For the time being he’d tuck it away, the image of that light hue of red dusted over the others skin. A pleasant touch to the sea of violet and pale complexion, something he found himself entertaining more than he might care to admit – but it was an observation he’d leave as merely that. A sight for the eyes, nothing more Besides, a fluttering in his belly had Isa’s observant stare faltering once again.
Each bite Isa took after was slow, almost methodical, as Jakurai took the floor to speak. The same type of back and forth they had played at before; one spoke, the other listened quietly and occupied themselves with what sat on the table in front of them. A perfect excuse to merely listen, to pay attention and reflect on what had been said – or seen. His mind was still on that, for as brief as it had been. How silly.
Isa almost hadn’t realized he’d already taken that last bite, fork coming to tap aimlessly against the plate. Eyes met the barren dish before rising to meet his company’s face, again. The fork would be placed aside and drink would find its way into his grasp for another sip.
At least he still had that – and the curious tug of the others explanation.
“No,” he found himself starting. “–no, it’s fine. It’s rather fascinating, really.” The glass he held found the table again, set aside to allow Isa to lean back comfortably a second time around. With less resentment on recalling the past and more interest towards the explanation given. It was refreshing to hear the goings of another world without etching it onto paper and reporting it, plotting out the best course of visiting and taking advantage of what hearts were most vulnerable. “… as out there as it may sound, my previous occupation managed with visitation to, well. Other worlds. Almost like coming to this one, so unlike what we’re used to.”
Pause is given to collect his words, idly tucking a few stray hairs behind his ear in the meantime. “… I used to be so fascinated by it all as a child.” Hm, perhaps a bit off topic. “Forgive me, I do not mean to make light of your worlds troubles with such childlike wonder, nor gloss over the details you’ve given… it is all a bit to digest.” Certainly not what he was expecting from a doctor, that’s for sure.
“… a style of music,” to put it simply, “–as a means of weaponry is familiar, to say the least.”
a sigh passed his lips as jakurai smiled in relief. “i’m somewhat relieved that you aren’t simply running for the hills after my lengthy explanation. i suppose i hadn’t given much thought to how odd the entire thing was until given the opportunity to share the details of it. this island has a funny habit of making me feel almost foolish at times.”
“but, you said it sounded familiar? or were you sparing me the embarrassment of sounding entirely fictitious, hm?” isa might be simply that kind after all. he wondered how the other division leaders might have told the tale differently, how each might have brought up those differing motivators and challenges, where they came from and how they had ended up wielding a microphone each.
it was difficult not to think of shinjuku, especially when jakurai had so willingly mentioned it, but as silence fell between the two parties he found himself thinking more on it. there were things he could not voice, not yet. perhaps another time beneath the stars, when isa’s company was a comfort and his guilt was not to heavy upon his soul, he might speak of yotsutsuji then. of his dear friend, lying in that hospital bed.
isa’s reply brought him back to reality and once he returned, he reached for the glass of complimentary water. in doing so, his fingers brushed against the back of isa’s palm, such a slight and almost unnoticeable touch and yet he did notice it instantly. just the smallest fragment of skin against skin, and when he moved away it was not a sharp recoil, but a slower and smoother pull back until he could tip the glass to his lips.
perhaps he was getting a little too comfortable. it was certainly unusual for him to feel so relaxed after all.
