soul_logs | [OPEN] Earthquake Event

Characters: OPEN
Location: Death City
Rating: Varied
Time: Jan 22
Description: OOC post here.

It's early in the morning -- just after morning training -- when the ground beneath Death City shakes violently in what most of you might recognize as an earthquake. It's not a particularly huge one for the more experienced of the guests, but it sends cracks shooting through the cobblestoned ground of Death City and up the sides of some buildings. A small handful of structures, mostly those that have been abandoned in the course of this war or the very old ones, take the most damage and topple over or crumble at their foundations.

The earthquake lasts no more than half a minute, but the vibrations and aftershocks last through the day. Death City's streets become full of holes, from those the size of apples to what could be described as deep ditches. The greatest damage, however, is the commercial sector, which becomes flooded as the waterways take damage and spill water into the streets. Shibusen's alarms blare out and quick, urgent orders to fix the waterways and search for the injured or anyone trapped in rubble filter in through all networks.

ooc: Like always, please feel free to start your own threads. Follow the subject line format:
[Character(s)] [Location/Time] [Close/Open]
This in-game day will last a week irl.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Lain's support helps facilitate the ability."

Neji stopped, closing his eyes against the flurry of dust to avoid further irritation, and waited a few moments for it to settle before opening them again. He favored Gai with a dubious glance.

"I can manage that much." Who was he kidding? He wasn't worried about that right now, and he did promise.. The Jounin gave a long-suffering sigh. "But if you're insisting.."

He really didn't have the energy to argue the indignity.

"Just hers? Have you tried with other Weapons?"

Gai wasn't asking Neji to go around trying with everyone, but it would be good to know if he could assist his student should they ever be in a tight spot. Sometimes his limitations here were very aggravating. He couldn't step in between someone and danger. He had to be held to really do anything.

Gai tried to not to sound too happy when he answered. "I insist." Of course he'd take advantage of an opportunity like this! This student didn't make it easy to be close to him! Gai had to seize every moment he got! "I think that now is a good time for it."

"No, but I imagine resonance to any degree would provide an aid. Perhaps less of one without trained synchronization, but helpful regardless. It's rare that I use this ability for such an extensive period as it is."

They reached the condos, and the one time Neji would actually consider taking the elevator instead, is the one time they aren't operating correctly. He shook his head on a brief sigh, leaning more heavily on Gai. "I'm sure it's a mess."

"If you would care to try another day, I am willing to assist! I would like to help you become all you can!"

Gai wasn't about to mention the way Neji leaned on him. It would be rude to his student and he wanted to support, not belittle. "It is, but it is not one that will take too much work to set right. And I will be gentle!" With care Gai assisted Neji up the steps, doing his best to make it look like he was only barely helping Neji. He knew a lot about Hyuuga pride.

They reached their floor before too long. "You have your key, I assume?"

Not that it'd matter if he didn't; picking the lock would only require a bit more thought, but he procures his key and nudges the door open with his foot, and closes it in a similar fashion once they're both inside. The promise of rest lends him enough strength to stand more on his own, and he moves down the hall, collapsing onto the couch instead of traversing all the way upstairs.

Neji lifts tired eyes to Gai as if contemplating sending him away and just going to sleep, but he supposes that would be pretty ungrateful and he'd already agreed. Even so, he's still reluctant to allow it, but he flicks his fingers to the staircase and leans his head back.

"Upstairs bathroom." It's where his brush is- or was this morning.

Gai first makes sure that Neji reaches the couch before nodding and heading up the stairs. The layout of their places is identical and so Gai has no trouble finding the bathroom and then what must be Neji's brush. He heads back down and gently nudges Neji forward so he can take a place behind his student.

"And now we are set." There's something about brushing hair that says care to Gai, and he knows his student has been through a lot of late. He wants Neji to know that Gai is there for him, as much as he can be.

With care he starts at the bottom, brushing out the tangles there patiently and gently. Neji's hair is a bit knotted, but that's only to be expected after this day. "These are coming out easily." His voice is on the low side; if his student wishes to fall asleep (and can, with Gai messing with his hair) then Gai doesn't want to disrupt that.

Neji snaps to a higher awareness as Gai settles behind him, hands on his hair, brush sliding through in short, careful tugs that graze over his blind spot. It shouldn't really bother him since he doesn't have his Byakugan, and Clairvoyance works differently than his bloodline, but it's an ingrained sensitivity; a natural dislike of his vulnerability. He doesn't say anything because he knows Gai won't attack him, but his back straightens.

"I should hope so," he says in an effort to fill the silence. He takes good care of all of it, after all. It's a bit of a luxury almost, and a daily ritual that helps to soothe his nerves- one Gai is apparently curious about for some reason.

He stares across the room at the far wall. He's too tired to argue it, but he certainly wonders. "Is there any particular reason for this?"

"Not particularly," Gai replies as he continues to brush. "I know that you take excellent care of your hair and I do not want to mess that up, but I also know that for some this can be a sign of affection, and I do not connect with you often as much as I wish to!"

He rests his hand on Neji's shoulder for a moment. "You are precious to me too, Neji. I do not say that enough." Then he resumes brushing Neji's hair. When he speaks again, his smile is audible. "Also my hair is short and so is Kakashi's which means I do not really get to brush long hair, and it is a soothing activity!"

Neji's quiet along with the proclamation, grateful for it but at the same time, uncomfortable. But it's always been that way with Gai, toeing lines he's not sure of the meaning for, much less how to respond to them.

So he doesn't say anything about them, moving on to something he does know how to handle.

"I suppose, though it's not generally a casual activity." At least not between student and teacher. It's strange still (he doesn't even let Lain brush his hair much) but he's resolved to allow it this once. It helps that does feel nice, almost nice enough to fall asleep to. "..Don't get used to it."

He knows he makes Neji uncomfortable sometimes, and he tries to moderate it, but he still has to push. Neji has some emotional growth to go yet, Gai feels.

"That is why I do not just brush other people's hair. You are my student and Kakashi is my Eternal Rival! That is special!" He grins as Neji said not to get used to it. "Of course not." Neji's opened the door here, and Gai doesn't intend to let it close again. Maybe physical affection will get through to Neji emotionally in a way that words don't.

"But I intend to be closer to you. We have more time here, and that time should not be wasted. You are my student and there is too much distance between us, I think." Gai gave Neji a gentle shoulder squeeze before returning his attention to the hair brushing. "I am here for you."

[OPEN] Earthquake Event

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