[ He should probably be able to connect the dots immediately, in theory. It's not like Gen's completely inattentive about the goings-on in the Citadel, and there are only so many Aions who live in its halls. And given his knowledge of who else had gone suspiciously absent -- Barnaby, that fucking rat bastard traitor -- he probably should have immediately been able to guess at what was going on when a familiar, corpse-pale face went suspiciously unseen following his return from Venera.
He should have.
But it's been hard thinking about anything as of late. And when he can barely keep track of the passage of time, he sure can't spare the energy to think about an acquaintance. During those days that Liem suffers at the Regent and Dionys' hands, Gen -- simply doesn't think about him at all. It's not until he hears the familiar voice calling to him in the gardens that he's even reminded of the other man's existence at all. ]
... oh, it's you.
[ Liem doesn't know it, but it's a (small and) dubious honor that Gen doesn't reflexively bristle at the sight of him. Why should he? Liem is about as milquetoast as they get here among the Kenoma when it comes to attitude, while being too stuffy and proper to give him shit for any reason. So instead of reacting with hostility upon turning and recognizing the other, Gen only gives that vaguely dismissive answer, then breathes a weary sigh as he slumps against the fencing. His entire left side keeps feeling like it's pinging through with red-hot needles, and it's exhausting to deal with. He needs a moment to take a deep breath before he can find his voice. ]
I'm allowed to take a walk whenever I want. [ It's probably telling that even that shitty, petulant retort of his is a little lacking in teeth at the moment. Gen raises an eyebrow as he looks Liem over, his voice a hoarse drawl that he doesn't bother trying to keep the exhaustion out of. ] What, you thought wandering around at this time is something only vampires can do?
[ The dim lighting makes it hard to tell, but ... something about Liem seems off. Maybe the pallor of his skin. Maybe the shadows under his eyes. ]
no subject
He should have.
But it's been hard thinking about anything as of late. And when he can barely keep track of the passage of time, he sure can't spare the energy to think about an acquaintance. During those days that Liem suffers at the Regent and Dionys' hands, Gen -- simply doesn't think about him at all. It's not until he hears the familiar voice calling to him in the gardens that he's even reminded of the other man's existence at all. ]
... oh, it's you.
[ Liem doesn't know it, but it's a (small and) dubious honor that Gen doesn't reflexively bristle at the sight of him. Why should he? Liem is about as milquetoast as they get here among the Kenoma when it comes to attitude, while being too stuffy and proper to give him shit for any reason. So instead of reacting with hostility upon turning and recognizing the other, Gen only gives that vaguely dismissive answer, then breathes a weary sigh as he slumps against the fencing. His entire left side keeps feeling like it's pinging through with red-hot needles, and it's exhausting to deal with. He needs a moment to take a deep breath before he can find his voice. ]
I'm allowed to take a walk whenever I want. [ It's probably telling that even that shitty, petulant retort of his is a little lacking in teeth at the moment. Gen raises an eyebrow as he looks Liem over, his voice a hoarse drawl that he doesn't bother trying to keep the exhaustion out of. ] What, you thought wandering around at this time is something only vampires can do?
[ The dim lighting makes it hard to tell, but ... something about Liem seems off. Maybe the pallor of his skin. Maybe the shadows under his eyes. ]