Week 3 - Tuesday Night (9:45PM)

[punchtual]

[ After pacing in his room for about ten minutes and standing outside Mikami's room for another three, Sting finally gathers enough courage to knock on Mikami's door. It's late (and it doesn't leave much room for chatting) but the way things have been going in this hotel are... bad.

Really bad.

Both Yukino and Mikami's rooms are close, but he kind of feels like he's bothered her enough with his woes. She's hurting too, it's not good for her to feel like she always has to comfort him. So... yeah. Here he is. Waiting for Mikami to answer or blow him off.

If it takes more than a minute, he'll knock a couple more times to try and get Mikami's attention. ]

Comments

[inordertobelieve]

[ People don't usually knock on his door late at night. Or at all, really.

For a moment Mikami thinks he imagined the noise, then he crawls out from under the horrible blankets of his horrible heart shaped bed that he'd just gotten into to make his way to the door.

By the time he gets there, there's more knocking.

In murder house, letting someone into his room at night generally does not sound like the brightest idea, so he'll stand next to the door (not in front of it in case the door is being shot) and ask: ]

Who's there?

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[ The caution makes way too much sense here. It's not paranoia so much as it is common sense, still, it kind of hurts.

He shakes it off and puts one of his hands on the door frame. ] It's me, Sting. Mind opening up for me?

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[ Mikami hesitates for a moment. Sting is one of the people he considers least likely to try and murder him, but he had thought similar of Keenan until last week and been proven intensely wrong. Thus when he opens the door it is rather slow and hesitant. ]

What's wrong?

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[ Ahem, ahem. When Mikami opens the door, Sting's rigid posture gets a little more relaxed. This definitely wasn't wise, but at least he knows he can rely on Mikami to open the door for him if he needs it.

Trying to look nonchalant, Sting picks at the door frame. ] Nothin'. [ Is this a transparent lie? Who knows, not him. ] I was just... thinking about this week. And last week. I never did catch up with you to see how you were doing after it, right? I thought maybe I could do that now.

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[ Is this a friendship thing? ]

It's late.

[ The statement comes out more or less as a placeholder as Mikami debates whether or not Sting is worth pushing back his sleep schedule for. But in the end, he decides that if someone wants to exchange info with him, he should take the chance.

For a moment he gives Sting a scrutinizing look, checking for weapons, then (contrary to his complaint) he opens the door fully and gestures to come inside. ]

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[ Mucho friendship!

And sure, while it takes a bit, Mikami does in fact open the door! Somehow, this gesture is way better than Sting expected and his face lights up when the door fully opens. ] Don't worry, I won't stay long! [ His grin says otherwise.

So does the way he darts into the room and promptly jumps onto the bed. Nice bounce!!

Don't worry though, buddy, he only bounces once before settling onto the bed in a sitting position. ] What were you up to anyway?

[inordertobelieve]

[ ... Sting no. His bed is his private space!! Mikami opens his mouth and looks like he's about to voice an objection, but then he just shuts it again and sighs. Too late. How did he survive with this guy as his roommate. He speaks while he shuts the door and walks back towards the bed as well. ]

Just now? Going to bed. During the week I was investigating.

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[ Too late he's made himself comfortable already. ]

Ah, yeah. That's why you looked like you were running around so much. You've been doing that every week, huh? Doesn't it get hard?

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[ Now he feels weird sitting down on his own bed, great. But okay, he'll at least settle on the corner of it. ]

It does, but that isn't a factor in whether or not it is necessary to keep doing it.

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[ Meanwhile he's unmoved by sitting on the same bed as someone. Even a heart bed. Rather than think about that, Sting puts his hand to his chin and contemplates something else. ]

Because of the situation. [ Remembering that, yes, that's why he came here, he frowns. ] It's hard to accept everything that's happening, but... yeah. You're right about it being necessary. And I doubt anyone else could do what you're doing, or put as much work into it.

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[ Mikami sighs and suddenly some of his genuine exhaustion shines through. ]

There are other people here who's profile claims they are qualified, but the question is where their personal interests lie.

[ Not that he ever trusts people, but being unable to know even their life backgrounds properly makes them way too hard to evaluate. ]

I'm determined to get us out of here alive nevertheless.

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[ The sigh makes him pause and really look at Mikami. So, that hard work is getting to him... Damn. Sting averts his gaze to the ground momentarily before getting off of the bed and coming to stand in front of Mikami. ]

If that's the case... I'm with you.

[ Because this isn't weird in Fairy Tail, he grabs Mikami's hand gently but firmly, kneels, and looks Mikami deep in his eyes and says: ] And you don't have to do this all by yourself. If there's something you need... I'm here.

[ And then he smiles!! ] I meant it before, you know? If you call for me, I'll come.

[inordertobelieve]

[ ... w... what.....

Mikami freezes up a little and it's that which allows Sting to hold his hand for that one strange moment. A lot of strange things have happened to him in this past month, but this easily earns a spot in the top ten. All he can do is stare at Sting for a few seconds. People don't normally make declarations of support to Mikami, least of all like this.

Then finally, he pulls his hand away. ]

... I appreciate your support.

[ He does sound kind of reserved about this though, clearly more bewildered than touched. ]

[punchtual]

[ That went way poorer than he anticipated...! Did he mess it up somehow? Shit, now he looks like a total idiot when he was trying to act cool. If Natsu were standing in front of Mikami instead of him there's no way he would have blown it.

How much further does he need to go until he catches up with Natsu?

Awkwardly, and probably with a light blush signifying his embarrassment, he turns his head to the side and coughs into the hand that formerly held Mikami's™. ] No problem.

[ That's... it... he guesses. He didn't exactly do what he came here to do or anything but maybe it's better that way. Still awkwardly, he gets to his feet and lifts his hand. ] Anyway, it's getting late. I should probably head back before that curfew or whatever.

[inordertobelieve]

[ ... it is good to know Sting can show shame about this kind of ridiculousness, but it would certainly do him good to consider that beforehand. ]

The curfew isn't a hard rule during week days.

[ Listen, slow down here. What even. ]

Is this what you came here for?

[ It seemed so urgent, so this is just weird on more than one level. ]

[punchtual]

[ Come on, rule stickler, why do you wanna play rebel tonight of all nights? Oh well, it isn't like he wants to escape per se, it's more like it was a good time to end their chat. Especially with how tired Mikami looked earlier.

With nothing better to do with his hands and his embarrassment mostly faded, Sting puts them on his hips. ] Huh? No, not exactly. But it's getting late. Weren't you going to bed?

[inordertobelieve]

... you're getting more cryptic by the moment.

[ But okay, if it's not urgent enough to be talked about now that he specifically reminded Sting about it in case he was just being scatterbrained... Then fine. ]

But you're right, I was going to sleep and you should get proper rest too.

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[ Cryptic, him? Now that's not a word anyone's ever used to describe him before. He doesn't know if he should be upset or proud that he has, for once in his life, been called mysterious.

And because it's too much trouble to sort out he rolls right along. ] Exactly! [ Sting grins and takes one hand off his hip to wave goodbye to Mikami. ] I'll let myself out, you go ahead and relax. See you.

[ As promised, Sting turns on his heel and walks toward the door. As he opens it, he pauses and looks back over his shoulder. ] Oh, and keep up the good work. [ Unless Mikami stops him for whatever reason, he's going to slip out and leave. Later, ex-roomie! ]

[inordertobelieve]

I will. Sleep well.

[ The voice he says that in is less reserved again, mostly because he's given up on being weirded out by now. He just watches Sting shut the door and stares at it for another moment before slipping back under his blankets.

If this is ever going to make sense to him, it'll have to be tomorrow. Mikami turns off his lights. ]