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.

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[alphaophiuchi]

[ ...Tsuki...

[ but still, that little bit of repetition makes him smile. Just a touch. ]

Thank you. [ and in he goes! Living room, hello! He'll definitely make himself comfortable on the pillows, getting all cosy on them. Gods, this is nice. ]

I wanted to check in on you. That, and...maybe see if we were on the same page with something. Possibly. You've always been neutral, hm?

[intercalaryninja]

[It helps him, he swears.

Tsukikage seats himself on a stool, folding his legs over it and pinching the seat, resting in a position that looks uncomfortable but evidently isn't for the ninja.]

Well I'm doing fine, if you're asking.

[The next question gets him a curious eyebrow raise.] Yes... That's true. I always have been. Why? Have you spoken to Haru too?

[alphaophiuchi]

Of course, I'm asking. And I'm glad to hear you're well. [ a bit of a nod there. Decisive. He likes hearing that Tsukikage's doing well. ]

...ah. Well, yes, I've spoken to Haru and all manner of people- What makes you ask, though?

[intercalaryninja]

Haru was the last one I've been speaking to about plans about... dealing with the gods, shall we say. [Tsukikage checks his blood ties to sense where Reira and Ron are, and he's quite relieved to find them out of the house.] People don't often ask me about my stance with gods unless they're accusing me of joining the Fourth because of my master.

Why do you need to know if I'm aligned with a god or not?

[alphaophiuchi]

I've spoken with a few people on that matter, actually. Was redirected to speak with someone named Rin. [ just a bit of...idle musing, there. Hint hint. In case it comes up. ]

Because I'm concerned about your master, actually. And I was wondering if our concerns would align here. Given, especially, because of your neutrality.

[intercalaryninja]

Yes... I've been meaning to speak to him again because of some recent developments. Thank you for reminding me.. He's the more action-orientated of the couple.

[Hearing this was about Reira, he sighs a little actually, as if expecting this. He's gotten a lot of flak over Reira, especially recently. As Reira is his master, anything she does naturally is reflected on him.] Well please elaborate. What concerns?

[alphaophiuchi]

He and...Haruka, is it? Our boss over at the club? [ he's sure he's seen somethig going on there. ] ...what sort of developments?

[ but he tips his head after that, just a little, and offers a faint, apologetic smile. ] You know I don't mean this to be some sort of interrogation. Nor do I believe you responsible for any of her actions. You take care of her, but she's...strong-willed, to say the least.

But she's also been getting very bull-headed, hasn't she?

[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.