aionlogs | that time i got reincarnated as a baby catboy.

[ There's a halting hesitance on Dokja's end. He's in Greentruth now and while he knows Eustace is no longer aligned with the Kenoma, he's not too certain if he can just invite the other man in. Is there a probationary period? He's never dealt with anything like this before...

And while he's not too keen on returning to Godsblood, he'd at least (finally) been taught how to use glamours in order to change his appearance. That should hide him from the citizens who might recognize him. ]

If you're near Godsblood, I can meet you there. Outside of where I used to live?

[ He has no idea where Eustace is, but it seems like a safe enough place to meet up. ]

[ Godsblood...

He'd planned on heading there anyway, both to lose himself in anonymity as well as meet up with Ernesto and Dextera, but there's no way he can make it there in any reasonable amount of time. The sooner he gets his gun back (and has some sort of weapon with which to defend himself with), the better. He can't really afford to dawdle. ]

The Artisan shrine. I can meet you there.

[ And then he can pick up some of Dokja's ants and Dokja can see him in hideous pink heart capri pants. ]

[ Ugh, he just spent two days in that shrine having the worst time of his life and now he has to go BACK?

Wait a minute. ]

What the hell are you doing all the way out there?

[ But he's starting to grab his things and Eustace's gun and heading out that way now. ]

[ :)

:)

:)

:)

There's nothing but radio silence as Eustace HANGS UP like the rude little binch he is. See you at the shrine, Dokja!! ]

[ WOW.....

Okay, it's going to take him some time to get there. While he can fly and use the wind to aid him on his travels, it's still a good distance away from Greentruth? The portal to the valley is also no longer there? This is so out of the way!!

When Dokja finally gets there hours later, he's exhausted. It doesn't help that he hasn't had a proper moment to rest since the raid, and he looks like he's in desperate need of sleep when he shows up, rifle strapped to his back as he makes his way toward the shrine.

Where's Eustace... Dokja has so many bones to pick with him at this point. ]

[ Bro just use a teleportation spell like the rest of them?? How do you think the normies of the world get anywhere???

Actually, the fact that Dokja shows up hours later (rather than the expected thirty minutes he's accustomed to) means Eustace is extra on edge by the time this touching reunion starts to unfurl. He's leaned against one side of the monument at the center, shoulders even more tense than usual, and he's quick to bolt upright as soon as he catches sight of Dokja, the deep frown on his face a mix of annoyance and concern. ]

Did something happen on the way here?

[ Yo, why did it take so long. ]

[ He's been using teleportation spells for days now he's tapped OUT. Also, sometimes I just think he should suffer for the hell of it.

Anyway, check out how exhausted he looks... He's going to hand this gun to Eustace and just knock out for three days straight in this shrine because he deserves the break, holy shit. ]

Had to... [ wheeze ] fly here...

[ Give him a second to double over to grab his knees and suck in some much needed breaths and then they can go on with their merry exchange. ]

[ you know what, that's fair

Eustace will not comment on Dokja's OOCly inflicted suffering, though he does file this particular maneuver away under the evergrowing list of Stupid Shit Dokja Has Done. Still, he's not unappreciative of what Dokja's put himself through by coming all this way just to return something, and his voice softens as he stares down at this sad pathetic man. ]

Sit down.

[ This is just painful to watch. ]

[ No, he will NOT sit down! In fact, he inhales rather sharply at the demand and straightens himself out, finger already pointed and ready to jab itself into Eustace's chest. He's got a whole spiel ready, mostly about how dumb Eustace was to have died at the hands of his former allies, but then

he stops. ]

[ His mouth, which had been open and prepared to start yapping, clamps shut.

And he stares at Eustace for a beat longer than he means to. ]

[ ... Sits down.

Glares at the ground the entire time.

Why did he have to remember what happened the last time they met face to face. ]

[ ..............................

you okay there buddy ]

[ But also thanks for reminding me that something did in fact happen the last time they met that wasn't them just arguing with each other like a pair of idiots.

Does Eustace also remember what happened? Results inconclusive. Between dying, reviving, learning about Gray's deattunement, and having to watch with gritted teeth as Gen slinks off into the great outdoors all by himself, it's been a rough almost-week. In comparison, a single brief kiss feels incredibly tame, a little blip of normalcy to be held onto like some sort of weird anchor instead of a freak occurrence to be held at arm's length.

But again, he doesn't talk about it. (Will he ever, stay tuned.) Instead he stands next to Dokja, staring at Dokja's bowed head. ]

Thanks. For coming.

[ Well, if Eustace won't talk about it and Dokja won't talk about it, then did it actually happen?

There's a pause as he tries very hard to scrub his thoughts clean before he huffs out a breath and starts undoing the sling holding the rifle on his back. He doesn't need the gratitude, but he would like an explanation. ]

Why did you want to meet me all the way out here?

[ Since Eustace so rudely hung up on him when he'd last asked. ]

[ It'll be conjured into existence when HSY asks them both about it and Dokja gaslights her into thinking it never actually happened.

Eustace would prefer that this conversation not be happening either, but beggars can't be choosers and he does still owe Dokja for coming out all this way with his gun. Even so, he doesn't look too happy, mouth tugged down in a deep frown as he answers slowly. ]

It's the closest shrine to Godsblood.

[ Yes, he's heading there soon, no, he doesn't have any other way of getting there other than via the long and arduous carriage trip he took last time. Damn, his ass is gonna get sore for sitting for a week straight again. ]

[ Maybe it'll build his ass up...

But okay, Eustace is headed for Godsblood. That's good to file away for later. And now that the rifle's no longer resting against his back, Dokja brings it down to his lap. He's not handing it over just yet. ]

Who killed you anyway? I told you I'd pull the fur out of your ears if you died, remember?

[ His tone is casual like this is just a normal everyday conversation. ]

[ He'll never have an ass.

Also why is Dokja asking that? Surely he doesn't have any intention of keeping track and giving the guy a good ol' punch the next time they cross paths. (He better not have any intention of doing that.) Regardless, Eustace has no immediate plans to answer, his recent rebirth (and also his recent meeting with YJH, King Asshole) making him reluctant to hand out information he deems pointless. ]

Does it matter who did it?

[ Better fork over a good reason. ]

[ Um, but Eustace already guessed the reason?

Frowning, he pushes himself up to a stand, wobbling a bit as he does, before finding his balance. He holds the rifle in his hands, though he doesn't present it just yet. He has a Plan for this guy. ]

Yeah, it matters. I'll kick their ass since you couldn't.

[ Eustace... weak... can't even kill a man back... Can't even kiss Dokja on the mouth without it being a gag tag. :/ ]

[ do NOT

Also I don't want to hear that from someone who can't even kiss another guy without it being an accident and prompted by outside factors? No one is pure and righteous and bold here.

Dokja gets another Look for that comment, very dry and unimpressed. ]

Don't you have more important people you should be worrying about?

[ Like your ACTUAL BOYFRIEND YJH????? ]

[ Before Dokja gets a chance to reply, something heavy and fast slams into the back of Eustace's head, sending him careening forward. Because he and Dokja are now (magically, somehow) facing each other at this point, the collision results in a second accidental (and honestly pretty) awkward kiss. There might be a slight knocking of their teeth together.

Congrats to the happy couple, and also to HSY who is probably lurking in the bg watching all of this unfold for a second time. ]

[ The gun goes off and I don't mean the one in Dokja's hands.

Err, that is. Dokja had been a second away from some smartass reply like "He's not the one dying" but then Eustace is suddenly kissing him? Again? Through the power of sheer spontaneity and an ooc desire to ruin credibility?? God, which means his mouth was open when this happens.

Either way, he's shoving Eustace away and backing up like a frightened animal. ]

Can you stop doing that!?

[ He says like it hadn't been his fault (kind of) the first time. ]

[ Once again, Eustace recognizes that something has in fact happened, but the circumstances surrounding The Event™ mean he's barely paying attention, body twisting around and one hand reaching up to rub at the back of his head because ow. Where did that even come from??

There appears to be a bumbling craftsman heading their way, both hands raised in the air and waving apologetically. Must have been some test gone awry. ]

Doing what?

[ He literally did nothing wrong? He's innocent here??? ]

[ There is a very loud silence as a follow up, mostly because Dokja doesn't want to say kissing as an answer to the doing. He has to fight the urge to rub at his mouth and it helps that his hands are still busy holding the rifle.

Ah, the rifle... ]

Here.

[ This is a good time to change the subject!! Dokja holds out the gun with both hands before suddenly thinking of an idea (always bad) and yanking it back toward him. ]

Actually, if you want it back, you have to do something.

[ Dokja....weak.......can't even talk about kissing in public.

But also: what the hell? The sudden (previously unannounced) condition to getting his gun back catches Eustace by surprise, his head swiveling back and his brows pulling together as he squints at Dokja in suspicion. ]

Do what?

[ Sometimes cat man is on the brain so that he doesn't have to think about accidental kisses. Dokja grins, all mischievous and annoying, and makes his demand. ]

You have to "nyah."

[ Holds the rifle with one hand so that his other can curl his fingers into his palm and raise a fist that's supposed to be like a paw. ]

Like this. "Nyah."

[ Proceeds to bat that hand toward Eustace in a demonstration. ]

that time i got reincarnated as a baby catboy.

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i guess there's a part 2 now

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