(open) ☀️ beach bonfire party

[niwabi]

WHO: Everyone! You and you and yes, YOU!
WHAT: Summer Beach Party
WHEN: June 23rd
WHERE: Solarpeak Beach
WARNINGS: none for now!

BEACH PARTY

The sun is shining, a cool, crisp ocean breeze flutters across the shores of Solarpeak Beach. There's not a single cloud in the sky, the perfect day to have a party! Whether you heard about it through Yoimiya's network post, word of mouth or just happen to stumble onto the festivities, everyone is invited to Ellipsa's scorching hot Beach Bonfire Party! Grab your swimsuits, sun dresses, or whatever you feel the most comfortable in, and join in on the fun.

➤

Gonna Soak Up the Sun

Through the combined efforts of Sisu, Yoimiya, and the many kind volunteers who lent their assistance in setting up the venue, the beach party is here and open to the public! Upon arrival, everyone will be given a choice of colorful, handmade hibiscus leis or bracelets to adorn for the party. They aren't mandatory in the slightest, just a cute little thank-you gift to those who are attending. After receiving a warm welcome from the hosts, you're free to set off and have fun! Meet up with friends or introduce yourself to new people from distant worlds, the party is your oyster. Of course, there will be plenty of other activities to partake in as well. Venture forth to the fun!

Feeling brave and daring? Sitting on top of the ocean is an inflatable balance beam built especially for water jousting. Foam joust poles and life jackets (if you wish to wear one!) will be given to would-be challengers looking to scratch the itch for a fight. The goal is to assert your dominance by knocking adversaries into the water and be the last person standing. Show off your strength and become the champion of the beach!

Perhaps you might be in the mood for a bit of fun in the sand. A large area of the beach is sectioned off for the grand Sandcastle Competition. Solarpeak residents from all across the city are bustling with excitement, flocking in to watch the artists do their magic, so go wild with your creations and give them a good show! Buildings, any kind of sculpture, or even just a basic castle are all accepted, let your imagination run free. You can even drag a buddy in for a helping hand if your work of art requires assistance. For the winner, the grand prize is a summer gift basket filled with goodies for a nice relaxing spa day at home. Tucked away inside the basket are gift cards to various restaurants in Ellipsa. Don't fret if you aren't interested in participating! Anyone is welcome to walk around and marvel at the competitor's creations.

➤

A Feast for All

The hosts are bound and determined to ensure that no one leaves this beach hungry. If you're craving a cold tasty treat to stave off the heat, a bustling shaved ice stall is here to cool down roasting attendees. An endless variety of flavors are available for mixing and matching, waiting to quench your thirst. If you are feeling adventurous, there are a few questionable flavors on the menu such as Bacon, Durian, Jalapeño, Ketchup, Mushroom, Pickle juice and Seaweed. Try them at your risk or if your palette is "hungry" for something more on the "unique" side.

For those who made inquiries about alcohol, special arrangements have been made! A small pop-up bar has been set up for today's joyous occasion. The bar's pride and joy is a variety of summer-themed cocktails but you can also find other basic liquor or non-alcoholic drinks if your tastebuds are craving simplicity. To go alongside the refreshing beverages, food is also provided at this small establishment. Some of the dishes on the menu are: kebabs with a hint of rum, peach bruschetta, spring rolls, fish and chips, crab hush puppies, and a spicy jalapeño popper dip (you can also ask for the ghost pepper version of this dip if you are feeling brave). All the hosts ask is that visitors to the bar be mindful of the people who can't or aren't interested in drinking.

Decorated across the shores of the beach are tables, picnic blankets, and sizzling hot grills for the designated picnic area. In a similar fashion to the potluck that took place a while back, several tables have been set up for those who like to go crazy in the kitchen or wish to advertise their food business by bringing samples to share.

Time flies when so much fun is taking place! As the last light of day begins to fade, the stars come out to brighten up the night sky on this clear summer day. However, just because there's no more sunlight, doesn't mean the party is over. Far from it! There's still lots of excitement to be had for the attendees who wish to stick around for the night festivities.

➤

A Midsummer Night's Glow

On the middle of the beach, a blazing bonfire burns ever so brightly inside a log fire pit. Eat snacks, catch up with friends, meet new people, or get cozy with others should one be feeling touch starved. In need of an icebreaker? A game of truth or dare or telling scary stories makes for a good way to pass the time. Maybe you'll have a fateful encounter and land yourself a date before the night is over.

With a sky full of beautiful stars, a bustling bonfire, and a large open space, the atmosphere is perfect for dancing. The DJ for the evening is the bright and energetic Aimoto Rinku, here to bust out an array of sick beats with her turntable. There's plenty of fun to be had in a group conga line or grab a partner for a slow, romantic bolero, and dance to whatever music piques your interest. A small makeshift stage is also set up for those who wish to sing, Rinku will be more than happy to work with any potential performers. From upbeat EDM to ballads, all types of genres fill the air with music. Let loose, enjoy the melody, and dance the night away!

➤

Festive Mementos

For one of the hosts, summer just isn't the same without fireworks exploding across the sky. To end the evening with a bang, a beautiful barrage of fireworks paints the night sky in various colors and patterns. As a final gift to the attendees, Yoimiya has prepared sparklers for everyone to play with. There are a variety of colors to choose from, pink, red, blue, green, orange, purple, yellow, etc. No matter what color catches your fancy, with a little flick of the wand, all of them appear like twinkling stars sparkling and flickering across the stick.

To end off the light show, fireworks representing each of the seasons burst into the sky. Blue snowflakes for Winter, pink cherry blossoms for spring, a yellow sun for Summer, and red maple leaves for Autumn. After the vibrant display, a final golden ray of light flickers and explodes into a bright, heartwarming message for all of the guests. "Thank you for attending! You are all amazing! Let's have a great time in Ellipsa!"

(OOC: Make your own top levels, mingle and have fun! ♡)

code

Comments

swoops in --

[wingbound]

[ Oh, hey. Look at those two dumbasses making a scene. ]

[ Levi suffers it for what he deems to be long enough, and then he's swiftly between them, expertly ducking under Jean's fist and hitting them both at the same time. Jean gets a fist to the stomach, and Hijikata's blessed with a heel planted against his gut, both forceful enough to send them stumbling (if not flying) in opposite directions. Then he straightens up. ]

[ Yes, he did overhear something of a particular personal interest to himself, but he'll save it for a moment, instead staring Jean down. Despite the show of violence, his tone is quiet, almost lifeless, nonetheless leaves no room for argument. ]

Right now you need to cool off.

[ And then the same dead fish eyed expression is given to Hijikata, along with a meaningful glance toward that discarded cocktail. Some model citizen he's supposed to be-- ]

And clean that up.

[ If either of them want to come at him, well, they're free to do so. It's probably not the best idea, even if he still needs that walking aid. ]

[ "Brother just died in front of him" is one hell of a suspicious phrase though. ]

What exactly are you idiots getting constipated about?

Bless you Levi

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata almost goes flying, but manages to turn it into a skidding stagger (largely thanks to the sand).

Damn, Levi is fast; he came out of nowhere... and he has a mean kick, too. Usually Hijikata can handle a hit to the gut, but this time he needs a moment, which isn't necessarily why he doesn't immediately move to pick the cocktail up, but why his answer comes out pretty clipped.]

Your shitty world!

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean's not as lucky, he slams into the ground because of the impact. This feels very familiar for the one time Levi interrupted him and Eren fighting.

It hurts A LOT, but also does a good job of getting Jean's emotions to cool down. He needs to take a moment to just breathe and think.

This was the first time he's fought this bad with Hijikata. The last time he yelled at the guy was one-sided over Hiji dying. This was different. But he could have handled it better and more calmly... but it showed how much his death still affected him to react this badly.

Suddenly he feels very exhausted.]

Apologies on making a scene, Levi. I lost my cool unnecessarily.

[He's pointedly avoiding looking at Hijikata though. He's angry.]

[wingbound]

[ Well. At least Hijikata actually tries to explain the situation, somewhat, even if it doesn't exactly narrow it down. It's curious, perhaps telling, that Jean doesn't seem willing to do the same. In fact, he'd avoided that question entirely. Was it something he was unwilling to talk about, then?.. Shit -- ]

[ Did the cop tell him something he wasn't supposed to know yet? Levi mentally backtracks to that time they were stuck in a memory portal. That scene was something Jean knew about, at least second-hand, but that's just him. He doesn't know if Hijikata saw anybody else's memories from further on, and if he did, whether he would be stupid enough to share it. Hell, why were they even talking to each other in the first place? And what was that Jean said about dying... could it be?.. ]

[ Levi takes a step closer to Jean, because he is obviously his priority here. He doesn't help him up, but he does lean in a little closer, though doing nothing to lower his voice, almost as if he's letting Hijikata overhear on purpose. ]

Is that pig bothering you?

[mayoninofukucho]

[Wow, Jean sure is subservient towards his Captain... Hijikata glowers at him for that. He gets yelled at for condemning the enemy titan shifters, but as soon as Levi makes them knock it off Jean won't even tell him what the ruckus was about?! Perhaps he knows that Levi wouldn't agree with him? Hijikata doesn't expect Levi to agree with him on anything either - on principle alone -, but he still wants to get the remaining coiled-up anger out of his system, so he all but snaps a response out.]

The "pig" just doesn't think that the assholes who ravaged your home should get off scot-free! But Jean would like to take a more pacifistic approach.

[His phrasing of that last part may have been neutral, but his tone was cutting. He reaches out an arm to telekinetically pull the drained cocktail glass into his hand, straightening his back (despite the upset in his abdomen) and ready to march off if there are no further questions... but if there are he'll gladly continue to argue. His anger is blatantly aimed at every and any titan, pure or shifter, who partook in the devastation; Reiner is just unfortunately the only available scapegoat.]

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean can't help but make an annoyed huff at that.]

I didn't say they should get off scot-free, you numbskull, I said they're probably suffering enough as they are! And killing more isn't going to help anything. It will just spiral into more revenge and hurt! But you're too blind from your second hand rage to even see the consequences!

[He's not as loud as he was before, but he does raise his voice in annoyance a little bit.]

I don't... want anyone to feel this way. Enemy or a friend. Does that make me weak? Then I'll gladly be that, rather than whatever macho show you put on.

[He gets up, finally, turning his back on Hijikata. He looks at Levi, clearly exhausted (and a little hurt from the punch, which is why he's holding his stomach a little).]

You don't mind if I leave, right, Levi?

[wingbound]

[ Funny that, he thinks. Jean doesn't know, but he got it almost right. At least Reiner's life must have been hell on Earth, judging from that beaten-down, ready to die man Levi watched get punched by the campfire. Maybe that's why he doesn't feel any particular strong hatred for him. Levi doesn't like him, probably never will, but that's quite different from seeking his head. ]

[ And then, of course, was the part where they received what they dished out back tenfold, them and the rest of the world, which he's obviously not going to mention. It doesn't excuse what they did, but if they're not rolling Eren's head off every waking moment, it would be hypocritical to do it to them. ]

[ (Except Zeke. Zeke can eat shit.) ]

...

[ Ah, Jean. The one who hesitated. Levi knows of his reluctance to killing, and he also knows that he has done it in the end, once it became necessary, once he realized that it was the only way to prevent his friends being the ones dying. ]

[ He wishes it didn't have to be that way back then. That Jean could have kept his hands clean. But he's also relieved that he ultimately didn't end up paying for that whim with his own blood. ]

[ He knows Jean won't hesitate where it matters. But Levi won't say that, because he wouldn't presume to know what exactly is the right thing to do. ]

Go ahead.

[ He dismisses him mildly, though his stare lingers on him for a moment. ]

[ And then he's walking toward Hijikata, because it seems he hasn't vacated the premises quickly enough. ]

Care for a chat, Mayorin?

[ Uh-oh. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata was about to also march off, but turns back as Levi calls after him. He's so angry, he feels like a furnace inside, but that righteous fury now gets mixed with the usual intense-yet-petty aggravation, and suddenly his willingness to argue the whole matter further rapidly evaporates.]

No, actually. And it's Hijikata!! Hijikata!

[He's going to turn away and move on, but he's totally anticipating Levi kicking him in the back of the knees or something. Honestly, a fistfight wouldn't be the worst thing right now, because he needs an outlet for all the bottled-up frustration. "They're probably suffering enough as they are", my ass!! Poor tragic little city exterminators!! And I'm a macho for wanting these fuckers to understand what it feels like to be squashed like an insect?!]

my final tag in the thread, just had to react to something

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean's still close enough when Levi calls Hijikata 'Mayorin'. That's his username alright. Apparently Levi's decided it was his name, too. Serves him right for having such a silly username, to be honest. Jean would be amused about it later for sure.

He gathers the few things he has with him and leaves the area, deciding to head off the beach for a while.

It also doesn't occur to him why Levi wants to talk to Hijikata, but he's not in the mood for care. He'll realize belatedly he accidentally outed him to be one of his quest companions. Whoops.]

can't wait for Mayorin to catch on,,

[wingbound]

[ Too slow. Levi quite effortlessly catches up to Hijikata, and seems to be making an attempt to put him in a headlock, or maybe it's supposed to be a friendly arm around the shoulders used as a thuggy intimidation tactic, but considering the height difference it's just a rather awkward arm-around-throat situation instead as he steers the man toward a quieter area, acting as if he hasn't heard a single word he said. ]

Great. Me too.

[ (Damn, he'll be washing his jacket later, but you gotta do what you gotta do.) ]

Walk with me, Mayorin.

He's got to... he can't stay ignorant forever!

[mayoninofukucho]

[(Don't be mean, Levi, this is one of the few times he isn't even smelling like two or three ash trays!)

He reluctantly lets him steer him away from the party, mostly because he can't make heads or tails of his unusually calm (if annoyingly hearing-selective) attitude yet. Is it the calm before the uppercut, or does he actually want to talk with him in earnest?]

So you can also clutch your pearls at me for not wanting to play nice with titans?

no i meant the name to start getting used by other people xD

[wingbound]

[ (Bold of him to assume he'd be getting any sort of physical contact that isn't a fist to the face if he was...) ]

[ As soon as they're out of earshot of the party, Levi lets go of him immediately and slows down. He hadn't actually touched him, so he doesn't need to break out the tiny package of wet wipes he pilfered from the food stand, but he's still somewhat irate. The question gets a long, blank stare. ]

You seem very insistent to be outraged on our behalf.

[ He still sounds calm, almost a little dismissive in fact. For a moment, it almost looks like this is going to be some sort of a "Stay in your lane" talk. But then he turns his eyes away to look forward instead. ]

I don't disagree with you. However, there is nuance that you're missing.

[ He doesn't intend to tell him too much, but he wonders if vagueing about it will really have the desired effect. ]

So is Jean, to be fair. He's just naturally like this.

[ Again, Levi doesn't take it upon himself to decide whether it's the right or wrong way to behave; he merely observes that it's par for course for what he knows of him. ]

But you already know that about him, don't you?

[ Ah, there goes the trap, all laid out. ]

I FIGURED BELATEDLY but both apply!!

[mayoninofukucho]

[Honestly, Levi's first response already gets under Hijikata's skin, regardless of the unexpected direction change that follows. Why is he so upset about the shit that happened in Levi's world? Usually he'd react to sob stories from other series places with the rough equivalent of "That's rough, but you've got to pony up for this ride now". What is it about the titan stuff that gets him so indignant and uncompromising? Is it the senselessness of it all? Those people's death served no narrative purpose other than making things as bleak as possible!! As a supporting character it's fucking hard to stomach!

But then Levi continues, and Hijikata lets out an angry little snort. Could he lie about knowing Jean? Sure. But what would that accomplish, really? Besides he simply doesn't feel like it. He'll tell this little bastard the truth.]

Yeah. I've know him for a good while - since the last world that called us in.

[He almost tells Levi that they saved the whole goddamn multiverse there, but he cans that idea immediately, given that he'd either get a deadpan "Sure you did" or even less than that. Anyway, he wants to get back to the other topic!]

Tell me more about that "nuance" I'm missing in your city getting overrun by titans.

fair enough! 1/2

[wingbound]

[ As a supporting character, Hijikata probably would have been dead within the first season, so his queasiness is understandable! Alas, Levi doesn't know about anything behind the fourth wall, so he won't be able to provide this "comfort" to him. ]

[ He takes in the confirmation. Good. They'll come back to that soon. For now -- ]

The shifter kids, they were twelve. They were sent to destroy a place they've never seen in exchange for saving the ones they loved, or so they were told their whole lives. [ War is never children's fault. Shouldn't the hate be addressed to the grown-ups who put them there? ]

[ (And Zeke. Fuck Zeke.) ]

Of course, that doesn't change what they did.

[ But it certainly gives some perspective. ]

2/2

[wingbound]

[ He stares at Hijikata's face for a moment. ]

...There's some things that Jean and Mikasa can never know. It's their own request. It's in both of ours best interest that you respect that.

[ It's absolutely a threat. He'd rather not make another human being full of holes, but he will if he has to! Don't go around blabbing what he's about to say next. ]

I don't exactly trust you, but let's just say... what those three unleashed on our walls was not the worst thing that happened to the world.

[ He could point out it's Eren. But it seems unfair, with how hard he had been trying to step away from that future here, to just shatter any trust he might ever build with someone here. ]

If we're not going after that head anymore, what gives us the right to take theirs?





[ A little pause, accompanied by more staring. Then; ]

...You were with Jean on that mission at the start of the month.

[ Not a question, though he's free to try to deny it. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[See, see?! Even a high ranking in the popularity poll wouldn't have saved his ass from getting eaten!

But what the hell, those asshole titan shifter traitors were only 12?! He was barely younger when his own life took a sharp turn south, and it certainly didn't do him much good to have it happen at that age. The new information doesn't immediately change how he feels, but it does make a difference in how he'll have to reassess it all - later, when he isn't so agitated.

He already got the same admonishment to not tell Jean and Mikasa anything they aren't supposed to know from Hange just a short time ago, and besides he heard of the decision straight from the horse's mouth (sorry Jean, I couldn't help myself), so he lets out another angry snort at that.]

Yeah, yeah, I'm not telling Jean or Mikasa anything, no need to act like I'm breaking the omerta!

[He really wants to know what happened in their world that was worse than what happened to their city, for he focuses on the other matter for now, because he can sense that Levi might just go berserk on him over it (which he can't even be all that mad at him for - if Levi had taken any one of his men on a mission and let him die, he'd be out for blood too (which says a lot, given that it's Kondou, not him, who feels true warm-hearted kinship with the Shinsengumi's rank-and-file members).]

So Jean didn't tell you..? Well, Levi, let me say this to you: If I'm expected to look past the deeds of the little shits who levelled your city, then you can give me some benefit of the doubt here and believe that I didn't just stand by idly.

[Levi isn't telling him jackshit about all that ominous even-worse titan stuff, so why should he be any more forthcoming about what happened at the Wolf's Blood Mountain?]

[wingbound]

[ Indeed it wouldn't have! Erwin continued near-topping popularity polls long after his death but he's still extremely dead! ]

[ If he wants to know what happened so bad, he could ask. Levi might answer more than he's saying outright, as long as he doesn't think it's too much or dangerous. Hijikata will have to figure that one out himself. ]

[ Levi continues leveling him with a stare, then exhales a little more loudly than usual, though it's not quite a sigh just yet. ]

You're not "expected" to do anything. [ DO WHAT YOU WANT, HIJIKATA!! He provided you with extra information to make an informed decision though! ] But doublecheck how high that horse of yours is. I know I'm in no position to pass judgement on them.

[ Not with the way he accepted Eren back, at least. ]

[ But what else could he do, when this world offered a chance they were all still hoping for even after he'd started the end of the world?.. ]

[ It only makes sense that Reiner and his friends had someone who felt the same way about them, right? ]

[ But now they're getting to the more immediately interesting part... not that there's any shift in Levi's expression, whether at the confirmation or the asinine way Hijikata delivers it. You'd think everything's going exactly according to his plan or something. ]

No? What did you do?

[mayoninofukucho]

[He may ask, later, when they've covered the matter of what happened in the Winter Segment! It really gives him pause how not only Jean, but Levi - Levi, who saw his Commander and all their new recruits die horrible deaths, who charged into a despair-fueled berserk mode when he got the one responsible snatched out of his arms, who would have every reason to hate the enemy titan shifters a thousand more times than Hijikata - Levi, too, is saying that he can't judge the traitors.

What the hell. Seriously, what the hell.

Right, though. The quest into the Winter Segment. He'll try to keep it brief, because honestly, reliving the events feels bad. He still feels guilty for failing Jean on that mission, despite trying to not beat himself up since Jean wouldn't want him to.]

...

We went out to find a safe place for a teleport stone, but snowstorms forced us off track, and we ended up in werewolf territory. They're like wolves on steroids. They heal from anything, kind of like titans. I was engaging one, trying to decapitate it to at least save us enough time to get away, but an earthquake hit and split the cliff we were on if half. Jean...

[He's speaking calmy and factually, being as concise as possible, but this part is a struggle to get out.]

Jean fell down.

[Levi can probably figure that Hijikata and the unnamed third person - he's not throwing Mukuro under the bus! - didn't have 3DMG to sweep in and rescue Jean, even without all the other factors that would have hindered them from that.]

[wingbound]

[ That's the fun part, nothing that Levi said about not judging the traitors applies to the Beast! Hijikata should remember well enough from that memory that the bearded fuck Levi dragged out of that titan was definitely not twelve, and therefore deserving of any and all repercussions for his actions. ]

[ But they can come back to that later. :) ]

[ Levi listens, frowning. It doesn't contradict what he's heard from Jean, and it does sound pretty rough. How many times has he watched someone die without being able to do anything to stop it, even with all his god damn strength? ]

[ Too many. ]

...Did you see it? [ He finally asks, instead. ] Did you look at him?

[ A habit he picked up when there was nothing else he could do was to at least acknowledge the deaths that had occurred, whether he was there to see it happen or only the aftermath. To burn it into his memory, make sure they're not alone when he can, and make sure someone at least knows they died when he can't. ]

[ It probably wasn't much comfort to Jean either way, but Levi still hopes he didn't feel alone in the world when he died. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[That'll put him at ease a little... if nothing else he'll still be "allowed" to hate on the Beast Titan with all his vice and spite! He really couldn't do otherwise even if he tried.

Levi's question, though, hits exactly what makes Hijikata feel the worst about the entire tragedy: That he wasn't there for Jean in his final moments, that he didn't even try to rescue him, frenzied with bloodlust and panic as he was. But he won't tell Levi that. The man already looks at him like at an animal; he won't vindicate him in that if he can help it! He'll rather let him think of him as incompetent or cowardly.]

No.

[The small word still manages to hold bitterness and regret, but Hijikata isn't adding any justifications of excuses. Let him kick me in the head. It doesn't change what happened, anyway. Jean knows how much he regrets it, and that's what matters. Perhaps Levi, on reflection, will also note that even while fighting Jean still called Hijikata his brother (something that, in hindsight, means a lot to Hijikata).]

[wingbound]

[ Good. He can be as senselessly cruel there as he wants. Levi is aware of his own bias, and the hollow victory his mission ended in, but he doesn't allow himself to dwell on it. After all, that would be like second-guessing the meaning of all those deaths. ]

[ And there goes another reminder not to ever hope for anything. Of course. Of course he didn't. ]

You were right there, [ Levi clarifies, as if having some trouble believing that he heard it correctly, ] and you didn't even check if the fall was fatal?

[ Jean thinks he died instantly. That doesn't mean it's true. At least, if he was unconscious anyway, there was no need for a mercy kill, but still. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Why does Levi have to harp on this so much?! Hijikata is all but twisting in discomfort.]

We checked. We didn't see the moment of his fall, but we checked as soon as we could.

[Much later, once the frenzy had worn off.]

We climbed down, too, to take him home.

[His belongings, that is; his clothing and gear. His body has already turned to dust to be reborn in his flower at the point.]

[wingbound]

[ Part of him wants to harp more, to bite, ask him if he was too fucking preoccupied, but... it was a fight. That shit happens in fights. He would know. ]

[ It's better than nothing, but it did nothing for Jean in his last moments. ]

[ He sighs. ]

[ Then he turns kicks Hijikata in the shin. He's careful not to break the bone, but other than that, it's ought to hurt like a bitch. ]

For letting him die.

[ But, apparently, that's as much as he thinks that deserves, because, well. He deserves it too, after all, and he'd be a hypocrite to demand anything more. And, if they did bring him home, that's more than they often could do for fellow Scouts. Sometimes there was just nothing to recover, sometimes it was too risky and they opted to not increase the number of fatalities further. ]

[ Pretty damn bleak, all of it. But it is what it is. ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata can't block or evade that kick - damn it, how is this man so fast, and how does he kick so goddamn hard?! -, but he does manage to suppress a sound of pain with clenched jaws, just letting out a little hissed exhalation.

This is fine. It hurts like hell, all the more since he's stubbornly keeping on standing when he really wants to grab his shin and hop around, but if this is his punishment for not saving Jean's life, he's getting off easy. Some physical pain is worth being able to preserve his secret. He doesn't want to imagine how Levi would have reacted to the revelation that he's a werebeast too.

What's more, with this score more or less settled he feels that he can inquire about the other matter now, while he still has the chance.]

...

So what happened in your world that was worse than what happened to your city?

[wingbound]

[ Imagine what he was like when he didn't have debilitating injuries! Or, actually, he probably doesn't need to imagine because he's seen some of it... ]

[ The werebeast part might not trouble him as much as Hijikata thinks, unless it's coupled with the implication that he did something stupid and that's how everything went to shit. He just sort of glowers at the other man while he obviously fights the urge to hop on one foot. ]

[ Take better care of him next time. ]

[ At the question, Levi simply frowns and stares ahead, considering. ]

...Are you sure you want to know?