trans_9 | Anyway, this cake is great/So delicious and moist [Semi-Open]

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Anyway, this cake is great/So delicious and moist [Semi-Open]

The old cherry trees in the courtyard had decided to bloom with impeccable timing, transforming the entrance of the Susono Inn into an explosion of color. Pink petals collected between the stones of the courtyard's walkway, on the overhang of the foyer... oh, and if you got anywhere in a fifty foot radius of the place, you probably got a few on you, too.

The weather was cool and the air slightly crisp beneath the shade of the old trees. There were some wines and sake available for the older guests, and juice for the younger ones (both rescued from the Inn's storehouse). And of course, there was cake.

Mmm, cake.

[Subthreads are A-OK, feel free to threadjack. If you want a super-pathetically detailed map of the Inn for some reason, check here. The invitation post is here. Again, if you've threaded with Allenby/Zouichi a couple of times/are on good terms with them, consider yourself invited! Just ask if unsure]

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"It's not stupid when you do it," Howard points out. "I just don't want to set the bar too high for me."

Because right now, there's not much standard to fall below, in the eyes of others and more importantly, his own. Easy to forgive yourself when you don't even believe you've transgressed.

"It's not stupid when anyone does it," Zouichi says, probably contradicting himself a little there.

"...but yeah, you should probably work up to the motorcycle stunts and face punching."

"Wrong." He yawns again. "We should probably do those self-defense lessons again sometime, if you're up to it. Since we seem to end up in stupid situations anyway. I've been practicing on a punching bag in the basement, but Albert won't let me try disarming him."

Zouichi nods. "Why not? It looks like we have some time."

He's a little surprised to hear Howard's been continuing his practice -- Howard must be more disciplined than he looks. But he's glad all the same.

"Well, not right now. We don't want to wake people up if you make me cry again." That time it is just a joke and not a grudge.

Dude, running and fighting for his life has been a reality the last two missions! Jogging and self-defense are a must!

"Hmm?" He blinks. "Yes, of course. If we haven't woken them up already by chasing ghosts around, that is. Anyway, you know where to find me. When you have the time."

Jogging? Maybe he should practice sprinting!

"Yeah, dude. As long as the ghosts haven't kidnapped you to their, um, their place. Their ghost place." He tries in vain to stifle another yawn, then shoots Zouichi a look. "I don't care what it looks like, I totally get enough sleep."

"Right. Of course you do." You're not fooling Zouichi, Howard. As soon as you doze off, watch out.

"Honestly, whatever those things we saw were, I doubt they're capable of kidnapping. Maybe pranks. At best."

"Don't let your guard down. I've seen a ghost crawl out of the TV and steal someone's soul, and that was just a little girl ghost." And in a movie, but still! Howard slept with the lights on for weeks after The Ring! He leans against the edge of the couch, intending to stay there only for a second but somehow taking a little longer to raise his head again.

"A TV ghost? What, were haunted houses getting boring?"

Don't fight the sleep, Howard! Give it up!

"Don't get me started on haunted houses, man. Some jerks took me into one when I was eight. Told me it was totally not scary, but then there were skinned horse heads in the first room. So not cool." They were probably plastic. Probably. His head dips a bit again, and he gives up trying to sit up straight and props a pillow up behind his neck. "And don't forget mirror ghosts! And shower ghosts. Shower ghosts are the creepiest."

"Skinned horse heads?" What kind of haunted houses did they have where Howard came from? And what did horses have to do with ghosts?

"Well, as long as there aren't any bath ghosts, I think I'll be fine. I don't spend a lot of time in front of the mirror, either."

"Haunted butcher shop, I guess. I didn't stay long enough to find out." He closes his eyes and opens them only after several seconds. "But what about me? I don't want to let the shower ghosts win..."

He drifts for a minute and snaps back to attention. "I mean. Where was I going with that?"

"I can imagine. Well, I guess you'll just have to join the ranks of those of us who have seen the light and embraced the greatness that is baths. If you want to remain safely spirit-free, that is."

Oh, so close. "Something about shower ghosts?"

"No way, man. You can take a bath anywhere. Showers are special occasions for when it rains or you have plumbing, and they actually wash dirt off, not just...wallowing. You wallow in baths. Kinda gross."

He covers his face with his hands and then pulls them back, as if trying to wash away sleepiness and failing. He finally just slumps completely on the couch, curling an arm slightly around a pillow. "You should try showers sometime."

"That's why you take a shower before you take a bath." Man, how many times did he have to tell Howard the same thing?

"I do take showers. Baths are still more relaxing. You can sit back and close your eyes and forget about things for a while. Showers are all business."

"Then why bother with the bath?" He takes a deep, slow breath, and doesn't bother reopening his eyes this time. "Are not. Shut up. Showers are way relaxing and you don't get all..."

He halfheartedly waves a hand and forgets that he's looking for the word 'pruney'. If Zou's responding, Howard's very suddenly past hearing him.

Is he asleep? Zouichi waits for a moment, to make sure.

Howard is very much asleep, which would be to his surprise if he were conscious to realize it. All those long days working at salvage or learning at the Med Bay, followed by nights with troubled sleep and ice cream binges, have left him exhausted. It's quite possible he's drooling on Zouichi's nice couch.

He's certainly too deeply asleep to warn Zou against using markers on him or whatever friends do to each other when one's conked out like they have brain damage.

Well, whatever other people might have done to Howard, what Zouichi does is disappear from the room for a minute or two He returns with a blanket under one arm, which he uses to cover Howard -- no sense letting him catch a cold, especially not with all those long hours he pulls in Medical.

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Anyway, this cake is great/So delicious and moist [Semi-Open]

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