[AQ] Where Are You Now? [Demi/Shun][DONE]

[Deleted]

"There hasn't been any problem that I wasn't able to worm myself out of, so for this one, I say, live with what you got. It was either this or a clean bald shave." And that. That would be utterly disappointing, even for him. Not that bald dudes don't look good. Just that it probably would fit him a lot less. "But Shura did say that a clean head can give me a clear mind..." But then again, the guardian character isn't always truthful about things.

"Oh. That Ai? Huh." Well how about that. "Wait, talking about the same Ai, right?" Is there any other Ai? "Roommate. Nice. I kinda wish I have one, but that means actually giving up my extra space." Weird, normally he'd just jump at the chance to get some company. But the state of things do bring about changes. "I started with Faberge, I guess? Before that it was a new guardian character. But I guess the biggest change is actually being swamped with idol training now." He shrugged. He's nowhere near as famous as the other idols who have made their debut. But he does have faith that he'll get there someday.

They arrive at the shop, only to find that it was quite packed today. "OH MAN, NO WAY! I heard of that!" He pointed at a banner hung near the entrance. "They're having a promo with flavors of the month. And I heard one of them is like...Strangely good. I mean with tea and royal jelly? I heard it's good for your health too. But I didn't think this many people would show up. Well whatever. I'm trying it." He seems adamant about standing in line for it. Well, this gives them more time to talk, right?

[Demi]

"I'm glad you didn't go with the bald look... it really wouldn't have fit you." She nodded a bit, then paused. "Shura? Who's Shura?" She had never met Shun's new guardian character before. So she hadn't the slightest clue who he was.

"Um... Okazaki Ai. Long silver hair, kind of looks like a delinquent? That Ai?" She nodded. "And well, I didn't really ask for a roommate so much as... one came looking for me. I was asked to move into her room to help her out with things because I'm responsible." Something like that anyway. "Oh, Faberge... I went to Roost." She blinked. "A new guardian character? Why haven't I met them then??" Bring out the Shura, bro. Bring out the Shura.

"Idol training, huh?" She thought about that for a moment or two. "When I was little, I wanted to be an idol..." she mused aloud. "Well, more a rock star than an idol..." She pushed some hair out of her face as she thought about it. She hadn't thought about that in quite some time, so.

As they arrived and Demi spotted the crowd, she immediately became more tense and nervous. She didn't do too well with crowds, probably why she'd never be a rock star. "Ah... a promo, huh....?" She commented... but fell into line with him. Now she'd started to go silent. Whoops.

[Deleted]

"Shura is ummm...My guardian character. My other one. I mean, Not a lot of people KNOW he exists because he likes to sit around and meditate a lot. He doesn't really follow me around too much." Leo on the other hand, is the opposite of that. If he found out where he is right now, he would have pulled him by the ear and took him back to the dorm for the next thing on the schedule. It's a good thing he left undetected. That, or Leo just let him off the hook for now.

"Then it's the same Ai." Now that he thought about it, there isn't a lot of Ais around anyway. "I'm actually WAY too lazy now to look for a roommate. My old room was way smaller than the dorm and it had a gaping hole on the window. I never really had a room quite as nice. And all to myself, too." He laughed it off like it was nothing. Normally, it'd be a cause for concern to have a window with a hole in it. "Faberge is more like a choice I made to make a better future for myself. Sometimes I feel kind of selfish that I'm not thinking of it as anything but leverage." Hey, but at least he's making more choices in his life by himself. "What's Roost like? Or even Guardians for that matter?" He wouldn't know.

"Like I said, he likes to meditate and do some sort of monk stuff." But he's here. In the usual hiding spot. "Yo, Shura." He tapped on his bag and out came Shura. "Oh, Shun. What shall I do now? Is the coast clear? We sure got Leo on that one." He snickered and fist bumped Shun. "Alright, this here's Shura. And that there's Demi." That was the most casual introduction if he's heard of one. "Oh. OH. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, child." He bowed a bit. Aaaaaand he's back to the pretentious monk gesture. "It is wonderful to see that you've made a lot of friends, Shun." Another one he's never met before. Cool beans.

"Well why didn't you be a rock star? I mean, you're not exactly like Ai, but I can sort of see a rock star. Hey, maybe you both can go do some duets and stuff and like, doesn't he have a band? Join that. I'm sure you guys will do great." Rock wasn't really his thing. He's more of a pop and aesthetics kind of guy. "And yeah, I'm training to be an idol myself. But I've been given the 'cool' identity and as such, when publicity starts, I'd have to start acting the part. But it's not bad. I didn't even know I fit into that category."

"Royal Jelly. Shun. Will you get me one as well?" Shura buzzed with excitement as he saw where they are. "Sure, sure. Maybe we can even get Leo a compensation prize with the pineapple drink?" He then looked at Demi,whose gone silent all of a sudden. "What's wrong?" He decided to ask, raising his brow.

[Demi]

"Oh, you have two guardian characters?" She seemed surprised. "That's interesting." She was glad she only had Encore... the little guardian was definitely a lot of work to keep up with... she couldn't imagine having TWO annoying little critters bothering her constantly.

"Ah, yes... the same Ai." She nodded lightly. As he described things, she watched him for a moment or two. She'd never lived in a situation like that. Sure, she had lived in the ghetto in America, but not for very long. And really, she'd never had a hole in her window. "I don't think it's selfish to think of it like a stepping stone..." She commented. "Not if you're going to use it to better yourself." She shrugged lightly. "As far as Roost goes... it's..." She thought about it for a few moments. "Chill. I don't know about Guardians, though."

Demi watched as Shun brought out Shura. She blinked at the little monk like guardian character. Her eyes widened a bit. "You're... so cute..." She commented, staring at Shura. She wanted to scoop him up and play with him. Oh my gosh. So so so cute!!

She blinked at the rock star comment. "It's not exactly that simple." She replied, then shrugged, leaving it at that. "That's cool, though... follow your dreams, I guess."

When he asked what was wrong, she glanced over to him, then shrugged. "I'm not so good with crowds..." she admitted. Which was true. She'd never been good with them... and now she didn't have anything to anchor onto.

Encore, sensing Demi's nervousness, popped out of her bag. "Demi?" Encore piped up, flying up out of the bag. She blinked wide pink eyes at her owner, then glanced over to Shun and... a guardian character she'd never seen before. "Hi Shun-chan!" Encore greeted him. "And new person! Where's Leo-chan?" She got distracted from Demi's nervousness for a moment.

[Deleted]

"I wished for something else and I guess this is what happens??" He didn't even think it was strong enough to get him a second egg of all things, but apparently, it was. "He said it's about wanting to not be a panic machine when things go wrong. Or something." He is one of the few people who probably doesn't care much about revealing his wishes. It doesn't matter. Not to an open book. "They've done so much for me, so I don't think I should just dismiss them as a regular stepping stone." He was never really treated with much value until now. "Well, at least it's chill. Though I don't think all three would get together for a party anytime soon."

"Cute? Ahaha. You have my gratitude. But it would be wise for me to deflect that compliment, due to the nature of my human." Shun would probably get jealous of him next if he just took the compliment, but to his surprise, the boy took it much better than he thought. "Well of course he's cute. He's MY guardian character." Even Leo is cute. Right? Right? "Bravo, my child! It seems you have not forgotten the lessons." He clapped at this reaction. Well, at least they're getting along.

"Huh. It's not simple?" He thought they hang out a lot, so what's stopping them from banding together to well...Make a band and become rock stars? "Follow my dreams?" Is that what he's been doing? Who would have thought he could form his own dreams without relying on his parents or other people?

"Not so good with crowds? Well, I guess we didn't know a crowd would show up in front of the shop." Maybe she'd like to sit down somewhere while he takes the order? "You want to go sit it out while I get all the drinks?" Never hurts to ask.

"Oh, hey Encore." His attention is still more on Demi who doesn't look too good in the crowd, waiting for her to answer. "Leo is...Busy at the moment. Can I take a message?" Shura guessed this is one of Leo's friends again probably. He has been in this world for longer anyway. "You can tell me. I'm his brother, after all."

[Demi]

She blinked a bit. That was interesting. She just nodded lightly in response to him. "Probably not, but it doesn't stop me from being friends with those in different factions." She shrugged lightly.

Demi seemed happier, though it was hard to tell, just talking to Shura and Shun. It was always nice to hang out with friends. "Mm, not that simple." She replied again with a shrug. Pushing some hair out of her face, she stayed quiet for a few moments. "I might actually take you up on that offer... you don't mind?" She didn't want to take advantage, but she felt kind of sick, so. She pulled out her wallet and handed Shun some money. "Tropical smoothie with um-- mango, pineapple, and peach please? I'll be waiting at a table." It was probably a good idea to snag a table anyway... or they'd have nowhere to sit. "Thanks Shun."

Encore blinked, perking up. "Who are you?" She asked curiously to Shura. Then she tipped her head. "No message! I just wanted to hang out with him." She smiled happily. "And give him a hug- I haven't seen him in a while!" She hadn't seen Shun in a while either. Speaking of, she moved over and gave Shun a biiiiig hug on his face. "Hi Shun-chan!! Long time no see!"

[Deleted]

"I don't think that's how things work. If they ban you from being friends with people of other factions, I'm out." He admits that he can't really live without social interaction, so anything that prevents him from having just that is horrible.

"Sure thing. Maybe Shura can just stay here with both of you then." He'd rather not have the guardian character make some trouble while he's in the line. When Shura feels bored, he would pick on some other people just for fun. "You go do that." Now then, to go get the drinks. But not before getting a hug from Encore. "Encore! Yeah. Long time no see!" He's happy to see she's still fine. Not that she wouldn't be.

"Hmph. I get it. Leave me then." Shura crossed his arms, though his stance seems a bit more playful than serious. Who should be proud of getting sassed by their own human anyway? Well, weirdly enough, he is. "Leo never tells people anything, does he? There should be no reason for me to follow Shun around if I'm not his guardian character. Or in this case. I'm just 'the other one'." He chuckled. "Leo is busy looking for two runaways. It would be better if he doesn't know where we are. Even if you're somewhat sad that he's not here." He then sat on the table to continue his meditation. Awaiting the nice reward later.

[Demi]

"It's more... people in other factions don't typically get along... some sort of huge rivalry or something." She waved her hand idly. As Shun told Shura to go with her, she shrugged, not minding. Encore was pretty stoked to have the new friend come with them, too.

Demi sat down, brushing hair off of her shoulder, thinking a bit. Encore, however, moved to stand in front of Shura. "Shura-- hmmm..." She seemed to be concentrating and thinking a bit. Then after a moment, she lifted a finger. "I got it! Shu-chan!" She grinned widely. She knew there was a reason she never called Shun Shu-chan... because it was reserved for Shura! Without even knowing it. She plopped down in front of Shura, leaning forward a bit. "The other one?? But you're just as much of Shun-chan's guardian character as Leo-chan is." Encore tilted her head curiously.

"So what's it like? For there to be two guardian characters to one human?" She asked. "It's always only ever been just Demi and me..." Little did she know that would change sometime soon, but... you never do anticipate things like that, do you? Certainly little Encore never wondered if it would happen... not until now anyway.

[Deleted]

"I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm not...As well known as he is. He would never introduce me to others. Simply because he's embarrassed we're related." He laughed. Shura did feel kind of left out at one point, but he didn't just sit there and wait for people to come talk to him. "Oh? It's just like having siblings. But you just don't listen to the oldest one without question." Though he would turn that rule on it's head if he is the older one of the two.

"Well if you ever get a sibling, you might want to wish for one that you can get along with. Leo is amazing, but he just...Doesn't warm up to the thought of affection very well." Even though Shura has been pushing for them to go and do more things together to create a stronger bond and better help Shun, he's been hell bent on doing things by himself. "But a wish wishing for a wish? Wishful thinking. I still say, good luck to you." He's definitely more friendly and whimsical than Leo is. Though how much of it is real, no one really knows.

Soon, Shun went back with the drinks in his hands. But something seemed odd. "So here's everyone's drinks." He placed them on the table before sitting down, looking totally frazzled. "Um...A person said she saw me at the park when I first performed and then went to give me a hug by surprise. I didn't drop the drinks though." A fan? Is that what that is? He thought he would be prepared for it and can handle it, being the social butterfly that he is. But it still took him by surprise.

[Demi]

Encore crossed her legs, sitting criss cross applesauce now. "I see. I've never had any siblings... Demi either!" Encore smiled widely. "I think it'd be fun to have a sibling! And... what's wrong with a wish making a wish for another wish?" She thought about it for a few moments, but oh, Shun was back! She perked up.

Demi on the other hand, had been ignoring the guardian characters. When Shun arrived, she reached out, picking up her drink. "Thank you." She said in response to him bringing the drinks. At his words after though, she raised a brow. "Oh- a fan then?" She felt happy for him... he deserved fans. "Glad you didn't drop the drinks... and also, I'm happy for you... it must feel pretty nice."

[Deleted]

"Then maybe you should ask her to give you a sibling." He snickered a bit. You know when a kid asks their mom for another sibling and they have the talk about babies and where they come from? He's hoping there's that sort of awkward interaction. But then again, he can't really call Shun his 'parent', because it's better the other way around. "When a wish makes a wish for the wisher to wish another wish, I wish the wisher's wish won't be wishy washy." Oh, he's tickled. But hey, at least Shun's back. Crappy jokes aside, he really wants to try some royal jelly drinks.

"Was I suppose to react a certain way? Everytime someone comes up to me I'm already bracing for a punch to the face." Not exactly the most optimistic of responses, but that's because he's rather skewed by the reality of things. "Is that what a fan is like?" Man, he just seems confused. Being thrown head first into a world of entertainment. Sure, even if they saw talent, he doesn't even know how to react. Odd, coming from someone who's usually pretty good with people. "Sorry, the whole 'support' thing is pretty foreign for me." He sighed.

[Demi]

Encore rolled her eyes. "If only it were that easy... she'd probably ignore me." The blonde fairy sighed very softly. She loved Demi but the girl rarely ever listened to her. As he talked, her brows came together in confusion. "When a wish makes a wish for wish wish--" She already got tongue tied and let out a "pbbt!" sound.

Demi shook her head. "Not really- a punch to the face? Why?" What the fuck, Shun, that was kinda messed up. "Yes, that's what a fan is like..." She nodded. "I guess... now you know for future reference." Demi would probably die of embarrassment if someone recognized her and tried to be her fan... but then again, she had nothing to be a fan of. She could sing? But she didn't sing in front of others. It was too embarrassing, she didn't even feel like she had a good voice. Maybe that's how Shun felt... but no, he had a lot of self confidence, even if slightly skewed by him being bullied. Demi's self confidence was almost non existent, really.

Pushing those thoughts out of her head, she reached to take a sip of her smoothie. "Mmm-- this is really good." That was a better topic to discuss.

[Deleted]

"Bravo! Good try." Shura then flew over to Shun to get his drink. He seems to now be in total bliss as he took a few sips off the cup. To have a drink all to himself is nice. And the crowd probably won't even spot a cup emptying itself. It's way too crowded for anyone to see or care. "Man, this is goooooood~ Now, why don't you ever give me some of these. Feels like my 10000 years of life is complete with this really nice drink." 10000 years. Yeah right.

"Have you seen the reaction of some of those bullies back at Seiyo when they found out that I'm in Idol training? I mean, I know that rumors spread quickly, but I think I've been hiding in the infirmary more times than I want." Shun was still scared over that fact and have since tried to protect his face from punches. "And when I go outside, I'm still scared that they'll smash my face or something. I don't...Want to give up because of it. But I don't want them to hunt me down either." And that was why he was wary of the girl who approached him. "I'm confident in my abilities, sure. But I'm not confident that I would have the best reputation. You know, since bullies still exist."

He sighed, swirling the straw of his drink around a bit. "To hear some people willing to support me? I don't know. It seems surreal."

[Demi]

Encore rolled her eyes. She didn't like being patronized like that, so she just... hopped up and flew over to Demi, climbing into her hair. Demi on the other hand, frowned at Shun. "Don't you think you should tell someone that you're being bullied like that? I mean, if they're physically assaulting you, the school should know about it and should be able to punish them in some form." Then again, she knew how easily bullies just... slipped through the system. "You shouldn't be afraid to get an education..." A sigh escaped her as she sipped at her smoothie.

"Either way, you should tell someone. Someone with authority... a sensei or something. Or even Sasaki-san... she's the leader of Faberge, right?"

[Deleted]

"I would, but...I don't want to be a revenge target." He can't lie about being afraid of that at the very least. "I don't want to ruin my chances." But really, can he just sit here and do nothing? "I punched one of them in the face myself in character change. It felt awful." When was the last time his eyes well up with tears again. Can't believe he's revisiting it now. It's been a while since he went on the crying spree.

"Even with Sasaki-san, I'm not sure if I have a good standing there. I mean...I forgot if I told you this before, but I helped Yasuko steal her journal, but I didn't see it. Once a thief always a thief." He sniffed, taking a sip from his drink to calm himself down.