lifenet | voice; dec 10

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voice; dec 10

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.

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... 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.

[ 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!

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.

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. ]

[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?

[ 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. ]

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.

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!

[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?

[ ... 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...

[she's not, anymore.]

[-- ah.]

[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.

[ In the meantime, while Ichimatsu is left to steam in the news, Jyushimatsu has relented and closed the door of his cottage, remaining inside. He wants to run into his brother so badly and offer comfort, but getting himself frozen wouldn't make for a heartwarming reunion, so...

When Ichimatsu contacts him again, he blows heat in his already covered hands. ]ù

I'm at, uh... [ Trying to recollect details about his address, stand by. ] ... Islet number 3! Second cottage from the right? I think... oh, and...

[ He looks over at the pile of stuff he haphazardly gathered up since he arrived. ]

I think there's this... thing that can keep up warm for a while! [ The Live Coal, which he didn't think of using just yet. ] So hurry up!

['Thing'...? A kotatsu is probably too much to hope for, right? He's afraid to ask, but if it's good enough for the notoriously cold-hating Jyushimatsu, then it's probably legit. Anyway, he needs some time to stew and meet with the Drifter, so he'll figure it out soon enough.]

'Kay. See you.

[...]

[It's just about an hour later, in fact, that there's a scraping sound coming from outside the cottage door. A moment later, Ichimatsu drags it open without so much as a knock, already shrugging his backpack off and letting it thud onto the floor. The drawl in his voice stands in stark contrast to the snappy, almost urgent body language he's using.]

I'm home~... Jyushimatsu, you in here?

[ The entire hour was spent in awful impatience, with Jyushimatsu pacing the entire perimeter of his cottage at least some hundred times, teeth grinding, fists curled nervously within his yellow sleeves. Ichimatsu said he will be here, and yet, after experiencing some pretty dangerous stuff out there, Jyushimatsu is legitimately afraid for his brother's safety. Maybe it was best to refuse the suggestion to wait inside and just bound off to find him.

As feelings of regret assault him and keep him walking around and around, he barely notices the sound of a door opening.

When he hears Ichimatsu's voice reaching his ears for real and not through a stone, Jyushimatsu stops frozen in his tracks... then proceeds to run full speed at his identical twin. ]

ICHIMATSU-NIISAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!

[ ... aaaand he's next clinging like a koala onto his nii-san, after scoring a full baseball-slide kind of tackle. ]

[Conclusion: this is definitely the right house.]

[The moment his brother comes speeding at him like a bullet train, Ichimatsu braces himself for impact, just barely managing not to let himself get thrown to the floor like a ragdoll by the force of it. As soon as he regains his balance, Ichimatsu raises both hands, one coming to rest on Jyushimatsu's back as the other one ruffles his hair soothingly. His little brother had it hard, huh... ? The second youngest has always been affectionate, of course, but this reaction just feels amplified somehow. Maybe because Ichimatsu is projecting his own joy, a little bit, his own relief at not being the only one here anymore.]

Oi, Jyushimatsu... c'mon now.

[Ugh, his voice is wavering, damn it... he knew it. Ichimatsu sniffles a bit, but there are absolutely no tears, so don't go calling him out okay?? In either case, he finally pauses to pull away a bit, trying to get a good look at his brother after so many months of separation. After all, he still doesn't know exactly how long he's been gone - or how much of that time period Jyushimatsu's been here, for that matter.]

[At least on Ichimatsu's side, he looks largely the same: his hair is an inch or so longer, and even more of an unkempt mess thanks to his regular attacks at it with a knife. He's also got a line of stubble all the way down his jawline, nor is he as pale as he used to be. Everything else is starkly the same.]

[ Two months without family by his side kind of shifted Jyushimatsu's view of things, it made him feel weird and uncomfortable the same way he felt when they all first left their house to live independently. But it's okay! Now that Ichimatsu is back, everything can just go back to crazy normal! No need to wrap his head around it even farther than he already did.

Ichimatsu is warm and soft and super comfortable to hug, like always. His smell changed a bit and so did his face and hair, but it's still the same cat lover Jyushimatsu is so fond of.

After those weeks spent in the island, Jyushimatsu's appearance also changed a bit. His hoodie and shorts are miracolously not as tattered as they would be already, but they're definitely stained in some spots. His bowlcut also grew a little without the usual care to cut it identically to his other brothers. There are various bandages on his legs, more than the usual he gets after playing around too much back home.

That's about it, though. His smile is unwavering and wide like always. Not even being alone for that long put a dent in that. ]

Nii-saaaaannn... [ He repeats, like a dog whining, not at all wanting to break the hug as the snuggles are getting warmer. ] It's so good to see you again!

[RIP their copy/pasted grooming standards, but Ichimatsu almost prefers it this way. Maybe people won't mistake them for each other as much.... though if we're talking obvious differences, the fourth and fifth brothers were probably the easiest to tell apart anyway.]

[Ichimatsu doesn't miss those extra few bandages, either - but he doesn't call them out for now. A few more bumps and scrapes in this kind of environment are to be expected; as long as the wounds underneath aren't serious, which he'll pay attention to whenever those come off. After losing the first aid kit that he'd kept from Karamatsu's things the first time he was here, it's a relief to see that his brother has access to bandages at all. He'll have to ask about that later.]

[Right now - he's just soaking it all in. One of the best things about Jyushimatsu's constant moving around is that it usually means he's nice and warm. Which, speaking of... Ichimatsu's smile turns crookedly mischievous.]

Aa, I missed you too, Jyushimatsu...

[So naturally, he lifts his cold fingers and whips them towards his twin's belly, trying to get at the warm skin underneath the sweater. Tonight we die like men.]

[ Fun fact: he's still very much repulsed by cold.

So when Ichimatsu gets his horribly chill fingers over Jyushimatsu's belly without a warning, the situation goes frenzy quite fast.

It's like a cat suddenly seeing a cucumber in all its awful greenery. He leaps so high his head hits the cottage's ceiling, and pain doesn't even register when he takes several steps back, covering up his whole torso with both his sleeves and giving his older brother a borderline scandalized look. ]

Et tu, nii-san?! What was that for? It's damn cold!!!

[ As an evidence, he's now shuddering all over. Good thing his reflexes didn't have him punch Ichimatsu instead. That would have been the opposite of a heartwarming reunion. ]

[He's half-expecting to be punched, so it's lucky that he isn't. Such are the dangers of the trade. It just means he gets to snicker at his brother as Jyushimatsu plays the part of a cat and backs away from him. This, too, is brotherly love.]

[Also his hands were just cold.]

Eh... sorry, sorry. I thought things were going too well, so we should keep things balanced.

[Maybe that episode hasn't happened for him yet, but he's always been firm believer in karma. Though the excuse itself might actually be a bald-faced lie, considering Ichimatsu looks very pleased with himself.]

You're pretty warm, though.

[ Puffing his cheeks, offended, Jyushimatsu doesn't think his bro is being totally truthful... there needs to be more Punishment.

He marches back to Ichimatsu and grabs his face, starting to pull and stretch the cheeks. Matsus are made of marshmallow so that's plausible. ]

Not enough balance, in my humble opinion!

[ Pull, pull, puuuullll! ]

Is this warm enough for you? [ Well his sleeves are warm right now, fortunately. ]

[lmskd you little shit]

I dunno... by hingers still heel cold! Helb be out, Jyushibatsu!

[And he proceeds to take the two fingers on his right hand and shove them up his brother's nose. Of note, yes, they are still very cold.]

[ ... THIS. IS. WAR. ]

You're so gross, nii-san! [ He shrieks in a nasal voice because OF THEM DAMN FINGERS. ] Thanks for cleaning the snot off my nostrils, tho! Let me repay you!

[ And then he frees one of Ichimatsu's cheeks just so he can grab the other's left hand and stick it into his mouth, biting it!!! ]

Gngk! You little --!

[He has both hands in some kind of orifice in his brother's face and can't hit him, so instead, he justs sort of jerks forward to shoulder-check-slash-headbutt Jyushimatsu directly. Whichever works, he's just trying to knock them both to the floor anyway.]

How am I the gross one here?!

[ Ichimatsu's in luck, because Jyushimatsu loses balance and topples over once the headbutt kind of connects with his jaw. There's a loud thud as his back hits the floor, which results in him biting his big brother's hand harder. There won't be too much blood but the bite mark will probably stay there for a few days.

Growling, he manages to pluck Ichimatsu's fingers off his nose, and then stop whatever he was doing with his hands just to... stick both his thumbs into Ichimatsu's nostrils instead. This is ordinary administration for them. ]

I don't wanna hear that from the smelliest nii-san around!

[ Though three months in a desert island without hot baths weren't kind on Jyushi either. ]

voice; dec 10

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