Author: pantomathematics

        ———❝ My, my, Whittaker, you haven’t aged a day. ❞
It was a silly joke between the two of them, Elliot opening the door to his apartment and giving the other a cordial hug before he entered. Such was their friendship, distant and close all at once.

       

He hadn’t kept track of the years, always travelling and keeping himself busy. Being what they were, it seemed natural to keep to themselves when necessary.

       

❝ I’d ask what brings you to my neck of the woods, but the more interesting question is how you got here? ❞
He would have had to correctly time the flight, considering how he looked during the night.

@ivtus​ 

STRANGE GIRL.

                ‘  Might  as  well  be   damned   from  the  blood  alone…   Since  you  can
  see  them  too,  right?  The,  uh——  ghosts?   …  ’  Her  glare  wearies  as  she  spoke.

  Carmines  ignoring  her  hands  to  instead  side  eye  the  other  passengers  around  her.

  As  if  expectant  to  see  one, 
ᴀ ꜱᴩɪʀɪᴛ. 

                A  sense  of  nervousness  floods  her,  almost  regret.  Inwardly  wondering  if

  it’s  only  her  who  could  see  them.  She  looks  away,  returning  her  gaze  to  the  man

  beside  her.              ‘  Never  mind…  Dumb  question…  But  demons,  useful  how?  ’

         ———So that was what had triggered the sensation.
Despite his ability to see with truer eyes, the man hadn’t noticed the spirits at first. His perception of the arcane and occult often began with a stiff pain in the back of his neck, followed by a burning sensation. The scar left there always seemed to react in situations like this.

       

❝ You’re a strange girl indeed. ❞
He smiled, scooting a bit to the side as to let her sit down. The train was crowded from early morning commuters, but the man always seemed to find a place for him to rest.

       

❝ Many demons are malignant beings of a selfish nature…
but what if I were to tell you, not every demon is as parasitic as you think? ❞

???

❛      I DON’T RECALL EVER ASKING FOR YOUR ADVICE. i’m doing this for myself and ONLY myself.      ❜  

          ———❝ There’s no harm if you weren’t. No one is going to look at you differently if you were doing this for the sake of another. ❞

MAKI.

✿
“-Oh! Um, thank you, Mr. Kaufman…”
She’d never asked for him to carry her groceries, and yet he forged on ahead , doing as he saw fit, recognizing her struggles and actively working to counterbalance them. It was a nice change of pace from their last private conversations, as stunted and uncomfortable as they were.

   Perhaps their relationship as student and teacher could still be salvaged- maybe she wouldn’t have to live in fear of him any longer. The mere thought of that alone was more than enough to bring a reassured smile to her face. “Yes,” she replied dutifully between bouts of giggles, “I’ve been studying very hard recently, so I should be well-prepared when the time comes.”

   Never mind that the true reason why she’d begun taking her English studies more seriously was so that she could make amends for the ‘spider incident’. Mio respectfully dipped her head at the sound of the passenger door being pried open- by the time that he’d delivered his next question, she had already taken the liberty of buckling herself in.

   Having no reason to refuse him, Mio nodded in response while she settled her groceries on her lap. “-No, I don’t mind. You can go on ahead, I’ll simply wait here until you’re finished.”

        ———He nodded, pulling a half pack of Dunhills from his shirt pocket.
The brand had always been his favorite, the even smoke and delicate taste indicative of the luxury pricing. He could afford such luxuries, even without working the same job.

       

The man had carved a little success for himself in place of his previous occupation. Killing had always paid well, and boy was he good at it. Retiring from that scene took balls, but in the end, he’d been clean for about a decade. Strange how one misses the rush that came with the job description.

       

Placing the end of the cigarette into his mouth, the man waited to make sure Mio was looking without showing he was aware. Pausing, he called forth White Lion, a mere fraction of the Stand enveloping his arm and lighting the end of the cigarette.

       

❝ I’ll be ready in a bit, Maki-san. ❞

HONEST.

there is a tiny LUMP that begins to form in his throat after hearing such words tumble from company’s mouth   –   they managed to turn cheeks of porcelain to wine within only seconds.  it’s a dark color that spreads even toward pierced ears  ,  SPANNING o’er bridge of his nose much like the horizon itself.  he was easily embarrassed though  ,  this was nothing new.  after a moment ?  lashes flutter  &&  head turns AWAY.  suddenly the glass holding his beverage was far more interesting.  “ i’m only being honest. ”

         ———❝ Honesty is a good trait to have. ❞
The flush to the other’s face was clear as day, a smile soon finding its way upon his lips. Elliot finished his drink, eyes loose with the late night buzz of alcohol and exhaustion. The bar had become empty with the passing hours, the two night owls still remaining as the sound of a broom hitting floor rang in Elliot’s ears.

       

❝ Now, forgive me if this sounds like a line, but do you come here often? ❞