[ Axel is making his way back, footsteps also light, but purposeful. It feels like what has just happened left him a daze. They were wrong this time around. Maybe the strangest thing is that he doesn't feel a thing. Or maybe that's not surprising.
He thinks previously about indications that popped up in trial. But, this is their reality now. ]
Yeah, I'd say that's about right.
[ Axel looks back over at Temenos draped over the couch. Still here. He should count his blessings that he will be here beyond execution's time, shouldn't he? Axel will come and join him, by his side, shoulder against his. ]
[ he lolls his head over to look at him when he comes closer, finally, expression hard to read as ever - composed, untenable, the slight raise of an eyebrow. ] I believe it was over for Hans long before the accusations even began. He was already causing problems, with his commentary about the girls. And the further he entrenched in that theory, [ of the two cases being connected] the worse and worse it became.
[ the delivery of this is light and almost disapproving, closer to what a shame. for temenos, it's the darkness left instead of the light that is more frustrating than anything - the unknowing, over the knowing. the lack of control over emotion, over majority and fear. it's the whole situation.
though it's hard to read on his face, he's thinking much the same. the loss of their teammate was hard - losing another would be harder, and it may have been a hard day, but at least they're all still left standing. having this conversation counts for something. (because truthfully: temenos mistral's lost far too much.)
so. as he comes to sit closer, after a long moment, temenos tilts his head - and the ease of affection week means he drops it onto axel's shoulder as he closes his eyes with a sigh. bonk. ]
Nine hours of circles, and nothing to show for it. We've let Yae down. [ ugh. ]
Nah, I was thinking we'd corner the real culprit. Hans has always been good at pissing people off, you know? That wasn't new. I also kinda tuned out some of what he said.
[ Which is his bad ahaha.
There was so much going on, Axel supposes he might have missed at least the details about the cases being connected. Not that he thinks he understood most of it in the end...do they even know what's what about each one? What even happened now? Will they ever? Did the two meet?
Whatever, that really actually isn't his primary concern. He and Temenos' worries are in fact, the very same here.
Even if Axel doesn't even want to think about potential future repercussions right now because nope.png ]
But yeah, pretty much. She must be looking down on us, going 'tsk, tsk you are all very lucky I cannot command any single one of you to apologize for failing so miserably.'
...Or something. Anyway, it's hardly much of a comfort, but at least we can say we tried. Though, I'm thinking it's obviously gonna make things difficult. Man, I sure wish I could say something more uplifting.
[ Casually bringing his arm to let it rest around the other man's. The temptation is always there because of affection week, but boy does he feel it even more acutely now. ]
Mmm. I can't blame you - I can only take so many cat puns.
[ and like, he has a trash sense of humor. this is a joke, though, delivered very dryly. maybe not that appropriate because the guy's going to be an innocent man on death's door in 24 hours, but, well. you cope. ]
He made a few points that were interesting, but - in the end, I don't believe they were right. Accusing Reigen of being present because of the perfume, but then claiming he was at Satan's crime, despite there being no trace of the perfume: he contradicted himself. I've my own feelings about Reigen's involvement, but I don't believe the two cases were connected.
[ if only they'd found that stupid shotgun.
the yae imitation makes him chuckle, and there's a little further when he talks about being uplifting. ]
Though, I'm not sure if you've noticed, Axel... [ he trails off for dramatic effect, here, and then glances up at him, smile slightly more playful: ] but I am not the uplifting type. [ no. mr "doubt is what I do", a pessismist? no way.
he just laughs a little, fiddling with the top of the wine glass he brought over and melting into the warmth of that arm. it's kind of nice? he's probably a little, tiny, baby bit touchstarved. ] I could say something about how unfortunate our situation will be in the coming week. Or, how dangerous things are rapidly becoming. Or, how tomorrow will be the execution of an innocent, if slightly perverse, man - anything you say in comparison ought to be fairly optimistic, no?
[ Axel tries not to let out a snort and fails. Yeah, sometimes you just cope indeed. ]
...On some level, after everything that's happened, I don't know what to think anymore. At this point, it feels like anything could be possible. Even if that's not true.
I've done a lot of things in the past, but I still think being an investigator in murder scenarios has a pretty tough difficulty spike.
[ Which sounds pretty much outwardly ridiculous, but it's the truth. Axel supposes it doesn't help that there had been so much back and forth. And in some ways, no way to truly confirm just one person without a doubt above all others.
It isn't like he's given up on their situation. But he thinks due to the moving parts that maybe for these two murders...it is a mystery that will remain unsolved.
With his free hand he gives a lazy hand wave, and then, well. Axel will be always happy to provide himself as the perfect cure to Temenos' touchstarved condition, keeping his hand where it is. Like this, it's a simple matter to keep the other male close to him, even if it's already achieved with the other laying his head against his shoulder. ]
Maybe that's exactly why I said what I did, because I figured you might just. Though, I wouldn't exactly count you out completely. [ His eyes slide a bit half-lidded as he adds in with a fond, slightly teasing air: ] "One must always keep their face turned towards the light. There's always something, small as it may yet be."
...We still have each other. Even if we've lost a teammate of ours, as well as still have no clear answers on what happened during that night, and even if our situation's looking pretty dark, might even get worse, we're not alone. As long as that remains the case, I can't imagine we'll all fall.
The conditions make it difficult, and I am experienced. I wouldn't be too concerned.
[ he's not outright going to say "you're doing just fine", because that's a lot of praise, but it's implied. for the moment, he closes his eyes, ready to just sort of drift into his thoughts...
...and then he keeps going. when he quotes back at him, his eyes open, and he looks surprised - and then amused, opening his mouth and closing it slightly as axel starts to get kind of cheesy. the longer he continues, temenos lifts his head up off of his shoulder to look at him, and his mouth pulls up into an unconscious smile before he even realizes it.
ridiculous. ]
Quoting the scriptures? Which one of us is supposed to be the one in charge of sermons, here, hm?
[ despite the needling, playful tone of this, it's immediately, obviously kind of affectionate. ]
[ If someone who is well-experienced says something like the way he does, it isn't like Axel's going to brush it off. He figures it's absolutely true.
...Though, it can't hurt in the future if things of such a nature got at least easier (fat chance.) ]
Guess if you're saying that, there's no reason for me to think otherwise. And, I think I'm hearing some part of compliment about my efforts again, am I right?
[ The night is still a little too dim to be jumping or leaping around for joy, but he manages something at least. Still, with a smile thrown the way it is by the other man, Axel's already wishing for another photo. Candid moments are always precious, after all, and even like this, he can almost swear that Temenos is brighter with that affectionate mirth. ]
I wouldn't dream of overtaking your position on delivering any sermons, o' Holy Tem. But, whenever you quote any kind of scripture, I'd remember it in a heartbeat, since it's you. I'd say it's something to be proud of, yeah?
[ this is a lot funnier knowing he gets temenos's light powers on monday.
at any rate. he rolls his eyes at the antics, and then clicks his tongue. ] Perhaps I should call you a puppy, with the way that you seek out praise...? Do you do tricks?
[ but temenos sounds awfully amused, and chuckles quietly, adjusting on the couch to pull his knees up and get a bit more comfortable, folding naturally into axel's side with the last dregs of the week of affection, tilting his head back again to look at him from this angle. despite the day, he's relaxed. it's like being chosen by a cat. ]
And complimenting me certainly won't get you any more. [ okay, that's definitely teasing. ] If I am so charismatic that I could make that intriguing, then I ought to consider that something of a blessing, hm?
[ Isn't it just? The universe decided to deliver the most holiest (heh) of ironies upon them, gotta enjoy it. ]
Hey now, what's this about being a puppy! I'm not the kind of guy who makes barking noises, just so you know.
But, if I do tricks, I should definitely get praised for them, and a lot of other things too.
[ ...
Axel is absolutely not helping his case here. But, with the other moving to rest into a better position, he can't help but maybe more his arm, perhaps having his fingers to accidentally brush across strands of hair, and then to rest back around the other man again. Kind of like, you know, petting a cat. ]
...Hold on a moment. Since you're considering it a blessing, that means you're heaping on more praise my way after all, right? Well, I won't go ahead and say it's unwarranted.
[ He hears the thank you in there!! Or something like that, given the grin that's still on his face. ]
[ the amused, indulging little hum temenos lets out suggests that he is complete agreement, that yes. axel is not helping his case here, at all. he is a puppy. temenos, as the hound, decides this is fact. (no)
the hairpet is absolutely not rejected. it's nice, and the comfort of the dregs of affection week just means he settles, content. you may continue. cuddling on the couch is allowed.
though, without opening his eyes, in response to that, he says, loftily: ] Well, that is your opinion.
[ BE NICE it's mean teasing as always, though, if the way his smile quirks up a little further in mischief says anything about it. it's just too easy. ]
[ Axel identified as local puppy. What will he do now?
But, excellent, he will just continue to bring his hand back up for more hairpetting, fingers perhaps indulgently stroking slowly, but carefully through strands with ease that Axel has no problem with doing. ]
Hey now, you can try to hide it all you like, but I know my opinion's practically fact right about now.
[ He'll say, easily cheekily responding to the teasing with no shortage of amusement on his end. ]
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He thinks previously about indications that popped up in trial. But, this is their reality now. ]
Yeah, I'd say that's about right.
[ Axel looks back over at Temenos draped over the couch. Still here. He should count his blessings that he will be here beyond execution's time, shouldn't he? Axel will come and join him, by his side, shoulder against his. ]
...I can't say I expected it to end like that.
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[ he lolls his head over to look at him when he comes closer, finally, expression hard to read as ever - composed, untenable, the slight raise of an eyebrow. ] I believe it was over for Hans long before the accusations even began. He was already causing problems, with his commentary about the girls. And the further he entrenched in that theory, [ of the two cases being connected] the worse and worse it became.
[ the delivery of this is light and almost disapproving, closer to what a shame. for temenos, it's the darkness left instead of the light that is more frustrating than anything - the unknowing, over the knowing. the lack of control over emotion, over majority and fear. it's the whole situation.
though it's hard to read on his face, he's thinking much the same. the loss of their teammate was hard - losing another would be harder, and it may have been a hard day, but at least they're all still left standing. having this conversation counts for something. (because truthfully: temenos mistral's lost far too much.)
so. as he comes to sit closer, after a long moment, temenos tilts his head - and the ease of affection week means he drops it onto axel's shoulder as he closes his eyes with a sigh. bonk. ]
Nine hours of circles, and nothing to show for it. We've let Yae down. [ ugh. ]
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[ Which is his bad ahaha.
There was so much going on, Axel supposes he might have missed at least the details about the cases being connected. Not that he thinks he understood most of it in the end...do they even know what's what about each one? What even happened now? Will they ever? Did the two meet?
Whatever, that really actually isn't his primary concern. He and Temenos' worries are in fact, the very same here.
Even if Axel doesn't even want to think about potential future repercussions right now because nope.png ]
But yeah, pretty much. She must be looking down on us, going 'tsk, tsk you are all very lucky I cannot command any single one of you to apologize for failing so miserably.'
...Or something. Anyway, it's hardly much of a comfort, but at least we can say we tried. Though, I'm thinking it's obviously gonna make things difficult. Man, I sure wish I could say something more uplifting.
[ Casually bringing his arm to let it rest around the other man's. The temptation is always there because of affection week, but boy does he feel it even more acutely now. ]
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[ and like, he has a trash sense of humor. this is a joke, though, delivered very dryly. maybe not that appropriate because the guy's going to be an innocent man on death's door in 24 hours, but, well. you cope. ]
He made a few points that were interesting, but - in the end, I don't believe they were right. Accusing Reigen of being present because of the perfume, but then claiming he was at Satan's crime, despite there being no trace of the perfume: he contradicted himself. I've my own feelings about Reigen's involvement, but I don't believe the two cases were connected.
[ if only they'd found that stupid shotgun.
the yae imitation makes him chuckle, and there's a little further when he talks about being uplifting. ]
Though, I'm not sure if you've noticed, Axel... [ he trails off for dramatic effect, here, and then glances up at him, smile slightly more playful: ] but I am not the uplifting type. [ no. mr "doubt is what I do", a pessismist? no way.
he just laughs a little, fiddling with the top of the wine glass he brought over and melting into the warmth of that arm. it's kind of nice? he's probably a little, tiny, baby bit touchstarved. ] I could say something about how unfortunate our situation will be in the coming week. Or, how dangerous things are rapidly becoming. Or, how tomorrow will be the execution of an innocent, if slightly perverse, man - anything you say in comparison ought to be fairly optimistic, no?
[ please stop joking about this ]
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...On some level, after everything that's happened, I don't know what to think anymore. At this point, it feels like anything could be possible. Even if that's not true.
I've done a lot of things in the past, but I still think being an investigator in murder scenarios has a pretty tough difficulty spike.
[ Which sounds pretty much outwardly ridiculous, but it's the truth. Axel supposes it doesn't help that there had been so much back and forth. And in some ways, no way to truly confirm just one person without a doubt above all others.
It isn't like he's given up on their situation. But he thinks due to the moving parts that maybe for these two murders...it is a mystery that will remain unsolved.
With his free hand he gives a lazy hand wave, and then, well. Axel will be always happy to provide himself as the perfect cure to Temenos' touchstarved condition, keeping his hand where it is. Like this, it's a simple matter to keep the other male close to him, even if it's already achieved with the other laying his head against his shoulder. ]
Maybe that's exactly why I said what I did, because I figured you might just. Though, I wouldn't exactly count you out completely. [ His eyes slide a bit half-lidded as he adds in with a fond, slightly teasing air: ] "One must always keep their face turned towards the light. There's always something, small as it may yet be."
...We still have each other. Even if we've lost a teammate of ours, as well as still have no clear answers on what happened during that night, and even if our situation's looking pretty dark, might even get worse, we're not alone. As long as that remains the case, I can't imagine we'll all fall.
We'll beat out the darkness with our light.
[ He turned this cheesy, I'm sorry ]
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[ he's not outright going to say "you're doing just fine", because that's a lot of praise, but it's implied. for the moment, he closes his eyes, ready to just sort of drift into his thoughts...
...and then he keeps going. when he quotes back at him, his eyes open, and he looks surprised - and then amused, opening his mouth and closing it slightly as axel starts to get kind of cheesy. the longer he continues, temenos lifts his head up off of his shoulder to look at him, and his mouth pulls up into an unconscious smile before he even realizes it.
ridiculous. ]
Quoting the scriptures? Which one of us is supposed to be the one in charge of sermons, here, hm?
[ despite the needling, playful tone of this, it's immediately, obviously kind of affectionate. ]
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...Though, it can't hurt in the future if things of such a nature got at least easier (fat chance.) ]
Guess if you're saying that, there's no reason for me to think otherwise. And, I think I'm hearing some part of compliment about my efforts again, am I right?
[ The night is still a little too dim to be jumping or leaping around for joy, but he manages something at least. Still, with a smile thrown the way it is by the other man, Axel's already wishing for another photo. Candid moments are always precious, after all, and even like this, he can almost swear that Temenos is brighter with that affectionate mirth. ]
I wouldn't dream of overtaking your position on delivering any sermons, o' Holy Tem. But, whenever you quote any kind of scripture, I'd remember it in a heartbeat, since it's you. I'd say it's something to be proud of, yeah?
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at any rate. he rolls his eyes at the antics, and then clicks his tongue. ] Perhaps I should call you a puppy, with the way that you seek out praise...? Do you do tricks?
[ but temenos sounds awfully amused, and chuckles quietly, adjusting on the couch to pull his knees up and get a bit more comfortable, folding naturally into axel's side with the last dregs of the week of affection, tilting his head back again to look at him from this angle. despite the day, he's relaxed. it's like being chosen by a cat. ]
And complimenting me certainly won't get you any more. [ okay, that's definitely teasing. ] If I am so charismatic that I could make that intriguing, then I ought to consider that something of a blessing, hm?
[ it's a thank you, if not in so many words. ]
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Hey now, what's this about being a puppy! I'm not the kind of guy who makes barking noises, just so you know.
But, if I do tricks, I should definitely get praised for them, and a lot of other things too.
[ ...
Axel is absolutely not helping his case here. But, with the other moving to rest into a better position, he can't help but maybe more his arm, perhaps having his fingers to accidentally brush across strands of hair, and then to rest back around the other man again. Kind of like, you know, petting a cat. ]
...Hold on a moment. Since you're considering it a blessing, that means you're heaping on more praise my way after all, right? Well, I won't go ahead and say it's unwarranted.
[ He hears the thank you in there!! Or something like that, given the grin that's still on his face. ]
no subject
the hairpet is absolutely not rejected. it's nice, and the comfort of the dregs of affection week just means he settles, content. you may continue. cuddling on the couch is allowed.
though, without opening his eyes, in response to that, he says, loftily: ] Well, that is your opinion.
[ BE NICE it's mean teasing as always, though, if the way his smile quirks up a little further in mischief says anything about it. it's just too easy. ]
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But, excellent, he will just continue to bring his hand back up for more hairpetting, fingers perhaps indulgently stroking slowly, but carefully through strands with ease that Axel has no problem with doing. ]
Hey now, you can try to hide it all you like, but I know my opinion's practically fact right about now.
[ He'll say, easily cheekily responding to the teasing with no shortage of amusement on his end. ]