insurmountable | how could i ever forget // outside the morning was cool and wet

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how could i ever forget // outside the morning was cool and wet

[It's not often Ajax finds himself getting his head slammed down onto the hood of a car, least of all a cop car. Usually it's him doing the slamming.

But today the young man finds himself denting the hood, the sound of metal caving in under his head ringing in his ears. Not exactly the ideal situation he was hoping for, but he figured sooner or later he'd have a run in with the cops due to the sensitive nature of his profession, but that doesn't mean he has to like how inconsiderate they are with him as they cuff him and throw him in the back of the paddy wagon. Not that he was considerate to them when he was discovered, as evidenced by the blood all over his clothing and knuckles from the fight he'd gotten into with them. How he managed to avoid getting shot is beyond him- plenty of shots were fired, but that hadn't stopped him from knocking a few of them out.

It's just too bad he'd been instructed that he couldn't kill anyone, or else he'd of gotten out of there without being caught.

The lights of the police station are bright, almost too bright from the contrast of how dark it was outside. Ajax squints as he's dragged inside, held tightly by two cops who hurry him through the station, but not fast enough that he doesn't catch a glimpse of the secretary behind the desk as they come in. Pretty, blonde, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else. Gorgeous eyes, ones that catch his attention almost immediately as he's being shoved towards the back, shining with a radiance that captures him instantly. His eyes lock with hers, feeling something silent yet powerful surge through him from this tiny, insignificant interaction. He doesn't even have a moment to think further on it, before he's so rudely interrupted.

Get moving.

The curt voice of the bigger cop on his right cuts through the moment, anger welling up in Ajax's chest and something dark stirs in his core. If he wasn't cuffed and being restrained, he'd turn that guy's face into a new work of art, something so abstract some insane art collector would gladly pay millions for it.

No sooner had Ajax been ushered in, he disappears from sight as he's taken back into an interrogation room, the mysterious blonde no longer in his sights, now getting shoved into a corner of a room.]

What's with this? Don't you even have the courtesy of giving me a chair to sit in, at least?

[From outside of the room, muffled noises of a scuffle as the cops lay into Ajax can be heard, the loudest of which is a thud of a body slamming into a wall, accompanied by a groan from the ginger kid. Though little do any of them know, their real problems haven't arrived just yet, waking from their slumber right outside of the city...]

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[ Maybe in another time and place, she'll get to live out her exciting dreams while riding on a shooting star...

Oh! It's certainly not the luxurious Lamborghini she was picturing in her head but it's still quite nice. Just from a glance, she can tell he takes excellent care of his vehicle, there's not a single speck of dirt staining the cloth interior. It might not be super duper fancy but it gives off a homey, welcoming vibe. Although it might be dangerous to hop into his car after learning about the terrible details of his job, she doesn't think of him as the type to go back on his word. More than anything, he needs her like she needs him, they have to work together in order to get out of this troubling situation.

So, she's willing to take that risk. She graciously nods her head at him, patting down her shorts before making herself comfortable in the passenger seat of his car. ]

Inviting me to your place already? Hehe, I'm flattered you're willing to let me into your home. Hmm... [ Placing a finger to her chin, the silly girl pretends to ponder to herself. ] I suppose I can take you up on that offer one day, I'd like to see more of the exciting nightlife of Fontaine buuuut...

[ She looks up at him with a teasing grin, sending him a playful wink. ]

Gotta see how this outing goes first. I can't let my guard down around you just yet but, I trust you won't drive me off to some strange place.

Edited (apparently i don't know what english is either) 2023-12-13 01:54 (UTC)

[As they both get into the car, he shifts and pulls out of the parking garage to head out towards the outskirts of the city, where he knows they'll finally get that privacy they need to hash things out without being overheard. He can at least sigh a little bit of relief once both doors to the car are closed and they're off on the highway not too long after getting out of downtown, and he doesn't mind keeping this light banter going for the moment anyway. Now that they're outside of trying to keep themselves alive, he's finding that Yoimiya is a pretty fun, cheery person to be around.

He chuckles at her remark and wink, smirking himself as he drives, pressing a few buttons on the touch screen in the middle of the console to put the popular radio station of the city on.]

Hah, you can't let your guard down yet you're sitting in a car with me at the wheel...

[He returns that wink with a playful grin of his own. He really was right about her wanting to be right where the action is, this is practically front row tickets to it.]

I must say, I've got to admire your bravery. First you face down a monster from what seems like beyond this world and save my life, next you're getting in a complete stranger's car knowing what he does for a living. I've heard of living on the edge, but you're taking this to a whole new level, haha.

[But she's right, he's definitely headed exactly where he said he was going to go, the exit coming up to the lakefront shortly.]

[ Yoimiya giggles at his assessment of her character, engaging in some light-hearted banter before they move onto the more serious topic at hand does wonders in easing any tensions she might have had. He's certainly not wrong and it's amusing he's already figured out she's a bit ( a lot ) of a thrill seeker. If she ignores what he does for a living, Ajax is quite charming and fun to be around. For a guy who goes around whisking people off, he's friendly, polite, and amusing to chat with. Plus credit where credit is due, he did save her life when he could have left her for dead, so maybe he's not all that bad.

If it wasn't for his occupation, she could see herself becoming more comfortable around him. But for now, Yoimiya can't allow herself to be caught unawares. ]

Up till now, I've lived a relatively quiet life out in the country, so I guess you could say I've always craved adventure and excitement.

[ As she hums along to the music playing from the radio, her eyes flicker to the window, taking note of them approaching the exit to the lakefront. Looks like her assessment of him is correct in turn, he's definitely not taking her to some remote place out of town to shank her. ]

I could say the same thing about you. The way you jumped in and saved me not once but twice from that otherworldly creature was one of the most daring stunts I've seen. Not only that, you were prepared to go back to the station even with the chance it was still lurking around. Just from my first impression, it kind seems like you enjoy flirting with danger.

Edited 2023-12-13 14:36 (UTC)

Haha, yeah, I guess you could say I don't mind a little bit of excitement in my life as well.

[Probably the understatement of the year, given what he's gotten into, and then what he's going to get himself into on top of it. As terrifying as getting attacked from some unknown body-snatching monster is, he had some fun fighting it at the same time. But maybe that's something best kept to himself, he doesn't really need to be scaring Yoimiya off already...]

It's not exciting back in my hometown either. It's a small fishing village, the only claim to fame it has is how big the fish are there...we're lucky that we have not one, but two gas stations in it. So I can understand where you're coming from.

[Taking the exit down, it leads them pretty quickly to the lakefront proper, where he finds a spot in the parking lot.]

Well, we're here- let's get some fresh air, shall we?

[ A little bit... somehow it seems like he's downplaying his true feelings but she'll keep that thought to herself.

Huh, they're a lot more alike than her initial impressions. She didn't peg him as a small-town country boy from a fishing village but it's an unexpected side she finds endearing. It also makes her all the more curious about what brought him to Fontaine to begin with. ]

Ooh, two whole gas stations, how exciting. Looks like y'all got a slight advantage over us and our one gas station.

[ Now that they've made it to their destination, she unfastens the seatbelt before carefully placing her hand on the handle. With a small plop off her feet, she hops out, excited to stretch her legs and see the lake view with her own eyes. ]

Ah, the fresh lake air feels so nice.

[He snickers a little bit at her quip, wondering how small her own hometown is. It's such a small, unremarkable thing to have in common with someone that only weeks before shared the most terrifying experience of his life with. Almost as if things were normal, like they were just two people meeting in a place that neither of them are native to, sharing a part of their backgrounds with each other.

Ajax takes a deep breath in of the air for himself, enjoying the scent of flowing freshwater of Fontaine, as he joins her at her side to incline his head towards the shoreline.]

Yeah, it's become one of my favorite places to come to when I need to clear my head. I don't think I'll ever get completely used to seeing a vast lake like this that spans across the entire nation not eternally frozen over. Come on, let's get a little closer.

[He'll lead her down to where a paved path for walkers and bikers to enjoy their time along the shoreline, spanning the entire width of the lake and even farther to the north. Ajax isn't planning on walking the entire way and back, it's miles and miles long, but this is probably a good place to start, with not a lot of other people out at the moment.]

[ There's something about being near the water that puts her at ease, this place might be the sunny shore beaches of Inazuma but goodness, it's lovely. There's the slightest hint of a skip in her step as she happily follows him down the path. With every step they take across the shoreline, Yoimiya's smile broadens in awe, utterly enraptured by how crisp and clear the waters of Fontaine are. ]

Oh dear, the lakes over there stay frozen? Goodness, people really aren't kidding when they say Snezhnaya is the land surrounded by winter storms.

[ As they talk, Yoimiya keeps glancing back and forth between him and marveling at the lake. Fontaine's freshwater truly is a sight to behold, the water's shimmering luster akin to a crystal. Definitely going to have to come out here more often. They have lots to discuss and not much time to see the vast lake in full but mark her words, she'll be back to explore it one day. ]

Oh wow! This is beautiful. It's no wonder why you come out here to clear your thoughts. I just got here and I already feel at peace. My head feels fluffy... as if I'm floating through the clouds.

[Ajax keeps an eye on her as they both start to stroll down the shoreline, fighting to keep from laughing. Yoimiya's like a little kid, happily enjoying the scenery and the new sight of the natural splendor of Fontaine's waterways. It reminds him of how his siblings might act, and it's endearing how her pupils dilate as she takes it all in.]

You should see it in the morning as the sun rises, [he responds, smiling at her as they continue to walk.] The sun's rays reflect and sparkle off of the water with a golden hue, warming and inviting to those who seek its splendor.

[Sighing, he takes a moment to revel in that memory, but he's also not one to beat around the bush or waste anyone's time.]

Anyway, now that we're well outside of the earshot of any eavesdroppers, we should get our stories straight before we're deposed down at the station.

[ As bright as the sun itself, Yoimiya's eyes golden eyes shimmer at his poetic description, he's got such a way with words. The image he paints in her head is splendorous, she's already picturing the morning dew shining off the lake in a dazzling array of blues, oranges, and gold. No if, ands, or buts, she's gotta see this with her own eyes!

But before she gets ahead of herself, he's right, they need to work on corroborating their stories. ]

Right! For starters, I know this is going to sound a bit daft of me to ask this of you after the way things ended at the hospital. But, I need you to do me a favor that's gonna benefit both of us.

[ This is what she originally wanted to discuss with him at the hospital on that fateful but Yoimiya unfortunately, let her temper get the better of her. Now that they've spent some time apart, she's able to approach this with a clear head. ]

I never got around to mentioning this but while you were unconscious, a few police officers showed up to get a brief statement from me. They asked about what happened and... my relationship with you. I left out your arrest and told the police you're a friend of mine that got caught up in this mess.

[ If Ajax ever wondered why the police never came after him during these weeks, this is the reason. ]

Hmmmm...yeah, I can continue on with letting them believe we knew each other and were friends prior to the attack. I don't think they have anything on me other than a vague description at this point anyway.

[With the tapes destroyed, there's no physical evidence that he was at the station for otherwise unsavory reasons, and it's possible that nothing else was reported before they'd arrived at the station. He hadn't exactly been accommodating to the police when they'd caught up with him, and it's not like they took pictures of him either. Luck really is on their side this time, so he nods back to her.]

I appreciate you covering for me like that. Guess I owe you for that one, huh?

[Being granted some kind of freedom just because you know someone who works with the police...no wonder they get such a bad rap. If she hadn't, who knows what they'd of done.]

[ Oh bless, that's one weight off her shoulders. With the situation they are in, she didn't think he'd say no to her little request but there's always that possibility, especially since they're still just strangers. But, she's grateful he's willing to cooperate with her, it would have been so easy for him to refuse after the way she treated him at the hospital and Yoimiya wouldn't blame him for it. ]

Thank you, I appreciate you're willing to go along with this. Don't worry about it, you were prepared to save my life twice, it's the least I could do to repay you.

[ If it wasn't for him, she wouldn't be alive to tell the tale of their harrowing battle. It's a fact she'll always be grateful for even if she doesn't like the way he goes about his job. ]

We'll have to think of a good story as to why you were at the station with me. Maybe we can say you were dropping off food for me?

[ But she's all ears to any other suggestions! ]

[Admittedly, this is going a lot smoother than he thought it would. He had prepared for Yoimiya to be a little more distant than she's being right now, but he's all the more glad for it. Relief seems to flood through him, his expression relaxed and happy to be in her presence, as if the two of them together felt...right, somehow.

He didn't expect to get any kind of praise or cheery thank you from her either, and it's a nice surprise that she's being genuinely cordial. He doesn't really deserve it, and he can't help but wonder if it's really because she's just that nice or if it has anything to do with the strange feelings they've both admitted to having welling in their chests.]

Uh, maybe make it a bit more personal, because you could of just ordered delivery too and I've never visited the station before. Perhaps I was dropping off food and your key to your place, after taking care of something for you, like a favor. That would make it a little more believable.

[ It's no wonder why Ajax is in the field of work he's in, he really does think of everything. Thank goodness for his crafty brain, if she was out here on her own trying to sort out this story, the police would have called her out on her lie a long time ago. Given everything that was said at the hospital, it really would do her some good to put up her defense and steer a bit more clear of him.

But...

She just can't bring herself to be cold and distant towards him. While the likely culprit is this strange bond linking the two of them, Yoimiya can't deny that being by his side fills her with a sense of joy, as if a red string of fate has united her with the one she's destined to meet. Together with Ajax just feels so incredibly right. ]

Oh! That's brilliant. Let's see...

[ She has an idea, albeit a silly one. ]

We can say I asked you to pick up some groceries for me... [ It starts out reasonable but then in typical Yoimiya fashion: ] and check up on my pet goldfish?

[It does start out reasonable. He's already thinking on how picking up her groceries is a good idea especially if she was working late, good on her to think of something to mundane and easy just to fool the cops. And then...]

Your pet goldfish?

[There's only a hint of incredulity in his voice, part amusement and part surprise.]

Yoimiya, I think your goldfish probably doesn't need checking on, unless you're the sort of person who forgets to feed their fish.

[Of course, he has to tease her a little, his eyes peering at her with a half smile on his face.]

Why don't we just stick with the groceries, haha.

[ At his question, she happily nods her head, not even picking up the traces of incredulity in his voice. It's only when he makes a joke about forgetting to feed her fish that her features change from shocked to horrified until finally, she looks totally and utterly betrayed, staring at him with an expression like he's the insane one. ]

How could you say such a thing?! I would never forget to feed Hanabi!

[ ... Yes, she even gave her beloved goldfish a name.

In a small fit of fury, she puffs her cheeks at him, whipping out her phone to pull up a picture of this goldfish who apparently gets the royal treatment. After scrolling through... way too many pictures of this fish, she finally settles on this gem. Hanabi is a fat Inazuman ryuukin. ]

This is Hanabi! Look at how gosh darn cute she is. [ ... Yes, her goldfish is apparently a girl. ] She deserves to be checked up on like any other pet too. I'd be beside myself if something happened to her while I was away.

[ How dare he suggest her sweet darling Hanabi doesn't need to be checked up on LOL. ]

[Goodness, look at that face. She's going on a complete face journey here and it's really funny and kind of cute. Her cheeks get all puffy at him and as she starts looking for something on her phone, he has to hold a hand up to his mouth to hide his amusement. Surely she's searching through her phone for a picture of the fish...

And there it is, the precious Hanabi, looking happy and healthy swimming in its tank. He quickly glances at her before leaning down from his tall height to look at the fish, holding a finger to his chin as he inspects it.]

Sorry, sorry! My, what a cute, well fed fish...I suppose my statement was incorrect. I can tell you're very endeared to her, so please accept my apology.

[The apology is mostly genuine- he still can't help but tease her for reacting like that. The smile on his face is a dead giveaway on how he feels about it, and her acting like this is definitely cuter than the fish in his opinion.]

[ That's right, he better put some respect on Hanabi's name!

Still, Yoimiya gets the sense that he's not taking her seriously. ~~Who can blame him tbh~~ Now that he's gotten a good look at her precious fish, she pockets her phone to cross her arms, a bratty HMPH slips out of her lips. ]

Laugh all you want but once you see Hanabi person, her adorable charm is guaranteed to ensnare you. And when that happens, you'll be on the ground begging for her forgiveness.

[ Ignoring every ridiculous thing that just spewed out of her mouth, it is a soft confirmation that Yoimiya is willing to let him visit her home if this goes well. ]

So, here's what we can say. You went to grab some groceries for me since I was stuck with the late shift AND I asked you to check up on Hanabi. The police won't believe you're my friend otherwise.

[ Why is she so adamant about including Hanabi in the plan? Archons knows... maybe in her head, that goldfish is vital information to her coworkers since she doesn't stop talking about it. ]

[Listen to her, talking as if this goldfish were a queen ruling over Yoimiya's home, for those to pledge fealty to her and to be loyal to her throne. He can't help but giggle at that, the ridiculousness of it all even through Yoimiya's insistence on keeping the fish in their story. She's really dead set on having Hanabi as part of the story, so alright...he can think of ways to make it a little less ridiculous, at least.]

Okay, okay, we can say that I also had to check on Hanabi. I had no idea you'd be so passionate about your little goldfish, hahaha.

[It's tempting to poke her cheeks just to see if she'll let the air out of them after all that huffing. Ajax gives her an amused look, his eyes wide with intrigue of how she'll even respond to that.]

Is that all? You don't have any other surprise pets I should know about?

[ The puffed-up chipmunk keeps her stare locked onto his, seizing him up until he agrees with her ridiculous demand. And he does! Happy day! Hanabi gets to be a part of the story. Her smile broadens as her cheeks deflate, no longer looking like a bratty chipmunk ready to bite. The face journey has reached its final destination, Yoimiya has come full circle with all of the expressions. ]

Nope! Just my sweet Hanabi.

[ And boy, does she look proud of her fat goldfish. ]

I've always adored goldfish ever since I was a kid. There's something about their pudgy little face and beautiful flowy tails that make me wanna melt. They're so cuuuute!

Hahahaha...I see. I'll admit, they are pretty cute...

[He wonders if his siblings would want one, but who is he kidding. They absolutely would, they'd be enamored by it and want to take good care of it. It would teach them a good lesson in learning to take care of something and dealing with the tragedy of life and death, so maybe he'll get them one the next time he's home.]

Speaking of beautiful flowy tails, did you happen to discover anything well...on your body after our little encounter?

[Cuz there's a big 'ol flowy tail on his chest right now and that hasn't had him freaking out or anything.]

[ Thankfully for Ajax's ears, his question prevents her from going on a long-winded spiel about the beauty of goldfish. That's right, shortly after being allowed to leave the hospital, she finally got a glimpse of the strange mark that took shape on her skin. Nodding her head, she pushes the cardigan off her shoulders, showing off a big blue fishtail above her chest. ]

Yes, this is it. I had some time to ponder on it and shortly before I summoned that bow, I remember feeling a peculiar cooling sensation, as if I was being submerged in water. And now that I think about it, I felt it where this mark is at.

[ This whole situation continues to grow stranger by the moment. This mark totally doesn't have her freaked out or anything either. ]

I'm assuming you have one in the shape of a tail too?

[It's exactly what he had feared, the beginnings of a mark that showed which people were to be taken to the laboratories of Nizhnii. Ajax looks it over, clearly recognizing the mark, though it's intriguing to him that it looks like the tail of a fish, or maybe even a whale. Without the rest of it materializing yet, he can't be sure.]

Yeah, [he admits,] it's on my chest as well. It felt like I'd been branded by something, or like that part of me had caught on fire and completely seared my skin. Here.

[He takes the jacket he had off, holding it in the crook of his arm as he lifts up his t-shirt to reveal the tail of what is indisputably...a goldfish tail.]

I wasn't exactly sure what kind of fish it belonged to, until you showed me that picture of Hanabi...

[ I CAN'T BELIEVE HANABI ENDED UP BEING VITAL TO THE PLOT—

As he removes his jacket, Yoimiya's stare is locked onto him, her eyes growing wide as saucers at that all too recognizable mark embedded on his chest. There's no doubt about it, what she's looking at is absolutely a goldfish tail. ]

I... I see. And you felt like a part of you caught on fire? That's a little strange the marks felt vastly different to us.

[ Why did he feel like his skin was burning? Why did it feel like a drop of water was being poured onto her? In theory, it should make more sense that she be the one to acquire the mark given her affinity for goldfish. This mystery grows more and more puzzling by the second. ]

It can't be a coincidence that you suddenly got a goldfish tail mark after meeting me. So, does the mark on my chest have any familiarity to you?

[He might of been surprised by her reaction had she not showed him her fish, but that does solve one mystery. Whatever chose the mark on his chest, it made the decision based off of Yoimiya, most likely. He has no connection to goldfish at all, and it's too much of a coincidence in his opinion. He agrees with her own assessment, nodding his head at her.]

That's the curious part about yours...I don't have any connection to sea creatures that I know of. Sure, I've gone ice fishing plenty of times, but I've never caught a fish with a tail like that. That's a whale tail imprinted on your chest, there's no doubt- but I've never seen one personally.

[He stops to think if there's ever been a time that could've been related to a whale in his life, his hand coming up let his chin rest between his own fingers.]

...I did have a strange dream of one as a child though, one that's stuck with me even to today. I can't remember the details of it, but I remember the giant silhouette of one swimming above me, as if it were watching over me. Perhaps this is why it took that shape on you...?

[ Admittedly, she wasn't sure what kind of tail it was upon first inspection so his answer solves the question that's been swirling in her head for the past week. And well, she doesn't expect Ajax to be harboring a whale as a pet. ~~UNLIKE SOMEONE~~ But his mysterious dream does confirm a connection between him and the sea creature. While not as obvious as her adoration for goldfish, there's still a connection they can't ignore.

It also opens a whole new can of worms regarding Ajax's dreams. There's no denying she's curious to know if there's a hidden meaning behind that whale watching over him but this might be crossing terriority that's not any of her business. So, she'll try to tread carefully. ]

That makes a lot of sense. There's just no way that whale tail was randomly imprinted on my chest.

[ Yoimiya ponders to herself, trying to piece all this information together. The rabbit hole just keeps growing deeper, more answers just brings more questions. Sheesh, her brain is starting to hurt. This is why she was never cut out for being an investigator. ]

This might not be any of my business but I'm also curious about your dream. Was there anything else that stuck out to you? I wonder if that dream is in anyway linked to our situation.

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