001 | video.

[permit]

[ when the feed flicks on, it’s to the simple image of a sharply dressed man adjusting his glasses upon the bridge of his nose. or rather, it’s the lens glare that strikes the view first, a flash of blue that obscures the friendly(?) way he eyes the viewer, the practiced way he smiles. ]

My apologies. [ the tone, too, is terribly kept, composed and precise. ] If I may, I kindly request that you lend me your brief attention for but a few minutes of your time.

First, allow me to introduce myself: I am Munakata Reishi. You will have to forgive me, I’m afraid, as my recent arrival will mean my lines of inquiry will run along the road of repetition.

[ it’s formality and ease in idle, clear-cut motions; he laces his fingers together and rests them neatly on the table set before him. his smile hasn’t moved. ]

There is, I understand, a . . . certain freedom to living in the time before we are called to action. Training is -- was mandatory, was it not? I don't suppose all of you have been keeping up with your weekly regimen during this temporary state of confusion.

But I digress.

Let me cut straight to the chase, then.

Certain concerns come to mind. Minimal organization though we may have, I admit I’m rather lost. [ there’s a breath of laughter, possibly meant to curb the tension… not to create it. ] With so many people in a state of little to no enforcement, is it safe there on Earth, I wonder?

. . . And what kind of activities, pray tell, have you found to be the most beneficial use of your undoubtedly limitless spare time?


PRIVATE; TO SARUHIKO FUSHIMI

[ it's a text, simple and innocuous. ]

I trust I find you well.

Comments

[permit]

[ . . . and perhaps he allows himself this: a beat (only one) where he studies suoh's face for something he knows he'll never find.

because he knows how this conversation goes -- knows irony when it lashes out at him, when it hisses into his ear, murderously and terribly familiar as his temper settles and coils within his veins. he's aware these are not new words. that they've (he's) had this conversation before, and that he could have it again with nothing to earn from it (besides, perhaps, a do-over, where he might've spoken calmly, coolly and steadily and without his hand at the red king's throat). there's snow, and he could smoke; the only difference here, is that suoh mikoto is speaking to him as if he's the hypothetical problem, and, inadvertently, giving him something to which he can relate.

hell if he means it.

(it's hard to lose a friend -- was it?)

he won't, he tells himself, make the same mistake (the same misassumption) twice. ]

Are you -

[ . . . the pause is unnatural, but -- there is, in the end, a smile, this time more practiced than steeled. ]

Having fun, then?

[clansman]

[ silence in measures -- one breath, two. but laughter's his answer anyway, slowed, half-smoke and thinned by cold. ]

You could come down and check.

[permit]

How could I possibly refuse.

[ even if he should, technically, be on break. it's probably a joke, prepared and purred as one. ]

When you're the one extending the invitation.

[clansman]

. . . hah. Don't tell me you were waiting on me.

[permit]

You've been exceptionally polite thus far.

[ it's measured, casual and lilting -- and therefore goading if not yet angry. ] Shouldn't I do you the same favor?

[clansman]

Anytime you wanna make it, then.

[ and this is four syllables of an invitation. ]

Munakata.

[permit]

[ there is, for the briefest of instances, a flicker of something that could almost pass for amusement that glances over his expression.

after all, it does bring him unbridled joy to - ]

You have no idea where on Earth you are.

[ -- completely throw off suoh mikoto's groove. ]

Have you.

1/3

[clansman]

[clansman]

[







. . . well. ]

[clansman]

S'it matter?

[permit]

[ a breath out of turn -- or a chuckle, duly unimpressed. ]

Perhaps congratulations are in order. Even if it's accidental, you've never been this elusive in the past.

Usually it's less trouble to locate the fire.

[ but then again, the complaint is mostly for show.

red stars don't just come in the shape of earrings, but swords, too, you see. ): ]

[clansman]

Transport only takes you one place, right. . . ?

[permit]

Did you think to wander far from your original starting point?

[clansman]

. . . hah. Don't tell me you can't walk now.

[permit]

[ . . . this is the worst game of hide and seek he's ever played. ]

If I need to, I'll find you.

[ even if at this point, "necessity" is being used very loosely. ] Shall we hope for later rather than for sooner?

[clansman]

Sure.

[ as opposed to all the other times people played with him willingly? ]

Place oughta be big enough for that.

[permit]

[ that's not hide-and-seek. that's "king-never-came-back-last-night-he's-probably-sleeping-on-a-park-bench-somewhere-let's-go-pick-him-up." ]

Try not to give me more of a reason.

[ to hunt you down. and the way he offers it, smooth and yet impossibly hard with each successive syllable, might suggest that it won't take very much. ]

And you might get your break yet.

[clansman]

. . . aaa. And just what would you do?

[ dryly, and almost curious. ]

With enough of a reason.

[permit]

[ sharp -- to a point. formality and airs all laid by the wayside for three simple words, unchecked and resentful and awfully cold. ]

Don't give me one.

1/2

[clansman]

[ he could think, guess, almost doubt - ]

[clansman]

[ but that was four words. ]

Take your time off, Munakata.

[permit]

[ . . . the "don't" was marginally less resentful.











look. shut up. ]

It won't last.

[clansman]

[ slowly, still edgeless - ]

And?

[permit]

And.

[ offered on a platter, like he knows anything, like it's a joke, like he's had the words whispered into his ear by a ghost.

sorry - ]

Perhaps you'll find you regret it.

[clansman]

[ all quiet - ]

It'll last enough.