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[ukan]

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[ukan]

All of this has been at turns very much like what Lark is doing, and at others intriguing for the new angles.

But that last comment, Kiryu. That last comment is what brings a certain amber glint to Lark's eyes, what makes his teeth seem just a little bit sharper than they should be.

"Oh, you have me now," he promises smoothly. With a statement like that, make their point of view irrelevant, one that speaks to every preferred tactic Lark has, how could he not?

[lone_horse]

“The important thing is to build something that will support itself: new people will see the value of your ideas in practice... or they won’t. But the consequences will be obvious after a point.” He puts his tea cup down. “And those who benefit from it will maintain and safeguard the institution.”

And he doesn’t need to say it, but once something is an institution...

[ukan]

"Oh, I know...that's the most difficult part about all of this. I don't know that Alec will let me stay here as long as I really want to be," he sighs faintly. "So I want to make it as stable as I can while I can."

[lone_horse]

He looks over at Lark.

“Which is why you’re seeking my input.”

Not just because he appreciates his thoughts. But also because Lark knows he intends to be here as long as he possibly can. And has no one and nothing to pull him away from it.

There’s no anger or even annoyance in his tone as he says it. But he isn’t going to pretend that his buy in doesn’t have other advantages with it.

[ukan]

He regards Kiryu evenly. "If I planned to be here a hundred years, I'd still want your input. I'm sure you've noticed how easy it is for people to launch into screaming fits around here about how right they are. You are someone who has just told me where I'm mistaken, and I respect you more for it."

He leans back, arms crossed loosely over his chest. "A dozen other people have shoved their interpretations of me in my face, and if I tried to clarify, they insisted I was lying. We need someone like you here, Kiryu. You said you look to me as a mentor; I'm here to be that. But I'm also here to be reminded that there's a middle ground, and that I've seen you find it."

[lone_horse]

He looks back at him with a faint curl at the corner of his lip.

“If I thought it was the only reason, I wouldn’t have taken the time.”

He’s yakuza, even if he no longer has a family. He can appreciate practicality and strategy, even ruthlessness, and he doesn’t find any of it to be a bad thing or anything objectionable on its own. Some things can be given no quarter.

But he nods in appreciation for the compliment. Lark’s respect is something he values.

“Thank you for being willing to explain to me. Especially after others have been unwilling to listen.” He does appreciate that as something that can be difficult in and of itself. And it speaks, honestly, to Lark believing in him and his judgement, something he’s glad to see after their discussion earlier.

[ukan]

"We'll keep looking. We'll find people who are willing to hear you out." And at this point it is 'you', not 'we'--their ideas are extremely similar, but Lark has positioned himself as an adversary to many of the other wardens. It's strategic but that doesn't mean there aren't downsides.

[lone_horse]

The only indication that he’s picked up on that choice is a raise of an eyebrow. But the twist in his lip says that he appreciates it. That’s something he can understand: dividing up and conquering, different parts of a team playing different roles.

His urge to ask him for a fight hasn’t flagged one bit.

“Should I make more tea?”

Because they can keep talking. Off or on screen!