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[It's a good thing he hadn't poured himself a cup yet, because he just dropped his cup and it made a dull thud on the rug. He knew, he knew that this place could bring even the dead back to life, and yet still, seeing his best friend sitting in his own living room catches him off guard. The lights around the room flicker from his shock.

He's been here for almost two years now, already grieved and accepted his death and now--]

Asougi...!! [He hasn't called out for his friend like that in so very long, never thought he would even be speaking to him again. He could feel his emotions well up inside, but...there was something not quite right. What were those clothes he was wearing? And why the mask? And that cold silence he gave him...] I...how? What's happened to you? [Suddenly the flood of question just kept coming.] ...Why haven't you said anything to me?

Edited 2017-12-07 06:47 (UTC)

. . . Asou . . . gi?

[ The name seems foreign when he says it, questions it, voice rough with disuse. He falls silent when he realizes that he's spoken, but it doesn't really matter here, he knows. Vortex would never find out — probably.

Asougi . . .

The Disciple grimaces again, bringing his hand up to his head. There was something there, something behind that name. Another face behind another mask? ]

[His gesture confuses him. It's as if he didn't seem aware of himself. His eyes widen as something dawns on him. Back on the ship, the supposed cause of death was being struck in the neck after being pushed into the corner frame of the bed. What if...what if it wasn't the killing blow and instead...well, that just opens up a whole lot of other questions he wants answers for, but for now--

He grabs Asougi by the cuff of his sleeve, with concern on his face and dread sitting inside his heart.] Asougi, have....have you lost your memory? [...] Do you even recognize me? [At all?]

Edited 2017-12-07 07:14 (UTC)

[ That was an easy enough question for him to answer — the first one, anyway. The Disciple nods slowly in response, keeping one hand at his head. The pounding wasn't going away this time. Asougi, Asougi . . .

He glances over at the attorney, mask hiding his confusion as he furrows his brows. This wasn't anyone, just another face across the bench. But if that were true, then why does his heart seem to tighten at the obvious concern on his face? The desperation in that second question causes him to pause, hand tightening just a bit around the mask. Slowly, he pulls it off, setting it down to the side before resting a hand over half of his face again, as if that would will away the evergrowing pounding in his head.

His eyes shift over towards him, but there's no recognition there. ]

[He held his breath when Asougi finally removed the mask and he could see his face properly. When he turns to look at him though, his heart sunk, right into the pit of his stomach. There was no warmth behind those eyes, just this emptiness. The lights all stop flickering, a darkness now spreads throughout the room, as if night had come early. Wagahai, agitated by the sudden darkness decides to flee upstairs.

It's not his fault, it's not like he wanted to forget, he couldn't help it. It still doesn't lessen the pain he felt, that his own best friend didn't recognize him...like he was just another student, passing through the crowd.

With shaking hands, he detaches Karma from it's strap, gripping it tightly in his hands, seeking comfort and strength through it.] We... [His head hung low, unable to look at Asougi properly without falling apart.]

We had gone to trial together. You were suppose to defend me in that murder case, but I chose to stand for myself, so you wouldn't have to risk losing the exchange program for my sake. We narrowly won that case, and celebrated by having beef nabe that night. That was when you asked me, no insisted that I come to the Great British Empire with you.

So we set out for Great Britain together, you practically had me be a stowaway just so I could come with you. I was stuffed inside that closet that whole time. It was cramp, and we were always hungry because we had to split our meals...but we would spend all night, talking about what we'd do once we reached the British Empire and how you...you thought I'd be a great lawyer. [He squeezes Karma.] Those talks, being with you, it was worth all the trouble, because...[He bites his bottom lip. How can you forget me? He ends up shouting in frustration.] Because you're my best friend!

[ The darkness doesn't really help matters much. The Disciple grits his teeth, trying to shake off the growing pain in his head as the attorney speaks. Why did all of that seem to strike some sort of chord in him? Why did his head feel like it was screaming, and his heart was practically ready to burst out of his chest? His eyes stray towards the hilt of the sword, staring at it as if staring at a fixed point would make everything better — or at least make everything stop.

Instead, his gaze is drawn to the red headband tied to the hilt. He stares at it quietly, still, though he looks startled when the attorney shouts out at him. The Disciple draws his breath in sharply at that. ]

Best friend . . .

[ He says the words softly, turning them over carefully like some sort of revelation. Something about it felt so familiar, something that was so close now. His eyes drift back over to the hilt, to the red band, staring for another long moment. And then, he mumbles: ]

. . . aka hachimaki . . .

[ It's quiet, but he still trips over the syllables even as his voice trails off. That headband, that sword— Asougi Genshin's sword—

Genshin.

He lets out a cry of pain, pulling back and clutching at his head with both hands. ]

[His shoulders fall, his head leaning into the sheathe. He couldn't reach for his friend, this is the reality he now had to live with. It's fine, having his friend is better than the alternative. Maybe with time, his memory will return, for now...he should do what he can to support him.

As he admits defeat, Asougi says something rather strange. Aka hachimaki? At least it sounded like he was trying to say red headband. Right...one time he did mix up makigami for hachimaki. No matter how hard he tried, even the simplest of tongue twisters would put a stop to the great Asougi. He had little time to think on it further when Asougi suddenly just lets out a scream.

It brings attention back to him as he looks up at him, bewildered.] A-Asougi!? [He gets on his feet, Karma on one hand, the other just hovering over Asougi with uncertainty. He settles with resting it on his shoulder. Maybe he pushed him too hard.] I, I'm sorry! Please don't strain yourself too hard!

[ His shoulders heave as he breathes heavily, dropping a hand to brace himself against the ground. It was like the sword had split his skull wide open, inviting years and years back in to mingle with the present. The wax figure, the Professor — his father, Asougi Genshin. That was it, that was what he'd been searching for all these months, from the freight ship across the sea to the dark lock up in Scotland Yard, where he only escaped by whispering into Vortex's ear.

His breathing stabilizes a bit and he loosens his grip on his head, drawing that hand down as well. That sword, Karma — that was his. He'd taken it on the ship to England despite the looks from his best friend. That red band — his headband, to remind him of his flaws, that was his, too. And this was— ]

Naru . . . hodou . . .

[ The attorney— no, Naruhodou, he knew him. Best friends, friendly rivals, partners . . . how could he forget? How could that have just been gone like that?

Asougi stares down at his hands for a moment and then closes his eyes, collecting himself carefully. When he speaks again, though his voice is still quite raw, it carries more authority, much like it used to. ]

. . . Naruhodou.

[He stares, unsure of whether he heard him right. The second time he says it made him flinch, not because he was in pain, just from being startled to hear Asougi say his name, proper.] ...

[He's been trying so hard, so very hard to hold back his tears, but he could feel them falling on his face now. He was dead, he believed him to be dead all this time, now he's here, eventhough he couldn't remember, he's still here, with him. He presses his forearm over his eyes, and tries to stifle the noises caused from his crying.] Y-...yes...M-My name is, Naruhodou Ryuunosuk! And...you're Asougi Kazuma, my best friend, and partner!

[ Asougi manages to look up at him, despite the seering pain in his head. It was all coming back together — the steamship, the trial, dinner, school, everything — and he chuckles softly, shaking his head as if to shake all the cobwebs out. Right. He knew now. ]

It's been awhile, my friend.

[ He frowns as he looks over, taking note of the arm over Naruhodou's eyes. He should know this— no, he does know this, he can still read his body language well enough even if he's rusty. That stammering voice was also a dead giveaway, too. Asougi reaches over with one hand, resting it gently on his arm. ]

[He tenses when he felt Asougi hand on him. Ah, well so much for keeping the place dry. The darkness finally recedes only to be replaced now with a storm, happening indoors. There's a clatter as he lets go of Karma so he could get up and hug his best friend, never wanting to let him go. He's a sobbing mess, there's no way to stop the tears now until he can calm himself down.]

You...I thought...on the ship, you didn't-- [He couldn't get his words out, he just wanted to hold onto Asougi, wanting further justification that he was still right here with him. He was claim dead, Naruhodou had to live with this fact for almost two years now.]

[ He's only taken by surprise briefly before he allows it, resting his arms around him in turn. Asougi briefly glances up at the thunderstorm, raising an eyebrow, and takes note of that for later. For now, well. Stranger things have happened that need to be addressed. ]

I fell.

[ It's a simple, matter of fact statement. He remembers now — he fell, hit his head (his neck?) hard, and then when he woke up, he was in a strange cabin on a strange ship with no clue as to his whereabouts or even his name. Who knows what Naruhodou and Mikotoba had been told. ]

[He lets out an exasperated breath. Well of course you fell! That much they all understood.]

You were...you were declared dead. Accidental death. [Please understand why your partner is completely distraught.] I...they all thought I did it a-and-- [It was, a really traumatic time for him.]

Dead? — No, I was . . .

[ He furrows his brows, thinking hard. They declared him dead? But that's strange because— ]

I woke up in a cabin on that ship. I snuck off with the passengers in Hong Kong. [ Asougi frowns at that. They accused him? When they had proof he wasn't dead? ] . . . They had to have known, though.

They... [had to have known? His sobbing finally starts to lessen, his hold on Asougi lessen as he leans back, giving him a look like a lost puppy.]

What do you mean? Are you...you were still alive that whole time? [Did the crew knew? Sherlock? He glances over to the stairway. He must have, a famous detective wouldn't miss that kind of detail.] ...I never did saw your body. They had already removed you from the crime scene when I came too.

[ He'd be angrier if he didn't have a pounding headache and a lot to turn over in his head, but it's still enough to add a rumble of thunder to their sad little cloud. Asougi shakes his head, keeping his voice level despite his ever growing displeasure. ]

I never died. [ It was obvious then and now how he'd been purposely placed in a cabin, how members of the crew had undoubtedly been keeping watch over him. It was what made him flee the ship in the first place. ] . . . I lost my memory, not my life.

[ He leans his head back a bit with a sigh, looking up at the clouds above them. What was the point? Why would anyone even care about him? There was only one reason he could think of, but— they'd all kept it so close to vest. Asougi sighs, tilting his head forward again. ]

So you've been mourning me all this time, huh.

...Mm. Susato was beside herself as well. [In fact she broke into tears before he did. He slides himself over besides Asougi on the couch, rubbing what tears remain, though the water was probably coming from the rain cloud at this point. He looks to Karma, picking it back up and holding it close to him. Asougi never died, there's a small inkling of relief just knowing that some day when he comes home, he'll likely see him again...right?]

So then, where did you go after that...? After you escaped in Hong Kong? [He recalls a certain motion Asougi did with his teacup before his memories returned.] You were making these gestures, holding the teacup like Prosecutor van Zieks. Did you meet him somehow?

[ So many questions, ones that will inevitably lead him to the questions that Asougi doesn't want to answer under any circumstances. But he saw how distraught Naruhodou was just moments ago and his heart still aches — though not nearly as much as his head. So after a moment or two of quiet deliberation, Asougi leans back against the couch, strumming his gloved fingers idly against the damp cushions.

He owed him an explanation. He owed him that much. ]

I . . . knew I had to get to England. I knew I had something I needed to do, though I couldn't remember what. So. [ There's a brief pause as he tries to piece together what exactly occurred. His mind is still a mesh of things with the dam broken. ] I got a job on a freight ship. It helped that my english was good. And that took me to England, where . . .

[ His voice trails off as he considers. Vortex was . . . a strange one. And not one he'd want Naruhodou getting involved with any more than he'd have to. ]

One thing led to another. And then I became Prosecutor van Zieks's "masked disciple" a few months ago.

[So he made it to England, sooner or later he'll reach his original destination. Hearing how he got there though...a sad expression rforms on Naruhodou's face.]

I can't imagine how difficult that must have been, being alone like that, without any of your memories. [It was amazing how Asougi managed to get as far as he did, but then again, this was Asougi. The is the man Naruhodou has always seen as determined and resolute in everything he does. Nothing ever seem to stop this man, besides tongue twisters.

He rest his hand on his chin as Asougi continued, telling him that he had been with van Zieks for several months.] Months...he never spoke a word about a disciple. Was it after that case then...? Do you have a date? Or even the season would work.

I didn't know any better.

[ Which is true. At the time, it hadn't bothered him much. He had to do whatever it took to get to England, so he did — that was all there was to it. But now, looking back on it . . . he shakes his head, not really wanting to delve back into any of that just yet, if ever. It was over, done with; he shouldn't have to think about it again.

He tilts his head to the side, considering. ]

It's near the end of October. Or at least, it was. It's been maybe three months or so, I believe.

Edited (i looked up the wrong case whOOPS.) 2017-12-07 23:14 (UTC)

October, and three months later we encounter each other? That's... [He stops himself. If this is still happening in the same year, then that's six months later, plus another three months when he actually sees him. He frowns deeply as he looks to Asougi. The rain has finally stopped, but the cloud continues to linger.]

Asougi...this is going to sound really strange, but the last time I was back home, back in London, it was only April.

No, it's October now. It would have been . . . mid-July, I suppose, when I first—

[ He stops short, because— April? April? ]

. . . April?

Y-Yea... You just saw me back home before you got here, didn't you?

[Hoo boy, here comes other world bullshit.] Um, well you see, time works differently here. This world, it can somehow pull people from different points in their lives, and while you're here, time seem to stop back home. If we ever get sent home, we'll be right back exactly where we left off. It's already happened to me once before.

[He sets Karma down, folding his hands on his lap as he takes a deep breath.] I went home a few months ago, but altogether....I've already been here for almost two years now.

Two years.

[ He's joking, right? . . . He's not joking, not in that tone. That's two years in a strange place where rain manifests indoors and who knows what else. Two years of living with that lie he'd been fed.

Asougi's not sure whether to be angry or just sad. ]

. . . Two years.

...At least I know that you'll be ok now, better late than never, right? [He looks to Asougi, he has so many questions to ask a certain someone, but right now, he just smiles. It felt like an eternity since he smiled like this, happy to just have his best friend here again. Some work required, but he's still here.]

And you're here too! It's been so long since I've seen anyone else from home. It's just been me and Holmes-san. [The gray cloud has started to disappear.]

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