are you ofeeling it mr. krabs

[penduli]

[ Early morning Thursday, there are papers posted literally everywhere. Someone had a lot of time and a lot of pent up nervous energy, and... well, that's not very surprising, given what they say: ]

Please come to the chapel at 2 for a happy play inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Lunch will be provided.

Ever yours,
Black

[ ...he really needs to shake that habit.

Anyway, those entering the chapel at the appointed time will be treated to some sweetly-played lyre music courtesy of Sigrun; there's some blankets carefully hung near the back, acting as curtains to obscure the "backstage" area. Once everyone is settled, Sigrun switches to a slower tune, and Black emerges from the blankets.

He's wearing a brown wig and a long, white gown with flowing sleeves; the inside of that is black though, easy to see as he swishes his way to the front and spreads his hands to the audience. What follows is an incredibly wonderful play about Ophelia—"inspired" is probably a very apt word for it, because the events are changed heavily by her reading of Hamlet's letter prior to handing it off to her father and realizing the hidden meanings in the words. She deceives her father by acting innocent and orchestrates a plan parallel to Hamlet's, set on saving as many lives as she can.

No one deserves to die, after all.

Ophelia acts out after hearing Hamlet's frustrated denial of his own feelings, deliriously giving out flowers—Black does the same with tissue roses, handing them off to anyone who sits in the front row and throwing them out to the rest of the pews, but it's all a trick to keep the men of her life from suspecting her (they'd been getting too close to realizing what she'd been up to, and if they had found out, she'd never be able to go through with it). In the end, Ophelia manages to get everyone to lay down their swords. Claudius is exiled for fratricide, and after a tearful feelings jam with Hamlet, the play ends with their coronation as King and Queen of Denmark.

...all put on by one person, and with fitting music provided by their lyre expert.

The lunches laid out are sandwiches and soups by Black, and... Sigrun's helped out, too. She's made salads (leafy things with fruits, YOU FIGURE THAT OUT) and an... interesting... bread. (It has melons, curry, and red bean paste in it.)

There's also popcorn with various condiments if you'd rather have that to snack on. ]

Comments

[garudynamic]

So odds are, it's gonna be over soon, one way or another.

[He holds up a hand, as if to hush Black before he even has a chance to say anything]

And I know you think it's stupid to think about afterwards. I know, but I gotta. [Or he'll go insane.] So... if somehow we get through this, and our worlds AREN'T wreaked or we're stranded or all dead or whatever, I was wondering...

If you'd consider coming back with me. You don't gotta answer right now, but- [If White really is dead, he doesn't want Black to go back to a life that has nothing left for him.]

-think about it. And if it turns out we're stuck, well, it doesn't matter anyways.

[penduli]

[ It's a very sweet thought, and—he almost immediately shuts it down anyway, like he's done pretty much every time...

but Yosuke asked him to think about it. Black hesitates, then takes Yosuke's hand between his—it wasn't up there for him to hold, but he's gonna do it anyway. ]

I'll think about it. [ Said softly. ] No promises, but I'll think about it. Thank you for the offer, Yosuke. It means a lot to me.

[garudynamic]

[he looks away, not removing his hand. He has a crawling feeling that Black is just saying it to ease his mind... but he doesn't have it in him to call him out]


I just... I can't stand the idea of you being all alone after this. It's not fair.

[penduli]

[ Fight more battles, Yosuke, you might win some.

Though it's not like he's losing anything, either, even if Black's smile is fading a little. Being alone... he wouldn't be, not really. There's everyone at the League, there's Leo, there's...

no one else. It's not really that long of a list, and if he really was on his way to catch a plane anyway—

he'd be alone, save phone calls and letters. The thought makes his heartache more than it should. ]

I'll give it some thought. [ Much more seriously, this time. ] I'll be pretty useless though—the only languages I'm fluent in are English and a couple Alterworlder ones. Dialects aside.

[garudynamic]

I know some English, and my dad is fluent. We'd figure it out.

[He glances back at Black, then down again]

Plus, I 'd miss you. I know it's selfish but- [He shrugs]

[penduli]

I'd miss you, too.

[ ...that came out criminally fast. Black stares for a moment, then... also glances away. Maybe he shouldn't have given this dress such long sleeves, then he wouldn't feel quite as hot. ]

...I'd miss you a lot, Yosuke. [ And everyone else, but they're not who he's talking to right now. ] You— you're—

[ It might not be as hopeless as it seems, huh?

Another moment of having an open mouth, trying to finish what he's saying, before he closes it and gently lets Yosuke's hand go. ]

You're one of my best friends. [ That doesn't sound like what he was going to say at all; it sounds a little sad, if anything. ] I'm really glad I got to meet you, even if it's under these circumstances.

[ ...he's probably said this before, but it bears repeating. ]

[garudynamic]

[Yosuke recognizes that tone- he had it himself, once-

('You're...special to me')

-and while he doesn't regret how that turned out, exactly, he did learn from it. Learned, eventually, to stop being so afraid.

So when Black lets his hand go, he reaches out and grabs Black's instead, eyes focused and refusing to look away]

It's okay.

[He can't say more then that- not because he's scared- but because in the end Black has much more to lose then he does in this. Yosuke, at least, has never been able to resist getting attached. Black still has the chance to avoid some of the hurt they were flirting with. Yosuke can't forget the look on Sigrun's face during that trial- and he's sure Black can't either.

But... the offer is there.]

[penduli]

[ Black glances back at him and licks his lips slowly, thoughtfully; he doesn't have to do anything. He can smile and pull away and they can resume their ordinary lives. (Lives that might be ending, anyway, depending on how things go.)

Or he could go with what he really, really wants to do. There's so many people here though, and it's the chapel again—maybe if he pulled him aside, but—no, no, people would think things. Things they might not be entirely wrong to think.

There really isn't anyway to be discreet about this, is there.

Black leans forward, just enough that their lips brush before he's pulling away, a warm red that travels down beneath his dress and fans up to his roots. Everything feels like it's tingling, and he's honestly still terrified after everything (after all the talks he's had, after all the moments they've shared, after everything) he's going to still somehow have fucked up.

The floor is incredibly interesting, isn't it. ]

...thank you, Yosuke.

[garudynamic]

[He wants to chase after that kiss, while he still has the guts to do so. But Black's thoughts are right- it's so crowded, and a chapel. But his expression is bright and far from mad- though his breath is coming in short little puffs]

Just... remember, you owe me a favor, Will. I might have an idea what to ask for now.

[Don't die]

[penduli]

You owe me one too. [ ...a quick glance back up. It's still warm, everything is—kind of fucking fantastic, murdervault/we're all going to die aside?

Wow. Yosuke looks wonderful, he wants to kiss him again—he can't. ] ...I lied when I said I didn't have an idea of what I wanted from you, by the way. Back then. It wouldn't have been appropriate, though.

[ ...it still isn't. ]

I'm glad I said that, though. Gave you the excuse to ask about my name.

[garudynamic]

'Not appropriate', huh?

[Looks it's still Yosuke, even if his target is a guy this time. Even if borne from trauma and adrenaline fueled bravery]

[penduli]

Not like that. [ A slight Look. ] You would've reacted badly. And it would've been very stupid of me.

[ ...how long has it been not as hopeless as it seemed. He's never asking Cherryblod, the answer would be too much. ]

[garudynamic]

... you're probably right.

[He can't argue that- he needed that time]

[penduli]

[ Of course he is.

...he's going to draw away this time, gently pulling his hand from Yosuke. Before he kisses him again or something really stupid like that. ]

What were you thinking of for your request? [ It obviously wasn't "come back with me," as adorably romantic as that is.

...oh god he kissed yosuke and they've basically had a positive feelings jam and yosuke wants him to go back to his world oh god. ]

[garudynamic]

Can't tell you, it's not appropriate.

[penduli]

To say in public, or just in general?

[garudynamic]

In Public?

[he's blushing like crazy, but seems to be enjoying himself a lot]

[penduli]

[ ...ooooh. ]

Then I'm looking forward to hearing it when it's just the two of us. [ You'll never guess who is also... blushing... and nervously enjoying himself. ]

[garudynamic]

[He opens his mouth like he's about to suggest something, then stops. Nope. Nopenope behave yourself]

You know, I was serious about the play.

[penduli]

[ ...PLEASE DON'T INVITE HIM BACK TO YOUR ROOM, YOSUKE. PEOPLE WILL THINK THINGS. ]

And about me looking pretty good, too?

[garudynamic]

Heh, yeah. You pull it off WAY better then I did.

[penduli]

I guess being small and scrawny has its perks.

[ ...a sly look. ]

You know, Mr. Cherryblod told me you wouldn't stop staring at him the first time he wore a dress some weeks ago. Do you have a thing for cross-dressers?

[garudynamic]

What?! NO!! I mean... maybe?! I like nice clothes okay?? Shut up!

[penduli]

[ HAHA YOSUKE LIKES CROSS-DRESSERS



anyway let's skirt away from that train of thought before it even begins. let's not address it at all. how many shitty clothing puns can i fit into one tag? sew many. ]

This isn't that nice. [ Just... idly lifting his skirt a little. Like a few inches. Scandalous bare feet and ankles. ] It's pretty simple, actually. And plain. I like making clothes for stuffed animals more, it's a lot easier...

[garudynamic]

It's just... it looks good. You're doing this on purpose, I just know it!

[he's very bi and confused Black, be kind]