[ In that moment, he sees him separating the bone from the tender marrow of the situation, methodically cutting through sinewy fiber on the way down — choose to stay and be mired in the uproar, the dirt, or, ironically...
Quit while he's ahead. Lighter leaves him to that decision for as long as it might take, instinct wrangled in and subdued by more rational leanings. Lighter himself isn't sure. Does he believe someone could just get straight up killed in there? Yeah. It's why he opted in. No one would die by his hand, just like he wouldn't die by someone else's. A comfortable neutrality, lacking the sweetness of home and hazed over by vicious muscle memory, among other things. ]
Oh? Alright then. [ Snatching his jacket up by its collar, he fishes his shades from its pocket and then slings it over his shoulder. ] I'm not exactly dressed for a special occasion, so we can make it quick.
[ He slips his sunglasses back on and cants into the outskirts of the crowd to find the stairs. ]
( the one saving grace of the situation is how easy it is to slip away unnoticed, despite a throng of people desperate for entertainment at the expense of anotherβany other. though his decision was a firm one, it does not stop him from one last glance over the shoulder as they exit, for a sight exactly as he would expect it; when he turns back, itβs with a mild grimace, the closed eyes of someone forcing themselves to give up on something.
maybe a drink could even be⦠a good idea, right now. )
Youβre fond of impeding your vision in these halls. ( never will he forget your parking garage shades. their footsteps echo in the stairwell back up to the gym proper, a sound as hollow as the aftermath of their conversation. ) Have you become that familiar with the place already?
[ Not an easy balance to mitigate, he knows. Holding people in a tender regard when those same people are so quick to throw themselves into the maw of violence for gain — any gain, the significance of which is tenuous. ]
With the gym? Yeah. The underground ring is new, though. [ His pace draws slower now that they're out into the relatively fresher air of the gym. Given that it's still the gym, that's saying a lot. ] As for my vision, I already wrecked my eyes in a similar place a long time ago.
[ Offhanded as he falls into line with the other man, disinclined to lead. ]
So too much light isn't actually the best for them.
( there's an easy scold to be had, in clearly not following up with the doctor's enough to be in such a state—there are also lines to be read between, here, the obfuscation at least giving away there is something to hide in the first place. tact may not be ratio's strong suit, but it isn't from failing to recognize the value in it. his lips press into a thin line as he bites back on his counter, choosing, for once, an unquestioning acceptance.
for now. π Dr. Ratio will remember that.
the drift in their stances also doesn't escape him. if he needs to take some control over their destination... the only place he knows, for better or worse, is the casino. on technicality, it fulfills the requirement for drinks. a simple pivot, once they're exiting talon's doors, drifting past the staff's notice. )
Just don't run into anything. You'll aggravate your injuries. ( not that he cares, or whatever. )
[ A little stalling is fine, he thinks. It's not like any of them have anything better to do here but bide their time. ]
As it so happens, I have an excellent sense of direction and balance.
[ Lighter ticks his fingers insufferably even as he settles into a well-matched gait, more parts implication than it isn't. He recognizes the route well enough by now — the place is only so big compared to the sprawling wastes he's used to, and despite what he'd say, being idle isn't exactly in his wheelhouse. ]
Thanks for the concern, though.
[ He chances it, knowing well his demerit situation. Better to say it now before he has the chance to regret not saying it. ]
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Quit while he's ahead. Lighter leaves him to that decision for as long as it might take, instinct wrangled in and subdued by more rational leanings. Lighter himself isn't sure. Does he believe someone could just get straight up killed in there? Yeah. It's why he opted in. No one would die by his hand, just like he wouldn't die by someone else's. A comfortable neutrality, lacking the sweetness of home and hazed over by vicious muscle memory, among other things. ]
Oh? Alright then. [ Snatching his jacket up by its collar, he fishes his shades from its pocket and then slings it over his shoulder. ] I'm not exactly dressed for a special occasion, so we can make it quick.
[ He slips his sunglasses back on and cants into the outskirts of the crowd to find the stairs. ]
no subject
maybe a drink could even be⦠a good idea, right now. )
Youβre fond of impeding your vision in these halls. ( never will he forget your parking garage shades. their footsteps echo in the stairwell back up to the gym proper, a sound as hollow as the aftermath of their conversation. ) Have you become that familiar with the place already?
no subject
With the gym? Yeah. The underground ring is new, though. [ His pace draws slower now that they're out into the relatively fresher air of the gym. Given that it's still the gym, that's saying a lot. ] As for my vision, I already wrecked my eyes in a similar place a long time ago.
[ Offhanded as he falls into line with the other man, disinclined to lead. ]
So too much light isn't actually the best for them.
[ A sleight folded warmly into a truth. ]
no subject
for now. π Dr. Ratio will remember that.
the drift in their stances also doesn't escape him. if he needs to take some control over their destination... the only place he knows, for better or worse, is the casino. on technicality, it fulfills the requirement for drinks. a simple pivot, once they're exiting talon's doors, drifting past the staff's notice. )
Just don't run into anything. You'll aggravate your injuries. ( not that he cares, or whatever. )
no subject
As it so happens, I have an excellent sense of direction and balance.
[ Lighter ticks his fingers insufferably even as he settles into a well-matched gait, more parts implication than it isn't. He recognizes the route well enough by now — the place is only so big compared to the sprawling wastes he's used to, and despite what he'd say, being idle isn't exactly in his wheelhouse. ]
Thanks for the concern, though.
[ He chances it, knowing well his demerit situation. Better to say it now before he has the chance to regret not saying it. ]