[AQ] Where stars shine the brightest. [Daichi/Ai]

[Daichi]

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}{Spoiler}Those Nosey People
+ Description: Someone has been seen around your faction’s base… who belongs to another faction.
+ Try to make peace: +3 Guardians, +1 Faberge, -2 Roost
+ Confront and scare them off: -2 Guardians, +1 Faberge, +3 Roost
+ Attack them: +2 Guardians, +2 Faberge, +1 Roost
+ Be attacked, run away: -2 Guardians, +1 Faberge, -2 Roost
+ Be attacked, fight back: +2 Guardians, -2 Faberge, +2 Roost
+ Arrive to fight with backup: +4 Guardians, -2 Faberge, -1 Roost
+ Requirements: Requires at least 2 participants, each of different factions
+ Submitted by Hatta

Above the boys head a star sky flickered and shined. Daichi was sitting the in the front row of seats in the planetarium. Though he didn't look up at the stars above him but rather the phone in his hand. Scrolling though twitter slowly, scanning every word and meaningless tweet sent out. He sighed heavily. The last few weeks had been rough, to say the least. His friends were picking sides. Building an army. Causing trouble and causing problems. They had decided where they stood, and what they stood for. Now he supposes it was his turn to do the same. He had defied Miuna, Takeo and Keiko. He stood by Norio and Kazuki. 

On his shoulders he wore his plaid cape, a symbol of where he belonged, in a way. He was a Guardian. Even beyond factions, he was still a 'Guardian', or sorts. He protected his friends and the people that mattered to him. Stood up for them. Did what they asked of him. He was always there, for everyone when they needed him. Even now. Even with everything that had happened. He loved his friends. Whether they were acting on their own, or being manipulated. He would always care about them. Even clean up whatever mess they made.

He was loyal and that was his problem and he knew it. Forgiveness was his biggest strength and weakness. He knew that too.

So as he's done time and time again. He would sit, and think about what to do over and over again. Think, until he figures something out. Though being so lost in thought as he was- He didn't hear anyone else come in.

[Ai]

Whenever he was not busy with his Faberge/music duties, studying or club activities, there was one place Ai grew to like being at: The Planetarium. Not because it was pretty, not because he liked its caretaker, but because it was vastly different from the hustle and bustle of the Faberge building, where everyone was eternally busy and hardworking. Not that Ai didn't like that, he did, very much. That was the kind of environment he dreamed of working in, but from time to time, the boy craved some peace and quiet, to be able to sit down and sort his thoughts out. Although he didn't require that in the past, lately, he found himself in dire need of it.

The second year had never imagined it that things could escalate so much, that what was supposed to be a fairy-tale was slowly turning into a nightmare. He was never supposed to get mixed up into this guardian business, but as the nature of his wish was one who liked fighting and defending others, Ai found himself pulled in deeper and deeper into a pit he might never be able to get out of. X-eggs, egg breakers, friends turning X or having their eggs broken, it was all a little too much for Ai to handle on his own. What he should do, how he should help others, could he actually help others, were all questions the silver-haired had yet to find answers for.

After he was forced to fight and cure Ji-Yoo, something changed deep within him. Suddenly, everything seemed riskier and more complicated. He was always told that he could rach others through the power of words, but that didn't work with Ji-Yoo at all. Having to apply brute force to his friend had put a great strain on his conscience. What if he needed to do that again in the future? Could he handle it? Ai wasn't sure at all anymore.

That being said, those were all things he was going to think about when he got to the Planetarium after classes ended. There was usually nobody around, save for Kirishigi-sensei who usually spent most of the time in his office anyway. However, today, there was another presence in the darkness-filled room. As the door of the planetarium cracked open and Ai went in, he was able to spot a figure in the first row seats. They were probably a guardian... no wonder, this was their usual meeting place, after all. Ai debated whether to speak up or greet them, as they seemed to be deep in thought.

"Ohey!! It's that pretty place again!" Although Ai did nothing to bother the other person, his guardian character Luciel was probably loud enough to disrupt them. "Luciel, shh, there's somebody else in here!" At his owner's warning, Luciel placed both his tiny hands over his mouth, nodding shyly. He hadn't seen anyone... gosh, he'd been so rude. "Sorry..." He whispered to Ai.

[Daichi]

It couldn't be denied, Daichi was tired. Maybe that wasn't the right word but it was the only thing that seemed to fit. Everything was a mess and their were left with it. No faction leaders seemed to even try to come out of the woodwork to try to help. You think when their kids, their members were starting to hurt or take steps down a path they were to blind to see would hurt them- Yet nothing. They either have no idea whats going on despite, 'caring'.

Choices had been made. Justice rearing its ugly head in tweets, in actions, in threats. It was all so unsettling. The turned on Kazuki and Norio like monsters, so much so they were running away. Hiding. To scared to come back to school for a little bit. That shouldn't happen. It was just bullying, it wasn't noble.

The boy seemed to slowly focus back into his reality as a tiny voice made an observation along with, what most likely his owners voice trying to quiet him down. He stood up from his seat looking over the two as he entered the walkway in between seats.

" It's alright." He started. " How can I help you two? Are you here for Kirishigi-sensei?" He asked softly, offering a small smile to them. " He's a little busy but, I'm here if you need help with something."

[Ai]

Ai was tired too on his end. With so many things happening around him, it was hard to keep on top of things. He tried holding onto his dreams, to believe in himself and in what he could do, but more often than not it seemed to play against him. He wasn't strong enough to make justice for his friends, and if they found out how many bad things he's done, would they forgive him? Would they still love him? It seemed like despair was just one step away whenever he thought about this, but he didn't want to be that person. He didn't want to worry his friends more than he already did.

He'd opened up to Sasaki-san some time ago about some of his problems and she helped make sense out of some things he was confused about. As always she was wise and encouraging and in his mind, Ai didn't doubt his agent and mentor. He figured that she couldn't do more to help, seeing as she did not have a guardian anymore. All she could do was encourage everyone else, which Ai thought she did well. Another one of the founders, Kirishigi Notsuka, also opened up to him about egg hunters eventually, so the silver-haired was once again shown that everyone was doing their best to help... although, ultimately, it was up to the egg bearers to figure how the situation played out.

When the other boy spoke up, Ai felt, again, guilty for interrupting him. But he seemed friendly enough, so that brought a small smile to the boy's lips. Part of him was secretly glad the planetarium wasn't empty. Sure he'd wanted to think, but Ai knew for a fact that solitude always brought his demons one step closer. "Oh, no, I'd figured he might be busy. I just wanted to come here to... clear out my thoughts I suppose... A lot has been going on lately." Ai ran his hand idly through his long hair, approaching with small but steady footsteps. "You wouldn't mind if I joined you, right? The stars are looking pretty today as well..."

[Daichi]

" Ah." Daichi mused softly. " I know the feeling..." Before nodding at the boy giving another little friendly smile. " Uh, no its alright. I don't mind."

Though truthfully he was somewhat apprehensive about it. Not that the other look like a trouble maker or anything it was just. He had a lot on his mind. He wasn't sure if he would be able to keep up his friendly disposition to much. Especially with anxiety slowly creeping up on him. Then again, they didn't know each other. Dealing with someone he knew right now wouldn't be pleasant. However he was talking to someone he hadn't meet and he didn't seem too bad or anything. So maybe he was just worried over nothing. Like always.

Looking over the boy he did wonder just what he was he to think about. Maybe he was just as worried as Daichi was over everything going on. It was worth a shot to ask at least. There was a chance that they could be the same. At worse he might just be as stubborn and justice driven as the others.

" Hey uh-" He paused slowly tucking in his hands into his pockets. " Is it egg stuff you're worried about?" he asked before adding. " I mean, You don't have to tell me anything. I just... The offer is on the table if you want to take it." After that he walked to the risen up stage in with the podium sat, and took a spot on the edge and sat down. Pulling out his phone he went to check over his social media to no pressure the other into actually talking to a complete stranger if he didn't want too.

[Ai]

It was lucky that at least the other didn't mind him joining. It looked like instead of getting some alone time with his thoughts and possibly depressing himself, he'd get to meet someone knew, maybe make a friend, or so Ai liked to think, at least.

As the other went over to the podium, Ai opted to sit on one of the chairs in the front. He looked up at the stars projected on the ceiling, they almost looked like the real thing. It was somewhat calming, but sad at the same time. The silver-haired didn't know why he felt like that, probably because his and the other's feelings had an influence on the atmosphere.

A bit curious about the other boy, Ai couldn't help but steal glances at him every so often. He didn't seem to mind his company too much, but he also didn't seem like he wanted to talk. It would be rude of Ai to interrupt him again. Just then ,as if he had been reading his thoughts, the boy spoke up. Judging by his question, was it same to assume that he was involved in all this mess too? But then again, it would make sense. Sure there were other things to be sad about other than eggs, but this just seemed to be the main reason for stress lately. Basically everyone he talked to had a problem of some sort that had to do with guardians.

"Ah, well, yes, actually. It's quite a mess, huh?" He replied. It wasn't only egg hunters or all the people who'd gotten hurt that Ai was worried about. It also happened to be his reaction to all this. He was violent and reckless thanks to his character change and his ways of making Justice more often than not ended up hurting people instead of helping them. But how could he change himself? How could he gain control? His wish had been that strong, so it wasn't easy to fight with it.

[Daichi]

Daichi looked up from his phone as the other answered him. Quickly pushing the sleep button to make his screen go dark and then pocketed the phone. " I would say thats a fair assessment of everything going on, yeah." The hero responded. " So where do you want to start?"

He pulled up on leg to rested his arm on it. Thinking over what could be the cause of the others problem he came to a few fair guesses. Either it was just everything about eggs was stressing the other out. As in curing, dealing with magical floating fairy who can change you on a whim. Or How everyone else was acting and doing that cause some sort of anxiety over the lack of control, or understanding. One was very, selfish in a way he guess. The other was a bigger picture that saw all of the mess and pain for what it was.

" I mean. Egg hunters, our own egg breakers, bullying, dealing with magic. There's a whole lot of just stuff to deal with. Whats bothering you the most?" His eyes seemed to wander a little bit behind Ai. Looking over the seats and overall room. Before returning back to him. " Is it more of a personal thing, or just- I don't know looking at the big picture and realizing how- for the lack of a better term, how fucked it all is?" He asked casually. Daichi had his on problems but he wouldn't openly share them. Even if he had to in order to get to other to speak there was no way it would be as, in depth as his thought processes.

[Ai]

Ai relaxed a bit as the conversation started. The boy wasn't too much a fan of silent, awkward situations, so the fact that this boy was willing to talk to him made Ai feel somewhat calmer. He did feel like that, but the topic that had been opened was a sensitive matter. Ai didn't know if he could truly open up, especially since he's just met the guy. Besides, what was his name, even? "Hmm, where do I want to start..." Grinning sheepishly, the silver haired scratched the back of his head. "Well, I suppose I should introduce myself first, right? I'm Okazaki Ai, but just call me Ai. I'm in class 2-B."

It would help if the two got a little acquainted before Ai even attempted to open up. He hadn't even told most of his friends about the things that were on his mind, much less to a complete stranger. However, he had heard a couple times that it was probably easier to talk to a stranger about one's problems... that was kind of what they were doing at the counseling club. Perhaps if he took it slowly and didn't go too deep into it, Ai could probably muster up the courage and talk about a few of his more light-hearted worries

"How about you? What's your name? What year are you in?" They were a little too far for Ai to spot his year pins. "Also I'm obviously not a guardian- I'm in Faberge- but Kirishigi sensei's been letting me come here." The numerous talks he'd had with the man made Ai feel somewhat close to him and trust him. Or rather, the boy just wanted to protect him, as he promised he would.

[Daichi]

Wait- Oh right he hadn't introduced himself had he? " Oh right sorry- I'm Fujiwara Daichi, my friends call me Dai. I'm in 2-C, nice to meet you." He gave a slight nod to the other as he introduced himself. " I'm normally better about inductions but- I just im just a little off my game." He gave a sheepish smile. " That sounds like him." Daichi mused softly. The hero began to fiddle with the year pin on his cape. He wasn't a huge fan of factions right now or really ever. Of course that didn't mean he hated them or anything. Just that, he didn't feel a need to be in one. Others could and maybe even needed too. However at this point they seemed a little bit of a, hindrance, in a way.

Still most people who joined Faberge seemed to do it for their futures. Rather then join the guardians to have more teacher trust you, have a master key and overall just make you transcript pretty for colleges. There wasn't much to be gained. Daichi wasn't even going to college so in the end what did join matter? It was mostly just an excuse to hang out with friends- Which he was beginning to lose...

The boy shook his head a little. Getting a little to wound up in his thoughts again. He really should have brought Taiki along this time. He was losing focus. He looked back up to Ai, " What do you do in Faberge? I know there are a bunch of talent help are you doing acting or music?" He asked curiously. Getting somewhat distracted from the other talk they should have been having.

[Ai]

The boy nodded as the other had introduced himself. Ai could understand the feeling of... not feeling oneself, so the company of someone who was in a similar state was much welcomed. It gave Ai the impression that he wasn't alone in the struggles he was facing, which was always nice. Although the two had just met, their exchange so far made Ai think they might get along well. "Completely understandable." He finally spoke. "I'm usually quite different too..." He'd never come alone to the planetarium without a clear purpose to begin with. "Could I call you Dai too then?" Perhaps he was crossing the line a bit too soon, but then again, didn't he always?

On being asked what activities he usually engaged with at Faberge, Ai smiled. Small talk was nice once in a while. "Oh, I'm a musician, yes. We do get help with promotions and training and such, but it's also plenty of hard work. I spend most of my time there." Quite frankly, Ai wasn't aiming for college either. He wouldn't even have gone back to finishing school if it weren't for his parents insisting. Quite a few things had happened since he joined Seiyo, not all good... but not all bad either. If he were to think if choosing to continue his studies here was a mistake, the silver-haired wouldn't know what to answer. At this point... he wasn't sure if the positive or the negative aspects weighed more."

"How about you? What do you Guardians usually do?" He asked out of curiosity. Did they just hang around the planetarium or help Kirishigi-sensei? Ai knew that egg stuff wasn't often discussed in Faberge unless someone directly went to ask Sasaki-san... to which she always gladly responded."I mean I don't know, if Faberge weren't a talent agency, I'm not sure whether I'd have joined a faction." Maybe he would have, still, out of desire to belong somewhere."Maybe just because I don't understand the rivalry going on between them. Since we're all egg bearers, we should be working together, not against one another." Like why did guardians even rip off Faberge posters? That was rude.