mooninthewater | Come Sail Away IC Inbox

[ Oh no. Venti... He's such a loser. How did Mizuki end up becoming best friends with the cruise's biggest dork??? Probably because he's up there as the biggest nerd? Okay, maybe it does make some sense, but still... ]

One sec!! [ He probably could have asked Friday for a proper mannequin- they probably have those on board- but he’s decided to just use what he has. Which has taken a bit of creative thinking… but he does soon answer the door to usher Venti in. Mizuki’s room is… very untouched, for the most part. Even his roommate seems to have not done much around here. But Mizuki does have a lump of stuff on his bed. Specifically, some books that are wrapped in a blanket that are covered with a life vest. It… works for what they’re using it for. ]

Hi! Sorry for the wait. I have it all set up now.

Edited 2022-04-17 19:18 (UTC)

[ he doesn't want to admit he might have a problem but this is three times now that he's had something slightly traumatizing occur at the pool. mizuki not-drowning. himself almost-drowning. and now jinx... he's really not a hero, he really is too passive to be that, he really would rather let people do their own thing while he simply watches until a real disaster might strike.

but maybe he does want to learn to save, especially after what happened to jinx. he enters with a cheerful wave. ] Yoohoo, Mizuki! [ glancing around the room and the set-up curiously as he does. venti's own room is also pretty untouched apart from bottles, but also because he's a vagrant and used to being homeless. he kind of wonders if mizuki thinks or hopes of their stay as too temporary to get really settled in the cabin. ]

Thanks for teaching me, I'll be in your care~ but I'll do my best to learn!

[ Jokes on Venti, it's just because he keeps all his livelihood inside his waterproof bag and fuckin' sleeps in the pool like an idiot.

But teach Venti he does. As he seats them at the bed, he shows Venti how to do compressions, then let's him give it a few goes, offering his assistance where it's needed.

He also shows Venti how to sit the person so their airway is clear, and demonstrates by telling Venti to lie down. A hand settles under his chin and tilts it upwards, while his thumb rests under his lower lip to coax his mouth open. His other hand brushing the hair out of Venti's face to make sure it's clear as well, and all the while just calmly explaining things like "Make sure their throat isn't obstructed" and "Give them the easiest time to get the water from their system"...

... But then he stops once he's finished explaining, and just smiles at Venti. ]

And that's the gist of it. The last part is probably the most important part, but I don't really have a mannequin for you to test it out on. You have to plug up the person's nose, and make sure there's as little space for air to escape when you do mouth to mouth. Then, you want to breathe into them and try to get that water out of their lungs. But that should be the super easy part for you, being a wind elemental user.

[ wh... why is this happening. let's not mention that he had the vague idea in the back of his head (or even hope, wait, absolutely not) that maybe this lesson would involve mouth-to-mouth in some respect but, why is this close contact so embarrassing again. he finds his face going horribly red at mizuki's touch to his face, his mouth, and--fuck, mortals or aegir really are formidably smooth without even realizing it, are they?? how can this be happening to him. he's so old, he should be better than this.

anyway, a lot of that lesson totally flies out mind at those last moments, because it just figures. he did try his best to follow along and remember everything but this is mizuki's fault, he blinks owlishly and then nods, trying to look totally-knowledgeable and learned. ]

I've never thought of using my power that way before. I should be able to breathe air to a person well enough, but getting air or water out seems like a different story. [ with the potential for things to go wrong. his power is in wind. manipulating it within a body seems more dangerous... but he could probably try as a last resort. ]

Hm, don't be too forceful, but so long as you are getting enough air into them, it should be fine. You're not necessarily trying to manipulate the water, so much as get the air into them. If you manage that much, they should cough the water out themselves. Non-aquatic bodies are built to do stuff like that, anyway.

My lungs do work a little differently, though, so I can't say I'm super knowledgeable on the subject...

[ ... ]

Is everything okay now? With Jinx, I mean? You were... [ So upset. So upset... and even now, he seems a bit out of it. He knows Venti is probably only coming to him with this because of what happened... He carefully starts to brush his hand back through Venti's hair, this time with the new purpose of being comforting. ] ...I'm sorry I left you like that.

Mm, I can't manipulate water in the first place. I'll have to trust that they could cough it out as long as I could get air to them. [ a blink; he lets out a breath, chasing away other distracting thoughts because yes, it's true, he did want to learn how to rescue thanks to what happened just now. simply standing aside and not being able to do anything was... ]

You don't have to apologize, you were far more helpful than I was. [ he does lean a bit towards mizuki's touch however, because. this is nice. ] Jinx is my first friend on the ship. I've been rather worried about her... I feel that I should probably keep a closer eye on her if she might get in danger like this.

[ or, that she would be a danger to others. ]

While Miss Jenny is still around, I agree. She has the tendency to poke at people's nerves, I've noticed.

[ And taking care of people is a very commendable thing to do. Especially when it comes to people like Jinx who are... well, a bit unstable. Not that Mizuki has any room to judge. ]

But... [ He can't just... leave it like that, though. Leave it at "Venti's a good person" and pretend like Mizuki's not worried about him. He stops combing through Venti's hair and instead just fully leans into him, coiling his arms around him for a hug. ] You need to watch over yourself, too. Just like you told me to do. You're not allowed to be a hypocrite in that regard, okay?

[ ... ]

I don't like seeing you like that. So worried. So scared. Not when your smile is so pretty. Not when that look you had... hurt like that. [ It sucks when his first instinct is to just "get rid" of the problem. But in that instance, the problem was not Jinx herself, but just her instability. And he's not a therapist, as much as he would like to be. ] ...I'm gonna make sure you have more things to smile about, okay?

[ oh... that's surprisingly touching. the hug takes him a bit by surprise, then he lets out a breath, tension slowly fading from his body a bit more as he returns it, eyes going half-closed, a light blush at the mention of his smile. aegir really are smooth operators.

but it's nice to be cared about. it'd slipped his mind again that mizuki might worry about him even if this time he wasn't even the one drowning. ] ... Thanks for saying so. But, you know, I wasn't even the one in danger this time. If things get worse like Miss Jenny says we might have a lot to worry about no matter what happens.

Still, I appreciate it. [ nicer moments like these, even on this questionable ship... he treasures them, as he wraps an arm around mizuki too, strokes a hand into his hair as well. this... it really does feel better than his usual method of coping and practically self-medication: binge-drinking. his tried and true method through centuries, but he'd be reluctant to admit he gets lonely. ]

I'll try to do the same, for you.

Edited 2022-04-17 21:08 (UTC)

I know. But you're so warmhearted, Venti. And you understand so deeply. It's such an admirable trait. But it means that... when people hurt, you do, too. And... [ I don't want that. Don't be sad. Don't look that afraid again. Don't, don't, don't... ] Just... keep it in mind, at least.

[ He closes his eyes and gives Venti a little squeeze, just letting that soak in for a moment. Giving him time to think about it, while hopefully providing some sort of assurance that he's here. And he wants to be there to support Venti. He wants to be something that can be comforting and kind like Venti is... despite all the conversations they've had to prove otherwise. He's trying, though. He's trying his best. ]

[ it's actually kind of surreal to be told this. in a way he wonders if it's true, him, warmhearted? vaguely he supposes so but maybe that's the problem, if he cares and yet stays passive and laissez-faire, or even tries not to care too deeply about people if he could help it because it'd only hurt later anyway. or after a while he'd simply drink into a stupor or fly away or sleep and leave everything behind... he just can't right now, on this ship.

but maybe he can't quite say this to mizuki. he's quiet for a moment, frowning a little, then-- ] Mm, I'll keep that in mind.

Speaking of Miss Jenny, though. [ something else he'd meant to bring up to mizuki-- ] I talked to Yuuki recently, and he showed me...

You went to her ship, didn't you?

Oh!!! [ He leans back to face Venti now, stars practically sparkling in his eyes. ] Yeah! Did I forget to show you?! Did he show you the video then?! What did you think? I'm no film expert, but it was a lot of fun! I felt like some zombie apocalypse protagonist! It was so cool!!! You shoulda heard the creepy voices. I don't know if they picked up so well, but it definitely added to the atmosphere!!

[ Mizuki mimics some of the voices in his most dramatic whisper, giggling afterwards. ]

Yuuki was super helpful, too. He's really nice!

Edited 2022-04-17 21:55 (UTC)

[ speaking of being worried though. ] Right, he did show me the video. I wasn't really sure what I was looking at, but... [ also what... what is a zombie apocalypse?? ??? ] And yes, he does strike me as a very capable fellow.

But even looking at what happened made me worry about you!!

[ he's normally so easy-going but yes, mizuki being in any questionable situation worries him because of reasons. this was kind of exactly why he thought about and decided not to bring him to the ship and he went there anyway! ]

Worry about me? Why? [ A beat. ] Oh, because it was all spooky and stuff? Don't worry, the hands weren't that strong at all. They were easily kicked away.

Besides, situations like that are totally the sorts of things I'm used to! So I can take care of stuff like that no problem. There's no reason to worry! Trust me.

It might be impossible for me not to worry. [ but for personal and that twisted reason. ] It's not that I don't believe in your ability, but...

[ and then he's uncertain what to say, he doesn't want to stop or hold back mizuki from making his own decisions, or investigating or poking his nose into things, even if it's a haunted pirate ship. venti himself had done just that too after all. what to do about this?? he huffs, shaking at mizuki's shoulders lightly, maybe all he could do is just ask this. ]

Could you tell me, if you explore or do anything like that again? I might even be able to come and be backup. [ ... ] Though, I also went to that ship... [ like ships passing in the night, somehow. ]

[ He's definitely had a conversation like this with Venti before. "It's not that I don't doubt your ability," right? This sounds, again, like doubting, though. ]

...Of course. If that's what you want, I will.

I really do have to stress that I can handle myself in those sorts of situations, Venti, though. Probably better than most people on this cruise. Not that this is protesting or anything, I'll still let you know, but... when I said I didn't want you to worry or fear for other people so much, that goes for me, too, you know?

[ he knows. he really does know. he really doesn't think of himself as a worrier but it's possible that some lingering paranoia remains from seeing those tentacles, or maybe he's just getting involved with more reckless people on this ship somehow.

but, about mizuki specifically-- ] I know, but you're special. [ in a quiet mutter, going tense again as if just realizing he's saying this. there's the sudden, irrational impulse to leave; he tries to ignore it. ] I told you I don't want anything to happen to you, and I mean it.

[ not going to panic over mizuki exploring that ghost ship but. honestly. honestly, what if something went wrong? jenny had nearly killed jinx. it's not that he'd worry over what-ifs, all's well that ends well but--mizuki specifically can't... he really can't let anything happen to him. he really actually truly can't. ]

[ Mizuki lets out a very breathy laugh. It’s some parts charmed and sweet, as if a little flustered from hearing that alone, and other parts… dangerous. It’s subtle. But it’s there.

His voice is its own crossbreed of wary and saccharine. ]

Careful… Venti. Keep saying things like that and… [ He reaches up to pull Venti’s hands away from his shoulders, just so he can twine their fingers together. ] I’m not gonna wanna let you go.

[ Realistically… he’s already there. ]

[ then don't, the thought comes to mind, just as sharply as the impulse intensifies for him to want to fly or leave. but if there's one thing he could possibly want more than anything in his entire existence...

he closes his eyes, looking slightly pained. mizuki's words... it's so different from what his friend would say. probably. it's been thousands of years, he barely even knows what his friend would want or say or act, his life had been cut off too damn early. all he has left are wisps of memory and now, suddenly, someone who sounded so terribly painfully similar it hurts, reawakening that ache over and over.

he squeezes mizuki's hand once. then sits up, suddenly tense like a bird on the edge of being spooked to flight. ] I think I need a drink. [ when in doubt, time to hit the bottle. that never fails him. ]

[ … Panic. ]

Can you stay here, instead? You said you wanted to have some fun afterwards, right? [ He knows that Venti says that he’s fine drinking. Venti wouldn’t lie to him, right? But… but!!! ]

I wanna still play a game with you for a little bit. Is that okay? I’ll even walk you to the bar after, if you’d like.

[ ...

all right, he isn't so flighty to leave if mizuki asks him so earnestly to stay. probably, anyway. why does he have issues like this?? but they both do... ]

What kind of game, then? [ and, he supposes he is pretty curious about those games. ]

[ He lets go of Venti to dig around in his bag. He puts a console in his hand, suddenly very excited again as he slides a game in. ]

Here, here. Play this one. I wanna see how well you can shoot in this. [ Very pointedly, it’s not a horror shooter. He figures that Venti needs something a little more light hearted right now. ]

Edited 2022-04-18 00:31 (UTC)

[ shooting again? admittedly he'd been pretty intrigued by the horror game, it's just that the subtext of that game was... concerning, especially with his hypotheses about mizuki. but he does actually like the challenge of the genre.

the game might be something the equivalent of starfox or something, which somehow is absolutely completely up his alley. first, it has flying. second, it has shooting. it's perfect. and they shoot down little polygonal other ships or whatever and the plot is... whatever it is, he doesn't pay terribly much attention when scifi is kind of unknown to a fantasy bard. anyway, he's getting real into the game and he is good at it, taking to flying and shooting like a duck to water.

he might become a gamer yet. ... for shooters, at least. ]

Edited 2022-04-18 00:46 (UTC)

[ Look at his BF (Best Friend) being so good at video games! He's so proud. Fortunately, there aren't too many controls that are different here, so Mizuki is easily able to just point out a few things here and there and just let Venti go at it. He happily finds a comfortable position nestled against Venti so he could freely watch. There's occasional glances up at Venti to make sure he's enjoying himself, or maybe to see his amazement at certain graphics or enemies. It's so unbelievably fun to see Venti experience stuff like this for the first time.

And while this might be an excellent distraction, for now, he still can't help but think about what he might have done wrong here. How might he have upset Venti? He supposes he did ask him if he needed the breathing room before, and Venti had said "yes". So maybe saying "I won't let you go" is... not okay. But he wants to hold on. He doesn't want to let go. Venti can breathe with him around. Venti can be happy and smile. Mizuki isn't suffocating him.

... Mizuki continues to smile in awe of his friend, anyway. There's even a few coos of encouragement as Venti manages to beat stages and such near effortlessly. He doesn't have to think about things like that. Nothing is wrong. He's having fun right now and that's what matters. ]

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