My job, Akira. Anything that can be gotten from her with hostility and antagonism will be gotten by the many, many volunteers for the role.
[And there is hostility, despite how calm and unruffled he sounds. There's a seething, simmering anger to his heart's image, which is pointedly not looking at Akira. Tiernan is many things, as much bad as good if not more, but he isn't that sort of cruel.]
I've played worse roles than a charming and willing entertainer.
If I have to. Am I to just assume a different path will do no good because it's disliked?
You have no more proof that my way will get me nothing than I have that it will get me something. And I would sooner try and fail than fall in line because someone else, even you, doesn't approve.
[Tiernan's voice is forceful but controlled, posture unthreatening but set. The outer Tiernan. The other one?
The other one looks up, and his green eyes are icy and fierce and challenging.]
[But then... something happens. Akira's eyes widen, flicking slightly to the side and panic enters them. He turns away from Tiernan sharply and hurriedly brings a hand up to his face, covering his eyes and breathing raggedly.]
I think if it turns out not to be, that's my own burden to bear and no-
[Except then that. And it's almost a shame he's not looking, because this is the first time Tiernan and his image have actually been in agreement, outright concern flashing across his face. Tiernan moves to rest a hand gently on Akira's shoulder.]
...something happened to your power. Akira, breathe. Listen to my breathing and try to copy it.
[Because the way he's breathing is not going to help him stop panicking about whatever he saw. Tiernan's breathing is a far more steady rhythm.]
[Even if he isn't looking, though, he can certainly feel it— not that it's really sinking in, at the moment. He's trying hard to get himself to calm down...
But, the touch to his arm does get him to look up at Tiernan with frightened blue eyes. He stares for a moment, and tries to regulate his breathing...
But, his fists end up curling at his sides, and his breath becomes ragged again. He's pulling away from Tiernan.]
I— need to go...
[He's going to be attempting to hurry off the opposite way from Tiernan, now...]
Do you think I've never faced censure and disapproval for my methods before? And if anyone has cause to be upset over it, it's you after what she did to you.
I won't change because you disapprove. But I also don't hold it against you.
[Luckily he gets a racial bonus to Listen checks. Tiernan gives a quiet sigh.]
Ah. I understand. Unfamiliar behavior in your ability so soon after... Of course you're unsettled. Anyone would be.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2019-03-20 12:22 am (UTC)[And there is hostility, despite how calm and unruffled he sounds. There's a seething, simmering anger to his heart's image, which is pointedly not looking at Akira. Tiernan is many things, as much bad as good if not more, but he isn't that sort of cruel.]
I've played worse roles than a charming and willing entertainer.
no subject
Date: 2019-03-20 03:53 am (UTC)[Akira grits his teeth, glaring at Tiernan.]
And what more are you going to do? How far are you willing to go to please her when it might get you nothing?
no subject
Date: 2019-03-20 04:17 am (UTC)You have no more proof that my way will get me nothing than I have that it will get me something. And I would sooner try and fail than fall in line because someone else, even you, doesn't approve.
[Tiernan's voice is forceful but controlled, posture unthreatening but set. The outer Tiernan. The other one?
The other one looks up, and his green eyes are icy and fierce and challenging.]
no subject
Date: 2019-03-20 04:46 am (UTC)[But then... something happens. Akira's eyes widen, flicking slightly to the side and panic enters them. He turns away from Tiernan sharply and hurriedly brings a hand up to his face, covering his eyes and breathing raggedly.]
No, I— didn't mean...
no subject
Date: 2019-03-20 06:06 am (UTC)[Except then that. And it's almost a shame he's not looking, because this is the first time Tiernan and his image have actually been in agreement, outright concern flashing across his face. Tiernan moves to rest a hand gently on Akira's shoulder.]
...something happened to your power. Akira, breathe. Listen to my breathing and try to copy it.
[Because the way he's breathing is not going to help him stop panicking about whatever he saw. Tiernan's breathing is a far more steady rhythm.]
no subject
Date: 2019-03-20 06:25 am (UTC)But, the touch to his arm does get him to look up at Tiernan with frightened blue eyes. He stares for a moment, and tries to regulate his breathing...
But, his fists end up curling at his sides, and his breath becomes ragged again. He's pulling away from Tiernan.]
I— need to go...
[He's going to be attempting to hurry off the opposite way from Tiernan, now...]
no subject
Date: 2019-03-20 07:25 am (UTC)[Tiernan moves to follow him, though he doesn't try to make physical contact again. He isn't going to force it.
That's not his style anyway.
His tone is gentle and faintly worried.]
Please. I don't know exactly what's wrong or what you saw, but I don't like that you're in such distress.
...and I'd rather you weren't alone with it, even if that means finding someone else.
no subject
Date: 2019-03-23 06:05 pm (UTC)Why— all this? Especially right after what I just said and how I acted...
[His hand comes up and settles against his face, trembling... And then he speaks quietly, almost too quietly to be heard.]
I didn't even know it was something I could do...
no subject
Date: 2019-04-02 06:38 am (UTC)I won't change because you disapprove. But I also don't hold it against you.
[Luckily he gets a racial bonus to Listen checks. Tiernan gives a quiet sigh.]
Ah. I understand. Unfamiliar behavior in your ability so soon after... Of course you're unsettled. Anyone would be.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-02 10:03 pm (UTC)Honestly... I can't say I don't see your point.
[The second part has him pausing, however, and after a moment, he shakes his head.]
No, it... happened before that. It's why she punished me.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-04 05:55 am (UTC)So something that could potentially have begun when you arrived here.