[There's a stillness that overtakes the world in an instant - the enthralled he was pressuring into battle-
Shifts back. Returns to normal with a sudden, uneasy clarity. It doesn't take a genius to figure out why the air is less stifling or the echoes of battle end.
Anticlimactic, honestly.
He's busy checking the network to see who's gloating about a battle won - either against the Green Knight or Night Sky. Perhaps both, if the intensity of her thrall was any indication the one time he's seen her.
Nothing on the network, but -
A text comes through. Dinner - he's close enough to make it and the ever popular counselor may have more clues on the victor than he does. Patient confidentiality or not, Akechi's sure that will slip if he knows. It's an information exchange, not a gossip session. The power behind whoever took down the Green Knight must be astronomical. Needs to be known. Needs to be watched.
Akechi sends back an instant, simple text confirmation - a new habit formed from their enthrallment check-ins.
It's only when he settles into his usual barstool with the plate of spaghetti in front of him, that he notes Maruki's general appearance. Demeanor. Their nights are spent in soft spoken conversation. Quieter with the recent events. The bone deep exhaustion that comes from corralling enthralled along with the mental strain of dealing with every memory that appears in that lake. The latter a non-concern for Akechi, who could care less about whatever sob story appears in the water from those stupid enough to linger, but-
Maruki is different. Days spent counseling prior, only to continue with those whose fresh wounds appear on the water's surface. It's his choice. Akechi's sympathy limited to the negatives, but that doesn't negate the effect on a person.
He takes a couple bites before speaking - it's good, as usual. The sauce is messy and wipes his mouth with a napkin, ever polite.]
no subject
Shifts back. Returns to normal with a sudden, uneasy clarity. It doesn't take a genius to figure out why the air is less stifling or the echoes of battle end.
Anticlimactic, honestly.
He's busy checking the network to see who's gloating about a battle won - either against the Green Knight or Night Sky. Perhaps both, if the intensity of her thrall was any indication the one time he's seen her.
Nothing on the network, but -
A text comes through. Dinner - he's close enough to make it and the ever popular counselor may have more clues on the victor than he does. Patient confidentiality or not, Akechi's sure that will slip if he knows. It's an information exchange, not a gossip session. The power behind whoever took down the Green Knight must be astronomical. Needs to be known. Needs to be watched.
Akechi sends back an instant, simple text confirmation - a new habit formed from their enthrallment check-ins.
It's only when he settles into his usual barstool with the plate of spaghetti in front of him, that he notes Maruki's general appearance. Demeanor. Their nights are spent in soft spoken conversation. Quieter with the recent events. The bone deep exhaustion that comes from corralling enthralled along with the mental strain of dealing with every memory that appears in that lake. The latter a non-concern for Akechi, who could care less about whatever sob story appears in the water from those stupid enough to linger, but-
Maruki is different. Days spent counseling prior, only to continue with those whose fresh wounds appear on the water's surface. It's his choice. Akechi's sympathy limited to the negatives, but that doesn't negate the effect on a person.
He takes a couple bites before speaking - it's good, as usual. The sauce is messy and wipes his mouth with a napkin, ever polite.]
Have you heard anything interesting?