Subaru & Kamui RP Log, Complete

[fateisabitch.livejournal.com]

This is my first time ever posting a log. If I screwed up, please tell me so I can fix it? ^^;

When; July 29th.
Rating; G, I think.
Characters; Subaru, Kamui
Summary; Subaru goes out with Kamui to talk, eat, stop Kamui from doing anything insanely stupid, etc.
Log;

Apparently Hokuto had already taken the opportunity to greet Kamui while Subaru was out, which of course he found out only after the fact, though there wasn't much he could really do about that. He just had to hope his sister hadn't terrorized him too much. Though the way she seemed to enjoy it, Subaru had no real way to be sure. And asking her about it only prompted more teasing in his direction and enough things in life left him baffled or flustered already.

A great many things, most of which were ones his sister said. Nothing to be done about it really.

Since his sister had already gone ahead, Subaru supposed he'd do the same and crossed the hall to go and say hello, knocking on the door lightly and waiting. He hoped he wouldn't be disturbing the other boy.

Kamui had been attempting to unsuccessfully nap on his couch when he heard a knocking on the door. A part of him was greatful for the prospect of company, since the ticking was making him twitch again, but... another part of him just feared that it was Hokuto come to torture him some more. He still was scared of her, especially since he'd learned first hand about her affinity for glomping and hugging. She'd exhausted him their first meeting.

"Coming!" he called out, sounding somewhat tired. He pulled himself off the couch, smoothing out his jeans and black t-shirt just a bit (the fact he was wearing such just made him hope even more that it wasn't Hokuto), and then opening the door. "Ah..." the first thing he noticed was the wide green eyes, just like Hokuto's, but somehow more innocent. Eyes that he had to look up to a bit to meet. Damn it. He'd been right about being shorter. By at least a good inch or two. "Subaru. Hi."

"Good afternoon." Subaru greeted with his usual pleasant attitude, smile easily finding its place on his features. He'd not really had any expectations of what sort of person he'd meet aside what he knew though his sister had teased Kamui about his looks quite a bit. That tended to err on the side of exaggeration but he couldn't exactly tell himself that Hokuto hadn't anything to capitalize on even if he felt that she'd gone a bit too far in claiming that Kamui was a girl. Still, he couldn't see anyone making that mistake.

Once he'd spoken though, he was drawing a mental blank as to what else to say or do. What he knew about Kamui was very limited and most of what he recalled either worried him or made him wonder. Since... nobody else knew about his hands or anything. Thus the other boy was something of an enigma. And the whole time thing only made that stranger if they were from the same world.

Kamui blinked for a moment, wondering why Subaru was so quiet suddenly. Was he afraid of him? If that was the case, Kamui had to try his best to make him comfortable! "Ah, um..." he moved to the side, "come in?" He made an inviting gesture with his hands, but then remembered that seeing the long scars that ran along the front and backs of them might worry Subaru. Trying to be covert about it (and failing, for the most part), he put his hands behind his back. How odd it was to be wishing that he had a pair of gloves to hide his marks too.

It would be hard to fail noticing such markings and Subaru was far from a slouch where observancy was concerned. Kamui's attempt at hiding them only drew more attention but for the moment he chose not to comment, much as he felt like worrying over it. His concerns over what he'd been told were already known so it wasn't anything new. Either way it made him more determined that Kamui needed someone watching out for him in a place as insane as the city was.

But he'd just have to set those thoughts aside at present, accepting the invitation to enter with a polite nod. If he said something it'd likely end up a comment about the scars or something of the like.
Okay. So Subaru was in. Now what? He'd... just have to keep playing this by ear, he guessed. "Um, please sit, and..." he looked to his kitchen, "Want anything to drink or eat? I don't have much, but..." He smiled shyly at the other, blushing a bit as he thought on how much he was failing at this. It was so awkward. Not that he could blame Subaru for it or anything; he'd probably be freaked out too by the kid who randomly showed up, knew stuff about him that no one else did, explained to him someone he cared about would turn on him, and then told him his future sucked. Not exactly easy stuff to take. Or believe.
Subaru crossed the room to sit down in a chair before blinking at the question. He didn't like imposing on people at all, and furthermore Hokuto would raise a fuss if he failed to meet any meal, even if he often did. It just wasn't often that he felt he really needed anything. "No, thank you. I'm fine." The response was of course accompanied by the same cheerful expression, though truly Subaru was starting to see a lack of forethought in coming over. Kamui was nice enough but he'd not considered what to say or do after coming to meet him. "Uh...how are you?"

Kamui snatched a soda for himself quickly and sat in a chair across from the other. "Um... still terrified of your sister and slowly going nuts from that constant ticking?" At least he was honest. "You?" Ugh. This sucked so bad. But what else could Kamui do or say? He couldn't exactly go, "oh, yeah. I'm kinda your boss in the future. Who has wanted desperately to see you over the past few months because you've disappeared, leaving me with this strange ache in my chest whenever I think of what might have come of you." Yeah. That wouldn't work.

"She's really not scary...although she seemed to have had a lot of fun when I saw her..." Subaru could recall Hokuto looking uncannily cheerful and he knew that expression well. She'd definitely had a good time of teasing or something of the like. As her brother he could easily recognize that look on her face. Hopefully she hadn't given Kamui too hard of a time. "And that's what the ticking is meant for. At least, that's what I hear. It's why I said you should try living with someone else."

"It's meant to drive you insane?" He covered his mouth with his hands, taking on a look of consideration, then sighing. "I... I wish they'd told me what type of place this was before I agreed to come here." Not that it would have changed his decision, however. He just would have made a point of dragging someone with him. "I really should... stay with you guys sometimes. At least to have a break from the ticking, but..." he was feeling shy and awkward again, something that only reflected itself even more when he lifted his violet eyes to the other's green, "I don't want to... be trouble, you know? I'm sure you don't even have room for me. Plus, I'm sure your sister would be looking forward to having a lot of 'fun' with me again." He huffed a little. She'd jokingly mentioned something about a dress. Or, rather he HOPED it was jokingly.

Subaru tilted his head slightly. So some people came to this place by choice then... the city truly was odd. He'd fallen asleep and awoken here with no warning or indication save the alien sight that greeted him. And he'd managed to come on the unfortunate day that had people chasing each other about professing their love to random people despite their actual feelings. Hokuto had been the one to explain-with no small amount of amusement-that it was a curse, so the city wasn't actually full of immodest people trying to... no, he didn't want to think about that. It seemed people arrived in various ways and at all different times but what didn't change was how the city worked. "You wouldn't be trouble at all. I'm fairly certain there's a group of at least five sharing a room in one of these buildings, so I don't think space is a real problem. As for Hokuto-chan...well...I'm not so sure."

"Okay, but... the moment I come over and inconvenience you, please kick me out?" He smiled nervously. "I just hope that maybe I can manage to not argue with your sister. She... she just..." a sigh. God, Hokuto was an evil thing. "She knows exactly how to provoke me." He rubbed the scar on the back of one hand absently, something he did when nervous. He... he wasn't sure when he started it, or why, but... perhaps it was because it reminded him why he needed to keep hold of his courage and willpower? To save Fuuma from the monster who had put those marks there, he needed to try to keep those qualities.

"If you say so." Of course Subaru could hardly think of someone was being inconvenient. His mind simply didn't work that way. He couldn't even conceive of Kamui being some sort of burden, just as he couldn't see why his sister thought he was too humble. It was simply in his nature. Thus agreeing to kick Kamui out if he proved to somehow be inconvenient really didn't mean much of anything. As for his sister, Subaru had definitely observed that she had a knack for antagonizing the other boy, though he wasn't exactly sure what to do about that yet. "I doubt she sees it as anything but fun."

Another frustrated huff. "But... but I... I don't want to be her fun! Surely she can find something more interesting than I am." He looked down, his eyes hidden slightly behind his long bangs. "Besides, " he started, his voice soft, sad, "I've had enough of people playing with me back home." He didn't mean the teasing he got from the Seals; oh no, he meant the way that Fuuma seemingly liked to toy with him. Sakurazuka too, that one time they'd fought. "I... I'm not a toy..."

Subaru frowned slightly. That wasn't at all what he'd meant. Hokuto tended to have fun with anyone she encountered in life, himself included. She didn't see people as objects and the very idea was unsettling. It was true that he didn't understand what Kamui had dealt with before-and it was likely unpleasant from the sound of it-but that didn't mean that everyone saw things the way those people did, whoever they were. "I never said you were one."

Kamui looked up suddenly, kinda surprised. If not a toy, then a tool of fate. It... it was sort of hard to see himself even as human sometimes; what with all he'd been raised to be, and all the expectations placed on him. But... this Subaru... there was no way he could know all that. "Th-thank you." Kamui said simply, and decided to change the subject to something not as depressing. "But do I..." he fidgeted, working a hand into his hair and scratching a bit.”Do I really look and act that feminine?" Not like Hokuto was the first to claim him as such, even if she was the first to so bluntly say it. There had been that whole "wife" comment by Sorata, not to mention that he was always called "pretty" instead of handsome...

Subaru blinked at the subject jump. It was far from anything that he expected to be asked by someone else, but then he'd never even considered the possibility of being asked something like that. His expression turned thoughtful as he considered. He didn't really see Kamui that way though he might understand how people might view him that way. Then again he looked just like his twin sister so his standards for femininity might have been slightly off. Still he wouldn't have mistaken Kamui for a girl and to him, the other didn't act like one. "I don't really think so. I mean... you have pretty features but I wouldn't assume you were a girl." He offered the most complete answer he could.

Kamui smiled slightly. "Ah." Sure, Subaru's opinion probably wouldn't hold much weight as far as being a counter to Hokuto's teasing, but... at least it made him feel better. Subaru's opinion mattered to him. "Not even if your sister put me in drag?" he asked, curiously. He so wouldn't put it past her to do that. And that... that was a bad thing indeed.

"...In..." It took Subaru several moments to merely process the statement, no less try to formulate an answer. He didn't think Hokuto would do that but he couldn't say she wouldn't ever try. She did love dressing people up, but... The notion of her trying to coerce the other boy into a dress simply wasn't setting in. "Well... you'd still be you. And that's how I'd see you even if you somehow got into a dress."

Kamui smiled a little larger, blushing a bit. Subaru at this age... he was so sweet. He was kind in his time too, but... even more so as a teenager. "Hey." He leaned forward a bit. "Um. Would you mind going on a walk with me? Or do you... have things to attend to?" Truth be told, he hadn't really gone out of the building since he'd gotten his apartment. The city just... freaked him out too much.

"Oh, no, I'm not busy." In reality Subaru found he'd far too much time on his hands in this place. He didn't have his job dominating his schedule which left him oddly listless a good deal of the time. Which certainly was strange for him since he'd become so accustomed to running around performing whatever tasks were required of him. "I wouldn't mind at all." He stated with a smile. Really even if he'd had things to do he'd still be happy to go on a walk with someone.

Kamui nodded, stood, and offered a hand to help the other out of his chair. "I haven't... really explored much." Understatement. "But I'd like to check out a few things. And, you know, fresh air would be good for the both of us, hm?" The checking out comment just oozed possible trouble, since Kamui wasn't the most cautious of people sometimes. Or the most observant.

Subaru accepted the offered assist and got up with a thank-you, as per usual. In contrast to Kamui, he'd roved around a good deal of the city, even if it had been in some attempt to gain direction or find his sister. Though in the end she'd been the one to find him in spite of those efforts. Either way he'd found out a few things about the city's structure and learned about how some things worked. "Fresh air is always good... Provided you're not getting into trouble." Among the things he'd found were people who seemed less than safe to bother.

Kamui nodded, trying not to look guilty as they walked down the hall, and out of the building's door. The other had been worried about him getting into trouble, which really was a valid concern considering trouble seemed to be attracted to Kamui. He just hoped... that he wouldn't do something stupid, and have Subaru get hurt. "Mm... bright." He covered his eyes for a moment to get used to the outdoor light, then looked around, unconsciously scooting closer to the other. The place... still had that unsettling vibe. "I'd like... to see the carousel and clock everyone is talking about."

"That's easy enough. The carousel's in the middle of the city." Subaru stated, pointing in the right direction as indication. It seemed to be the central point of everything, at least the residential buildings. One of which was a pile of rubble for one reason or other. He'd yet to find out exactly why that was. The light was rather bright, and it was fairly warm as he scanned the area and saw only foreign faces yet again. There wasn't anyone to expect to know but it was still odd to be among so many unusual people. Mentally shrugging it off for the time being he turned his attention back to Kamui. "Should we start with that, then?"

"Yes, let's," he said softly, but made no motion to move. He looked... worried. And, well, scared. This entire place just seemed to give off a sense of death and impending doom somehow, and Kamui didn't like it one bit. He wondered if it'd ever grow on him? Perhaps he was just being paranoid in the first place; a feeling brought on by knowing this place was connected to the end of all things? Hm. Perhaps. Didn't make him feel any better, though.

For a few moments Subaru observed as Kamui remained immobile beside him, merely watching. In most cases someone waited because they didn't know the way-which was also true in this case-but that didn't seem to be the whole reason. The city wasn't exactly a welcoming place but standing there wasn't going to make anything change. Bringing one gloved hand up he tugged on Kamui's sleeve before starting in the direction he'd pointed out before. "Can't get anywhere just standing around."

Kamui made a slightly discontent sound, but allowed himself to be tugged along by the other. At least... he couldn't get lost this way. They couldn't get separated in the sea of strange and possible dangerous people if Subaru was holding onto his sleeve. Right? It was sort of an odd thing to think, though, considering he'd come from Tokyo; where seas of people were the norm.

Subaru hadn't exactly taken into consideration that latching onto someone's shirt sleeve wasn't exactly a social standard, especially when not knowing that person for very long at all, but this place was far from normal. And if Kamui had a tendency toward trouble then it was probably a safer approach. Though he had to resist the urge to apologize as they made their way through the crowded streets. After all it was an oddity for him.

Kamui could tell the other was a little uncomfortable with tugging him along like this, but... he wasn't about to stop it. Nooo way. He just couldn't help but wonder how the other would react if he knew how... physical his Subaru had been with him. Sleeve tugging was nothing. After a few more minutes of walking, Kamui could start to see the carousel, his sense of unease increasing. So that... that was one of the odd objects connected to the end. It's form, something that was used for childhood enjoyment, was very ironic.

"That's the carousel. I don't know too much about it but people don't get too close..." At least that was Subaru's understanding of things. He didn't see people drifting particularly near the structure nor did he see anyone try to touch it. Not even an errant person. But he hadn't spent hours observing activity around it. All he truly knew was that nobody messed with it else something bad would happen. Said undefined bad thing seemed to be threat enough to most people, given that it was undisturbed.

Hmm. Oh, but Kamui didn't have to get close. His powers were more suited for long-distance attacks anyway. He squirmed his arm out of the other's grasp, and closed his eyes. Suddenly, little bolts of energy started to gather around him as he concentrated his power. Normally, he'd just shoot the damned thing with an energy ball, but he figured it'd need something... more... if it really was as dangerous as it seemed. The danger didn't bother him, though. He was fine with it if it meant getting Fuuma back. Just... just as long as Subaru didn't do anything stupid, it'd be okay.

If Subaru was the one being more stupid in this situation he deserved a medal. Perhaps a parade as well. He could see that Kamui was up to something and from his own experience he knew another's powers gearing up when he saw them. Stepping between Kamui and the carousel, he readied to counter with his own powers if he had to, though he'd no idea what effect if any they might have. "Break it and you might destroy everything." If not get attacked by any number of people at that, his mind noted as he realized how many eyes were on them at present.

Kamui held back attacking. "But... I could also save everything." It was a 50-50 change, technically, but... with Subaru in the way, he just couldn't. He'd risk himself, but he wouldn't risk Subaru. Kamui calmed his powers and looked down, upset. He'd hoped to at least learn something about the carousel by attacking it. Maybe if he went up and touched it? That... that might teach him something. He had to learn at least something today, to get him closer to his goal. And Subaru was a little distracted now anyway! He started to walk toward it.

Subaru was about to comment on Kamui's argument but was given little chance before the other boy walked right past him and towards the thing, which of course had his mind screaming all manner of warnings. True enough that he did not know too much about the carousel's nature or purpose but he was aware from overhearing that there was someone or something protecting it from people that tried to do anything to it. He didn't know what the someone or something was but it could only be bad news, which sent Subaru nearly tripping over himself before snagging Kamui's shirt collar. "You can't just mess with it..." He hoped the fact that numerous onlookers were eyeing Kamui would be enough.

"But..." Kamui obviously didn't care about the onlookers. "I have to!" he wailed. He wasn't angry, though; that much was obvious. "I-I have to find out more about it so that..." the cracking way he spoke finally betrayed his emotions; the heartbreak behind his reasoning, "so that I can stop things and save Fuuma... and humanity... and..." Great. Now his eyes were watering. He couldn't help it, though... being so close to something that he needed to learn more about, but not being able to get the information he so desperately needed... it was beyond frustrating. And it made him feel rather deflated too.

"There are better ways of finding out than attacking something..." Subaru felt badly because of how upset Kamui was but at the same time he didn't know what sort of wrath would befall him if allowed to poke, prod, or attack the carousel. It was certainly important to however the city worked but nobody seemed to know everything about it. However it was clear that directly interfering with it was a bad idea. There were surely other means of learning about something rather than how Kamui was trying to go about it. "You're just as likely to fail as succeed if you do things that way." Subaru couldn't think of a better argument.

"I know, but..." Kamui sounded miserable, and decided to take a few moments to compose himself. It... wouldn't do to lose it now. Not when he was still so far away from the answers he seeked. "Even if I fail, I would have tried. I would have tried something instead of just sitting back and having to watch things happen like always." He hugged one of his hands to his chest. "Even if I died trying, at least..." Well, now that he thought about it... him dying to early on wouldn't do anyone any good, now would it? That was a problem with him: his emotions often overcame his sense of logic.

"Well..." Subaru started trying to say something and instead came up with a sigh. What to say to someone in such a situation. Was there anything he could say that would help at all? It seemed unfair that Kamui took everything on himself, and all he was really trying for was something. The results didn't even seem to matter as long as he took some action. And the morbid idea of dying in order to make some kind of progress wasn't any better. "There have to be other solutions. It might take a while, but looking is still doing something, right?"

Kamui looked back to Subaru. "I... I guess so, but..." he turned his body toward him now, but stared at the ground. "I'm afraid of taking too much time. The ticking I hear when I'm alone, it..." How to say this correctly? "It only reminds me that time is running out. That if I don't do something soon, it may be to late and the world will end. Those that I care about most... they could die, and it'd be my fault because I couldn't protect him." Subaru... he must really think he was pathetic by now...

"How about I try and help then?" Subaru said it without even thinking first, but he always was willing to help others. I this place he didn't have his job occupying all of his time and running his life, and having no directive was alien to him. The fact that it tormented Kamui so much had also prompted response. He didn't like seeing someone look that sad. If sad could even approximate it. If there was something he could do, then he would do it. After internally determining that it was the only right thing to do, he smiled. "Helps to have more than one person looking for information, right?"

"I... yeah. I'd think it does." He looked to Subaru again, apparently thinking things over. For once. "And... and you're an onmyouji, so I'm sure you'd be able to find out lots of information, right? Stuff I probably couldn't." That thought perked him up a bit for a moment, but it quickly faded. "But... I... wouldn't that just be using you?" Using Subaru would make him no better than Sakurazuka, and he'd rather die than be like that bastard.

Once more Kamui had some uncanny knowledge about him. Perhaps there really was some other him out there. Regardless, Kamui seemed to misunderstand. Subaru was quick to correct that. "I offered to help you. People who are used don't offer to lend a hand." It was true; people who were used generally had no idea about it and further they were often seen like objects. That was just how things seemed to work out. And Subaru knew what he was doing and wanted to help; which never seemed to vary.

"Mm." Kamui nodded. "Then... I guess you and I can sort of work together on this, right?" It'd certainly be easier this way, and would give Kamui less opportunities to get himself into trouble (especially since his main urge was just to blow the damned clock and carousel to hell, and hope it worked as he thought it might), which would benefit Subaru in that he wouldn't have to worry so much. He... he somehow felt calmer too, knowing that it was Subaru helping him, and Subaru could certainly be trusted with this. After a moment, a smile actually graced his features. "Thank you, Subaru."

"I...It's nothing to.. thank me over. I haven't even done anything yet." Subaru said, trying to wave it off. Being thanked for doing something he thought anyone would be willing to do was embarrassing, and ever more so as a few people continued to watch. And after observing that his face got hot and he knew that he was probably blushing even a bit. Always embarrassed far too easily... He sighed, looking down as his hand smacked against his face. Darn he really hated when that happened but it happened so often he should have been used to it. Just the thought of people watching him was... Nothing he could do about it, Subaru told himself.

Kamui couldn't help but snicker a bit. This younger Subaru... he was so... cute. And he liked that. But at the same time, he didn't want the other to die of blushing or anything, so he leaned in a little closer, a kind look on his face, to suggest, "um, would you feel more comfortable with fewer people around?" Like he knew where there was a place like that. "Maybe there is a park around here or something?"

Subaru considered that for a moment, trying to recall the places he'd seen when wandering around. He hadn't seen a park exactly but something like one. Of course he waited a bit until he thought his face had recovered. Dropping his hand he observed that most people had figured out the show was over and had moved on with their lives. Thank goodness for that. "Well... I haven't seen a park but there was a garden."

Kamui thought for a moment. A garden...? Eh, it'd work. "That sounds good enough. Shall we go there?" He timidly took hold of Subaru's sleeve, just as Subaru had done for him earlier. He... he didn't want to get lost, after all. If he did, with his luck, he'd end up someplace awful. Or become the prey of a pack of random sadists or something.

"...Okay." Having the sleeve treatment reversed was almost puzzling for a moment but Subaru made himself get over that, looking around before determining which direction to go and heading that way. It was fortunate for him that he'd a decent sense of location else the city would have been some kind of hell. The places in it varied so widely it seemed as though multiple worlds had just been smeared together. But after wandering around the city a few times himself he didn't have much trouble finding his way.

Kamui continued to cling to the other, walking next to him, making sure to take in the things around him as he did. He really needed to learn where things were, after all, if he was going to be living here. Course... once he was okay enough to go out on his own, he'd probably be making his way via rooftop jumping. It was just easier that way.

It didn't take too long to get to the garden he'd spotted before, and Subaru was fairly stunned to realize just how large it was. He'd only observed it at a distance so seeing it up close was another thing entirely. That was just a remarkable number and variety of flowers. Whoever tended all that...had a lot of time on their hands. "This is the place." He stated simply. Really... a lot of flowers.

Kamui's eyes widened. He'd never seen so many exotic flowers in one place. "Wow. This is even more impressive than the gardens at CLAMP Gakuen." He bent down to lightly touch one of the flowers, smiling a little, softly. "They're really pretty..." Not that he was particularly attached to flowers or anything.

Subaru didn't know if the place Kamui was talking about was the same one he knew. It wasn't likely that there were two places with that name. But he did know he'd never seen flowers quite like the ones in this place, and that was something interesting. For all the strangeness there was this place. "They're really something..." His gaze drifted over things that looked half-familiar; as though flowers from his world had been enhanced somehow.

"Some of them look like our world's flowers, but... mixed." He didn't dare sniff one, not knowing what effects the pollen could have. "I wonder if these flowers are sort of a mixture of the flowers from all the worlds?" Sort of a stupid thing to be pondering, but a curiosity none the less. Either way, perhaps they should get down to business? "So, Subaru..." Kamui stood up, looking serious, "How do you think we should start acquiring information about how this city can be used to stop the end of all things?"

"Well, there's always asking people who know more, to start." Subaru hadn't actually thought about a plan of action yet, since offering to help had been a rather impulsive move. But logically the first place to get information was from people who had been there longer or who had been involved in turning back that clock in the first place. That would certainly provide good leads. And it was a starting point. "For example, I read a man named V set back the countdown recently."

"Is that so?" Kamui leaned against a tree, his hands in his pockets. "I wonder how we could get in contact with him?" Ugh. Kamui could already see himself trying to talk to that person, only to be a shy, stuttering (when he managed to make himself talk) mess. He wasn't the most social of creatures, after all. Even with friends, he often found himself being at a loss for words (especially Keiichi because... dear god...). "Perhaps... he should be thanked, as well." His stomach decided to choose that exact moment to loudly remind him that, no, a real meal did not consist of soda and cup-o-noodles, which was all he had left back at his place. He blushed.

"Oh, Hokuto would raise hell if she was here..." Subaru had his turn to be amused, stifling a laugh with his hand. It was true; she would have thrown some fit about starvation if she'd been present. He'd been at the receiving end of lectures so many times. But more than anything it was the timing since they were having something of a serious discussion. Thoughts of talking to V and hunting for information were set aside for the moment, since clearly Kamui was probably in need of an actual meal, as Subaru was starting to doubt he'd had anything remotely suitable by Hokuto standards... Which ended up being the standards he had to live with. "Perhaps we should reconvene after you eat something decent."

Kamui blushed harder as Subaru laughed. "Y-yeah. I guess so. Um..." Damn it, he didn't want to cook. Cooking for himself just felt so lame, especially since he was used to cooking for four; often having someone else to help him and make the job less boring. "Do you know of any places to eat around here? Not that I'm opposed to eating ramen out of a Styrofoam cup again, but..."

"My sister would be happy to make something, or we can look around and find a place. I'm sure there is one." Subaru replied, wishing he knew a specific location rather than not. He didn't tend to eat out since Hokuto was with him and so he really hadn't paid any attention to places like that. Though, in hindsight, it might've been good to note.

"Ah~" Kamui laughed a little nervously as he thought about going back to Subaru's place to ask Hokuto, the scary one, for food. "Um, I'd really rather eat out, I think. I..." He briefly wondered if Subaru would eventually get annoyed with him indirectly insulting his twin. Subaru, he knew, was pretty mellow, but... was also pretty attached to her. "I don't think I'm ready to face your sister again. She wore me out last time."

Subaru didn't see what was so menacing about Hokuto. Sure she could be a little loud or overly enthusiastic at times but they weren't things he could even imagine holding against her. His sister was a contrast to himself and that was how he'd seen it for a long time. Even if she teased and joked she was a caring person. However merely from the examples on journals Subaru could see why Kamui had such a difficult time with her. "We'll have to look around then, since I don't tend to eat out."

"Mm," Kamui nodded. "I don't, either. Back home, I live with three other people, and we all take turns cooking." He didn't want to mention that for a while, there had been a fifth one living there: Subaru's older self. "I just... I hope we can find something acceptable that isn't, um... too costly." He hadn't exactly packed to come here, and had found himself stuck with only 2000 yen. No where near enough for an extravagant meal. Actually, he wasn't sure how he was going to survive with so little money, and he didn't know how to make more in this place.

"Hokuto hates if she misses an opportunity to cook. I don't get much chance to cook, myself." Subaru stated, already trying to determine which direction to follow. At Kamui's latter comment he looked a bit more thoughtful. He'd fallen asleep after a job and failed to take off the clothes he'd worn that day so for once he was rather lucky, having his full pay in his pocket. Not that he'd run around spending it like crazy by at least it was something to fall back on until he found out what work was to be had in this place. "I'm fine paying for it. After all, it was my idea." Sort of, but not entirely.

"But I agreed to it." It wasn't Subaru's idea, actually, but... well, it was more of a mutual idea that Kamui had finally agreed on. Whatever. "And, you don't have to waste your money on me. I... it'd be rude for me to accept that, right?" Kamui had no idea how much money Subaru had, but... still. Subaru barely knew him and he was offering to pay for his food?

Subaru wasn't seeing the point to this argument. He hardly saw Kamui as a waste of money and truth be told with Hokuto out and about, he'd not bothered to eat so far during the day anyhow. If his sister asked he'd be better off if he was able to say he'd had something, and he wasn't going to lie about it. More than that, he was concerned that the other boy wasn't getting regular meals-forced or not. "How would it be rude if I'm offering?"

"I..." He scratched the back of his head, thinking. Truth be told, no one had ever offered to pay for his meal before; he wasn't sure how to react to it. "Um... I don't know?" Another nervous laugh. Damn. He was making himself look stupid in front of Subaru. "I just... well, I guess it'd be okay if I promise to try to pay for you next time." If there is a next time, he wanted to add, but decided against it. Nevermind that he still didn't know how he was ever going to make money.

"You don't have to. I don't expect anything out of it, aside company." Subaru stated before starting off toward a portion of the city that seemed to have a variety of businesses. Then of course he paused and caught Kamui's sleeve again. Best not lose track of him where there were even more people than before, especially if he was going to try blowing something up again, or whatever he'd planned to do. That done he started off again.

For some reason, Subaru's kind words made Kamui blush, but he tried his damnedest to hide it. Then Subaru grabbed his sleeve again and started to walk, and Kamui calmed down just a little. He didn't mind, really; being led around by the sleeve. Subaru could tug him around all day and he'd be perfectly fine with it. "What type of food do you think would be good? Surely, they have a variety," he said, not wanting things to get too awkward again.

"I'm really not very picky. We can see what sorts of places there are and if you've a preference we can go with that." Subaru gave a slight shrug, frowning slightly as they entered people-traffic that was dense enough to remind him from home. Mostly he was glad that he'd had the foresight to hold onto the other boy's sleeve again, or surely they'd lose track of one another in this crowd. It never failed to amaze him just how many people there were in the city.

Kamui couldn't decide if he was happy or depressed about being in this crowd. On one hand, it reminded him of Tokyo before things really started happening; on the other, it also reminded him how empty and desolate the city had become after most of the kekkai had fallen. Reminded him of what had happened because he wasn't able to protect things as he wanted to. He... he had to figure out how to stop the end of things in this new city. HAD to. But now... now wasn't the exact proper time to think of such things. Now it was best to focus on not accidentally getting ripped away from and losing the other. "Um... well, I'm sort of in the mood for Chinese, I guess. But if you don't want that, then we can eat whatever you want."

"Like I said, I'm not a picky eater. My sister likes to try making all sorts of things, so I never had a preference." Subaru assured, looking around whenever the crowd wasn't too dense to see past. Sometimes it really didn't pay to be average or short, whichever he was in the standards of this place. Either way it was something of an inconvenience in terms of looking for anything in the busier parts of the city. Not that he lacked experience with such problems back home. If anything he was predisposed to it, catching glances were he might before seeing a place that was potentially right and making his way over there. The one good thing about being smaller was being able to veer between people in crowded places.

Kamui growled to himself as they navigated the dense crowd. People in this world, he personally felt, seemed taller... which only made him feel even more short. It wasn't fair, damn it! He was already small in the crowds of Tokyo; shorter than even most women... but this was worse. Sucked. "Find anything yet?" he asked as he was tugged along. He hadn't developed the skills of searching through crowds, seeing as he'd lived in Okinawa for so long.

Subaru nodded as he wove between people rather effectively, finding his way through the din with remarkable ease. It was something he'd plenty of practice with and thus crossing to the establishment wasn't especially difficult. Finding spaces to pass through was a trained reflex by now. Then of course it occurred to him that Kamui might not notice when he nodded. "Yes, I think so..." He said before stepping out of the human traffic and onto a less crowded portion of sidewalk.

"O-okay." Kamui replied as he was tugged, then breathed a long breath of relief as they managed to reach a less crowded part. "God," Kamui said, shaking his head. "I was away from Tokyo for far too long." Really, he hadn't had enough time to get used to the crowds before they started thinning out slightly. After Nakano fell... people started to leave the city. The only time he was in horrendously thick crowds after that was when he was in Shinjuku, when the kekkai was shaking and people started panicking.

"This place seems even more crowded sometimes..." Subaru observed aloud, surveying what they'd just managed to walk through. Truly there were a great many people and most of them were from other worlds. He wondered how many of those worlds were far more or less populated than the city they'd all been drawn into, or even if there was some purpose behind them all being there. But then he'd probably find out soon enough if he was helping Kamui get information.

"Mm," Kamui nodded, looking back at the crowd and being thankful enough to be out of it. "But Tokyo was already starting to clear out when I first went back, and... before I came here, there was no one left except for those involved in the battle. I can't remember what a rush hour crowd is like there to compare it to this." He watched the crowd some more, looking thoughtfully sad, before turning back to Subaru. "So... food?"

Subaru started, having taken to watching people pass, an gave an apologetic smile. "Oh! You're right... sorry." He turned back to the building he'd seen and looked it over. That seemed the closest they were going to get, from the look of the other places he'd seen along the way. After a few more moments of inspection he looked back at Kamui. "This place seem alright?"

Kamui looked it over as well. "Hey, if it's got food and nothing strange and gross accidentally ends up in it, I'm fine with it." He smiled slightly before his stomach growled once more and made him blush again. "L-let's go in?" he asked, sheepishly. Stupid stomach.

Subaru managed to contain his laughter this time, instead only looking amused. "Okay, let's do that before your stomach gets really mad." That said he headed for the door, pushed it open and tugged Kamui in along with him.

Kamui looked around the place: it didn't seem that different than the one Chinese food place he'd gone to in Tokyo. Nothing odd at all. Well, except that China didn't exist here. All he could do was hope the food wasn't any different than he was used to.

After a moment, a hostess came by and seated them, Kamui nodding a shy thanks to her with a quick smile as she shoved menus into their hands. Hey, at least the menu had the same basic stuff on it.

As was his nature Subaru was very polite when speaking with the hostess, asking how her day was when he came to take orders, only speaking as much as would be appropriate without wasting her time. After all that would be rude and inconvenience her. Once their orders were placed she picked up the menus and hurried off, which left Subaru looking around the inside of the building. When was the last time he'd gone out like this?

Kamui continued to look around as well, curious. He really wouldn't have even considered eating out like this had he not been with Subaru. Well, actually, he might not even been able to eat out like this, if it hadn't been for the other teen. He was really going to have to make it up to him somehow, but he had a feeling he'd have to be covert about it. Oh well, he'd brainstorm later. "Th-thank you for offering to pay, Subaru. I really... only have 2000 yen, so... thank you."

"Oh...goodness I guess I'm fairly well off by comparison." Subaru was a bit surprised by the amount since he'd the impression Kamui had come here on purpose but perhaps he hadn't planned funds. The other teen did seem like the reckless sort and sometimes that did poorly where forethought was concerned. It was still wild luck that Subaru would have as much money as he did since he'd fallen asleep and awoken here. "At any rate I'm happy to."

Kamui smiled softly. Subaru really was even more kind as a teenager, if that was possible. "I guess I'll have to find some sort of work here, but... I have no skills, aside from fighting. I have no idea what I could do to make enough money to live on." He really, really should have asked beforehand if he was going to need money in this world, but hadn't thought of it. Besides, all the money he had back home came from his mother's estate and/or Imonoyama. And he wouldn't have felt right asking Nokoru for money; not to mention that would have tipped him off that he was planning to leave. That... would not have boded well.

Subaru looked thoughtful for a moment, pausing in his survey of the establishment's interior. It was strange how the place looked so much like one he would have seen back home, yet it was in a world that was a mixture of so many other places. And though he'd wandered, he'd not really found some work for himself either. At the least he'd had a good sum of money from a particularly taxing job, which was why he'd crashed in his clothes before arriving in the city. "I'm not entirely sure how many of the people here actually do work. Many of them just seem to do what they like."

Kamui blinked, confused. "But then how do they manage to afford food and stuff? I mean, I know the apartments are seemingly free, but..." He thought for a moment about his housing, trying to remember if there had been anything mentioned about money. There... hadn't been, though. He was sure of it. "Maybe money just appears. Or... we get a limitless credit card in the mail or something..?" He didn't get this city at all. "Do we even have a mail system?" He sighed loudly and played with the chopsticks that had been stuck neatly into his napkin. "I really should have asked more about this place before being sent here."

"I'm guessing people do something, but it seems like it's not a major concern. A few people I've met didn't have careers to speak of really, so I'm not sure how it all works. But I do know all forms of currency work here somehow." It was very strange and Subaru hadn't quite gotten over just how odd it was. If all the money varied; he didn't know how it worked out that any type worked for purchases. Logically, it wouldn't, yet somehow that was the system. "It's certainly an unusual place."

"Yeah, it is, and it keeps getting weirder and weirder." The food finally arrived at last, and Kamui eyed it hungrily and excitedly. Finally, real food. "Itadakimasu," he said softly, holding his chopsticks in the traditional way for the pre-meal greeting. After a moment of decision, he picked up a piece of beef and ate it, followed by a bite of rice. He was... surprised, "Wow... this food is actually really good." Now he just hoped that didn't mean it was going to be super expensive as well.

Subaru smiled. "Good that you like it." It was always better to eat something that one enjoyed. That was always the case it would seem and it was nice to know that Kamui was enjoying the food. He had to wonder how long the other had gone without a decent meal, living by himself. And dealing with that constant ticking all the time had to be difficult as well. Subaru didn't have to worry about being alone because of Hokuto, but Kamui's was another case. And whilst considering these things Subaru hadn't any idea that he was pretty much staring at the other teen.

Kamui had been happily enjoying his meal, not paying much attention to the other (such things happened when you had only had noodles for two or three days), when he looked up and caught the other staring at him. It didn't look... like anything was wrong, so why was he...? Either way, Kamui couldn't help but blush for what seemed like the umpteenth time. "Um..."

Realizing he'd spaced out, and while seemingly gawking at his company no less, Subaru jumped a little and bowed his head in apology, which would as easily succeed or fail in hiding the red tint that hit his cheeks. He did embarrass rather easily. "Oh! Sorry... I was just thinking." He didn't mean to make the other uncomfortable or anything he'd merely been lost in thought and hadn't the forethought to do so while looking at something else.

Kamui blinked for a moment, then smiled kindly. "It's alright." He ate some more rice, slowing down his eating pace from when he'd first dug in. He really didn't need much to satisfy himself, but... better load up while he could. "What were you thinking about?" he asked absently, though he was a little curious. He just hoped it didn't have anything to do with Sakurazuka, lest he start twitching and growling.

"Well... mostly about how you deal with that ticking all the time. I wasn't alone for long but I really couldn't imagine having to hear it almost constantly." Subaru replied, looking back up and trying not to reflect how flustered he'd found himself at the notion of just staring blankly at someone. It was a fairly rude thing to do and he hadn't intended it.

Kamui waved his hand in a dismissive manner. "Don't worry about it. I'll find a way to deal. Even if it does involve intruding on your household occasionally." He just hoped Hokuto wouldn't read too much into him visiting often. "I won't go insane. I can't. Not when I have to fulfill my purpose for coming here." He nodded resolutely and took another small bite of food, looking down sadly for a moment and adding quietly, "I wonder if everything is alright with me gone. I hope nothing bad has happened..." Not that, of course, he thought it mattered if he was there or not: those bad things probably would have happened anyway since he would have surely fail to stop them.

Subaru managed another cheerful smile. "Nothing wrong with that. I just hope that's enough when dealing with that ticking." Hours of that honestly seemed awful, in his mind. Plus it would be nice knowing someone. He loved his twin, but now and then seeing other people that weren't strangers on the street was a nice thought. And then Kamui switched to talk of obligations again and things went negative from there. True he knew what it was like to be obligated but it wasn't exactly of the same nature or magnitude. "Well, you're doing your best and that's all anyone can ask."

Kamui looked up and stared at the other for a moment, then smiled slightly. "I guess so. It's just hard when the fate of humanity depends on your actions." He noticed the other hadn't really been eating his food much, which bothered him (for one, Subaru needed to eat, he was sure... and for another, it made him look like a pig), so he poked Subaru playfully with the other end of his chopsticks. "Eat."

The poke incited something of an indignant squeak, or at least that was the best approximation. Subaru was not exactly used to being poked, prodded, or touched much except by very few people and mostly his twin. "You sounded an awful lot like Hokuto-chan just now." He stated, and would have smirked if he was the type but he was far from it.

"I'm gonna tell her you said that," Kamui countered, but it was obvious he was joking. He was feeling a little more at ease now; knowing that, at least for the moment, the Promised Day was on hold (after all, couldn't have it without both Kamuis present), and his friends back home were probably safe. At least, he hoped so. After all, Fuuma probably wouldn't go around smashing kekkai if there was nothing to get out of it, he imagined. Plus, there was also the fact that, for some reason, being around this younger Subaru made him feel a little more at ease. When he wasn't making an ass of himself around him, that was. "Hey, maybe we can go find someplace to eat ice cream after this? For that, I totally could treat both of us." Attempt to pay Subaru back #1.

"We can look, but you needn't spend your money on me." Subaru replied, making progress on his food since he'd been prodded. That really did have him thinking of Hokuto. She' probably laugh if he heard that Kamui had done something just like her. And probably claim that it only showed how right she was and how he really did need to fix his eating habits because he ate far less than he should... and the tangent could probably go on a good deal from that point. It tended to be like that though and Subaru was getting used to it. He just spaced off eating at times. Once more, understatement.
Subaru, apparently, wasn't going to be that agreeable as far as this payback thing went. Hmm. "But I want to," he said simply, not knowing that he was actually pouting. He set the rest of his food aside, deciding that it'd be best to take it home so he could continue to have real food left to eat for another day or two. This place did serve rather large portions, after all; the type of portions he could imagine a restaurant in America serving (he'd always read that you got a lot of food there).

"I'd rather not make you spend the money you have. I don't even understand how jobs work here..." The very last thing Subaru wanted to do was trouble someone. And after all he was doing pretty well as far as funds were concerned. It was no problem for him to pay for himself but he did worry about Kamui, who lived by himself and wasn't as well off where finances were concerned. Somehow it didn't seem fair to him for the other teen to have to pay for him at all, even if it was his idea.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it." Kamui tried to smile reassuringly to the other. "I'd figure something out. Besides, ice cream can't be that expensive, you know." Well, still could take up half his money, but he wasn't going to tell the other that. Besides, that 2000 yen wasn't going to last long anyway, and he might end up spending it someplace dumb, so why not use it now for a good cause?

Subaru sighed. He really didn't like the idea of someone else being troubled for his benefit, at all. The notion that someone would have to go out of their way to do something for him was worrisome. "Shouldn't you save your money?" That was really the only thing he could come up with, not that he expected it to be very successful. Though, he really was concerned since the other teen didn't seem to be eating properly to begin with.

Kamui shrugged. "If I don't spend it on you, I might end up buying something weird instead. Best I spend it on a worthwhile cause, right?" He smiled at the other, sweetly. To him, Subaru was a worthwhile cause, after all.... but he wasn't sure the other would see things the same way. He did seem humble to the extreme degree.

"I think you not starving is far more important." Subaru stated, finding this again to be reminding him of his sister. More the sheer persistency than anything else. After all from his perspective there was no need to spend money on him, especially when he could easily take care of himself as far as finances went and the other party wasn't as well off.

Kamui sighed. This wasn't going to be easy. "I don't think Hokuto would let me starve, right?" That seemed final enough to Kamui. Logical too. "So, you don't have to worry about that. Besides, I'm sure I'll find a job eventually." He hoped.

"Well that's true but..." To that Subaru couldn't find a retort. He sighed and his shoulders slumped marginally. Resignation was never a fun thing to be graced with. But he really didn't like the idea of someone doing that for him. It really wasn't something anyone should bother themselves with.

Kamui couldn't help but grin triumphantly, even though Subaru was slumping like that. "So there is no reason I can't pay for you." The waitress came by again and dropped of the check, asking the two if they needed boxes to take the food home. Kamui nodded, and looked at Subaru. He still hadn't eaten enough; at least, not as much as Kamui had.

"I'll be fine, thank you." Subaru stated when the woman asked, again with a polite nod. He never did end up eating all that much and he knew that made Hokuto worry but at least he could say he'd had something if she asked. And then there was still Kamui insisting on paying for ice cream. He really didn't need to do that.

Setting that thought aside Subaru gave the check a glance before figuring the tip and pulling the money out of his pocket, counting it out, checking, and putting the rest away while he set the pay on the table. Sure he could leave it at home but Hokuto might mistake it for shopping money. And that wouldn't be very good news. "Really... I'd rather not be a bother."

"You're not a bother, Subaru. To me, you'd never be a bother." He nodded to himself surely as the waitress returned to drop off the boxes and take the check, asking if Subaru wanted change. "So don't worry." Kamui packed up his food quickly, shooting Subaru a concerned glace over the fact he hadn't eaten much AND wasn't taking it home for later. He could see why Hokuto worried over him so. Maybe Kamui would join in on the "Feed Subaru Alliance"?

When asked about change he shook his head. After all he'd factored out exactly what he'd needed to leave. Subaru wasn't exactly sure how Kamui could assert something like that. They'd just met earlier that day, after all. Sure the other teen knew another Subaru who may have been his future self or something of the like, though that was hard to get his mind around. Sure the city was strange but to have people from different times while in the same world? There was no end to how unusual things had the potential to be. Lost in thought, he didn't manage to say anything.

"Subaru?" Kamui asked, curiously. This Subaru seemed to space out a bit more than the one he knew did. And space out in a different way, as well. He... when his Subaru zoned out like that, he... he could almost count on it being because he was thinking of something at least relating to Sakurazuka. But this Subaru... Kamui hoped it wasn't the same. He didn't want to think he was too late to save him.

"Ah, right, sorry. Just thinking again, I guess." He wasn't exactly predisposed to spacing out but how often was one told that their future was this dark an depressing thing and it was because someone they cared about wasn't really the way he seemed at all? The city was bizarre enough without questioning his own reality. But when someone knew things about him that even Hokuto didn't, Subaru had to have some serious doubts. "I've been doing that a lot today..."

"I'm sorry." Kamui looked down. He knew that... Subaru must be having trouble understanding and accepting the things he'd told him. They were, after all, hard thinks to take. "It's my fault, isn't it?" He felt bad for laying all that down of Subaru, but... Subaru had to know. Or else he would have the same fate the Subaru from his time would. Kamui wanted... to protect him.

Subaru immediately waved it off. "It's not your fault. I get quiet like that sometimes, really. Hokuto-chan tells me so all the time." Which was true, though by comparison Hokuto spoke much more than a great many people and far faster than them as well. He didn't want to make the other worry either. There wasn't any real fault to be had when he was merely thinking.

Kamui nodded, not wanting to push things. "Okay. Shall we go? Or..." he gave the other a look, "do you want to finish more of your food, first?" He wondered, briefly, if Hokuto would lecture him for not making Subaru eat a decent amount.

"I'm fine. Work doesn't usually allow for me to eat that much anyhow." In fact, he'd feel ill if he ate more than he was use to, though Subaru never mentione the fact. People's bodies tended to get used to routines like that, and it seemed normal enough to him. He stood up and pushed his chair in. "We can go if you're ready."

Kamui nodded and stood as well, stretching upwards a bit, then relaxing with a sigh and pushing in his chair. "Ice cream?" he asked, taking his box. Though, maybe the other was too full...? He wouldn't ask him, of course, seeing as he figured the young Subaru might pounce on that as way to avoid Kamui paying for him.

He didn't tend to eat a lot but Subaru wasn't going to make anyone else focus on his concerns. Hokuto did quite enough of that already. Though if they did go he still didn't want Kamui paying for him. It didn't feel right as far as he was concerned. People really didn't need to do anything for him. "I'm fine with whatever you'd prefer." Because truly he never did mind what other people felt like doing.

Kamui raised an eyebrow. "Are you still going to protest to me paying?" Without warning, he suddenly yawned, catching even himself off guard with it. Not that he should have been surprised, really: all the damned ticking in his head had totally screwed up his ability to sleep. He was lucky to get more than an hour or two, really.

"I'm afraid so." Subaru replied, looking out the window to observe a slight drop in the traffic outside, though there were still a good number of people milling about. Though he did catch a glance of Kamui yawning and sighed, shaking his head. "It's that ticking, isn't it?" That was why he'd recommended a roommate several times, but he wasn't one to lecture.

Kamui had hoped Subaru hadn't noticed the yawn, but... well, he should have known by now his luck sucked. "Y-yeah. It sort of... keeps me awake all night." Another yawn. Damn it, he really needed to stop that. "Don't worry about me, though. I mean, it can't keep me awake forever, right?"

"It's meant to drive people crazy. I'm sure it could if you gave it that chance..." Subaru didn't think he could handle being alone constantly with that sound. Not at all. It was fortunate for him that he had a twin that wouldn't ever want him living elsewhere but it did make for more concerns where Kamui's solitary living was concerned. "...Why don't you stay over for the evening? Get a nap in or something..?"

"Would it be... okay?" Damn it. Maybe ice cream would have to wait. He was definitely feeling tired now. Apparently between walking through crowds, almost blowing up the carousel, etc... he'd used up all his energy reserves. " I mean, I'm sure it'd be pretty annoying for me to just be taking up your couch to sleep." Nevermind that Hokuto would probably want to play with him when he woke up. Was sleep really worth that...?

Subaru didn't see how any concern should arise from the use of a couch. Especially by someone who was enduring that ticking almost constantly and likely for several days, since Kamui had stated he had not gone into the city before. On top of that he was offering. It wasn't as though the other was imposing at all. "It'll be fine. And Hokuto understands when people are tired. I worked some crazy hours back home."

Another yawn. Damn it. "Okay. Let's go back to your place, then." He nodded. The prospect of sleeping without ticking was certainly a nice one. Which only meant he'd owe Subaru even more. "I'll insist on taking you out for ice cream later." He smirked playfully, if a little sleepily. "You've been granted a reprieve, for now."