text; username: SHIKI

[satsujinki]

No one really tells you how scary it is to fish in the dark. Everyone else seems used to it, but the thought of falling in is crippling.

I guess it must sound more profound in my head when I'm worrying about dying alone near a dock, doing something new. Sorry.

[The little worries that pop into your head when you stare into an abyss.]

I guess tea would be able to improve the state of things just a little.

Comments

[satsujinki]

It's a metaphor. I meant 'the unknown'. There's danger everywhere, if you think about it. We barely know the people here--we barely know each other.

It's tough to get to know and trust one person without it being the ruse. Doing that for dozens of people at a time is next to impossible.

[It was true that Shiki wasn't quite talking about his eyes, but in a way it was all about them. Even thinking about magical and supernatural creatures made his head hurt.

There had been plenty of people he had seen who made his skin crawl even without a natural layer of distrust.]

Plus, I'm not sure ALASTAIR cares about discipline at this point. Isn't a frontal assault on a nation's capital plenty of motivation for exactly that?

[defenceless]

You don't trust people. You keep them at an arm's length, but you don't refuse them, either. That's mainly because you can't. Look past ALASTAIR and see the city and the people we're interfering with. Don't you think they deserve to know peace, learn the truth, and live according to their proper timeline?

[satsujinki]

It's none of my business and it isn't as if I'm any good at helping people in this kind of dire strait!

[For all the cowardly talk he squeeze, Shiki didn't quite realize that he acted in opposition. He would pursue action without thinking twice about it.]

Is that so unreasonable to believe? You'd think that would be the most popular mindset.

[defenceless]

It's not unreasonable, and I bet more people aside from you share the same perspective.

However, the reality is that Chantes has become your business if you ever want to head home.

[satsujinki]

[It wasn't reassuring. Shaking off the chill that he really was stranded wouldn't be easy--maybe not even possible.]

I'm sorry if my mindset is so defeatist.

I guess I don't know how to get used to this.

[defenceless]

[some things can't be reassuring, when you say them.]

Yeah, I've grasped that much. Do you want to tell me your favorite tea, or not?

[satsujinki]

[Crap. It seemed like he forgot that was what he was deflecting.]

Roasted green tea and Oolong. It depends on the season.

[defenceless]

Fair enough. I'll see what I can scrounge up. It'll be passable.

Shall I just head for the dock when I'm done?

[satsujinki]

You really don't have to--I mean, I don't even have anything to give you in exchange.

That would be really unfair, wouldn't it?

[defenceless]

What did I say before? Just accept it.

[satsujinki]

[Shiki winced. This person was all business, weren't they?

He could decline, but that would be in bad taste. If anything, maybe he could just hold onto whatever they bought him indefinitely and chalk it up to 'safe keeping' as a favor of his own.]

Very well. Thank you for the gift.

It's very generous of you.

[Shiki could have written hallmark cards.]

[defenceless]

You're welcome. See you soon.

[she's all business, but she's not completely heartless. it's an interesting mix.]

(( ooc: i figured we could just handwave them meeting up, and rin giving him a cup of tea! pm me or ping me on plurk if you want to talk about any details! ))

[satsujinki]

(OOC: This works! I'll try to remember to do this when I'm not sleep-tagging...)