glub | ( 🍓🧀 )

I promise they're all good things. [ he says with a soft sort of chuckle. there's something gentle to his voice, like he was endeared by their exchange. ] But, I think Tobari may have... about half a point there. While manners are important, I'd also like if you weren't so formal with me.

I haven't known Tobari for very long, but I plan on taking as much responsibility as I can. [ he gives a wink. ] I do modest work, but it shouldn't pose a problem for your lifestyle. Whatever it is you'd like to do, I believe I can provide you with enough support. [ he's very much downplaying the fact that he has a decent amount of money. at the very least, he'll see to it that they want for nothing if they're coming with him.

he hasn't really dropped the formality, but listen... this is tobari's family, of course he's a little nervous.

but, also why did this keep reminding me of when they introduce themselves.... jumps off a cliff ]

[ what the heck......................... suzune blinks for a few moments, visibly stunned. in part because it's rare that they're given such kindness, but also she definitely wasn't expecting to be taken care of to this extent in anyway. so she's quick to shake her head, hands waving in front of her ]

Oh—n-no, it's really alright, Mister Rafayel, we can take care of ourselves too, I promise! I've been able to take on work as a geisha and—I'm not sure if your home has the same but I'd work very hard to make sure we're not an imposition...

A-And Tobari's awful with nobles and can never watch himself and the only really redeeming thing about him is his looks, but he somehow ends up finding honest work anyway! [ SOMEHOW. she doesn't know about the terrorism. but she continues to fret, clasping her hands together in front of her ] You're so kind... This isn't the first time we've started from scratch so really, we can make ourselves useful too...

[ tobari will sigh then, stepping up so that he's next to suzune and nudging her lightly ]

We won't cause problems for him—but don't get all worked up about debts. [ that's for tobari to worry about, but he won't say it aloud after raf already scolded him over it ] Isn't there something else you're forgetting to say first?

Eh? Ah... that's right—mm, well, thank you, Mister Rafayel. More than anything... Thank you so much. I'm looking forward to knowing you better too...

[ he didn't expect the sudden reaction, and it almost makes him laugh. he tries not to, though. there's just an amused sort of smile. ] I see it runs in the family. [ speaking of debts and always worrying about not imposing on someone else. ]

But, I also know how hard it is to adjust to a new place. [ considering they're all probably calling land the "surface world," that's probably evidence enough that they're all relatively removed from what most would consider "normal." regardless, he gives a small shake of his head. ] Like Tobari said, there's nothing for you to worry about. I'm sure your brother will make himself useful with that face of his. He was pretty popular here too.

[ teasing... because he needs to bank on this now while he still can.

is it time to pat her on the head like a lads... since tobari won't accept it from him.

that said, he ends up just hovering his hand over her head, before withdrawing it awkwardly. ] Also, me too, Suzune. Thanks for coming back with me. [ he says in a way to dissolve some of the pressure she may still feel. ]

[ whether they're from the sea or the sky, they sure aren't from the surface... suzune is still much more obedient and darling than tobari, so she wasn't going to deny headpats—even when he pulls away before actually delivering, she just looks endeared. instead, she looks up at rafayel with such clear adoration in her eyes compared to the scathing glares she was directing at tobari ]

Eh... Tobari still managed to be popular...? I guess I shouldn't underestimate his charms, few as they are... [ but she does relax a little bit into a smile with rafayel's reassurance (and partially tobari's intervention). wah.... ] ... thank you very much for opening your home to us.

[ she says it a little more softly, betraying some of the emotions that she inevitably feels. as adaptable as she tries to be, this is still a lot to wake up to. ]

I think, even if he hasn't said it to you himself, Tobari is very fortunate to have met you. I know I feel very lucky already.

[ tobari just sighs next to her, grumbling a half-hearted 'oi' because he doesn't need a translator!! he's perfectly capable of communication! ]

[ tobari's face through all of this... really is just comedy gold. something for rafayel to reflect back on later.

for now, he also guesses it's a lot for any single person to take it. he decides they should also be more relaxed about it and take it in stride. hence, he also tries to relax his own posture, and be a little more at ease, as if to show her it's okay not to put on pretenses.

that said, his eyes to widen at her words as he blinks. ] I don't know about that.

[ but, he does appreciate her saying that. even now, he knows tobari may have forgiven him on paper, but it didn't mean he forgets his own crimes. regardless, of its results. ] But, I'll take your word for it. If he has any disagreements, he can save them for later.

I figure I can put out a suggestion box by the front door or something?

[ mournfully: ] He'd ignore it...

He's gotten so used to being in charge that he acts as though no rules apply to him... While I'm sure that he's able to do well with a certain crowd, I don't know how he's gotten to make and keep a friend like you, Mister Rafayel. You really must be so patient and forgiving to put up with him...

[ the absolute disbelief of tobari's expression when rafayel is described as PATIENT ]

Yeah, it is kinda of a toughie. I mean, there isn't anyone out there who doesn't get feelings hurt. But, I guess you could say I was born patient. [ he's going along with this, yeah. he's even going to smugly give tobari the side eye. ]

I mean, I still don't know if he'd consider me much of a friend.

[ WHAT

SHE GASPS AND WHIRLS TO GLARE AT TOBARI ]

Tobari! How emotionally inept can you be?!

What the fuck. Both of you.

[ ACCUSED OF POOR COMMUNICATION AND BEING SOCIALLY INEPT IN THE SAME MINUTE? he needs a second to recover ]

[ the gasp is taking me out...

the drama ensuing from this. rafayel is enjoying every second of it. even if— ] That's no way to speak to your sister, little one. [ going to try and ruffle tobari's hair, even if he hates it. or at least put an arm around him. ]

Keep your hand to yourself unless you want it broken.

[ he'd endure an arm around him but if rafayel tried to ruffle his hair for real he'd get his arm pinned behind his back ]

[ suzune just looks sooooooooo disappointed ]

Tobari, is it any wonder that people don't believe you have friends when you act this way...

[ SHE REALLY KEEPS SAYING WHATEVER SHE WANTS ABOUT HIM ]

[ funny you say that, because that's also how mc treats him... ]

You touched me a lot more than this before.

[ sorry he's doing this in front of god (suzune) and everyone...

that said, he does play it off easily enough. ] He has... friends?

[ okay

well suzune has lived in the red light district for as long as tobari so she's not scandalized but she does look at rafayel a little bit longer after that comment? ]

Oh... Oh I see...

[ what does she see ]

... he's rather popular in the district despite his foul mouth and short temper. The women especially ask about him often, but he's always rebuffed their attentions, so you shouldn't have to worry, Mister Rafayel.

[ okay he can't just sit by with this one: ] Suzune. Enough. He's just fucking around.

[

he doesn't even know if this is true he just doesn't need to watch his sister try to wingman him in real time ]

[ oh...

at the voluntary information that she releases, rafayel can't help but to blink a few times. it may have been his own fault she came to that conclusion, but the idea that she offers up that information... he is clearly recalibrating for a second before: ] Thanks. Does that mean I have your support?

[ he decides to play it off. he's already had enough heartbreak for one day, honestly.

also since his arm is around tobari, he's also trying to cover his mouth. ]

[ WHAT

YOU BITCH, HE'S BITING ]

[ ignoring tobari ]

To be honest with you, Mister Rafayel, I think that you can probably do much better than Tobari............

Hey, that hurts— [ pulling his hand away and shaking it.

before, he tries to compose himself in front of suzune. tobari??? hello?? he is trying to seem like a responsible host here??? but, at her words— ] You think so...? [ says rafayel who just got bitten by tobari... ]

[ he flips him off. fuck off ]

[ meanwhile, suzune just nods solemnly... ]

You already seem so kind and generous... Perhaps Tobari is able to charm people somehow, but you shouldn't have to endure everything about him that's so annoying... He's short-tempered and quick to fight, and doesn't take responsibility for when he causes problems!

[ LIKE BITING PEOPLE ]

I suppose there's no accounting for... taste... but since I think you are a wonderful person, I would hope that you reconsider. However, since I know just as well that there's no helping how feelings may develop, I will support whatever makes you happiest!

[ tobari just looks at rafayel tiredly like

did you see what you've done

did you look at what you've started with his precious baby sister now having a grave misunderstanding (might not be that big of a misunderstanding) (tobari will treat it like one until further notice) ]

But, isn't that why we have you? When things get tough in the home, I think you being around will already make it much better. I was worried I'd be bullied, otherwise. [ going to wink at tobari when he thinks suzune isn't looking.

that said, he does nod emphatically as he takes her hand in his. he gives it a reassuring squeeze before releasing it in the same breath, trying not to oversstep. ]

Either way, I think I think we'll be just fine.

[ right, tobari?

is it time to go... can suzune be free... ]

[ tobari feels like he's entirely lost the plot on this exchange ]

[ when he takes her hand, she jumps a little bit in surprise—but she doesn't pull away at all. instead, at his words, she just beams so happily ]

... yes! Best of luck, Mister Rafayel! I'll always be in your corner!

[ suzune wearing a t-shirt that just says 'dump him' ]

[ but tobari just rolls his eyes—and decides that he will simply talk with rafayel about this later. don't imply to his baby sister that they're dating you freak, what the fuck

they can go..... goodbye purgatory......... this is the answer to yaywon's crashout that in one specific line of events that aren't canon, tobari and suzune get to go home with rafayel

makes you decide what the actual linkon living set up would be like ]

[ she's cute...

rafayel gets the distinct feeling that tobari was right. not that he'd ever admit that. not that there was anything to rebuff, but he didn't necessarily like giving tobari the win when he didn't have to. that said, he does end up leaving purgatory behind a little lighter.

even when he knows he's leaving the one he loves back into the world and version of him that she inevitably belongs to.

... though, he guesses it's the same for tobari.

when they return to linkon, it's relatively busy. between ensuring they're settled in, and finding a place that's in his aunt's name as opposed to his own. considering he lives on a private island, it's hard to find a place nearby, and so for now, he does allow them space in his home to get settled in. but, when it comes to suzune's educational endeavors, he does believe somewhere in the city would be better in the long run. but, this is food for thought for later, though. getting them assimilated to linkon came first.

i love how yaywon is just the ultimate source of canon... whips...

maybe after a few months is when rafayel eventually hands tobari keys to a new apartment talia has purchased, and a key to his house too. ]

For the record, I'm not kicking you out. I just think this would be better for you two.

[ i think about how in a matter of months, tobari goes from being relatively calm to being the most restless person on planet earth. linkon is new and welcome and full of opportunity. there isn't a single second where he stops being grateful for rafayel—but it's also clear evidence of what happens when someone has dedicated their entire being to the service of others and then suddenly finds themselves with... quite frankly too much free time.

he doesn't unleash his stress on rafayel or suzune—rather, he's so grateful that his sister is able to continue her performance practices. she's dedicated to her craft and art even now, and that's able to keep her occupied even as tobari makes her study what teenagers her age should be studying but he also thinks she's at an age where she can still go to school. tobari does his own insane level of self-study, learning as much as he can about the entire world through books, articles, news segments. when his head feels too crammed with information, he wanders off to the beach and teaches himself how to swim because trying not to drown is a good way to expel all other thoughts. or sometimes he'll go to the city himself and disappear for a day, just so he can understand the landscape better.

all that said, even though he's in agreement that the city would be better for suzune and in some ways even better for tobari—he takes the keys with some level of contemplation. ]

... you'll be alright?

[ he knows rafayel did just fine for ages before he and suzune ever got here. but. for some reason, leaving him behind also puts a weird taste in tobari's mouth. ]

[ the question honestly throws him off. tobari was not unlike seaweed that's been unrooted from the bottom of the ocean, floating through its depths to finally make friends with the surface. he seemed to be floating around, attempting to find his own sense of purpose, and while rafayel's spared no amount of effort in attempting to help him through, he also found himself enraptured in a work or two. maybe the inspiration of purgatory and being so closed to where both death and the world beyond were so close... was inevitable. however, he does sometimes feel bad that he may have been too absorbed in his own craft.

without thomas and talia, he probably would have dragged this process out longer? or maybe a part of him wanted that too. to live in this illusion that they could be some sort of happy family together. ... this may have only been made more awkward by the days he does end up lingering close within a certain hunter's periphery...

but, it's clear they're nothing more than acquaintances, and he wonders... if his attachment to tobari also made him stuck in his own version of purgatory all over again? regardless, he does end up answering the question after a long pause of consideration. ]

You do know I used to live alone before this, yeah?

[ said with a small huff, but it is kind of gentle. not unlike he's saying goodbye. ]

Besides, if I say I'm not, it's not like you're going to stay, right?

[ tobari can handle himself. he's certain of that. the thing is he's also very sure that suzune can handle herself. the question from rafayel makes tobari look at him as though he's grown a second head ]

... are you stupid?

[ they keep answering questions with questions, but at least tobari will follow up with— ]

Of course I'd stay, you moron. Suzune and I didn't even live together before we got here. Men aren't allowed to stay in the okiya.

[ tobari's been going insane but that's just because being stuck in flux is the worst fate for a workaholic ]

[ he opens his mouth...

then closes it. he then opens it again. ]

Then are you saying you want to stay...?

[ if his words are cautious, it's because they are. it's almost like he's worried tobari is a small, delicate woodland creature, and that any move could scare him off. obviously, this couldn't be any further from reality, but that's just how in his own head rafayel is about this. ]

[ the way that rafayel overwhelmingly obviously wants tobari to stay more than suzune wants him to come with her. it'd be one thing if suzune wanted her brother to be with her, but if anything she'd complain more about tobari being overbearing... so, ]

Yes. Moron. Why would I want to leave you behind?

[ said with a sigh LIKE HE'S THE ONE BEING PUT UPON! NO! ]

Suzune still has to go to school, so we won't waste Miss Talia's kindness. But we can just spend the weekend getting her settled and I'm sure she'll love the freedom. I'll have to check on her from time to time but she'd probably be more relieved to hear that I'm not coming with her.

[ even though for safety reasons tobari is like. should we get her a guard dog? ]

[ his words are as rough as always. no hint of him pulling any verbal punches, and still— rafayel feels strangely comforted by them. he gives a small sigh, as if he's exasperated, even when in reality... his emotions couldn't be anymore opposite of that. ]

I think you just admitted yourself that you can be a bit much.

[ when it comes to suzune, he means. as sharp of a tongue as tobari possesses, he knows just how much he cares for suzune. what it means for him to have her in his life, and also ... he can see her flourishing in this new world, too. at times, he marvels at how much easier of a time it seems they had opposed to him... food for thought, even if not now specifically. ]

But... you really are making it hard to tell you to go. Just so you know, if you do stay, you can't take it back later. Even if you wanna pull all your hair out, or want to live closer to the city.

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