emet_sulk | [avalon] IC Inbox

[ He glares at Bakugou for a few moments longer. Then, with an irritated noise, he slides off his stool and makes his way to the front door. He turns the sign hanging there from 'OPEN' to 'CLOSED', adding a 'Come back in an hour' to the second hook beneath. Then he turns back to face Bakugou and jabs a finger at the stairs in the corner leading up to the private dwelling he shares. ]

We shall speak upstairs.

[ Without waiting for a reply, he marches over and heads up. ]

[ Hey old man... Bakugou is trying to respect privacy. He figures that it's necessary? Although the asshole probably also doesn't like the fact that the blonde has shared in what he's figured to be some memories that Emet Selch doesn't really want to. It is what it is though, isn't it? Not like Bakugou had wanted him to see one of his more pathetic moments either.

So he follows the guy up the stairs, hands in his pockets. It's... It's not like Katsuki is a nosy guy. He's usually the person in the background hearing things about other people and it's not like. He means to? How people can not observe Katsuki sometimes is beyond him.

However, he feels like it's gone on too long now. Almost being killed because the guy got too emotional? Yeah, the brat has questions. ]

[ The upstairs floor is quite modest in comparison to the store. The living-dining area shares open space with the small kitchen, with two rooms leading off. The doors are shut right now however, preventing any nosy glimpses inside.

Emet-Selch does not invite Bakugou to sit down. With any luck, this conversation will be over before either of them tire of standing. Accordingly, he turns around and faces the younger man, arms crossed and a deep frown on his face. ]

Well? If you want an apology for the attempt on your life then I apologise. I would rather not kill children if I can help it.

[ Yeah... Sorry about that. Bakugou isn't polite. So he's going to be sitting down anyway. Hands shoved in pockets, legs stretched out and slightly hunching. As if he's making himself completely comfortable. ]

If you can help it. [ Meaning he definitely would and probably has. But no, he didn't come here for an apology so - ] I don't give a damn about some apology. In the end, I won so it's whatever.

[ He got the old man away from the spring and the creature inside that wanted to drag them under. If anything, he should be demanding thanks. ]

You're gonna explain shit to me is what you're gonna do. Chances are I'm gonna say shit that sets you off again so I better damn well know what sort of minefield I'm walking into. You were out of your fucking mind and you know it.

[ This is is a very Bakugou way of saying "What do I need to do better?" ]

[ Rude boy. But he's come to expect that rudeness from them. He doesn't take a seat himself - it IS the middle of the day after all and he has no intention of relaxing until the store is shut for the night. ]

That was my friend, [ he growls, stalking closer and looming over Bakugou. ] A friend I haven't seen for aeons. I don't care that they were a false image - you had no right to interfere.

[ Look, he can loom all he wants. If the old man thinks that this is going to actually intimidate Bakugou, then he has another thing coming. All the teenager does is look right back up at him through blonde fringe. ]

Do you really have such a death wish that even an illusion of your friend is enough to get you jumping into its embrace?

[ Bakugou really doesn't understand that sort of nonsense. ]

Don't go losing your head, old man. It'd be pretty sad if a brat like me can keep his temper better than someone as old as you.

[ He slams his hand on the table. The dangerous light is back in his eyes, burning bright as he leans in. ]

I don't want to hear that from a child who clearly hasn't lost everything he has ever held dear - assuming you ever treasured anything in the first place!

You're right. I haven't lost shit.

[ For once he's not the one raising his voice. ]

That doesn't mean that I never will. Doesn't mean I ain't in the process of it if shit doesn't improve either. But you don't see me throwing a fucking tantrum over it either.

[ How sad is it... To fall right back into the trap. ]

Pretty strong reaction. So which one was it?

Which one? What do you mean, 'which one'? [ he spits out, drawing back with fists clenched by his sides. ] Everything! I lost everything! And I don't care if you think less of me for wanting a sliver of indulgence when the place I come from no longer exists. You wish to know how not to set me off? Then don't ever try and tell me what you think I ought to do.

Aren't you the one that's automatically thinking less of you for your special brand of bullshit here? Because I don't recall one damn word being said about it not being justifiable to want it.

[ though he thinks it's stupid to put your life on the line for a fleeting moment. Maybe if it had been the real deal, but this time? It had been a fake. A trap. Now Bakugou doesn't know about Emet Selch, but he really doesn't like his weaknesses being exposed in that fashion.

But maybe the old man is fine with it? ]

Calm the fuck down anyway. I was asking about which damn friend. Didn't look like you had all that many outside of the Convocation or what the fuck ever you people called it.

[ ~~Oh, the irony of Bakugou, of all people, telling someone else to calm down...~~

Emet-Selch continues to glare but he crosses his arms and looks away, directing his ire at some innocent corner instead. ]

...The one who isn't here. The one who left us as the calamity drew closer and closer to our city. The one who has been dead for the past several thousand years with nothing to show for their final efforts.

[ The words are spat out like a bitter curse. Odd - for such a good friend, he almost sounds like he hates them. ]

The world knew them as Azem. I knew them as one of my closest friends. They left to find a way to halt the catastrophe on our doorstep, but they never returned.

[ Yeah well... Bakugou thinks he understands the bitter tone. The old man is just that type of person. Not to mention it's probably complicated. Someone who goes off to solve a problem a different way than what you envision... That might feel like betrayal. Abandonment. ]

What? You pissed off that they didn't come back? Might not have been their fault.

No. I was disappointed that they left at all.

[ He doesn't want to talk about it. But since this boy appears as stubborn as a dog with a bone about getting answers, he decides to give them the bare minimum to satisfy their curiosity. ]

Our people were looking to us for guidance. In a time of great uncertainty, we were expected to lead. Yet not only did my friend step down from their seat, they left the city on some mad quest to find another way to halt the oncoming calamity. As if we hadn't already debated the merits of such a course. As if we hadn't almost unanimously decided upon a solution in that same forum.

[ His expression tightens. ] Even after our city fell, they never returned. I assume they died, like all the rest of our people. We left their seat and title empty for twelve thousand years.

So you see, boy, why I yearn to meet them again.

[ There's a comment he wants to make. Right there on the tip of the tongue. About how the people had been divided between wanting to leave the city to help and others wanting to leave the outside world to their own devices. He remembers that being a pretty hot topic for debate. But what if they had tried to get ahead of the calamity or whatever before it became a problem?

But he won't say it. ]

It wasn't unanimous if your friend was clearly against it. They did what they felt was right.

[ Although he can understand the feeling of someone you trust running off and doing things alone. But whatever... Neither here nor there. ]

Even if you wanted to see them again, you know it wasn't them.

I said I knew that, did I not? [ he says harshly. ] Even I desire some escapism once in a while. You wish to know what you can do differently? Then I would thank you to leave me alone next time.

[ So what if he had been dragged into the water? So what if he drowned? He cannot die enough deaths to make up for the thousands upon thousands who perished because of his failings. ]

[ He... Really should, huh? Just leave it alone... Leave the old man to just... ]

Nah. I can't do that. Believe me. I would really fucking like to leave it alone but nah.

Why? [ he snaps. ] I doubt you truly care about my life. I care nothing for yours. Is this related to-- what was it again? How I looked as though I needed saving?

[ He scoffs and waves his hand dismissively. ]

You're rather too late for that if so.

Doesn't matter if you give a shit about mine or not. You don't really seem to care about yours so someone probably should.

[ Not that Bakugou is a great guy. However he knows more about this asshole than what's probably right or fair. Someone who thinks that they have to carry some goddamn burden alone - to the point where they don't think of their own damn lives.

Yeah, he knows this guy has done some pretty heinous shit. Bakugou doesn't know why all this fucking matters to him either. Maybe because of those stupid subconscious dreams they shared. ]

[ He glowers a little while longer at Bakugou. They're right - he doesn't particularly care about his own life these days. Only his thin promise to certain people keeps him waking up each day (to say nothing of Hythlodaeus himself). ]

I don't need you - or anyone else - to care about my life. Especially not a mortal. No amount of explaining will help you comprehend what it's like to live for as long as I have. If I wish to die then that is my own damn choice.

Edited (felt too short :U) 2021-09-28 17:53 (UTC)

Yeah well... Tough shit. You're not the one that gets to decide that sort of thing.

[ But notice that he's not begging the old man to explain it to him. To help Bakugou really to understand what it is like. There's no way he really can, even if he had experienced it in part. It's still not his life. Hasn't spent eons longing for something that has long since passed. ]

Imma do what Imma do. That's all there is to it.

Fine.

[ This is not an argument he's going to win. He stomps off to the kitchenette, opening cupboards, carelessly creating noise where he needn't.

He wishes his life were his own, he thinks furiously. He wishes that none of them were here to stop him from taking it, to make him feel guilty about even entertaining the thought of abandoning life without them. ]

If you plan to sit there all day then tell me what you cannot eat - or don't. 'Tis all the same to me.

[ Oh it's definitely not. Bakugou's simply going to do what he wants regardless of what this old man has to say on the matter. Though it is a little surprising that he... Is going to accept that?

Though it would be interesting for Katsuki to know that this old shit has had similar issues with others here. ]

So what? First you're pissed off and then you're asking me in a roundabout, dismissive way what I'll eat?

Stubborn boy. I would prefer you leave, actually.

[ Bakugou isn't the first immovable wall he has had to navigate around and he probably won't be the last. ]

Since I suspect you won't even if I say so, I am going to make my midday repast.

I only came here to talk and shit. Not bother you to the point of throwing some mediocre meal my way.

[ Pushing himself up now. For real though, he's not inviting himself for anything other than conversation. The old man obliged. Katsuki's made his intentions known. That's all there really is to it.

No need to push further. ]

Hmph. Be on your way then.

[ He makes a dismissive, shooing motion with one hand without looking, focused on his task. If he could, he would like to forget that whole siren episode ever happened. The reminder leaves him feeling sour and he rattles around the kitchen with much more noise than usual. ]

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