Open for Neku
Jan. 28th, 2014 10:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pinkisforloveThere were too many goddamn heroes in this city.
To be honest, it was enough to make Joshua sick--or, at least, extremely, extremely bored. All over a few measly dinosaurs? Please. Joshua had seen Noise scarier than that in his life (and afterlife, for that matter), a million times over.
And yet, that was what exactly Joshua's darling proxy had decided to waste his time with. It'd been years since he'd seen the boy--who'd grown into quite the apathetic-looking teenager, to be honest--and he was already a disappointment. Truly, indistinguishable from all of the other wannabe heroes that plagued this city--Joshua's city--and wasn't that just laughable?
Well, it wasn't anything that Joshua hadn't expected from Neku, to tell the truth; he contented himself to merely watch the ensuing battle, casually sipping from his iced green tea while the surrounding onlookers screamed in terror at the rampaging dinosaurs. He supposed it couldn't have helped to blend in with them, what with the running and screaming and all, but that would have taken so much effort, and really, he didn't like to sweat.
And naturally, when Neku was finished, the normally anti-social kid stopped to chat with some girl. Hmph. Joshua merely contented himself to follow the other, staying as stealthy as possible.
He didn't exactly blend in, though; Joshua never had. The Asian-American boy had white hair that fell in waves and curled behind his ear, eyes that were a peculiar shade of lilac; furthermore, he didn't exactly match the current styles among youth, what with his propensity for expensive button-down shirts and black skinny jeans. He assumed it was only a matter of time before Neku confronted him, and, as Joshua followed--cell phone in hand and thumbs texting away--he figured that all he had to do was wait.
To be honest, it was enough to make Joshua sick--or, at least, extremely, extremely bored. All over a few measly dinosaurs? Please. Joshua had seen Noise scarier than that in his life (and afterlife, for that matter), a million times over.
And yet, that was what exactly Joshua's darling proxy had decided to waste his time with. It'd been years since he'd seen the boy--who'd grown into quite the apathetic-looking teenager, to be honest--and he was already a disappointment. Truly, indistinguishable from all of the other wannabe heroes that plagued this city--Joshua's city--and wasn't that just laughable?
Well, it wasn't anything that Joshua hadn't expected from Neku, to tell the truth; he contented himself to merely watch the ensuing battle, casually sipping from his iced green tea while the surrounding onlookers screamed in terror at the rampaging dinosaurs. He supposed it couldn't have helped to blend in with them, what with the running and screaming and all, but that would have taken so much effort, and really, he didn't like to sweat.
And naturally, when Neku was finished, the normally anti-social kid stopped to chat with some girl. Hmph. Joshua merely contented himself to follow the other, staying as stealthy as possible.
He didn't exactly blend in, though; Joshua never had. The Asian-American boy had white hair that fell in waves and curled behind his ear, eyes that were a peculiar shade of lilac; furthermore, he didn't exactly match the current styles among youth, what with his propensity for expensive button-down shirts and black skinny jeans. He assumed it was only a matter of time before Neku confronted him, and, as Joshua followed--cell phone in hand and thumbs texting away--he figured that all he had to do was wait.
no subject
Date: 2014-01-30 02:55 am (UTC)What the hell was he thinking? He hadn't wanted to get involved with the whole Jurassic Park freak-show in the first place; he'd just happened to be walking by at the time and then all of a sudden everything went to shit and he'd fully intended to just KEEP ON WALKING.... and then he'd acted on ONE impulse and the next thing he knew he was getting scuffed up and clawed by dinosaurs. Isn't that exactly why he decided against using his powers? How the hell is he going to explain this to his dad (if even bothers to ask), he's got scrapes on his legs and face and his left arm has fucking bite marks on it....
Stupid. Stupid stupid stupid. He's no hero and he doesn't know why some tiny part of him tried so damn hard to prove otherwise. He's not even remotely responsible for anyone else in this damn city, he expects nothing from them and they should expect nothing from him in return, that's the most basic rule and he went and fucking broke it. And then there was that girl--
Hold up.
As he cuts a right down a back alley (which is his usual method for getting home since it provides at least some relief from the obnoxious crowds), the hair on the back of his neck practically stands on end and he suddenly feels a prickle of anxiety, acutely aware of the sensation that he's being... followed? If that's the case how did he not pick up on a vibe- and that's when he realizes that there is no vibe and now he's really spooked. He does his best not to show his awareness of the situation though; a childhood of running around some of the more unsavory streets of LA unattended has taught him how to at least outwardly keep his cool in such a situation.
He keeps up the same pace for a few more feet, and then all at once whirls around, posture tense and defensive, ready to fight off an assailant if necessary, and then he realizes that his stalker is actually what appears to be an utter ponce. What?
His eyes widen in surprise just for a hair of a second before he resumes staring daggers at individual across from him. The guy might not look like much, but Neku is mindful of the fact that he also saw a girl half his size summon massive hell birds from another plane of existence just earlier today so he's definitely not about to count this kid out as a potential threat. Ignoring the ominous feeling in his gut he queries brusquely: "Can I help you with something??"
no subject
Date: 2014-01-31 02:43 am (UTC)Ha. Well, wasn't that just rich? Joshua thought of several retorts, just then, none of which were particularly wise to say--
Why, yes, Neku, I'm holding out for a hero...would you care to convince me from completely obliterating this wreck of a city? Yes, thank you very kindly, dear, it was nice to finally see you after all of these years....
Or maybe--
You can help me with a great many things, Neku dear, the least of them being getting yourself out of that ridiculous excuse for an outfit and into something that more accurately resembles clothing.
Joshua smirked the tiniest bit at the last option, almost imperceptibly, though the astute observer might have seen the smallest quirk at the side of his mouth and the sparkle in his odd, almond-shaped lilac eyes. Joshua walked a little further, even as Neku stopped, leaning against a nearby wall nonchalantly.
(He shuddered internally, contemplating the grime that would surely makes its way towards corrupting his outfit as a result, but it wouldn't do to show discomfort in front of Neku so early, especially over something so base.)
Easily, he slipped his phone into the pocket of his skinny jeans, keeping his expression as neutral as possible. The motion was fluid, graceful--and, after all, his motions so often were. Joshua flipped his hair a bit, giving Neku his most sincere, innocent, devil-may-care smile.
It came out more like a smirk, to be honest.
"Why, hang on there, dear," Joshua said, his tone light and airy. "Who's to say I want anything from you? Well, perhaps your number..."
He giggled a little, eyes lighting up with something close to mischief and not too far removed from malice. Neku was so very human, emotional and angry and weak, and Joshua was not so wrapped up in his smug little power trip that he was unable to recall the very same looks reflected in his own expression, back when he had been alive.
It was almost perfect, or poetic, or something that he would have studied (and aced) in some boring class before his death; two parallels, right? A current hateful teenager, and an ascended one. Why, the beautiful symmetry was almost enough to make Joshua want to pull the trigger and destroy LA now, but a game was a game, and rules were rules!
(Not that he really had an issue with breaking rules.)
He pushed himself off of the wall, striving for friendly; and as composed as Joshua was with his emotions, he wasn't unable to simply hide the condescension that exuded from his every smooth action, the imperiousness that dripped from his voice. Joshua was better, and he knew it.
His smile turned playful and a little more sincere, though the hint of a smirk was still present.
He held out his hand for Neku to shake.