applenet | COUNTDOWN: THE SMALL VOICE THAT RINGS OUT

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COUNTDOWN: THE SMALL VOICE THAT RINGS OUT

Seven days remain. Or so it would seem. Somehow you might not still be convinced. This is all just a strange coincidence, but to go as far as to claim that you have other memories... can it?

But things have already been set alight inside the hearts of those chosen few who have received the app on their phones. For some, it's just the first bite of the apple. For others, it's been like shaking down an entire tree. Things are beginning to look... strange. Surely there are more burning questions on their minds by now.

The warning bells of the Nightly Curfew ring across the city. There's a faint hum from the phone this time before the icon appears. This time it displays a time: 1:00AM

The rest of the night is normal. Perhaps you've cuddled up with family, or you've gone to bed early to wait, but sure enough, time tick by right until 1 in the morning when...

You're back into that application again. A single question before you're even permitted to type anything else. And while it seems to be overwritten by something inside of you, it feels a lot more natural than before. Which is, truthfully... troubling.

WELCOME TO THE FINAL QUIZ!
Answer from the heart, the part of you that has been denied for far too long.

Do you want to remember?
Yes | Hell Yes| Definitely | Of course I do!

And yet, a tiny little font at the bottom. A bit hard to miss but if you hover your finger over it will answer for you...

No. Not yet...
Once you are done, you are tossed once more into the main chatroom. Now your user names are the names that you wrote down in the last survey, but with all those questions it's... hard not to think of them as your own. Maybe you'll be cursing at this device, but it looks like you're already deep down the rabbit hole by now.

[OOC: This is the final network post before Awakening. Users will now be able to speak of who they are in their AU life without the information being blocked by the application.

As a note! Characters who select "no" will not need to Awaken next week and will be able to delay to later. Instead, the character will be able to proceed with logs as a Pre-Awakened, be aware of certain issues happening in the city, however their memories will not be complete and they will be unable to fight back (apart from their own weapons). Note that they will be unable to use a Persona until they fully Awaken. There will be more details to follow, if you pick this option.

As always, while they will not get any new on their own, speaking with Luci might grant the Awakened more memories... be careful that they don't get more than they bargained for.]

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[it was a strange turn of events indeed: Vincent never thought that he'd find himself in the position of level-headed and obnoxiously amused while Kit did everything short of swinging a punch to start a brawl. there's certainly something entertaining about the unexpected reversal, but he can't saw that he cares for it. it's almost enough to coerce him into granting the other boy's wish.

almost.]

You, mostly.

[he tilts his head to the side to stare more fully at his bedside partner, heedless of the fact that it won't be met. there's something equal parts sardonic and sincere in the way he cocks an eyebrow.]

Your head's not in the right place for it.

[you're making a demand of him. hot-blooded as he was, Vincent couldn't stand being used as a vehicle for other people's desires. he'd refuse even a fight for that.]

You too?

[There was an sort of empty humor to Kit's voice along with what sounded a good deal like fatigue; whether the latter was due to the late hour or his exasperation at his current situation, it was impossible to tell.]

Deciding things for me...

[His whole life had been full of people like that. Teachers, the sea of foster parents he'd had, the first gang he'd been a part of, and corrections officers. They kept coming, people who thought they knew what was best for him and disregarded what he wanted or what he said he could do.

He could force a confrontation. He knew ways to get Vincent's blood boiling.

And yet...he chose to do none of things, instead opting to turn away from the other boy and stretch out on the bed, only with his back to Vincent and his face to the wall. If he couldn't fight and he had nothing else to keep himself busy to distract him from his frustration, then perhaps trying to sleep was his only option.]

You decided that for yourself. Don't get pissy when someone points it out.

[the only choice that Vincent had made here was the save his companion the embarrassment of having his denial physically beat out of him. his temper was always bobbing close enough to the surface that it wouldn't take much to break him out of this strange humor and into a fight, but for the moment...well, he had too much respect to solicit what would only be a sad, sorry distraction out of Kit.

either he recognized that or was simply lacking in the energy to goad him into battle. whatever the reason his sulking decision to attempt sleep was bizarrely endearing to his bedmate. it takes everything Vincent has within him not to laugh, and that's at the price of being unable to wipe the grin off of his face. thank god the other boy was facing the wrong way.

content that the conversation seemed to have been settled for the time being, he readjusts himself against the headboard. he'd drift off to sleep when he was ready, but for the time being it seemed more comfortable to wait until Kit himself had fallen asleep.]

[Although he had grown quiet and still, and although he had even closed his eyes, Kit had not drifted off to sleep. He was waiting. For the soft promise of Vincent's breathing. For the chance to check AppleNET again without raising suspicion. And for the opportunity to speak directly with Luci and plead his case.

When the time came, he was relieved to learn that, despite how dangerous it would be, what he wanted wasn't impossible. An early Awakening was within his reach. Not the power that came with it, but the part that mattered most of all: his memories.

Knowing that it would be the last time he saw Vincent this way and with his own eyes was nearly enough to convince him not to go. But the call of his long lost life and true identity gave Kit strength. He couldn't remain. He would never be content to wait and continue living a lie. He would never forgive himself if he didn't try...

...and by the time he did return, after a long and arduous night and an experience that surpassed painful, it was nearly dawn.

The door clicked shut softly behind him, habitually locked. It seemed that with remembering some things, he hadn't really forgotten any others. Miraculously, there was space enough inside his head for not one, not two, but three different lives. And it was the most complete he'd felt in a long time.

Probably, that was something that Hiei would understand, but Vincent was another matter. As Kurama made his way toward the bedroom, silently peeling off the jacket he'd left in, he wondered how long it would be until his friend erupted. How much time did he have left to enjoy with him, since now he was only pretending to be Kit Florentine?

Would he wake him if he tried to crawl back into bed?

He didn't want to so instead, in order to be close to Vincent without disturbing his slumber, he pulled out the chair at his desk and sat down. He would work on a new entry for his notebook: Digitalis Purpurea. Purple Foxglove. In memory of who he had used to be...]

[without any outside disturbance, it's several more hours before Vincent rises. he'd been a live wire earlier in the evening when he'd started that confrontation, but the tension and foreign feeling of anger borne from concern had worn him out more than he'd expected. with the worries in his mind temporarily buried in the subconscious, he looks peaceful as he sleeps.

for a few moments after awakening, he still looks innocent. it's only after blinking several times at the ceiling does he realize the mysterious thing he's missing is Kit's presence next to him, prompting the boy to shoot up as if he'd been electrified. when he turns to find the cause of his alarm sitting sedately at his desk, his face falls back into the familiar surliness.]

Tch.

[is literally all he has to say right now, running a hand through his mussed hair with equal disdain. without having been woken during the night and with Kit sitting right there, he has no reason to suspect that anything is amiss yet. for the moment, he has no intention of checking that thrice-damned network until after breakfast.]

[The suddenness of Vincent jolting upright in bed just a few feet away didn't seem to startle Kurama, as if he'd been expecting it.

And, as if also sensing his companion's concern as well as his hunger, he closed his notebook and returned both it and his pen to the inside of his desk drawer. Although he was tired, his mannerisms cautiously slow and precise, his fatigue was otherwise well hidden. Unlike Vincent, he hadn't gotten any sleep through the night, but it had been a small price to pay for feeling more awake than he had in sixteen years.

If his sixteen years in Eddan were as real as they still felt, anyway.

Turning to face the other boy in his chair, Kurama smiled at the sight of his sleep-tousled hair and surly face. It was alarming that he knew who this boy was, and that he still didn't look like Hiei to his eyes. But perhaps that also made it easier.]

Good morning. Are you hungry?

[it was Hiei but not, even without the strange veil of the unawakened. what the younger demon may have become if his existence had actually been wanted.]

The hell do you think?

[Kit being able to predict his next move and then smile at it was nothing new at this point, but that didn't prevent it from further souring his expression. that too was part of their morning routine.

he slips off the bed easily, no longer feeling comfortable with his presence there. it had been fine when he'd been forcefully watching over the other boy, but now that the danger had passed it felt intimate. this was exactly why he'd tried so damned hard not to fall asleep here.

as he wanders towards the door and the implied start of breakfast, Vincent reaches out to spin the other boy's chair with enough force to nauseate. a little payment for making him worry and then laughing at it.]

[Kurama hadn't predicted Vincent's concern or appetite. Such things had merely become inevitable certainties in the course of their getting to know one another. What he did predict, however, was the other boy's attempt at a little revenge...

...although that, too, had become something he anticipated by now.

Vincent hated to lose as much as Hiei. Perhaps that was why Kurama had stood precisely when the other boy's hand had snapped out to spin the chair, and why the seat was empty as it danced around and around in its dizzying circles. Perhaps it was also the reason Kurama continued to be amused, the ringing sound of his laughter muted behind one hand as he walked around his partner and made to exit the bedroom.]

I think at this rate I might need to make a larger breakfast than normal to subdue your irascible nature.

[He paused then in the doorway and looked back at the other teen.]

Any requests?

Edited 2017-10-01 22:31 (UTC)

[as if a mere hand could hide the mirth that Vincent knew was lurking behind it. this was another inevitability in their relationship, but one that had failed to grow more endearing over time. they were too even in talent with each other to not see retaliations coming, and often things just like this occurred.

but the laughing...the goddamn laughter. it made him want to bury his fist into the other boy's stomach.]

Think you mean to keep your mouth from flapping so much.

[because so far the only thing that had come out of it this morning was hot bullshit. Kit should really look into getting that checked out.

the tight space of the doorway at least gives him another shot at some vengeance. as he passes through he makes to knock his elbow into his companion's side, punishing him doubly for having the gall to lift up his hand and find amusement at his expense.

it seems that he isn't going to deign the question with an answer as he continues walking, but halfway to the kitchen he throws out an easily missed response.]

...pancakes.

[annoying to make and labor intensive. another layer of punishment for all this stupidity.]

[While Kurama had foreseen that too, it seemed as though Vincent had in turn been anticipating his readiness. By utilizing the restricted space in the doorway to make escape no easy option, the shorter boy's stabbing elbow found its intended home in Kurama's side. It was the least he deserved for...everything. So he didn't fight it off, instead absorbing the digging blow with a soft grunt and shake of his head before he left the bedroom and followed Vincent into the kitchen.

The mention of pancakes did not go unheard.

As he gently nursed his sore ribs, he made his way to the cupboards and fridge pulling out all the ingredients he would need for three different varieties: strawberry, blueberry, and chocolate-cinnamon. The first two would be simple, the same base batter being used for both with different fruits added while cooking, but the chocolate batter would be much more rich. Its aroma would also prove the most exquisite, its heady sweetness stalking relentlessly through the dorm for hungry victims to tantalize. Even Kurama, with his delicate appetite, found the sweet smell tempting beyond measure.

After several minutes of cooking and a few extra spent cleaning up, he finally emitted a small, satisfied sigh tinged with a hint of humor.]

It's ready, but I think I may have made too much...

[He knew very well he hadn't made too much, but only because he knew whom he was preparing breakfast for. Anyone else would only eat half of what he'd prepared, or perhaps even only a quarter, but Vincent was voracious. Even Kit had found it endearing after a time, and Kurama was no different. A healthy appetite was an important thing to have, serving to strengthen the mind and body. And since he would be Awakening himself in a week...

Vincent needed this.

As he set the table, placing three different plates of stacked pancakes on it to choose from, including various toppings from maple syrup or whipped cream to butter or chocolate syrup, he tried not to think about how this might be the last meal he made for them.

The clock was ticking...but he didn't even know how much time was left.]

Help yourself to as much as you like.

[although the realm of complex cooking is a mystery to him and there's no way for him to truly know, Vincent can't help but feel as if he's being catered to even more than usual as he lays suspicious eyes upon the veritable feast of pancakes being laid out on the table. it's a thought that, for once, he's willing to push to the back of his mind rather than make a big stink about it. his eyes have been following Kit ever since his nose caught the heady scent of spicy chocolate.]

Did you really expect anything else whether you let me or not?

[the words are just as sharp as the rest of them have been this morning, but there's a wry expression on Vincent's face as he settles artlessly into his seat that absorbs more of the shock. he really was starving.

without any further ado he slowly sets to work building a frightening tower of pancakes on his plate, heavily favoring the chocolate ones. he pauses intermittently to top some of them with the various options available before continuing to openly defy god with the hubris of man.]

No, not really.

[Taking a seat opposite Vincent, Kurama pulled a couple of the strawberry pancakes onto his own plate. He helped himself to a little of the whipped cream too, but nothing else. The variety was meant entirely for his companion, as Vincent had suspected. Between them, the smaller boy's appetite was greater, and whether or not he bothered to exercise his manners, Kurama knew that Vincent was grateful for what had been put before him.

He didn't need to say thank you. It was enough that he was eating and not wasting anything. And that was the way it had always been between them. Even...when Vincent was whom he was meant to be.]

To be perfectly honest, however...

[Kurama cut a piece of pancake free and dipped it into the whipped cream before holding it up on his fork.]

...I did expect that by giving you my permission you would inevitably bristle like a grumpy cat. And I was right.

[Vincent mumbles something around a massive mouthful of pancakes that sounds suspiciously like "a cat would've shit in your bed by now", but he doesn't deign to repeat himself. the true words will simply be lost to time.

as he swallows prematurely, his sullen gaze remains on the pancake bit being waved mockingly in front of his face. they've played this game enough for him to know it was meant as a challenge, but given the previous outcomes he isn't sure if indulging his temper is worth the risk.]

You're up your own ass again. It's just annoying for you to keep pretending as if you have any say in things.

[...ah, fuck it. he reaches out to quickly try and bat the fork (and its load) onto the ground.]

My sincerest apologies, but you know what they say about bad habits...

[With a hint of mischief playing at the corners of his lips, Kurama not only tugged the fork and its impaled piece of pancake out of Vincent's reach, but transferred the bite-sized morsel straight into his own mouth. The summery sweet freshness of the strawberries danced on his tongue, lending an intolerable curve to his already wry smile.

That too was a bad habit, and one it seemed he wasn't in any hurry to correct.]

You'll need to be quicker than that next time.

[ugh, god, it really was this again. Vincent lets out some low, dissatisfied noise as his hand falls fruitlessly back onto the table.

he's better at judging this sort of thing now and knows it's too late to try and retrieve his original target. for a moment, however, it seems as if he's decided to make the attempt in the face of common sense; stupid as it was, it was certainly a very him thing to do. he leans forward on that failed hand to reach out and grab Kit by the cheeks, squeezing his hands gently to squish his lips and (presumably) force him to spit the food out.

there's a speculative sort of quality to his expression now alongside the irritation. as he gives another little squeeze he can't help but chuckle as he asks quietly:]

Who said I wasn't?

[and just like that he drops back into his seat again, having achieved the real goal: his 'supporting' hand had latched onto Kit's plate of remaining pancakes and dragged it back over to his side of the table.

there's no reason for him to do that with how many he already has. but Vincent grins all the same, immediately tucking into the purloined breakfast ahead of his own. delicious.]

[What meal of theirs would have been complete without some form of confrontation?

That was one question among many that Kurama asked himself as Vincent leaned across the small dinette table and grabbed his cheek with one hand, fingers pinching until his lips puckered involuntarily. Things had recently become more complicated between them. Or, more accurately, between his other self and Vincent. Moments like these were often so intense or amorously charged that Kurama was left to wonder what Kit would have done in the same situation.

And while he wondered, his plate was snatched out from under him.

...he couldn't even be mad at the clever ploy, not when he'd fallen into the trap on his own. But now that he was without a plate, he also had no pancakes to eat. Excepting the stacks left between them, that was.

Plucking one of the blueberry pancakes off a plate, he sat back in his chair to pull loose a small piece that he promptly plopped into his mouth. It wasn't victory, but it wasn't defeat, either. And it still tasted sweet.]

Don't complain when you eat so much your stomach hurts.

[it's wasn't a total victory, no, but it was forcing Kit to abandon some of his uppity manners and hygiene and that's satisfying enough that he doesn't try and steal the serving plates for himself as well.

for now, at least.]

Why would I? You'll clean up either way.

[was he a romantic interest or a more advanced form of a roomba? sometimes it really was hard for Vincent to differentiate between the two options.]

[He would, wouldn't he? If Vincent was sick, he would take care of any mess without even having to be asked or told. That was a trait that Kurama and Kit shared. Not just a strong preference towards cleanliness and order, but also a penchant for taking care of any people they loved that were unwell, even those they might be senselessly feuding with.

Unfortunately, it wouldn't be long now before that privilege was lost. How would it happen, he wondered? Cleaning up after breakfast would leave Vincent with plenty of time to himself, some of which would probably be spent checking the app to see if there were any new developments, something that had become a habit for them both the closer to Awakening they had gotten.

And once he checked he would see...a post that Kit had been foolish in making, his unrivaled impatience and impulsiveness (something he and Kurama didn't have in common) leading him to do something that had been completely unnecessary and reckless.

Oh, he understood the reasons why, how could he not? Kit Florentine was still a part of him. But there was no denying what a fool his other self could be at times. And the impending disaster it would soon leave him to deal with.

As he slowly ate in contemplative silence, now and then stealing glances in Vincent's direction, Kurama decided that he would accept whatever the other boy decided to do when he found out. Whether it was to strike him or to leave or tell him to leave or something else. He owed him that.]

[Vincent allows things to drift off into quiet companionship for almost the entire duration of breakfast, currently more interested in these delicious pancakes than winding up his roommate just yet. it's only when he begins to notice all the looks cast his way (after consuming a frightening amount of food) that he speaks again.]

The hell is it now?

[Kit wasn't someone who did anything without purpose. he wasn't just staring at him because the view was admirable. maybe he was still sour about having been cockblocked last night.]

[Looking up from the last piece of pancake in between his fingers, Kurama shook his head and smiled apologetically at his companion. He hadn't realized how transparent he was being, but he could certainly fix that with a small white lie.]

I was just wondering if you even needed to breathe while eating.

[With a chuckle, he finished off the last of his pancake before getting up from the table to go wash his hands at the sink. With his back to the other boy it was easier to hide the worry that had gripped his heart like some kind of steel trap. And, when he spoke again, his voice was content and peaceful, betraying none of what lurked beneath his placid surface...]

If you're still hungry I could make something else.

[his heart may be sleeping, but Vincent's soul was still that of his partner. he would always be just a little bit better at picking out the other boy's fidgets than anyone else.

unfortunately he was also just a little bit more prone to allowing his bad temper to cause him to fall for easy distractions. both comments cause him to exhale loudly and with a great amount of disdain, even as he begins polishing off his last few pancakes.]

It's not going up my nose.

[what idiot needed to slow down to continue breathing while they ate? that was so stupid.]

And this is fine. There're still things in the fridge for later.

[for the inevitable later when he grew hungry again and laid waste to the poor food receptacle. no amount of pancakes would ever prevent Kit from having to make grocery runs nearly every day.]

[Kurama's amusement at Vincent's petulant devouring of the leftover pancakes was completely unabashed, but much as he'd hoped to hold onto that genuine feeling, it was gone with the other teen's final comment.

His smile remained in place as he returned to the table to begin putting things away, and it hid well the troubled thoughts weighing on his mind, or so he believed. He was still newly Awakened and he hadn't slept. And now on top of it all he was worried about a 'later' that might never come. How successful his attempts at maintaining his mask were was truly hard to say.

Until now, Kurama had never worried about whether Vincent would stay and eat all the food in his fridge. He'd simply learned to accept that he would, that it was the unavoidable reality of their relationship...and that was fine with him. Only, once Vincent learned the truth, that reality would change. And Kurama realized he would miss that quarrelsome element in his life and having someone to dote upon. He was dreading that zero hour because, for once, he wasn't really sure how to handle the problem.

He was cool-headed and calculating, capable of shutting of his emotions, but this situation required a level of finesse he simply didn't have when it came to other peoples' feelings. Probably, he should tell Vincent himself. Before he had the chance to find out any other way.

He could do that at least...right?]

Vincent...

[In his contemplating, Kurama cleared most the table off and had returned the toppings to the fridge. Only then did he close the door and turn to give his companion his full attention.]

[he knew that there had to be something else. or, the part of him a little more impervious to simple goading had continued to know that.

Vincent's hand falls away from where it had been wiping stray whipped cream from the corner of his mouth, expression settling into something decidedly more serious. his own mind had already been moving through the rest of his schedule, deciding on a shower soon and reminding himself the band had practice today. to say he was surprised would be a bit extreme, but Kit's tone certainly caught him off guard for a moment or two.]

What?

[a part of him still wonders if he won't be hearing the riot act over his pushy actions last night? it's what informs his posture even as his eyes focus completely on his companion; he's so obviously unrepentant sitting in that chair, so ready to spark a fight in order to defend his choices.]

[He couldn't keep this up. He couldn't pretend to be someone he wasn't, not with someone whom he'd come to have romantic feelings toward. Even disregarding that Vincent would inevitably Awaken in a few days, Kurama was not alright with deceiving him until then. He already felt despicable for having lied throughout breakfast. It was unthinkable to even consider prolonging that seven more days.

Obviously, his other self hadn't thought that part through. He'd been selfish in his hurry to find out the truth, doggedly pursuing his memories at all cost. In hindsight, Kurama thought he'd been a complete fool...and the one to pay the price wasn't even him.

It was all of the people he had let into his life. New friends and old alike. Foster parents he'd finally attempted to be kinder towards. And Vincent...who didn't deserve any of this.

When he met the other teen's gaze, Kurama leaned back against the counter and frowned. This was it...]

I'm sorry.

[he doesn't have to say anything more. Vincent knows instantly.

all of that effort, allowing himself to act on his concern for once despite how transparent it would make him...he may as well have been smashing his head against a brick wall. and Kit - Kurama - both of them had allowed him to continue his fruitless quest, knowing full well that it could only end in failure.

what had he expected? that because they'd fought without restraint once that his opinion might mean something? that admitting his feelings towards the other boy would be worth more than a few days of impatient waiting?

stupid. idiot. and there was no one to blame but himself. Vincent should have known better than to believe he could truly carve out a place in anyone's life, let alone someone as selfish as Kit had been. in the end he was as noteworthy as the furniture populating this dorm.

the table shakes when he rises, chair crashing into it hard enough that it nearly topples over from the force. he holds Kurama's gaze for a long moment, something indescribable burning white hot in his eyes.]

...of course you would.

[and that was it. in one devastating moment Vincent had realized that it wasn't even worth the effort to swing at him - what satisfaction could a brawl bring him? nothing would change. he'd already seen how hollow those feelings were.

he turns on his heel sharply and stalks towards his own bedroom. just looking at the other boy now made the bile rise up in his throat; he couldn't maintain eye contact without gagging. what he needed now was that shower, before he broke something.]

COUNTDOWN: THE SMALL VOICE THAT RINGS OUT

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This is based on discussed details, but we may still need to retcon some stuff after this point...

like anyone's even going to know if we fuck up and leave it

WE'LL KNOW

WILL WE

YES!?!!?!

I WOULDN'T BE SO SURE

WHY NOT

BECAUSE WE CAN BARELY REMEMBER OUR OWN NAMES

THAT WAS ONE TIME

WE'VE FORGOTTEN THINGS WAY MORE THAN ONCE

I REJECT YOUR OBVIOUS FALSIFICATION OF THE TRUTH.

you'll forget it later anyway, don't get so worked up

Forget what?

exactly

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