who we are and all that we're trying to be
The Reaper and the Sword had been notoriously effective at ending conversations due to discomfort, apathy, or anything else nettled amidst the ruminations. Delving any further into walls, into fortifications, into why he hid away from the world was far too deep in the monolith’s fathoms, and certainly not reserved for strangers. The panther seemed to have taken the hint anyway, and the beast was content to add a few more portions and pieces of debris to the fire, listening to the hastening crackle as most of it was quickly, inevitably, devoured by the flames.
Confirmation of the individual though cast an inward smirk; bemused for a moment. Of the impending marriage of three, he was the one the General knew the least about. A devious angle would’ve been to warn the man ahead of time, to proffer the same extension he’d given to Sunjata, about platitudes towards Hotaru – but maybe he wouldn’t have to. Perhaps this Nate character was far more dependable and less idiotic than the Flood.
One could hope, anyway – and Deimos didn’t do that very often.
The noted disadvantage coiled another snicker, wicked, devious machinations curling through. It’d been purposeful, sculpted in design, from years upon years of never truly presenting any revelation about himself. Nothing noteworthy. Nothing vulnerable. Nothing anyone could snag, snare, or press upon him as weakness. But the more actions he seared into the soil and land, the more of a reputation had been gained, and he could only stay so furtive, so secretive, for long.
Though it was dangerously tempting, to grant a false name, to shrug it off, to placate no one. But, as far as he knew, this Ascended hadn’t earned his ire (whether or not it held true on the other end would be determined). So he permitted the syllables to pierce through, a careful arch to his canine brow. Deimos.
It takes dying to know
How to live as ghosts
