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

[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.

[permit]

[ a scoff -- a snort, really. ]

What a selfish man you turned out to be.

[clansman]

[ and he breathes, too, almost like a laugh. ]

Don't tell me you want a sorry for that.

[permit]

[ . . . there's just -- a -- look.

sharpened by the blue that catches along the rim of his glasses, by the briefest flash of something like lightning on the horizon, something like static flickering across his side of the video with all its clear, vibrant lights.

and, even with the neutral expression he keeps, despite the gentlemanly way he maintains his posture, his shoulders relaxed and unguarded -

the feed still burns with it for a while yet. ]

You seem so fond of that word [ enunciated, rich with distaste ] for someone who doesn't know its meaning.

[clansman]

Nah.

[ a beat, a space where another man might set a question, might say you wanna tell me?

instead - ]

You'd know if I meant it.

[permit]

Then let us continue hoping you never mean it.

[ the smile of a bureaucrat (a hiss). ]

For if you do, and it's directed to me -

[permit]

I intend to earn it.

[clansman]

[ and he smiles, at last, right back. ]

I wouldn't have asked you for anything else, Munakata.

[permit]

[ and as much as he'd love to take part in this particular conversation, as much as his brow furrows with the makings of a glare -

the screen goes black within the next second.

congratulations! he's shut up! achievement unlocked. ]