Outta My Face!

"What, are you expecting me to say something here?" He sighs. "If I have to." Name's Sakuraba Neku. Call me Neku--Phones, Kid, Tiger, or anything else is outta the question. post-game neku! [email protected]

[-sakurabaneku]

|| recollection @tsu

[-sakurabaneku]

devil-survivor:

 [Surprisingly, it actually stings when Neku continues his denial.  Tsu’s terrible at hiding emotions and wears them on his sleeve.  He should be used to this, honestly.  The fact that he pulled really stupid things should have gotten him used to this and-]

“Do you still think I’m lying, Neku?” [Part of him, the side that never really pays attention, wants to know if he could pressure Neku into doing something stupid.  Manipulation against his will just to prove the fact that he wasn’t lying, this was truth. Even if this was an alternate world than what they were used to. Tsu keeps Abel quiet, pressuring the first buried child back into the depths of his mind to the best of his abilities.

Absent-mindedly, he’s gone back to tweaking the headphones on his ears even though they stopped functioning a long time ago.  Maybe…maybe if he could make new batteries for them…would they be able to drown out the Bel’s voices?  Tsu only hopes, but it’s impossible and unlikely.

He sighs again. ]

There's an honest second where Neku tells himself he should give the other a chance. He's being biased, and he actually hates it. Neku, of all people, should know there's a story behind every action. But when fear of the unknown takes over, he can't help but panic.

He can see the disapproval from Tsu, and he feels bad. His fingers linger over the cap of his Player Pin, and hey-- taking another peek into the guy's mind shouldn't hurt him like last time. He knows what he's up against now (or... well, sort of) and he shouldn't be too shocked. His hand grasps the metal, but he'll hold off until later.

A slow nod.

"I'm sorry, but I just... can't... believe you."

This time, he won't hold back. He'll get as much info as he can from Tsu's memories, and he won't be so scared anymore. But as soon as the pin is activated, nothing happens. He's at a loss, and this is where he realizes he's powerless. "What...?"

[-sakurabaneku]

|| recollection @neku

[-sakurabaneku]

devil-survivor:

 [It’s not a very funny joke, Tsu knows. That’s why this isn’t a joke.  Tsu knows…well enough that Neku would be the sensible type to deny his existence, his presense of God.  Tsu wouldn’t joke about his godhood.  Catphones glances towards Neku, whose thoughts of denial are practically forcing their way into his head though Tsu isn’t prying at all, and then glances away.

So. This was what he expected but the fact that Neku doesn’t believe him hurts more than it should.  They…were friends, weren’t they?  Didn’t…friends believe in each other and that kind of shit?  He doesn’t know what Neku’s been through and once again, feels a little too..scared to ask.]

“What makes you think that?” [The fact that he’s trying to push the steel tone into this voice makes it sting harder than it should.  This isn’t unfamiliar terroritory to him, but it’s…Neku he’s saying this to.

He pauses.]

“Your reaction is normal. But, no. I am the genuine deal.”

"What makes me think that?"

For a second, he's ready to laugh at the question. Gee, what makes Neku think Tsu's gone crazy? The other's certainly not in his right senses-- you don't come out from behind a dumpster and pull this out. Nope, not at all.

But there's a flash of something foreign when Tsu directs his attention elsewhere. Neku's certainly seen this one, too. Betrayal. Mistrust. Most of all, he's hurt. Neku did this to him, didn't he...? Tch, this is why he didn't need friends here. This is why he didn't need friends at all.

He just... pulls them down.

"You seriously didn't just ask me that," he spits out. He's worried he may come off more brash than he intended, but if he were to be this 'kind and understanding' type, he'd never get his point across. "You're free to say whatever you want, man, but you don't lie about who you are."

Neku's stopped looking into Tsu's eyes, and is trying to a middle-ground between cynicism and friendly teasing.

It's not working.

[arrogantboyloveyourself-deactiv]

-sakurabaneku

[-sakurabaneku]

arrogantboyloveyourself:

+Hiro chuckled.+ “You rather aren’t good with talking aren’t ya.” +He felt himself be pushed along by Neku, a sad attempt, Hiro still refused to budge.+ “Since when are there cars here anyway?” 

This... was impossible. Kid's got an insufferable ego in that pinball sized head of his. The worst part of it is that Neku doesn't even know his name. He's pretty sure he doesn't want to though.

"Fine. Be difficult, see if I care. No one else does," he groans, throwing his hands up in the air out of frustration. On this, he turns on his heel and walks away.

[-sakurabaneku]

|| recollection @neku

[-sakurabaneku]

devil-survivor:

“You’re…sort of on the right track.” [He sighs, searching for a way to make the next words a little less shocking and a whole lot more believable.  The only one who had actually taken it into consideration was Izaya..and Will, to an extent, but he had never exactly admitted that.

Tsu opens a closed palm to reveal a bird, specifically, it’s a carrier pigeon that should have long been extinct, brought back by the will of his true self.]

“Long story short, I’m Abel, their son, but at the same time I’m also the King of Demons, who’s moved on to overthrow God in my world…. So you could say I’m my universe’s omniscient being.” [Did the devastation in that seem  like a nuclear bomb, or was that just him?]

This isn't supposed to happen. Neku didn't make friends just to hear this again. He doesn't need to deal with this, right? Just give Tsu some time to reconsider his words-- maybe he's gotten a little loopy. Yeah, that's it.

Tsu's playing a practical joke on him. There's nothing to prove what he's said. But...

He watches the bird with a blank stare. It's difficult to see his face-- Neku hasn't bothered pushing his hair aside. That bird... is supposed to be dead. But it's practically yelling at his face, it's flying. Okay, that's it. His Imagination's running wild.

The boy takes a deep breath before shoving the obscurities aside. He's met omniscient beings before-- and he's been shot by them too. Tsu isn't the type to shoot people, so he's just pulling Neku's leg.

"C'mon, joke's over," he says coolly. It's obvious, though, the grip he has on his vocal range is breaking. "I-it was a good run. Almost had me believing you."

That bird had never happened.

[-sakurabaneku]

Your emo senses were tingling /that/ much..

"I can't tell if you're trying to throw a sexual innuendo in there or not..."

[-sakurabaneku]

cellphonejesus:

[ He steps back, but can’t avoid getting little red spots all over the bottom of his shirt. With a sigh, he kneels ]

Why are you so mad at me? You’re being beyond difficult here, and it’s getting obnoxious. Look, you’re a wreck right now, but you still hold tight to this grudge or whatever it is. How long do we have to keep this up, hm?

"No, Joshua, just..."

Just what, Neku? Everyone knows-- even you know-- Neku's lost this fight. The ending's been clear since the beginning. He'll never win solely because he can't. He slams his fist into the ground, screaming obscure profanities to the grass.

And when he tries to speak, he fails. Horribly. His voice cracks, and his body trembles. He's getting fed up with the way he reacts, too. In the end, he's just tired of it all.

"J-just... get away from me already."

[arrogantboyloveyourself-deactiv]

-sakurabaneku

[-sakurabaneku]

arrogantboyloveyourself:

“Not necessarily. Do you have a date? I don’t feel like moving either.” +He found Neku fun to annoy, just like Otae. Meh, Otae was a bit more interesting; she challenged him right back rather than Neku trying to shoe him away.+ 

You know what. Yes, Neku does have a date to go to.

"Okay, stranger, unlike your pre-pubescent mind, I've got something to do. So if you don't mind..." Lies. He's lying through his teeth. Why can't he even lie to a seven year old?

Neku groans, moving behind the kid and gently pushing his back in some off direction. "Go find yourself some toy cars to destroy already."

[-sakurabaneku]

|| recollection @neku

[-sakurabaneku]

devil-survivor:

[ He can’t win at this.

It’s not a game, after all.  And most of all it’s not the game he’s been playing for the past eighteen years, Naoya’s silly game.  If Naoya and Joshua ever met, mun thinks they would be a very interesting trolling duo. So…Neku found out, huh? The Bels were right for once when they poked him, telling him that there was an unwanted being inside his conscience.  Tsu..wasn’t quite mad about that, honestly.  If he was to be mad he would have exploded ages ago.

…Or maybe he wouldn’t.  It was a secret, but all the same it was something he wanted someone else to share with him.  The teen doesn’t budge from his spot, shoving his hands back into his pockets, seeing that Neku doesn’t want his help.  The feeling of rejection doesn’t fade, though.

“I’ll give you a hint. Do you know the story of Adam and Eve?”

Adam and Eve... Adam and Eve... 

Neku's heard the biblical story-- in brief, to be exact. He tries to avoid making eye contact with the other as he recalls the event. The voice inside Neku's head is yelling at him. He's broken into Tsu's personal thoughts, things that were never supposed to be brought to the light, but were done so forcefully. Just what was that? And what was he thinking now...?

The Player Pin feels like an anvil in Neku's hand, so he drops it back in his pocket.

"First two people on Earth, right?" The boy reassures himself he's got this question in the bag. Wait--

"Y-you're not that old, Tsu." Right? 

[devil-survivor-deactivated20111]

btw neku

[-sakurabaneku]

devil-survivor:

did i mention i’m god?

THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD FOR ME AND THAT GOD GOES BY THE NAME OF ~JOSHUA~

also i will reply later because i am getting dragged outside to enjoy life sob

[arrogantboyloveyourself-deactiv]

-sakurabaneku

[-sakurabaneku]

arrogantboyloveyourself:

+He tilted his head and chuckled. Neku was already getting so frustrated with him. It was interesting to say at the least. But why did he say he was 7? After all he was pretty tall for a 12 year old.+ “I’m not 7 I’m 12. But I don’t think you’d be accused of kidnapping.” +He smirked.+ “Can’t quite say being a pedophile yet, can I?” 

... Yet. Yet. 

UGH can he just shut up yet? If anyone's getting pedo'd on, it'd be Neku here, with a thousand-something year old ghost trying to get in his pants all the time. Let's not even get started on the smirk this kid shares with him...

"Don't you have a play date or something? Go away."

[-sakurabaneku]

cellphonejesus:

[ Jeeze. Looks like he really messed Neku up. He stands and dusts himself off, then approaches the pitiful-looking mess and looms over ]

Had enough yet? [ He nudges the boy with his foot ]

He's panting heavily, and Joshua's 'concern' doesn't provide him any sort of comfort. The contact actually only makes the pain worse, and he's shying away from the shock. Above all else, he makes sure that, no matter what, he avoids looking at the other.

"... J-just get away from me..." he barely manages to cough out. There's a foul taste in his mouth again, and oh. It's... blood. Of all things, it has to be blood. He wipes the red away with the back of his hand and flings it at Joshua, attempting to swipe him all the while. 

Neku's mad, but he still has to understand this all happened because of him.

[-sakurabaneku]

|| recollection @neku

[-sakurabaneku]

devil-survivor:

“Neku?” [He’s at the other’s side in an instant.  Did..Neku try to pry into his mind or something?  There was a small prickling and the Bels had made some noise about an intruder but Tsu thought, maybe it was Abel or something, not someone from the outside.  Least of all..Neku.

So Tsu abandoned that notion a while back.  He offers the other a hand.] “Do you need anything to help you clear your mind? Water?”  [Tsu thinks about prying into Neku’s as well, since he’s got his powers it would be a waste..not to use them, right?

But…he still kind of.. doesn’t want to.  It wouldn’t be fair or nice of him to do so.  Neku wasn’t a child in His domain, anyway.]

The hand sticking in the side of his view means nothing right now. Just... what was what? Neku stares at Tsu's hand incredulously, before he starts backing away.

If the other were to ask him what's wrong, he'd only continue what he was doing now-- shake his head, back up, and get defensive. "Y-you..." Neku tries to mutter. He's scrambled to get to his feet now, and his trembling has been getting more obvious by the second.

"What are you?"

[arrogantboyloveyourself-deactiv]

-sakurabaneku

[-sakurabaneku]

arrogantboyloveyourself:

+He chuckled.+ “I was just wondering if you could hear me over your music. No need to get defensive.”

What-- This kid's got a mouth on him, that's for sure. His brows furrow together. And he tries to calm down. Seven year olds were never easy to deal with, Neku. It's not his fault he's dumb.

"Look, I don't even know where you came from, and I'm in no mood of getting accused of kidnapping you. So you can just... I dunno, run along and play with your toy car or something."

[-sakurabaneku]

cellphonejesus:

[ Oh, one of those bolts strikes a little too close for comfort, and the counterattack isn’t even finished. This kid just doesn’t know when to quit. He hadn’t intended to actually harm his former proxy— truthfully, he was kind of hoping the other would come to his senses like a rational person. Silly him!

A pillar of light comes plummeting down towards Neku, around the same time that he feels the hair on the back of his neck stand on end, and— ow, hey, that actually kind of hurts!! He falls out of the sky and lands on his ass, feeling like he’s just been kicked in the chest. He shakes his head and looks over at the other boy, figuring he’d be worse off— if his attack even connected, anyway ]

Oh, you can rest assured it did. It's almost as if the beam zeroed in on Neku, hitting him even if he were to run and hide. 

For a second, it's almost a nice feeling, to be caught in one of Joshua's infamous attacks. Like water rushing down on him, it's cold, and it's calming. But when the blinding light disappears, it's almost as if there's knives digging into every inch of his body. It burns, and Neku can barely understand his own aimless babbling. No, he's not going to cry, because there is no way this hurts at all.

He'll just heal himself, yeah. That's what he'll do. Smart plan, Neku. Except... the boy can barely move. His fingers refuse to find Cure Drink, and his neck is too stiff to even turn his head to his pocket. If Joshua were to look, he'd see Neku having more than a difficult time with this-- if he weren't so hurt, it'd actually look like a circus act, the way the wrong attacks would burst out at the worst of times.

[-sakurabaneku]

|| recollection @neku

[-sakurabaneku]

devil-survivor:

The Bels.  Of course Neku can’t hear them, no one can hear them except for the King himself.  He wants them to shush, of course, they get in the way of everything he’s ever worked for.  They ruin things when his powers are too out of hand.  He can’t control them even though…the position is supposed to give him that satisfaction- and they don’t shush, of course.  They speak louder than ever.

“I-…ah, it’s nothing.  I just thought I saw something.  Sorry.”

Neku wouldn’t understand, anyway.   It wasn’t his burden to bear.  Tsu knew nothing about the other boy aside from the fact that music was the best thing for teens to bond over, but other than that…  Neku probably had his own problems and Tsu didn’t want Neku to hear about his own.  Privacy, after all.

Ha. Fuck privacy. Neku's spent a solid month reading the minds of other people. He should be used to knowing what's on the mind of every single person around him. In fact...

"Well... if you say so. I guess it can't be too bad."

Neku keeps a finger on his Player Pin. Once shouldn't be too bad. Reading what's up in Tsu's mind might actually save the kid. He'll never know if he doesn't try. So Neku takes a deep breath, and before he knows it, his head is starting to hurt, and he's curled up on the ground again.

[arrogantboyloveyourself-deactiv]

-sakurabaneku

[-sakurabaneku]

arrogantboyloveyourself:

“Nice to meet ya.” 

Whoa whoa, what's with the look? He crosses his arms, keeping narrowed eyes on the boy.

"Wish I could say the same."

[-sakurabaneku]

|| how thin the young maiden is!

[-sakurabaneku]

megane-chan:

Hana poked at the pins some more as she pondered over her answer.

“Well, what do I have that might’ve been taken away!” she said, staring at him, pouting slightly. But at his suggestion, she furrowed her brows. “How silly!” not even she would suggest that, mister lamppost! If she had laser eyes she’d be like that man who wears sunglasses to prevent shooting them at people! “If I did I’d have to walk around not knowing where I’m going!” Jeez, use some logic, Neku!

And out of the corner of her eyes, the brunette could’ve sworn she saw something. And was it crawling towards Neku’s feet? He might get bit! He could get poisoned or have to get the help of a Medic! Hana immediately took hold of him— or rather, swooped him up into her arms in an instant, staring at the spot the supposed “perpetrator” was crawling, only to find nothing but dirt and dust. “Huh! Weird.” she said aloud, as if Neku wasn’t being carried bridal style in her arms.

Finally noticing him after standing there for a few moments, she smiled brightly. “Oh, how did you get here!” it was totally weird! But, moving him up and down, she furrowed her brows in thought. “Maybe if I throw you into the air the gravity will make you less skinny!” And then began the rather long process of throwing Neku into the air and, substantially, catching him and repeat, until she had decided.

“Looks like gravity doesn’t make you heavier!”

"Wha--!!"

Before he knows it, he's swept off his feet by this girl. Literally. Neku finds himself clutching to Hana's shirt and goddamn, he feels so lame. He doesn't even know what the hell this was for!

It takes Neku a second before he can find any coherent thought to speak on. He raises a hand and taps her shoulder. "U-um... Hana, you can, you know... put me down now."

What happens though? Fucking hell happens. He can see all of the trailers in the area, and oh, there's the Ferris wheel, and wait... why are the clouds getting bigger? Neku's flying, and holy shit, why is he flying? He lands in Hana's arms again, but doesn't stay there for long. It's another short lived moment before he's flying again.

This is where he realizes he's not flying, and instead, is getting launched into the air. Hana's throwing him up. Really high. And he starts screaming because he does not want to get killed a third time.