spellminders | voice; open to everyone

[Some angst later, he found Okuyasu.

He feels like shit.] Here you are.

[And he sort of dones his way over, sits on a rock.] Sorry I took so long. If I knew this would've happened then I-... [He doesn't know.] How do you feel?

Yo.

[ He lifts his hand to lightly wave. ] No good. My head feels like it's spinning around real fast, Caesar. I can't say it's from using all that telepathy, either. That isn't important, though. [ But he takes a deep breath and holds his hand out toward the man. ] Painkiller!

[ Like summoning a Stand, he finds that it's easier to focus his thoughts and abilities if he also uses the name which he gave the ability. It's that soft pop sound in his head as he links their pain together. ]

[Caesar had been prepared to sigh and brush it off. Maybe (with a fond, wry smile) tell Okuyasu that it wasn't nothing: it was important that he feel better. After all, one of them had taken a tumble and it wasn't him. Caesar had been prepared to tell Okuyasu things that would make both of them better, sanding off the rough parts and making what Caesar was going through into something smooth and pleasing. He was prepared to put up his usual front of equal parts arrogance and showboating. He was going to stand up, give Okuyasu a piggyback ride if he had to, and they could head back to the beach huts. Then, once they were there, they could find Jotaro, find Giorno, settle things that night, and then Caesar could have a long sleepless night filled with a lot of thinking before he - alone - tore apart the island in search of a way of finishing things because he knew what his destiny was and that there was no sense in putting it off longer than he had to. If anything, he was lucky: not everyone got to know that somehow or another everything would turn out for the best. He had to thank whoever it was that had decided to drag him here. These few days were more than what he deserved.

Then Okuyasu held his hand out to him, shouted, and suddenly he felt a great deal better. There was weight (but when wasn't there weight?) and it was still crushing, but...less. Much less. Caesar could breathe, which, in a strange way, made it harder in certain respects because he could breathe, and didn't have the sense of legacy crushing him with the same urgency that it had, but in being able to breathe (and he slipped into hamon patterns without thinking: it did nothing but Lisa Lisa would be proud) he could think. And he suddenly had the most unexpected of things: distance. He had distance from what was going to happen to him the second he returned, which would happen because he had to return, and...]

What did you do? [He stared.

Not only that, but he knew Okuyasu had just done something, and, that, too, made it both better and worse in certain respects because this was the point in which he realized he might have gotten someone involved in his business when he shouldn't have and maybe Giorno's jokes about adopting idiots (jokes that he had echoed) had more teeth to them than he had realized.]

[ Ah! He is able to half the amount of pain that Caesar feels by taking it upon himself, sure. His hand shakily lifts to touch his own chest, gripping at his shirt. The weight that he feels isn't quite like anything that he's experienced. He can breathe, yes, but he can't believe that Caesar was feeling this all on his own. And he didn't say anything... not really. He was going to carry all of this by himself.

The two of them haven't known each other for more than a couple of days; Okuyasu can understand not wanting to share personal concerns or sorrows with an almost complete stranger. Even someone as stupid as him gets it! But -- he lets out a very weak breath. But feeling something like this on yer own isn't right! It makes him forget all his own aches and pains from having fallen down a hill. In comparison, it's nothing. It's really nothing! ]

Caesar... you were walking around with this... while looking for me. [ A statement and not a question. ] I told you that I'd do somethin' that ya wouldn't like. [ He takes a shaky breath in, again. Pain is a tricky thing, isn't that what Yuuko-san said? ] ... because I knew... even if I didn't know it would be this deep, this much... I knew that you'd be hurtin' and ya came up it wasn't this bad!

[ He winces. ] I am not very smart, but... [ Um. ] I linked our pain. In linking our pain, your pain becomes half because I take on the other half.

[It’s interesting. He was far from stoic (no Italian man was stoic, a Zeppeli even less so) but there was things that he carefully kept hidden, because he was also proud (as, well, Italian men were, as were Zeppelis) and tossed about confident bravado like jugglers threw balls or knives. And sometimes that’s what he was, and sometimes it was something he used to keep people at bay as they started to sniff about the bits and pieces that he kept packed away. His insecurities. His fears. The things that kept him up at night, kept him restless. And he thought here it would be no different, but then here comes Okuyasu, and with a wave of his hand and a word he lifted some of the pressure keeping the lid down and up comes some of those things bubbling to the surface.]

You moron! You fool! Of course I’d be mad! [(At himself, if nothing else: what did he do?)] What made you think this was a good idea? How long does it last?

[ Right. He kind of prepared himself for this, but it still hurts to see someone that he considers a friend be so angry with him. Ah! That'll end up getting shared if he isn't careful with his emotions. Still, feeling this weight on him is tough. Okuyasu wishes he could stand up rather than be sitting up at the bottom of a hill he fell down.

That doesn't stop him from straightening his back, that doesn't stop him from trying to look as serious and in certain as he possibly can: ]

I did what was in my heart. I did what was in there. I said... Caesar has been doing a lot for me! Caesar is looking for me! He's someone older than me so he's someone who has to be the adult. But! [ He lifts his chin. ] My heart said that I couldn't let you just carry everything alone if I could do something about it. That's what it said! So I used this ability.

[ As for the rest. ] It lasts for as long as I want it to last, and I don't think it's right to give all of this back to you!

Oku-... [It was like he was sixteen again and watching his father die in front of him in a sacrifice that he had never asked for and somehow it was happening again. And it was-]

Okuyasu, you don't understand. I was dying when I came here. Dying. None of what they said was a surprise to me. [Which was the worst part, really.] The price they took from me was- a ring. Jojo needs it. You said you met him? That won't happen if I don't finish what I started. Sooner or later, I have to go back.

[So why?]

[ He keeps his hand over his heart, though. ]

Then ... what is this? [ He sets his jaw to try to keep his gaze with Caesar. ] What is this pain? You'll one day go back... to what is happening... to that ... and to do so that you'll help out Joestar-san. I understand! [ That's tough. To be alive now when you think that yer dead. ]

But this ... this isn't something you should carry on yer own. It may not shock you. It may not surprise you since you know it's happening, but ya shouldn't hurt this much. Ya shouldn't! That... that isn't something I'd say is right!

There's nothing right about the world we live in.

[And he was really oh so tired. Leaning forward, face in his hands lest it give something away that he didn't want to betray (but what else was there to betray, really), deep breath- and this was the point in which he realized he had slipped into hamon breathing, and a ghost of a smile crossed his lips. Lisa Lisa would be proud of him.]

You should know that, and if you don't then you've been lucky. Really, I felt better than I have in days. I thought I killed Joseph. That I escaped my fate, but in the process of doing so I doomed him. Now I know better-

[And that was the problem of suddenly being free of a weight: your mouth started running and your brain had to frantically catch up.] I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gotten you involved with a dead man.

What are you sayin'?!

[ He punches the ground next to him. What is Caesar saying? He doesn't get it! He doesn't get it at all! ]

There are rights in the world! There are things that are and aren't. And I believe in that! And I believe in the heart of justice, too! [ That kid said it back then a year ago -- the heart of justice. Yes, he believes in it. So, he won't let Caesar think that there aren't things that are right, and that he should just have all this. ]

I don't understand, Caesar... this is feeling better? That's... no! Don't apologize! I don't want to hear an apology like that... because right now for me, you are alive! [ And he finishes, voicing his confusion, too. ] So, don't say that I've been lucky. I don't get it when you say things like that, anyway.

Heart of...

[That's right. He was dealing with an idiot. A moron, a buffoon. He apparently had adopted a fool. And his hamon breathing was interrupted by the ghost of a laugh, and somehow he thought that Lisa Lisa, too, would approve of this.]

Really...like I keep on saying, you're an idiot.

[His idiot, apparently: he apparently did adopt them. He didn't know if he wanted to laugh one of those hysterical, desperate laughs, or just roll into a corner and cry.] But you're also a good person. And you say I'm alive to you?

[Rhetorical question. Don't answer that.] If you're an idiot that means that you'll need someone to look out for you until you find your own way home. Whenever that is.

Ya don't have to say it so many times!

[ He swings his fist in the air, like he might punch the words if they were in front of him. Even if the question is rhetorical, he still nods after it. Of course, Caesar is alive to him. Of course, he is. ]

Well, I guess, I will. [ Okuyasu did decide that he'd start making his own decisions. But he doesn't mind the idea of someone looking out for him -- ] Only if that means I can look out for that person, too. That is only fair. Right?

Of course. But...

[...this would be easier if he-...he stood, crossed the distance between them, kneeled down again, and grabbed Okuyasu's hand...the one he used to punch the ground with, earlier. It was easier doing it like this. Caesar always felt more in his element when he was moving, touching, grabbing, punching (especially if it was Joseph), breathing, making grandiose gestures, doing grand things. Taking all of his pent up...everything and releasing it in a sweep of his hand, a movement of his fist, a gush of hamon. In the end he was a romantic.

In this case he held Okuyasu's hand like he was one soldier comforting another on the battlefield.]

I need you to give it back. You can't hold onto it for me.

[ There is a second when he looks like he might protest. He lifts his chin in defiance but he eventually nods without even a full argument. ]

Don't forget. Ya agreed! [ The two of them are going to look after each other and he nods, turning to hold Caesar's hand. He breath in and careful exhale -- it is not too much longer that he returns the pain.

That really hurt, and he feels better even with a different kind of weight on his chest. But well, they agreed so even if they aren't sharing pain... Caesar won't be alone. ]

[He feels both better and worse with all of it back. Worse because it's a weight, and a weight he was starting - just starting - to get used to having gone. Better because it was something he was used to, and at least now he could safely shut away certain things that were starting to uncoil and emerge from their hiding places.]

I remember my debts. I agreed, I won't forget. [And so, they're going to get up- Okuyasu leaning on him if he could hobble, and if not then they...it looks like the piggyback ride.] Besides, I'll need you to do me a favor later.

[ He is, at least, able to hobble next to him. It really does feel better to only have the pain of rolling down a hill bugging him -- it actually doesn't even feel that bad in comparison to the weight that he took from Caesar. ]

Huh? Ya need me to do a favor?

Of course. You said you know Jojo? Joseph. [...] Joseph Joestar. When you get back, I want you to tell him something for me. [Because it's a when and not an if.

...if it was Caesar that was doing the delivery he'd probably have a different message: if Joseph were to pop up, he'd probably have a completely different delivery entirely. (If Joseph were to pop up right that second, it would probably involve a fist.) But...] 'Thank you.' I want you to tell him that.

[When you were asking someone else to pass along a message, there really was only one choice.]

Mister Joestar, yeah. [ A small nod.

He turns his head maybe too fast at Caesar's favor to look at him, since he was looking ahead so that he would trip over his own feet again. His eyes widen as he waits for the message that he's supposed to give. ] "Thank you?" That's it?

[ All the pain in his heart and he just wants to say, 'Thank you?' Turning his head again, he looks away from Caesar as he breathes suspiciously in fast a few times. ] Mm. I'll remember to tell him that. I will, Caesar.

[He's going to pretend like he didn't see any of that.]

Don't misunderstand. Well, if it was... [...how to put it...] ...my Joseph I'd probably yell a lot more. If he were to show up right now? I'd probably punch him.

But he's not here and it's not my Jojo I'm sending a message to. And who knows how long it'll take? If I gave you a long monologue you might forget by the time you get back home. [And here, he gives Okuyasu a pat on the shoulder.] So I want to keep it simple, so you can remember.

[And that's the only reason. Really.

...really.]

[ With his free hand, he lifts it up to rub his face against the entire sleeve of his arm. He gives a few nods. It is just a lot -- the revelation that makes his head spin, accepting that pain, giving it back with conditions, and the message to give to Mister Joestar. ]

Joestar-san... uh, Mister Joestar... [ Since Joestar's American, he feels "weird" not saying 'Mister' properly, but anyway, he realizes that isn't important. ] ... he'll get that message. Yer right that I'd probably forget somethin' long to say. I'm really not too smart.

Still, I know... when he'll hear that, he'd probably start cryin'... [ Too. ] Caesar, yer really a good person, ya know?

Stop calling yourself not that smart. Yes, I'll call you an idiot, but I don't want you calling yourself an idiot.

[...] Unless you just did something. Then, yes, you can call yourself an idiot. But if you haven't done anything, then don't call yourself an idiot.

[Yes, this is known as a distraction. (He really doesn't want to think about the crying and what that means.)]

Ya don't have to say that.

[ He sniffles some as he finally gets some of his crying under control. ] I can make decisions on my own now. But I know what my weaknesses are. I know better than anyone else, ya know?

[ Another swipe at his face with his sleeve. ]

I know you know.

[I can make decisions on my own now. Now wasn't the time but...interesting turn of phrase, there.] Stop crying, Okuyasu. Breathe.

[ He does stop hobbling along and takes a deep breath. ]

I just think that's ... I really ... [ Okuyasu nods. It takes a few seconds but he finally gets his crying under control. Eyes just red and puffy but at least he's not sniffling anymore. And hesitantly adds: ]

Even my punk sensibilities can't ignore when I'm moved by something.

[...they're sharing an emotional moment, here. They're sharing a dramatic moment. They've bonded. They've talked a little. They've-] Punk sensibilities. [...snrk- no, he's coughing.]

voice; open to everyone

ACTION: HE FUCKING FOUND OKUYASU.

ACTION: CAESAR PICK-UP SERVICE

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)