[SE] Fuck the opps like its enemies with benefits

Can't touch me, like Gojo—Look good in all my photos

He means to uphold his word. He always means that, it just...hasn't been so easy to do that, he's found. Not even just promises, but anything he says, unless his fingers are crossed, of course. Turns out what you mean and what you do can be very different though, and being careful doesn't seem to matter much either. Things are a mess, and not just the tower that's still in disarray, although there is something almost poetic about staring at the rubble of his home.

He tugs his pink windbreaker tighter around his shoulders, back to the cold wind that carves in. The back has blue embroidery that says 'FLORA', some stitched flowers of various, equally bright colors popping up around the first and last letters. The front left shoulder pocket depicts a printed image of the Doubletake blowing a kiss with a wink. His black joggers are on underneath, trying to fight back the cold, sinking into his black boots.

"Hey, Zavien, congrats man!" he says after glancing over at the approaching man. He extends a hand as though to shake his hand, but Kaisel really means to embrace him in a half hug, shoulder to shoulder. "You deserve the role. Excited to see what you make of the place." He tries to keep his voice warm and lofty, but he's never been great at hiding how he feels, and the twinge he feels tightening around his chest might reflect in the corners of his eyes as he blinks through the exchange. It's brief, and then he shakes it back with a bigger smile and a huff of breath. "Anyway, I'm here to help! I know you've got a shit ton of rebuilding still, and I'll always be grateful to this place, so I thought I could help the clean up efforts today?" Forget building, they still need to clear the destruction that's lingering.

Kaisel

Sexy jutsu, I feel like Naruto—Fightin' demons in my head like I'm Itadori

Just smile and be happy.

Still completely in the dark about Kai and Koa's romantic drama, Zavien is more than a little perplexed by the young man's choice in clothing, but it's more of a baffled amusement than suspicion, his laughter bubbling forth into the chilly Deepfrost air. He reaches out to accept the hand, clasping naturally into the half hug. "Kai. Thanks, man. We'll see how it goes." Despite his hopes and aspirations for the city, he wouldn't assume that his own amateur leadership abilities would be enough to give the people what they deserved. 

He doesn't mention that Kai has no need to show appreciation, breaking away to glance at the group of people bustling around the ruins. "Sure. We've got a crew planning to start the real leg work tomorrow, but we could always use a preliminary sweep of the site." Without any hesitation, Zavien rolls up the sleeves on his olive-green sweatshirt, crouching to pick up a piece of plastic that looks like it had once covered a piece of new furniture. Meanwhile, Sol flies overhead, a small chirp of greeting to Kai as he carries his own trash towards the pile already forming nearby. 

The plastic crunches and cracks as he smashes it smaller, forcing him to raise his voice slightly as he smiles in the man's direction. "Any plans for Deepfrost?"

Zavien

Can't touch me, like Gojo—Look good in all my photos

The smile that finds him this time is easier. Zavien has always been someone he's found he gets along along with, just as naturally predisposed to embracing the warmer thermals of life as he is, riding on the highs that can be found instead of sinking into the myriad of lows. The man's shouldering new weights and responsibilities, taking hold of something half-ruined, but he's as chipper as a robin in spring. That the tree he's perched on is withered and struggling with it's single bloom is no reason not to still sing.

"Oh yeah?" Kaisel asks, brightening a bit more at that news. "Do you need more hands? I was talking with Flora and she offered some of Torchline's soldiers to the efforts here." All of them in Stormbreak knew of the long history of alliance between the two regions, which had been helped along in part because of how close the two Queens were, but the change in leadership does not need to be a reason to end the tradition. There are certainly nuances to both offering and accepting the aide of other kingdoms though, and Kaisel does not intend to position himself as anything beyond this brief messenger. "More hands do make lighter work," he finishes, especially well trained and capable hands.

As if proof of his words, Kaisel leans down and begins to gather up some of the debris. He's got an empty potato sack that he pulls out of his pocket and start to stuff the remnants into. The chirp of Sol fluttering overhead draws his gaze up, and with a boyish grin he waves exuberantly after the dragon. "Hey Sol!" he yells back, not sure if his voice carries before the wind does on the companion's wings.

Large portions of cracked wood, maybe once a door, lay in disarray amid stone. Kaisel stoops and grabs the smaller pieces, stuffing them in his sack as he looks over his shoulder to Zavien. "Just trying to help out here as much as I can," he admits steadily. "My folks and Koa are still upset I'm not here, so I figure visiting more often will be helpful, and I want to help. This will still always be home." Which is an idea he's still getting used to, feeling tugged to multiple places when it had only ever been solidly one—this one. It's a strange thing to love something and not be part of it any more. "But, there's this long party in Torchline over Longnight apparently, so I plan to see what that's all about." He grins, turning back to the rubble.

Kaisel

Sexy jutsu, I feel like Naruto—Fightin' demons in my head like I'm Itadori

Just smile and be happy.

His eyebrows raise at the offer of Torchline soldiers, not realizing that Kai and the Queen were close enough to discuss politics, or that she'd been aware of Zavien's new position before he'd had a chance to tell her. He shows obvious interest, tilting his head as he seriously considers it. "Did she? More hands are always welcome... but I hope you don't mind if I talk with Flora about it before saying yes? I've been meaning to have a conversation with her anyways." The smile he gives is gentle but appreciative, hoping to soften the blow that might come with not immediately accepting the help.

Sol chirps again at the enthusiastic greeting, sweeping low enough to drag his string of shredded rope over Kai's head before dropping it in the pile he'd begun. He then zips off to find more, the golden dragon's mission-driven mind focused on the treats he knows he'll get later. Zavien lets his companion lighten the mood as the young man seems intent on justifying his plans for Deepfrost, as if he expects to be judged for them. Kai won't find any signs of confusion or anger, but a soft, sympathetic smile as Zavien gathers a piece of wilted cardboard, his voice gentle with a hint of playfulness. "You don't have to explain anything to me, Kai. I did something similar only a few months ago when I couldn't stay in Stormbreak." He didn't know how much Kai knew about his death and the subsequent aftermath, choosing not to linger on the depressing topic. 

Bundling the cardboard and plastic into his arms, he deposits them in a pile with Sol's rope. His green eyes find Kai as he works, unashamed of his own past and what he'd needed to recover despite how embarrassing it had been at the time. "For me, I hated being away for long, leaving Lena and the other Breakers to deal with Dahlia by themselves." Shrugging his shoulders, he adds, "So I visited when I could, and the moment I felt comfortable, I came back home." The expression on his face is a little brighter at the happy ending, even if things had only gotten worse before they got better again. 

Knowing that Kai's situation isn't the same - and that it might not end the same - Zavien offers an understanding smile, ready to support in whatever way was needed. "But I also get if it isn't the same anymore. Things change and Stormbreak is going to have a lot of growing pains before things settle." It didn't feel right to tell people to come back to the city without reassurance of its safety, and even then, he couldn't erase the memories that might still haunt them.

Zavien

Can't touch me, like Gojo—Look good in all my photos

Kaisel nods, understanding Zavien's wariness, especially since it isn't like Kaisel has a wax-stamped decree to hand over with Flora and Hadama's signatures. "Yeah, yeah, do what you need, sir. Don't bother me if you need more than my word." He realizes, belatedly, that he's not just talking to Zavien a fellow Breaker and Dragoon any more, but the leader of the region, deserving of some honorifics, whether he wanted them or not.

"Oh yeah, I remember you were gone for bit," Kaisel says with a glance up from his tinder collecting. Being that Koa is his cousin and his parents are also Dragoons, the word of Zavien's death, revival, and departure had all been dinner side discussions of worry and quiet understanding. "I'm glad you were able to sort out what you needed to, sir." His smile is genuine at that, because Stormbreak would have been worse off to lose Zavien for too long. Just look at him now, running the place.

Sliding one of his star-kissed knuckle dusters on, Kaisel sets about to punching the larger pieces of wood. The wind magic that erupts upon impact helps the process along quickly, splintering it into smaller bits he can continue to gather and stuff into his sack. "Yeah," Kaisel admits with a grunt, hiding some of his unease with the effort. "I'm kinda afraid that each time I come back, so much will be different... You don't realize how when you're in it for the day by day, the changes are so gradual they aren't very apparent. A restaurant you liked closes. An old family friend passes away. A new monument is raised up. All things that alter the place, but now ones that will leap out at me when I come here, and make it feel less and less like home." He sighs, pausing for a moment to glance up at Zavien. "It can't be helped, other than moving back here, but that's what I'm worried about. That less and less this place will be something I recognize, and it'll just be something I remember."

Kaisel

Sexy jutsu, I feel like Naruto—Fightin' demons in my head like I'm Itadori

Just smile and be happy.

The first instance of 'sir' has him pausing to blink, suddenly feeling very awkward about it all. He straightens to run a hand through his hair, trying hard not to worry about having hurt Kai's feelings. The young man doesn't seem bothered, but Zavien doesn't miss how Kai's words place him at the top of the hierarchy and put himself at the bottom like he doesn't matter in the scheme of things. It has his eyes narrowing in disappointment. "It's not that. It's that I'd wanted to tell her the news myself, so she wasn't caught off guard by the sudden change, and now I feel like I have to apologize for missing the chance. I don't want to accept help before I do that..." He shrugs his shoulders, leaning down to grab a couple of bottles from what he assumes was a fun day of drinking. 

When he straightens again, he's laughing, shaking his head and raising the bottle-filled hands like he might fend off the formalities. "Thanks, but please stop calling me 'sir.' You're making me feel old." There's still a smile on his face, appreciating the kind words despite the way it feels like he's lived twice as long as most people. 

His head nods, understanding Kai's reasoning more than most people would. "Perhaps, but I'd hope that Stormbreak's core remains unchanged; and by not being here, you'll be learning those tiny details about someplace else, planting roots that are just as important to you." He smiles, hoping to free Kai of any guilt as he adds, "Regardless, you can't be everywhere all the time. You'll eventually have to choose. Just don't let anyone make you feel bad about what that decision is."

Zavien

Can't touch me, like Gojo—Look good in all my photos

Kaisel gives a short, dry laugh at Zavien's explanation. "You can tell her if you want, sir, but my guess is there's very little news that'll catch her off guard, least of all this." Flora has always had her ear to the ground and her hand in numerous pockets, not to mention Torchline's bustling trade activity that spreads gossip the same as dry grass does fire. It's not any of that which makes him guess as much though, it's that Soh is her best friend. Again though, Kaisel's not trying to pivot himself into the dealings of leaders or regions, and it's better for Zavien to do things right than make assumptions about what sailors have to say. "It's a good idea though, to talk to her. Make things official." Not that Zavien asked or needs any approval, but it really doesn't need to run that deep.

A smirk slips in while Kaisel's head is bowed over, gathering up little bits of broken metal and cracked stones, which he continues to stuff into his bag. His expression is a bit mote smooth by the time he looks over at Zavien, but a deep set grin does remain, curious with its curl. "What's so bad about old? Doesn't that mean your wiser and stronger, sir?" It's not meant as a prod, but a low chuckle can't quite be held back. "Sorry, but you know how it goes, sir. Your rank demands it. You're distinguished now."

He chews on the advice Zavien offers for a minute, blessedly silent for the longest time since coming here. There's truth to what Zavien says, and it sounds eerily similar to everyone who'd told him he'd have to pick between Caly or Flora. They'd been right about that, they're probably right about this too. Unlike then, he's not caught in a limbo between the two. He's made his choice about Torchline and he means to stick by it. He's sure everything that's currently new and strange will become second nature before long, even the sand. It won't ever have his childhood memories though, and likely never his family, so no matter what his heart will always be a bit split between the two. One piece forever left in the past, with these stones, and the other drifting ahead into the future—Torchline for now, but eventually, who knows? As long as it's beside Flora, that's the only place it needs.

"Yeah, you're right," Kaisel smiles. Maybe he could make a game out of it every time he visited here. A real version of spot the difference where he tracks down every adjustment like a scavenger hunt specifically designed to hurt his own feelings. "Thanks. I appreciate it.

It's not just about what he's doing in Torchline though. "So aside from rebuilding, you got any plans for what you wanna do with Stormbreak?" He wants to keep the core intact it sounds like, but aside from that, what?

Kaisel

Sexy jutsu, I feel like Naruto—Fightin' demons in my head like I'm Itadori

Just smile and be happy.

His laugh echoes over the empty ruins as he shrugs his shoulders. "You're probably right." He doesn't know Flora that well, but he knows that she's always at the center of things, and he doubts anything happens in Caido without her knowing. That doesn't change his feelings about explaining things or enjoying their new shared burden in person, and as Kai validates his intentions, Zavien gives a decisive nod, a nervous smile on his face. "I'll still reach out. Just so she can hear it from me."

The grin doesn't go unnoticed, and he takes a moment to pause in his clean-up to glare playfully, nearly cringing with every instance of the word. "It doesn't feel that way, but call me 'sir' again and I might have to show you just how much 'wiser and stronger' I am." Koa wouldn't disapprove of a spontaneous training session, and Zavien's teasing smirk says as much, his muscles flexing beneath his sweatshirt in preparation for wrestling the formalities from the man. But he holds back for now, tossing a large chunk of rotten wood into the pile. "All I'm saying is that I'm still just 'Zavien' to you - but call me whatever you want in front of other people if it makes you feel better." At least he's not going around parroting 'the Risen Sun' or requiring that Zavien do something more 'within his station' than pick up trash from the city. 

Kai's expression brightens blissfully from his words, the uncertainty trading for excitement like the sun finally rising from behind a storm cloud. "Anytime." It has Zavien's smiling in return while he moves to resume his battle against debris. He grabs another cluster of bottles, carefully avoiding the broken portions with merciless sharp edges. "Nothing specific yet. We're taking it one day at a time." There are too many projects to plan and complete before he could start looking to the future, but he knows one thing for sure. "I just want the people to feel safe again - to feel happy and proud of their home." 

Zavien takes a moment to admire the city that now relies on him, a gentle protectiveness filling his chest and every pore of his body. He catches glimpses of the people milling about, knowing that he may not know every one of their names, but they matter and every choice he makes will now affect them. It adds a weight to everything, even if the anticipation and optimism still keep him from bowing under the stress. It's enough to make him cautious, to make every decision count, to keep their best interest in mind at all times.

Zavien

Can't touch me, like Gojo—Look good in all my photos

The chuckle evolves into something heartier with the threat Zavien levels at him. "Haven't met a single one of you that likes it," he grins, the shape built from polite mischief. You, of course, being leaders. Both Hadama and Sunjata had reacted similarly, though they'd accepted it with a sigh and an eyeroll; maybe if they had any of the familiarity that Zavien did they would have also warned him off with the promise of a beating. His gaze clearly sizes Zavien up, wondering if pushing him further might be worth it, if he could actually manage to hold his own with the Commander or not. The answer is not, but Kaisel's always liked to walk on the ledge of things, even if he might fall off. "Well, whatever you say goes, Mr. Risen Sun."

He wrestles with some fabric that's tangled up with what was once it's metal frame, likely some canopy. Grabbing a piece of it, he stomps into it with his heel a few times, cracking it apart and making it easier to bundle up the entire mess. Kaisel's gaze flicks back to Zavien as he talks, and there's a certain kind of appreciation to what he says which Kaisel can appreciate, even if it's not the grand sweeping plan he'd been hoping for. "The Family made this place stagnant and frightening for so long," Kaisel agrees grimly, a frown tugging in at the corner of his mouth as he appraises the very destruction they left behind that forced them all to flee. People are returning, even the ones who left years ago, but city has definitely not healed itself yet. "I think people are just happy to have a leader they can trust again. It'll come with time."

"Although,"

Kaisel rises from his trash-digging stoop to also regard the city around them. One eye squints and he holds up his hands like he's framing a view. "I think a trampoline park should go riiiiight, there." His other eye pops open, and though he's wearing a broad smile and a light tone, there's a seriousness to his expression. "Give this place some fun!" Not that it's been a childhood desire of his or anything.

Kaisel

Sexy jutsu, I feel like Naruto—Fightin' demons in my head like I'm Itadori

Just smile and be happy.

The news doesn't surprise him, having been told by multiple leaders to pull back on the formalities. It'd taken time for him to feel comfortable around them, to see beyond their titles to who they are. He still pays them proper respect, but it's less... stiff. Maybe he thinks Kai will do the same, but the measuring gaze makes him suspicious, and Zavien is already prepared when the new title hits his ears. A piece of crumpled plastic goes flying towards the man's head, an obvious warning of more (playful) violence to come if he dares to continue the antics. 

Confident that his subtle command will be obeyed, Zavien resumes the real cleaning, taking the leftover containers to the growing pile. He smiles something soft and appreciative at Kai's words, opening his mouth to say as much before the young man is suddenly planning some interesting city renovations. It makes him laugh, a twinkle in his eyes as he inspects the space, hands on his hips. "You know, you're right. When you become Fun Ambassador for the council, I'll let you rip down the houses and put one up."

Zavien

Can't touch me, like Gojo—Look good in all my photos

Kaisel's grin is the tail of a kite, streaming long and vibrant over his face as Zavien's laughter rings out. "When huh?" he asks with a playful curl to his tone, more than happy to rise up alongside the sun here in order to plan out a lovely city in pretend. "Excellent, let me know as soon as the position opens up. I'll make the necessary arrangements to give the city all my prime attention for fun." He nods with the seriousness of a building inspector towards the houses he'd framed. "Trampoline park first," he assures. "Then free ice cream sundays. Sundaes for Sunday!"

He trails off with every wild manner of idea that crosses his mind as they continue to work, slipping into easy banter. Although each other delivers the faintest pang to his chest that he does his best to ignore. A small, tiny cut for every dream he has of his once home now running away without him, because not only is Fun Ambassador not real, neither is his life here anymore. He gradually quiets with the weight of it, leaning into the sweat and effort of clearing rubble, trying his best not to stack each piece he picks up onto his heart instead. It'll get easier, he reminds himself with each long exhale that slips free without intention.

[FIN]

Kaisel

Sexy jutsu, I feel like Naruto—Fightin' demons in my head like I'm Itadori