After long days, Ringo really likes to get straight to sleep. You see, he rarely gets to express frustration properly when awake. So when he can, he goes to the one place that pesky feather can't regulate his feelings.
His dreams.
On the other end of business, Ochiba was preparing himself for a big day! "Ochiba Banbusa. Age 16. So much progress!" He chirped
"Zzzzzzzz."
"It's a date today, marriage the next!" he cheered.
"Zzz."
"I cant wait!" He uh... C word for happily said.
Ringo would wait—even if he could. its totally not like, in any state of mind, he could even get up right now (not that he's complaining about that). He was mulling over Ochiba's bold delusion daring to say "talk later" was a date. When I'm up, I'm going to crush him! He needs to have the truth dragged across his brain. His dreams often followed this format, but when he wakes up, he just couldn't find that anger anymore.
A light flickered at the center of Ringo's mind, politely announcing itself with: "Drag what exactly?"
"The rejection of course!" He exclaimed. "What part of my mind wouldn't know that?"
"The wise part..." The light murmured under its breath. It didn't have lungs, but managed. "Well, I'm not actually apart of your mind."
"What are you part of then?"
The light... well, implied it was shocked Ringo didn't know what it was yet. the others figured that out in a week. But, it continued, "I'm from the feather. I choose memories best to forget."
Ringo quirked an eyebrow, looking up at the feather. "You... mind-wipe me?"
"Well... Harsh way to put it... I'd say I manage your ability to call back on things that make you angry"
Ringo scooted forward and turned around, the light staying behind. "Same thing." he muttered. "Any clue why Ochiba want's to talk about... Something."
"What?"
"He waits in my room for about an hour to talk about, something. Its usually nonsense. But this seems different."
"Oh... well I wouldn't recommend it."
Ringo huffed, "So I should know. What is it?"
The light groaned—not questioning it—Regretting even showing itself to the boy "Just this memory?"
"Just the one."
"You won't get angry?"
Ringo blinked slowly, "No."
The light hesitated. This wasn't it's job, keeping memories away was. But, he said he wouldn't be mad... The light relented, "Fine..." It grew brighter, a hum building within. "Look closely." It instructed.
Once Ringo got closer, it flashed, blinding him. His mind was seared by the lunacy that paralleled a pale princess.
And Ringo froze, an orange light blooming from the top of the abyss warned of incoming regret. "He...How..." The whole mindscape started to flicker dangerous hues of fiery orange.
He growled—furious, feral. "HOW DARE HE!?" He roared. "No matter how many times... HOW STUPID IS HE!?"
"You said you wouldn't be angry..." the weakening wisp whispered
The orange light grew blinding, Ringo snapped at the shrinking sparkle. "IM FURIOUS!"
The granule glimmer dared itself to grow to a glint "Just calm yourself."
Ringo fell silent, dropping into a crisscross. He would wait, wake up, and see to it that—"I'm Going to End him."
He would end him.
-just a moment- History made it clear Ringo was quick to make a lasting decision— mostly impulsive.
He listed them.
"Shut Ochiba down, permanently." Was a fresh one.
So what I'm saying is, He was serious.
The light sputtered, its responsibility surging. "What about dragging that rejection across his brain?" They suggested.
"Gotta get to the brain to do that."
"It was a mistake showing that memory!" the light had to settle this calmly.
"It was a mistake hiding that, now shut up!" Ringo barked. "Maybe Lee Yin will help."
It was a loosing battle calming Ringo down enough to settle his issue rationally, but it knew a strong suggestion was through action.
The abyss split open.
A slow blink, His eyes opened blearily. Ringo awoke and steadily rose.
*Knock Knock*
Ringo took a deep breath, and calmly reminded himself of his task "I'll tell him how we feel softly, he will understand." Ringo whispered. (I can be honest at times.)
*knock knock* the sound traveled to the attached home.
"Come in!" Ringo called, cheer stumbling into his tone.
Ochiba stepped in, dressed in a green tie, and a black tuxedo with tan accents at the cuffs. His slicked hair tied into a pony tail through a bamboo shoot. And he graced the world with a smile that wouldn't break.
Two circular projections displayed in the abyss of Ringo's mindscape. He was still sitting with his eyes closed when he heard Ochiba's voice "Huh, what's this?" He started watching.
Outside the mind, Ringo, who was dressed in pajamas, and a green triangle patterned sleeve, felt somewhat improper talking to Ochiba with his comfortable outfit. "Can I get changed? then we may talk."
May? what kinda dream is this?
"Of course." Ochiba muttered, watching Ringo snatch some clothes that work at a glance, then slipping into the bathroom.
Ochiba grinned, Ringo was being so shy, he even got nervous there! Ochiba wouldn't pinch himself to ruin a potentially great dream.
Ringo popped back out wearing brown pull-ons, a cream fitted shirt, Reddish brown seeping from the collar to the shoulders, with a brown bird across his chest.
Ringo waited for some theatrical display of—anything. But Ochiba simply scanned his outfit.
Ringo couldn't concern himself with Ochiba's opinion right now, reject him softly he reminded himself. "So... how was your day?"
Me asking forHis day? Really?
Ochiba, suddenly grabbed Ringo by the hand enthusiastically, "Shido-kun! you have no idea how happy I am!"
This is the feather! Ringo finally caught up.
A small puff of fire leapt from the feather. Ringo blinked, "Oh-um" he stammered. In his slight panic, he squeaked, "S-Shido?".
"You know... a seed? I made up when I learned Japanese."
"Oh. its, neat? I guess."
Oh~ how cute! Ringo thought—in spite of himself. You know, stupid nickname like that fits you!
Ochiba lit up at the audible "acceptance" of the name. He lifted Ringo's hand for their attention, then pointed out the shop. "So, shall we?"
Yea, "shall" we return my body?
"O-oh right..." the Ringo responded aloud to himself.
"Great!" Ochiba cheered. Before Ringo could respond, Ochiba tugged him forward "There is this great spot I know! Amazing food, super calm. You'll love it!"
It was hard not to notice how fast Ochiba was walking, his longer strides made Ringo trip on his heels. He tugged Ochiba's arm "Y-You seem excited?"
"This is a date! of course I'm excited."
Ringo—The light, for some reason, didn't deny the date aspect. It chose to address the main issue. "We were supposed to talk."
"Right. Were supposed to talk about yesterday..." Ochiba blushed, out of anticipation. He would hear the full words!
"Yea..."
You seem embarrassed! Ringo's noisy mind mocked.
"You want to explain your confession?" Ochiba asked
Explain what didn't happen right? His inner voice added.
Ringo huffed, but it sounded like a deep breath escaped. "Ochiba..." He started, closing his eyes and looking up. "My feelings for you are on a whole other level."
…his mind fell silent.Shock, maybe.
The words weren't on the tip of his tongue. He sucked his teeth, looking down. "It's something that takes a lot of effort to explain..." he muttered.
Ochiba grabbed Ringo's shoulders. "You can explain when you're ready."
Ringo bowed his head "Thank you."
They continued in a tense silence—or a conversation, his mind stopped listening to the world. With every step, Ringo's movements grew more and more obedient. By the time they'd walked a mile, there was no buzz, no clash, just a spot at the back of his head he couldn't quite grasp.
Inside of Ringo's head, the real Ringo ignored the projection of the outside world. He had witnessed the makings of something horrible. Curling up, he clenched the sides of his head.
A softy who cant say no took over his body. And they were on a date with someone who he hates.
"I'm so screwed... " he moped.
—Outside—
"This is it," Ochiba announced, grasping Ringo's hand softly. They walked in to a rustic restaurant— marble counters, round tables, even a corner stage. They took their seat by the wall at a window.
The view was crowded with colorful shops and the distant city skyline. That, paired with the baby blue sky, was quite nice on both ends of Ringo's mind.
But one wasn't in a good mood.
The feather—Ringo, was staring into every shop, reading the signs, looking at the bread and treats, feeling a stare as he did. "Do you like it?" Ochiba asked with a knowing smirk.
"It's nice." Ringo admitted, searching for more details. "How'd you find it?"
Ochiba looked at the scene sitting before him. "When I was looking for inspiration."
Eventually the scene looked back "For?"
So curious. Interested?
Ringo wasn't Ignoring his mind.
Ochiba looked away from what seemed to be impossible, genuine curiosity from Ringo. "A-A book I'm writing." He chuckled awkwardly. "I'm a relationship advisor."
Again his mind intruded. Ironic job but, this seems like a lengthy way of telling him how we feel?
"Shut up..." Ringo hissed aloud
Ochiba looked struck, would this great day end so soon? "What?"
Some progress! His mind cheered.
Ringo sputtered and quickly tossed his wrist, upping the octave "Shut up! your like a celebrity?!" he squeaked.
Ochiba's face brightened, "Yea! I'm like a priest of love. I even...b.l.a.b"
"Uh-huh..."
What in the world was that!? You're tarnishing my image here!
In the mind this time, the feather hissed back. can you keep it down?
"B.l.a...can you believe that?!" Ochiba asked
"Huh?"
"...This guy wanted to kiss a hundred girls—"
"Wow! that's... strange!"
I wont be quiet, but I can end this now.
"—He just jumped at the chance, didn't know how to take a hint."
I'm not letting you take over. you're too rude.
"You're blinking a lot." Ochiba said, pausing his cautionary tale. "You know, they say that's a sign of love..."
I'm too rude?! ME?
Three's a crowd, especially in the mind.
Ringo rubbed his temples, an idea popping up. "Hey!" He chirped. "do you have one of those books on you?"
Ochiba pulled a book out of his sleeve. "Yes. you... want to read one?"
"Of course! I love reading" he exclaimed, grabbing it. "And maybe it can help put those pesky words together."
"Right! that may work."
Ringo opened first page of the book... And shut his eyes, dropping into the mindscape. Inside, the real Ringo sat crisscross, arms locked —very irritated. "I'm Rude?" he muttered, sulking.
The light floated high. When the eyes shut, it turned to him, not lowering itself. "Yes. you are very rude." It was reaching it's wit's end.
"Maybe if you weren't so terrible at rejecting a guy I don't like, I would be a bit nicer."
"He loyally loved you for twelve years and you still don't have the courtesy to tell him nicely that you don't like him." The light snapped.
Ringo was surprised the timid moron could snap, but he wasn't going to sit here and get chewed out by the parasite. "And oh-so~ courteous has trouble telling him at all!" Ringo spat. "He stalked me so much I started to feel everyone's stare!"
"Because he was a child feeling love for the first time! Maybe he grew up! You should."
Ringo flared up, the audacity of this—"Are you implying that I'm childish?"
"You seem to understand that much." Ringo's own trick.
Ringo shot off of his feet, a small growl of effort as he lunged at the light. But it darted up, out of reach.
Ringo took over for an instance, only for it to jerk forward, bumping his stomach into the table.
Ochiba froze, startled and concerned. "You okay?"
He hissed softly, rubbing his gut, then glared at Ochiba. "I'll show you courtesy!" he barked to himself, but could only manage one weak reach toward Ochiba before he crumpled.
In the mind scape, he fell, crashing to the ground with an empty echo.
"You can't control your body yet. Your energy is regenerating." The light informed.
"Nuh nenergy nis nugenerating." he mocked.
The light sighed. "You aren't helping your case."
"Shut up!" Ringo started pouting.
Again, the light sighed. "I'm going to handle this, try to be calm about it."
Ringo sat back down in a huff, waving the light off. "Go ahead and fumble about."
The light returned to the controls. And the real body shot up from the table, reading the book like nothing happened.
Then Ochiba grabbed his hand. "Ringo are you alright?"
But Ringo ignored the question. "Ochiba." he whispered. "It's about time I tell you."
"Go on."
"I... I..." dramatically, Ringo's eyes closed. He shrieked to the mindscape "I cant tell him!"
Ringo growled, "How did you even remotely act like me last time?"
"It wasn't a sensitive topic! Just be a jerk to Ryoga"
"Then be a jerk to Ochiba!"
"It isn't that easy!"
"You Just—"
Ringo rolled his eyes "Seems to me you can be a jerk to anyone but Ochiba..." He wasn't going to humor that idea.
"Since you are so "sweet hearted"... Sugarcoat my words. Doing the opposite of what I ask is easy right?"
"...Alright..." The feather took control again. Opening his eyes and staring at Ochiba.
"Good!" Ringo turned toward the eye projections, clearing his throat. He started, "I do not love you."
Feathers tone softened, grabbing Ochiba by the hand. "I have something to tell you." He glanced down, thinking carefully. "You seem to have misunderstood my feelings for you,"
"Ok..." This is a pain. Ringo continued, "In fact, I hate you."
"What I feel" The feather hesitated, "is far from liking you,"
"Maybe it's how green your hair is... Or your inability to take a hint!"
A bead of sweat slid down their shared face. "It's your hair, your persistence,"
"But I firmly know no matter what, I won't love you." Ringo finally stated.
The feather gulped. "But I—"
But Ochiba pressed a finger to Ringo's lips, sliding it to a loose strand of hair. He was too focused on Ringo's face to notice the campfire crawling to that strand.
"Shh, Ringo, I understand..." he whispered, leaning closer, eyes soft. "We can share these feeling with... more."
Ringo's eye twitched, a growl scratching at his throat. "IS HE GOING FOR A KISS?! AGAIN!"
Ochiba was getting closer, and the feather was frozen. Yea... frozen.
He lunged toward the feather, snatching it from the air. "MOVE IT YOU MORON!"
"W-wait! if you—"
Before the feather could "warn" otherwise, Ringo snatched the controls back.
In the physical world, Ringo shoved Ochiba's face back. "YOu...won't...." He started. His eyes glazed over. "I'll..." Ringo grabbed the nearest drink, tossing it weakly.
He drooped, and collapsed, not knowing the damage he caused.
After a moment, Ringo stirred, the feather back in control. But Ochiba was absent.
"Ochiba?" Ringo sighed—In relief. "I guess we can reject him properly another time."
Oh really? You gonna freeze up on another kiss?
"Like you're any better?"
I stopped him!
Ringo would continue arguing with himself out of the shop. Afterward, a leaf floated out. One that heard it all. "He tried to be nice about it at least." He continued floating, crashing into someone's hand.