fifteenth trick

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

[Ikki shows up on the Plane dripping wet, red-faced, like he's been training in the rain. Which is pretty accurate, actually. He flops onto his back, arms out, and stares up at the stars and galaxies and such.]

Kururu...

Comments

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

... I'm sorry.

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

[a shrug] I'll kick his ass, it's no big deal~

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

I'm... sure you will.

[He thinks for a moment.]

... No. That would probably be cheating. ... I might as well offer.

If you need to go after him, I could probably boost your speed or strength or defense before you head out.

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

[Ikki grins.]

I'm not going after him right now. Thanks for the offer, though. Might need it.

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

... Are you... all right?

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

Hm? [He blinks at Tsukasa.] ... Yeah, I'm fine. Don't give me that look; I'm nothing to worry about.

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

... All right. You just seemed... I don't know. Distracted by something.

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

Eh, I'm always distracted by something.

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

More than usual, I mean.

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

Hmph. ... Maybe.

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

... Ah.

[He thinks for a moment, and tries to brace himself internally, before putting a hand on Ikki's shoulder, in an attempt at a comforting gesture.]

You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to.

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

[He blinks at Tsukasa, then smiles a little. He doesn't make any move to shove him off.]

Thanks for worrying about me, Stripes. You don't have to, though.

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

... You're my [he pauses and stammers a few moments before managing to get the word out] friend though, right? Of course I worry about you.

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

[AWWWW OMG. Ikki blinks a few times, taken aback, then...]

... Yeah. We're friends.

[He tosses the towel at Tsukasa's head.]

Still hate to make you worry, though. I mean, you put on that face, and then next thing I know, I own like a million things I have no use for.

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

[Meep! He fumbles the towel, drops it, and picks it up.]

Ah... what... do you mean?

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

Cuteness can be persuasive. Even those possessing an iron-clad heart can fall prey to such a weakness! [He stands up suddenly and points at the sky.] There may come a day when the Great Ikki's strength falters and he gives in to the demands of little girls in school uniforms with cookies, but it is not this day!

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

[He gives Ikki a look, something like 'are you on drugs?'... and then cracks up.]

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

[He lowers his arm.]

... Maybe tomorrow.

[And plops back down.]

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

[Tsukasa kneels near him, and then loses his balance and lands on his butt. He gives the 'ground' a glare, and then leans back, looking up at the stars.]

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

[Ikki snerks at the failure to land, then reaches over to mess up Tsukasa's hair.]

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

[He makes a movement like he's going to protest, and then just lets him do it, closing his eyes.]

Sometimes my robes trip me up a little.

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

[That is so damn cute.]

That's 'cause you don't look where you're going.

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

[Tsukasa is not known for his coordination.]

Maybe...

[He sighs, and opens his eyes to look at Ikki.]

... What's it like? To... what did you call it? Riding the wind?

[crowheaded.livejournal.com]

[Ikki rolls onto his back and looks up at the stars.]

Everyone always asks me that. The only way to know is to try it for yourself.

But if I were to describe it... it's... freedom. Once you let go of everything that worries you down there, you can have fun up there. There's nothing like it. The wind rushing in your ears, the feeling of weightlessness and yet having a direction... It's like all your chains are being broken at the same time, and someone tossed you into the clouds.

[grasswavemaster.livejournal.com]

... That sounds amazing. I wish I could try it...