Backdated to after Hajime and Kinji's fight in World Series week 1

[triggerhappytraitor]

I can't find Kinji.

[[There are equal levels of worry and agitated discomfort in that single sentance]]

Comments

[chalicejoker]

Yeah.

[Hajime stops to set Ryo down on the countertop, where the little mantis busies himself playing with some plastic insects that had been left scattered out there.]

You learn stuff in that time.

[triggerhappytraitor]

Enough so you don't feel useless...

[[The frustration in his voice is very clearly self directed. It's been far too long since he had been so green that he had just been on the sidelines of things. When the Undead had been released, everyone had been learning together, and after...

What the hell good was he if he couldn't do anything when someone went missing? How long was he going to be so utterly reliant on Hajime and Kenzaki for everything?]]

[chalicejoker]

Being able to shape this place into things you need helps. So does being able to get from one place to another quickly.

[Pick one, Tachibana.]

[triggerhappytraitor]

...which is more important to know first.

[[You're the expert here, Hajime. Much as he hates to admit it.]]

[chalicejoker]

[Hajime shrugs.]

Depends on what you need. Portals are a good stepping-stone, but being able to make stuff makes you more self-sufficient.

I like being able to create food, myself. Getting something that isn't just eating an illusion takes work.

[triggerhappytraitor]

[[Tachibana is uncomfortably quiet a moment]]

...I doubt any food I created would be edible.

[[A little cranky about that whole mocking him in the fridge thing or just bitter at his lack of skill? He's not even sure.]]

[chalicejoker]

It'd probably end up being barely-edible instant ramen, but yeah.

You work towards it.

[He pulls an apple out of thin air to demonstrate.]

[triggerhappytraitor]

Don't you lecture me about needing to practice when all you've done is show off.

[[a slight glare because he's still very much worried and on edge here and stop prodding all his soft spots damnit.]]

[chalicejoker]

Try it, then.

[Hajime crosses his arms.]

Think very hard on what you want to make, and then make it. Kind of like sending a thought over the network, but more...solid.

[triggerhappytraitor]

[[That... was the most unhelpful way of putting it, considering his track record with the network...

but Tachibana isn't going to let that keep him from stubborning his way through it.

... not that it works, mind you, so he's just holding his hand out and glaring at it, feeling like an idiot.]]

[chalicejoker]

You're shaping the reality here. Try thinking of it like something like clay.

[Okay, so he's a crappy teacher. He will never admit this, so clearly any failures are Tachibana's fault.]

[triggerhappytraitor]

.... Clay.

[[the word is deadpan with a 'Are you messing with me, Hajime Aikawa' expression. ]]

[chalicejoker]

...did they not have art time in grade school in Japan?

Play-doh?

[Look, it makes sense.]

[triggerhappytraitor]

It's been over 25 years since I was in grade school, Hajime.

[[the hell would he remember working with clay if they even had it]]

[chalicejoker]

It could be a frame of reference.

[He keeps his expression flat...and produces a can of green Play-Doh for Tachibana.]

You could get in some practice.

[triggerhappytraitor]

....

Are you trying to mock me, or does this come naturally to you?

[chalicejoker]

I'm naturally good at a lot of things.

[triggerhappytraitor]

Explanations were never one of them. I see that hasn't changed.

[chalicejoker]

[Hajime scowls and opens the can of Play-doh, then dumps the lump into his hand.]

See this? This is Liminal Space.

[He holds up a hand.]

And this is your will.

[He mashes the lump of Play-doh.]

And this is what happens when you apply your will to Liminal Space....

[Hold on, hold on, he's got something...he has made a really shitty dog.]

[triggerhappytraitor]

....

You mean taking hold of the malleable matter this place is made up of, and instead of grabbing and twisting it like you do when creating a portal, you instead attempt to impose a different form on it and solidify it to be physical.

[chalicejoker]

...yeah, pretty much.

[He sets the Play-doh down for Ryo.]

...no, you don't eat that!

[triggerhappytraitor]

The hell didn't you say that instead of that other crap?

[[Not that he cares about the answer, as he's ignoring Hajime to refocus, eyes closing to aid visualization]]

[chalicejoker]

What, I can't try different approaches to teaching until I find one that works?

[triggerhappytraitor]

Talking idiocy is rarely helpful in any situation.

[[But it's almost distractedly muttered as Tachibana reaches out--

--and takes hold of a slightly worn, wooden picture frame. He lets out a very slow breath, eyes opening to look down on the all too familiar photo, expression fading into a soft, sad smile.]]

[chalicejoker]

Or it pissed you off enough that you were able to do it.

[He's not commenting on the thing Tachibana made--he knows better than that.]