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[See, he's not totally lacking in manners. Only mostly.
He walks in without a word. He really doesn't want to be here. He's tired of talking about things. He's done far too much of it since he got here, and it never feels like it helps him. But, he knows he has to. He doesn't want Geto any more upset at him over this than he already is.
He doesn't sit down, but leans against a nearby wall, shoving his hands in his pockets. Unsure of where to start. Apologies were usually good for that right? And getting right to the point?]
Um. Sorry you had to get dragged into that shit with me and that-- with Fushiguro.
He walks in without a word. He really doesn't want to be here. He's tired of talking about things. He's done far too much of it since he got here, and it never feels like it helps him. But, he knows he has to. He doesn't want Geto any more upset at him over this than he already is.
He doesn't sit down, but leans against a nearby wall, shoving his hands in his pockets. Unsure of where to start. Apologies were usually good for that right? And getting right to the point?]
Um. Sorry you had to get dragged into that shit with me and that-- with Fushiguro.
Edited (well that icon will just not do) 2024-01-31 02:09 (UTC)
[ Nanami wishes he could get Gojo further into the apartment. The sofa isn't that far away, even if he cannot make it to the office. All those years of not wanting Gojo in his place seem to manifest in Gojo's efforts to linger by the door. So be it. They are, at least, in private. ]
I appreciate the words, but the true mark of an apology is a change in behavior. That will mean the most to me.
I appreciate the words, but the true mark of an apology is a change in behavior. That will mean the most to me.
[He's obviously pretty uncomfortable with this whole thing, so standing near the door is just fine by him. He lets out an exasperated huff.]
It's just-- seeing him made everything come back and hit me at once.
[The straw that broke the camel's back. Gojo really hates how he hasn't much felt like himself since he arrived in Folkmore, but really, that feeling started a little before he arrived.
Just when things looked like they were improving, this happened, sending him spiraling again.]
What was she thinking? Bringing him, of all people in the damn universe.
It's just-- seeing him made everything come back and hit me at once.
[The straw that broke the camel's back. Gojo really hates how he hasn't much felt like himself since he arrived in Folkmore, but really, that feeling started a little before he arrived.
Just when things looked like they were improving, this happened, sending him spiraling again.]
What was she thinking? Bringing him, of all people in the damn universe.
[ Fushiguro Toji may be one of the worst people imaginable for Gojo to see in Folkmore that he knows of, but when Nanami thinks of Shibuya and everything that happened there, everything he knows of and what will follow, it could be worse. It could be so much worse. Which is no consolation at all. ]
I understand. It had to be a goddamned shock.
[ Not that Nanami would attack someone on sight, even if they infuriate him. He cannot get away with that, strengthwise, the way Gojo can. He's learned patience and self-control. He's learned he cannot do whatever he wants. The world is unfair. Gojo is learning that in a new way for the first time. ]
That she didn't care what you thought or if she did that it would be... entertaining. You gave her exactly what she wanted. A big dramatic confrontation like that. It has to be catnip for her.
I understand. It had to be a goddamned shock.
[ Not that Nanami would attack someone on sight, even if they infuriate him. He cannot get away with that, strengthwise, the way Gojo can. He's learned patience and self-control. He's learned he cannot do whatever he wants. The world is unfair. Gojo is learning that in a new way for the first time. ]
That she didn't care what you thought or if she did that it would be... entertaining. You gave her exactly what she wanted. A big dramatic confrontation like that. It has to be catnip for her.
[That idea has crossed his mind, and he hates it. He's torn on whether he wants to never participate in anything ever again to not give her want she wants, to tear this place up as much as he can to give her the show of a lifetime.
He's really at a loss here.]
So what are we supposed to do? Just-- ignore him?
[Because that's a terrible idea.]
What happens if he hurts someone?
He's really at a loss here.]
So what are we supposed to do? Just-- ignore him?
[Because that's a terrible idea.]
What happens if he hurts someone?
[ There's a price to living in Folkmore, and Nanami is well aware how much he has of his hopes and dreams fulfilled here, hopes and dreams that could be taken away. That's a reason to play ball to some extent.
Gojo still wants to be here right? ]
Monitor him. Don't interact unless he's an active threat to someone. Then prevent him from hurting them but go no further. That would have to be a bigger frustration than you handing his ass to him. Repeat as many times as necessary.
Gojo still wants to be here right? ]
Monitor him. Don't interact unless he's an active threat to someone. Then prevent him from hurting them but go no further. That would have to be a bigger frustration than you handing his ass to him. Repeat as many times as necessary.
He'll be good for all of us. [ The fractures came earlier, but Haibara's death ripped them all apart. Nothing was the same again. Gojo knows of it, but he's so soon after he hasn't lived with it the way Nanami did. Geto's departure also hit him harder. Nanami isn't upset that it in all likelihood upstaged the pain at Haibara's death.
He sips his latte and cannot quite help a smile. He isn't sure he truly knew what happiness was, not happiness like this, since Haibara died. Between then and— well, Haibara coming here is different than the afterlife, good as it was. ]
He sips his latte and cannot quite help a smile. He isn't sure he truly knew what happiness was, not happiness like this, since Haibara died. Between then and— well, Haibara coming here is different than the afterlife, good as it was. ]
He will be but you're the one who he has the greatest effect on. [Geto eyes him a moment before shaking his head slightly.] It's going to be interesting seeing you revert to who you used to be, at least to some degree. I'm sure the students who know you won't know what to make of it. [Yes, he and Gojo are still technically students as well, but it's different with them.
Nanami with Haibara is the one they know best, after all.]
Nanami with Haibara is the one they know best, after all.]
[ Nanami inclines his head in agreement. Yes, Haibara's influenced everything. Nothing is the same as it was the moment before Haibara walked up to him. It never will be. Just as... ]
There's no going back. There may be similarities, but I can never be that person again, Geto.
[ Nanami takes another sip. ]
You are correct that the second years don't know me anything this happy, but we are all learning to be happier here.
There's no going back. There may be similarities, but I can never be that person again, Geto.
[ Nanami takes another sip. ]
You are correct that the second years don't know me anything this happy, but we are all learning to be happier here.
I didn't think you'd turn back into that Nanami, but I can already see a difference in you. You seem less tense, at the very least. [Although it hadn't had as much time to settle as Nanami had with losing Haibara.]
We are [His fingers curl around the cup, expression thoughtful for a moment.] I think Haibara's already having an impact.
We are [His fingers curl around the cup, expression thoughtful for a moment.] I think Haibara's already having an impact.
I can't track him unless I'm looking right at him.
[That's his biggest issue. He's like a ghost to Gojo.]
And he could use Lore to bring his weapons here. I know what to expect with that now, but it doesn't make it any less of a concern. Other people won't. At minimum, the other sorcerers need to know what he's capable of.
[That's his biggest issue. He's like a ghost to Gojo.]
And he could use Lore to bring his weapons here. I know what to expect with that now, but it doesn't make it any less of a concern. Other people won't. At minimum, the other sorcerers need to know what he's capable of.
That makes him like most anyone in Folkmore, and it provides you with a new challenge. Expand your skills toward nonsorcerers.
[ That's no easy feat, but in some ways Gojo is like an understimulated highly intelligent pet. He needs something to keep his mental and physical engagement satisfactory. Certainly Geto helps with that, but there's more to life. ]
We can let them know. We can gather everyone up, share a good meal, and inform them. It may drive discussion you won't entirely like, but that's students for you.
[ That's no easy feat, but in some ways Gojo is like an understimulated highly intelligent pet. He needs something to keep his mental and physical engagement satisfactory. Certainly Geto helps with that, but there's more to life. ]
We can let them know. We can gather everyone up, share a good meal, and inform them. It may drive discussion you won't entirely like, but that's students for you.
I don't know why, I never considered the possibility he might show up here. And he's not... he's older. He's spent four years watching me, Geto. [ Whatever any of them believe about the after life, that is that. Haibara knew things about his time after he left, things he couldn't know without... being there in some sense of the word. ]
He doesn't even have cursed energy anymore, but he's our heart. He brings a lot back together.
He doesn't even have cursed energy anymore, but he's our heart. He brings a lot back together.
So you're worried about his safety? [He would do the same had it been Satoru who came back with no cursed energy.]
We don't really have many enemies here at least. [So Haibara isn't likely to be targeted because of that.]
We don't really have many enemies here at least. [So Haibara isn't likely to be targeted because of that.]
I would worry about his safety were he as powerful as Gojo. It's surprising that he has no cursed energy, but we all gain new powers here. He's not completely defenseless. [ Nanami drinks his latte and focuses on the feelings he gets from Haibara. He's fine right now. ]
Yes, I appreciate that immensely.
Yes, I appreciate that immensely.
"He was never completely defenseless, just not as powerful in jujutsu as we were." [There's no judgment in his tone, just fact.] You could see if that girl will train him. It'd probably be good for him.
Perhaps get him a similar pair of glasses too. Just in case. [ Nanami thinks about it briefly. ] He doesn't have a heavenly pact like Maki, but he can still train. He's always been so good at putting in the work.
Most people in Folkmore aren't Fushiguro Toji.
[While he does like a challenge, this isn't the one he wanted here. This was no challenge, only a threat. A menace who's existence here is already keeping him awake at night.
He's not too keen on that idea, but he doesn't have a better one. He runs a hand down his face, under his glasses. He feels helpless here, and it's only frustrating him more.]
Just relax and be normal here, everyone said. How's that fuckin' working out for us?
[While he does like a challenge, this isn't the one he wanted here. This was no challenge, only a threat. A menace who's existence here is already keeping him awake at night.
He's not too keen on that idea, but he doesn't have a better one. He runs a hand down his face, under his glasses. He feels helpless here, and it's only frustrating him more.]
Just relax and be normal here, everyone said. How's that fuckin' working out for us?
If he can request powers here, you might have options to consider as well.
No, but I doubt we're the only world with our 'Fushiguro Toji' here. Other people have found ways to coexist. We can too.
[ They do not get to choose what challenges they face. It would hardly be so much of a challenge if they chose it. No, they all have to cope with what and who happens here. Even Gojo.
He's not dealing with it alone. Nanami sets a hand on Gojo's shoulder. ]
Slow your mind down for a moment. It's working out. You have Geto back here. I have Haibara. Sometimes things go shitty. Sometimes they go great. That's life. That's normal.
[ They do not get to choose what challenges they face. It would hardly be so much of a challenge if they chose it. No, they all have to cope with what and who happens here. Even Gojo.
He's not dealing with it alone. Nanami sets a hand on Gojo's shoulder. ]
Slow your mind down for a moment. It's working out. You have Geto back here. I have Haibara. Sometimes things go shitty. Sometimes they go great. That's life. That's normal.
I know. I can talk that over with him, but in the end it's whatever he wants. I'll protect him regardless. [ He'll do whatever he has to for that. He's already thinking about powers that might prove useful for himself. Besides, if they wind up bad at eating dinner on a regular basis, he can cut back on the quantity of luxury ingredients. ]
He'd want you to not have to worry about him, Nanami. We all know that. [Because at the end of the day, the last thing any of them want to be is a liability for someone else.]
I know. [ Nanami knows that all too well. He doesn't want to be a burden on Haibara, especially when it comes to controlling his life. Haibara is so easily happy, but Nanami... thinks about things much more. Perhaps too much, but that's always been who he is. He doesn't need to dwell on that. ]
We'll see. I want him to get settled. There hasn't been a threat to him yet. There hasn't been a great threat to me yet.
We'll see. I want him to get settled. There hasn't been a threat to him yet. There hasn't been a great threat to me yet.
[Not that Gojo even has a baseline of what normal is. There are some fleeting moments in Folkmore that almost feel that way, then something comes along to shatter it.
Stop and think. Geto keeps telling him the same thing. It shouldn't be so hard, but lately seems impossible.
He chews on his lower lip, shoulders tense, quiet for a moment as he tries anyway.]
Nothing's ever gonna be normal for us. But I was hoping we'd get a little closer than we were.
[He looks at Nanami, reminded of the strange ways this place can be good, too. after a moment, he adds:]
... I'm glad that Haibara's here.
Stop and think. Geto keeps telling him the same thing. It shouldn't be so hard, but lately seems impossible.
He chews on his lower lip, shoulders tense, quiet for a moment as he tries anyway.]
Nothing's ever gonna be normal for us. But I was hoping we'd get a little closer than we were.
[He looks at Nanami, reminded of the strange ways this place can be good, too. after a moment, he adds:]
... I'm glad that Haibara's here.
[ It's so clear Gojo's trying. He's so used to running a hundred miles a minute, from one mission to the next, from one activity to the next, from a sugar high to a game high. Always go go go.
Nanami waits with him, breaths evenly. ]
Normal is a concept everyone talks about but no one has. What does normal mean to you? What do you want while we're here?
[ That's a more useful concept. Nanami smiles, soft, but it's more of a smile than he's had in all his time in Folkmore before Haibara arrived. ]
Me too. [ He means it with all his heart. ]
Nanami waits with him, breaths evenly. ]
Normal is a concept everyone talks about but no one has. What does normal mean to you? What do you want while we're here?
[ That's a more useful concept. Nanami smiles, soft, but it's more of a smile than he's had in all his time in Folkmore before Haibara arrived. ]
Me too. [ He means it with all his heart. ]
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