Kazuma Asogi (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
chippedsoul) wrote2021-08-18 05:32 pm
chippedsoul) wrote2021-08-18 05:32 pm
The Journal [Inbox]
Use this for any IC one-on-one contact and finishing any loose ends at ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
songerein
songereinThere are a few games that fit those; Smash!, the bubble darts, a ball-and-basket toss, the pebble one and- well, that's just a few of them.
[Let's not talk about the one with the geese and hoops. He would rather not mess with any sort of geese, thank you very much.]
[Let's not talk about the one with the geese and hoops. He would rather not mess with any sort of geese, thank you very much.]
[He tilts his head at the list of the suggestions. Some he recognized, some he didn't. Should he go with something familiar or try his luck with something unfamiliar...?]
All right, bubble darts and the pebble game...? I'm not sure what that last one is, but we can start with those two.
All right, bubble darts and the pebble game...? I'm not sure what that last one is, but we can start with those two.
[Tifa is peeking around the corner again, and Aerona's eyes have already looked past Kazuma to her, and there's a mighty bark, as if signalling that the dog both knows that she's there and that she's allowing Tifa to approach... the bratty princess. But she's immediately looking up at Kazuma for his approval and for more head pats because look at her stash! Isn't she the greatest hunter in all of Reverein?
Tifa is careful in her approach, inching along the hedges so as not to spook Aerona away with the stern glare she's fixing her with, but when she gets a look at what's inside the hole, she can't help herself—]
Aerona! Did you steal that?
[Aerona whines. Kazuma??? New friend?? Help????]
Tifa is careful in her approach, inching along the hedges so as not to spook Aerona away with the stern glare she's fixing her with, but when she gets a look at what's inside the hole, she can't help herself—]
Aerona! Did you steal that?
[Aerona whines. Kazuma??? New friend?? Help????]
Pebble game you need to be able to turn the pebbles a specific color with dreamotion- bubble darts you just try to hit as many bubbles of one color as possible. [Either competitively, or alone.
A hand lifted as he combed those painted claws of his through his beard idly-] Basket one you're trying to toss a ball in to a low tilted basket so it stays there.
We can hit up whichever one you'd like first.
A hand lifted as he combed those painted claws of his through his beard idly-] Basket one you're trying to toss a ball in to a low tilted basket so it stays there.
We can hit up whichever one you'd like first.
[Rewarding a dog for the wrong habits is probably not the best plan, but Kazuma is only giving Aerona headpats to ensure she won't just run away again. He's still holding onto her when Tifa speaks up in her scolding motherly way.]
When did she have a chance to do that? [Did she leave the maze and come back to bury all this? In that short span of time? He doesn't doubt Aerona probably is a mischievous dog, but right now, yelling at her probably won't help keep her from running.]
When did she have a chance to do that? [Did she leave the maze and come back to bury all this? In that short span of time? He doesn't doubt Aerona probably is a mischievous dog, but right now, yelling at her probably won't help keep her from running.]
[...Gosh, those hot colored painted claws really lowers the threatening aspect of them. But anyway-]
Bubble darts then. [Cause it sounds the most straight forward right now.] You've actually tried all these games already?
Bubble darts then. [Cause it sounds the most straight forward right now.] You've actually tried all these games already?
[They really did, but he didn't mind if his claws looked less threatening when he couldn't wear gloves to hide them. Some bright nail polish was something he could easily deal with-
He chuckled softly.] Sounds good to mean, and yeah. Have a favorite amongst them that's just fun, while others are a little more- well, if something catches my eye.
[Of course he walked by when prizes we changed out, just in case. Never hurt to see if someone was having trouble and lend a hand, too.]
He chuckled softly.] Sounds good to mean, and yeah. Have a favorite amongst them that's just fun, while others are a little more- well, if something catches my eye.
[Of course he walked by when prizes we changed out, just in case. Never hurt to see if someone was having trouble and lend a hand, too.]
Huh. You really went to a lot to these festivals. [He hasn't really played any festival games since he was a kid. Maybe a few times with Naruhodo in more recent years.
He'll go ahead and start walking towards the bubble dart game stand. He observes other festive goers trying their luck. Seem pretty straight forward, though he noticed that even when it looked like the darts were going to hit, it just misses the bubbles. He'll also look to see what prizes the game had to offer.
...He's not sure if any of these would suit an old soldier like Jack. He is eyeing a sleeping wolf plush though. That's probably too cute.]
He'll go ahead and start walking towards the bubble dart game stand. He observes other festive goers trying their luck. Seem pretty straight forward, though he noticed that even when it looked like the darts were going to hit, it just misses the bubbles. He'll also look to see what prizes the game had to offer.
...He's not sure if any of these would suit an old soldier like Jack. He is eyeing a sleeping wolf plush though. That's probably too cute.]
Yeah- had a few dates where we went to them, and when I was a kid I was always excited when was was around. [Bless Vincent for indulging him, honestly. The man had fun himself of course, but he'd still found it sweet that the guy had noticed how he'd perked whenever one was near.
His head tipped a bit, gesturing towards the game as people took their turns.]
Notice how they're playing music to measure the time? Don't pay it any attention, it's meant to make you a bit anxious because it speeds up. Gotta pay a little attention to the breeze and air movement caused by the darts themselves, too.
[Affected how the bubbles moved and all that.]
His head tipped a bit, gesturing towards the game as people took their turns.]
Notice how they're playing music to measure the time? Don't pay it any attention, it's meant to make you a bit anxious because it speeds up. Gotta pay a little attention to the breeze and air movement caused by the darts themselves, too.
[Affected how the bubbles moved and all that.]
I don't know.
[It comes out as a sigh of defeat, because this dog makes it so very hard for Tifa to stay mad about it.]
She's gone off on her own a few times now before she ran off on me, so she might've found this spot and kept coming back to it.
[And then it became the burial site for all of these poor flowers and that stuffed toy. Tifa can hardly stifle the snort of laughter at the image that it conjures up—]
Either she stole that toy or she went up, asked nicely, and got it for free.
[It comes out as a sigh of defeat, because this dog makes it so very hard for Tifa to stay mad about it.]
She's gone off on her own a few times now before she ran off on me, so she might've found this spot and kept coming back to it.
[And then it became the burial site for all of these poor flowers and that stuffed toy. Tifa can hardly stifle the snort of laughter at the image that it conjures up—]
Either she stole that toy or she went up, asked nicely, and got it for free.
[He quietly listens to their surroundings. Besides the occasional frustrated noise of a patron finding yet another dead end, he hasn't heard anyone raving about a dog having stolen something of theirs, but who knows. He gives Aerona a questioning look, her expression remaining that cute happy pupper with her tongue sticking out.]
Heh. With a face like this, who could resist? Although... [He looks to her and then to the digging site.] She really wanted to show me this, despite knowing she'd probably get into trouble. Maybe she was gathering all this for someone.
Heh. With a face like this, who could resist? Although... [He looks to her and then to the digging site.] She really wanted to show me this, despite knowing she'd probably get into trouble. Maybe she was gathering all this for someone.
A few dates? [Why didn't it cross his mind this old soldier who had friends might have been seeing someone at one point in his lifetime? Not that, it's really a big deal or anything. Not like he's pondering about his own feelings for someone right now.]
So the music is just a distraction. [Hearing him explain about the air movement being important reminds him of how archery works to be honest. Bet Naruhodo might excel at this kind of game.]
I think I got the idea. [He puts in a request for some darts. While the idea of ignoring the music should be simple enough, it was blaring rather loudly and probably intentionally at this booth.]
So the music is just a distraction. [Hearing him explain about the air movement being important reminds him of how archery works to be honest. Bet Naruhodo might excel at this kind of game.]
I think I got the idea. [He puts in a request for some darts. While the idea of ignoring the music should be simple enough, it was blaring rather loudly and probably intentionally at this booth.]
[76 hummed softly.] Yeah, my boyfriend at the time figured out pretty quick how much I liked this sort of thing. It was sweet, and we spent the entire day there well in to the night.
He was a good guy, he got the family he deserved last I ever saw him. [Really, 76 was glad Vincent got what he wanted. To have that family and life that- well, Jack couldn't give or have himself despite the want. Things just didn't work out.
It was a little absent, given just how easily and quickly 76 moved past that with a nod-]
It is a distraction, and works well since it's meant to also be your time limit through the song. That is where they get you, of course, with how the music increasingly picks up speed the closer to the end of said time limit it gets.
[76 stood to the side rather than playing just yet, let Kazuma have his go alone first. See how he could do and get that handle.]
He was a good guy, he got the family he deserved last I ever saw him. [Really, 76 was glad Vincent got what he wanted. To have that family and life that- well, Jack couldn't give or have himself despite the want. Things just didn't work out.
It was a little absent, given just how easily and quickly 76 moved past that with a nod-]
It is a distraction, and works well since it's meant to also be your time limit through the song. That is where they get you, of course, with how the music increasingly picks up speed the closer to the end of said time limit it gets.
[76 stood to the side rather than playing just yet, let Kazuma have his go alone first. See how he could do and get that handle.]
[He blinks, doing a double take. Hold up, boyfriend? Good thing the game hadn't started yet. With how casual he was about it, sounded like it wasn't a strange concept where he's from and his time.
He might have regretted inquiring once he hears the old man talk about how he had a family now. He may not be showing it, but he sure there was probably some bittersweet feeling about it all.]
... [Right. He's getting the wolf plush. His ears twitch as the music starts and the bubbles start forming. All right, just ignore the music and fire away. Easier said than done when these faun ears are more sensitive to sounds. He's mostly doing all right though, nearly hitting all of his marks with hyper focus concentration.]
He might have regretted inquiring once he hears the old man talk about how he had a family now. He may not be showing it, but he sure there was probably some bittersweet feeling about it all.]
... [Right. He's getting the wolf plush. His ears twitch as the music starts and the bubbles start forming. All right, just ignore the music and fire away. Easier said than done when these faun ears are more sensitive to sounds. He's mostly doing all right though, nearly hitting all of his marks with hyper focus concentration.]
[Didn't really bother him- he'd let go a long, long time ago. He was happy for the fact that Vincent had moved on, settled and gotten what Jack himself would not have been able to give. Let Vincent be happy with his husband and their piece of life, their family.
It was a symbol for him, that was the sort of thing he still fought to protect. Why he could not leave his mission, no matter the side-tracking to keep some outside force from interfering more than it already was. That was what he had always fought for, stood against the tide and- well, took the brunt of a lot of things as a public face. Why he now kept to the shadows and still continued a war for a world that did its best to kill him and think him dead-]
Memories are good, no matter what changed in either of our lives. [Vincent's life and his own.
He did grow quiet once the game started, settling back to watch Kazuma work, arms folded loosely just near his chest for comfort's sake.]
It was a symbol for him, that was the sort of thing he still fought to protect. Why he could not leave his mission, no matter the side-tracking to keep some outside force from interfering more than it already was. That was what he had always fought for, stood against the tide and- well, took the brunt of a lot of things as a public face. Why he now kept to the shadows and still continued a war for a world that did its best to kill him and think him dead-]
Memories are good, no matter what changed in either of our lives. [Vincent's life and his own.
He did grow quiet once the game started, settling back to watch Kazuma work, arms folded loosely just near his chest for comfort's sake.]
That's good, but that wasn't what I was thinking about. [Why does this man have to continue to live in the shadows for the "greater good"? The world has already forgotten him and he's paying for it. A click of his hooves as he misses the last few bubbles as the game comes to an end. The music and the distractions in his mind got the better of him.
He scored reasonably on his first attempt, but he knows he could do better. Definitely not enough points for what he was after.]
I'm going to try again.
He scored reasonably on his first attempt, but he knows he could do better. Definitely not enough points for what he was after.]
I'm going to try again.
He and I parted ways a few years in to peace after the Crisis ended. [When he'd been promoted to Strike Commander, and felt the full weight of the title- the way his life was aimed.] Lives going in two different directions, even after years of being together.
Don't think about him too much, other than some good memories. [A guess at something, even if he could also guess that might not have been the exact thoughts either. Still, he certainly wasn't a man most would recognize anymore- he'd buried that man personally after crawling out of the rubble.
A nod-]
Go for it, consider this a practice round to get a feel since you've got the idea well.
Don't think about him too much, other than some good memories. [A guess at something, even if he could also guess that might not have been the exact thoughts either. Still, he certainly wasn't a man most would recognize anymore- he'd buried that man personally after crawling out of the rubble.
A nod-]
Go for it, consider this a practice round to get a feel since you've got the idea well.
[Aerona barks, as if confirming Kazuma's theory, and steps aside to show off her collection even more.]
For you, if I didn't know any better.
[Which would have been a sweet gesture if she didn't know that it was probably for her and Eustace. As nice as it is that she tried, some poor game attendant is wondering why a corgi had just leapt in and stole one of the prizes.]
You think the guy at the game booth'll want that toy back?
For you, if I didn't know any better.
[Which would have been a sweet gesture if she didn't know that it was probably for her and Eustace. As nice as it is that she tried, some poor game attendant is wondering why a corgi had just leapt in and stole one of the prizes.]
You think the guy at the game booth'll want that toy back?
Really? But I only just met Aerona. [At least take him out to dinner. He glances down at the poor stuffed toy covered in dirt.]
I wouldn't. She worked hard to take this from them. Especially when they make those games difficult to even win something. [With a huff. He seems to speak from experience?] I'm sure they not concern about missing one toy.
I wouldn't. She worked hard to take this from them. Especially when they make those games difficult to even win something. [With a huff. He seems to speak from experience?] I'm sure they not concern about missing one toy.
[...So it was a mutual decision, not something that abruptly separated them. As the music starts to play again, signaling the start of the game once more, words were sitting in the back of his throat.
Would it be inconsiderate to ask? For the time being, the game keeps him focused on that. His aim improves, but he struggles once again toward the end. Too many targets all at once, with that distracting music playing. Deep breaths. Ask the question.]
What about now? [Where were his feelings? Especially while in this world?]
Would it be inconsiderate to ask? For the time being, the game keeps him focused on that. His aim improves, but he struggles once again toward the end. Too many targets all at once, with that distracting music playing. Deep breaths. Ask the question.]
What about now? [Where were his feelings? Especially while in this world?]
[Could see where the improvement was needed- and that, too, could be all part of the trick for this game. Unlike balloons, bubbles were a whole lot more on the move and could overwhelm in number as the production of them continued. The music making so much noise, make everything feel rushed and cluttered—]
What about now? Not much has changed. [He couldn't afford it with how he lived- how he planned to keep going. Though, there was the chance he wasn't completely understanding the question either.]
What about now? Not much has changed. [He couldn't afford it with how he lived- how he planned to keep going. Though, there was the chance he wasn't completely understanding the question either.]
Even while here in this world...? Away from your personal duties? [He calls for another set of darts.]
What I'm trying to say is, would your heart be open to another?
What I'm trying to say is, would your heart be open to another?
[A hand rubbed the side of his neck, even as arms remained mostly folded—]
I don't know. [There was too much damage, he wasn't the type most would be looking for. Had nothing to offer, was old and bitter. Just-
Who the hell would...?] Don't really think about the possibility.
I don't know. [There was too much damage, he wasn't the type most would be looking for. Had nothing to offer, was old and bitter. Just-
Who the hell would...?] Don't really think about the possibility.
[Tifa nods knowingly at his comment. Those games are never easy to win, but she's managed to somehow get lucky with... most of them. Maybe the trick all along is to just have the dogs go up and ask nicely...
At the mention of the toy, Aerona digs her nose into the hole and picks it out. It's a small bear with a top hat covered in dirt and looking a bit worse for wear, but she drops it right at Kazuma's feet and barks at him.]
Oh? Maybe it really is for you.
At the mention of the toy, Aerona digs her nose into the hole and picks it out. It's a small bear with a top hat covered in dirt and looking a bit worse for wear, but she drops it right at Kazuma's feet and barks at him.]
Oh? Maybe it really is for you.
[He blinks, watching the dog's insistence to give him the toy. He comes forward to pick up said toy, Aerona's bum wiggling excitedly.]
You sure, huh...? Well, thank you. [May be covered in dirt and dog slobber, but he appreciates the gift. She gets a few headpats.] Satisfied now? No more running off then?
You sure, huh...? Well, thank you. [May be covered in dirt and dog slobber, but he appreciates the gift. She gets a few headpats.] Satisfied now? No more running off then?
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