Welcome to Tokyo, Japan. January, 1991. The world has entered the technology era, portable phones, home computers, internet, video games. Japan quickly became the epicenter of the latest and greatest. Companies and factories flourished. Where money was, people followed. And while many rose to live a comfortable, happy, and delightful life from this new found money... Others did not. You see, money has this effect on people that can't be outdone. People will do anything for it. And when it starts slipping into the wrong hands, it's impossible to stop. Benethe the day time laborers and the double-shift workers, a seedy underbelly of syndicates exists. Narctics, black market, organized crime, money laundering, you name it and it's been growing as fast as the upper world economy. While many do it just to stay alive, there's those who make it their posh lifestyle. Either way, there's only one question. What would you do if the money was good enough?
JAN 29 2021: Welcome!! ƎLEMENT has been open for two weeks now and we're so happy to see such a bright beginning! If you're new feel free to drop into the discord and say hi before joining.
It had taken years, but Sachiko had finally found a balance between the life of pretty-in-pink heiress to the Morita medical empire and rebel-without-a-cause delinquent with too much time and anxiety on her hands. She could manage the stressors of the daytime with the excess of the evening, could handle the terror of self-doubt and anxiety by drowning those voices in liquor and narcotics, could pretend she had control of everything by losing it all at night. She'd done it, solved the puzzle of her existence, the enigma of her situation, the dichotomy of her feelings and hopes and wants with her parents' and society's expectations. [break][break] So why was she shaking? [break][break] How many times had she stood outside of this apartment, cheeks flushed, some cackle echoing from her lips as she wobbled on too-tall heels? How many times had she found solace in the gentle expression of that poor man whose night she'd interrupted on so many occasions? How many times had he continued to be kind, to take care of her, to send her in the right direction with a soft expression and a gentle, guiding hand? [break][break] You're an idiot, her mind reprimanded, her emerald gaze already puffy from unshed tears. He's a stranger; just some guy you bother when you're fucked up. Suck it up and go home. [break][break] But she didn't move. Couldn't move. She stood there in that dank hallway, the echo of some nearby couple having some late-night screaming match the only accompaniment to her quiet sniffling and gentle swaying. She wasn't all that messed up, really; at least not compared to her normal state when she'd stumbled onto Milo's doorstep. So why did she feel so much more like she was drowning? [break][break] It was just a breakup! her mind screamed, some futile attempt to get her moving, to get her leaving. But it wasn't just a breakup. It was a breakup the same week as her finals, the week before she started her internship at the precinct, a few days before her mother's high-society birthday celebration... It was a million little things all rolled into one, horrible, exhausting, infuriating, terrifying ball. [break][break] She rapped her knuckles against that familiar bleached wood. [break][break] She could barely remember his name, could hardly process anything outside of that singular moment as she waited for the door to open, but once it did, once he was standing before her, that kind man who'd so often just helped her out when she was at her lowest, no expectation of retribution or reward... [break][break] "H-Hi Milo," she murmured, pooling tears finally spilling over as she gripped at the hem of her sweater and released a stuttered, involuntary sob. "C-Can I come in?"
For the most part, his evening had been quiet, save for his neighbors having their weekly throw down a few doors away from his; though he’d grown so used to it that it was drown out as just another instrument in the city’s symphony.
It was one of his night off, and he’d woken not too long ago with the intent of writing out melodies and fine lyrical snippets to use for later, another page for his little black book of songs. A quiet humming left the man on his bed, as he wrote out what sounded the best, crossed it out, and rewrote it all over again; his apartment filling with the smell of the fresh pot of coffee he’d just brewed. Milo was so entranced in his craft, so focused in the nuances of his words that he almost didn’t hear the gentle little knock at his door, and his eyes darted to the black analog clock on his nightstand; nothing the time and having a very good idea of who it was. It was probably that girl with the cool pink hair again, drunk beyond all reason and living a seemingly carefree existence. It was always an adventure when she came around, blitzed out of her mind and needing guidance; some part of him swore she’d begun to do it on purpose.
Even still, he didn’t mind her, sometimes she came around at the perfect time, she gave him something to do and honestly...he found her to be a bit fun. It was only around two encounters before that he finally got her name, Sachiko, or Sachi, something about it suited her; in his opinion at least. So at the prospect of her making an appearance again, he couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head as he closed his journal and got up to make his way through the door, which given how small his apartment was it only took him a few seconds. In a flurry, his fingers undid the completely necessary 8 locks on his door, all but one being of his own installation. However when he opened it ready for Sachi to be giggling, riding the wave of alcohol or something else and found her...looking almost forlorn and not done up in heels; the greeting he was about to utter to her died on his lips.
His expression fell from something close to happiness to concern within a few seconds, especially as she spoke and tears bubbled down her face; that sight alone made his heart sink and anxiety froth up in his stomach. Had something happened to her? Something had to have, he couldn’t rationalize someone going out of their way for just a minor upset.
“Sachi?” He murmured quietly, his brow furrowing with worry and his voice sounding it out perfectly. Needless to say when she asked to come in, he almost immediately nodded and stepped out of the way. Under normal circumstances, he likely would’ve offered to talk with her outside but...tears had a way of melting away anything he might’ve been worried about; she was obviously eons more upset than he’d ever be about letting her in.
”Sachi what’s wrong? Did something happen?” he asked, letting her in and quietly closing the door, only locking the highest one so as to not make someone so obviously distraught even more upset.
If he was honest, this wasn’t what he thought he’d be doing tonight, especially not with her concerned. All he’d ever known of Sachi was a kind girl who really enjoyed drinking, someone who got lost frequently...or maybe not since it’d happened so much. To have her come to his door not messed up on alcohol, but on her own emotions was jarring. Yet still, he was determined to listen to whatever was tormenting this nice girl with hair like cotton candy, and make her feel better if he could. The least he could do for her is lend an ear, sometimes that’s all people really needed...other times it was something deeper.
”Here you can sit on the couch, can I get you anything? Any coffee? Are you hurt?”
Had she been perhaps a bit more in control of her thoughts and emotions, Sachi might have felt some exhilarated pleasure at being so easily welcomed into the man's home. Interpersonal relationships had always come easily to the young woman; Milo had been one of those... special cases that took a bit more effort. How unfortunate that the first time she actually got to pay him a casual visit she was a sobbing, flushed mess of nerves and anxiety. [break][break] "Th-Thank you..." she mumbled between sniffles as she shuffled past him, expression that of equal parts relief, embarrassment, and anguish. She somehow managed to remember to slip out of her boots, stumbling a little bit as she found her socked footing in the apartment. [break][break] "Sachi what's wrong? Did something happen?" [break][break] She winced, curling in on herself just a bit more as she used the sleeves of her sweater to try and dry those damnable, traitorous tears. Calm down! Just calm down already! her mind screamed, but the floodgates had been opened, emotions and anxieties bubbling over and filling her gut with agonizing tension. She couldn't calm down anymore than she could stop those salty streams beginning to stain her cheeks. She opened her mouth as if to reply, but couldn't get the words out, her teeth quickly digging into her bottom lip to stifle any more of those broken sobs as she just quietly stumbled over to the offered seat. [break][break] "N-Not hurt..." she finally managed to murmur, shaking her head, strands of pink coming a little more loose from her ponytail as she moved. [break][break] She sniffled, tried to catch her breath as she found her place on the couch, too embarrassed to look at the man whose home and evening she'd so rudely intruded upon. Nuisance... her mind reprimanded as knees found her chest and she buried her face into the fabric of her leggings, her back shaking with the force of those damned sobs. [break][break] "I-I'm sorry... I'm sorry... this is s-stupid..." she mumbled, hiccups and quick stuttered breaths intermingling with the quiet, muffled apology. Her grip around her bent legs tightened, pretty painted fingernails digging into the skin of her forearms. [break][break] Nuisance! You're just being a nuisance! He doesn't give a shit about you or this! You'r just being obnoxious! [break][break] Her breathing quickened. God she wished she'd grabbed a bottle of something to down before coming over. [break][break] That's what you do, isn't it? You just run away and get fucked up. Fucking pathetic. [break][break] "I'm sorry..." she repeated, voice cracking. [break][break] You should be apologizing. You should just leave. [break][break] "C-Can I have s-some water?" She still couldn't convince herself to look at him, could hardly keep herself tethered enough not to go racing out of that apartment and back into the neon-lit Tokyo streets. Quietly, face still buried in her knees, she murmured, "I-It's just... been a r-really bad... week..."
In all honesty, if she hadn't been crumbling in front of him, Milo would be unsure of letting her in; though he knew Sachi would do him no harm. It halfway boggled his mind that she even wanted to come into a stranger's home. However he didn't judge her for it, it wasn't like she'd had the same up bringing or issues; though there were far more important things for him to worry about right now.
He kept out of the way as she discarded her boots and made her way to his (surprise) black couch, it was worn but soft; and in his experience the best place to have a break down. Though when the young woman's expression shifted and she bit her lip to silence any more of those heart breaking cries, he flinched; oh yes...he was quite familiar with that. That special brand of losing it...his heart broke for her in sympathy and it showed very transparently in his features. The sorrowful look in his eye, the slight, worried upturn of his brow, he felt so sorry for this normally vibrant, fearless woman with a fun disposition. He felt foolish then for assuming that her life was so carefree, everyone had their troubles; no one's life was perfectly happy and content.
At least, he could take some relief in her not being hurt, though when she started to apologize and call this whole thing stupid, he couldn't help but interject.
"No please don't apologize! It's not stupid, I don't know what happened, but if it's upsetting you this much its obviously not stupid!" He blurted out, something that he honestly needed to tell himself as well. Milo had been in her shoes many times before, and was always so quick to dismiss how he was feeling; though he'd never dream of doing that to anyone else. So when she curled up and asked for water, he nodded quickly and moved off to the tiny kitchen near the front door, fishing a chilled bottle of water out of the fridge. Though she wouldn't see it, at her third apology, he winced; it shouldn't have been a shock to him.
Quietly, he moved to sit on the couch at the other end, his hand extending the cold bottle. Milo was a lot of things, but a drinker of tap water was not one of them, he'd never subject anyone to it in his house either. That worried for her look never left his face, though his lips did noticeably frown as she mentioned it just being a bad week and kept her face buried into her knees. He ducked his head a bit then, some weird part of him wanting her to see how worried he was.
"Do you want to talk about it? I really don't mind listening, promise," the raven offered, tucking his heavy black fringe behind an ear just for the sake of getting it out of his face.
"If not, I get it but it might do you some good to talk about it."
"Again, don't be sorry, whatever it is isn't stupid and I'll never think it is," he murmured quietly in an attempt to reassure her. Whatever was going on was obviously important enough to her to make her this upset and although it was doubtful he could do anything, at least he could give her someone to lean on...even if he wasn't that helpful in the grand scheme of things. Sometimes people just needed someone to catch themselves on, he'd never judge for that.
"No please don't apologize! It's not stupid, I don't know what happened, but if it's upsetting you this much it's obviously not stupid!" [break][break] Sachi tried so goddamn hard to believe that, to convince herself that those worries, those anxieties, were anything more than the discomfort of some privileged, spoiled rich girl. She didn't deserve to feel like this, to break down like this, to bother some poor guy just trying to have a nice night in with all of her damnable problems. [break][break] "Do you want to talk about it? I really don't mind listening, promise." [break][break] Slowly, Sachi peaked out from her little hidey-hole, emeralds puffy, but grateful as she reached for the offered water bottle. Gods, he looked so concerned. She didn't immediately drink it, just sitting there with her head resting on her knees, listening. [break][break] "If not, I get it but it might do you some good to talk about it." [break][break] Too nice. He was being too nice. Why was he being so nice? It wasn't fair. She didn't deserve to have someone so nice? He should have told her to just leave, to get the hell off his doorstep, to stop whining. [break][break] "Again, don't be sorry, whatever it is isn't stupid and I'll never think it is." [break][break] She cast her gaze away, thinking back on the previous hour, on the way that bastard spoke to her, on the way her looked at her. She should have gone home; she should have gone to a bar to drown away her feelings; she should have done literally anything else besides stumbling over to sob on some acquaintance's couch. [break][break] "I-It's just a-a lot of things... M-My boy--" she stopped herself, grimaced, winced at how dumb this all was going to sound to someone with actual problems. "My boyfriend b-broke up with me... s-said a lot of... hurtful... things..." Her expression darkened, a new set of tears brimming at the edges of her eyes as she recalled all the shit he'd thrown at her, how she'd just sat there and let him belittle her, all because she thought he'd get over it, would forgive, would forget, would let her go on pretending like she deserved some high-society rich kid with a bright future and a good family. "I'm the w-worst person in my family." She told herself not to get worked up again, not to let those echoing words drive her any more over the edge. "I'm just a fucking failure. This guy was an asshole; I-I should have told him to just-- just fuck off, but I couldn't. I just fucking sat there and took it!" She was beginning to rant, to let her emotions take over, shaky voice stumbling through the words in some anxious panic. "But I was so fucking scared of what he would say, what he would tell everyone, what he could do to my reputation! H-He looked at me like... like I was a fucking disgrace... like a piece of dirt..." She was beginning to hyperventilate, just rambling on, grip on that water bottle turning her knuckles white. "But that's what I am! That's why I just let him fucking say that shit to me! I'm not good enough for him; that's what he said! And he was right! I'm never fucking good enough! I'm not successful enough for my parents to give a shit about me, I'm not mature enough for my brother to trust me with anything, I'm not smart enough for people to think I'm anything more than some rich fucking bitch, I'm not strong enough to get through one fucking breakup without having to go sob in some fucking stranger's apartment!" [break][break] She didn't realize that she was throwing the water bottle until it collided with a sharp SMACK! against the floorboards. She jumped, the sound breaking her out of that anxious rambling, wild eyes quickly flicking over to Milo, coated in silent, moistened apology, before she started scrambling for the slowly-leaking bottle. [break][break] "I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry...!" [break][break] She just kept repeating it, over and over again, as she fell to her knees on the floor, trembling fingers grasping at the split bottle, holding it up, using her sleeve to try and wipe of the moisture from the floor. That same panic was there in her movements, in the way she shook, the way she breathed like there wasn't enough air in the room. [break][break] "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry...!"
When their eyes met for an instant before she uncurled, Milo could tell that the floodgates were about to open...and boy if she was this upset it was sure to be quite the flood. He braced himself for it, but kept his expression concerned for her, because honestly he was; he was worried for this woman he hardly knew that really just stopped by his place when she was drunk and needed directions. As ridiculous as it sounded, she'd given him some sort of purpose, in those moments at least. So listening to her problems, however minor they might truly be, was the absolute minimum he could do for her in return.
Though as she began to talk, his blood began to broil silently beneath the surface. God he hated people, but especially other men, they really weren't shit. Yet still, he listened, getting angrier by the second listening to her talk about how he treated her, what in the hell was wrong with people? You didn't just...you didn't talk to people like that, especially when you were in a relationship with them! He let her carry on, fully listening to her as she ranted and understanding the flood of raw emotion that was coming from her, the endless stream of hurt was almost palpable in her voice. He was only pulled from how angry he was getting by her chucking the water bottle as if it was...whoever the buck-toothed bastard she was talking about was.
At the action, he jumped noticeably and screwed his eyes shut in a sort of flinch, but he wasn't angry in the slightest just...surprised. Though when those tearful, fretful apologies started, he opened his eyes and glanced to the leaking bottle on the floor, watching as she moved to pick it up as it seeped everywhere.
"Here let me get a towel," he murmured, getting up and moving to the kitchen to fetch one and a glass for her, he brought them both back with a haste and squatted down across from her to wipe it up; the last thing he wanted was for her to mess up her sweater over something as silly as water. With a careful hand he wiped it up, taking the bottle from her and emptying it's contents into the glass, wincing as she continue to apologize and quite obviously panic. He understood, however the last thing he'd ever get upset about was someone venting and throwing something of no value, breaking nothing in the process.
"It's okay! Sachi it's alright, I'd...I'd have done the same in your position, I've thrown worse things," he tried to reassure her as he put the glass on one of the side tables near the couch. "It's okay Sachi, I'm not mad, no harm done! It's okay to get upset, especially over that." The raven said, tossing her an understanding and empathetic look. However, he was still...highly upset about what she'd told him. What kind of prick would say stuff like that to someone he was dating? So with a heavy sigh, Milo's lips opened to talk and...he had an unusual amount of stuff to say.
"Firstly, fuck him. He sounds like a loser. You don't talk to people that way, especially not if you're dating them," the dark headed young man started off, trying to keep the sympathetic anger out of his voice to avoid upsetting her, "secondly, you're not a bad person or a coward, or a disgrace or any of that shit for not telling him off. You treated him better than he deserved there, that's what I heard. That says everything about him and not a damn thing about you, Sachi." His voice came out, sounding a blend of frustrated at hearing her have to endure this and sad for her. Nobody deserved to be talked to that way, especially not someone like this nice girl with fun pink hair.
"If anything, it sounds like you were and are too good for him. I know this probably doesn't mean much, but I don't see you that way. You're plenty good enough...hell," he carried on for a moment another sigh leaving him as he tried to find his words, the towel he used to wipe up the mess coming up as he rested his forearms on his thighs. "It's also...super normal to be upset over a break up, I'd be more concerned if you weren't upset over it. It's okay for it to not be okay Sachi, I promise you're not bothering me at all. I was literally just sitting here staring at the wall before you dropped by." He lied, but...honestly he didn't want her to feel like any more of a pest than she already seemed to feel.
Another heavy exhale left him, though he clearly wasn't annoyed at her as he brushed his hands through the front of his hair.
"My point is, you have a right to be upset, but I don't think you should be so hard on yourself or put any stock in what he said. Sounds like he should be scared of what you could say about him for how he spoke to you."
Sachi didn't even hear Milo's murmur, so caught up was she in her fretful attempt to fix the mess she caused. Had she not just been on some anxious ramble, losing her mind with worry and stress, she probably would have laughed at the spilled water; it wasn't something she normally would have freaked out so much about. This moment, though, was so wholly nerve-wracking, that panic attack lingering on the horizon like some grand beast ready to pounce. [break][break] She only, really, even remembered she wasn't alone when Milo slipped across from her, towel and glass and a far calmer disposition his offering. She still stumbled through apologies, voice stuttering as much as her hands were shaking, but it stopped when his reassurances finally pierced through that panicked haze. [break][break] "It's okay to get upset, especially over that." [break][break] She stopped, teary gaze just staring at his concerned countenance, her fingers moving to fidget nervously with the hem of her sweater, the fabric now dampened at the ends of her sleeves from that desperate attempt to clean up the water. She sat there, eyes wide, like some kid being told a story before bed. It was difficult, if she were being honest, for her mind to wrap around and accept those kind words he was spewing, for her to believe that any of this was actually alright. She felt like a fool, some idiot who couldn't even handle a simple breakup. Slowly, though, she began to calm, began to quiet those shaky breaths and trembling hands. [break][break] "It's okay for it to not be okay Sachi..." [break][break] Gods, how many times had she spouted those words to her friends, to her brother? A new set of tears built up in the corners of those emeralds, gratitude mixing with that sorrow and apology and self-deprecation. [break][break] "My point is, you have a right to be upset, but I don't think you should be so hard on yourself or put any stock in what he said. Sounds like he should be scared of what you could say about him for how he spoke to you." [break][break] Face contorting into another of those deep, emotional expressions, Sachi was moving before she could stop herself. The Moritas had always thrived on touch, the siblings having clung to each other through the majority of their childhoods, their mother always doting at least in the physical affection department. And so it came naturally for Sachi, overcome with emotion, to reach forward and grasp at this kind man's fabrics, to lean into him and bury her face in his chest as she began to cry again, to cling to him like some lost puppy as she let herself just melt into a puddle of quiet sobs against him. [break][break] "Th-Thank you..." she stuttered out between those timid breaths, mind still lingering in that self-deprecating pool, but allowing herself to at least accept this minute bit of comfort. She didn't even think about how uncomfortable this could make someone, though she'd surely remember once she'd calmed down a bit and thoroughly drown Milo in apologies. "Y-You're..." She laughed, the humored sound tainted by that bit of anguish still lingering in her tone. "You're too nice... Milo..."
Once he'd finished speaking and cleaning up the spill, his eyes merely searched Sachi for some hint that what he was saying was being well received. When her face contorted and more hot tears bubbled from her green eyes, his heart dropped; perhaps he'd said too much or struck a raw nerve. He cast her an apologetic gaze then, though whether she actually saw it or not was another question entirely. The raven just about to stand when suddenly she lurched towards him, a flurry of pink hair and dainty grasping hands took him by surprise and he fell backwards from his crouched position and onto his ass; though that was the least of his concern.
Even though Sachi could, and would, very likely do him no harm, he still tensed up like a statue for the first few seconds of her grabbing onto him, crushing his shirt in her hands and burying her face into his chest. On instinct, he'd prepared to open his mouth to reprimand her and raise his hands to pry her off but...once he realized she was sobbing and just really needed another person, he reconsidered; his heartache for the young woman overcoming his fear for a few moments. He'd touched her before while guiding her home, sometimes gently steering her by her shoulders in the right direction or having her lean on him so she didn't tip over in a drunken stupor; why could she not do the same?
So in that moment, he swallowed his fear and brought her into a loose hug, one she could very easily pull from if she so desired.
"Oh Sachi...it's okay, I'm sorry, I know it hurts," He spoke quietly, his voice almost a gentle coo meant to soothe as he brought a hand up to gently rub the top of her back; something his mother used to do when he was upset like this. The raven was still uncertain about all of this, though he couldn't help the slightly saddened chuckle that came out of him at her statement, shaking his head some at her. If you ever asked the raven, he wasn't a nice person; especially not with some of the vile shit he'd said to people during his lash outs...though that hadn't happened in some time. "Lets agree to disagree on that one," he replied, still embracing his newfound...friend?
Some part of him felt like they were friends now, he couldn't explain why. You didn't do stuff like this and then walk away as acquaintances afterwards; at least not in Milo's head. Even still, he kept talking.
"I'm just pointing out how I see things so...do with that what you will, but it's gonna be okay, I know it hurts a lot right now, but it'll be okay because it has to be." The raven carried on, telling her words that he often told himself when his head went so bad that he wanted to be taken out of it. For an instant or two, his eyes got a bit misty for her, he knew what it felt like to be kicked by someone you should've been able to trust not to do that. Yet he blinked the hurt away before it could take hold in him, deciding it was best to keep his head focused on Sachi and the little twit she spoke of; he felt a little bit of shit talk was in order for him.
"Besides...we both know he's gonna come crawling back, you can always push his shit in then."
Sachi jumped, just briefly, when Milo's arms finally moved around her, allowing that embrace, allowing her to cling to him. Her comment of too nice felt far too close to the truth in that moment, the pink lass wondering how the hell she'd gotten lucky enough to not be immediately thrown away by this kind man. She'd been nothing but a nuisance to him since they'd met, constantly barging into his life unannounced, depending on him, using him. [break][break] Heh, pathetic... [break][break] The words hurt, her belief in them far more painful. How the hell would she be able to survive out in the world if she couldn't even get through a stupid breakup with a stupid rich kid without going stupidly crying to someone else? [break][break] But despite it all, those inner thoughts still so self-deprecating, she felt far more at ease with those arms around her, with the knowledge that someone, even just a little, gave a shit about her. He's not even getting anything out of this, she quietly mused, breathing slowing a bit as that hand rubbing her back eased away a good chunk of her tension. [break][break] "...it'll be okay because it has to be." [break][break] Gods, if that wasn't the truth. A small, humorless chuckle left her at the comment, her mind taking perhaps a bit too pessimistic an angle with that one. It was going to be okay because it had to be; it had to be okay because if it wasn't, she was fucked. [break][break] "Besides...we both know he's gonna come crawling back, you can always push his shit in then." [break][break] That one elicited a bit more authentic of a laugh, the sound only slightly wavering with that lingering tightness in her throat. The idea of bashing in the guy's face had certainly been alluring--still was, honestly. She didn't quite expect him to come crawling back--guys like him generally just showed up expecting you to immediately bend to their will and apologize--but she appreciated the mental image of him physically on his knees in front of her well enough. [break][break] "Yeah... Give him that good right hook," she joked in response, finally pulling back and using what portions of her sweater sleeve was left dry to wipe at any tears lingering in the corners of her gaze. Her other hand, mostly just out of instinct, remained attached to her companion, fingers gently clinging to the hem of Milo's shirt. She sniffled a bit, still feeling pathetic, still having to quell that rising tide of self-deprecating anxiety, but the hug helped. Touch always helped. As did crying. [break][break] "Gods, I wish I could just go punch his stupid fucking face in," she mumbled, sounding like some frumpy child instead of the adult woman she actually was. The oversized sweater and puffy, post-cry features didn't help the aesthetic. She sheepishly glanced up at her new... friend... and tried for a smile. "Not that that would help much. My mother would probably have a stroke if she found out I socked Masuda Jiro." She said that last bit with a theatrical flourish and sarcastic regality to her tone, rolling her eyes in some bitter display. She actually snorted, that same bitterness in the sound. "Happy birthday Mom; I punched out the heir to a multimillion dollar fortune. Here's a card."
The raven chuckled some at her comment about punching the guy's face in, gods she was spunky; perhaps that's why he enjoyed her company as much as he did. There weren't many people he'd allow to interrupt his evening like this, but this newfound friend was certainly one of them. In some weird way, her fire brought him out of his shell a bit, he admired the extroversion and general I can be nice, but I'll bite the shit out of you attitude. In that way they were inverted, Milo could absolutely fuck your shit up, but he could be sweet.
In spite of his appearance, the raven was a fan of cutting to the quick with words. He was well fluent in the art of speaking in swords when people needed it.
"Well its a good thing then that you don't have to punch him to get back at him. A few choice words would haunt him longer," He suggested with a chuckle, the hand on her back beginning to pat gently as she pulled away from him but kept her fingers wrapped around the hem of his shirt. The raven scoffed at the name, it just sounded pretentious and stupid; suited its owner perfectly it seemed. "He sounds like a person that I wouldn't put up with for all the money in the world, regardless of what he's the heir to."
With that, he shook his head quietly, what was it with rich people and just being insufferable. He'd yet to meet one genuinely nice one that wasn't rotted inside with entitlement. "You'd be better off saying something like: Thank you for showing me that my standards were too low, I have nothing left to learn from you. If you're really trying to hurt him."
The way Milo saw that statement, it was a classy sort of put down, simultaneously thanking someone for being a piece of shit while also telling them that they didn't even meet the bare minimum. A blow to the ego, one that may haunt Jiro for months, while also keeping Sachi's hands clean. The only thing Jiro would have to whine about would be that Sachi gave him a taste of his own medicine while rejecting him.
"Besides, what'll he do then? Act like a weak ass because some words hurt his feelings?" A chuckle left him then, his palm falling from Sachi's back and into his lap as he relaxed a bit. He hardly remembered being so afraid of her grabbing him a mere moment ago. Perhaps getting touched wasn't so bad...at least not by friends like Sachi. "In all seriousness though, don't beat yourself up over being upset. I've cried way more over much less." He mentioned, looking away a bit with a tinge of shame as he admitted how sensitive he was. Though really, it was a small price to pay to make a friend feel better.
Anything to make her quit getting down on herself.
Sachi had to snort at Milo's suggestion, wiping what little was left of her tears away as she imagined the look on that bastard's face if she'd said all that. He'd probably have passed out, the prissy asshole. She couldn't help but smirk at the thought. As much as he had been a decent lay and a good status symbol, he definitely wasn't worth the turmoil that had clearly befallen her that evening. [break][break] It was nice, too, getting a laugh from the guy. Not that she remembered... too much of their time together previously, but he had always held a rather stoic, strong, in-control place in her mind. Well, compared to her at least, which wasn't saying the most considering most of their meetings had involved her in some capacity lost in the world of intoxication. Still. it was more than a little comforting to see a bit past that exterior, to that kindness that lingered beneath the surface. She'd definitely made the right decision in coming here. [break][break] "Thank you..." she replied, a gentle sigh floating from her lips, cresting into a soft, grateful smile as she caught his eye again. That smile broadened ever so slightly at that sheepish glance away. "I still feel like crap," and she grimaced, "and that was, really, embarrassing as hell," a sigh, followed by a little breathy laugh, "but I guess this was a healthier option than the alternative. Sobbing uncontrollably for a few minutes in a stranger's apartment is probably better for me long-term than going out and getting plastered, maybe breaking a few windows, right?" [break][break] The last bit was said in some sarcastic jest, though the more she mulled over it the more bummed out she became at the thought of that initial gut reaction. It definitely wasn't unheard of, her getting through the more stressful times with violence and substance abuse. Definitely not the healthiest, but also definitely not an issue she was too keen on thinking deeply about right then and there. And so with a thought-clearing sigh, tentatively removing her grip from Milo's fabrics and running a hand through her pink locks, she shot him a sheepish look. [break][break] "I uh... I should probably get out of your hair now that I've calmed down." And she glanced around as if the secrets of his life were plastered around that little apartment space. "I uh... feel really bad for imposing. I hope you weren't doing anything important..."
A tiny bit of relief washed over him at the snort, that was a good sign at the very least. Perhaps things were starting a to look a little bit up...at least until she spoke again. That same, low-key anxious ramble that he'd spit out a thousand times now, on her lips.
"Thank you...I still feel like crap, and that was really embarrassing as hell,"
That sigh, that sheepish glance away, the ramble she went on that concluded in a question she really didn't want an answer to. He knew the feeling well and wished Sachi wasn't experiencing it right then. No one should ever think less of anyone for breaking down because they can't handle something, and if they did...well they weren't someone Milo wanted anything to do with. Everyone had their breaking point, for some it was easier to reach than others, but that didn't make those feelings any less real or painful.
He'd opened his mouth to say something, though she spoke before he could.
"I uh... I should probably get out of your hair now that I've calmed down.I uh... feel really bad for imposing. I hope you weren't doing anything important..."
The raven sighed then, noticing that she'd abandoned her grip on his shirt in favor of running her hand through that cool pink hair, giving him a very uncoollook while she did so. There she went again, thinking she was annoying him or interrupting something that couldn't simply be resumed at a later time. Nothing Milo did was time-sensitive, he'd gone out of his way here to ensure that much. So when she finished talking, he sought to let her know as much.
"Please don't feel bad about it okay? You weren't and aren't bothering me at all."
He finally got the words out, hoping that she'd find some solace in his words, though he doubted that she would unless he went more out of his way to state it again.
"You're totally fine I promise, I was just writing, nothing urgent that I can't just pick up later. You're not bothering me a bit if you want to stay until you feel better."
He noted her looking around the tiny studio he called home, though granted there wasn't really much to it. The raven kept his nest simple, only the essentials and things he treasured. His guitar that he'd saved for over a period of months, the few favorite movies he had stowed neatly under the TV, a stray picture of his mother framed on his bedside table; little things like that which meant so much to him.
"I could throw on a movie or something if you want to help you take your mind off of things?"
The raven offered, making no move to get up from the floor as he awaited her answer. He wouldn't feel one way or the other about whatever she ended up choosing, his chief concern for that moment was making sure his...friend...was alright. Yeah, he guessed she was a friend at this point, once you cry on someone you're no longer just acquaintances. At least that's what he thought.
