voice; dec 10

[ichininyaanshi]

Tch... this place sucks as much as ever.

[The voice that filters over the network sounds like it belongs to someone who would rather be doing literally anything else. Which is accurate. Ichimatsu doesn't exactly do public speaking. Hell, he hates even answering the phone back home with every strand of his DNA - which says something, considering he's got five other peoples' worth of DNA to speak of. But this is the fastest way he can think of to deal with his situation. At least he doesn't have to show his face; no way would he be able to do this then.]

[There's a slight sound of crunching snow in the background.]

Hey, all of you. Not that I'm gonna stop anyone, but don't bother going up into the snowy areas. It's cold as hell and there's suspicious-looking berries everywhere. Stupid-looking monsters, too. Dunno what the hell any of 'em do, but I'd stay away from all of it if I were you. You'll probably die.

[Why, exactly, Ichimatsu himself is up in the higher elevations of Ensō... he doesn't seem to feel like sharing. He wouldn't even bother pretending to be a good citizen and put this warning out at all if he didn't have an ulterior motive. The crunch of his footfalls pause.]

... oh, and if you recognize this voice, let me know. If you don't... then don't worry about it.

Comments

voice!!!

[yakyuuman]

ICHIMATSU-NIISAN IS THAT YOU???

[ Hi, enjoy your little brother possibly blowing your ear off with his explosive happy voice. ]

[ichininyaanshi]

... Jyushimatsu.

[His voice is as monotone as usual, but someone who knows him as well as his little brother does can likely tell with ease how relieved he actually is. He'd been pretty sure that Jyushimatsu would be here, of course... but it would have been way too cruel if he wasn't.]

Yeah. Sorry for making you wait.

[yakyuuman]

[ No one should wish a loved one to return to such a hellish place, but Jyushimatsu's too happy to really care. Sharing the pain is caring. ]

Where are you? I hear snow! It's too cold outside, nii-san!

[ichininyaanshi]

Yeah... it's so cold I could die.

[Truly, Ichimatsu sounds distressed beyond measure. He's actually fine. He's still wearing what he'd had the last time he was here, which is a fleece-lined hoodie and sneakers... so while his legs are cold as hell, the rest of him is pretty much alright. It's even a nice break from sweating himself to death in the archipelago's humid climate.]

[Still. He starts walking again.]

I went home to my tree as soon as I got here, but while I was there, I saw some snow up in the mountains and decided to check it out. It doesn't snow normally, you know. Anyway, it sucks up here, so I'm leaving.

[yakyuuman]

Please don't die before I find you, nii-san!

[ Jyushimatsu's voice is chipper as ever, but he's pretty worried about the wellbeing of his big brother and anxiety builds up the longer he stays in his cottage doing nothing. He stands up while listening to Ichimatsu's explanation, and then he blares at the other's ear as he prepares to go out. ]

I'm gonna come fetch you and take you to my cottage! It's a bit warmer than outside at least, and there's a bed we can share!

[ Like the old, futon-sharing times. ]

[ichininyaanshi]

[A pause.]

Hn... you're staying at a cottage, huh?

[Devoid of tone as he usually is, it's Ichimatsu's turn to sound concerned; something that only a person close to him like Jyushimatsu may be able to hear. His earliest memories of this place were sharing a cottage with Osomatsu and Karamatsu, and the entire reason he abandoned it to literally go live in a tree was because he couldn't tolerate how huge and empty the space felt once they were gone. Maybe it isn't as hard for Jyushimatsu, having been by alone from the start...]

[... but Ichimatsu has his doubts.]

All by yourself?

[yakyuuman]

[ He catches on the hint that Ichimatsu is not that happy with his reply, but with no context he can only silently wonder what would be wrong about living in a cottage instead of trees.

Actually... trees would have been a more fun option, he would totally live in a tree if he wasn't so sure the Winter would have killed him, but he also picked something bigger with the idea his brothers might turn up here again. Which he wasn't wrong about, since Ichimatsu has just now returned. ]

Yeah! It was a bit lonely but I've got good neighbors all around!

[ He wraps himself in a fur coat that was kindly gifted to him. There's a surprised "BOEH" sound coming out when he opens the door and is invested by the Winter chill, making him almost regret the decision to go out. ]

[ichininyaanshi]

Is that so...

[Doubt still colors his voice, but Ichimatsu doesn't push it any further. The fact that Jyushimatsu admits to being lonely at all gives him some relief - not because he wanted his brother to feel lonely, of course, but because it probably means that he's telling the truth about his neighbors. There are some real assholes around here, but there are plenty of nice people too. Hopefully it hasn't been too hard on him.]

[Either way: he sure as hell isn't the only Matsuno here anymore. And if Ichimatsu is honest? As far as brothers go, of course he'd want to see Jyushimatsu the most.]

... ne, Jyushimatsu. Sorry, but... can you wait a little longer? I need to make a stop somewhere. We can meet up wherever you want after that.

[yakyuuman]

Ehhh?

[ His voice reveals a bit of sadness with some bit of petulant childishness. He wants to see nii-san right now! The fact they just met in the dream world shortly before doesn't mean he's still not pervaded by the wish to tackle Ichimatsu and feel the tangible presence of a brother again. Jyushimatsu would have reacted the same with all his other brothers, but with Ichimatsu even moreso. ]

Where are you going? [ He asks, before the sound of a meow Ichimatsu can recognize very well accompanies it. ] ... Ah, I forgot to tell you - ESP Kitty is here!

[ichininyaanshi]

[Of course he wants to see his little brother too, more than anything - the fact that his memories from home are fresher than they used to be doesn't mean that he's forgotten living by himself for over a year. In fact, he's half-afraid he's going to lose his composure as soon as he lays eyes on Jyushimatsu. The last thing he needs to do in his new role as the reliable Ichimatsu-niisan is snivel all over his little brother.]

I know, I know... I really am sorry. But I was talking to a friend before this and promised I'd swing by to check on them. Their health is kinda... [he trails.] Anyway, I'll make it quick, so --

[Hold. What was that? Ichimatsu is silent for a beat, and then abruptly backpedals, his voice switching gears from apologetic to vaguely alarmed.]

... yeah. Ren-chan is taking care of ESP. Right?

[yakyuuman]

[ ... Record scratch.

He knew, from the moment ESP Kitty meowed, that he had to give the Bad News. If his brother has just arrived, he wouldn't know about it, and... Jyushimatsu really hates being the bearer of such info. But he also wouldn't wish to have Ichimatsu find out on his own. He's glad this is only a voice chat, because he's frowning hard at the stone. ]

Actually, uh... you know when we met at the dream? Well, Ren-chan was... still around, then.

[ His voice is quieter than he's comfortable with... but he can't say this in any other tone. ]

Now she's not, anymore...

1/2

[ichininyaanshi]

[she's not, anymore.]

[-- ah.]

[ichininyaanshi]

[The new, reliable Ichimatsu-niisan needs a moment. He's silent for a few dead beats, the sound of the connection muffling as his fist closes around the Farstone and he shoves it into his pocket. There's nothing over the line except a whisper of muted noises - crunching snow, violent footstomps, unintelligible muttering and chattering teeth.]

[Then another quick burst of wind as Ichimatsu whips the stone back out of his pocket. His voice is a bit strained, but absolutely calm.]

Fine. That doesn't matter right now, anyway. I don't want to miss you, so can you stay at home for me, Jyushimatsu? Just tell me which cottage you're in.

text

[hyperlit]

YOU ARE BACK

[This is the Drifter's only way of expressing excitement and alarm and any number of things. Things they cannot put into words, and cannot communicate in many other ways. Should they be excited, relieved? Or should they be sorrowful, that he has returned to a place he dislikes?]

[Their own feelings on the matter aren't as relevant. Are they?]

HOW LONG AGO

[ichininyaanshi]

[The excessive capslock is... kind of cute, though he'd readily die before admitting it. He also knows who this is without even checking, and it stings Ichimatsu somewhere he didn't even think could still register the feeling of guilt.]

[They missed him, did they.]

[He isn't really the miracle here, though; not in his eyes. The Drifter. They're still here, and still... well. Here. It's hard to think about it any sort of way that doesn't bring up way too many complicated emotions, so Ichimatsu does what he does best, and pushes all that stuff away to cut right to the heart of the matter.]

Mm. I am. [There's a slight pause as he considers their question.] About a day now, I guess. Wasn't really keeping track.

[hyperlit]

[They missed him?]

[No. There was no way of knowing. He could have arrived at any point, and if it were to go unannounced, they'd never realize unless they happened to run into him by chance.]

went home?

[ichininyaanshi]

[His first thought is that they mean the tree nest he'd claimed as his living space the last time he was here, and - no. That's not home, or even the facsimile of one it used to be. He's already stopped by; seen it picked clean by scavengers or wildlife or whatever else. Didn't see Yachin or Pachinko there, but maybe the blanket he'd left there with his scent will draw them back. He'll check again in the morning.]

[Then, a few seconds later, he realizes the other possible interpretation of that question.]

... not sure. I don't really remember anything new, but I sure as hell haven't been here. [It's a bit troubling, honestly; the memories from home are fresh, somehow crisper than the ones of this world, but none of them are new. Maybe he died back home or something and came straight back, who knows.] ... any chance you remember the last time we talked?

[hyperlit]

yes

[The answer is immediately. Of course they remember. Of course they do. How could they forget something like that?]

many months ago [Their understanding of any sort of easily parsable timeline isn't the greatest. Many months ago. And then...well, then there's a long span of time in which he wasn't there anymore.]

many months

[ichininyaanshi]

[... they answered quickly. That doesn't surprise him as much as it would have once upon a time, but what does catch him a little bit off-guard is what they write afterwards. "Months" is about in line with what he was expecting - at least based on what Jyushimatsu told him - but their repetition of the statement... needless. Emphasis isn't like them.]

[Not that he can decipher what exactly is going through their head; but he notices it nonetheless.]

... I see. That long.

[what else can he say? they've had extensive conversations about this very subject, after all. About who would disappear first; one way or another. About leaving people behind, even. That it'd hurt.]

[No. There is something else he can say.]

W-well... I know I kept saying it could happen, but... it wasn't on purpose, you know.

I'm sorry.

[hyperlit]

not your fault

[They have perfect faith, after all, that if it were the end, if there was no hope that he'd be returning, if he knew it was coming - that he would not be like them. He would not slink away without some signal, without some token, of his goodbye.]

[There's no question of it in their mind. The fact that he apologizes at all simply compounds this belief.]

good that you are back

[ichininyaanshi]

Is it?

[The question slips out from him before the filter can catch it, but if anything, it lacks the usual bitterness of his doubt - he sounds genuinely surprised. He knew he'd be missed if anything happened to him, which is exactly what made all of his friendships here so painful. For a guy who just goes and hurts and hurts and hurts other people whenever his feelings get hurt... he can't imagine welcoming someone back so easily. So kindly. Without a shred of resentment.]

[Then again; it's the Drifter. Not Matsuno Ichimatsu.]

[It's not like he minds being back again either, though, and that surprises him more than anything else. He's even got Jyushimatsu this time. How can he complain? All in all, everything seems to even each other out. Mere seconds after voicing his doubt, Ichimatsu comes to the realization that he actually agrees with them.]

... yeah, I guess you're right. It'd be shitty of me to not at least try and see things through by this point.

[hyperlit]

do not wish to be here?

[Is it selfish of them to think that? To be grateful for his presence, when...]

[The last time they had talked, hemmed in by wicked doubles of themselves, and everything they'd endured jointly prior to that point. Spitting up flowers and half-truths in an effort to stave off the sickness that was attempting to consume them (the sickness that wasn't even the same as the one already ravaging them alive), and a million other terrible, harrowing things faced both separately and together.]

[They are meant to be more selfless than this.]

[ichininyaanshi]

[Ichimatsu holds back a sigh. Sometimes, he and Drifter seem incompatible in the most basic ways - he says a lot of shit that he barely means, and they take his words at face value all too often. It can be frustrating for both of them, but...]

[... that's just how they are, after all. Someone who doesn't doubt or question the people they consider friends. There's nothing in him that wants to change that about them. And, well, he would be lying if he said it wasn't a comfort in its own right, to see things are exactly the same between them now even though he's been gone.]

No, that's not it. [He pauses.] Well, it's complicated, but... don't sweat the other stuff. I'm glad to be back, too. Let's leave it at that, alright?

[His voice is low and warm. There's no lie in it at all. Ichimatsu's feelings are truly mixed about being here, but Ichimatsu's feelings are always mixed about literally everything in his life, so it's more of an existential background resonance at this point.]

[hyperlit]

[He tells them to let it go.]

[They don't want to push something that might be a pointless effort. He doesn't wish to address it. Does not wish to discuss it. When they've done the same - it is an act that they would want to be respected.]

[So if their selfishness can be indulged here, then perhaps his should be as well. It is only fair.]

ok

[Let it lie.]

[It does not have to endure if they do not let it.]

house may be empty now

[ichininyaanshi]

Ah, yeah... it is. I already stopped by. [He does sigh this time, audibly, and it's accompanied by a soft scritching sound, like he's rubbing the short hairs on the back of his head.] It's fine, though... not like I had much in there.

[Not much that he'll miss, anyway. Except - Karamatsu's guitar. For some reason that thought catches against his skull like a burr, and he has to tear it out and let it go like everything else. He didn't even play it that much. Still kinda pisses him off to think that someone or something just took off with it, though...]

... actually, I'm more worried about Pachinko and Yachin. I know you probably haven't been by in a while, but... any chance you've seen 'em around?