[and he'll move to place his hand on the panel again if she's not reaching for it - and the city adjusts. the crowds empty out, leaving just the two of them on the street, the lights all die out except for the lamp posts, even the cars aren't packed together anymore aside from the occasional one that drives by. some shadows shift in the distance like there's a few souls around - but they're fidgety, nervous, not all carefree like before.]
[ Her own expression doesn't change as the city shifts into something murky and dark, its anxious energy clear. There's just the barest narrowing of her eyes on the remaining passerbys, assessing. ]
[ . . . . he looks thoughtful for a second like he's trying to figure out how much he's willing to say, especially since takeru's here too.]
... A bunch of mysteries happened recently - dangerous ones. So they've pretty much put the city in a situation where it's just not safe for people to live their lives. Everything's on lockdown - and people can still go out and do their best, but it's nowhere near as lively.
That's part of why I'm here.
I asked you before... and it's fine if you still don't trust me - but I figure I can't keep hoping you'll tell if I don't say anything first.
[ she doesn't pry past that, answering with a quiet hum as she surveys the near-empty streets, the people who are out but too busy watching their backs to really breathe and live in the moment. ]
The power to solve a mystery, and to protect an entire city...
[ it's as good a reason to be here as any other, though her expression is inscrutable. ]
Are you hoping I'll trust you? As I've said, we barely know each other. [ ... ] Though I suppose I comprehend you a little better, now.
... it's nothing that noble, and my reasons are probably more selfish than I can make it sound with this much.
[because he's still being a vague. as much as he loves shinjuku, he also doesn't think that he's going to be strong enough to protect it by himself
and it's why he just shakes his head when he looks back at her with a smile]
No. Trust is a lot harder to win than that. I don't trust you either - but I figure this is something I'm willing to share, so it can at least be a start.
[ is it selfish? is it that he perceives it as selfish? either is fine. she isn't here expecting people to be the sacrificing sort. ]
...On our island, being attacked in the streets is very common. Expected, even. In fact, as the lord commander, I help decide what monsters are set loose.
[ only fair of her to share a little in return. she smiles, tepid. ]
What different lives we lead. I wonder if we'll be able to find some common ground to build such trust on.
I don't think it has to be common. Or... I guess that's easier, but... Hearing about other people's lives has been a lot more interesting to me than assuming we're all the same.
[but he still knows that trust is a shaky, fickle thing. he's not banking on it either - he also just doesn't believe that he can be super picky anymore.]
[ everyone's lives and circumstances are so wildly different, but ultimately their wishes and journeys are independent, so she isn't too affected. ]
It's to keep our populace alert and to act as combat training for our students. Those that don't feel comfortable defending themselves travel with guards, and ultimately we have other protections in place against greater threats, so it is not a fearful atmosphere.
It's a normal way of life for us. Hopefully your Shinjuku will learn to defend itself someday as well.
[ . . . . he looks thoughtful at that, like he's really trying to imagine it. it's not a fearful atmosphere, right? so it's fine. if anything it just means they're always on their toes.
if that's just how it is for them.... he tries to wrap his head around it.]
... normal people shouldn't have to worry about protecting themselves - that's sort of the vibe that Shinjuku has. It should be up to the police and the government to look out for them - but there's been a lot of criticism lately, saying that the police are pretty incompetent.
So now people have to look out for themselves - and that's what's making them so afraid.
I don't know if we could live like you do... but there's nothing wrong with either.
...I can see you're trying very hard to be understanding.
[ she says cheerfully enough that it doesn't sound sincere. ]
I can't expect everyone to live like we do on Albion. But I do hope you manage to solve these mysteries that are plaguing you. You make it sound as though it's your responsibility.
I'm not trying very hard because I feel like I have to agree with you, you know.
[just - throwing that out there. because the cheerfulness throws him off, and mineo's an idiot but he's also got a solid sense for when he's being judged.]
But ah... thanks. I hope you get whatever you want too.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[and he'll move to place his hand on the panel again if she's not reaching for it - and the city adjusts. the crowds empty out, leaving just the two of them on the street, the lights all die out except for the lamp posts, even the cars aren't packed together anymore aside from the occasional one that drives by. some shadows shift in the distance like there's a few souls around - but they're fidgety, nervous, not all carefree like before.]
.... this is Shinjuku as I last saw it.
no subject
They're afraid of something...?
no subject
[ . . . . he looks thoughtful for a second like he's trying to figure out how much he's willing to say, especially since takeru's here too.]
... A bunch of mysteries happened recently - dangerous ones. So they've pretty much put the city in a situation where it's just not safe for people to live their lives. Everything's on lockdown - and people can still go out and do their best, but it's nowhere near as lively.
That's part of why I'm here.
I asked you before... and it's fine if you still don't trust me - but I figure I can't keep hoping you'll tell if I don't say anything first.
no subject
The power to solve a mystery, and to protect an entire city...
[ it's as good a reason to be here as any other, though her expression is inscrutable. ]
Are you hoping I'll trust you? As I've said, we barely know each other. [ ... ] Though I suppose I comprehend you a little better, now.
no subject
[because he's still being a vague. as much as he loves shinjuku, he also doesn't think that he's going to be strong enough to protect it by himself
and it's why he just shakes his head when he looks back at her with a smile]
No. Trust is a lot harder to win than that. I don't trust you either - but I figure this is something I'm willing to share, so it can at least be a start.
no subject
...On our island, being attacked in the streets is very common. Expected, even. In fact, as the lord commander, I help decide what monsters are set loose.
[ only fair of her to share a little in return. she smiles, tepid. ]
What different lives we lead. I wonder if we'll be able to find some common ground to build such trust on.
no subject
I don't think it has to be common. Or... I guess that's easier, but... Hearing about other people's lives has been a lot more interesting to me than assuming we're all the same.
[but he still knows that trust is a shaky, fickle thing. he's not banking on it either - he also just doesn't believe that he can be super picky anymore.]
Why'd you set monsters loose?
no subject
It's to keep our populace alert and to act as combat training for our students. Those that don't feel comfortable defending themselves travel with guards, and ultimately we have other protections in place against greater threats, so it is not a fearful atmosphere.
It's a normal way of life for us. Hopefully your Shinjuku will learn to defend itself someday as well.
no subject
if that's just how it is for them.... he tries to wrap his head around it.]
... normal people shouldn't have to worry about protecting themselves - that's sort of the vibe that Shinjuku has. It should be up to the police and the government to look out for them - but there's been a lot of criticism lately, saying that the police are pretty incompetent.
So now people have to look out for themselves - and that's what's making them so afraid.
I don't know if we could live like you do... but there's nothing wrong with either.
no subject
[ she says cheerfully enough that it doesn't sound sincere. ]
I can't expect everyone to live like we do on Albion. But I do hope you manage to solve these mysteries that are plaguing you. You make it sound as though it's your responsibility.
no subject
I'm not trying very hard because I feel like I have to agree with you, you know.
[just - throwing that out there. because the cheerfulness throws him off, and mineo's an idiot but he's also got a solid sense for when he's being judged.]
But ah... thanks. I hope you get whatever you want too.