001. every reunion is a type of heaven // open post.

[kawaakari]

Take a prompt, take your time, post whatever you like.

Comments

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brigade's dressed in a white shirt, his brown leather jacket, jeans and a pair of black Chuck Taylor's. A pair of TFV dogtags he'd gotten from his last missions with the Conspiracy before he'd gotten the signal not to take any more jobs hangs around his neck. He knocks on the pane of Kasumi's office door. ] Ma'am, I'm here.

[kawaakari]

Give me a moment.

[Setting her things aside now, and - in a move rather different from their usual - standing up to answer the door herself. She already has the sake.]

Shall we?

[atlas_shrugged]

Yes, Ma'am. [ He offers with a motion of his hand to carry the bottle for her ] We can pass my room for one of the other bottles I bought if you think that won't be enough.

[kawaakari]

This bottle should be fine. [Handing it over with a smile now.] As things stand, we should not drink until so late this time.

[Granted, this, too, is also drawing a line.]

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brig's surprised but doesn't show it. Well, he thinks he doesn't show it. ] Busy day tomorrow? [ He tilts his head in the direction of the door, waiting for her to be the first to walk ]

[kawaakari]

Yes. That, and your blade and the family members who came with you will be leaving, correct?

[Do they not have their own matters to attend to?]

[atlas_shrugged]

The Hounds can manage themselves, Ma'am. And I [ A pause ], well I don't really sleep much. I'll be up for J and K in the morning.

But I understand if you've got a lot on your plate tomorrow. [ He tries to smile. ]

[kawaakari]

[She'll only smile at that - she's never been specific about the details of her work, and she's not about to start now - and leads the way down to the pond.]

I hope you enjoyed drinking with An'yu and the others earlier.

[They had, from what she had heard, but it is always good to ask.]

[atlas_shrugged]

I did, Ma'am. It's always nice drinking with An'yu-same. [ He follows her step and walks beside her ] And it was nice seeing everyone with their mentors. Hopefully the Brands [ Brig thinks of them fondly ] rub off on Yulia. [ He thinks of when Yulia smiles and it makes him smiles ]

[kawaakari]

[Making an amused noise.]

I am not too sure if I share your hope in that direction.

[atlas_shrugged]

[ He can't help himself. He expects for her to say something like what she said at the onsen again, but he says it anyway ] You sound really cute when you do that.

[kawaakari]

Is that so?

[Mildly, as they're finally reaching their destination. She nods once at the pond, and the water ripples in response.

It's been a long time, old friend.]

[atlas_shrugged]

Well, I find it cute. You tend to do it sometimes. When you've got a "thinky" face on. [ He breaks off from her side for a moment, kneels down and channels his pyros into the pool ] Good evening, sir. [ He smiles. He likes the old Koi ]

[kawaakari]

[Watching the water ripple once again, this time in response to Brig. Also taking her seat right by the pond.]

It has been a long time since someone has described me as "cute".

[atlas_shrugged]

Must come with the job. You're relatively intimidating. [ Brigade glances back at her. He did find her intimidating as well, the first time they met her and at the celebration after the Measuring ] But they aren't mutually exclusive. [ He smiles at her, nodding again at the Great Koi before he moves to sit beside her, one knee up and the other leg stretched out ]

[kawaakari]

[And rather than respond to that, she's laying down the cups and changing the subject.

She will make draw her final line soon enough, perhaps.]

Did your family enjoy themselves in Japan?

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brig's still looking at the Great Koi. He's curious about his story. He snaps back to attention when she asks. ] Oh, they did. J and K have never been here. I think they busied themselves going around the place. [ He takes the sake bottle and pours for them both. Then looks back at the Koi. ] Did he ever a wife? Or companion? Must be pretty lonely being the only fish in the pond. Old to boot.

[kawaakari]

Oh, I think he is quite content with where he is.

[They have much in common, her and this Great Spirit.

And nope, while she does know the answer to all of that, she's keeping it sealed behind her lips.]

[atlas_shrugged]

Don't know whether I'm happy for him or think getting used to being alone sucks. [ He's thinking about himself too. When Kaz's boy showed them the Koi, Brig felt sad for the old spirit. And felt drawn to him as well. ] Especially with how long he must have lived already.

[ Brigade is oblivious to her thoughts. He has no idea she, as usual, is giving him only what she wants to give him. ]

[kawaakari]

Some creatures in the Fifth World cannot stand to be alone while others get used to it, as you say. Still others choose to be alone.

[Sip.]

[atlas_shrugged]

And you are which, Ma'am? [ A sip as well, while looking at her thoughtfully ]

[kawaakari]

I choose to be alone.

[Still smiling, meeting his gaze just once, before going back to her drink.]

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Caution. Usually he'd just jump the near-obvious questions. But he grew up knowing propriety in non-combat oriented matters. ] May I ask why?

[kawaakari]

It helps keep things in perspective for me.

[She has her job, she has her family, she has her few friends, and her principles. That is enough.]

ugh, backtagging, walking the fine line of continuity paradox. haha

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Keep things in perspective? ] I take it you lost perspective once before? [ He asks with both curiosity and concern in his voice ]