[ It was meant to placate than to alert, the intensity of that strike luring him away from the peril of inattention, eyes nearly drawn to the floor in an idle trance, clustered and entangled by the occasional intrusive thought. Akira withdrew from his spot against the wall, approaching with purpose, but halting with reluctance to resume the sequence of steps that would inevitably deposit him at Rin's side - because his once dignified stature seemed deceptively smaller with every intake of breath. A hypothesis, irresponsibly safe: perhaps he was just exhausted from overexerted effort, forgotten consequences of prolonged endurance pushed to its limitations. But, Akira couldn't believe that - although it would be easier to dismiss than to wonder. The noise emitted a moment ago - sounded like pained desperation ]
Might have to take it easy for a bit.
[ A suggestion, soft and focused than receding into uneasiness. It felt oddly intrusive to remain at a somewhat close proximity to Rin, so he relocated towards the mouth of the exit, head peeking out in an unintentional search for something until - ]
There's a water fountain nearby. [ In case he was thirsty. ]
Distracted as he is, in mind and body and spirit, Rin is uncharacteristically unknowing of Akira's presence. And so his reaction is one that wouldn't be expected - he jumps, startles, the stiffening of his spine a prelude to the rest of his movements. His head jerks to the side, narrowed blue eyes sharp as they seek out whoever has spoken, but it lasts barely a moment.
Seeing Akira, realizing he recognizes that voice, has his shoulders sinking in something akin to relief, a relaxing of his frame as he still heaves in breaths, lips parted as he inhales and exhales. He watches as the other moves away, a spark of confusion and curiosity in his eyes, but he focuses instead on moving to where his belongings have been discarded onto the ground. Using the vest from his uniform, he wipes at his sweaty face, peeking at his current companion around the fabric. ]
Taking it easy lets you get soft. [ He eventually answers, but his disagreement isn't spoken in too serious of a tone, a consideration of it in the ways his lips form around the words. ] But I should probably take a break, yeah.
[ He pads over to Akira, walking closer, slowing his steps when he's before him to give the impression that he was going to stop there- only he doesn't, simply flashes him a smile before he pushes open the door and heads into the hall. Taking that suggestion, he seeks out the water fountain across from the room they're in, calling back over his shoulder before he bends over to take a drink from it. ]
[ It was an indelible impression, what he had seen in Toshima - an airtight secret he continued to harbor, even now. But, the doubt that once circulated, stifled by speculations, stagnant and fixed, dwindled into the familiarity of confusion. He wasn't sure why it even mattered at this point, how Rin's smile continued to faze, leaving his thoughts shuffling into a frantic, disorganized line towards ambivalence. But, he couldn't dismiss that sincerity, that bold, indirect proclamation of loyalty towards his friend: to save a life when Rin didn't have to - Akira felt oddly guilty for the smidgen of suspicion that continued to linger. After all, it didn't make any sense. Something like that couldn't possibly be fabricated.
The door settled against his arm on its way towards the frame. It wasn't enough to break his focus that adhered to Rin's departing back, though he finally moved away when he was addressed with a question, drawing closer, within earshot of their ongoing greeting. Akira noticed it then, the length of Rin's hair from a different angle. He remembered it being shorter. It was strange to think about, how they were all changing, progressing forward although they were away from where they're meant to be - like they were adjusting steadily to this place and its nonsensical hazards.
Belatedly, he shifted his focus elsewhere, a blank point in space. ]
Not long. [ Knowing him, he won't bring up what he had witnessed, but: ] You come here to train often? [ Not as thrilling as Bl@ster, or Igura for that matter. But, it was a means to blow off steam, perhaps. ]
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no subject
[ It was meant to placate than to alert, the intensity of that strike luring him away from the peril of inattention, eyes nearly drawn to the floor in an idle trance, clustered and entangled by the occasional intrusive thought. Akira withdrew from his spot against the wall, approaching with purpose, but halting with reluctance to resume the sequence of steps that would inevitably deposit him at Rin's side - because his once dignified stature seemed deceptively smaller with every intake of breath. A hypothesis, irresponsibly safe: perhaps he was just exhausted from overexerted effort, forgotten consequences of prolonged endurance pushed to its limitations. But, Akira couldn't believe that - although it would be easier to dismiss than to wonder. The noise emitted a moment ago - sounded like pained desperation ]
Might have to take it easy for a bit.
[ A suggestion, soft and focused than receding into uneasiness. It felt oddly intrusive to remain at a somewhat close proximity to Rin, so he relocated towards the mouth of the exit, head peeking out in an unintentional search for something until - ]
There's a water fountain nearby. [ In case he was thirsty. ]
no subject
Distracted as he is, in mind and body and spirit, Rin is uncharacteristically unknowing of Akira's presence. And so his reaction is one that wouldn't be expected - he jumps, startles, the stiffening of his spine a prelude to the rest of his movements. His head jerks to the side, narrowed blue eyes sharp as they seek out whoever has spoken, but it lasts barely a moment.
Seeing Akira, realizing he recognizes that voice, has his shoulders sinking in something akin to relief, a relaxing of his frame as he still heaves in breaths, lips parted as he inhales and exhales. He watches as the other moves away, a spark of confusion and curiosity in his eyes, but he focuses instead on moving to where his belongings have been discarded onto the ground. Using the vest from his uniform, he wipes at his sweaty face, peeking at his current companion around the fabric. ]
Taking it easy lets you get soft. [ He eventually answers, but his disagreement isn't spoken in too serious of a tone, a consideration of it in the ways his lips form around the words. ] But I should probably take a break, yeah.
[ He pads over to Akira, walking closer, slowing his steps when he's before him to give the impression that he was going to stop there- only he doesn't, simply flashes him a smile before he pushes open the door and heads into the hall. Taking that suggestion, he seeks out the water fountain across from the room they're in, calling back over his shoulder before he bends over to take a drink from it. ]
How long've you been there?
no subject
The door settled against his arm on its way towards the frame. It wasn't enough to break his focus that adhered to Rin's departing back, though he finally moved away when he was addressed with a question, drawing closer, within earshot of their ongoing greeting. Akira noticed it then, the length of Rin's hair from a different angle. He remembered it being shorter. It was strange to think about, how they were all changing, progressing forward although they were away from where they're meant to be - like they were adjusting steadily to this place and its nonsensical hazards.
Belatedly, he shifted his focus elsewhere, a blank point in space. ]
Not long. [ Knowing him, he won't bring up what he had witnessed, but: ] You come here to train often? [ Not as thrilling as Bl@ster, or Igura for that matter. But, it was a means to blow off steam, perhaps. ]