The Silence After the Storm

[vrdr_mods]

The Ken Amada who made certain threats, whom Igor didn't bring to the Velvet Room and didn't welcome, has been permanently contained within his other-world self. Many of the Velvet Room residents mobilized in the effort to neutralize the threat he posed, and now, in the moments after the devastating battle that sealed Ken away, perhaps you have business to conclude.

Maybe you're a fighter, left in the rubble the battle made of its surroundings—or maybe you were a noncombatant this time, left behind to wonder what's happening or prepare for the aftermath. Maybe you linger around the battle site, or maybe you have other things to do.

Or maybe you didn't survive. Maybe you're one of the glowing forms slowly coalescing in front of Igor's desk in the Velvet Room over the course of the subsequent half hour. Igor presides over them gravely, with no sign of his usual smile. Near his desk sits a box of snacks, familiar to anyone who's used the operation's training room.

[[ooc: This post is a general catch-all for the aftermath of the battle! It's backdated to February 26, the day Ken got got.]]

Comments

[fogboundcrow]

"But you see, I'm a Wild Card as well, ergo, I hold myself to a fairly high standard." Yes, that's important to emphasize here, though he does meet her gaze, at least, with one hand on his hip.

[wicked_plan]

Ren hums in agreement, before heading off to the bathroom, and... well.

It's certainly a bathroom. Ren has seen it before, but every time, he is surprised by how many beauty products Goro owns. Soaps, gels, creams, deodorants... it feels like there are an endless amount of bottles with stuff, and Ren couldn't tell what 90% of them are for even if held at gunpoint.

Oh well. He yawns as he undresses himself, leaving his clothes in a heap in the corner, before he steps in the shower. He points it away from himself briefly while it heats up, but once the water is okay, he makes quick work of getting himself wet. Now, what soap to use...

... well, he's sure they all have some sort of specific purpose, but he's too tired to figure it out. At random, he grabs a bottle of shampoo, and starts washing his hair.

i awake once again

[takutomaruki]

"Oh, can I-" he almost beams up as the vampire mentions bat wings how cool is that?! Fascinating! But then he reigns himself, cools down- hands curling as he brings it to the back of his head to awkwardly scratch at it. "Sorry-! Never mind."

At the mention of his death he tried to bite down his own wince before coughing to excuse himself. "I suppose its...reasonable to see the positives."

"Hm," he looks away for a moment. "-when you mentioned the bat wings and showed them off earlier in battle I just found it...so surreal haha. You know Morning, right? The one I mentioned in my network post? He would actually be quite curious about you. Like vampires in general."

He didn't use bat wings during the fight.

[vampirethief]

"I don't have the wings anymore, sorry. They went away after Halloween ended. Maybe you saw Satanael's wings?"

He didn't go into bat form either because he needed to focus on keeping up attacks to distract Evil Ken. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to stop his demise.

"Truthfully I haven't met him yet, but I wouldn't be against talking with him and answering any questions he may have." He'll have to be careful as Morning is one of the Actualized victims in the Velvet Room.

casual me being dumb its okay i will just hold onto satanael's wings LMFAO I AM SORRY

[takutomaruki]

"Ah-! That could be it, I was in the very back so I had just seen those large wings." Way to go, Takuto. Then again, in the battle things didn't have to make sense, did it? Not when he was barely in control of Azathoth.

Still, personal misunderstandings aside Maruki's smile widened. "Of course-! I am still working on understanding his condition but having friends and socializing with others is the best way to prevent any taxing echo-chamber."

His expression twists to something bittersweet. "...hah, I know I am not exactly seen in the best light here but Morning shouldn't have to suffer the brunt of it. I could pass you his phone number if need be."

No worries. Plus it works ICly.

[vampirethief]

Ren's not surprised that came up. It was bound to head in this direction.

"A lot of people here were hurt by their version of you back in their homes. Myself included. And I do admit, I feel sorry for Morning, as well as others who have been actualized."

He's gonna hold back because he doesn't want to be too harsh. He's trying to be diplomatic here.

"Sure, you can pass on his number to me." He then gets out his phone.

1/2

[takutomaruki]

Tch.

2/2

[takutomaruki]

He reigns his expression to something neutral, doesn't say more than he needs to; they won't understand.

And maybe he doesn't fully either.

Sorry sorry victims...

"Sorry for bringing the mood down," he offers then nods as he fetches his own phone out and prepares to exchange said numbers.

Once that's said and done, he nods to himself. "There isn't any obligation by the way, I am grateful you heard me out." He bows lightly. "I hope you two get along and oh- sorry-! Yeah I will get out of your hair now. Take care, alright?"

[undyingcrow]

While Ren bathes, Goro makes his way into his bedroom, digging out two sets of pajamas. They're soft, freshly washed and folded with care, with simple patterns and appealing colors.

He'll grab a pair of boxers for Ren as well. Hopefully he won't mind the A patterned on them, like his attache case.

[vampirethief]

Ren tensed up for a second, thinking there was gonna be another arguement. One that he was way too tired currently to have. But then he sees him seemingly backing down and calms down.

He nods once they are done with the number exchange. "Yeah, I should head back to my apartment to rest."

Frankly he's ready to go to bed and hide from the sun for a while.

[wicked_plan]

By the time Ren is done showering, he's gotten a lot more relaxed. The twinges and aches of the fight have washed away with the soap, and he's feeling a lot looser. After toweling himself off (taking extra care to squeeze as much water from his hair as he can), he secures the towel around his hips with a knot, and steps into the bedroom. Ah- a set of pajamas and boxers, Goro said he'd leave them out for...

... Huh?

Ren blinks. Then blinks again. His lips wobble with amusement.

No way. No fucking way.

Still, he gets dressed, keeping his composure all the way- the pajamas are very soft- before he steps out, grin on his face as he looks at Goro.

"So," he says, teasing lilt in his voice, "A-patterned boxers, huh?"

[undyingcrow]

He leans back on the couch, seemingly unfazed by the teasing. "It was part of a promotional deal. One of the perks of being a celebrity."

But since Ren is clean, he peels himself off the couch and grabs his own folded pajamas off the table. "But as much as I'd love to regale you with my experiences, I'd much rather wash the sweat off my skin."

adios vampire ren :3

[takutomaruki]

Maruki notices him tensing and yep- should have expected it. It's really terrible to see others being this uncomfortable around him but oh well- what can you do?

Despite that, his smile widened. "Don't be shy with the snacks too whenever you get the chance. All of you deserve to treat yourselves over a job well done." And he was sincere about that because even if he did end up doing some heavy lifting of his own when helping the others- it wasn't something he would ever regret but there aren't many choices that are given in the face of adversity anyway.

"See you."

Even if he's quite sure that Ren might never even approach him again. Oh well. He's already off, picking up the blankets and walking off- attending to the others who may need his help.

[wicked_plan]

"Right, right," he puts his hand on Goro's shoulder as he passes by, eyes shining with mirth, "and giving them to me has nothing to do with putting your mark on me, hm?"

Called the fuck out, babe.

Still, Ren's quick to let go, plopping himself down onto the couch and waving Goro off.

"Enjoy your shower, honey," he says with a grin, not quite done teasing yet.

Then, he's alone, left to entertain himself... hmm... the couch is very comfy. He's so tired, and his eyes feel heavy... surely closing his eyes while he waits for Goro won't hurt?

Not seconds later, he's out like a light.

[undyingcrow]

"These things aren't mutually exclusive, dear." Oh, he flashes a sharp smirk at Ren before he shuffles off.

Goro being Goro, however, means that his hygiene routine is rather meticulous. It takes quite some time for him to not only wash the filth from his flesh, but to appropriately lather his scalp with his finest shampoo, then carefully condition it.

Not to mention, he has to brush, style, and dry it once he's finally through.

But eventually he returns, fresh, fragrant, and comfortable in his pajamas, and...

Heh. Well, this is an amusing predicament.

Goro creeps closer to the couch, quietly contemplating scooping Ren up in his arms.

[wicked_plan]

Ren is wholly unaware of Goro creeping up on him, splayed out over the couch, fast asleep. He's so exhausted from the day, not even Mona's yelling would wake him up, probably.

Master Phantom Thief right here, everyone!

[undyingcrow]

Then scoop he shall, hoisting Ren off the couch and carrying him off into his room like a dragon hoarding treasure.

Down on the bed he goes, with the covers already peeled back.

[takutomaruki]

Maruki tapped his fingers on his lap, letting her consider his request as he brought the juice box to his lips and sipped on it, fidgeting as he tried to ignore the dull ache in his muscles.

Azathoth was still regenerating away the damaged body parts and Fatalis really did not like having him around so he did suffer the worst of it and it made him more annoyed then he should be.

So when Hamuko turns to address him and agree to him, well she's going to see a naturally perked up Takuto Maruki, eyes glittering with excitement at engaging her with his specialty.

"Then we have a deal," he chuckled as he set aside the box and stretched his arms- hearing his back pop which made him release an incredulous sound. "...! Er- you didn't hear that anyways- you know there are studies which talk about how breathing is known to coordinate with your hippocampal activity. Helps in memory consolation."

"I will attempt to do the exercise then you can repeat it for yourself? Or you can follow me but for that? Get comfortable."

[wicked_plan]

Well, being moved does the trick. Blearily, Ren blinks as he's lifted up, eys a little glazed over with sleep.

"MmmrrrGoro?" he murmurs as he's lowered into the bed, yawning. "Whu...?"

[undyingcrow]

Goro crawls into bed beside him, flashing an all too confident smirk. "Tsk. You lowered your guard, Ren." He wriggles closer, drawing the covers over them. "I suppose I win this round."

[wicked_plan]

Ren pouts a little.

"Mean to me," he mutters, but huddles closer to Goro anyway. "So mean."

[undyingcrow]

"You know you like it." Oh my, he's even... gasp, looping an arm around Ren. Scandalous.

[wicked_plan]

Ren purrs a little, leaning into Goro's embrace. Still, he buries his face into his rival's chest, huffing.

"Shuddup." His arms loosely curl around Goro. "Go sleep."

[undyingcrow]

"You have such a way with words." But it's okay, Ren. Have a little smooch before Goro closes his eyes.

They can sort out the rest of their feelings regarding the fight after some rest.

[wipingallout]

Despite him brushing it under the rug, the pop did have Hamuko giggling at him a little bit. But she left it without comment, nodding as she scooted and sat up straight, ready to follow along and watching Maruki dutifully.