Fourth Snapshot | Video

[expertonshutters]

[The smiling, cheery photographer does not appear to be in right now. What the feed gets is someone who is tired, frazzled, and angry.]

I'm glad to see that it looks like everyone made it out of that mess alive. I don't- I don't really know what to make of what we saw down there, but I can say this: I'm not really fond of a bunch of Gods that would put kids through something like that. That was bullshit.

[There's a pause while he tries to get himself under control.]

I need a drink. I need ten drinks. I'm going to go get ten drinks. Someone tell me if there's a place in town that has good drinks.

Comments

[expertonshutters]

[Of course he did. Why is he surprised? What else could his top secret shit be about? He lets out a ragged breath. To his benefit, he doesn't go nearly as tense as usual to Taki putting a hand on his shoulder.]

Of course. I don't know why that surprises me. I mean- I guess it doesn't really. That's half of why I didn't want to tell you. The other half is just because I hate people knowing what I am.]

[A moment passes, and he slowly turns his head to look at him from over his shoulder. There are red lines etched harshly into his face. They give off a faint glow in the dark alley they're in.]

[leadingspirit]

[Taki waits for him to turn to look at him, and smiles in a crooked, apologetic sort of way.]

...then I should probably apologize for figuring it out before you could tell me.

[expertonshutters]

[He can't help the huff of a laugh he gives him for that. He turns shaking his head.]

What are you going to do now? What's your job say about finding Enhanced? Are you going to take me back to Caldera?

[leadingspirit]

[He shrugs a shoulder.]

I'm here to research the facility on the outside of town. Who said anything about finding any in the city? I don't know what you're talking about.

[expertonshutters]

[...That.]

[He turns to look at him, somewhat surprised. Taki had always been serious about his job- but then. Taki was also Taki. He smiles a little.]

Right. Silly me. I'm just a late blooming Earthkin.

[leadingspirit]

[He squeezes at his shoulder.]

That aside, I do research them, so maybe I can help you figure some stuff out.

[A beat.]

Off the record, naturally.

[expertonshutters]

[Taki can probably see why Hayato basically never let him touch him. He feels different than a normal human would when squeezed like that.]

I guess if you wanted to share what you've learned, I wouldn't turn you down.

[With his smile, the scars start to fade, leaving his face exactly as it was before.]

[leadingspirit]

[That's part of why he did it. He almost didn't want to believe what had been said-- but there it was, right under his hand. He quirks a smile, recoiling his hand to pat him on the shoulder instead, jerking a thumb toward the mouth of the side street.]

I've got a bunch of boring paperwork you can read over.

[expertonshutters]

[He nods, heading towards the street.]

Sounds good.