GRAVEYARD

[foundationmods]

[On the instant of your death, you're suddenly outside of your body - probably staring down at the remains it's become.

Yet, you're not alone. For all of you (except Szayel), a young man appears from behind you, his face set into a firm, yet sad, scowl. His shaggy strawberry blonde hair is pretty eye-catching, along with the black and white Shihakusho he wears and the large sword on his back, even as he gently tries to lead you back into the lobby and away from what was once your body. You can still clearly hear and see the living, if you want to try - but they can't see or hear you.

'Welcome to the world of the dead in this Resort,' he says, quietly. 'Looks like you're stuck here with the rest of us.'

He hands you a tablet, just like the one you had before. "You'll need this if you want to keep talking to them,' he explains, looking sad.

It looks like you've passed on, and yet...You still feel like you have a role to play in all of this.]

Comments

TRIAL SPECTATING

[justonezero]

[Yoshi comes to the trial at Ichigo's urging, sleepy but otherwise back to "normal." He's figured out his place again, and now that his world has been righted once more, he's fine.

Or at least, that's what he thinks. But then Inaba speaks up and his eyes go wide, entire body freezing up.]

-Eh?

[bladeisme]

[Ichigo - smiles, and leans over to tap the table, looking over at Yoshi.]

They won't forget you, Nanase. I told you yesterday, didn't I?

[justonezero]

[Yoshi sits in silence for a moment, staring at Ellie blankly. Like his mind isn't connecting the dots. It takes him a while to actually draw his hand up, reluctantly tapping the table four times.]

Why are they...?

[He doesn't... get it. This isn't how it goes. This isn't the pattern.]

[bladeisme]

Because they care about you. Because - despite what you thought - those bonds haven't been broken.

[He's still smiling, watching everyone.]

That's what it means to make a heart between someone.

[justonezero]

[He just continues to stare, confusion and uncertainty on his face. And then Ellie of all people starts looking for him, and he starts, looking at her and then Ichigo, as though the shinigami would be able to explain it.

Ellie hates being touched. He got in trouble for that just a couple days ago.]

[bladeisme]

[Ichigo just keeps smiling - and motions for him to take her hand.]

Go ahead. She wants to touch you, Nanase.

To remind you that she still cares.

[justonezero]

...!

[He looks back at her, obviously trying to find him. Because without his tablet, there's only one real way they can communicate, isn't there? And yet, despite that, she's still...

It's slow. But he does eventually get up, legs shaky beneath him as he catches her grasping hand with a trembling one of his own. His head is tilted down, and he doesn't seem to know what to do with himself even now.]

[bladeisme]

[...

Ichigo's hand falls on his shoulder.]

See?

You're loved, Nanase.

[His voice is gentle - yet softly triumphant.]

[justonezero]

[His eyes are beginning to water as he leads her hand to his head, trying to communicate even if there's so little way to do so.]

But why do they...?

[Why does she want so badly for him to exist again? He was so useless... Rude, even.]

[bladeisme]

Because they love you.

You're their friend, Nanase.

[He gives Yoshi's shoulder a squeeze.]

And that makes you so very, very valuable to them.

['See?

You're not garbage.

To them, you're a treasure.']

[justonezero]

[Eventually, he has to release her. There's a trial to get to after all - the one for his very own death. But he doesn't return to his seat.

Instead, his legs really do give out from under him, and he stares at the others as they talk and debate, trying to find his killer. Trying to avenge him.]

...I wanted to be with them.

[It's quiet. Shaking.]

I didn't... I didn't want to leave. I wanted to be with them.

[But he can't. And there's an unfamiliar pain now, in his chest. Maybe that's what causes the tears to finally spill over.]

But now I--

[bladeisme]

You can still be with them.

[He's - going to draw Yoshi into a hug, now. He sees those tears, and he figures - this is what he needs, at this moment.

Someone warm to hold.]

Death doesn't separate you from everyone. They'll keep reaching out for you - as long as you keep reaching back.

They're your friends. And - you still love them too, you know? As long as you remember that...

Then you'll never be forgotten. Then...you can keep walking alongside them, Nanase, right along with the bonds you've made.

[perfeccion]

[Szayel just sits on one of the plush chairs in a distant corner, content to just watch today.

But then they have to get all "friendship" and shit about Yoshi. He rolls his eyes, but calls out to the boy;]

See? Listen to Kurosaki next time, would you? That fatalism isn't becoming.

[justonezero]

[It's okay. He's too busy having Feelings to be put off - or more accurately, it's hard to put him off even on a normal day as is.]

This never... happened before.

[perfeccion]

[he hums thoughtfully]

Friends... are something, alright. They can be both one's greatest asset, and their greatest weakness.

[justonezero]

Everyone always leaves.

[That's how it goes. Time and time again.]

Why aren't they leaving now?

[And why does it hurt...?]

[perfeccion]

Mmm. Well, I suspect it's because they like you, like Kurosaki said.

[justonezero]

I don't... get it.

[Why do they like him? It doesn't match up with the data at all.]

[perfeccion]

Clearly. Give it some time to really sink in.

post-puppy realization

[blutsauger]

So.

[Medic looks over to Szayel and just fucking grins ear to ear.]

I believe you owe Archimedes an apology.

[perfeccion]

Ah...?

[He gives Medic a look that could wilt flowers]

And why would I do something like that.

[blutsauger]

I seem to remember you complaining about my bird getting into human remains and evidence. And now your own puppy son does the same. At least Ichigo's remains were old and had already been examined- your dog may have destroyed valuable evidence before the guts even grew cold.

[perfeccion]

[ --!!!

Szayel turns bright red at the accusation]

That is not even remotely the same!! And if you still think that I was angry about Archimedes and the skull because of "evidence"... I was lying, you fool! [he folds his arms, grumpy] I didn't like seeing Kurosaki's remains desecrated that way....

[blutsauger]

[Medic gestures at the living as they discuss the puppy bite mark evidence- people concerned about the puppy being involved with the murder, or possibly even killing Yoshi.]

More similar than you think. Now you know how it feels to have your boy scrutinized and judged publicly for following his nature. Now, I'm a reasonable person- apparently, more reasonable than you. I'm not going to get mad at a dog for desecrating remains.

... How did you know that was his remains at the time?

[perfeccion]

There is no way on earth that tiny puppy killed Mr. Nanase -- it's just too small and it's power too low. [the very THOUGHT...] ..... well. I have my ways. Of finding out.