DECEMBER TEST DRIVE

[nukeoleptic]

THE TEST DRIVE MEME

• Got a character you're thinking of reserving/apping this round? PUT THEM HERE! • Threads here can count as your third person sample! • Comment with your character's name and canon! • This is open to everyone! Also, test drivers can tag other test drivers. :) • Make up your own scenario or have them walk into all the doors or leave it blank for others to do it for you! Reserves are here, and open on November 24th at 12:01AM CST. Application information (including the list of pending apps) is here, and they open on December 1st at 12:01AM CST. OPTIONAL SCENARIO: After your character receives his or her bracelet and the run-down from the faceless maids in the castle, they walk out to find the city blanketed with snow and in the middle of what seems to be a snowball war organized by the Native children! Be careful on your way to your Welcome House: snowballs are flying, and these groups of giggling kids don't seem to care who gets caught in the crossfire. Make sure to have fun, and as always, feel free to hit the mods or players up with any questions you might have! ♥

Comments

[notquitebeloved]

[He can't even feel his fingers when he's done. But that's fine. He doesn't care and it doesn't matter. Soubi waves absently as he walks away before pushing his hands deep into jacket pockets.]

[What was and what could have been were very different things when it came to Soubi. He looks up when a body steps into his path and speaks.]

[Ritsuka. Surprise and confusion flicks across his face and he stopped, just staring at the boy who really did have his heart. Even if actions could never mesh with desires and Ritsuka couldn't accept or understand.]

Ritsuka...were you waiting long?

[As if this were planned, instead of a complete accident.]

[in_loveless_memory]

.... Months. [He had meant to keep his voice calm. He had tried to keep it unrestrained, but the word was tight. His throat felt restricted, as if a hand was clasped around it. His shoulders remained tense as he just looked at the older man. Soubi had abandoned him.

Soubi had walked away without looking back.

Soubi had picked his brother over him after months, a year, of being beside him.

His fingers clenched again.

And now Soubi was here.]

[notquitebeloved]

[His head and shoulders drop, head hanging uselessly. Why is he even surprised? Just another hope dashed. Ritsuka hates him, as he should. Soubi sighs after a moment and forces himself straight, slowly bringing his head back up.]

[Just...not looking right at Ritsuka now.]

...I told you I'd become a despicable person.

[Not that it helps, even a little. It would probably just get the boy to push him away, and he'd deserve it.]

What do you want me to do now?

[in_loveless_memory]

[You shouldn't be, Soubi. But then, Ritsuka shouldn't have been surprised by being betrayed by an adult either. He watched Soubi's head drop and his stomach fell with that drop. He wanted to throw up.]

Didn't they tell you, powers are missing here.

You aren't a fighter. You aren't anyone's fighter.

So do what you want.

[He swallowed through the needle-thin passage that was his throat. It hurt. He could feel a sudden warmth in his hands.

His hands were bleeding from how deeply his nails cut in.]

Ordering you is pointless.

You picked your Sacrifice.

[notquitebeloved]

[Powers. Useless.]

[Slowly he dares look at Ritsuka again, the longer the boy speaks. He could do what he wants? Whatever he wants?]

[He'd not believed it earlier. But Ritsuka doesn't lie, not to him. He dares to walk closer, steps slow and giving Ritsuka plenty of time to back away.]

What if what I want is to hold you again?

[He fully expects to be rejected. To be discarded, even here.]

[in_loveless_memory]

[He doesn't back up, but his hands are trembling.]

Are you actually brave enough, Soubi?

[He swallows again. He doesn't want to turn Soubi away. He hadn't been the one to walk away in the first place.]

[notquitebeloved]

[That wasn't a rejection. Soubi doesn't look away, and he doesn't stop until he's right in front of the boy, looking down at him.]

[Brave enough? He doesn't say a word, just falls to his knees and reaches out to wrap his arms around Ritsuka's waist. He'll just bury his face in Ritsuka's chest if the boy doesn't move or push him away.]

[This is what he wants.]

[in_loveless_memory]

[Ritsuka looked up, Soubi had always been ridiculously taller than him. Seimei was tall too but Soubi was even taller than his brother. However, then Soubi is kneeling before him, holding him around the waist. He sighed and leaned forward, resting his hands on Soubi's head. Sometimes he felt like the adult in their relationship.]

Soubi... what am I going to do with you?

[notquitebeloved]

[His eyes close when he feels Ritsuka's hands on his head. He just keeps holding on as best he can. Just because their powers have been taken away doesn't make him need orders any less than before. He's been raised to need them. To need to be commanded. It's far too late for him to change now.]

What do you want to do with me?

[in_loveless_memory]

[He didn't know. Soubi was raised to obey but Ritsuka had never learned to command. He stayed just as he was, letting Soubi hold him.]

I'm not telling you, Soubi. For once, I want you to think for yourself.

[notquitebeloved]

[He's not been pushed away yet. For now that's good enough. He hates being discarded, especially since it seems so easy for those he needs to do just that.]

[But Ritsuka also isn't telling him what Ritsuka wants. Other than for Soubi to think for himself. Soubi sighs quietly, shoulders slumping a little. Forehead still rests on the boy's chest.]

I just want to stay at your side. Will you let me?

[in_loveless_memory]

And what will you do if Seimei comes here, Soubi? Will you leave me again?

[Ritsuka was just as discarded as Soubi, left by his brother, his fighter, undesired by his mother. It was a similar bond between them even if the discarding was different.

But he didn't want to be betrayed again, even when he knew the answer.]