Hand in hand, through each endeavor;

[fauxbot]

WHO: Chipp, and many others! (+1 open prompt!!)
WHAT: GUESS WHO DIED
WHEN: Post-event, post-revival!
WHERE: About Nightwake
WARNINGS: Talk of death, awkward apologies, goopy sappy feelings for everyone

[A] (CLOSED to Evangeline)

[He'd died.
He, Chipp, an immortal Grim Reaper, powerful being of divine origins, had died.

This isn't new for him. Back home, he dies all the time - in his gaggle of friends, it's even something of a running joke, a way to get Chipp out of their hair when he's being insufferable. He's used to being blasted through the chest, or beheaded by hand, or ripped limb from limb, or... any number of things, really.

But here? In Ellipsa? Where everything is peaceful, and everyone is mortal, and it's been quiet evening after quiet evening? He honestly thought it was impossible.
But it happened. He died. He ran out of magic, unraveled into dust and ash, and blew away in the wind.

And now here he is, back in the shed, sitting on his stupid little cot... staring at his phone, wondering just who he'd want to speak to after all of that.

...]

heyyyy
miss evangeline!
you busy?
i died
lmao

[Yeah, sure, that works. Aaaaand send.]

[B] (CLOSED to Rinku)

[... Likewise, after all of this, he does have something else on his mind -
The guy who got him to that point in the first place. Who pushed him to that edge, to the point where he allowed himself to drain his tank and come apart...
Ezra, of course.
And how he wants to apologize to him. Yes, even though Chipp is the one who died - he still feels it's Ezra owed the apology.
The problem is... he isn't good at that. At all. But you know who he figures would be?]

hey. this miss rinku?
sorry had to ask miss evangeline for your number
it's chipp.

remember your whole uhhhh
happy around thing?
i think i could use that right now.

[C] (OPEN)

[After all that...

... Chipp still hasn't spoken to Ezra yet.
He can't. Not right away - the whole thing stings in a way he doesn't understand, something feeling as though it's festering in his chest...
It's left him feeling torn and strange and uncomfortable, unable to really sit still for more than a couple of minutes.

And so he's brought himself out to a park in Blossomcrown, just to enjoy the flowers and spend some time in the sun.
With his Varoom, of course. He can't go hang out in the park without his precious little car, can he??
The little Pokemon seems happy to zoom around the bench Chipp's found, stopping every so often to nibble at flowers and people and benches and tables--

But that's where he sits for the moment, reclining on a park bench and staring up at the clouds... in nothing but a hoodie and the stupid pants he revived in, all of his belongings currently in the position of the guy who fought him to the brink of death.
Which includes everything. All of it.
No helmet.
No cloak.
No arm - the metal socket's just there, open, empty.
He doesn't even have his boots, out here in the park without them.

The misery (and irritation, and embarrassment) emanating off of him is palpable. And as much of a terrible cliche as it may be... maybe someone may want to come bother the poor guy?]

[D] (CLOSED to Ezra)

[And thus... the inevitable. He can't just leave this and ignore it -
Not only because he feels Ezra deserves to be spoken to, to be apologized to, all of that, but because, well.
Ezra has his arm??

And Chipp really, really doubts he knows where to send it, either. So.

After asking around the apartments for an address (and discussing some ideas, some options for how to do this with Rinku)... eventually, Ezra gets the dreaded knock on his door. It's a heavy one, obviously someone bigger than most others who'd be knocking -
But when Ezra opens the door, Chipp isn't right in front of it. He's on the other side of the hall, trying not to look at the exorcist as much as possible.

Instead, what's actually in front of the door, down in front of his feet, is... a cake. In a nice little container, yes, but it's also pretty clearly handmade - and handwritten, if the messy handwriting on top makes that obvious.
All it says is "Sorry", of course. ... With what he remembers Gabriel's seal looking like drawn underneath it in icing, too.

And, yes. Chipp is STILL trying not to look at him. He's kind of hoping Ezra's just going to take the cake and give him his stuff and he can leave and go run off to hide in the Segments for a week--]

Comments

b

[roundandaround]

Coming!!
Sorry I got bit so I was trying to rest and then I had to evacuate us and get the kids to the hotel and THEN Hina-chan ran off because I guess she didn't realize there was an emergency? Also some people got turned so I've been giving them all the blood cakes I'm trying to learn to make. Also also all my neighbours wanted me to help them turn all their expired food not expired.
BUT I'm here!
...wait where should I find you

[fauxbot]

[??? Rinku???
He's almost tempted to tell her to chill and worry about herself more, go get the rest she clearly needs, but also... no, he does still very much needs her assistance, so -
She's getting a GPS ping from him, down in Amberfall.]

i'll meet you by the gate to let you in
we got those topiary things?
the ones riki sells
so yknow don't get too close
until i tell them you're cool

[roundandaround]

Oh, cool! I can be there right away, Neechan lives in Amberfall and I can just go through her place!

[Rinku does end up there fairly quickly, with her Sobble and Zubat riding on her shoulders and a bandaged-up neck sticking out of her button-up shirt. She waves from the gate and sways from side to side to fidget, munching on a bag of microwave popcorn and occasionally sharing some with the Pokémon.]

[fauxbot]

[Honestly, seeing the way she's fidgeting while snacking at the same time... yeah, even someone like Chipp can't help smiling, even though that smile is nearly impossible to see.
Still, he's more than happy to tell off the topiaries guarding the gate, moving to open it up for her and let her in.

He is, in fact, still missing his helmet. And his arm - not just the floating portion, but the entire damn thing.
Still, he seems like he's trying to sound happy as he speaks.]

Hey... thanks for showin' up. I'm gonna bring ya back to the shed; 's where I keep my stuff, wanna show ya some music.
And talk 'n shit, obviously, but y'know... figured you'd appreciate the music part.

I don't wanna drag you out here for all my woes 'n worries 'n not give ya somethin' fun, after all.

c

[boombam]

[Finally, finally the sun is back.

The sun is back, and Katsuki can't fucking enjoy it anymore.

But honestly? Being a vampire won't stop Katsuki from sitting out in it, if he can help it. He puts on a big, oversized hoodie with the hood pulled as over his face as he can and he goes out on a nice walk. Something he's needed desperately.

That's when he finds Chipp sitting on that bench, and at first it doesn't register that this is the scary Grim Reaper that he met before. Rather, he sees that hair and for a moment his heart feels tight and excited. Hopeful, as from behind it looks awfully similar to a certain favourite Hero of his. Blonde, the slight mullet, and the cowlick that sticks out so prominently. The only difference, that Katsuki catches when he gets closer, is that All Might has two of those cowlicks whereas this man has three.

Damn.

It's not his favourite Hero-- but he knew in the back of his mind it wouldn't be, anyway, because All Might hasn't been in that form proper in a long time-- but he still decides to see what was up with this depressed looking man. And now that he's up close enough for the two to see each other, he notices the missing arm too. And the grey skin. And it clicks that he's... probably met this man before.]

You look like shit.

[He can just FEEL the bad vibes coming off of Chipp.]

[fauxbot]

[Welp - if he's gonna wander closer, Katsuki's gonna have to put up with being in Varoom Nibble Range.
Which is to say, the li'l guy's already zooming up with a whirr, looking to boop its little mouth-pipe against Katsuki wherever he can.

Meanwhile, Chipp tilts his head back to look at Katsuki over his shoulder, letting out a sigh... but still smiling just a touch regardless.
It's... impossible to see. But it's there, at least?]

Yeah? That don't surprise me.
I feel like shit, too.

[boombam]

[Katsuki will ignore the Varoom, letting it nibble at his hoodie wherever it feels like.]

What happened? Did'ja do your "I'm a scary killer" thing to the wrong guy?

[The blonde will walk around from behind Chipp, and take a seat next to him on the bench. Pulling his hood forward as far as it can go to hide his face from the sun completely. (his hand has a glove on he is Protected)]

[fauxbot]

[As Katsuki makes his way around to sit, the little Varoom - DJ - follows...
Only to nudge his arms to try and get in the little Hero's lap. Hello, pay attention to baby car, thank you.]

... I hate that you ain't wrong.
But if I weren't runnin' on a near empty tank, I dunno if it woulda gone so bad... maybe it still woulda. I dunno.
Maybe it wouldn't.

[He really, really wants to believe that he was simply too weakened thanks to the darkness... he just also isn't sure.]

I ended up runnin' out, though. My kind, Reapers - we held together with magic. Without it, we just fall apart 'n die.
'N we recharge in the light... it was too dark, I used up too much magic, so...
I fell apart. 'N I died.

c.

[anenemies]

[He wonders how long he can stand in the background without being noticed. He doesn't know why he stays. Or doesn't run away. Chipp looks like he'd rather do anything than talk to someone. Kagami can relate. But his feet move on their own and he stops in front of him, ignores the Pokemon.

Plastering on a smile like it's only been a day since they last talked]

Do you need a hand?

1/2;

[fauxbot]

[Of course. Of course. Chipp feels like he should have expected that kind of joke at some point, and yet he can't help the weary sigh he lets out anyway.]

Oh, couldja fuck off--

2/2;

[fauxbot]

... Kagami?

[He'd turned to look at the other as he was partway through that little curse, and it's clear he's got no more plans to continue.
In fact, after a moment? He's even going to scoot so there's room on the bench with him.

No more words necessary. Get over here.]

[anenemies]

[Ah. He had another clever joke ready, it's a shame Chipp stole the words out of his mouth. His smile drops and instead of the sweeping bow he was planning to take, he sits next to him. Don't mind him.

He looks awful. ...What in the world happened to his shoes?]

[fauxbot]

["Don't mind him", huh? So... ruffle his hair? Get him all close?
Sorry, but Kagami is still "the cute cat boy that Nenonen liked" - he's gonna be pet and cuddled, it's what he gets.]

... Good to see ya.

[Of all the things he's missing, though, it's the shoes Kagami's worried about...??]

C

[myeasterbest]

[Chip isn't the only one out and about enjoying the sunlight with their Pokemon. White Rabbit walks along the park path with his Mimikyu following along beside him. The little cloth covered rabbit makes strange noises as it speaks. Though when Varoom comes close the urge to nibble, Mimikyu hisses loudly at the living engine.]

Now now. I'm sure it is simply curious. [The Rabbit looks to the rather dejected man on the bench.]

I do hate to interrupt your sulking. Is this little one yours?

[fauxbot]

"Li'l one"...? [Chipp turns a little to see what he's talking about - and sighs.]

Oh - him. Ouais, he's mine.
DJ, c'mere - quit causin' trouble.

[It's clear his heart isn't in the little reprimand, though the Varoom thankfully listens anyway... ending up floating over to flop itself down in Chipp's lap, clearly expecting love and attention.
(Instead, it's getting some idle scratches on its little engine filter, but that's close enough.)]

... Sorry 'bout him. He just a li'l guy, don't know much 'bout the world yet.
Still tries to eat my tools 'n shit.

[myeasterbest]

[White Rabbit bends down and picks up Mimikyu who is still making a few unhappy noises. He pets the small Pokemon to calm him down.]

Thank you. It is alright. He seemed curious, that's all. Mimikyu doesn't appreciate sudden touch, as it seems.

[He will sit on the opposite end of the bench as Chipp.]

What troubles you?

d ... i am here :T

[emanation]

{ after the whole fight and waking up to nothing but chipp's belongings it was fairly easy to put two and two together. the problem is ezra has a complex on this sort of thing--he never wanted it to go that far. to him, that was another life lost. another he'd failed to save.

and he's equally been a state since.

once the sky had been returned to normal thanks to the ribbons and all that jazz, he's essentially holed himself up in his apartment. normally samson would be there to smack him on the head for this, but she isn't here. no one else knows his tendencies for this so he's just been on his own for the past 2 days. wallowing in how he feels he's failed again.

he hasn't changed since he got back from doing his part to pour energy into the ribbons and sorting out the sky. still in the same t-shirt. hair unbrushed and a mess. the only difference is he switched jeans for pyjama bottoms. goodtimes.

the only person who really knows where he lives is saya, no one else has visited because he spends so little time there when he's doing well. that's why, when he does open the door, he's incredibly confused. he expects it to be someone door knocking to advertise something honestly which is why his mouth is already opening to speak when he doesn't see anyone there.

a glance left, a glance right. he spots chipp all the way down the hall, something tight twists in his stomach and then finally his eyes drop to notice the container. if chipp does decide to look over he'll see ezra's hand grip at the door tighter for a moment, bite into the inside of his cheek and close his eyes in frustration.

there's a second where he stays like that, until he sighs out and finally reaches down to pick it up. }

I'm not going to hit you. Come on.

{ he opens the door wider now, staring down the hall at him. chipp is not so fortunate he can drop off cake, grab his things and run. }

[fauxbot]

[He does glance over, watching Ezra's reaction - but the moment he's looked at again, he looks away. Unable to meet the exorcist's gaze for the life of him.
And at first, it seems like he's going to reject that invitation... but no, he'll go ahead and turn to walk over there, stuffing his hand in the pocket of his hoodie.
Still trying not to look at Ezra. Still.

...

He's not gonna get any words from Chipp just yet, though. Apparently. No greetings, no apologies, not even asking for his stuff.
Just trudges into the apartment, walking a couple steps further in to make sure there's space between the two of them, and waits.]

[emanation]

{ what is he even supposed to do with this now? chipp not saying a word means he has to start this first. he'll close the door behind them both, a soft click loud when neither of them saying anything. he steps past him, going towards the kitchen to take the container in there.

it's only when he places it on the side, bites into his lip and pauses he'll actually try and say something. }

Sorry.

{ he takes a deep breath. }

I don't really know what happened in the end- { how could he? he'd been knocked unconscious while in the air, the electricity chipp had sent at him making sure of that. for all he knows he'd somehow unlocked gabriel's full power and done something unforgiveable. } -but I know I never wanted it to go far. It's my fault you...

{ he trails off there, picks at the edge of the container without opening it. }

Sorry.

A

[abnormalizes]

I'm so sorry.

[It's not actually funny, even if he wants to play it off like it is. Her heart clenches painfully.]

I'm not busy. Do you want me to come over, or should I come to you?

[fauxbot]

[NO... his one chance to not take it seriously, foiled...
He ends up staring at his phone for a moment, letting out a little sigh. And, as expected with only one arm, the response takes a minute.]

if you come over here
can we hang out in the house?
shed feels weird
don't wanna be in it.

[abnormalizes]

Whatever feels better for you. I'll be right over.

[And soon enough, she's knocking on the front door of softhouse, dressed in her usual EGO suit.]

C

[kerontribution]

[It takes Oryou a second to recognize Chipp without his helmet or cloak. She does a visible double take as she almost passes by, and then zips right over.]

Did someone take your arm? Oryou will bite them.

[She is READY TO GO, just tell her who did this to you-]

[fauxbot]

[Chipp, meanwhile, had already spotted Oryou - the only reason he didn't call out being... honestly, he wouldn't be calling out to anyone right now, just with the way he feels.
But just because he isn't the mood to start conversations doesn't mean he won't have them.

Oryou mentions his arm, and there's an empty whirring sound as he looks at it - as if the arm that isn't there just tried to move to be looked at, and the joint welded to his bones just did its best to fulfill that wish.]

... If I say "yes", will ya make sure 's funny when ya do it?

[When she bites, he means. He may be in a weird, awful mood, but this is still Chipp.
He is still willing to do shit just because it's funny.]

[kerontribution]

Yes. [Without hesitation.] Oryou will bite their nose off, and then they will have no nose.

[That's funny, right?]