5/21/2003

12:18 AM

Logfile from Gabriel.

 

Hotohori

From elegance unmeasured to dignity well bound, this young man possesses a stature of rare nobility for all of his six feet in length. Athletic in build and form, an almost imperial subtlety tickles along his every movement and gesture. Long, silken locks of the richest chestnut brown descend with an almost ethereal grace and straightness to mid-back as the golden tawny gaze of his eyes is often partially overshadowed with a persistent forelock. Beyond the obvious aesthetic lines of a face wrought with gentle beauty, there is determination etched along the curve of his jaw and sensual charm imbuing the intensity of his eyes.

Light cotton, white, the shirt he wears fits fairly loosely to him, almost airy in appearance. Keyhole neckline is embellished with embroidery of white-on-white, a wide design that also winds about the cuffs at his wrists and the hem that lightly brushes at his hips. Suede pants with a lace-up fly are of an aged tobacco color, fitted low at the waist and slightly flared at the knee where they meet a pair of natural colored boots. His hair is left unbound, dark chestnut locks left to do as they will.

Hotohori appears to be 22 years, 1 months, and 8 days old.

He is awake and looks alert.

 

Gabriel begins to dial his phone.

Malachai answers his phone.

 

<Phone> Malachai doesn't often get calls on his private line from IDs that he doesn't recognize, eyeing the display as he tucks his headset into his ear. "DeCourtenay." His greeting is short and a little cautious of course, wondering if some emergency had come up.

 

<Phone> Having taken a couple of days to actually consider this call, Gabriel is finally going to try to contact the other man. "Am I speaking to Malachai DeCourtenay?" requests Gabe after hearing the voice on the other end.

 

<Phone> Malachai frowns slightly, sitting up in the bed. He's got the edge this time, probably so that he could get at the phone. "Yes, this is Malachai. Who is this?" The tone becomes more wary at that, as he starts trying to untangle his hair. "How did you get this number?"

 

<Phone> The voice on the other end clears for a moment before he continues. "Gabriel Connor. I think that we need to meet." Yes, he is clearly assuming that the other man already knows that name. If not, he is more than happy to explain further. "You know who I am?"

 

<Phone> Malachai drops his hair, leaning back against the headboard. "Gabriel Connor? Can't say the name rings a bell, ol'chap." he says in his British accent. "You have the advantage of me I'm afraid. So, why do you say we have to meet?"

 

<Phone> Ol'chap? Alright, this will provoke a blink from Gabe before an almost wry grin. "No? And here I had assumed... It is just as well then. Perhaps if I told you that I was known as Saihitei once upon a time that might ring your proverbial bell."

 

<Phone> Oh yeah, that got a reaction alright. The low key growling under his breath is sort of a clue. Malachai's tone drops the temperature in the room several degrees right off the bat. "Well, well, well. If it isn't my dear dear formerly departed brother. Yes, that rings a bell indeed." And for whom does it toll for? That is the question isn't it? "To what do I owe the pleasure of this phone call?" Okay, so his voice fairly drips with sarcasm, this might be where he's gotten that bad reputation to begin with. 'Mally' has a lot of issues. n.-

 

<Phone> "I think it is long past time that we meet. Long past," Gabe responds, softly. No malice or such along those lines, as opposed to the other man. His voice is as calm as ever, "Are you willing to come out and talk?"

 

<Phone> Malachai snorts softly, but simmers down a bit, his voice becoming more neutral. "You want to talk?" About what? Trying to kill each other, stealing loved ones, stealing the throne, that sort of thing? See how much worse Mal could be if he said all the things he could be saying instead? "Come out and talk, hmm? I suppose there are a few things we could air out. Where did you want to meet?"

 

<Phone> Sheesh. Angst much? Hold a grudge? Gabriel would really prefer to keep it to just talking at least. "Yes. We should at least meet. I was thinking a public place. Maybe one of the parks in the area. You choose which one and I will meet you there."

 

<Phone> Malachai hmms. "A park, I suppose. Central park?" It's nice and big, plenty of quiet places. Lots of spots to hide bodies. He considers his current hair trigger temper though, that bit of defensive worry over Sebastian still. "Mind if I bring someone along? Don't worry, just someone to kind of... keep me level. If you haven't noticed..I'm a bit testy at the moment."

 

<Phone> Gabriel seems to consider this for a long moment, the silence stretching before he finally speaks. "Central park will be fine. If you feel the need to bring someone, then please do so. I will meet you there."

 

<Phone> Malachai hmms. "Alrighty then. /Brother/. The park. Meet you by..the reservoir."

 

 

Malachai hangs up his phone.

 

Malachai turns over to eye the other side of the bed. "Kieran? You awake?  ...Care to take a short trip with me?" he asks just a little tentatively.

 

"I'm awake. I heard," replies Kieran, turning his gaze to Malachai. "Of course I'll come with you, Malachai. Are you intending on trying to kill him or do you really just want to talk to the man?" The other oni frees himself from the bedsheets and slips off the side, padding naked to the chair holding his clothing.

 

Sebastian is sleeping. This is really nothing new. If he isn't napping on the couch, he is sleeping in bed. And so, he is sleeping. The man doesn't even flicker a lash at the movements of the other two. So, he slumbers on.

 

At least here, Malachai doesn't have to be physically present to keep an eye on Sebastian, just in case. The walls have eyes and ears, literally as the fresco designs are of course...special. Malachai gets up to get dressed as well, opening up his closet to rummage about for something to wear. "What the heck does one wear to meet former brothers whom you tried to kill and vice versa?" he asks more or less rhetorically, though he does grab and discard several items. "Thank you though, Kieran. I think I...should talk to him. If my discussion with Nicholas is in anyway... accurate, my trying to kill Hotohori, or should I say, Gabriel, would be rather counterproductive." He pauses. "You think it matters if I just maim him? Just a little?"

 

"I think," begins Kieran as he shrugs himself into his pants, sans underwear of course since the man doesn't really own any, "that you should wear something comfortable and easy to move in. That you should not lose your cool in front of him as you started to do on the phone. That gives him a power over you, Malachai. He should have none. Believe me, love, don't let the past control you or your actions. It will only destroy you."

 

"So something skimpy, tight, and leather would be wrong?" Malachai asks, only jokingly, though it probably would unsettle his brother just a bit. Instead he tucks into something still eclectic, but suitable for just about any occasion. "Alright then, this will have to do I suppose. Let's get going. Though it would serve him right to keep him waiting... control. Right. Must keep my temper."

 

Central Park (West End)

By far the largest park in NYC, the western end boasts of Tavern on the Green, a ritzy restaurant who was the first in the city to keep their white Christmas lights on the trees surrounding the property, and make it look magical. Just a short distance from the restaurant is the famous Strawberry Fields, dedicated to the memory of John Lenon. Plants from all over the world are planted upon the pathways that snake about the monument, a testament to the singer's own diverse way of thinking.

Beyond that is the Theatre, where many famous actors use their summer hiatus to act in Shakespeare's works. And overlooking the theatre itself is Belvedere Castle, transported stone by stone from Scotland, standing serenely and majestically over Turtle Pond, one of several natural conservatories located wtihin the park.

Obvious exits:

66th St. (WE)   Central Park (EA)   Wollman Rink

 

Mitama

Exotic features bespeak of mingled European and Asian ancestry, beautifully fashioned into the form of a man whose attractiveness is certainly intriguing without being overbearing. Thick, lustrous hair sweeps back from his delicate brow, falling without curl down his back in a cascade of auburn silk, strands often gathered in a neat ponytail at necks nape. His eyes are almond in shape with a slight upward tilt at each corner, strangely fey-touched by the addition of jade-hued irises. Not predisposed to a bulky build, his slender frame nevertheless possesses an athletic hardness masterfully combined with a gliding grace of motion, suggesting one who is a practitioner of the martial arts. Long, tapered hands are those of an artist, bearing calluses from the brushes he uses and often stained by both paint and ink.

A touch of dusky red underlies the stark black of the high-collared shirt he wears, the subtle undertone catching and enhancing the green of his eyes. Perfectly tailored to his slender frame, there are touches of many cultures in the clothing he wears; the collar comes up to just below his jawline, held closed by a carefully-crafted piece of knotwork in lieu of a tie, while the cut of the silken shirt maintains the faint Chinese touch. Embroidery in silks so akin to the material's shade provide a subtle illusion of a dark bird spreading its wings across his back, when not hidden by the English-tailored suit jacket, a perfect, dusky rose tucked in the breast pocket. There is little of the eclectic about the dress pants he wears save for the fine material and perfect fit. Overall, it is an odd blending of cultures, yet it only serves to enhance the fey good looks.

Mitama appears to be 24 years, 6 months, and 29 days old.

 

It doesn't take long to reach the park, it's right across the street from the DeCourtenay Building after all, right convenient actually, plus the view is fantastic from the penthouse. Malachai tries to look nonchalant as he walks along with Kieran, but the careful neutral mask on his face belies his real feelings about this meeting. "I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. Really, I'm surprised we haven't run into him before this." he comments as he finds a park bench out in the open with a good view of anyone coming along the path from either direction.

 

Gabriel is already present and waiting patiently for the other man to arrive. He stands just underneath the bows of a tree, arms clasped behind him and at the small of his back. Curiously, he watches the various passers-by, and not so many at this time of the evening. Eventually, his gaze alights upon Malachai's form, and there is a moment as the man studies the other for a longer moment. Not surprisingly enough, the other takes a seat at a park bench not so far away. He makes a point of clearing his throat, stepping a little away from the tree, "Thank you for coming."

                

Kieran lays a warm hand on Malachai's shoulder. "Relax Malachai. He's got no power over you, remember? Please, don't lose yourself to the past. Remember how I was? Think about that and how you don't want to become like me." He may have had more to say, but his words and thoughts are interrupted by Gabriel's greeting. He falls silent then, hand remaining on the artist's shoulder.

 

Malachai lets out a deep breath, nodding at Kieran's words. "I remember. How could I forget? I think we spent the first several weeks together dealing with that, but at least it turned out well." His thoughts on that flicker away as Gabriel appears, pointedly remaining seated as he eyes the man that was once his younger brother. "Hello Gabriel. Why don't you have a seat? I think it would get awkward yelling across at each other." he says affably enough, that biting sarcasm missing for once. "Might I introduce my companion here? This is Kieran Savage. Also known as Higuchi in case you were wondering."

 

Gabriel seems to consider the pair for a moment. His gaze sweeps to Kieran and the man lowers his chin as he bows his head to the man in greeting. Next, his gaze slips back over to Malachai, but he does approach with an almost liquid grace and move to take a seat upon the bench as well. "Nice to meet you... Mr. Savage." But his attention moves back to older brother. "Again, thank you for coming out here to meet me."

 

Kieran nods his head back to Gabriel, taking a moment to admire the beauty of the younger man. Good looks certainly run in this family, he thinks to himself, smiling as his fingers idly begin to toy with Malachai's auburn hair. Nothing too distracting, but he always was a sucker for all that hair. Such a fetish.

 

Malachai doesn't take quite as well to the looks, not that he's so vain as to want to compete against Gabriel in that. Though there is a moment of irritation over the fact that dammit, again he's the shortest around here. At least not so apparent when they're all sitting down. "I would say you're welcome, but it would not be entirely true. That does sound rather catty of me though, so I'll try to work on that. What shall we discuss, brother dear? If being called that doesn't bother you? I'm fairly certain we're not brothers in this lifetime."

 

Gabriel seems to study Malachai for a long moment, as if trying to search the man's face for something. Apparently, he isn't finding it because there is a flicker of annoyance that shows briefly in his eyes and tightens his lips. He finally flickers a glance away from them, gaze trailing off to nowhere in particular as he seems to consider how best to continue. "I doubt we are, but sometimes fate can play its tricks... Actually, I wanted to talk to you for a couple of different reasons."

 

What, was Gabriel expecting to find some sort of joyous family reunion? Manson family maybe. Forgiveness or redemption perhaps? No, if that were so, Malachai would not be walking the earth again, or not as one of Amatsumika's own. Not that he recalls the tampering the Raven God had on Tendou that placed him in harm's way in the first place. Malachai looks back at Gabriel without a qualm, drawing a little serenity perhaps from the familiar comforting gesture of Kieran toying with his long hair. "A couple of different reasons? And what are they pray tell?"

 

Gabriel actually wasn't sure what to expect, and his next words are bound to prove that point. He seems to sigh in resignation before speaking, "Well, mostly that I have absolutely no memories of you or our past at all. I have nothing to go on other than then what I was told by someone else." Shinobu, but he isn't at all about to bring her up quite yet. Again, there is a bit of an annoyed cant to his features before looking back to Malachai, and this time there is a faint twinge of curiosity.

 

Malachai was certainly not expecting that, the surprise quite visible on the artist's face as he blinks rapidly for a moment while he assimilates that news. "You...don't remember still?" That makes his current fears and frustrations a bit of a moot point and the man laughs. "Well, that certainly puts a new spin on things I must say. Bloody brilliant. I think you're just about the only one in our particular circle of tragedy that doesn't remember something at least. I've had rather fascinating talks about things with just about everyone else involved with our old family I think. In fact, I just had dinner last week with the one who killed you."

 

And here comes that annoyed look again. Gabe frowns faintly across to Malachai before glancing away, "I remember some things. But I do /not/ remember you." And nobody is more aggravated over this fact than he is. "Although I have heard more than enough stories lately to have more than my fill of your adventures in this lifetime." He draws in another breath, slowly releasing it. "Nicholas?" Another wry turn to his lips. "I haven't had the chance yet to meet him." Other than that rather chaotic encounter in the bookworld.

 

Malachai just raises a brow at Gabriel for those frowns and annoyed looks, smirking faintly. "I can't say there would have been a whole lot to remember. You said you were told by someone about me and the past? I'd bet on Shinobu." He sighs there, rueful but not particularly upset. "She knew me better than anyone, but for all that she missed every sign that... Never mind. You and I hardly knew each other, despite the fact that we would have such an impact on each other's lives had things gone differently." His smirk broadens a bit more as he studies the younger man. "And what stories have you been told about this lifetime? Have they made me into some sort of bogeyman already? How droll. And yes, Nicholas. A fine dinner conversationalist I dare say."

 

"It was her," Gabe admits, speaking softly. "I don't know what exactly you said to her before..." But, he trails off, flickering a glance at Kieran and all of his play with Malachai's hair before glancing away once more. "But Shinobu deserves better than you badgering her in this lifetime." It really does nothing to help with his progress with the woman. "Bogeyman? Well... lets just say that you are respected. How about that?"

 

Malachai covers up another laugh with a hand over his mouth. "What I said to /her/? I was badgering her? Oh piss off. I did no such thing. She trampled all over my affections for the record. She knew how I felt about her back then, but she still made her own call. Everything I did back then was for her, and it was all for naught. Her brother died in my arms and it was all for naught." He shakes his head, the slight rise in his voice, the hint of anger and old pain dampens down immediately as he actually smiles. "I told her that was fine though. Don't need her anymore." If that subtle shift back against Kieran weren't clue enough, it aught to be. "You say respect? Hmmm, now why do I find that a little difficult to believe? Just whom were you hearing stories from anyway?"

 

Gabriel's dark eyebrows arch as he is told to 'piss off'? Okay, this will definitely provoke a blink from the man, mostly in surprise and then there just might be another wry smile showing up. "Whatever you said to her, she did not take it well, Malachai." Nothing but an uphill battle for him. He seems to sigh softly before smirking, "A couple of different people. You honestly don't expect me to start dropping names now, do you? You have pretty much well come into contact with people from each of the Yang gods."

 

It's just a saying really, part of the idioms that Malachai's grown up with that pokes through the usual overly formal tones that he takes with associates and those that he's not on casual terms with. "She didn't take it well? I don't think you can honestly blame me for that, brother dear. She was a bitter angry thing /before/ I ran into her again. Something about a long lifetime alone and all that. Lousy thing that, leaving her all alone to raise a kid." Tsk, tsk. "Doesn't matter if you drop names or not, Gabriel. It's not as if I go about stalking the wily seishi or something. For the most part, many of them have a tendency to waltz into my gallery on their own." He rolls his eyes dramatically, shaking his head carefully as not to tug out the strands from Kieran's fingers. "I swear, lemmings have more brains."

 

Gabriel is just going to look annoyed again. "Personally, I don't think she is the only bitter and angry one around here," he notes wryly, but who is he to really nit-pick on the detail or anything. Hands drop into his lap as he continues, "Well, seeing as I haven't had the pleasure of entering into your gallery either... I will just have to take the tales at face value."

 

Malachai just smirks back at Gabriel in that irksome fashion of his, probably pleased to find Gabe all annoyed. "Oh I'm only bitter and angry sometimes, when certain someones remind me about it. I've a bone to pick with a god quite frankly, the rest is all gravy. The reasons for being bitter and angry really don't hold up well in this lifetime, I've found others who appreciate me more than anyone else did last time." Yeah, the grin he directs in Kieran's direction isn't all that subtle, but he doesn't care. "Taking things at face value can be dangerous though, Gabriel. For your own sake, you should get over that quick or you'll come to a sticky end all over again."

 

Gabriel's gaze is flickering back to Kieran another time at Malachai's words, looking thoughtful. "I am sorry for what happened to you in the last lifetime. I do not think that I could even begin to apologize for what happened. But if you have found someone in this lifetime, then I'm glad for that. I'll even wish you well, for what it is worth." And he is fairly sure that it isn't worth all that much to Malachai. He frowns just the faintest at the man's last words, but doesn't comment on that immediately.

 

No, it's not worth a whole lot from Malachai. He wasn't looking for apologies or redemption after all. He came back looking for /revenge/. Just against /who/ is the question. There is that dangerous glitter in the sorcerer's eyes for a moment, hard as the jade stone they resemble. "No, you can't even begin to touch upon that. It doesn't matter though, I don't care for apologies. The words mean nothing to me. I have bantered words with others before, not meaning a single thing said from either side. Actions speak for themselves while appearances can be deceiving. Like this whole Yin verses Yang mess, I would love to discuss certain theories with you, but as you barely recall anything, how could I? We'd be touching upon the metaphysical world. In a fashion, it is theology with social political actions. You should speak to Nicholas sometime. His viewpoints are quite refreshing." Never mind that he thinks that Hotohori was a nit. ;)

 

Gabriel's chin lifts just the slightest as he listens to the other man. "I think that you might just be surprised at what theories I do have a firm grasp of, Malachai. Don't discount me just because I have been denied a few choice memories. While your presence then must have been an obvious factor, that doesn't dismiss there is more to my background than just what events that revolved around you." A hardness briefly etches into his tone before the man is pushing as if to stand, hand pushing his hair around to his back once again.

 

"There were whole realms of possibilities of things that might have turned out differently." Malachai says nonchalantly, looking out at the greenery of spring that surrounds him rather than gazing at the man that was once his sibling. "Imagine what it would have been like, had I been able retain my birthright, had there not been a prophecy dictating my death, had you been able to wholly devote yourself to your responsibilities as a seishi rather than dividing them. Who's fault is that? Personally, I blame Suzaku himself. Not you, not Houki, and not even myself. It was a tragedy for all, the way things turned out wasn't it? Believe me, I have looked beyond the events that surrounded us. What conclusions I have come to though, now that is dangerous ground. The very ire of the gods is what I am chancing, but I've never been accused of cowardice."

 

Gabriel hesitates, looking back down at the man sitting there. He grows thoughtful though as some of what Malachai says echoes his own thoughts, and it shows in the speculation of his gaze. He speaks, albeit softly, "If we continue to dwell on all of the 'what ifs' of that past, it will do nothing more than rule us. Imagine what... what if this happened instead of that... those are some of the most dangerous words in any language, Malachai. Things happened as they did, and they cannot be changed, and I doubt they can be rectified. You say you look beyond the events, but it is obvious that you are still ruled by them in your choices now. The ire of the gods? Is this because of the past... or do you have other reasons other than simply proving that you are not a coward?"

 

"One is shaped by the events in their lives, they are a product of their environment and are often compelled to actions by the foundation of their pasts." Malachai turns his gaze back on Gabriel and smirks again. "I fear you are misconstruing what I am saying. Our foundations are deeper than those who have no claim to the distant past, but while it is true that I held onto the bitterness and anger that consumed me then, how could I have found closure without having confronted you? Now that I have though, the future becomes a myriad path at last. What my reflections have brought to mind however, is not about the petty conflict that brought such tragedy into our lives, but rather the forces that directed us on those paths in the first place. This struggle for supremacy between our gods. Should any of them hold more sway than the others. Holding to the philosophy of the Yin and Yang, it is a balance that should be found, not a complete shift in power. That however, might be taken as blanket heresy for some."

 

Gabriel is once more listening quietly to the other man as he stands there, frowning a little in thought but for no other reason. "The gods have made their choices to put us into play once again. The man who was my brother in another lifetime is now a warrior for the god that opposes my own. Balance, as you said... What you say is certainly an interesting theory, and you are not the only one that I have heard it from. Possibly, there is something to be had in it. Possibly." He seems to sigh for a moment before continuing, "I'm glad to have had a chance to finally meet you, Malachai. And this went much better than I expected."

 

 

5/21/2003

10:18 PM

Logfile from Gabriel.

 

Malachai has spent the evening trying to put up a good front and arguing theological and social ramifications with the brother who ruined his past life. There's only so much of that a good oni can take you know. "I'm glad you enjoyed our little meeting, brother dear." The artist says lowly, his jade eyes narrowing the slightest bit as he looks up at Gabriel who has gotten up to leave. "And did this meeting alleviate your concerns and worries? Did you get what you wanted out of this?" He rises too, slowly as he pulls his hair out of Kieran's grasp. "You know what? I haven't." The sudden rush forward might catch some by surprise, but the so called 'attack' is rather quick. Hands come up and grab the front of the white cotton shirt, pulling the two long haired men close. It's a ferocious attack indeed as Malachai frenches Gabriel with expert skill. "The thing is, we're /not/ brothers this lifetime. But /this/ is for the last lifetime." *WHACK* All is fair in love and war, Malachai lets go of the seishi's shirt and pulls back his arm to deliver a rather solid punch to Hotohori's pretty face.

 

Gabriel peers down at Malachai almost benignly as he speaks before glancing away and down the path. "Malachai... what I wanted was-" But he is suddenly being grasped, catching the man completely off guard. And here he thought this was the end of things. Clearly, he is sadly mistaken His eyes flash open as he is actually kissed by 'big brother'. Kissed. Fingers curl in the man's shirtfront to try to shove him away, only to be greeted with something else. Yes, adding insult to injury, pain explodes over his eye and cheek as he is punched. The man stumbles back a couple of paces, bending slightly at the waist. His hand lifts to cover over his cheek, glaring back across to Malachai. "Pleased with yourself now?" he speaks with a distinct hint of sarcasm.

 

Malachai checks out the knuckles of his hand with a calm clinical expression, an artist really should be more careful with his hands after all. "Actually yes, that felt great. You said it yourself, I do have anger issues and some bitterness, but I feel a lot better now." Crossing his arms over his chest now, he stares back at his metaphysical opposite, raising a brow. "A little childish I suppose, but as they say, I'm supposed to be the bad guy, the devil, the monster, the big awful Yin and all that. Poppycock, I say. I had entertained the notion of running a sword through you instead, without our dear Houki to stop me from killing you. On the other hand, I have been told that I should let go of the past and enjoy what life has brought me this time. I just felt that before I let things go, I had to rock your world."

 

Gabriel is fairly sure he is going to get a black eye over this. There might possibly be a point where the fact that the idea of actually having a black eye eclipses the one that he was actually kissed and hit by the other man. Tentatively, he prods at his cheek with his fingers, wincing just the slightest before drawing back up to his full height once more.  The back of his hand wipes over his lips, a twinge of distate showing briefly. Refusing to go into petty arguments, the man slowly shakes his head from side to side, "I will give you that one hit, Malachai, but that is all. Are we done here, or were you planning on trying a few more petty attempts at... whatever you were trying to accomplish?"

 

Malachai made his brother, sorry - former brother a bit less pretty. Childish, yes, very much so, but it really did make him feel better like he said. "Oh I was done. Unless of course you wanted more? I could be quite obliging if you're interested." The artist smirks, flicking his hair back out of his eyes. "You'd better get some ice on that though, or you'll be sporting a real shiner pretty soon. Give my regards to Shinobu the next time you see her, won't you? And good luck with her, you're going to need it." She seems the sort to end up an old spinster living with 20 cats.

 

Sometimes, long hair can be really, really convenient, especially if it tends to drift over one eye as often as his does. Either that or Gabe will be paying a certain healer a visit very soon here. "You caught me off guard that one time, Malachai. Don't expect it again." He frowns across to the man for a moment before sighing, "You might have been the older of us, but it is more than obvious that you haven't grown up. I pity what happened to you, but as was said... I will not apologize any further for it. Good evening." He turns about then, moving to start off down the path.

 

Malachai's reply is nonchalant, unsurprised. "Growing up is overrated and you should have never let your guard down like that. Let it be an object lesson, brother dear. Maybe you'll live longer this time too!" He'll watch the seishi walk off then, not bothering to follow or taunt further, just settling back on the bench with Kieran for a bit before going home to check on the other oni in his life. n.-