[OPEN]

[recitings]

Characters: Genesis Rhapsodos and YOU
Location: All around the city
Rating: G? Just lots of emo here.
Time: February 28, all day
Description: Losing many people over a short period of time can take a toll on a man's well-being.

Losing people never really came easy to Genesis. Perhaps it did, a long time ago, when he was growing mad with the effects of degradation. But now that he was sane, he could feel how deeply it hurt to lose someone he cared for. What hurt even more so was that it didn't take much time for him to lose each person he grew close to.

The first to leave was one of his closest friends, Dante. Despite his falling out with Vergil, Genesis persisted to stay close with the other red-coated man. Losing him was almost as if losing a brother of his own. Carmine was next: his most fiery partner-- an unforgettable woman who had never left him dissatisfied. Granted, there were periods he realized that she was playing games with him, but he didn't seem to care much, as long as he had authority in some other ways. Then, there was Sakuya-- Carmine's antithesis, a quiet girl with a heart full of quiet poetry. Observing her was almost always like seeing poetry come to life. And finally, there was Clovis: a man he had considered his closest friend in all of Death City. It was his disappearance that cut into Genesis the most, like a fresh wound that couldn't close.

Until now, he was still hurting. And many times, he would simply go out of his way to wander about the city, wondering where the Goddess could take him next.

Comments

[blue_wayfinder]

Things had been bad for a while, but Aqua was slowly, but surely moving on from what had happened.

She was just out running some errands when she spotted a familiar figure. She stopped for a moment before changing the direction of where she was going to approach Genesis instead.

"Good morning."

[recitings]

"Aqua."

Genesis' face seemed to brighten up a little, seeing the young woman who was once under him when he was a Zone Leader. It was surprising, how things have changed since then. Truth be told, he was still trying to adjust to a new lifestyle as an agent rather than a leader. But it made him happy to see a familiar face.

"How have you been?"

[blue_wayfinder]

"I've been fine." Better now than she was a while ago, at least. It was strange, knowing that Genesis was now one of the few people she knew from her early days in Death City who was still here (and, unlike her old partner, relatively unchanged.)

"What about you?"

[recitings]

"I guess I can say the same." He stopped walking then, taking a breath as he looked over the horizon of the city.

"I guess I have to admit that at this moment, I feel as lost as I was when I was still new to this place."

[blue_wayfinder]

She stopped when he did, tilting her head to look up at him.

"...do you want to talk about it?" Her voice was hesitant and quiet. She would back off if he didn't want to talk about it, but she'd be willing to listen if he did.

[recitings]

Genesis paused for a while, discerning if he should. But he reckoned that it wasn't worth it to bottle up whatever he felt. He might regret holding back the next day, if BREW decides to take from him again.

It was always best to seize the moment.

"Sure. I would appreciate a listening ear."

[blue_wayfinder]

"All right." She was glad, really, that he was willing to tell her, "Do you want to do this somewhere else?"

[recitings]

"Yes. It'll be good to settle down somewhere. Maybe at a nice cafe... or an open space. I'll let you choose."

[blue_wayfinder]

"Me?" She blinked, before tipping her head back thoughtfully. For some reason, she was inexplicably reminded of Sora all of a sudden.

She turned back to him with a smile, "How about we go for some ice cream?"

Early morning or evening hours- whichever you prefer :3

[heavenly_earth]

Neji knew he was still off center, like Madness had just taken up residence in the back of his skull and was simply waiting until he fell asleep to plague him with repeated nightmares a few weeks old. The anxiety lingered and left him lying awake until he gave it up and went out for a walk.

Much like that night following his rescue, the air was cool and still, and it was just like moving in a dream. With no particular destination in mind this time but looking for a distraction, he was relieved to see Genesis wandering up the road.

It struck him as their paths began to cross, however, that despite having been in the city for quite some time, the other man looked almost lost.

"Evening," Neji greeted with a nod, brows creasing as he wondered what to make of it. "It's been some time since I've seen you around."

Let's go for evening |Dc

[recitings]

"I don't go around for patrols as often as I used to. I guess it's part of adjusting to my new position."

Sure enough, Genesis still feels just the slightest bit uncomfortable with his new job at the Agency. And on top of that, he had lost people he loved, making him feel all the more torn up.

okie!

[heavenly_earth]

Neji nodded. "I heard you were reassigned, though not to where."

His first Zone Lead and second person in the city to earn his respect wasn't a Zone Lead anymore. It seemed a bit strange, but things changed quickly- just as they would be for himself, soon.

"Does it bother you?"

[recitings]

"Actually, I'm now the Watch's liaison to the Agency." Genesis gave a small smile at that. "It doesn't really bother me... but it calls for a great change in my habits. You see, I've been a military leader for most of my life. To not be in an authoritative position feels... strange."

[heavenly_earth]

"I can imagine," he said with a nod, because he could. "No wonder why you were such an effective Zone Leader.

I've led operations for a few years, and have only been a Jounin for a number of months- just qualified enough to act as a Zone Lead here, in my opinion. There haven't been any complaints, at least."

About him, anyway. Lain on the other hand, well, that was another issue. "Were you heading anywhere in particular?"

[recitings]

"A Jounin?" Genesis' tone suggested that he needed a bit of an explanation.

"Mm... I am simply walking around at my leisure. I'm not going anywhere in particular."

[heavenly_earth]

He'd forget occasionally, that other worlds didn't have the same ranking system.

"The highest official rank for shinobi in our world. Gai and Kakashi-sensei are also Jounin. We're often sent on vital missions for the safety and interests of our village." 'Interests' being the questionable term.

"But in that case, I was considering stopping for a drink somewhere." Even he wasn't sure if he meant tea or alcohol, and he decided to leave it up to Genesis to decide.

[recitings]

"Ah, I see... that's interesting," Genesis nods, taking the information in. It was amusing how rankings worked differently in other worlds.

"A drink sounds nice. It'll be good to help settle my nerves. What kind of drink did you have in mind?"

EDITED BECAUSE WAIT LET'S DO THAT AGAIN

[prosecutory]

On the way home, Edgeworth had stopped by a bookstore. After making a few quick purchases, he stepped out - and would have bumped straight into a wandering Genesis if he hadn't stepped back in time.

This was certainly unexpected.

"Ah - Genesis?"

<3

[recitings]

"Edgeworth," Genesis paused, a little surprised that his partner almost bumped right into him.

"Made a few purchases?"

NO I LOVE YOU MORE

[prosecutory]

"Yes, I have." He held up a small paper bag. For a change, instead of law books, books on beginning martial arts or anything about Shibusen, Edgeworth had bought a few mystery novels for light reading.

Though his expression didn't give away much, there was a certain glint in his eye that suggested that he was quite eager to start reading them.

NO I YOU :U

[recitings]

As another person fond of books, Genesis easily noticed that glint in his Meister's eye.

"It must be something good, since you seem so excited about what you bought."

NO U MORE ALWAYS AND FOREVER TO INFINITY AND BEYOND

[prosecutory]

"I have been reading this author's mysteries and thrillers for quite some time now. He never disappoints." This time, he finally grins a little; it was always good to find interesting reads.

[recitings]

Genesis laughs and grins right back at his Meister. At least books were something they could enjoy together.

"Interesting. I haven't been one for mysteries, but you've gotten me intrigued. Perhaps I should try reading a book or two."

[prosecutory]

"You should. Reading is a very good way to spend one's leisure time. I can lend you these books, once I have finished them."

He pauses.

"With that, I probably shouldn't keep you waiting. You were going somewhere, were you not?" Edgeworth decides to start walking toward where he had parked his motorcycle. For all he knew, Genesis might actually have an appointment, or something of the sort.

[recitings]

"I should know that. Reading is my pasttime, too. Except that I prefer what many call classic literature."

Genesis continues to follow Edgeworth, despite how the other implies that he must have other things to attend to.

"No, not really. I was just wandering about."