( IC INBOX / BUSINESS CARD )

[manuscripture]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, ROHAN KISHIBE. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 512.66.730.91 *** USER has joined 512.66.730.91 <AUTOMATED REPLY, DO NOT RETURN:> You have reached the inbox of Rohan Kishibe. I am currently away and unable to answer messages. Leave a BRIEF message with a subject line below. Messages will be replied to in order of importance and subject matter. Advertisements and junk mail will be ignored and blocked from this server.

[ Somewhere around town-- at the bookstore, the Tomoe-Kaname Bakery, attached to posts and notice boards --you find a small white notecard. On it is printed a little message and some numbers in ornate lettering. If you look closely, it reads the following: ]

Rohan Kishibe, Mangaka & Visual Artist
Owner Pro Tempore of Ebony Threads Tailor Shop
Highly Experienced.
Commissions & Advertising For Hire
Pay Negotiable.
Contact At: 512.66.730.91 for inquiries
Castle Lüvchaque - Directly North of Bavan per appointment ONLY.

(( feel free to use this as an action-based prompt too. any random interactions will MOST LIKELY take place in the form of walk-ins at the tailor shop unless it's pre-planned. just drop a starter in here! ))

Comments

[lowsteaks]

I will. Promise.

See you around, Kishibe-sensei!

[And girl and dog scramble down the stairs again in a clatter of noise.]

[pomaded]

You're right, he hasn't changed and he probably never will- but you have, Rohan, and it fucking scares me-!

[It comes out before he can stop it, a verbal landslide of frustration and fear and concern that he just can't seem to find footing in before it comes crashing down on whatever it was he wanted to say before and his voice cracks. Fuck. None of that was supposed to happen. He was going to do it calmly and sensibly, not when he's still half growls and aching all over and itchy, whiplashed senses.

If nothing else, he seems remorseful for his outburst. Unable to look at him, Josuke tugs his knees up to his chest again, letting his forehead fall against the pillow with a soft sigh.]

... can we have this conversation another time? I feel like shit. [His voice is muffled but, in a way, it's almost easier; emotion doesn't carry well through fabric and feathers.] You don't have to stay if you don't want to.

[manuscripture]

[ okay ow.

Rohan's lips press together. He stops. ]

Tell me how I have changed...

[pomaded]

[For a few, tense moments, it's up in the air as to whether he's even going to answer. He really doesn't want to do this right now but the abruptness of Rohan's response tugs at his chest- it would be pretty cruel to just leave it hanging. So, reluctantly, he gives another sigh.]

... I don't like how you do things. I've never liked how you do things.

[Read: "it's okay to slowly waste someone away for my art".]

But this? This is different. When did you decide that it's okay for some god who did all this in the first place to mess with you and get you to do all her fucked up dirty work? Or that it's okay if you kill people and string them up like New Years lights just because she told you to? [Though he doesn't look up, he shakes his head.] You're an asshole, Rohan, but you're not a goddamn psychopath. And don't tell me you're doing it to try and fix things- you're in deep with this cult shit. You're hers and she can do whatever she likes with you and you're not even fighting it.

[Please, Rohan. Make me understand.

The words don't leave his lips but perhaps they don't need to.]

[manuscripture]

[ While he just admitted that he knows he does wrong, it's hard to be given such harsh criticism from Josuke of all people. Rohan's skull is too thick to shake it off and he, of course, takes it personally. Josuke is saying that he isn't a psychopath-- He's not mad, just disappointed.

Josuke isn't aware of WHY Rohan is in on this. It's for a selfish reason. A reason nonetheless. ]

Josuke, She helped me. She helped fix something that I wouldn't have been able to mend on my own. You know that I am not the type to blindly run into things. When I needed the most help--... When I was rapidly losing inspiration to make art here, that was when I went to Her. I'm well aware that some of the things I do to stay in Her favor are wrong. It's not like I want to. It's...

It's normalcy. I'm not trying to fix anything. I don't feel like I have to. [ His hand scrambles to his chest to make sure his key is still under his shirt. ] I was desperate, Josuke. I was desperate and She has done nothing but make me feel better. You told me that you hated yourself when you first became a monster and had to deal with the psychological and physical things, right?

I hated it too. She makes me feel like I'm secure with myself again. [ Rohan's wall of words shakes here and there but he means it. ] The things She asks me to do aren't 'fun'. I would rather be considered safe with the entity who brought me here for a reason than sit idly by. You don't see me forcing it on you or Jotaro, do you?

I... I'll be fine. [ A pause. ] I came here with a name no one knew because we weren't from the same place. It feels good to have a purpose again. I can make all the art I want here but if there isn't anyone who appreciates me for what I do-- [ Because Mister Man's anxiety and social issues are showing through. ] --what else do I have?

Don't call me a psychopath, Josuke. I don't like that word.

[ It's a rare moment where Rohan Kishibe feels actually upset and it shows in his face rather than just his body language. ]

Please understand. I don't want to go back to hating myself because I'm a nobody again. [ Another beat. ]

Take that stupid ribbon off.

[pomaded]

[Josuke listens. Had he the attentive puppy ears still, they would be twitching with concentration but the determined look in his eyes has much the same effect. He takes in every word slowly and carefully, fighting every urge to respond until the naga has finished speaking- and, by then, he's long since lost any need to argue.

Is it worth it? Isn't that selfish? The questions that he wants to ask suddenly don't feel so important. The man standing in front of him looks hurt and tired and, most uncharacteristically of all, shaken; it's such a strange thing to see someone who, until this moment, appeared to float on a wave of self-importance, look so insecure. In the end, it's empathy and an ache in his chest that wins out and, after a few moments, he shakes his head.]

... you're not a psychopath. You're Rohan Kishibe and you're a mangaka. My old man owns most of your work. You're rude and you could turn holding grudges into an Olympic sport. You can make acid spit look artistic. You have a house full of Pretty Woman furniture no one but you uses. [He swallows hard.] You're in love with my nephew and it's gross. You can hold Shizuka without making her cry.

[As he speaks, he unties the ribbon, winding it around his finger and gently setting the roll on the bedside table. And then, with a wobbly smile, he leans forward and puts his arms around Rohan's shoulders, hugging him tightly to stop him from immediately squirming away.]

You couldn't be a nobody if you tried, Rohan Kishibe.

[He sounds a little muffled now but he's glad for it; he might have successfully hidden the hot prickle of tears in his eyes but he wouldn't have been able to do the same for the catch in his voice.]

[manuscripture]

[ This is embarrassing. This is so embarrassing. Rohan is mashing the heel of his palm into his cheek in an attempt to not end up crying this one out. Not in front of Josuke. No, ma'am. Cool guys don't cry. The hug obscures any of that so it's juuuust about keeping his voice steady.

They hug too much.

He sniffles and shuts his eyes. He doesn't sound the least bit serious, covering up what he wants to say in favor of just being prickly: ]

I hate you, Josuke. You're the worst.

[ The naga draws the backs of his fingers underneath his right eye to avoid smearing his makeup, exhaling hard. Go away, emotions. ]

Every time I want you to go away, you say something like this and--... [ The Moment is busted by Rohan's tail wrapping about Josuke's leg and PULLING. ] You smell like a dumpster. Don't touch me.

Time for Kara to make regrettable life choices - Backdated to late 4/6

[karappo]

[Whether Rohan is actually...awake to get and reply or not is debatable, but he's going to get a message around 2 in the morning.]

i dont know why your r still freinds with me

[Then more about five minutes later, a few seconds after each other.]

id be disapoitned in me
im disapointed in me
sorry i dont meanto say anyone of this i just
im mad at myself i wnant us to be freinds still
i know u didnt mean to hurt me i shoulnt hav ecometo the store
but
i dunno
why is evryhing so hard i jsut want evrything to be noRMAL again
im osrry for this i lvoe you bye

[manuscripture]

[ He wakes up to every message. This one... ]

Are you drunk?

[karappo]

yes
my head hurts

[manuscripture]

So you're messaging me... By accident.

[karappo]

id ben meaning to message u
but id didnt feel like i should? so i didnt
but now it felt like i should so i did
im sorry if is bad time

[manuscripture]

It's fine. I have time to talk.

I'm happy to.

[karappo]

i kindof wish i didn go to the bar
i dont usualy drink this mush without my brothers

["This much" is only two beers.]

[manuscripture]

You don't seem to be a drinker.

I'm sorry. I know it doesn't mean anything.

[karappo]

i mean i will but
dont tell anwyone but i dont liek to drink a lOT cause iget

reeally drunk easy
but yeah i dunno i thought itd feel beter to go outside an have a drink or two
ur okay though right u havent been drinking? are you still feeling weird

[manuscripture]

I have returned home since and am recovering. Leaving was never the right idea.

I'm much better now.

[karappo]

yeah...
is it safe to come over?
im sorry i havent comed to work in a while
i do want to keep workging its the best and only job iv ever had

[manuscripture]

You may come to my home, yes.

Come to my room.

[karappo]

[There's a pause, but it's a short one.]

can i come tomorrow
im on the couch right now and i dont thingk i can move

[manuscripture]

Of course. I would be happy to see you.

I care for you too.

[karappo]

im glad to hear you do caus i was worried
i mean youre one of the only real friends i have so

okok ill come over tomrorwo sometime after im
notdying
thankyou rohan-san
i mean kissha
isk
kishibe-san
fuck these claws omyrgod

[manuscripture]

Get some rest, Karamatsu.

[karappo]

[Karamatsu wakes up...late. He wakes up with his leather jacket shielding his eyes from the sun and his whole body aching from sleeping on their shitty couch all night. He vaguely remembers waking up a few times in the night to either fight or succumb the urge to be ill, among other things. But at least he knows well enough to get some water while he's checking to see if he's alone in the house, checking his laptop to...

...oh god.

It takes Karamatsu an hour of self reflection to even want to deal with this, trying to remember...what the hell he even did the night before. At least he knows he talked to Rohan, breaking the ice in possibly the most awkward way possible for both of them.

Eventually, he sucks it up and messages him again.]

I am sorry about all of that. I am sober now.
I will still come over in a bit, if you do not mind.

[He sort of feels like he HAS to, now.]

[manuscripture]

[ And there is the 'oops i'm sober now' message that Rohan gets to a few hours later. Poor Karamatsu. ]

That was always allowed.

Don't get drunk again.