Thistle and Weeds

[dishevelment]

Who: Cosmic Indulgence, Junkyard Carnival, their friends, and YOU
What: Things have changed in recent weeks, personally and professionally. People need to meet. Things need to be discussed
When: Latter part of March
Where: All around Vista City
Warnings: Carnies, Squalo, etc. Things get wild with these guys.



[Insert your prompts as needed, folks. This is a catch-all for everyone to react!]

Comments

3

[twoscompany]

[Koumei's not the only one at the diner. Garnet's there, too, staring at her own milkshake, her eyes emotionlessly glazed over in weariness. There's a paper in front of her. Several, actually. None of them look like anything she's written down.

She doesn't even notice Koumei as she lifts her head up to look around, before returning to her drink.]

3

[dishevelment]

[Ah. There Garnet was, lost in her own mind again. Sucking on his milkshake for a moment, he found himself wondering once again about what she must have been thinking behind those eyes of hers...and kicking himself for not being able to protect her properly, like he knew that he should be able to.

Rationally, it wasn't his fault-- just like he could never have predicted certain movements on that battlefield without going against his core beliefs.

...At least watching her was a nice break from his feverish writing. The strange lettering system still hadn't really registered in his mind, and it was doubtful that it would unless something else came up. For the moment, wondering about Garnet was more interesting.]

3

[twoscompany]

[It took her some time to notice Koumei, to notice anyone else in the room, really. Once she does, though, Koumei will notice her sliding into the other side of his booth, quietly grasping her own drink.]

...How long have you been here?

3

[dishevelment]

A while, [he confessed, setting his pen aside as Garnet slid into the adjacent seat.] I needed to get out of the apartment a bit to think-- and not in a place where someone would encourage me to get drunk.

[Because he'd have been surprised if Garnet hadn't notice how frequently he'd been hanging out with Squalo in recent weeks. Manticore's apartment was a relatively safe place, where people wouldn't ask him questions or anything. ]

[twoscompany]

A good idea.

[Don't worry. She's noticed, even with everything happening. Her glass clinks on the table, papers rustle on her side, and there's something clearly on her mind.]

People tend to loosen their lips when they're drunk, after all. I'm sorry I didn't notice you, just now, though. Just a lot of paperwork I'm looking through.

[...One of those papers has a key attached to it.]

[dishevelment]

...So it seems, [he said mildly, noticing the key. He shifted slightly, hand moving unconsciously to make sure his button up shirt stayed closed while he tried to peer at some of those papers.]

What's all this about?

[twoscompany]

...

[She ashamedly looks down at the question. Quietly tugging the paper out of the pile, she picks it up, staring at it. When she speaks, her tone is flat, no-nonsense.]

Lesedi came to me this morning.

I'm leaving the penthouse. This is the deed of ownership, for a new place out on the beach. A reward for what I've been doing; she told me to my face I'm one of the biggest stars Pride's currently got right now.

She didn't say anything about the rest of the band.

[dishevelment]

...She didn't give you a choice.

[It wasn't a question, but a comment-- Garnet wouldn't be one to give up on what they had so easily, unless something else was in the picture.]

[twoscompany]

She...she let me choose where I could live.

[She knows that's not what he meant. It was an illusion of choice, really. But having Lesedi call her to a lounge, looking over properties, having those eyes stare at her as Garnet sifted through what was available--just being in her presence is terrifying, knowing what Lesedi does and can do. The CEO's shadow permeates all in Pride, and that includes Garnet.

This only shows her, the more she proves herself, the more she tries to save those she cares for, the more the shadow germinates within her soul. There is no choice. There never is. Never was.]

Also told me she enjoyed the album.

[dishevelment]

...Her words are as hollow as her heart.

[Koumei shook his head, returning to his milkshake in hopes that the thick, chocolatey concoction would help dull some of the pain and frustration welling up in his heart.

It didn't.

Instead:]

She knows you're smart, and the effect you have on the people around you. She's trying to separate you from everyone else.

[twoscompany]

I know.

[It doesn't feel like it makes a difference, however.]

I wouldn't just abandon you guys. You know that, right?

[dishevelment]

I know.

[It didn't make any difference. Not when their state in the world was growing more precarious by the day. Not when he had confirmation that he was a dead man walking.]

I just don't like that she's forcing you to choose something you didn't want in the first place.

[twoscompany]

Who did want this?

[She made them all believe it was what they wanted. But they know better now. What they want is not what they'll get.]

Koumei...its a really nice house. I won't be happy with the band if you guys don't visit, you know. Even if I'm not in the penthouse, I'm still a member.

[dishevelment]

None of us-- unless Sabo isn't who he seems to be, which I doubt.

[He sighed, feeling defeated by the politics of the music industry. Nothing was straightforward, and he hated not knowing what else was out there.]

...Garnet, the penthouse won't be the same without you in it. You're sure you can't fight it?

[twoscompany]

[At that question, Garnet fixes Koumei with a stare. Not even words. Her expression said it all.

She saw what happened to people who fought. What would happen.]

[dishevelment]

[And Koumei had seen Xanxus, bloodied and beaten by something that he wouldn't talk about. He had seen Terry fiercly rattled into silence. He had heard things from the one man who could help him piece together the answers to his questions...a man who was no longer in this city, who had been spirited away to parts unknown.]

...You are aware that this is war. Aren't you, Garnet?

[The words were quiet, muffled by the straw in his milkshake that he was currently trying to suck down in an effort to maintain his sanity.]

And some of us are already dead; there's nothing left for us to fear.

[twoscompany]

Don't--

[She shakes her head. Oh god, don't say that, bandmate.]

Don't say that, Koumei. We're still here, aren't we?

[dishevelment]

Are we?

[He was playing Devil's Advocate-- but he wanted to see her reaction.]

I distinctly recall being gutted by a javelin, and now I've the marks to prove it.

[twoscompany]

That's not impossible to live through.

[She shakes her head. Stop, stop, Koumei.]

You'd be out for awhile, but...!

[dishevelment]

[No-- part of him needs to get this off of his chest.]

Maybe in this city, but if my dreams hold any truth? Then That Life doesn't have near the same luxuries. People would die from less every day...and as a general on the losing side of a Civil War, I wouldn't be afforded a Magician's help so easily.

[Koumei levelled his gaze upon Garnet from over his milkshake, his eyes passive and even accepting of his supposed fate.]

Santiago doesn't frighten me, not after witnessing Hell itself.

[twoscompany]

Koumei! I won't let that happen!

[Sorry, she might have just pounded the table a bit.]

All life is sacred. Even yours!

[dishevelment]

...I think you're misunderstanding something, Garnet.

[Koumei sighed wearily, and reached for one of Garnet's hands with his own. Taking it, he gently pressed it against his chest just under where his heart would be.]

It's embarrassing, but you can look if you want. It's not much different than your Eye Problem, after all.

But please don't get yourself worked up. I plan on making the most of my time, whether it's borrowed or not.

[twoscompany]

...Just promise me you won't do anything to shorten that time.

[Damnit. Why is this happening!?]

[dishevelment]

[Because their lives were slowly and delicately being torn apart by the hands of Lesedi Santiago.]

Why would I? There's still things that need to be done-- like make sure you're safe.

[twoscompany]

[A huff, as if she's totally put out. Its in jest, though.]

That's my job. I'm supposed to keep you safe.