[There is a presence in the tea closet. It's a dark, miasma sort of thing that seems to be leaking out from behind the closed door. While kind of off-putting, it is familiar.]
[Mayoi is troubled and he has been lost in his own thoughts. It's been some time since he's let them take the reigns like this, but ...well. It's been a long time since he's been given the outlet. Hiiro has not been able to sleep, because he's gone and gotten himself into something. It's distressing to watch him suffer but it's even more distressing that the boy has barely been alive again a few days before he's gotten cursed. He's... he's a little wound up on top of his concern.]
[So he is gleefully smashing valerian root into a tray of dried chamomile and muttering to himself.]
Just enough, just enouuugh, and he will not do this agaiiiin, isn't that right...? A little more ...to keep him in line, yes. He cannot get into trouble if he is too tiiiiired...
[A soft, spooky chuckle.]
This much is okay, isn't it...? It's for the best.
That's not a metaphor, or at least he doesn't think it is. That sort of thing would make perfect since in a town like this. If there is, in fact, actually be a demon in his closet? Whatever. That's Tuesday for you. Still. While Tatsumi has come to accept that this town has demons, and that those demons aren't necessarily a problem, this demon is in his closet. He'd rather it not be, and so he approaches.
But then he gets closer and recognizes Mayoi's voice, and he realizes the only demons to fight tonight are the metaphorical sort. He lingers outside the door for a moment, eavesdropping to ensure that he's not interrupting anything truly dire. After a long moment, he lifts a hand to knock. ]
Mayoi-san.
[ His tone is soft and gentle, but perhaps a little more tired than usual. ]
[And as is often the case when Tatsumi approaches this presence, if vanishes the moment Mayoi's attention is snared.]
HIIEEE!
[He nearly jumps straight out of his skin, snapping back to reality. He's disoriented, alarmed, and suddenly now, full of panic. Tatsumi-san has cauuuuught him, what is he to do? Oh no, oh no...]
T-Tatsumi-san! [He has not come out. In fact he might be wedged under the small work space he was making his concoction on.]
I-I-I wasn't g-going to really do iiiit, Tatsumi-saaaan, I promise! I promise! Please don't smite meeeeee....!!
[He was, if he's being honest. He'd full intentions of putting this in Hiiro-san's food, but he is already sick with shame at being caught, he isn't going to admit it and make it worse.]
[ Oh, Mayoi really is in a bad way, isn't he? Tatsumi offers a thoughtful hum in response to Mayoi's pleas of innocence. He doesn't doubt that Mayoi doesn't intend to hurt anyone, and just as equally doesn't doubt that whatever it is he's making was going to go directly into Hiiro's next meal.
And yeah, that's a problem. But since it hasn't ended up in Hiiro's food yet, it's less pressing problem than Mayoi's current mental state. ]
I'm going to open up the door, okay?
[ And then he will do just that - provided it's unlocked. ]
[He doesn't not call out to stop him. He does not move from where he is wedged under the table, ether. The closet is not very big and is normally just has the space for one person and all the tea and tea supplies so its a bit of a snug fit-- however, Tatsumi should be able to close the door behind him if he chooses.]
[Mayoi has a miserable look about him, and he's already got fresh tears streaming down his face. He is in a bad way, and he let his thoughts sweep him up in his helplessness to do anything about the situation.]
...I-Its okay if you must... I'm just a rotten, worthless shadow, Tatsumi-san. I can't do anything to help anyone...
[ It's a tight fit, but Tatsumi knows how much Mayoi favors dim, enclosed spaces. So he slides himself into the closet, pulls the door closed behind him, and then crouches down to better speak with Mayoi. His ankle twinges a little at the movement, but he ignores it.
He reaches out to pick up the tray of Mayoi's concoction, lifting it just far enough for him to catch the scent of the contents. The unmistakable odor of valerian root jumps out at him immediately, along with the gentler scent of chamomile. A sleep aid, then. He sets the tray back down.
His normally serene expression clouds at the sight of Mayoi's tear-streaked face and the self-loathing in his words. He stays where he is for the moment, but only because he fears reaching so far into Mayoi's haven before he's ready will only upset him further. ]
You know, Mayoi-san, I think if you offered this to Hiiro-san and told him it would help him sleep, he would accept it gladly.
[He practically holds his breath, waiting for a judgement and sentence that never comes. Instead, he gets soft, understanding words that he thinks he does not deserve, and Tatsumi's patience in helping him find a way to express himself in a way that does not give into his dark urges.]
[It's a little too much for him right now and he sucks in a breath, only for him to choke out a sob a moment later, bringing his hands to his face.]
....Would it...? Would it...? Would he accept such a thing from me...?
[Of course he would, but right now he can't see it. Can't see that the obvious solution here is to just go and confront someone face-to-face instead of resorting to his quieter, worrisome habits.]
I don't know if it would even help... I've never seen him struggle to sleep like this. I don't know what else to do.
[Tatsumi offers his hand, much in the same way one does to a volatile stray, and Mayoi sees it at reaches his own hand out like the skittish cat that he is sometimes. Once he's made contact, though, he takes it in both hands and greedily holds it close to his chest.]
...I-I'm sorry. Tatsumi-san is being so kind and patient with me, but I feel rather undeserving of it right now.
[He takes a shaky breath.]
These ...These things that keep happening, I wish I could be the one to shoulder it instead of him. I would gladly do it, Tatsumi-san.
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Late in feb - Idol Haus [cw: drugging. mayoi's intrusive thoughts. soft yan tendencies]
[Mayoi is troubled and he has been lost in his own thoughts. It's been some time since he's let them take the reigns like this, but ...well. It's been a long time since he's been given the outlet. Hiiro has not been able to sleep, because he's gone and gotten himself into something. It's distressing to watch him suffer but it's even more distressing that the boy has barely been alive again a few days before he's gotten cursed. He's... he's a little wound up on top of his concern.]
[So he is gleefully smashing valerian root into a tray of dried chamomile and muttering to himself.]
Just enough, just enouuugh, and he will not do this agaiiiin, isn't that right...? A little more ...to keep him in line, yes. He cannot get into trouble if he is too tiiiiired...
[A soft, spooky chuckle.]
This much is okay, isn't it...? It's for the best.
no subject
That's not a metaphor, or at least he doesn't think it is. That sort of thing would make perfect since in a town like this. If there is, in fact, actually be a demon in his closet? Whatever. That's Tuesday for you. Still. While Tatsumi has come to accept that this town has demons, and that those demons aren't necessarily a problem, this demon is in his closet. He'd rather it not be, and so he approaches.
But then he gets closer and recognizes Mayoi's voice, and he realizes the only demons to fight tonight are the metaphorical sort. He lingers outside the door for a moment, eavesdropping to ensure that he's not interrupting anything truly dire. After a long moment, he lifts a hand to knock. ]
Mayoi-san.
[ His tone is soft and gentle, but perhaps a little more tired than usual. ]
Would you come out?
no subject
HIIEEE!
[He nearly jumps straight out of his skin, snapping back to reality. He's disoriented, alarmed, and suddenly now, full of panic. Tatsumi-san has cauuuuught him, what is he to do? Oh no, oh no...]
T-Tatsumi-san! [He has not come out. In fact he might be wedged under the small work space he was making his concoction on.]
I-I-I wasn't g-going to really do iiiit, Tatsumi-saaaan, I promise! I promise! Please don't smite meeeeee....!!
[He was, if he's being honest. He'd full intentions of putting this in Hiiro-san's food, but he is already sick with shame at being caught, he isn't going to admit it and make it worse.]
no subject
And yeah, that's a problem. But since it hasn't ended up in Hiiro's food yet, it's less pressing problem than Mayoi's current mental state. ]
I'm going to open up the door, okay?
[ And then he will do just that - provided it's unlocked. ]
no subject
[He doesn't not call out to stop him. He does not move from where he is wedged under the table, ether. The closet is not very big and is normally just has the space for one person and all the tea and tea supplies so its a bit of a snug fit-- however, Tatsumi should be able to close the door behind him if he chooses.]
[Mayoi has a miserable look about him, and he's already got fresh tears streaming down his face. He is in a bad way, and he let his thoughts sweep him up in his helplessness to do anything about the situation.]
...I-Its okay if you must... I'm just a rotten, worthless shadow, Tatsumi-san. I can't do anything to help anyone...
no subject
He reaches out to pick up the tray of Mayoi's concoction, lifting it just far enough for him to catch the scent of the contents. The unmistakable odor of valerian root jumps out at him immediately, along with the gentler scent of chamomile. A sleep aid, then. He sets the tray back down.
His normally serene expression clouds at the sight of Mayoi's tear-streaked face and the self-loathing in his words. He stays where he is for the moment, but only because he fears reaching so far into Mayoi's haven before he's ready will only upset him further. ]
You know, Mayoi-san, I think if you offered this to Hiiro-san and told him it would help him sleep, he would accept it gladly.
no subject
[It's a little too much for him right now and he sucks in a breath, only for him to choke out a sob a moment later, bringing his hands to his face.]
....Would it...? Would it...? Would he accept such a thing from me...?
[Of course he would, but right now he can't see it. Can't see that the obvious solution here is to just go and confront someone face-to-face instead of resorting to his quieter, worrisome habits.]
I don't know if it would even help... I've never seen him struggle to sleep like this. I don't know what else to do.
no subject
Of course he will. The situation is dire enough that something like this would be merited.
[ But that's not really what Mayoi is asking, and Tatsumi knows it. So he gives those words a moment to sink in, and then he continues. ]
And he would be grateful to know that you've struggled so much to help him. He's a good kid, and he loves you, Mayoi-san.
no subject
...I-I'm sorry. Tatsumi-san is being so kind and patient with me, but I feel rather undeserving of it right now.
[He takes a shaky breath.]
These ...These things that keep happening, I wish I could be the one to shoulder it instead of him. I would gladly do it, Tatsumi-san.