[In the absence of the pajamas Kakyoin had apparently been the only one with the foresight to bring on a trip to Egypt, he wore loose-fitting pants and a wide-collared black shirt with short sleeves--the latter of which was pulled a little closer around his shoulders to avoid an awkward conversation.]
[Not that he really expected Polnareff's observational skills to notice much in the way of scars, but so it went. Kakyoin pushed his glasses back into place before curling both hands around his cup of coffee, wondering if anyone ever slept in this house.]
[He was going to muddle this if he didn't do it right. First he got himself a glass and some water, because he still had vague hopes on getting to sleep tonight, and soda would only ruin his plans. Then he sat, legs sprawled out on the floor, frowning. It was a sign of his distraction that he didn't even notice Kakyoin's shirt-- that was an opportunity to tease, and yet he let it pass him by.]
You've seen Dio here. And talked to him, I'm gonna guess, right?
[It should, probably. More than anyone else here, Kakyoin had a right to be repulsed by Dio. But if he could manage to talk to the kid once in a while, maybe this was going to be an easier conversation than he thought.]
He's a kid. I mean, he's only twelve, I think, or maybe younger-- so it's almost like it isn't him. I mean, I know it is, but it's--
[What was he trying to say?]
I offered to teach him sports. Back when all that truth shit was going on.
I taught him a couple of games at the arcade. He sends me these stupid unflattering pictures of Giorno sometimes, it's-...
[Kakyoin trailed off, the fact that he was talking about Dio hanging over his head like a guillotine blade. He sounded crazy, he felt crazy just tolerating the kid.]
[but he was just a kid.]
...it's weird. He's Dio, there's no question there, but he's not Dio.
It's not-- I mean, he's a brat, just like any other stupid kid. But he's a brat who's terrified of me-- of us, I guess. And a brat who doesn't want to become what we remember. So--
[He pulled a face.]
I want to help him. But it feels kind of like . . . I don't know. Maybe it's wrong to.
Depends on who you ask, really. I get the feeling Jojo would probably want to just snap his neck and be done with it, and I can't call him wrong for that if it is the case.
[Because...frankly, from that point of view Kakyoin of all people knew it would be justifiable. After everything he now knew the Dio of 1988 had done in a fight that he'd ultimately lost, part of him wanted to punch his twelve-year-old self in the face solely on principle.]
[But it wouldn't be right.]
It just...it doesn't sit right with me. I know what it's like to be cornered by someone immeasurably more powerful than you, and that's effectively the position he's in with all of us here. To say nothing of the fact that I'm not about to go against Giorno or what he wants, either.
I don't know, Polnareff. I think...it would be worse to just treat him like it's a foregone conclusion.
[He agreed, actually. It would be beyond cruel to treat this child as if he had already committed his crimes-- that was the conclusion he himself had come to, all those weeks ago in the library. And yet Polnareff found himself arguing.]
And what if we do that-- we treat him kindly, we let him around us-- and one of these days it turns out it doesn't matter?
[Not that he thinks he'll lose to a 12 year old. But-- at the same time, it seems the height of stupidity to just take their greatest enemy in like a stray dog.]
That's entirely possible for a myriad of reasons. I won't argue that it won't happen.
[Violet eyes hardened and turned cold, Kakyoin's words sounding like the practiced tone of someone who had said as much to himself over and over. He'd already planned for exactly that outcome, and knew just what he would do if it happened.]
If it does, we'll handle it. This isn't like it was in Cairo; we'll be more prepared and better equipped to deal with that if it should happen.
[A pause, like he knew exactly what Polnareff would say next--Kakyoin pulled the collar closer to his shoulders again.]
...I won't lose again. And Jotaro's not doing this alone a second time.
[Quietly said-- but he wouldn't. Not now that they knew what the World did; not now that Dio was a child; not now that Kakyoin had so much more training and expertise-- not just with Hierophant, but with hamon as well. ]
[And that was exactly the reason he'd been working so hard to learn to use his Stand and Hamon in tandem; he had seen Hermit Purple used as a conduit, of course.]
[But Hierophant could do something no other Stand could. If he could get to the one place where time didn't stop and channel Hamon through Dio's whole body, the fight would be laughably easy. Jotaro wouldn't have to fight The World at all, not ever again.]
He's...kind of normal, honestly. Things were awkward at first; I kept antagonizing him because it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. But the last couple of times we've spoken it's just been ordinary conversation. One time he asked what kind of video games were my favorite and how to play them, for example.
[...]
I think the fact that it's ordinary is what's screwed me up more than anything. He was never something I really imagined as having been human at any point.
[He thought of Dio-- small and terrified, telling Polnareff that he was scared of them. Talking about his passion for astronomy, his desire to consume any and all knowledge he could get his hands on.]
He told me he likes astronomy. And learning-- just learning for the sake of knowledge. Some of that I can connect to the Dio we know, but some of it-- it's odd. And it makes me wonder what happened to him, from twelve to-- however old he was when he enslaved us.
...I really just don't know, Polnareff. Maybe I should have asked Jonathan, while he was still here.
[Kakyoin took a deep breath and sighed, shaking his head.] Whatever happened between then and 1988--and I'm really not sure I want to know--I'm sure this place must have thrown a wrench in it somewhere. I just can't reconcile this kid with the monster that did all that to us.
[He took a drink of the coffee in front of him, mostly as an excuse to collect his thoughts for a second.]
I don't give second chances easily, if ever. And I'm never going to forgive any of what he did in general or to me specifically. But I just....this kid didn't do anything yet. I can't just condemn someone like that no matter who he could grow up to be.
[His eyes went to those scars, and despite himself Polnareff reached to his own shoulder, fingers brushing against his skin in mirrored sympathy. He could guess where such scars came from-- though god only knew if it was right. And maybe he ought to bring them up-- get himself caught up on Kakyoin's shit, that would be the thing a good friend did, right? But on the other hand, they were already so bogged down with emotional shit-- and Kakyoin might not appreciate being gawked at.
So: a happy compromise. He would let the other know he'd seen those scars, but in such a way that he wouldn't feel weird about it. Like so:]
You know, you're a little short to be walking around in Jojo's things.
[He grinned.]
I mean, I can get away with it, me and him are practically the same size, but you--!
[Subtlety on Polnareff's part was a rare and mildly astounding thing as far as Kakyoin was concerned. Ordinarily he might have even called attention to and openly teased him for it, but once he realized what the gesture and subject change meant...well, he was grateful enough to let it pass without comment.]
It's comfortable. Who cares if it fits or not, I'm not exactly going around the city wearing it. [He pulled the collar back into place as he spoke, rolling his eyes.] And are you calling me short?
Well, yeah. You can tell by the way I said short and then implied it was about you. Hard to follow, I know, but my Japanese isn't good enough yet to say it to you that way.
[And hey, if they weren't going to talk about those scars-- which, fine, that's all right-- then that just meant he could go back to being a shit.]
Anyway, this is just the first step. I've had girlfriends do this-- they start by just sleeping in it, and soon all of a sudden half your sweatshirts and t-shirts are at their place because they've stolen them. It's only a matter of time.
[Kakyoin frowned in thought, pressing a hand to one shoulder and shifting like he was trying to stretch it out; he reminded himself that Polnareff did just avoid asking a blunt and awkward question and he was grateful.]
[On the other hand he was tired, slightly aching, and messing with Polnareff was a surefire way to make him feel better.]
Ore wa ore no beddo o aishi, ore wa mushiro anata ni nemurudarou.
If that's something that's going to backfire on me, I'll put a slug in your bed.
[Fair warning! But okay-- okay, so that was a lot of syllables all at once. Add to the fact Japanese pronunciation and articulation is a lot different than French, and it takes him a few seconds.]
Okay, so-- say it again? Ora-- no, ore wa ore, that's an easy start. Hang on--
[He stands, grabbing a pen and a message pad-- because this is interesting, okay, he's never gotten to try this before.]
It's fine. [Totally fine.] Here, I'll write it out-- [Ignoring the fact that his collar was dropping over his shoulder again (this was much more important), Kakyoin leaned over and took the pen, writing exactly what he'd said so it was clearly readable.]
[That'd teach Jotaro to tell him stupid pickup lines he had to ask Giorno to translate. Probably. Either way it'd be funny as hell.]
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timeasmymeasure
action;
Date: 2016-05-13 01:22 am (UTC)[In the absence of the pajamas Kakyoin had apparently been the only one with the foresight to bring on a trip to Egypt, he wore loose-fitting pants and a wide-collared black shirt with short sleeves--the latter of which was pulled a little closer around his shoulders to avoid an awkward conversation.]
[Not that he really expected Polnareff's observational skills to notice much in the way of scars, but so it went. Kakyoin pushed his glasses back into place before curling both hands around his cup of coffee, wondering if anyone ever slept in this house.]
Something wrong?
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 01:27 am (UTC)[He was going to muddle this if he didn't do it right. First he got himself a glass and some water, because he still had vague hopes on getting to sleep tonight, and soda would only ruin his plans. Then he sat, legs sprawled out on the floor, frowning. It was a sign of his distraction that he didn't even notice Kakyoin's shirt-- that was an opportunity to tease, and yet he let it pass him by.]
You've seen Dio here. And talked to him, I'm gonna guess, right?
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 01:30 am (UTC)...Yeah. We talk once in a while, as weird as I know that sounds.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 01:52 am (UTC)[It should, probably. More than anyone else here, Kakyoin had a right to be repulsed by Dio. But if he could manage to talk to the kid once in a while, maybe this was going to be an easier conversation than he thought.]
He's a kid. I mean, he's only twelve, I think, or maybe younger-- so it's almost like it isn't him. I mean, I know it is, but it's--
[What was he trying to say?]
I offered to teach him sports. Back when all that truth shit was going on.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 01:55 am (UTC)[Kakyoin trailed off, the fact that he was talking about Dio hanging over his head like a guillotine blade. He sounded crazy, he felt crazy just tolerating the kid.]
[but he was just a kid.]
...it's weird. He's Dio, there's no question there, but he's not Dio.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 02:24 am (UTC)[At least he wasn't the only one acting strange.]
It's not-- I mean, he's a brat, just like any other stupid kid. But he's a brat who's terrified of me-- of us, I guess. And a brat who doesn't want to become what we remember. So--
[He pulled a face.]
I want to help him. But it feels kind of like . . . I don't know. Maybe it's wrong to.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 02:39 am (UTC)[Because...frankly, from that point of view Kakyoin of all people knew it would be justifiable. After everything he now knew the Dio of 1988 had done in a fight that he'd ultimately lost, part of him wanted to punch his twelve-year-old self in the face solely on principle.]
[But it wouldn't be right.]
It just...it doesn't sit right with me. I know what it's like to be cornered by someone immeasurably more powerful than you, and that's effectively the position he's in with all of us here. To say nothing of the fact that I'm not about to go against Giorno or what he wants, either.
I don't know, Polnareff. I think...it would be worse to just treat him like it's a foregone conclusion.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 03:07 am (UTC)And what if we do that-- we treat him kindly, we let him around us-- and one of these days it turns out it doesn't matter?
[Not that he thinks he'll lose to a 12 year old. But-- at the same time, it seems the height of stupidity to just take their greatest enemy in like a stray dog.]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 03:20 am (UTC)[Violet eyes hardened and turned cold, Kakyoin's words sounding like the practiced tone of someone who had said as much to himself over and over. He'd already planned for exactly that outcome, and knew just what he would do if it happened.]
If it does, we'll handle it. This isn't like it was in Cairo; we'll be more prepared and better equipped to deal with that if it should happen.
[A pause, like he knew exactly what Polnareff would say next--Kakyoin pulled the collar closer to his shoulders again.]
...I won't lose again. And Jotaro's not doing this alone a second time.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 05:56 am (UTC)[Quietly said-- but he wouldn't. Not now that they knew what the World did; not now that Dio was a child; not now that Kakyoin had so much more training and expertise-- not just with Hierophant, but with hamon as well. ]
How does he treat you, when he talks to you?
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 06:04 am (UTC)[But Hierophant could do something no other Stand could. If he could get to the one place where time didn't stop and channel Hamon through Dio's whole body, the fight would be laughably easy. Jotaro wouldn't have to fight The World at all, not ever again.]
He's...kind of normal, honestly. Things were awkward at first; I kept antagonizing him because it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. But the last couple of times we've spoken it's just been ordinary conversation. One time he asked what kind of video games were my favorite and how to play them, for example.
[...]
I think the fact that it's ordinary is what's screwed me up more than anything. He was never something I really imagined as having been human at any point.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-13 11:11 pm (UTC)[He thought of Dio-- small and terrified, telling Polnareff that he was scared of them. Talking about his passion for astronomy, his desire to consume any and all knowledge he could get his hands on.]
He told me he likes astronomy. And learning-- just learning for the sake of knowledge. Some of that I can connect to the Dio we know, but some of it-- it's odd. And it makes me wonder what happened to him, from twelve to-- however old he was when he enslaved us.
[He used that verb deliberately.]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-14 12:56 am (UTC)[Kakyoin took a deep breath and sighed, shaking his head.] Whatever happened between then and 1988--and I'm really not sure I want to know--I'm sure this place must have thrown a wrench in it somewhere. I just can't reconcile this kid with the monster that did all that to us.
[He took a drink of the coffee in front of him, mostly as an excuse to collect his thoughts for a second.]
I don't give second chances easily, if ever. And I'm never going to forgive any of what he did in general or to me specifically. But I just....this kid didn't do anything yet. I can't just condemn someone like that no matter who he could grow up to be.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-14 09:00 pm (UTC)[He sighed and fell back in his chair. He agreed, yeah, but that didn't mean the idea sat easy with him.
Perhaps it would resolve as he spent more time with Dio. Perhaps not.]
It's like one of those shitty what-if situations people give you, you know? What would you do if you met Hitler right now, that kind of crap.
[He scowls-- and then adds:]
You're never going to get back to sleep if you drink coffee, you know.
[It's the world's worst attempt at a subject change, but it's something.]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-14 09:08 pm (UTC)[He just shrugged it off, collar of a borrowed shirt falling enough to show the edges of scars that used to be lacerations left by broken metal.]
I'll be fine.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-14 09:21 pm (UTC)So: a happy compromise. He would let the other know he'd seen those scars, but in such a way that he wouldn't feel weird about it. Like so:]
You know, you're a little short to be walking around in Jojo's things.
[He grinned.]
I mean, I can get away with it, me and him are practically the same size, but you--!
no subject
Date: 2016-05-14 09:26 pm (UTC)[Subtlety on Polnareff's part was a rare and mildly astounding thing as far as Kakyoin was concerned. Ordinarily he might have even called attention to and openly teased him for it, but once he realized what the gesture and subject change meant...well, he was grateful enough to let it pass without comment.]
It's comfortable. Who cares if it fits or not, I'm not exactly going around the city wearing it. [He pulled the collar back into place as he spoke, rolling his eyes.] And are you calling me short?
no subject
Date: 2016-05-14 09:29 pm (UTC)[And hey, if they weren't going to talk about those scars-- which, fine, that's all right-- then that just meant he could go back to being a shit.]
Anyway, this is just the first step. I've had girlfriends do this-- they start by just sleeping in it, and soon all of a sudden half your sweatshirts and t-shirts are at their place because they've stolen them. It's only a matter of time.
usual 'lol google translate' disclaimer applies
Date: 2016-05-14 09:33 pm (UTC)We live in the same house and the same room on top of that, it isn't as though they'd be difficult for him to find.
like i know the difference, A+ japanese
Date: 2016-05-14 09:36 pm (UTC)Oye! Teach me to say something.
[--he's not a dog, Polnareff, don't just order him into it.]
In Japanese, I mean. I don't know a lick of it and I ought to, hanging out with you two.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-14 09:37 pm (UTC)[polly.]
no subject
Date: 2016-05-14 09:38 pm (UTC)[Missing the point--!!]
Please will you teach me something clever to say in Japanese, so that I can one-up your boyfriend?
no subject
Date: 2016-05-14 09:52 pm (UTC)[Kakyoin frowned in thought, pressing a hand to one shoulder and shifting like he was trying to stretch it out; he reminded himself that Polnareff did just avoid asking a blunt and awkward question and he was grateful.]
[On the other hand he was tired, slightly aching, and messing with Polnareff was a surefire way to make him feel better.]
Ore wa ore no beddo o aishi, ore wa mushiro anata ni nemurudarou.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-14 09:57 pm (UTC)[Fair warning! But okay-- okay, so that was a lot of syllables all at once. Add to the fact Japanese pronunciation and articulation is a lot different than French, and it takes him a few seconds.]
Okay, so-- say it again? Ora-- no, ore wa ore, that's an easy start. Hang on--
[He stands, grabbing a pen and a message pad-- because this is interesting, okay, he's never gotten to try this before.]
Okay, give it to me again, let me write it down.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-14 10:04 pm (UTC)[That'd teach Jotaro to tell him stupid pickup lines he had to ask Giorno to translate. Probably. Either way it'd be funny as hell.]
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