[ the first thing to strike the priest was the miasma-like swirl, the curl of unnatural darkness surrounding the figure casually walking Godsbloods streets.
--Kenoma.
it hits Abel like the douse of frigid, ice-cold water trickled down his spine, settling an uncomfortable pit of anxiety in his stomach at the sight of the so-called "enemy" so close to the Resistance's stronghold. while Godsblood itself didn't betray Greentruth's existence nor location, it was decidedly uneasy - having the Kenoma so close and in a space that had felt (unwisely) safe since their arrival. ...he realizes with a sinking acuity that he had grown complacent.
he had thought they'd keep their distance, keep to Achamoth. but... it was only a matter of time before their paths took them here, even with the city's rampant anti-Regent sentiment no less fervent over the passing of months.
the second blow is the identity of this particular Kenoma - a Lover, Abel can now see, one whose face has yet another sinking feeling permeating his insides. this is Gen... Gen? why in the world is he here...? he hadn't come alone, had he? does this mean there are others? why...? had the Regent sent him?
perhaps it is the spiraling nature of these thoughts that had given him away - his too-obvious focus as he clumsily trails the boy, trying to keep close enough as not to lose him in the bustle of the city's busy streets, but not too close as to be immediately suspicious. so lost in his thoughts, he hadn't even given an idle musing to the fact that if Abel can see Gen in the swirling, mist-like shadows that hug his person--
so too could Gen see Abel in reverse.
--he blinks, and he's lost track of the boy he'd been trailing at the mouth of an alley - had he cut through...? ah, how had he managed to get so distracted?! honestly, what is wrong with him - only to find a rough pair of hands shoving him back into the alley wall with an abruptness that elicits a surprised yelp from Abel's mouth-- ]
A-- ah!! W-wait, WAIT-- I don't have any jools and my kidneys aren't worth anything on the black market, I swear to you!! Please don't do this, I-I'm far too young and handsome to die in some BACK alley like a--
[ ...he's flinching as if in anticipation of some kind of slug to the face or gut-- or worse, perhaps-- but... when nothing comes,
Abel squints open an eye experimentally....... if only to find the subject of his search right before him in all Gen's terse, moody glory.
ii-b
--Kenoma.
it hits Abel like the douse of frigid, ice-cold water trickled down his spine, settling an uncomfortable pit of anxiety in his stomach at the sight of the so-called "enemy" so close to the Resistance's stronghold. while Godsblood itself didn't betray Greentruth's existence nor location, it was decidedly uneasy - having the Kenoma so close and in a space that had felt (unwisely) safe since their arrival. ...he realizes with a sinking acuity that he had grown complacent.
he had thought they'd keep their distance, keep to Achamoth. but... it was only a matter of time before their paths took them here, even with the city's rampant anti-Regent sentiment no less fervent over the passing of months.
the second blow is the identity of this particular Kenoma - a Lover, Abel can now see, one whose face has yet another sinking feeling permeating his insides. this is Gen... Gen? why in the world is he here...? he hadn't come alone, had he? does this mean there are others? why...? had the Regent sent him?
perhaps it is the spiraling nature of these thoughts that had given him away - his too-obvious focus as he clumsily trails the boy, trying to keep close enough as not to lose him in the bustle of the city's busy streets, but not too close as to be immediately suspicious. so lost in his thoughts, he hadn't even given an idle musing to the fact that if Abel can see Gen in the swirling, mist-like shadows that hug his person--
so too could Gen see Abel in reverse.
--he blinks, and he's lost track of the boy he'd been trailing at the mouth of an alley - had he cut through...? ah, how had he managed to get so distracted?! honestly, what is wrong with him - only to find a rough pair of hands shoving him back into the alley wall with an abruptness that elicits a surprised yelp from Abel's mouth-- ]
A-- ah!! W-wait, WAIT-- I don't have any jools and my kidneys aren't worth anything on the black market, I swear to you!! Please don't do this, I-I'm far too young and handsome to die in some BACK alley like a--
[ ...he's flinching as if in anticipation of some kind of slug to the face or gut-- or worse, perhaps-- but... when nothing comes,
Abel squints open an eye experimentally....... if only to find the subject of his search right before him in all Gen's terse, moody glory.
o... oh. well, then. ]