CONTACT | Call me, maybe

[intercalaryninja]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, HAZYREFLECTION FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 011.04.151.01 *** HAZYREFLECTION has joined 011.04.151.01 <HAZYREFLECTION> Only contact me if it is necessary. <HAZYREFLECTION> Report to me immediately if it's regarding Reira-dono. <HAZYREFLECTION> I will be checking this nightly when possible.

Comments

[intercalaryninja]

It's a work in progress. If you're not already aware of them, perhaps it may be best to keep it quiet... though I'm happy to get a second opinion.

[He knows Draco has the same distaste for the gods he does. However, business is business so he figures he should deal with what Draco came here for before dragging him down another rabbit hole]

Very much so. It's a big change to how she used to be.

Fairly bull-headed, but I could say the same for many of us. She's at least able to reason her opinions well.

[alphaophiuchi]

I've got some inkling, anyway. [ so that's a bit of safety. He smirks faintly after that. ] And besides, I'm very good at keeping secrets.

[ but! Yes, he's fine with steering back to what he initially came there for, though he's not sure he's capable of framing his thoughts on this well. He's got heaps of issues with what Reira's doing, but perhaps for reasons of bad experiences. ]

Has she? Every time I've spoken with her on the matter, she seems only to give her opinions, thus steamrolling everyone else's. Concerns are pushed off to the wayside because of... [ a vague flutter of his hand. ] Various reasons. There's always a reason. Apparently, the Fourth has made her effectively immortal. Or some such, at least from the way she speaks of him.

[intercalaryninja]

She's a child. [He says that so simply, staring straight at Draco.] I'm not using that as an excuse. She's a child. Naturally she'll think her opinion is correct. However, together we have talked a number of times about why people of concerned. She recognises there's an opposing opinion, even if she doesn't understand to fully.

[He's obligated to defend her, and he wants to, but it's clear this hasn't gone past Tsukikage unnoticed.] ... Of course he has. I figured as much. She's stronger now. I can feel it... [He flexes his hand, as if trying to channel the blood magic inside of him to look at Reira.] A while ago she communicated on the network using only her mind... she's the Fourth's priestess now. [He says that almost hissing]

[alphaophiuchi]

She's not going to be a child forever. [ that's all he'll offer to start. He doesn't want to cause an argument here. ]

...so that's what that was. I thought there was something...odd about it all.

[intercalaryninja]

She was barely allowed to be a child before. [As far as he's concerned, Reira has only really been allowed to be one for three years. He knows where there will be a time where he'll need to be less lenient, but he would rather do that slowly.]

It's concerning. She's devoted to Elias, far more than his other priests. She cares greatly for him.

[alphaophiuchi]

[ he inclines his head slightly to one side, considering and granting that. He doesn't know those minute details of her history; Tsukikage does. ]

I've noticed. To the point of recklessness, it seems.

[ a beat, then: ] Not very child-like behaviour, I must say. Not always, anyway, and perhaps that's where I'm concered.

We're giving her the benefit of the doubt because she is a child, after all.

[intercalaryninja]

On the contrary, very childish behaviour. A reckless abandoned to care for the people she cares about. A need to be in the right. An innocence and unwavering faith in someone she views as a big brother.

But I understand where you're coming from. It has concerned me of late... [Tired him out, really]

[alphaophiuchi]

[ clearly, Draco doesn't know many children. Or care to know many children, frankly. This is probably why. ]

Well, at least you can see where I'm coming from here. [ he sighs, his tongue flicking out in what appears to be irritation. ] I told her already, I can see this going in a poor direction. She refuses to see it.

[intercalaryninja]

And what do you think should be the next course of action? She's powerful in her own right, and she refuses to change her mind. I want to educate her in making good decisions but there is only so much I can do.

[alphaophiuchi]

All the more reason for me to ...at least try to help, hm? So you're not alone in it. [ solidarity, mate. ]

I- I've tried to get her to listen by explaining the damage done by her promises. I'm not sure she understood. [ next course of action... It's tricky. ]

[intercalaryninja]

Thank you... I appreciate it. [Many of those who used to help are long gone now...]

I'm worried she does understand fully but the ends seem to justify the means for her... [Which would make her her brother's sister, in a weird cult-like way.] I have been doing so as well but more as a perspective shift, just so she understands.

[alphaophiuchi]

[ he gives a swift nod, slightly fierce in nature. If he's going to help with anything, it's going to be this. He has to. ]

...that's even more terrifying, quite frankly.

Has it been working?

[intercalaryninja]

If she learns how to keep that stubborn streak without sacrificing her friends and relationships, she'd be a fine leader someday. [She has the resolution for it. Akabas...]

I'm going to have a less subtle approach about it. I've been implying it and incorporating it in everything from stories to dinner conversations, but she doesn't see it. She can recognise it's wrong, just not that behaviour in herself.

[alphaophiuchi]

And what's she going to lead, out of curiosity?

[ just, uh. Curious. Since she seems to be going Full Fourth. ]

Ugh. [ he scoffs softly, sighing and shaking his head. ] Well, that's...frustrating. I suppose it's as they say: that you can bring a Thestral to water, but you can't make it drink.

[intercalaryninja]

I was speaking very liberally. Her brother was a CEO of a worldwide corporation at sixteen, Reira-dono easily could do the same and be an influential leader. Though now that you ask, I worry it'll be for god-related things...

[Tsukikage is so tired, man.] A thestral? What's that?

[alphaophiuchi]

See? I was right to be sceptical. [ totally right. He's tired too. But he's here for you, man.

[ ...seriously. He moves a little closer, lightly touching Tsukikage's arm. For reassurance. ]

It's...a horse-like creature, I suppose. Invisible to most.

[intercalaryninja]

I'm going to be optimistic first. Cautious but optimistic. I believe in Reira-dono.

[She is both his ultimate strength and his weakness.

But Tsukikage smiles as Draco touches him and nods. He's glad he has his friends by his side. It helps infinitely.]

Ahh... I see. That makes sense.

[alphaophiuchi]

..all right. If you have faith in her. [ then he has to, too. Because he trusts Tsukikage.

[ he too is glad he's got friends here. It does help. Weirdly. ]

Mm. Sort of a bizarre thing.

[intercalaryninja]

I do.

[If Tsukikage sounds sure about anything, it's that. His devotion is not blind but it is filled with love and trust for the young Akaba.]

Bizarre in the grand scale of things? Or just a little?

[alphaophiuchi]

[ that's good. If nothing else, they've got that going on. ]

Just a little. It's really no different from most things in my world.

[intercalaryninja]

I see. [He smiles.] Was that all you came to talk to me about, Draco? Are you busy today?

[Wanna stay for dinner?]

[alphaophiuchi]

...it was, yes. But no, I'm not busy. Why do you ask?

[ always! ]

[intercalaryninja]

No sense making a visit end on such a troubling note… I thought you’d like to stay around for dinner and all… if you’re not too busy.

[alphaophiuchi]

[ he looks delighted by the suggestion. ]

I would love to, Tsukikage. Thank you.