thirteenth trick

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

[The sight of this spiky haired miscreant may be surprising. He's obviously just as surprised as he stands there, a cup of ramen in one hand, and the other currently with a finger doing the tango in his nose. He stares blankly at the starry expanse, which stares back. It's apparent that he has no shame, as he keeps on picking his nose while taking in his surroundings.]

Hmmm. I'll give her ten seconds to give me a welcome back kiss. After that, it's anyone's call.

Comments

1/?

[contract_star]

[La la la minding his own business oh hey a newcomer.]

2/?

[contract_star]

[...It's Ikki.]

3/?

[contract_star]

[It's Ikki.]

4/?

[contract_star]

[But he was gone. Gone the way Milo is gone, the way Angela is gone. This should be impossible. Never mind that this sort of thing never happens to Hei. He never gets people back once he's lost them.]

...Ikki.

5/5

[contract_star]

[A duplicate. That's what it is. That's what this must be. A lookalike. An Ikki with different memories, a different life, an Ikki never part of the Plane. Right?]

[Right?]

Is it...really...is it you?

[He won't let himself get his hopes up.]

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

[Ikki turns to look at Hei. His eyes widen with recognition, then that infectious grin is back.]

Yo, Hei-san! ... What kinda question is that? I've only been gone a week.

[LOL OR SO HE THINKS]

[contract_star]

[A week.]

[A week.]

[Give him a minute while he tries to get his head around this.]

[A week.]

[But it's the real Ikki. An Ikki who remembers him.]

Ikki, it's been--I haven't--you disappeared. You just disappeared, and I thought...

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

[The grin falters a little.] What? I disappeared? I know I was distracted, but... damn. Something must've...

'm sorry, Hei-san. Didn't mean to put ya through that.

Ever.

[contract_star]

Months. Five...six, maybe.

[He's silent for a loooong time, but slowly a tiny little smile appears on his face.]

But you're back. [The smile broadens.] Welcome back.

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

Shit... shit, man. I had no idea.

[That smile is hope, though. Ikki watches it light up Hei's face like he's never seen before.]

Then... it's good to be back. [He smiles, too.] The bar's still here, right? I'd kill for a soda and a story.

[contract_star]

[Hei shakes his head. Never mind that he's going to have to rethink a lot of what he understands about the Plane--that can happen later. For now he's just glad to have his friend back.]

Of course it's still here. Things haven't changed all that much, really.

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's a relief. I'd have to put in a complaint if the bar and kitchen were gone. I mean, seriously.

[Damn right Hei is going to have to rethink things. Ikki is also going to have to rethink his living arrangements. He shuffles toward the bar, expecting his friend to follow.]

Ever met the President of the USA?

[contract_star]

Everything's still here, with some additions.

[Hei follows, watching Ikki's back.]

The President of the USA? Not...that I remember.

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

Good, good.

[Ikki's back is the same as usual... though perhaps a bit more proud.]

I did, and he got stuck in Kazu's girlfriend's body for a while. Pretty crazy shit.

[contract_star]

[Hei can't help smiling, though he keeps expecting to wake up or something.]

In...his girlfriend's body. [He shakes his head.] You have such a strange life.

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

Strange, but awesome. The President's a cool guy. He used to play soccer, or something. And he can do some pretty cool tricks with his A-Ts.

Not as good as me, of course, but that's 'cause he has a country to run.

[Ikki hops over the bar counter and starts digging through the cooler for soda.]

[contract_star]

The President of America is an AT user? [More evidence of why America is the United States of Crazy. Hei laughs a little and takes a seat at the bar.] The sad thing is, I'd believe it.

[He pours himself a tumblerful of whiskey cause goddamn, this situation calls for alcohol :\]

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

Well, he was in Emiri's body. He didn't have much of a choice. [Ikki winks... then notes the alcohol.]

I must've missed a lot.

[contract_star]

[Hei is at least careful to drink it slowly.] A lot's happened.

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

... Not all of it is good, is it?

[He plops down on a barstool with his soda, glugs a bit of it, then sets it down.]

Figures.

[contract_star]

It's been alright. Mostly.

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

Still living with Diva-san...?

[contract_star]

No, I couldn't. It was safer for both of us if we had our own places. Though...I found out that no matter where I go, the mansion travels with me. So I can visit her any time.

[He takes another sip, smiling a little.] I'm in Sapporo now. It's funny, because it's summer at the mansion while the whole city is covered in snow.

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

Ah... That's a little creepy. Convenient, but creepy. I'm glad she wasn't alone.

[He sips his own soda and listens.]

... Hm. It's just getting into fall where I am. How's Sapporo? Lots of beer? Heh heh.

[contract_star]

Very much so. [Pause.] I wouldn't have made such a big deal of leaving if I'd known.

[He smiles.] Busy. Very busy. [He shakes his head.] Where do I even begin?