4 [@dodger//video]

[smokedout]

[When the feed switches on, he's fixing his phone's position. His face isn't visible, but it is possible to see the outline of the wraps on his wrists, and the tattoos stretching up across his forearms.

Then he moves back to a stool set up in the room, perfectly lit and angled so that he's just barely obscured enough to show his silhouette without much detail in his appearance. He's not wearing his favorite hoodie for once, just a black band t-shirt with his silver necklace pulled out to be visible over the shirt. His gold necklace is still hidden under it.

The figure is in the middle of Eichi Tenshouin's bedroom, in the Tenshouin estate. Behind him, though the room is rather dark aside from a light he set up to light him from behind, the audience will be able to see a room that is mostly barren aside from a few posters of Wataru Hibiki, a bed and a desk covered in neatly-organized music sheets. It's a place that's really only recognizable if someone knew the original owner, and otherwise looks like a set rather than somewhere that someone lived.

For those who have yet to meet him, the figure in the video is Jamie Dodger. He's missing his right eye, there are deep scars across his face, and there are gauze wraps over his wrists that hide half of his forearms. For a man of only 25, he looks like he's walked through hell, but for once he isn't trying to boost up his street cred by threatening the network as a whole.

Instead he simply pulls out a guitar from behind the stool, and begins playing. The song he sings is slow and melancholy, a tribute for the man that he has spent nearly three weeks now mourning and is trying so hard to get over. Eichi had never gotten to hear him play... so he guesses it's sort of wishful thinking that playing publically would make him feel better about that, even if Eichi is no longer here to know it.

Though most people won't know the struggle that brought this song around, at least the music is good. Dodger is a skilled musician, and his voice is deep and gruff without sacrificing much range. More than anything, there's a lot of emotion in his singing. And when the song is over, he is silent for several seconds before getting up and wordlessly shutting off the feed.]

Comments

[onblackwings]

[ Ugh, of course that's why he's still around. He's so difficult to shake once he's gotten something in mind. Her voice continues, sounding annoyed. ]

You're being unpleasant, and you burned me. I don't want to be around you today.

[smokedout]

[His shoulders slump, and he looks a bit like a kicked dog with his tail between his legs.]

I didn't mean to, alright? I lost my temper, I just- really need you today.

[And... yeah, he doesn't like admitting that one bit. But it's the truth.]

I don't know too many people that put up with me, I need someone to keep me company before I do something stupid. I'm sorry, alright?

[onblackwings]

[ It's unusual to hear him admit he needs her, and even moreso to hear an apology. But not unusual enough to satisfy her anger with him. That burn at her wrists has translated to burned wings; it's unpleasantly painful no matter what form she takes. Her voice is no softer when it comes again. ]

I don't owe you anything, and you can't make me do anything. Say it, or you'll have one less person that puts up with you.

[smokedout]

[Well, at least he can tell he's royally fucked up. And that has him slumping a bit more, his voice and posture utterly defeated.]

Onyx... I don't know what you want me to say. But I'll say it, whatever you want. Just... stick around me a little longer. Please?

[onblackwings]

[ He's so needy today. A more empathetic person might wonder what brought it on, but Onyx is just grateful this is a rare display from him. She doesn't have time for needy people, not unless she's getting something good out of it.

But this is abnormal from Dodger, so she'll put up with it. For now. Provided he isn't awful in any other ways.

Her spell is ending though, and this is something she'd rather hear from him directly. So all her voice says is: ] Wait.

[ And if he's waited this long, surely he won't mind five minutes more. That's how long it takes for Onyx to make her way back to where she'd abandoned her clothing, change back into a human, dress, and return to her room. She goes on foot this time, and pushes the door open without knock or preamble. She stands in the doorway, one hand on the doorknob like she's ready to swing it shut again, already looking short on patience. ]

Just like I said it, I don't owe you anything and you can't make me do anything. I want to hear you admit it.

[smokedout]

[He looks up and, after a moment, he scrambles to his feet and moves to greet her. And... she's not coming into the room, so he just stands there awkwardly, feeling wrong about teleporting to fix the power dynamic.]

You don't owe me anything. I can't make you do anything.

[There's something so very... obedient, about the way he says it. He slips closer to her, leaning against the doorframe and giving her the best puppy eyes he can manage.]

Come on, Onyx, you're killing me here. Just let me stick around you a while, alright? Please?

[onblackwings]

[ She senses the sudden obedience, and though she's not sure the reason for it — she likes it. That feels right, and it feels natural to assume the role of being obeyed. She watches him evenly, not moving, not offering any permission spoken or otherwise for him to come any nearer. ]

I'm going to the jungle. I won't stop you from coming along, if that's what you want.

[smokedout]

[And of course, it doesn't get him anywhere. She won't give him what he needs, she just brushes him aside after figuratively forcing him to his knees.

He could almost be angry, but more than anything it gives him a keen sense of despair.]

I'll stay behind. [His voice is full of defeat, and he fails to look at her as he speaks.] Sorry my presence bothers you so much.