fault he wasn't as empathetic as they were. He tried, but it just seemed pointless in the end.]
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But his brother said that? He was right about that; though Cheshire had difficulties with that, too. In Wonderland, he found it dangerous to get attached. In the first place, it wasn't his role to protect the Duchess, least of all from the Duke, but he had, and he had been badly wounded for it. He could understand the reasons for wanting to stay away from getting deeply involved with people (and that was why he had so many lovers) ]
Then, you just need more practice. Of course you get tired by doing something you're not used to doing.
[ But of course he's not going to reminiscence out loud. ]
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[He felt things were coming to a head with Nocturne. They were not going to stand idly by much longer, and with the gate so near its needed repair, it was just a matter of time in Kazuya's mind before something big happened... but he couldn't hint at that to Cheshire. No need to burden the catman with such troubles.]
Some would say I am already a lost cause. I believe I mentioned how not many find me pleasant company before. I do not hold that against anyone. I am not like others, and I do not seek out those that would hold me back from who I am. I have grown accustom to being alone.
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[ He's probably picking up on it in the most subtle ways, anyway. But oh, speaking of his world! ]
When it comes to it, will you be looking forward to seeing your own world again?
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I am not certain I will awaken once affairs have been settled here.
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[ So obviously, the best thing is to appear behind him and pick him up (in a very awkward way because only one arm) and twirling a little with him. ]
It's Wonderland, so it's easy. [ Except rules and all. And he did promise to give him a name. ]
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Ch-Cheshire!
[Have a nervous grasp on your arm for added security.]
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But that was a bit of an unexpected reaction. Also a reaction that was both cute and amusing. ]
Yes?
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Why...? Why did pick me up?
[He didn't sound angry. He didn't even sound startled anymore. His curious mind just wanted to know why someone so alive would take interest in someone so... dead.]
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Because I felt like it?
[ What other reason does he need? ]
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