#QUIRKTHIEVES. GETEN.

[overhual]

M. | ❝ you’re late. ❞ / @quirkthieves - geten.

behold, the young head. the room holds its breath as the leader steps inward. shadows seem to cling to the corners, cowering before him. why shouldn't they? it is he who commands them, and he who will usher them to light when he chooses to do so.

overhaul pauses upon being hailed. eyes narrow upon flicking over to the hooded guard dog. he's in no rush to answer the inquiry. instead, he makes a mental note to get the kid a mask if they're going to continue being in such close quarters.

and then, he continues on. a huff escapes him, muffled by rose petals and herbs in the mask. his tone is as it always is and always will be. disinterested. detached. yet still, how lucky the dog is to be spoken to.

" i was attending to other matters. you understand. " no apology nor request is given. rather, a demand. " walk with me. i have a few ideas on how to better utilize you in my group. "

[ohcruel]

@quirkthieves said : i would rather be cruel than weak. (geten to shoto)

" those things aren't mutually exclusive . people can be cruel and weak , or strong and kind . i know a lot of people who are the latter ... like my friends . not to mention there are those who are mentally strong ... you're narrow minded . "

[overhual]

a wounded dog will bark all the same. may it howl and snarl in defense, it will always bark. its bite shall be sharper — its movements more keen. that's what he wants. coming across geten was a blessing in disguise. why anyone might've cast him out is beyond chisaki's knowledge. he's heard tell of someone stronger placed where geten once followed from — and he finds that hard to believe. someone so loyal should be valued. overhaul values him.

" i intend to do so. first, you'll need to get familiar with what we do here. " simply put as he stalks through the ever-winding halls. false pathways and trapped doors populate on either side, but follow his lead. geten won't be lead astray. " we're far more subtle than the liberation army you come from. chronostasis will take you to some of our locations next week. be respectful of those you encounter. " within that time, he'll be fitted with a mask. smaller, overhaul imagines. one that can mostly stay tucked with him behind the hood.

after another moment, overhaul leads him down another path. this one looks far more ... domestic, almost. he stops at a door, soon propping it open for geten to step into. a small dorm is to beheld. a bed, a closet, a bathroom, and even a small area for cooking waits to be claimed. " for now, this is where you'll stay. as you settle in, you'll be able to personalize it as you see fit ... how's the head? " he taps his temple. " aching, i bet. "

Geten's remark carries no accusation, no offense. It's a simple statement, and Kai's answer is accepted just as simply. There's beauty in simplicity, and it's clinging to that simplicity that keeps Geten's head from splitting in two every time he had more than a moment to think to himself.

He falls in step behind the young boss like a shadow, but unlike the shades that cling to the walls, there is no fear. He's completely at ease in the presence of Overhaul-- no, he's completely at ease beneath Overhaul, the understanding of their differences in rank as fact to him as the sky being blue. Overhaul had found a good dog, one that knows sit, stay, heel-- one that knows the appropriate distance to follow from, close but far enough so as not to contaminate the air with his breath, head lowered but attentive.

How could anyone abandon a dog like him?

He almost reaches up to cradle the new ache in his skull, but he knows better than to move in such a self-pitying away in front of his new master. Wounds can be licked in private.

"My life is yours. Use it as you see fit."