After the Memory (Eric + Kusanagi)

[redstray]

 [ Eric stared into space, barely focusing on the bar's counter as he heard a clock ticking somewhere.

Just two days after Mikoto's passing...or was it three? Eric couldn't tell sonce he hasn't really slept since then. Which was ine of the reasons why he volunteered tonight to watch over Anna and the bar. Fujishima offered to stay as well but after Eric snapped at him for babying him, he managed to be alone. He felt bad for that and would apologize the next time he saw the other but his mind was just in a fog.

He closed his eyes to doze but sprang them back open as flashes of what happened thay day came back. The uneasiness of watching himself do something he had no control over made his skin crawl. As well as the other patches of memories he was sure weren't from his own head. But he kept quiet. He didn't think anyone saw him being taken control of by the Colourless King and with everything that happen, he didn't want to worry anyone for it.

He vaguely heard the clock chime to 4am and sighed. Just a little longer and he would be through. ]

Comments

[toremainbehind]

If she lets me. [Though, he's already like a parental figure to her.

He lights the cigarette.] She's still a child, so she'll need a guardian ta look after her. This way, both o'ya can be under my wing legally.

[redstray]

[ He was kind of surprised he hadn't, or one of the others, been her guardians already]

Anna...I understand but why me out of everyone else?

[toremainbehind]

[They were -sort of- her guardians, but not quite. They've mostly kept her hidden, sheltered, and the idea of doing legal paperwork to make it official never really crossed their minds.]

Why not you? [He raises an eyebrow.]

[redstray]

[ Let him count the ways ]

I...I don't know...but...so sudden and it just seems odd

[toremainbehind]

[No, no thinking like that. Izumo doesn't want any self-doubt.]

Well, compared ta the others, you're a foreigner still. If the police catch ya, then you'll get deported. At least this way, ya won't be and ya get ta stay with us. [Well, that's one reason.]

[redstray]

[ Always will self doubt. The years of doing that are far greater still. ]

...That's it?

[ He was born here. Sure he had no papers...well...that would be bad. He never thought of it because this was his home. ]

[toremainbehind]

And you're family. [Izumo could give him more reasons if he wanted, but then he'd start sounding repetitive.]

'sides, if ya think I don't got enough o'a good reason, tell me why I shouldn't adopt ya.

[redstray]

[ He hides his face in his hood at the word family. It was pretty foreign to him still without having some kind of effect on him. ]

To have someone like me as family...it's pretty laughable don't you think?

[toremainbehind]

Not at all.

[redstray]

...You really are all strange people...

[toremainbehind]

Maybe, but it'd be different if we weren't strange.

Just try ta imagine if Homra was like Scepter 4.

[redstray]

They're even stranger

[toremainbehind]

Heh, perhaps. [But if they've been walking during their talk, they eventually make it back to the bar, being greeted by Kamamoto.

Izumo thanks him quietly before heading to the kitchen, it's time to make some breakfast.]

[redstray]

[ Eric nods his head at Kamamoto in greeting, a bit surprised to see him here.

At first he follows Kusanagi until he partially opens the door. The full hit of his tiredness returns, the running he had done and emotional outburst wore out what little enrgy he had left. He wasn't used to running on empty as much anymore. But, Kusanagi might need help, and he felt obligated to help out]

[toremainbehind]

[He notices Eric suddenly pausing, causing him to stop as well as he turns back in order to take in Eric's current state.

Shaking his head lightly, Izumo walks over to the younger man.] Go get some rest. Ya need it, and if I need help, I'll call ya.

[redstray]

[ He opens his mouth to protest, but a stifled yawn comes out instead. He merely nods and heads over to the couch, ignoring Kamamoto's questioning look. He plops down and not less then a minute later he is out like a light. Not long after his normal sitting up dozing turned into lying down deep sleep, exhaustion finally winning over. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Well, what a slight surprise, but Izumo's just glad Eric's finally resting.

Izumo goes to get the blanket from where he left it, draping it over Eric's prone form. At Kamamoto's curious look, he simply shakes his head, waving him over into the kitchen with him to start cooking breakfast.]

[redstray]

[ When the blanket goes one, Eric nestles into it more, enjoying the comfort.

The memories come back and warp around into nightmares but the really memories Eric had began to dwarf them a little. Enough to keep him asleep for a good amount of time.

He stirs a bit and groggily opens his eyes. He's still tired and wants to sleep some more, but it looked like the sun was up and shooting itself into the windows. He closed his eyes again and sighed, waking up while still lying down, something smelled good at least. ]

[toremainbehind]

[By the time Eric's waking up, Izumo's got everything plated and put out - with Kamamoto's help, too. He lets Kamamoto make sure everything stays warm while he goes to check up on Eric.

He has a cup of coffee in one hand, and he's got a plate of food in the other.

Placing it on the coffee table, Izumo notices the movement, chuckling as he straightens up] Morning, Eric.

[redstray]

[ He slowly opens his eyes and see a lot of food on the counters f the bar. They had really gone all out for everyone. Though a good bit would be just for Kamamoto himself.

When he sees Kusanagi approaching he tries to sit up better. He stares at the plate of food as he hugs himself into the blanket for warmth. ]

Morning...

[toremainbehind]

[Chuckling when Eric seems to stare at the food, Izumo smiles.]

Ya can eat whenever you're hungry. Kamamoto's gone ta pick up some extra drinks for everyone. [It makes Izumo remember he needs to go grocery shopping at some point.]

How was your sleep?

[redstray]

[ He glances from the food to Kusanagi, not reaching for the former. Eating wasn't the most tempting right now, even if his stomach was telling him food would be nice. ]

...Better.

[toremainbehind]

That's good. Always good ta get some rest once in a while.

[Even if, you know, Izumo didn't get any sleep himself. He's been up all night, but no one needs to know about that.]

[redstray]

Yeah...

[ He shuffles a bit to put his feet on the ground, getting a bit ready to at least have a bite or two. ]

Are the others coming soon?

[toremainbehind]

They're on their way right now.

Anna's up, too. [But the princess hasn't made herself known yet, still upstairs. Izumo will get her later.

He checks the time and goes to pour himself another cup of coffee.] Just eat up. When the others get here, they'll start ta get loud.