redmarsshit | june 2020. welcome to the void.

june 2020. welcome to the void.

Redshift: Welcome to the v͖͕̺̲̘̱̜͎o̴̦̣̠̦̘̹͞i̯̖d̛̪̬͈̱̦̝͍̕.

▶ Click here to read what characters will experience when arriving in Anchor.

▶ All TDM threads can be considered game canon, and current players are welcome to either top-level on the TDM so prospective players can tag them, or use the prompts for logs or network posts on the communities. All threads on the TDM can be used for Activity Check.

a. welcome to paradise.

What at first appears to be an odd glint in the sky over Anchor slowly broadens and brightens into a truly enormous...cruise ship? Yes, that's a cruise ship, and it's coming down to rest just outside of Anchor's exit doors. The ground shakes as it lands. A bubble forms over the ship and connects to Anchor's exit, and there's no two ways about it: the ship comes with its own radiation shield.

This sucker puts the Titanic to shame. Nearly as long as Anchor is wide, it's more like a floating city than the cruise ship it resembles. Little satellite ships hover and dart around it, occupied by alien lifeforms with too many arms to quite fit the Hawaiian print shirts that they're wearing.

The Daisy Darling Interdimensional Cruise Barge has come to Anchor.

b. anchors away!

And it's quite accessible to residents of Anchor. In fact, the people (of every shape, size, and coloration that can't be considered human) on board will be delighted to host the creatures they've been watching for the past few months as they orbited the planet. Not only will Anchorites find themselves accosted for photos, but they can also find figurines, keychains, and small novelty items of themselves in almost every knick-knack store on the promenade deck. The souvenir shops will also come heavily stocked with red shift-themed items, including toys and decorations featuring some of the monsters that have appeared from the wastes. You always wanted a slinky sand worm, didn't you?

Anyone who can sing, dance, play music, or otherwise perform will be encouraged to do so and showered with gifts - both useful and useless - by the vacationers. Have an instrument, or a good voice? Go busking! Sell your art, give lectures about your home worlds, teach salsa dancing. The vacationers are just waiting to give you money for helping them have a good time.

There's an alien casino, with machines both familiar and very very not. It's a rollicking place with neon signs, free-flowing drinks, and even more free-flowing money. You might not have any use for alien currency in Anchor itself, but it couldn't hurt to check out the shops with a little extra cash from the poker tables, could it? At one side is an all-you-can-eat buffet of everything under the sun, from alien fruit and vegetable platters to...is that a whole giant squid? I never knew they came in quite that color...

You can sneak around the casino without too much effort, stealing from pockets, tables, and platters, but that could get you caught and thrown in the brig, which. Well. We'll get to that, but you don't really want to go there.

The uppermost level of the ship is a beach and water park. There's sand, palm trees, a wave pool, water slides, and a lazy river with inner tubes big enough to support even the heftiest alien. Oh, and a regular old pool, over there. Where all the old aliens are hanging out and playing hover-shuffle-board. Swimming gear is required in this area, but not to worry! There’s an automated booth that will supply you with just the suit you need.

In addition to these places, there's a whole ship to explore, with all the amenities a weary traveler could want. A spa (manned by real (alien) people!), jacuzzis, restaurants that actually function with food the bold can actually eat, clothing stores (though not much of it is designed with humans in mind), deck chairs on sunny promenades, gardens full of alien flowers, and an enormous library filled with books that are checked out based on the honor system. So, y'know. Be honorable. Or something.

c. the first rule of daisy darling.

For those unentertained by the above-board offerings of the upper decks, there's the ship’s more hidden amenities. A fight club filled with creatures of every shape, size, and level of power. A drug den with everything from euphoria-inducing cigarettes to hallucination-causing body paints. A thriving black market, though the offerings are comparatively innocent - bootlegged episodes of Anchors Away, mostly. What's that? Oh, just the reality show of your lives over the past six months. Let's hope no one comes across any awkward vids showing things you don't want people to know about.

Attached to the fight club is the brig. Can you see where this is going? People who get caught breaking the rules on the Daisy Darling can expect to face the music by being put opposite some of the ships more powerful monsters, or its more powerful and reckless vacationers. Who wouldn't love to test themselves against a giant robot or an honest-to-god cowboy? Don't worry! If you get too badly hurt, there's a repair suite on the medical level that can fix up almost any injury. Just don't die before you get there.

If anyone asks about staying on board, escaping the planet with the ship, or tries to convince an alien to help them stow away, they'll be told it goes against both the prime directive and the Daisy's petting zoo rules. Try to stow away on your own? Well, if you're lucky, you'll get caught by a benevolent guard and booted back to Anchor. If you're unlucky, get those boxing gloves ready, because you're headed for the brig.

d. the network.

Need to get hold of someone, call for help, ask the city at large a question? Need to ask a friend to back you up and tag team in the fight club? Maybe you need to hold your sat phone up to whatever crazy thing you're seeing and send out a recording to double-check if your eyes are deceiving you and what you're looking at is real?

Whatever the reason, the network is going strong, so feel free to include a post to it in your top-levels.

Navigation.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

They are family, and Gokudera sharing so much isn't because he's looking for pity. It's not as thought Yamamoto is offering that. It's all just to make him see why Gokudera acts the way he does. Of course, the baseball idiot is understanding. Now it won't seem like there's any personal upset between them if Gokudera's immediate response to an arm on the shoulder is a flinch. He's not scared of Yamamoto, and it's all reflex. It will change with time, he hopes.

No matter what, nothing changes what happened to him, and he intends to focus on growing stronger. Never mind who he knew there... unless he finds another version of them on Anchor. Then... he'll cross that bridge when he gets to it.

The Storm appreciates when he can be relied on. In this case, it's something as simple as getting off the topic of Amoi. And that hand on the shoulder is just that, basically a reassuring pat. It doesn't linger, doesn't mean much more than that, and he's moving with grace despite the alcohol in his system.

And just as soon as he goes to take a step, he hears the other boy's stomach.

"Alright. Food first?"

Gokudera isn't exactly malnourished, but he's not as fit in frame as he had been when he'd left Namimori. Tanagura had been rough for him in more ways than he can count. Food would be awesome. There's a buffet on this space cruise ship, and he'll totally lead them there without any hesitation.

Luckily for Gokudera, Yamamoto is persistent. As he knows, considering how many times, in the beginning, Gokudera more or less told Yamamoto to get lost. They have certainly grown since that first day and the Rain will remain ever patient at his friend's side. One day, no matter how long, he'll prop that elbow and be shoved off with an annoyed scoff again nary a flinch to be seen and he'll laugh. He knows it.

Gokudera is more reliable than he likely gives himself credit for. He is as good of a friend as Yamamoto, he just shows it in a different way. Yamamoto does not fail to note that while he was worried Gokudera was drinking too much the other seems to be handling it. This like his smoking are things Yamamoto will try to limit for his friend's health but things he also will accept as something Gokudera needs right now, so patience is the name of the game on all fronts.

He follows beside Gokudera, a new pep to his step that was definitely missing when he first arrived on Anchor. Optimism and hope for their future were the balms his soul needed to let him focus on the task at hand and he has both of those now.

When he sees the buffet his eyebrow shots up, it all smells great "Amazing, I hope it tastes as good as the girls' cooking." Because boy did they cook well and make sure the boys had a "home" while in the future an invaluable thing for the Guardians in their fight.

Yamamoto joins the line with Gokudera, one thing he wants more than anything, a glass of milk. That would be heaven to Yamamoto right now.

Gokudera knows very well of that persistence. The Yamamoto on Amoi was persistent, too. Always putting an arm on or around him, getting the bomber in trouble... but doing his best to help him out, too. Obviously, the swordsman has never meant to hurt his friends. It would be too unlike him. Laws had changed in that world, but only in certain places. Still, Gokudera is cautious, and he's never been too fond of being touched.

If he really were to get drunk, with the use of some internalized Sun flames, the bomber could likely sober up quickly. The alcohol would hit hard and fast in his system enough to make him sick, but he'd be back to normal quickly. He has no mind to his flames at the moment, however. Gone is the despondent attitude that clung to him on Amoi. He'd made friends, had fallen in love, had fought to help and ultimately... people left him. Whether they simply were teleported off Amoi, or they legitimately turned their backs to him made a huge impact on his willingness to open up.

So... Yamamoto is helping him more than he likely realizes in just being around him. Listening or talking, or walking with him to get food. As mundane as it may seem, there's a great deal of comfort the bomber's feeling. He could fear the future... that this friend of his could leave, but he's not going to let that go. Gokudera is going to anchor his purpose on his family, and the potential for his own improvement here to help them. He'll be fiercely loyal, and that will never change. No matter what world he finds himself on.

"It'll be good to eat food for once." Gokudera says, feeling as though he could drool. "Real food." He corrects. "Everything on that last place was..." He rubs his fingers together, trying to find the right word, right language to describe it. "Not printed... but... digital? It was like, you got full from it and could be satisfied... But nothing was real." No real food, no real plants. Nothing felt alive on Amoi. He even had a theory that everyone there was somehow digital or maybe downloaded into the world, and that is how they could interact with it so well.

No one outright called him crazy, but he definitely unsettled a lot of his friends with talk like that. "I don't even know what I want.."

There had been a man named Sanji that had made him a lasagna once. He doesn't remember it. Maybe that's what he wants. Or... some kind of pasta.

Yamamoto is open and friendly enough for the both of them. Already his eyes are looking for people like them. After all, the more people they know here the better he figures. He will have to make sure he works on that, he knows it can take Gokudera time. Loyalty seems to be something their boss inspires. Even in people who are not in his family. It is a trait his two closest friends would have to possess.

He is listening as he leans around the people in line. Curious as to what they have to offer. He is not a picky eater but he has his favorite things. His ears perk at the word digital.

"Like a hologram?" He imagines food that when it is touched a hand would go through it at the thought of digital food. That does not sound too crazy a theory if the food is digital why not the people? Could explain how Gokudera never went missing in their homeworld despite being gone for two years.

"It looks like they have red fried noodles." He does not realize that for a second, he has reverted to calling foods by the names his dad had him use as a kid. Of course, now he knows it is called spaghetti. But there you have it, could be his hunger, the fact that he has had a lot thrown at him in the last few hours of his life. Or that some part of him was already homesick when he got here.

Either way, it does not dampen his mood as he gets to the front and begins picking items. He does not eat as large as some athletes can but he is taking a healthy-sized plate. Starting with the spaghetti, if he finds sushi he may tear up that is a warning. He does see some onigiri so those go on his plate for sure.

"No, not like a hologram. It would still be filling, but it was clearly fake. Like... no plants grew on Amoi. The dirt was dusty, and outside of the slums was the wasteland. It was toxic. I met someone who'd gone out there..." And he couldn't save them. Gokudera couldn't even move her to the clinic in time to treat her. All he could do was try to numb her with his flames, and the sun flames would have likely progressed the decaying on her skin... and in her system. He looks a little forlorn, but at the mention of friend noodles, he gives a small, hopeful smile.

"Anyways. It's been a while since I've had real food." Let's leave it at that.

Again... it's better not to reflect on things he couldn't change.

It's easy to focus on food, and when he's ravenous, he doesn't even care if all that's available is cup noodle. Gokudera does grab the spaghetti, and some more water, but for the most part is cautious in his portion sizes. He's not a big eater most days, and he's not sure how he'll adjust from Amoi to Anchor. Better to play it safe when he's pretty sensitive. Once his plate is relatively full -hey he even got some vegetables- he steps out of the way to let Yamamoto or anyone else pass. He's just going to patiently wait until the Rain Guardian goes to take a seat, oddly... not making the first move, though it's probably because he's used to not being allowed to make the first.

"Strange..." When Gokudera talks about the wasteland it reminds Yamamoto of the video he had first seen. He thinks to himself they are pretty lucky they did not poof in outside the dome. Yamamoto is not sure how he would feel about everything feeling fake. So much of who is he is relying on instinct, how he feels to have that center of gravity gone would suck. He notices the switches in facial expression. He is bound to be paying more attention than usual as it is but he does not say anything. Instead, he eyes what looks like sushi but it is not his old man's, he takes a few pieces but not many.

"Then eat up!" He makes a happy noise when he sees the milk cartons, taking two with a huge grin. Exactly and there is a lot they can change, empty stomachs is one thing they have control over.

He is satisfied that his friend is going to eat decently, if not as well as he may have in the past. Yamamoto notices that Gokudera waits for him, he does not remark. He acts as if that is perfectly normal. He is thinking that as long as he can be himself, Gokudera can heal. If he keeps poking the wounds by reacting visibly to any strange behaviors it is going to be worse.

He leads them to a table, sliding into a seat he rubs his hands together and grins at Gokudera.

"It all looks good." He is not as formal as most people so there are no thanks for the meal, he does give a polite nod before digging in. His first order of business is to put his straw in and take a big sip of milk.

He had been reminded of the wastes on Amoi when he watched the video, too. Honestly, he could imagine this as the same planet, but much further in the future. Not enough lasers, though... and far too many robotics. He hums his agreement. Amoi was strange.

The jumps in expression and hesitation are just going to slide if Yamamoto doesn't point them out, which will inevitably do wonders.

Gokudera looks on at the milk and realizes that he's only had it for the past couple years as an additive to tea. For that matter... if it was fake too, did it come from something other than a cow? He's getting a bit lost in thought and takes up his spoon and fork, twisting and cradling the pasta before taking a bite.

And what a bite it is. He's got to do his best to not eat as fast as he can, so lets out a contented sigh before savoring the next bite. Fork down and he's speaking again, feeling oddly conversational. But hey... it's been a bit since he had someone to talk to, and Yamamoto probably won't mind, right?

"Have you ever had it before? Spaghetti?" He knows that the baseball idiot had gone to Italy with Dino once. Gokudera points to the food on Yamamoto's own plate with one hand and takes up his water with the other. This... seems real enough, tastes good, and he feels comfortable, expression bored, or maybe a little relaxed.

Nothing can always be smooth sailing but for the moment they seem to be making it work. It is amazing how resilient the Guardians are. Not just Gokudera and Yamamoto but the entire group. No matter how many times they get knocked down they all get up together.

As he takes a bit of the onigiri Yamamoto nods "We even have it at my house sometimes but this is different." The spaghetti is good but there are other foods on the plate that are working better to ease some of his homesickness. " Did you eat it a lot in Italy?"

He does not mind talking at all, in fact, he will be glad to hold up his own end of the conversation as he holds the second milk out to Gokudera "Here, you should drink more milk." Yamamoto flashes a grin, then picks up a piece of sushi. Savoring it despite the fact that his dad's melts in the mouth way more than this. In his opinion at least, he may be spoiled with good food at home.

It may be a strange world, he may be bruised and banged up. What the future holds here may be a complete unknown. But the moment he is living right now, this is okay, this feels as close to home as a person could expect on a strange planet.

A good plate of food and a friend, who now seems to be more comfortable in himself. The Rain can almost feel the battlefield clearing. The sun will start to shine before they know it.

"Red fried noodles..." Gokudera says and looks down at his spaghetti. "Heh... The spaghetti is boiled and the sauce can be fried, I guess." What a Japanese way to approach spaghetti. It's enough to make hi chuckle. Gokudera can't feel too homesick when it comes to food, as he's never really had a great relationship with it. Thanks, Bianchi. "Hmm. I'm sure I did." All food is comfort food if it isn't poisonous.

Gokudera blinks at the milk carton, completely caught off guard. He's smirking and sets it down. Wow when was the last time he's heard something like that? There's an odd affectionate way he stares at it, and realizes that he missed Yamamoto.

"Thanks." And he opens the milk, placing a straw in it, and taking a drink. "That's milk alright." What else is he supposed to say? Gokudera's not a huge fan, but hey, if it makes the other happy... why not?

"That's what we called them in my house when I was a kid." Yeah, still oblivious to the fact that he called the spaghetti that when he first saw it. Yamamoto had not considered that Gokudera had been so young he may not remember things like what food he ate. After all, he has been on his own for a long time. True, while not a picky eater Yamamoto would prefer to not eat Bianchi's cooking. It never looks quite right.

"You're welcome" He is sipping his own as soon as he says it, smiling around the straw as dark eyes take in his surroundings. If a carton of milk brings that look to his friend's face he may have to offer it more often. Not that he doesn't anyway, he is a firm believer in the benefits of milk!

It was good, good enough it makes Yamamoto laugh. "Yes, it's good for you." He flashes a thumbs-up, taking another bite before he speaks again.

"Do you think this place is here all the time?" His curiosity about their new home sparking now that his stomach is getting full.

"It wasn't in the video." It sure would be nice if it was, they could make good use of the buffet and the beach in Yamamoto's opinion.

"Spaghetti is the pasta, you know...? Not the sauce. You could just have it alone, as there is no frying to it." He's still eating, chewing while he thinks and making sure to have good manners. He may not be a formal eater, but he's self-conscious. "It'd be like referring to all soba as yakisoba! Ah!" Gokudera gestures to his spaghetti. "Tomato soba!" He chuckles again. It's fun to mix up the cultures and their different foods.

He glances over his shoulder. Damn... he should have grabbed an onigiri for himself.

"You say that, but it doesn't make me feel any better." Gokudera goes back to his milk. "Actually makes me feel sleepy most of the time." There had been a time when he had first ever met Yamamoto, that the baseball idiot had told him calcium would help with his irritability, or... something like that.

"Hm? This ship? No... but I hope it comes back often." He definitely was fond of some of those aliens that greeted him. Gokudera wonders if there is a piano anywhere in Anchor he could practice in private. Back home, he had a keyboard in his room, and on Amoi, he'd had to get lucky enough to be allowed to play in bars. Ex-pets had a hard time finding jobs.

"I get the feeling that video hasn't been updated in a while." Duh. Why else would Anchor seem so overgrown and locked down? He wonders what he can find out. Gokudera may be pretty smart, but he is no programmer.

He is listening, while Gokudera speaks he eats, sipping his milk and in general enjoying himself more than he has in a while. He is stretching in his chair, eyeing his plate thinking he may have taken a little more than he should have. It is definitely all filling. When Gokudera says tomato soba he laughs, right down deep from his belly amused about it. He can feel free to snag one off Yamamoto's plate, he'll be glad to share. Right now he is happily eating his Tomato Soba!

"We didn't eat anything that wasn't Japanese or could be named by color. Tomato soba would have been better." Strange, he knows but red fried noodles were born of this peculiar habit of his dad's.

"That's because you need more sleep." It is not reproachful but a matter of fact. After all, if the milk makes a person sleepy clearly their body is telling them something. Plus, he noticed in the future, Gokudera does not sleep much, or at least it seems that way.

"We'll have to ask around, there's a bunch of stuff to try out." If it comes back regularly he will drag Gokudera along to try out everything they don't explore tonight. Yamamoto would like this, there is something beautiful, soothing about that piano music. He never thought he would enjoy something so mellow so much but he did.

Gokudera may be a very proud young man, used to taking care of himself. However, Yamamoto usually feels comfortable sharing his food. That, and if he really couldn’t take one of his onigiri... he could just go grab another from the buffet. As it is, he definitely takes one, no one is upset about it, so there’s no problem. Not that Yamamoto is ever the type to lash out like the Storm Guardian does.

“I guess being on a different planet means we could always try foods neither of us are familiar with...” That is both an exciting and terrifying thought.

He’s going to snicker, hearing Yamamoto actively referring to spaghetti with red sauce as Tomato Soba is so stupid.

“Ah-!” Way to call him out like that. Gokudera gives a little bit of a pout and mutters that he can’t help it. Even on Amoi, his roommate had noticed how Gokudera would never sleep at normal hours. He worries how adjusting to a new planet will work with his insomnia.

“You think there’s a pool, even?” He’s not interested in swimming, but what doesn’t this space cruise ship have? Gokudera won’t bring up his desire to play the piano again. It’s always something that’s been very personal to him. He would play. He just won’t talk about it easily. True to form with most personal matters, and those that especially don’t concern the family, he’s evasive. It isn’t that playing the piano is a weakness, it’s just... irrelevant.

No matter how proud, they are teenagers and friends. Taking food off each other's plate is not something that would be a big deal. In fact, Yamamoto does not even notice let alone care as he finishes his milk.

Maybe next time, who knows when he would have a chance to eat things that taste so much like home. They may have to get adventurous in their food choices, depending on what Anchor has to offer when not hosting this place. It will forever be Tomato Soba, Gokudera only has himself to blame. The snicker cements the new name as sure as if it was engraved.

It is the way of the rain, calling out without putting out. Just a friendly reminder to his friend that he has to remember to take care of himself too. Yamamoto gives a patient smile in return to the pout "I suppose not." The same as he will not be able to help but to try and be helpful in making it easier for Gokudera to sleep, it is imprinted in his DNA.

Yamamoto may approach the piano scenario one day or if he gets lucky find one, even if it has to be fixed up. Who knows, after all, he is bound to get into any part of the dome he can to explore before it is said and done. When Gokudera asks about a pool he perks up excited clearly "It has a beach and water park up top! It's amazing!"

It's just something they used to do a lot, too. Back in Namimori, having lunch on the school roof, it wasn't strange for Gokudera to nab something off the other boy's bento. Tsuyoshi's lunches beat convenient store meals any day... Not that he'll admit that. But there is something to be said about food crafted by a caring family member. It just... tastes better.

Bianchi doesn't count. She never will, ugh.

They may accumulate inside jokes at this rate. So long as Yamamoto isn't referring to spaghetti as tomato soba to some big time mafia bosses, Gokudera will find it amusing.

Gokudera knows to take better care of himself. He also knows that he can talk to his family about what he's been through, and they will listen. Yamamoto is just... predictable and unpredictable to Gokudera. He knows how he'll respond most times, but the bomber isn't going to mention anything about what he's been through. Again, it's pretty irrelevant.

"A beach?" There's some wonder in his eyes. How.... is there a beach on a space cruise ship?

Yamamoto could not argue that fact. No matter how well-prepared nothing compares to a meal that is cooked for you because the person cares enough to want to take care of you. It's like the sushi here, yes, it is delicious. No, to his taste buds it is not as good as his dad's because it is missing that made for you quality. Plus, Tsuna's mom is the best cook. She keeps any of the family in her home well fed and cared for.

Agreed. Bianchi is never allowed to cook if she shows up. Yamamoto is currently thinking that he may try helping out with cooking in Anchor. He does have some experience there.

Oh no, how tragic, who wants inside jokes? Those would be lovely, it is another sign of the connection between the family. To him it may be irrelevant to his family, they will be here when there are times it does not feel that way. Of course, Gokudera knows that and Yamamoto is more of a show through action than give a big speech about how he feels. There are moments that are exceptions when they faced Gamma for one.

"Right! It is amazing. So pretty, the water was so warm. Want to see it?" He figures they can head that way when they finish up with their food if Gokudera wants. He is already nearly done with his own.

Tsuna's mom is pretty much everyone's mom. Gokudera doesn't refer to her like the others do, but that may be because he's not living under her roof the same way his sister does. She can still cook better than anyone he's ever met.

If Yamamoto expressed interest in a job, the bomber would definitely recommend he assist in some kind of food service. Gokudera probably won't immediately start hunting for a new job. He has no idea where to start.

Any time Gokudera looks or thinks of spaghetti now, he'll probably snicker. It's the little things, really. That moment where they faced Gamma was pivotal, as it made Gokudera more aware of how his behavior impacted the rest of the family, and his position as right-hand overall. He needed to hear what Yamamoto said, and despite the fact that their argument was so poorly timed, Gokudera had listened and learned.

He's trying to be better now, because of it. That honesty was painful, but developmental.

"Uh... yeah." There's some hesitation, but it's not like he's going to go swimming. It's just to go see it.

Neither does Yamamoto, probably for the same fact. That and he also has a tendency to call his dad old man versus dad, so. He is an informal, laid back kind of person it can't be helped.

He will be looking, certain to mention it to Gokudera. Considering he intends to stick with his friend and he knows the other has the same intention it is likely at some point he will. Foodservice would be right up his alley and may help him with his homesickness that is bound to come now and then.

It is, a bond is like a rope braided out of moments. Some are small, like Tomato Soba, they reflect the growth that comes from larger moments. The one thing Yamamoto wants to be is more aware of saying what he needs to say before it all boils over. Yamamoto meant what he said, he knows it needed to be said, it does not mean he will ever enjoy arguing with someone he cares about. Yamamoto means to work on holding things in till he loses his patience, he has to be less carefree, for the good of his friends and family.

Luckily, they are both young with unlimited potential for growth. They are at that cusp in life where they are going to grow faster than they expect.

"I didn't try swimming, just put my feet in." He looks down to his mostly empty plate, takes his last sip and stretches. Looking around to see where he puts his empty dishes.

"You ready?" They may as well enjoy this, he does not think life will be so lavish on Anchor. But that is okay, they don't need fancy things to survive and grow.

It's almost refreshing in how casual Yamamoto can be, especially compared to the kind of people Gokudera has met in the mafia. It's definitely annoying most of the time, but it's probably part of the reason why the baseball player has so smoothly adapted to being in the mafia.

Gokudera could probably... clean? He's definitely worked part time at a convenience store (at ridiculous hours with school the next day because he's a bit reckless). It will definitely be a change to his job on Amoi as a nurse, and then as a bodyguard.

Both of them considered their actions out of line, and Gokudera even admitted to being scared and using that to his reasoning for lashing out. In that regard, he's always scared of people rejecting him, and that feeds into a self-deprecating mentality he's shaking off to be a better friend to his fellow Guardians.

"Do you think it's actually salt water?" Gokudera asks as he gets up as well and hums in agreement. He doesn't need fancy things, and when he had them, he was too young to appreciate them. It's better to be free in Anchor without anything lavish than to be stuck as someone's property, smothered with attention, and punished for breaking rules that'd never been established. He's happy now, and he'll roll with the punches. They both will!

His adaptive skills are so instinctive, half the time he doesn't realize he is doing it. He goes with what is happening and stays rational. If occasionally, mildly oblivious to some things. He sees what's important and reacts accordingly. It is the mixture of oblivious and cheerful and observant and determined that makes him both endearing and infuriating.

Cleaning is good, there seems to be more than a few places that could use that skill. Yamamoto is probably going to encourage Gokudera into something that utilizes that brain of his. He just has to use his own to think of what first. He can help keep people safe, make a plan but when it comes down to the real nitty-gritty of the research and things, he will leave that to the storm just find a way to suggest something in that field when he can.

Friends fight, it's a fact, family gets over it and rises stronger, which they did. There is no shame in it, Yamamoto has been scared, he admits that. They have faced things that grown-ups would run from.

"I don't know, how would you tell?" Once they are both up, dishes deposited Yamamoto slides his hands into his pockets. The straps over his shoulders move slightly but not enough to bother him, they just match his posture in a relaxed manner. Freedom is always preferred. A happy friend and freedom, there are few things better. They will use that "Vongola Fight!" spirit. Those who haven't made it here yet always with them in spirit.

What makes it most infuriating, especially from Gokudera's perspective is jealousy. He's been struggling most of his life to get into a family, and Yamamoto was the Tenth's friend. Reborn clearly favors him... most everyone does. The bomber no longer feels that bitter annoyance about Yamamoto's oblivious, cheery nature. He's found strength in it, and acts more aggravated than he actually is. As usual, Gokudera's bravado is his shield.

Gokudera may reach out on the network depending on how his skills can be utilized. Until then, it doesn't feel pressing to mess with chemistry or controlled explosions. Storm flames may help with breaking into certain areas, but he's not going to explore anything without communicating to other Anchor natives.

"Taste it? Feel how your skin dries out afterwards? Salty water smells different than fresh water..." He remembers swimming in fresh water, and eating wafers that gave him the ability to breathe underwater with... odd side effects.

He wants to swim, though, but is hesitant. There's a lot he associates with the beach. A certain loss he doesn't want to focus on. Hopefully... it will feel completely different.

Yamamoto knows about the jealousy, he does not take offense nor pride in it. He understands it now in a way he did not when they first met. Enough time has passed since that day that he is aware of it and the reasons. He does not seem himself as more favored, he is just more easy-going. It makes connecting to him easier but the easy path is not always the best. There is a value in someone whose friendship has to be earned, whose trust is not so easily given.

Chemistry or controlled explosives are out of Yamamoto's reach, he'll stick to swords and baseball bats. His dying will flame and box with companions are cool additions but about as technical as he is going to get. That would be smart, Yamamoto is sure to reach out and talk to people. He however is likely to start exploring, poking, and training as he does. Sitting still is not his cup of tea.

"Taste it?" Yamamoto chuckles at this, he wonders about the skin thing and stops, lifting his pant leg to inspect his lower calf. It does not seem overly dry to him, maybe more than before he stepped in the water "Huh, not too dry. It smelled like home." If that makes any sense, he can't explain that was just the feeling the water gave him at the time.

If he mentions swimming Yamamoto is bound to go for it. He may not think of it on his own but rather they do or don't this time, hopefully, there will be a chance in the future.

It is wrong of Gokudera to assume that Yamamoto made friends with the Tenth so easily. Their boss saved them both in different ways, and it isn't really any business of Gokudera's to poke his nose in to what Yamamoto's past had been like. They've both grown. Their boss is their most important person, and Gokudera has learned how to share.

He does not think Yamamoto should stop being so carefree, but then... he has no idea what the cost of dark thoughts could do if they were to ever overwhelm the other. No one is going to let Yamamoto stay down, and Gokudera is as dutiful towards him as a friend should be. In his own way, of course. It's what his boss would want, and it's something Yamamoto does for him.

Gokudera is going to treat Anchor like a small reprieve. He's got a lot of what Amoi did to him to move on from. The homesickness is instead a startling adjustment. He'd had attention so much, always someone eager to be with him in ways he'd never let anyone in before. Now suddenly, it's painful, but he has to act like he never knew Yamamoto in the... intimate way he had before. It's almost easier to think of Amoi as a nightmare, and with the way it haunts him, there's a tension it brings to even something as simple as this.

"Yeah. If you swim in salt water, and you taste it, it will obviously be salty." Gross but true.

He watches the other boy inspect his calf and gives a soft frown. "It probably is salt water, then. If it's like home... considering Japan is surrounded by it." Not to say there were no bodies of fresh water. The sushi usually came from saltwater fish. Gokudera's stuck staring for a moment, as though lost in thought. It makes sense, Yamamoto...

Gokudera just might mention swimming. Sure, he's not dressed for it, but clothes can dry and layers can be removed. At the very least, he may just want to lounge in the sand.

Yamamoto does make friends pretty easily, he should learn to be a little more discerning some times but his trusting nature has not got him into major trouble, yet. He can usually sniff out the bad guys, it is an instinct to know when someone isn't "right". They have come a long way and Yamamoto is grateful for every one of them from Tsuna to Haru and everyone in between, each member of the family is important to him. He has had a relatively easy life, his old man is a good father, they always have a roof and food and he spent most of his time at sports clubs.

For Yamamoto, it is his chance to get stronger, be ready when he goes back to do what has to be done. It has also given him a purpose and drive, that is pushing back the darker thoughts that weighed on him when he arrived. What his friend goes through in regards to their relationship in Amoi, Yamamoto can not understand, he has never experienced any of those things with anyone, let alone with someone he is already friends with. He will however want to be around Gokudera, to be there for the other. And for himself, Gokudera is as close to home as he can have here, Yamamoto is not going to let that go. All Gokudera has to do is be himself, not who he was when Yamamoto last saw him at home but the person he is, at this moment, his core person is always enough.

He pulls a face at the thought of saltwater, it does not sound appetizing. Yamamoto thinks that would zap your hydration faster than not. No wonder his dad made sure they always took water with them when he was a kid.

As they near the beach Yamamoto can not help but tilt his head upward, takin gin a deep breath. Glad that Gokudera understood. Yamamoto never considered what kind of water it was until it was brought up. That seems a safe assumption the bomber has made. As the water comes into view he smiles at Gokudera.

"Beautiful isn't it?" There is something soothing about the water. He may have to roll up his pant legs at the least and step in again. Now that he is here it is hard to resist.

It's hard to know who the bad guys are when the Tenth goes around and turns them good. It's like everyone he fights with learns something about his worth and is an instant ally. The biggest obstacles seem small when the Tenth brings in his compassion.

Yamamoto may have gone through his loss, and it may have impacted to family, but he was not alone. Gokudera won't allow him to shoulder the idea that he failed when he's experienced his own losses so many times. The Tenth wouldn't want them to feel they somehow were not good enough... because he values them. Gokudera's adjustment will be strange more than difficult, and on Amoi, he forgot what Namimori was like. If he were honest, he'd say he doesn't miss home. It's... hard to remember what it was like. The Tenth, and the family most of all are his home.

He won't put his feelings out. In response to past relationships -any regarding member(s) of the Vongola- he will just clam up all the more. Gokudera forgives. That's the easy part. It's the forgetting, especially with Yamamoto wanting to be around him that's the real challenge. Gokudera thinks he's become strange, turns and keeps his attention on the other as they arrive at the beach, and then seems startled when the other smiles at him.

It... really is a beach. He puts his left hand to his heart and squeezes it gently to the blue hoodie he's been wearing. There are scars on his hand and not from burns. It looks to move well enough, and is fully healed, but it has definitely been through a lot. "I used to..." Why is it so hard to speak and open up?

"... used to know a demigod. He was the son of Poseidon, and could talk to fish, and horses... Do you think there are any fish in this water?" Is it real, asks the wide wonder in his eyes when he turns them to his friend.

ugh I lost what I typed up the first time. Hope this is passable lol

comments getting eaten and lost, we're cursed I tell you ~ only not really it is lovely as always ~

awww shucks

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