Ah, so we'll keep each other informed of things we notice?
[Honestly, it would be a big relief not to feel he had to force himself to get close to people, particularly when it was now painfully clear that the killing game was for real. It was one thing to understand those around him as competitors who could do irreparable damage, or worse, in the pursuit of self-interest. Aqua was used to that.
But it was quite another thing to slowly start caring about them, knowing he could lose them so suddenly. So violently. That, he knew he couldn't take.
In his own life, Hoshino Aqua pulled the strings available to him to engineer the outcomes he wanted. He studied the people around him, found ways to match one's need with another's opportunity, and maneuvered them all towards mutual benefit--including his own. But if Ardyn genuinely wanted to play the role of social engineer, Aqua would gladly concede the stage.
It was something he'd been hoping for, anyway. Someone with a sense of responsibility he could work with. The fact that Ardyn had dropped everything to come help him confirmed Aqua's impression of him; this leaderlike offer was just icing on the cake.
Aqua didn't quite smile, but there was something of warmth in those attention-grabbing eyes all the same.]
no subject
[Honestly, it would be a big relief not to feel he had to force himself to get close to people, particularly when it was now painfully clear that the killing game was for real. It was one thing to understand those around him as competitors who could do irreparable damage, or worse, in the pursuit of self-interest. Aqua was used to that.
But it was quite another thing to slowly start caring about them, knowing he could lose them so suddenly. So violently. That, he knew he couldn't take.
In his own life, Hoshino Aqua pulled the strings available to him to engineer the outcomes he wanted. He studied the people around him, found ways to match one's need with another's opportunity, and maneuvered them all towards mutual benefit--including his own. But if Ardyn genuinely wanted to play the role of social engineer, Aqua would gladly concede the stage.
It was something he'd been hoping for, anyway. Someone with a sense of responsibility he could work with. The fact that Ardyn had dropped everything to come help him confirmed Aqua's impression of him; this leaderlike offer was just icing on the cake.
Aqua didn't quite smile, but there was something of warmth in those attention-grabbing eyes all the same.]
Sure. I'll be counting on you, Ardyn.