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]

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.]

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[ledbythewind]

From his soul, you mean?

[And he's instantly on alert again. You'd better not be using Isamu as a battery, Noah.]

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[He tilts his head.]

[ledbythewind]

[He's quiet for a moment, thinking.]

If it comes to a point where you require magatsuhi, drain it from me instead of him. I give you my full permission to do so.

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard nods, apparently satisfied for the moment, then begins walking back towards the house. At least Asbel probably won't take this whole situation too badly, but the others... he isn't sure.]

I hope you don't expect me to teach you everything about how a human body works.

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[ledbythewind]

Most of it...?

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[ledbythewind]

[... okay he has to try. What happens if he tries to swat that hat down the way he normally does?]