twenty-eighth breath ✧ action

[musubi]

[There's a figure walking slowly and aimlessly out of the woods towards town. While it's easily identifiable as Isamu by appearance, his mannerisms and posture will seem completely off to anyone who knows him.

He seems physically fine otherwise, except that his yellow eyes are now completely aglow with the color. They narrow at anyone who might venture near him.

To him, everything is familiar and yet not, as if he's seeing it for the first time through someone else's eyes.

This is in part true, for it's not the mind of Isamu Nitta inhabiting this body currently. This is Noah, an ancient demon nearly forgotten in time, and this isn't where he belongs.]

Comments

[ledbythewind]

[Richard is exhausted. Between worry and the sudden appearance of monsters and strange environments everywhere, "rest" hasn't exactly been a word in his vocabulary for the past week or so. Still, that hasn't stopped him from patrolling the village and keeping an eye out for Isamu and Cheria-- if anything, the monsters have only prompted him to step up his patrols out of a fear that they could happen upon his friends before he or anyone else does.

This is why, when he finally DOES spot what seems to be Isamu, it's less than two seconds before a relieved smile spreads across his face and he jogs towards his friend as quickly as his tired legs can handle.]

Isamu!

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[Noah stops. Turns to look at the approaching blonde.

Some part of him recognizes him, the part in the back of his mind who knows who's body he's currently sharing. The name doesn't immediately come, however, so he simply waits for the other to get closer.]

[ledbythewind]

[And get closer he does, slowing to a stop in front of the other and giving him a good look-over to check for any obvious injuries.]

I'm so glad you're back... you're not injured anywhere, are you? No strange effects?

[So occupied is he with making sure that Isamu is all right that he hasn't even noticed the glowing eyes...

... which means his very next response is to go for a hug once he's sure his friend isn't bleeding.]

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[Before Richard can hug him, a invisible shield will form between them.

"Isamu" remains where he is, regarding the blond with what might be mild curiosity.]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard hits that shield and stumbles backwards, startled and trying to figure out what just happened, because he's sure he didn't just imagine that. Is this some kidnapping effect or part of the experiment.]

What the--

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't seem upset, just... calmly stating a fact.

It's Isamu's voice, but hollow. Distant.]

[ledbythewind]

[... that voice isn't Isamu's. Well, more accurately, it is, but there's something unnatural about it that makes the hairs on the back of Richard's neck stand up.

Quietly:]

Who are you?

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[ledbythewind]

... his sponsor.

[There's a sick feeling in his stomach, because he remembers all too well what Naoki had told him about the Reasons and what they had involved. That was why Isamu had...]

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[Noah seems to now be finding his own hands rather fascinating.]

[ledbythewind]

What do you want with him this time? He no longer desires your powers.

[Richard can't believe, can't possibly believe after all of his experiences, that it could be anything good.]

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[He frowns, looking Richard over slowly.]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard's eyes are still narrowed to suspicious slits as he regards his "friend." It's taking a considerable amount of effort for him to remain calm right now; all he can think of is his own experiences with Lambda and the potential for something similar to happen to Isamu.]

Am I supposed to believe that you will return him in the end?

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[ledbythewind]

...

[Out of instinct, his hand moves to grasp the hilt of his sword, but... he can't draw it. He can't attack Isamu's body, even if Isamu himself isn't the one piloting it.]

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[Yellow eyes watch the other's movements. Uncaring.]

[ledbythewind]

... so it was the Malnosso's doing after all.

[Somehow this "Noah" is starting to remind him a bit of Lambda. He's not sure whether this is a good thing or a bad thing.]

I'm Richard, since you don't seem to have access to any of his memories of this place.

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[ledbythewind]

What do you know?

[He's remaining cautious, guarded, if only for the simple reason that he doesn't want to give this "Noah" any unnecessary information or a reason to turn on him. He's not so arrogant as to think he can stand up to an ancient demon by himself.]

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[ledbythewind]

Yes, we are.

["Are," not "were," because that's something that hasn't changed, even with this.

So far, at least Noah isn't showing any signs of wanting to take over Isamu's body permanently. That puts him just the tiniest bit more at ease, though it could always just be a front...]

... if you're hungry, I'll take you back home and we can get you something to eat there.

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[The demon nods slowly.]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard nods; then, taking a page from Asbel's book, he extends his hand to the demon. Hey, it worked on Lambda, didn't it?]

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[Noah stares at the hand for a few moments but doesn't take it.

Just lead, Richard.]

[ledbythewind]

[It doesn't take long for Richard to realize that Noah isn't going to take the hand. He'll drop it back down to his side as if it's nothing and turn to start walking, giving a quick glance over his shoulder to make sure that the other is following.]

Are you able to see any of his memories of the others as well?

[He is so not looking forward to trying to explain this to Asbel.]