#i'm super excited to see these two interact!! ;ww;

[wisheswagered]

Frederick's expression is cold, and it's all he can do to hide the trembling in his arms as he faces the musician standing before him.

It's not like it makes much difference, at this stage. Frederick's already tarnished reputation has been falling further and further to pieces, lately - even now, he can see the way that people look at him; their whispered words and judgemental gazes difficult to miss. He wishes he could say it doesn't bother him, but even now, after everything... he can still feel a hot shame creeping through him when he allows himself to dwell on the way people think of him.

But it doesn't matter. He's sure that now, watching him talk with Antonio, people must be curious, making up stories in their heads and imagining all kinds of wild theories as to what they think of each other. Yet... only Frederick knows the truth. And the taste of death that this man has brought him, time after time, is one he'll never forget.

"Mr. Paganini. I must say... your performance tonight was excellent, as always."

@mccnstricken ( starter for antonio! )

[guardiandamned]

Ryouga doesn't know much about Haruto, when it really comes down to it. To him, he's just Kaito's brother - the one who Kaito would do anything for, the boy who he'd been fighting for even at the cost of his own life.

It's for that reason that Ryouga can't hate Kaito completely. After all... he understands exactly what it's like to have someone you're desperate to protect. He's sure that to Kaito, Haruto is no burden - instead, the thought of keeping him safe is what gives him the strength to live, giving him hope day after day even when it feels like moving forward is impossible.

But that doesn't mean he'd been prepared to actually meet Haruto like this in-person. If Kaito were here, Ryouga's sure he'd be watching him like a hawk, as protective as he is, but honestly... Ryouga just feels self-conscious as he is now. He's not good with kids. It's not like he hates them - it's just that his abrasive personality doesn't really mesh well with them, and he's not good at watching what he says or being as careful as he probably should be with his attitude...

Haruto's not just some random kid, though. So... Ryouga will at least try and put in a little more effort for him.

"Did Kaito tell you about me?" he asks bluntly, hands shoved haphazardly in his pockets. There's nothing particularly friendly about his expression, but at the very least, there's no trace of anger or irritation either. "

I'm Kamishiro Ryouga. So... you're his brother, huh?"

@universestreasures ( starter for haruto! )

[aletheialed]

Barok van Zieks is an intriguing man.

Enoch has heard the news. The truth of the professor case, finally revealed to the world... it makes him want to laugh, to think about how it's all come out now - too late for Enoch, who nobody ever had ever believed; who had had his future taken away cruelly and abruptly as a result, because if there's one thing that this world is - it's unfair.

It does strike him as ironic, how they've both had their lives ruined by the same incident - though for very different reasons. If he were to try, maybe he could even muster up some sympathy for the man... as someone who's also been exposed to the unfair judgement of society, and who sees the world for what it is - a farce.

But instead, van Zieks... irritates him somehow. Maybe it's because he still seems to care about justice in this world so devoid of it. Though it's not like Enoch knows the man at all, so it might be that deep down, Barok is just as selfish as the rest of them, and he doesn't truly believe in justice at all. Who can say?

What the prosecutor is here for now, Enoch has no idea. But there's one thing he has to ask - even if it makes him feel sick to think of it, and he hates the feelings that stir inside him as a result.

"That mockery of a scientist... Albert Harebrayne. Tell me. How does he fare?" That's what he asks, but... looking at Enoch's face, it's difficult to tell whether or not he truly cares about the answer.

@soulscursed ( starter! )