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[mychosenpath]

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late December

[discourtesies]

The box that ends up at Ryunosuke's doorstep was wrapped with care and tied with a shiny ribbon, but what's inside may seem a bit less festive: a heavy wooden desk clock, carved with swirling patterns to help him keep track of time... and a Newton's cradle, which will probably help him lose track of it.

There's no label to be found outside or inside, so he'll simply have to guess who it's from.

Backdate to Middle of Feb

[chippedsoul]

[It's nice of the Mikotoba's to craft him a Dawn flower charm of sorts so he doesn't need to be locked up in their home all the time. Though he's being courteous to only wander about during the night and in areas that aren't heavily populated. The snake monster unfortunately still needs to hunt to satiate his massive appetite. Though he's trying his best to lean off of the Nightmare juice.

On this particular night, his travel takes him near his home. Perhaps just feeling a little homesick, see the state of things. He's moving within the darkness among the treehouses as a large white serpent with a distinct mark on it's head. As his head passes Ryunosuke's home, he's stopped by a small noodle dragon. He flicks his tongue, tilting his head. He could eat it whole if he wanted to. Wait, it's one of those spice noodles.

It probably tastes flavorful.

He slowly raises his head, trying to be leveled with the floating dragon. The noodle is understandably keeping it's distance, but remains out of curiosity. Was he a threat to it, it's owner? Their home? Meanwhile, with his tongue flicking, Kazuma decides the noodle is just too small to even make a decent snack out of. Plus, he'd like to not lose these noodles around his pub. You are spared little guy. He starts to move on, but he's not going alone this time. The noodle has chosen to stick with him, clearly amazed that such a big noodle even existed. Kazuma isn't sure if he wants this kind of attention though, especially when he's trying to hunt.]

[mychosenpath]

[It's not unusual for the spice noodle to wander, especially when other people are eating-- though it does remind Naruhodo that perhaps if it was going to stick around he ought to at least give it a proper name. But it has always returned in by evening faithfully; a routine that he'd just started getting used to. So when Naruhodo's eyes glance at the clock that Van Zieks gifted him and he realizes the time, he looks around with a bit of concern. No noodle dragon to be seen. That's unusual. So Ryunosuke stretches and decides he should take a look outside. While it's not impossible that his friend has decided to move on, he still can't help but worry about him. After all, there's still a chance he might have gotten himself caught up in something and he wouldn't want to see anything bad happen to that little noodle.

Looking outside, he first sees the shadow of something rather large moving in front of his house and he freezes up for a moment. Hesitating, he secures Karma to his side and rushes down the ladder to... not one but two snakes. There's something about the whole situation that looks rather comical, and yet a part of him feels anxious. Afraid, even.

The darkness doesn't help any and perhaps he should put more lights outside of his house. But even with the limited lighting, something feels familiar about that creature-- even if he's certain he's never seen it before. Which seems odd, but he trusts his instincts. He's just not sure what it means.]

Is this... a friend of yours?

[chippedsoul]

[Kazuma stops in his tracks when a voice comes out in the darkness. And he recognizes it immediately. He habitually turns his head before his mind catches up. Don't recognize the mark on his head. Let it be too dark to tell.

The little noodle pet flies over to Ryunosuke's side, chirping enthusiastically. He's so big!! Clearly more fascinated than scared of him, seeing as the noodle has not been eaten yet. Was it a friend though? There is an strange warm energy emitting from the snake, and a feeling of something weighing heavily on one's mind. Bits of Noctaere energy coming off.]

[mychosenpath]

[Ryunosuke holds out his hand, letting the noodle curl around his arm in it's excitement. He might not be able to understand it, but he can tell that those are noises of excitement and not distress. But his eyes don't leave the larger snake. As the Noctaere turns it's head, his attention shifts to that very mark; eyes widening slightly.

A little ironic, he thinks, mind going back to the case aboard the SS Burya. Expression softening, he relaxes his stance-- making his position clear. He doesn't fear this Noctaere. He trusts that warmth. He doesn't know how or why Kazuma ended up in this situation-- it worries him... of course it does. But Kazuma has already felt alienated enough. He refuses to allow that gap to widen on his part. In whatever shape, Kazuma was still Kazuma.]

...I wasn't expecting guests this late. I'm not exactly sure if the steps here are snake friendly either. It really is a shame Iris isn't here. She'd probably have a whole bunch of ideas on how to make things easier.

[He's not sure he could match her when it comes to creativity. But he can't rely on others all the time. It's something to think about.]

But-- the point is... you're welcome here.

[chippedsoul]

[Ryunosuke's eyes tell him all that he needs. He recognized who he was. In that moment, he wasn't sure what to do. Go on as if he hadn't noticed? Scare him off before he had a chance to make sense of what he's seeing?

And then he starts to talk, making that decision for him.] . . . [It's was probably inevitable that things would come to a head. He just wished he could talk about these things on his own terms and not be discovered like this. And now he's put in a position where it be a disservice to just leave after being welcomed like this. After a moment's hesitation he'll come closer, looking down at the steps before him. Snakes might have a problem sure, but he can turn into a big snake demon and walk up these steps like any other person. The noodle must be shocked to see their new snake friend suddenly disappear like that, and now towering menacingly over his owner. Though the necklace woven with flower petals really offsets his appearance.]

I wass hunting. [His voice is a low hiss, watching carefully how Ryunosuke would handle this.]

[mychosenpath]

[That's definitely a different look. But-- convenient. Right about now the spice noodle is probably wondering why Ryunosuke can't turn into a cool snake friend; looking back and forth between the two of them.

Seeing that flower necklace-- Ryunosuke has a feeling that's not just some fashion choice. And certainly not one of Kazuma's choosing. But that thought is pushed aside at the mention of hunting.]

Is... can the two of us help you somehow?

[Ryunosuke and the spice noodle, that is. He probably doesn't know as much as he should about how these things work. But what he does know is this-- Kazuma is still in there. Regardless of appearances, this is his best friend he's talking to. And he needs to eat. That's just a natural part of taking care of himself.

If it's a matter of something that Kazuma needs, then of course he wants to do whatever he can to help make sure his friend gets taken care of. Especially knowing in his heart that Kazuma doesn't always take care of himself as much as he should.]

[chippedsoul]

[He hums quietly, looking between the two of them.] I can't eat you both. [He's joking of course. Couldn't help himself. He then shakes his head.]

You can help by sstaying here. [The last thing he wants is to mistaken him for prey.]

[mychosenpath]

[He can easily tell it's a joke-- which is what makes his response so easy.] Either you're really hungry or really easy to please if we both look appealing right now.

[The answer itself is understandable, however-- it begs another question. One he's fairly sure he knows already, but...]

...would you ask for my help if you needed it?

[chippedsoul]

[His tail slowly sweeps the floor behind him. It's not the first time he's been asked this question and frankly...he's been bad at following through. A low hum escapes him.]

The ansswer should be yess obviously, but...I can't deny my lacking to ask for it. [Why else is he a snake monster again? He shakes his head.] I haven't kept my word, as you can ssee.

[mychosenpath]

...I know. [He doesn't seem that troubled by it. In fact, he seems relieved after Kazuma admits as much.] But it's okay.

If I were to ask myself whether or not I’ve done everything I possibly could to help you… the answer seems pretty obvious. I don't feel like I have. I also want to change that.

So... I want to come with you. You've been willing to put everything on the line for me before-- well. It's my turn to prove I'm willing to do the same for you.