⠀
" don't worry, " comes uncharacteristically proper , regal tones ; his true self manifested in the sacredness of an unknown covenant. " i'll see to it myself , tsubaki. "
⠀

⠀
the use of personal names without honorifics is not left unnoticed , as shinji , true to his name , offers her his unbroken promise.
⠀

⠀
... because , just like her , he's quite the same. his predecessor and his protege fell into the allure of the forbidden , of the concealed knowledge within.
⠀

⠀
but if there's one thing he can promise her , it's that he's well-in-control of the darkness within ; that perverse , all-encompassing darkness that many fear and wish to eradicate. he's all too aware ...
⠀

⠀
the 4th may have been home to kuragane ; there's no escaping the inherent bloodlust from its ageless captain , but other than that , there's nothing much that can be done when many would chase after her like a witch awaiting the stake.
⠀

/ like we can breathe here omg ... we can cook so many good replies ... we must have kay b chung’s spirit .....

/ the nest is much cozier here ; on twt there's more people but im starting to dislike SOO MANY PEOPLE OMG ....

/ who told u to write shorter I'm gonna put them in tumbLR NOWWW

/ yep , we're rotting here pls

/ naur. im a snoozing machiiine ——

⠀
“ a shame that ya didn't see those chambers , kuragane, ” he continues smoothly. “ it's the place where the best transcend their limits ... under the supervision and training of the current captain. ”

and there it is ; his grin.
⠀

⠀
“ visit us sometime, ” he invites ; the subtle charm being akin to the proverbial snake in the garden of paradise , drawing the most curious of souls to the promise of a power that is not freely given , but determinedly earned.
⠀

⠀
even when the wine is served and fitzgerald plays live in that soft , disarming manner , hirako can only snicker knowingly to himself , with his steely gaze resting upon his former subordinate through his stylishly cut bangs.
⠀

⠀
all those in the 5th are of exemplary characters ; day in , day out , there would be friendly faces , the most jovial of temperaments , the most brilliant of minds ...

... and then there's kuragane tsubaki.

what a pity she didn't see it back then.
⠀

⠀
they accepted the best and brightest of a certain kind , with no rhyme or reason or set format. the 1st —— the best and most noble , would take those with noble hearts and even nobler skills. the 5th , however , took whoever they wished.
⠀

/ SPAM THAT PLUS BUTTON BESTIE I FEEL U SM

⠀
“ if ya' ever need tha' special facilities in tha' 5th , let me know, ” he helpfully offers , taking a sip of merlot. “ i get the feeling that you might need a place that's far from prying eyes fer' training. ”
⠀