A Ghost’s Bucket List

[Seiji Lockard]

This was something that was very hard for Seiji to do, but not for what he was doing and instead for why he was doing it. He of course had no problem carrying his heavy five and a half foot long boa constrictor around with him. His six foot four body was able to handle it and it was not like he was not use to the weight of an all muscled creature. The problem was he was doing these things now because they were what Ghost wanted to do before he would pass on. The reptile knew that he was near the end of his days and wanted to do a few more things with his master.

A lot of them where things they had done in the past, back when Seiji was much younger and the both of them were a lot smaller. Then there were a few that they had sort of done but just in a different way than they were doing things now. “You sure you can’t be immortal?” Seiji asked Ghost with a pained chuckled as he walked to the next destination on their list. There was some more conversation between Seiji and Ghost, but it was all in his head since that was how he communicated with his reptiles after all.

Seiji was quick to rub his eyes, still not wanting to accept or think about the fact that he was going to be losing his first and best friend in the whole world. “I know, I know. Let’s get back to the list. Keep in mind it is still pretty chilly at night so we can’t do it all for too long.” Seiji said as he stopped and looked around for someone to help him achieve this one particular bucket list Ghost wished to do. “Excuse me. I have a favor to ask of you and I will compensate you in whatever way you see fit. Oh! First, are you okay with snakes?” Seiji asked, quickly being reminded by Ghost that he should first ask if the person could handle reptiles before they went about this plan.

[François Laffont]

College did not have the same schedule as high school. People were not in class all at the same time, going out all together and moving into one large group. Some classes lasted longer than others. Then you had to add all the work you needed to do, all the studying required at the library or at someone’s dorm because you teamed up with them.

Franck had warned his father he’d be late. Despite his son’s age and personality, the man always worried. And with the Anti-Mutant Association or whatever its name was, it did nothing to calm the easily worried man. Franck was sometimes tired of this. He knew his father didn’t think him unable to take care of himself. But he also knew what the root of all this came from and for that reason, he always played along and made sure to appease the man’s fear.

Franck was not particularly eager to go home though. He figured he still had some time. The evening was chilly but not too cold for him to head inside right after walking out. Besides, he thought he could just cut through the courtyard to the parking lot. That would be good exercise too. He didn’t exactly had the time to train this week and he hated that as he always felt like he must have been procrastinating or something.

He blew on his hands and felt a shiver go down his spine. He thought it was the cold but he then felt it. The pain, the sadness. It was terrible. And then a voice came out, near him. Unsure if it was for him, he turned around. “Oh, hm... Seiji, right?” Franck had made sure to read the name on the door after he left him last time they met. Perhaps he should have said the man’s last name though. It was more polite. He was a staff member after all and Franck was only a student. But he could not remember it. He would have found it difficult to remember anyway, since he was going through Asian surnames. He noticed the snake he had around him, the same that had been in the tank when he came to his office. “Yes, yes, I’m okay with them. At least I think so. I’ve never been this close to one first,” he said as he looked at the snake, with some curiosity. He quickly stopped that though to look at Seiji with a frown. The pain and sadness was definitely coming from him. “Are you alright? You...” He stopped himself, knowing how people hated when he was poking in their personal affairs. Seiji might not want to confide to a student. He still came closer, the pain slowly painting on his features. He had no idea what was causing it but it was deep. Really deep. And Franck sort of just felt like hugging him. Certainly because, if he were to feel this much pain, he’d want the biggest hug in the world ever.

[Seiji Lockard]

If Seiji would have recognized that it was the young man by the name of François that he had ended up calling out to for help, he would have informed him that it was nothing. He still could have done that, but it felt rude to do after Franck was not coming over and had remembered his name. The other young man called him by his first name, which didn't bother Seiji at all since he was just pleased that Franck remembered his name. That alone brought a small smile to Seiji's face for a small moment.

He quickly debated if he wanted to involve someone with Franck's powers in this, before he just decided it didn't hurt to ask Franck for help. Seiji just needed to keep his emotions in check, which he knew was going to be a lot harder than just simply thinking that. How was one supposed to keep their emotions hidden away when someone could read those emotions that were hidden away? "Yes, I'm Seiji. You are François but you like to be called Franck, correct?" Seiji asked, just wanting to clarify. He was pretty sure he was right but it didn't hurt to make sure.

It was good to hear that Franck for the most part was okay with snakes but Seiji had a feeling after the favor he was going to ask that Franck was not going to be for very long. "Okay, that is good. I was wondering if you could help me out with one of Ghost's wishes." Seiji informed Franck. He was going to go into detail on what he wanted the young man to do but then Franck was asking if things were okay. Clearly Seiji had faild at trying to keep his emotions under wraps, but he knew he was not good at it to begin with.

"I will be...alright. Thank you for your concern. Now what Ghost always wanted to do was scare someone. He normally is very sweet so wanted to see what it was like to actually scare someone on purpose. I was wondering if you would...possibly let him try and scare you?" Seiji went ahead and asked, choosing to focus on what Ghost wanted over his feelings on this whole situation.

((Tag: François Laffont))

[François Laffont]

Seiji was not the first person to realise what Franck’s power could do and try to get a hold of their emotions. Some did it for his sake, others because they hated the feeling of intrusion they had at this. While Franck could understand where this feeling came from, it was always a tad insulting. He didn't do it on purpose. He had no control on what he was sensing from others. He could control his own reaction and would try not to react to them too much but this really was not his fault.

He sensed Seiji getting a little more guarded as he approached. It had him hesitate for a moment, wonder if he should leave him. But at the same time, the sadness... Franck knew he’d feel bad about himself if he did not at least try something about it. Luckily for Seiji, Franck was feeling good enough himself not to end up crying because of the man’s pain. He would have to make sure it stayed that way.

The fact he recognized him, not only that but remembered his name and even his nickname, surprised Franck. “Yes. I had no idea you’d remember that,” he let out. A man like Seiji must be very busy. It made only sense he would not remember someone like Franck. He doubted their encounter in the man’s office was really significant for Seiji. He helped a student, nothing more. It mattered more to Franck than him for sure.

“Ghost? That’s your snake’s name? He has a wish?” It seemed odd for him that snakes might have wish, let alone wishes that could be known by humans. It seemed to remind Franck of something regarding Seiji's power, but it still remained surprising. After all, Franck couldn't sense anything coming from the snake. Franck then thought something, that had nothing to do with powers. “It’s a he, right?” He didn’t think there were genders to noun in English, but it sure was the case in French. Ghost being masculine in French, he assumed the ghost was male.

Seiji told him he’d be alright. He doubted that was the case but he understood it meant that it was not something he would share with him. Franck nodded, even though he doubted he could drop the matter entirely. Again, Seiji’s words helped to it. “Scare me?” Franck never handled a snake so he had no idea if he was fine with them or not. Seeing Ghost on Seiji’s shoulders did not scare him so he figured he was fine with snakes. Maybe he would have found it easier to scare him if he was not. “Well, I scare easily,” he admitted, which was about the only point in the snake’s favor. Because something else played against him. Right now, all Franck could feel was Seiji’s pain and sadness. Still, if that could help it somehow... “He can try but I don’t really know what you two are expecting,” Franck said with some hesitation. Ghost’s ace up... well he had no sleeve but his only chance at succeeding was that Franck was easily scared.

TAG: Seiji Lockard

[Seiji Lockard]

Seiji would never be mad or upset for Franck using his powers on him, since his powers didn’t really hurt him. Plus he knew that with such a power it was not always easy to just ignore what you were getting from other people. What Seiji was worried about was effecting Franck’s mood and making him sad, which he didn’t want. He wanted everyone he interacted with to be happy and if they were sad he would try to cheer them up. He could not do that at the moment and thus was hesitant about having Franck coming too close to him. He didn’t want Franck to become sad because of him and have no way to cheer the young man up, but it seemed Franck was still willing to approach so her tried to hold back his worries for the moment.

“Of course I remember, it’s important to just in case I would see you again or your name came up in a discussion I would best know how to help or approach the situation.” Seiji informed Franck. There were other reasons too on top of that, but he figured Franck didn’t want to hear the list of them. All Franck needed to know was Seiji did his best to remember the people who had come to him for help in anyway so he could be of more help to them in case they returned in the future. “Yes, Ghost. The white boa constrictor you met back in my office. You see…well there are several wishes he has and I’m helping him fulfil them but with this one I need someone’s help.” Seiji informed Franck, trying to keep away from the whole ‘Ghost is dying and this is his bucket list wishes’ subject.

“Yes, he is male. He also likes to act like a dog but for this he will act like a snake.” Seiji informed Franck when he asked the next question. It was indeed hard to tell a snakes gender just by looking at it, you had to actually check and Seiji had years ago. He nodded his head again when Franck asked what Seiji just told him about the whole being scared. It was indeed a weird request but a simple one at that where a person would just have to walk around and end up being scared. “Thank you. All you need to do is walk into that tree line over there and just walk really. Ghost will pop up when you least expected to scare you.” Seiji informed him.

Ghost was already slithering off to go hide so he could be ready to scare Franck, still having the natural instincts to be able to hide even his white scales within the trees and finding just the right spot where Franck would likely end up passing through in order to strike out and let out a hiss to scare Franck. “You sure you are okay with this?” Seiji asked Franck, before he would give him the okay to start walking.

((Tag: François Laffont))

[François Laffont]

What helped Franck stay in control right now was that he himself was not sad. When he felt the same thing as the person, it just made it harder for him not to act upon it. But the pain and sadness was there and threaten to choke Franck. The young man just wanted to hug Seiji, mostly because he would have loved being hugged if he was the one in the man’s position, but he figured it would not be wise. More than probably not being very appropriate for a student to hug a member of the school staff, Seiji may not want the gesture and Franck didn't want to make it worse. Still, the two of them had something very similar about them: they hated seeing someone near them down. Franck didn’t care if it was painful on him. It certainly was a lot more on Seiji. Franck was ready to endure it if he could help.

Even if the help was about being scared. Franck had a little smile at the reason Seiji gave as to why he would remember his name. He didn't think he was all that important, to Seiji anyway, so the reasons why the man would remember his name mattered little, it was still appreciated. In fact, it made more sense that way, even if Franck was still surprised he’d bother remembering it. “Yes, I remember him,” Franck admitted as Seiji mentioned he had met the snake before. He looked at Ghost. It was different to see the snake on Seiji’s shoulders compared to in a terrarium. Franck was about to ask about this list of wishes but something else caught his attention. “A dog?” He couldn’t help the smile of amusement, although it didn't stay very long with all the negative feelings that surrounded him right now.

Seiji explained how it could be done. The trees provided a perfect hiding spot for Ghost who was already making its way there. All Franck needed then was to walk around until the snake would pop up to scare him. He watched Ghost leave them but soon focused his attention on Seiji. The pain was still very much there and Franck wondered what terrible news he heard that put him in that state. He was caught staring as Seiji asked him if he really was fine. “Yes, no, I mean, yes, I am okay with it,” Franck assured, looking down at his feet for a moment. He passed his tongue on his lips and took a deep breath before looking at Seiji again. “Perhaps we can talk a little? It’s just... If I go now, I’ll know what to expect. If we talk and walk together, my attention will be less on what is supposed to happen. I’d say Ghost would have more chances scaring me then.”

[Seiji Lockard]

Seiji indeed was a very logical man, so it only made logical sense to him that he would remember someone’s name that had come to him for help. All the same, he was happy to make the young man smile because he remembers his name. It was always amazing how certain people could be pleased by something a nice gesture as remembering a person you talked to. Seiji would have understood if Franck forgot who he was, given they had not interacted with one another since Franck had come with questions. "Good, he remembers you as well and is looking forward to being able to touch you, unlike last time." Seiji informed Franck.

He then cleared his throat once his mind clicked on how that could sound pretty bad. It was meant in the most literal ways but who knew how Franck would take it. The thought didn't stick to Seiji's mind long, not with his thoughts mostly locked around Ghost. "Yeah, due to my power my reptiles tend to pick up their own more decisive personalities. Ghost got the type of dog trapped in a snake’s body personality." Seiji informed Franck, having no problem telling the young man this. There was Leevi who was a silent pervert, Akiko who was all about beauty and her own looks, and Sapphire who hated the world and everyone in it.

Still, he loved them all no matter their personality but he didn't know how his newest addition would turn out. The task was given and Franck could head out now, but there was something that seemed to bothering him. Seiji already felt to blame because he did know of the boy’s power and wonder if he was to blame. "You don't have to do this if you don't to." Seiji assured him. Franck then asked if they could talk and walk, to better increase the chances of him getting scared, and that made logical sense. "Sure, what would you like to talk about? Are you still worried about your family?" Seiji asked as he moved towards the trees, expecting Franck to walk with him. Seiji would not get scared because he knew where Ghost was.

((Tag: François Laffont))

[François Laffont]

“Right,” Franck said at Seiji’s comment, or more like what his snake was apparently saying to him. He said it like one would say ‘oh’ out of surprise. At the same time, he figured he’d be touched or get closer to Ghost since the snake wanted to scare him. The way it was brought up though might have another meaning. For once, Franck grasped that something could sound more suggestive than it was intended to, and it was a snake who said it to him. “And I hope I’ll get the chance to get to know Ghost better after that. As a thank you gift maybe?” Franck never held a snake before. He went to the zoo when he was a kid and saw the reptiles in there with the employee holding the boa and letting people pet or even hold it. He never managed to however. Maybe that could change now. He wouldn’t cry if that was impossible but that could be nice.

He was a little amused at the thought that Seiji’s power changed Ghost to the point he thought he was a dog in some way. “At least it’s a dog that doesn’t lose hair everywhere,” he said, trying to look on the bright side. He knew snakes shed skins, at least he heard about it. Still, it had to be easier to pick up than hair all around. And they mustn’t do that all of the time. He almost pitied Ghost now though. Some people were scared of dogs but they were definitely more liked than snakes. Poor little one mustn’t have had a lot of people who wanted to pet him.

“No, no, that’s not it,” he assured Seiji as the man said he could back out whenever he wanted. Franck could then explain how he figured it would be easier for Ghost to catch him by surprise if his mind was taken elsewhere. Like, let’s say, discussing with Seiji. He didn't want to make it an excuse to discuss what they talked the first time they met though but Seiji brought it up. “Well... not really. I mean, my father has shown no sign that he developed anything, so I guess that I worried over nothing in the end. I’m glad of it, of course,” he said, adding the last part really quickly before it all sounded too whiny. “You always walk out with your snakes in the middle of the night?”