[ Video ]

[struck_first]

[ Neil walks away from the camera as it records, going back to the window where he has spent a large portion of the day. The room is dark save for the light filtering in around him,, a light breeze from an open slot causing the curtains to sway lightly. The daylight casts a heavy shadow behind him that covers most traces of the tattoo creeping out

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voice

[tsuridasu]

So this is the curse playing its tricks?

voice

[struck_first]

[ Pointedly ignoring that question. People shouldn't worry about his health -- it won't matter soon enough, and then maybe he'll stop making life awkward for his friends. ]

Just a bit of misplaced nostalgia, Kiyoha.

[tsuridasu]

[she doesn't bother hiding the concern in her voice, but she goes along with the subject]

I see. I have to admit, though, I'm not familiar with "Confession..." What is that, Lockon-san?

[struck_first]

It's just that; a confession. A Catholic ritual. You go to a booth with the Father and give up all the sins you've committed, no matter what they are -- no matter if they were mere thoughts, or actually acted upon. [ And Lord knows he has plenty of those thoughts right now. ] You do it to seek forgiveness, guidance, and receive penance.

[tsuridasu]

I can see why such a thing would be desirable. It sounds very...therapeutic, in a way.

[she sort of chuckles and exhales--she's smoking, of course] Is there nothing similar like that here?

[struck_first]

Cathartic, yes. [ Small difference, really. Semantics. ]

[ He hears that, though he isn't taking note of her breath for any specific reasons; oh no, he'd never do that. ] I'm not sure, which is why I asked. [ A beat. ] What do you have there?

[tsuridasu]

Either way, it almost makes me wish I were religious. [slyly,] But not quite. Being spiritual was never my thing. It seems nice, though.

[and again, she chuckles lightly] Of course. I wish I could be more helpful, but my knowledge only extends to the traditional elements of our ukiyo. The foreign ones still remain a mystery.

Ahh, but this? [there's a pause, as she taps the end (that isn't hot, of course) lightly against the speaker] My pipe. I managed to buy one with the bit of extra money I earned instead of just borrowing one. It feels like it's been far too long since I last smoked, so it's almost as if I'm making up for it now. Little compares to a good pipe.

[struck_first]

It isn't for everyone. [ Wryly. ] Truth be told, it might not even be for me. [ For all the questioning he does. Good Catholics don't question, in his mind; they obey. ]

It's alright, Kiyoha. I wasn't expecting results. [ In general, much less from her. ]

Smoking... [ He can't help the mild irritation in his voice. ] I didn't think you had a filthy habit like that. To each their own, I guess.

[tsuridasu]

Oh? But you're feeling at least a little devout at the moment. [she's not judging, only teasing] But I will say, if there are secrets you need to share, I will gladly listen. I may be a gossip on petty things, but I keep true secrets with me and me alone forever. It is the way of oiran, since we entertain quite important people, of course.

[but she laughs] I won't deny that it's filthy. But there's some irony in it that I quite enjoy.

[struck_first]

Touché. [ Chuckling. ] I don't have any secrets worth keeping. [ A lie. ] But I have a few thoughts I wouldn't mind having locked up out of sight. [ Impure thoughts. Pleasant thoughts. And it's some small wonder that he only considers taking up Kiyoha on that offer -- even hiring her, perhaps -- once, during the course of this short exchange.

...okay, maybe five times.

Six. Damn it.

He sighs. ]

[tsuridasu]

Yet you sound so troubled, Lockon-san. I would gladly lend my ears, if you should so need them.

[She's not entirely oblivious to the curse--she's heard of what it does--but yet Lockon is the first person that she knows to be affected. She's considered asking him if he needs "help," but her training makes it near impossible for her to even suggest such a thing. Making the first move is bad luck!]

[struck_first]

[ Unf, she needs to not talk about ears. He takes in a sharp breath, biting back his first response. ] ...I think your ears would be safer if I waited a while to take you up on that offer, Kiyoha. [ Not that he thinks there will be any more time here, soon enough. ]

[tsuridasu]

I see. [she pauses] Lockon-san, what do you plan to do about this curse? I should hope that you are not wishing to bear it until it is too much. Does it not cause insanity?

[struck_first]

[ There's a sound of dry amusement. He didn't expect her to go back to that topic quite so quickly, but he supposes he should be flattered over her concern. ] I don't really have a plan.

And I think I'm already a little out of my mind, so I'm wondering if I'll even be able to tell.

[tsuridasu]

I've noticed. Yet help and relief is so easily found.

[struck_first]

Kiyoha... [ The syllables are long, and there's a certain level of exasperation and something... else in his tone. She might even be able to hear his grin. ] I know you're not offering, so don't start. [ Please don't offer. The last thing he wants to do is alienate another friend over this. It isn't worth it. ]