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castle_perraultA: Before his transformation, at any point from Toshi's arrival on
It's been a rough few days. And when things get rough, Barnaby usually is a little hard to pin down. He flits from place to place quickly and unpredictably. Usual haunts like the library, a pleasant spot to read, or the kitchens are still good chances to find him, but he goes everywhere and everywhere. Some days he spends holed up in his room, not feeling up to moving. Some days he gets as far from the castle as possible, heading deep into the forest just to sit and think. Chances are if there's somewhere for him to go, he'll go there at some point.
He does seem to relax at least slightly when he sorts things out with Toshi, at least. Then he's more inclined to spend time out in the open, relaxing in the sunlight and reading a good book.
...He might even be found in the ballroom, sneaking a sweet or two when he thinks no one is looking. Kotetsu is not going to call him a chubby bunny.
It was never a good idea for Barnaby to dwell on something. Dwelling on Toshi is possibly an even worse idea.
He just couldn't help but think about the argument with Toshi, and the subsequent apology. Kotetsu had said that everything had worked out, but he just wasn't as sure. He still remembers how horrified Toshi had looked, the tiny sounds of distress, his quiet insistence on a set of memories that Barnaby didn't have.
And maybe he never had them, but maybe he did. He knows there are still things out there he's forgotten. Like why exactly he had that panic attack when he spoke with Frisk. Why Toshi's insistence of taking the blame for the situation felt so familiar.
He finds himself focusing a bit too much on it one evening. He's been sitting with another thick hardcover, but he's been reading the same sentence over and over, unable to move past it. The words are starting to blur on the page, and Barnaby thinks it's just about time for bed. He looks back up towards his bedroom, wonders if Toshi and Kotetsu have returned to their rooms. He doesn't exactly want to be alone...
He doesn't want to be alone.
That's why he's arguing, even though he wants to hold back every word he's saying. He's stumbling and stammering in an attempt to hold himself back, but everything is still tumbling out of him like a broken faucet spraying water.
"I-I just don't understand! You said you had enough room to take me w-with you, didn't you? I don't know why I have to stay here."
He can't look at anything. He can't look at the orphanage owner's shocked expression, or at Maverick's gentle, patient smile, so he just looks down at the cement step he's standing on. It's easier to hide the fat tears sliding down his face this way.
"I promise, I won't be any trouble. I won't make a mess and I won't stay up late and I'll do my homework and chores on time and I..."
There's a firm hand on his shoulder, and he gasps softly. For a split second, Maverick's grip seemed almost painful, before he loosened it. He glances back up. The smile he's wearing seems almost tired, tired of this speech Barnaby is insisting on making.
"Barnaby." Maverick speaks his name, and he flinches again, looks back down at his shoes. "You know I'd want nothing more than to take you in-"
"My parents said-"
"What have I said about interrupting me, Barnaby?" Barnaby knows then that his caretaker isn't smiling anymore. There's a soft, frustrated sigh, but Maverick doesn't move his hand away.
"You know how busy I am with my work. I simply have no time to take care of a child with as many unique needs as yours."
Barnaby bristles then, clenching his small fists. "I said I don't need anything-"
"You're glowing, my boy. You've had these powers since birth and you still haven't managed to contain them? And I understand you had to see the school nurse recently. You had misplaced your inhaler, hadn't you?"
Barnaby says nothing, but very slowly nods his head. Maverick sighs again, and more tears spring to Barnaby's eyes.
"Perhaps when you've learned to maintain control of yourself, we can discuss this again."
"...'m sorry," Barnaby finally mumbles. Maverick laughs softly, ruffles the boy's curls.
"Just try not to do it again."
Barnaby doesn't even think that he didn't really do anything until Maverick's car has pulled away.
Barnaby comes back to reality with a jolt, instantly grabbing his head to fight off disorientation. What time is it? How long was he out? What was that?
He was seven years old. He knows that much, and he was at his home, since he lived with Maverick and no, that's wrong, he grew up in an orphanage. He was almost always in the orphanage, except for when Maverick had a vacation and that's when he-
And it was his fault that he couldn't stay. It was his fault for being so unpredictable and weak and-
no no no no NO
The hand on his head is pressed to his mouth, and he ignores the strong urge to retch, pushing himself immediately to his feet.
He doesn't notice if anyone is nearby, was watching while he was spaced out. He hardly notices if he passes anyone in the hall. He just stumbles to his bedroom, hopefully to sleep off this horrible nausea.
He wakes up feeling...stiff. A little itchy, and he absently scratches at one arm only to pull away, confused, when he gets a splinter. Holding his arm out reveals the problem... his skin is gone, only smooth, pale wood in its place. His shoulder all the way to his wrist is completely hard, skin on his hand already being eaten away by... something.
Oddly enough, it doesn't really hurt. He doesn't feel any pain. In fact... he doesn't feel much of anything right now. He was thinking he'd wake up still depressed over last night, but it doesn't seem to bother him. It's like his head is empty.
It feels nice.
Barnaby remains completely unbothered no matter what comes his way. When he drops his book, his fingers now jointed wood pieces held in place by screws, he just shakes his head. When carvings appear on his arms, the names of his sponsors now emblazoned on his inner arm instead of on his hero suit, he just stares.
By the end of the day, he can't even manage that much.
At the end of the day, there will be a marionette, collapsed in the middle of the hallway. It's a very pretty toy at least, one with incredible detail put into its sculpted curls and bright green eyes. But it's not real. It's almost unsettling, the way those eyes stare out at nothing, the way the doll's face is completely devoid of any expression.
There are glowing blue strings fanned out across the hallway, connected to a wooden cross. It can be picked up by a curious resident or ignored, but should someone touch the cross or accidentally trip over the strings, the marionette's head will shoot up, and he'll give a 'friendly' smile.
"Hello! I'm Barnaby, the member of the superhero duo Tiger and Barnaby who's a corporate tool and professional plaything! What can I do for you?"
It's been a rough few days. And when things get rough, Barnaby usually is a little hard to pin down. He flits from place to place quickly and unpredictably. Usual haunts like the library, a pleasant spot to read, or the kitchens are still good chances to find him, but he goes everywhere and everywhere. Some days he spends holed up in his room, not feeling up to moving. Some days he gets as far from the castle as possible, heading deep into the forest just to sit and think. Chances are if there's somewhere for him to go, he'll go there at some point.
He does seem to relax at least slightly when he sorts things out with Toshi, at least. Then he's more inclined to spend time out in the open, relaxing in the sunlight and reading a good book.
...He might even be found in the ballroom, sneaking a sweet or two when he thinks no one is looking. Kotetsu is not going to call him a chubby bunny.
It was never a good idea for Barnaby to dwell on something. Dwelling on Toshi is possibly an even worse idea.
He just couldn't help but think about the argument with Toshi, and the subsequent apology. Kotetsu had said that everything had worked out, but he just wasn't as sure. He still remembers how horrified Toshi had looked, the tiny sounds of distress, his quiet insistence on a set of memories that Barnaby didn't have.
And maybe he never had them, but maybe he did. He knows there are still things out there he's forgotten. Like why exactly he had that panic attack when he spoke with Frisk. Why Toshi's insistence of taking the blame for the situation felt so familiar.
He finds himself focusing a bit too much on it one evening. He's been sitting with another thick hardcover, but he's been reading the same sentence over and over, unable to move past it. The words are starting to blur on the page, and Barnaby thinks it's just about time for bed. He looks back up towards his bedroom, wonders if Toshi and Kotetsu have returned to their rooms. He doesn't exactly want to be alone...
He doesn't want to be alone.
That's why he's arguing, even though he wants to hold back every word he's saying. He's stumbling and stammering in an attempt to hold himself back, but everything is still tumbling out of him like a broken faucet spraying water.
"I-I just don't understand! You said you had enough room to take me w-with you, didn't you? I don't know why I have to stay here."
He can't look at anything. He can't look at the orphanage owner's shocked expression, or at Maverick's gentle, patient smile, so he just looks down at the cement step he's standing on. It's easier to hide the fat tears sliding down his face this way.
"I promise, I won't be any trouble. I won't make a mess and I won't stay up late and I'll do my homework and chores on time and I..."
There's a firm hand on his shoulder, and he gasps softly. For a split second, Maverick's grip seemed almost painful, before he loosened it. He glances back up. The smile he's wearing seems almost tired, tired of this speech Barnaby is insisting on making.
"Barnaby." Maverick speaks his name, and he flinches again, looks back down at his shoes. "You know I'd want nothing more than to take you in-"
"My parents said-"
"What have I said about interrupting me, Barnaby?" Barnaby knows then that his caretaker isn't smiling anymore. There's a soft, frustrated sigh, but Maverick doesn't move his hand away.
"You know how busy I am with my work. I simply have no time to take care of a child with as many unique needs as yours."
Barnaby bristles then, clenching his small fists. "I said I don't need anything-"
"You're glowing, my boy. You've had these powers since birth and you still haven't managed to contain them? And I understand you had to see the school nurse recently. You had misplaced your inhaler, hadn't you?"
Barnaby says nothing, but very slowly nods his head. Maverick sighs again, and more tears spring to Barnaby's eyes.
"Perhaps when you've learned to maintain control of yourself, we can discuss this again."
"...'m sorry," Barnaby finally mumbles. Maverick laughs softly, ruffles the boy's curls.
"Just try not to do it again."
Barnaby doesn't even think that he didn't really do anything until Maverick's car has pulled away.
Barnaby comes back to reality with a jolt, instantly grabbing his head to fight off disorientation. What time is it? How long was he out? What was that?
He was seven years old. He knows that much, and he was at his home, since he lived with Maverick and no, that's wrong, he grew up in an orphanage. He was almost always in the orphanage, except for when Maverick had a vacation and that's when he-
And it was his fault that he couldn't stay. It was his fault for being so unpredictable and weak and-
no no no no NO
The hand on his head is pressed to his mouth, and he ignores the strong urge to retch, pushing himself immediately to his feet.
He doesn't notice if anyone is nearby, was watching while he was spaced out. He hardly notices if he passes anyone in the hall. He just stumbles to his bedroom, hopefully to sleep off this horrible nausea.
He wakes up feeling...stiff. A little itchy, and he absently scratches at one arm only to pull away, confused, when he gets a splinter. Holding his arm out reveals the problem... his skin is gone, only smooth, pale wood in its place. His shoulder all the way to his wrist is completely hard, skin on his hand already being eaten away by... something.
Oddly enough, it doesn't really hurt. He doesn't feel any pain. In fact... he doesn't feel much of anything right now. He was thinking he'd wake up still depressed over last night, but it doesn't seem to bother him. It's like his head is empty.
It feels nice.
Barnaby remains completely unbothered no matter what comes his way. When he drops his book, his fingers now jointed wood pieces held in place by screws, he just shakes his head. When carvings appear on his arms, the names of his sponsors now emblazoned on his inner arm instead of on his hero suit, he just stares.
By the end of the day, he can't even manage that much.
At the end of the day, there will be a marionette, collapsed in the middle of the hallway. It's a very pretty toy at least, one with incredible detail put into its sculpted curls and bright green eyes. But it's not real. It's almost unsettling, the way those eyes stare out at nothing, the way the doll's face is completely devoid of any expression.
There are glowing blue strings fanned out across the hallway, connected to a wooden cross. It can be picked up by a curious resident or ignored, but should someone touch the cross or accidentally trip over the strings, the marionette's head will shoot up, and he'll give a 'friendly' smile.
"Hello! I'm Barnaby, the member of the superhero duo Tiger and Barnaby who's a corporate tool and professional plaything! What can I do for you?"
(no subject)
Date: 2016-10-10 04:29 pm (UTC)Of course Kotetsu will do that for him. And Barnaby is so grateful he has someone like that in his life... 'forever,' Kotetsu said. He hopes that's the case.
He smiles softly, shakes his head.
"Liar. What about Kaede? Or the other heroes?" He knows how important family is to Kotetsu. Far more important than just a work partner. "But... I guess the two of us have the best chance of finding a way out of here."
So maybe that's why he's so glad to have Barnaby there.
He takes Kotetsu's hand, sighs softly. He raises an eyebrow at the mention of a drink, but... tea. He definitely likes tea.
"I'm sure there's probably something there." And if not, maybe he'll just have to search the gardens and study up on how to make tea on his own. He starts walking in the direction of the kitchens, and it's a few minutes before he remembers to pull his hand out of Kotetsu's.
(no subject)
Date: 2016-10-11 12:21 am (UTC)Barnaby might be teasing him, but Kotetsu's reply is perfectly serious. "I want to see Kaede again." More than anything in the world. "But I want to be home when I do. I don't want her here, in a place like this." He realizes how this might sound, and hastily amends: "I mean...I don't want either of us to be here. But you and me, we can work together to get out of here." Better than he could with any of the other heroes. Kotetsu has learned now just how much he can trust and rely on Barnaby. He'd just be worrying about Kaede and spending all his time trying to keep her out of danger, if she were here.
They walk together back down the hall and towards the stairs. Kotetsu only realizes he hasn't pulled his hand away when Barnaby does it for him. His face warms a little, and he sticks his hands safely in his pockets instead, averting his gaze. And as they walk, Kotetsu fills the space between them with his usual brand of easy chatter. Only to fall silent with surprise when they finally do descend into the kitchen - there's an actual tea kettle sitting there on the table, like it was set out just for them.
He stares at it for a moment, shakes his head ruefully, and then goes to pick it up. "This place just gets weirder and weirder..."
(no subject)
Date: 2016-10-11 02:02 am (UTC)"...Right. You're right, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed you'd want someone like her here." He remembers then how he selfishly wished Kotetsu would end up here, and tries to swallow back his guilt.
"I understand. I think we're probably the best shot we have at finding a way out."
He appreciates it when Kotetsu doesn't say anything about the hand. That was just a mistake, it didn't mean anything... Barnaby does his best to convince himself of that as he listens to Kotetsu ramble on, only to raise an eyebrow at his silence and then turn to see the tea kettle.
"...Odd. Did this place hear us somehow?" He curiously checks the cupboard above the kettle, in case there are tea canisters.
(no subject)
Date: 2016-10-11 02:52 pm (UTC)"And I will see her again. We are the best shot."
Once they're down in the kitchen, as Barnaby peers in the cupboard, Kotetsu looks inside the kettle. Otherwise, he checks the cupboard below the kettle. But Barnaby will find the tea cannisters first, tucked into a corner like they've always been there. Except, of course, they certainly haven't.
He lets out a weary sort of sigh as he straightens up, eyeing the cannisters warily. "You've been wondering that too, huh? I'm starting to wonder..." He straightens up and then, on a whim, takes one of the cannisters from Barnaby. "Let me try something. What kind of tea do you actually hope is in here?"
(no subject)
Date: 2016-10-13 12:56 am (UTC)But at least Kotetsu seems much more inclined to help rather than harm. And much more inclined to help Barnaby figure things out, like how this bizarre castle works. He looks at the canisters in his hands and then to Kotetsu in confusion before he snatches one away.
"What?" He lifts an eyebrow before he guesses at Kotetsu's hypothesis. "Probably shouldn't say anything too normal, since that would be more a lucky guess than anything..." He thinks back to when he used to have tea with Samantha, how she always knew he liked the sweeter types, and how a few Christmases after his parents' death she surprised him with his favourite kind...
"Caramel gingerbread tea." He says before he blushes. He has such a bad sweet tooth.
(no subject)
Date: 2016-10-13 02:46 am (UTC)Unfortunately, when Barnaby opens the cannister, a fine green powder will be revealed within. It smells undeniably sweet, but in a way that's far more vegetal than anything caramel or gingerbread should ever be. Kotetsu stares at it for a long moment...and then it's his turn to blush.
"That's...actually the kind I was hoping for," he admits, looking sheepish and ducking his head. "Sorry." That looks to be some high-quality matcha, too - the sort he'd normally only expect Ivan to keep in his house.
...then it occurs to Kotetsu that that wasn't the only cannister. He opens the one he's carrying, and is immediately assaulted by the scent of caramel and gingerbread. The powder within is a far more promising hue of light brown.
Kotetsu looks from his cannister to Barnaby's, opens his mouth to say something...and then visibly gives up, and just swaps the tea between the two of them.
"You know what? I'll take it." Just for today, he'll just accept the strangeness.
(no subject)
Date: 2016-10-15 03:44 pm (UTC)He looks down into the canister, and is quite surprised to see something pale green instead of the brown he was hoping for. At least it still smells sweet, and then Kotetsu mentions he was hoping for it instead. He smiles brightly.
"Don't be sorry. I'm glad you got what you wanted, Kotetsu." And honestly, he is. He'd much rather Kotetsu have the tea he wanted after putting up with Barnaby's issues. But then he pops open the other canister, and a familiar smell reaches his nose. He stares down into his canister for a while, wondering why this smell of all things reminds him so much of home.
"Well, at least we know it's hearing us. But maybe it doesn't like to be completely cooperative." He beams. "Do you want to get some water boiling? I'll find us some cups."
(no subject)
Date: 2016-10-15 07:43 pm (UTC)He lets out a soft huff, smiling wryly. "Well, if it liked being completely cooperative, we probably wouldn't still be here." But just in case, Kotetsu stares up at the ceiling and raises his voice a little. "Thanks for the tea, though! We appreciate it." No point in making the castle mad at them, after all, especially if it's in the mood to be even a little cooperative. No point in seeming too ungrateful.
At the least, there's still wood next to the stove. and the sink is still working. Kotetsu fills up the kettle with water, gets a fire going under the stove with minimal grumbling and swearing, and then sets some water to boiling with a satisfied smile.
(no subject)
Date: 2016-10-16 10:15 pm (UTC)He smiles and chuckles softly, shaking his head. "I suppose you have a point. But maybe it's because you've been complaining about it so often instead of asking nicely."
Not that asking nicely is going to work, but...
He moves to another cupboard, opening it up and rummaging about until he finds two cups. He notices for a moment that the trim on the teacup looks familiar, but he tries to shake that feeling off.
(no subject)
Date: 2016-10-18 04:20 pm (UTC)He waits...and he waits...and, predictably, nothing happens. Kotetsu lets his arms fall back to his sides with a shrug, and then goes back to waiting for the pot to boil. Being Kotetsu, of course, he doesn't have much luck at waiting patiently. So he muses aloud, as he watches the kettle.
"...why do you think we wound up here, anyway? If this castle's alive enough to make sure we get our tea, I want to believe that it was alive enough to choose to bring us here. That it wasn't just some freak accident."
(no subject)
Date: 2016-10-20 01:12 am (UTC)Though after a moment, he brings up a question that still is troublesome. At least it’s worrying in a different way, so Barnaby feels alright enough to focus on it.
“Well, you arrived not long after that crocodile monster did, so maybe the castle thought they were in need of a hero to protect the people stuck here. Or it could have been some understanding that you’re my partner… and we’re supposed to stick together.”
…Is that embarrassing to say? Barnaby falls silent instead of offering any ideas as to why he was taken as well.
(no subject)
Date: 2016-10-23 08:46 pm (UTC)He's slowly drawn out of his thoughts with the realization of just what Barnaby is actually saying. Kotetsu's expression softens from its previous intentness, and he offers Barnaby a thumbs-up.
"...but hey. I'm glad it is letting us stick together. Maybe there's something else we're supposed to do here. A problem that was already a problem."
(no subject)
Date: 2016-10-26 03:50 am (UTC)Though Barnaby does have to think that this place probably would do more harm than good for healing any sort of matters. But thinking about this too much is only going to give him a headache… he’d much rather enjoy a nice cup of tea and let his memories settle before going about creating new ones.
So he just smiles softly at Kotetsu’s gesture, reaching for the now-boiling kettle.
“Well, there are a few problems here already. Such as not knowing how people get sent back, and I know that’s an issue you’re rather focused on.”