shiningbinds | 10th sin

[Kratos has been getting hit with the echoes pretty badly. Being in house eight, he's seen Yuan pretty often--it was the first encounter that made him realize that trying to interact with any others would be absolutely pointless. Every so often, as he travels around town, he'll spot others he knew during their stay in Luceti--Estelle, Rapunzel, Patty, Silver, Misato... it's an infuriating thing, and he tries not to let it get to him.

But it's hard not to, when he also catches glimpses of his former student as well. When he catches glimpses of Lloyd out of the corner of his eye. The echoes of his son are the ones that hit him the most, the ones that hurt the most. ...even if he rightfully deserves that pain.

He's been doing things to keep his mind busy--it's a good thing he has errands to run anyway, isn't it? Feel free to catch him on the way to, during, or the way from stocking up on supplies--things for both himself and the sloth Yuan left behind, because he feels obligated. In the afternoon, he'll send a message he's been meaning to send for a while.]

[Voice, filtered to Lance, 85%]

My apologies for getting back to you so belatedly. When is a good time for us to meet up?

[Then at night, he'll sit on the roof of his home and look up at the stars. He's trying very, very hard to relax his nerves from all of this.]

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[Simon isn't saying anything just yet. Without proper lighting, it's hard to distinguish the shady figure on the rooftop. His first thought is of a burglar, but then... Is there really much worth stealing within Luceti? Nothing but personal belongings. Is there even a way into the house from the roof? Unlikely.

Why else would someone be sitting on top of it? Repairs, perhaps? That'd make sense. There was a thunder storm today. Malnosso supposedly fix what's broken, but would they bother for a leaking roof?]

... Do you require assistance?

[...ah. He's not a stranger to people misinterpreting why he's up here. He should put the record straight.]

No, I do not. I appreciate your concern, but I'm merely watching the stars.

[Is it really so uncommon to watch from the roof?]

[It's incredibly uncommon when you're from a place like Los Angeles. If people want to see stars over there, they'll head over to the Space Center and get a whole educational show out of it. Hell, in most parts of the city you can't even see the stars at night. Too many lights to drown such things out. Simon could see them from the window of his cell, though. Nice sights to watch when he found himself unable to sleep, just like tonight.

The stars in Luceti are different from the ones back home, aren't they? ...Of course they would be. It'd be impossible for them to be the same.]

I see. A respectable pastime.

[Meanwhile, Taka is still circling overhead, his altitude steadily dropping now that his master has stopped walking. It won't be long until the hawk grows impatient and swoops down to see what the trouble is.]

It's certainly one I find enjoyment in.

[Even if it's simply because of the nostalgic memories attached, despite how much those memories could torment him.

Kratos lifts his head, eying Taka. He doesn't remark just yet, choosing to closely watch the hawk for the moment.]

[Taka circles back around one last time, then finally swoops down to land on Simon's shoulder and nip at his ear. Someone's getting a little impatient. Simon doesn't seem to take offense at all. If anything, he gives the hawk a smile and an affectionate scratch.]

Yes, yes. I know. Just a moment.

[As Taka swoops down and Simon affectionately acknowledges him, Kratos raises an eyebrow before smiling very slightly.]

Your friend? [He can acknowledge that the hawk is more than just a mere pet, which may stem from Kratos not being a pet person to begin with.]

That he is. I could not ask for a finer companion. [Once Simon lowers his hand, the hawk lets out a shrill screech and peers up at Kratos. Is Taka suspicious of this stranger? It's possible.]

[The shrill screech is painful to Kratos' ears, but he doesn't show it. He doesn't even flinch.]

He certainly seems... protective of you. [Is he even reading this right? He really doesn't know. This is awkward.]

He is as protective of me as I am of him. That is what it means to be companions, is it not?

Yes, of course.

[Though Simon saying those words does sting a bit for Kratos, reminds him of the companion he wasn't protective of enough. The friend whom he lost as lost himself somewhere along the way. The boy he should have been able to save.

All of this is better off being kept to himself, though.]

[If he were perfectly honest with himself, Simon would have no choice but to admit his words were hypocritical. However, they don't call him the Twisted Samurai for nothing. To him, companionship doesn't only mean protection, it means sacrifice.]

Taka is accustomed to a tremendously different terrain. The opportunity to spread his wings in a place like this leaves him rather impatient.

Is that so? ...you're free to keep moving then, if need be.

[Far be it for him to keep either of them up.]

10th sin - [action]

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