[Maybe ten minutes or so later Koujaku is knocking at Aoba's door. He's been trying to figure out what to say to Aoba, which is weird because words are usually something he's good with. He's good at deflecting and guiding the conversation the way he wants. Yet he knows Aoba cares for Ren a lot, and hey, the little guy was more than just a little robot dog to even him. Beni and him don't have the same relationship those two have, but he can understand the attachment.
He's placed Ren's body inside his kimono carefully, like he's safeguarding it. He put the allmate in sleep mode, but well, turning it on wouldn't be a good idea for Aoba to see. Maybe something the Landlord did or just bringing Ren here... did he cause this? Maybe he shouldn't have tried to please Aoba and make him happy. If he waited, maybe Ren would have been fine and they wouldn't be in this situation. Would Aoba blame him? If he...
No, he needs to focus on Aoba and not himself right now. He's not sure what he can do to help, but as long as the other knows he's there for him. He'll deal with whatever happens to hi personally, but Aoba is a different story.]
[ He's just expecting the worst possible scenario right now, so he's quite prepared for anything. Or at least that's what he thinks. In reality, during the time he spent waiting for Koujaku to arrive, he has been pondering and delving into simulations of what might have happened--how Ren would be. What happened to him--things like that. He should be able to fix him, right? Maybe Noiz is just too up to date to do anything. Still, Noiz is much better at technology than he is... Lastly, even if Aoba is able to fix Ren, some of the parts are difficult to come by at home. It must be even worse here in Holly Heights.
Thinking so much... It's a hassle. At least Koujaku is here. At least that's what Aoba assumes from the knock of the door. It takes him a while and is almost hesitant to place his hand on the doorknob. ]
Koujaku? [ He'll open the door a bit before leaving it wide open. Ugh. He knows Ren is only an Allmate and it probably would have been better if he kept that mentality, but over the years he grew quite attached. He can't even get himself to look and see if Ren is anywhere on Koujaku's person. Still sees him though!! And notices at least his form doesn't look all too different, but still expecting something wrong. ]
[He nods his head in acknowledgement of Aoba's greeting, entering the house. No need to be formal or anything like that since he's familiar enough with the other. He moves into the hallway, but then stops, turning towards him and taking Ren out of his kimono.]
He's in sleep mode, and while allmate wise he's functioning... [He's careful with Ren, making sure to be extra cautious about dropping him.] Aoba, like I told you, I tried to do what I can. Noiz spent a few days on it, and while I think he's... [He tenses up for a second, but ugh, no time to worry about shitties when this is serious! He gets grip on himself, relaxing and looking rather sad and concerned once again.] I doubt he'd spend three days not doing anything, and it looked like he tried to help. [Noiz was actually not apathetic, so it surprised him.]
I'm not sure what to say to make this easier. I know you're very attached to Ren and consider him a friend, so no matter what I do, the end result... [He fixes his bangs with one of his hands, and then with that hand, he turns Ren on. He holds Ren with two hands again, still not being able to look at Aoba in the eyes or even towards him. He can't even look at the allmate in his hands, and instead, he hears a barking sound and a tongue panting. 'Ren' isn't acting like Ren at all.]
[ He only stays quiet as he listens to Koujaku talk... There's not much he's feeling right now since he prepared himself for this, so he'll reach out to pick up Ren and take him out of Koujaku's hands. ]
Thank you anyway, Koujaku. I understand what you were trying to do and... that you tried your best.
[ It's a bit hard to talk, but he'll hold Ren for a bit before he realizes that he can't really say more. ]
I think... I need some time alone. Is that all right?
[Tried his best. Which in this case, isn't enough or doesn't turn out the way he wants. It's a bitter, disheartening feeling because he's hurt Aoba. The guilt complex is strong with this one.]
Of course. [He doesn't look at him, turning and walking out of Aoba's house. He pauses, stopping under the doorway.] If you need anything, don't hesitate to text, call, or even visit. [He still doesn't look at him, and while he tries to hide the sadness in his voice, it's still there.] You're not alone here. [And he doesn't mean just him. Either way, once Koujaku is done speaking, he goes through the door, closing it behind him. He starts making the slow walk back to his own house or maybe pleasure gate. He kind of doesn't want to just sit and do nothing, having a strong urge to keep himself distracted.]
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→ action.
He's placed Ren's body inside his kimono carefully, like he's safeguarding it. He put the allmate in sleep mode, but well, turning it on wouldn't be a good idea for Aoba to see. Maybe something the Landlord did or just bringing Ren here... did he cause this? Maybe he shouldn't have tried to please Aoba and make him happy. If he waited, maybe Ren would have been fine and they wouldn't be in this situation. Would Aoba blame him? If he...
No, he needs to focus on Aoba and not himself right now. He's not sure what he can do to help, but as long as the other knows he's there for him. He'll deal with whatever happens to hi personally, but Aoba is a different story.]
→ action.
Thinking so much... It's a hassle. At least Koujaku is here. At least that's what Aoba assumes from the knock of the door. It takes him a while and is almost hesitant to place his hand on the doorknob. ]
Koujaku? [ He'll open the door a bit before leaving it wide open. Ugh. He knows Ren is only an Allmate and it probably would have been better if he kept that mentality, but over the years he grew quite attached. He can't even get himself to look and see if Ren is anywhere on Koujaku's person. Still sees him though!! And notices at least his form doesn't look all too different, but still expecting something wrong. ]
action.
He's in sleep mode, and while allmate wise he's functioning... [He's careful with Ren, making sure to be extra cautious about dropping him.] Aoba, like I told you, I tried to do what I can. Noiz spent a few days on it, and while I think he's... [He tenses up for a second, but ugh, no time to worry about shitties when this is serious! He gets grip on himself, relaxing and looking rather sad and concerned once again.] I doubt he'd spend three days not doing anything, and it looked like he tried to help. [Noiz was actually not apathetic, so it surprised him.]
I'm not sure what to say to make this easier. I know you're very attached to Ren and consider him a friend, so no matter what I do, the end result... [He fixes his bangs with one of his hands, and then with that hand, he turns Ren on. He holds Ren with two hands again, still not being able to look at Aoba in the eyes or even towards him. He can't even look at the allmate in his hands, and instead, he hears a barking sound and a tongue panting. 'Ren' isn't acting like Ren at all.]
It seems he's been reset.
action.
Thank you anyway, Koujaku. I understand what you were trying to do and... that you tried your best.
[ It's a bit hard to talk, but he'll hold Ren for a bit before he realizes that he can't really say more. ]
I think... I need some time alone. Is that all right?
action.
Of course. [He doesn't look at him, turning and walking out of Aoba's house. He pauses, stopping under the doorway.] If you need anything, don't hesitate to text, call, or even visit. [He still doesn't look at him, and while he tries to hide the sadness in his voice, it's still there.] You're not alone here. [And he doesn't mean just him. Either way, once Koujaku is done speaking, he goes through the door, closing it behind him. He starts making the slow walk back to his own house or maybe pleasure gate. He kind of doesn't want to just sit and do nothing, having a strong urge to keep himself distracted.]