soul_campaign | =track 10= | video | january 22nd, pre-earthquake

[Well, here's an unfamiliar face on the network. Yosuke's been scarce since the New Year started. Work at Triple AAA, a new partnership, and the general hustle and bustle of suddenly having a personal life that extended beyond annoying his friends was enough to keep the guy from updating the rest of the city on what he was up to.

And well, a lot of his life had been kinda on the down low lately. He couldn't think of much to say beyond a generic 'sup guys, status quo remains...status!', and even that would've been a lie, at the end of the day. Things were changing for him. For the better.

Or at least, they had been. Yosuke refocused the communicator, centering the lens. His arm hung in a sling, but that was downright cheery compared to the almost vacant expression on his face. He looked ashy. Not dead, but close enough to. Part of it was the lighting in Yosuke's (formerly Jade's) dark room. In the communicator's glow, Yosuke looked practically white. Not his best look ever. Hell if he didn't still stretch a smile across his face, though. A little too tight, a little too sharp, but there all the same. That had to count for something.]

Hey, so, long time no talk. I've...kinda been putting this off. Mostly because I, er. ...I wanted to make sure.

[Yosuke's dog was circling around his legs, and the boy took that moment to scoop him up into his lap with his one good arm.] Anyway, I'll just get to the point. Don't even know why I'm bothering to announce it, most of you probably already know, it's just...man, hell if I know.

Souji Seta, Kurt Hummel, and Jade Harley...hah, I guess BREW decided it didn't have any more use for them here. It doesn't really make much sense, but when does anything that stupid machine do make a...damn--

[Yosuke's hand shot toward the comm, jostling Lucky in the process. When the image returned, Yosuke was in just a slightly different position, eyes a little redder. As seamless a cut as he could manage.]

I've been kinda antsy lately. You know that feeling, when you're crawling out of your skin...yeah, that's me right now. Your friendly neighborhood spaz. I know I'm kinda damanged goods [Yosuke wiggled his sling for emphasis] but man, could I go for some ass kicking right now. Jade was my partner...best partner ever, honestly, but, hah, let's not get into that. I need a new one. It's not like you have to sign an oath in blood to be my partner forever or anything, it can just be a one time thing. There's gotta be a meister out there somewhere who wants to hit shit as bad as I do.

[Yosuke's smile stretched thinner at that; almost wan. For a guy who prided himself on being able to at least appear semi-okay at all times, he was doing a pretty piss poor job of it at present. It was all too much. Between Jade...Souji and Kurt...]

Anyway, yeah. That's all, I guess. See ya all around. [He flashed a quick v-sign with his good arm, and reached out to cut the feed. Though not before adding a few filtered messages.]

Filtered to Sollux Captor;

Hey, I know you and me aren't exactly bosom buddies or anything, but I need to talk to you. It's about Kurt, he left you something.

...And if you could leave your usual shit at the door just this once, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

Filtered to Roy Mustang and Ryotaro Dojima;

...I'm really sorry. For everything. I tried my best, but hey, it's not the first time that hasn't been good enough.

[He laughed, robustly enough to sound genuine. Emphasis on sound. The crackling way he died off gave him away, but the feed cut before he could give any more.]

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...I'm sorry, Yosuke-san. [He doesn't know the other two, but he's going to miss Souji.]

[Yosuke smiled reflexively, brushing Otaku-kun off with careful dismissiveness.] Ha, it's not like I'm the first person who's lost somebody, right? Don't sweat it.

Nevertheless... It could not be easy. [Don't think he didn't notice the fake smile.] My condolences.

...Are you certain you are prepared for a mission?

Ah, yeah, well...yeah.

[Yosuke's voice died down a little on that last point, paired with a laugh that hedged on rueful. There wasn't much left to say.]

My arm's not as bad as it looks, so yeah, it should be fine. I'll be in my weapon form anyway.

[Raidou is still worried. Even if Yosuke is physically able to fight...]

It might still be best to take your time and grow accustomed to a new partner first.

Ha, yeah, that's probably the smart choice. [Yosuke conceded, though with no inclination of actually listening to Raidou's advice.] Once I'm back from this little beat-em-up thing, I'll probably try to do that. I just don't really have the time for it right now, y'know?

[...He meant practicing resonance before the mission, not after...]

Can the mission not wait? A single complication with resonance could be all it takes to put both yourself and your partner in danger.

[Yosuke rubbed the back of his neck; the universal gesture for okay, maybe it's not the best plan, but did you have to call me out on it, dude?]

...It'll be fine. And if worse comes to worse, we can always hightail it. Don't worry so much, man.

[That does absolutely nothing to stop him from worrying.

Should he try to stop Yosuke from doing something potentially foolish, or respect his decision and trust he would be able to handle it...?

...]

...I cannot stop you from going. But... even if your aim is to relieve stress, please remember to exercise caution.

[Yosuke rolled his eyes; a final fork stuck in Raidou's worry. He was being silly. Dramatic. It was just a mission, he'd been on dozens. Sure, the last one had left him less than unscathed, but that was a fluke. He'd be fine and so would Rose. Honestly, Yosuke was pretty sure Rose could go on existing off her grimness alone.]

Alright, alright, I hear you already. I'll be careful.

[Raidou can tell Yosuke is annoyed with him. Is he really worrying too much?

Still...]

I apologize if I am being overbearing. I only... [He pauses, trying to put his thoughts into words.] I would rather not lose any more friends.

[Souji, Miku, Neku, Choushiro... Losing them to BREW had been difficult enough; losing someone to the war would be far worse.]

[Yosuke couldn't help it; the guilt hit him in the stomach. Something about it made him almost angry. What, so he wasn't allowed to go off and have his fun blowing off steam, not without worrying about everyone else worrying about him? Did they all come first or something? Who made that rule?

It was a petty thought, but Yosuke could be a petty teenager. At least he had the sense to not use poor Raidou as a scapegoat for everyone saying 'no'. The only sign that things weren't sitting right was the sharp edge to his smile and the finality in his voice.]

Nothing's gonna happen to me, dude.

Edited 2012-02-10 22:16 (UTC)

[Well, there is nothing else he can say, is there? He will just have to believe in Yosuke.]

Very well. I wish you luck on your mission.

[Just come back safely.]

=track 10= | video | january 22nd, pre-earthquake

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