poly_chromatic

Entry tags:

digimon adventure 02 - ken ichijouji

voice;

[Ken sounds worn out.]

I'm staying safe as I can. Fortunately, I've not been confronted by any of the [trying to think of a suitable word] creatures. I hope everyone else is staying safe as well.

[Filtered to Charlie]
Charlie-san...I'm very, very sorry. I shouldn't have touched something that wasn't mine. But-

You've been gone way too long. We didn't need that much, did we? Please hurry home. Please be okay.

And, um, is your sword set up to trigger a fire when picked up by anyone? I didn't see a trap set up, but.... I'm sorry I touched it.
[/end filter;]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh, Jesus Christ. What happened? Are you okay? I'll be home in ten.

[And completely out of breath because she will have run the entire way.]

I'm...I'm fine. [His hands are just fairly burnt, hence using voice instead of texting her.]

But you're okay?

I'm fine. I have what I need.

Did you meet Professor McGonagall when she was here?

[That would be the sound of Charlie hastily paying for her purchases and stuffing them in her backpack. The device is probably secured on that or her jacket so she can run without worrying about it, so there's also whooshing sounds.]

Yes. We briefly discussed magic. She taught magic at the school.

She put a spell on my sword. Several, actually. If I remember correctly. It won't let anyone near it but me. I should have told you.

No, I shouldn't have picked up something that wasn't mine.

I was just worried when you hadn't come back. I thought I could take it to you, and use it to fend off the...infected.

It's okay, sweetheart. I'm not angry.

[Now...sounding just a bit out of breath but the animals know she's coming, so they're rushing the door. A moment later, the door opens and shuts and Charlie's searching the house for Ken.

You're inside? Away from windows?

I'm inside. I didn't consider avoiding the windows. Are they coming in through those? Or is it just to make certain they can't see me?

They can come through them and they seem to be attracted to movement. It can't hurt.

I wasn't aware. I'll avoid the windows, then. [A deep sigh. This curse is creepy, and taking a toll.]

You didn't discover this by one coming through a window, did you?

["Creepy" is a serious understatement.]

...It wasn't going through my window.

But it did come after you through a window?

Are you really all right?

No, it wasn't after me.

I'm fine. Really.

[He really is, a couple minor bruises and scrapes aside. Ken is one of very, very few people would receive a truthful answer if it was otherwise.]

I hope the person it was after is safe, then. But I'm relieved you're okay.

They were.

Same to you. Try to stay that way, please.

They...were.... [Ken goes a little pale.]

I will. I have no intention of going out in that. [Again, anyway.]

When I left, I mean.

Good. Thank you.

[A sigh of relief.] Then I hope they still are.

Would you do the same for me? Say you won't go out in this mess?

I'm already out, but I'm staying out of the way.

But! Isn't that dangerous? Even if you're out of the way?

It's not dangerous if I'm smart about it. Don't worry.

[Although he's touched that someone cares. Really.]

[Ken cares about all of his friends, but he understands what it's like to have a handle on a situation, even if others don't think so.]

If you're sure. You have a way to protect yourself? [Lack of his partner is the only reason Ken's not out there trying to help others.]

[This is one of the reasons Justin holds Ken in high regard.]

I'm sure; I have firearms and the rest of the police force.

Should I check back with you later? [Justin isn't without his worries about Ken, after all.]

Good.

If you want, you can check back, of course. I don't mind. [And Ken would like to hear from Justin again just to make sure, too.]

Okay.

Be careful.

I will be. You be careful, too.

I hope everything's locked tight wherever you are, Ken-chan.

Yes. I made sure to check all the windows, earlier.

I hope you're safe as well, Li-san?

As safe as it gets. I've been sleeping with a baseball bat these few days. Just in case.

[ He hasn't been sleeping at all. A curse like this leaves him too wired. ]

[He might figure it out, one day, but he doesn't want to, not yet. He likes Li, the familiarity of knowing that type of person, too much.]

Good. I'm glad you're safe.

Do you live alone? Most times it wouldn't bother me, but during this kind of curse...I think I would be very frightened if I still did.

[ Emotions and old memories do wonders for blinkering perspective. ]

[ Hei would know. He's suffered it too. ]

Frightened is an understatement. It makes me wish I had one of those big guard-dogs with scary teeth. [ A pause. ] Then again, having a pet like that would terrify me as much as the zombies.

[Well, Daisuke's not that much of a coward, but still. The attitude is so similar, Ken nearly clings to it.]

But isn't it lonely without one at all? Surely a big dog would come to be a comfort and lay by your side.

[ Keep clinging, Ken. It's probably better for all parties involved. ]

I guess it wouldn't be so bad. [ bloop bloop ] But I've always been more of a cat person.

[ Please never let Mao hear this. ]

[A light chuckle.] I think I am, too. There are plenty of cats here to adopt.

[ He smiles kindly, ] So I'm noticing. Maybe I'll look into getting one. After the curse ends, anyway. There might be zombie-cats out there too, for all I know.

Yeah...no zombie-cats! Hopefully this won't last much longer. Being cooped up inside is frustrating.

[ He's been cooped up for longer periods on stakeouts. But true, the frustration doesn't diminish. You just learn to bite it down. ]

Maybe after this is over we could go to a pet store. [ His smile softens, turns embarrassed. ] I don't really know much about getting a pet.

Yes, that would be a nice way to end the whole ordeal.

At least with cats it's easy. They mostly care for themselves, and some keep to themselves more than others.

That's what I'm most interested in. Something low-key and quiet. That doesn't get in the way.

[ In other words, he likes his cats just like he likes his women. ]

Well, if not for all the clean up, fish are more so out of the way, and don't require affection, like some cats. There are also lizards and rabbits.

[ He considers this thoughtfully, ]

A lizard would be nice, come to think of it. Even if they can be a little creepy. [ Cold-blooded. Silent. Indifferent. Like your very own pet Contractor -- except it can't screw you over. ]

Maybe if you spend more time with one it won't seem so creepy?

You're right. It's like that song. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face. [ A beat, then he grimaces, ] Not that anyone should dedicate a song like that to a lizard.

Yes...the poor lizard.

I'm sure if you find lizards too creepy there are other options that might be better for you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

voice;

voice: filtered

voice: filtered

Re: voice: filtered

voice: filtered

Re: voice: filtered

voice: filtered

voice, filtered; to action.

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

audio;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;