Video

[lionhearrt]

[ The video turns on showing Mikoto at the helm. He’s silent at first, gold eyes staring back with little regard as he loosens his chains. ]

HOMRA.

[ He extends a hand, palm up, and red flames burst to life, swallowing the flesh in wildfire.  ]

If you wanna know where that red comes from, find the bar. 

[ Wildfire races up his arm and spreads across his chest smothering him in red.  ]

You’ve got one chance to ask directly.

[ Here, he looks back down at the camera. ]

Totsuka. [ You remember your job, right? ] Get ready.

Comments

2/2

[lionhearrt]

[ A quiet little smile. ]

Just something I've been thinking about.

switching to video

[heartshutter]

[ King is smiling. And Tatara is both enamored, and unnerved.

There's a pause before anything more is said. And for this comment, he'll turn on his own video feed to make eye contact. ]

I won't take him away from you, King. But if you want to... we can share Kusanagi-san, if he agrees.

That's what you're hinting at, isn't it? [ He glances away. ] Since Shouhei went home...

video

[lionhearrt]

[ .... His eyes shift away. Totsuka... how do you always know. ]

He wasn't mine to begin with.

[heartshutter]

Of course not! Kusanagi-san doesn't belong to anyone...

[ Except, as a shinki, he kind of does. But, enough of that-- ]

Have you talked to him about it?

[ Wait -- he knows the answer to this one! It's "no", isn't it? ]

[lionhearrt]

No.

[heartshutter]

Do you want me to?

1/2

[lionhearrt]

[ No answer. ]

2/2

[lionhearrt]

No.

[heartshutter]

[ Though his expression's barely shifted, you can see the weight come off Tatara's shoulders at that answer as he breathes out.

But then he remembers what that response could still also mean. ]

Wait -- are you still going to do it, King?

1/2

[lionhearrt]

....

[ A drag of his cigarette. ]

2/2

[lionhearrt]

Who knows.

[heartshutter]

[ In Mikotospeak, Tatara knows that's as good as a yes. His expression falls, if only minutely, before he continues smiling warmly at the video feed. ]

We'll talk about this in person, okay?

[ Hazel eyes glance away and back just a moment before closing at the behest of a sheepish expression. ]

It's been too long since I've seen you anyway, King.

[ He needs to bask in that warmth again. Might do him a bit of good. ]

[lionhearrt]

Hmn.

[ A non-response as he continues smoking. He might not say it, but he'll wait for his arrival. ]</small