[Prologue, Saturday: Ion (nicer)]

[doublecrows]

[Akechi doesn't know why he seeks Ion out when everything is said and done. he doesn't have a reason to, right? but nevertheless, his legs move on automatic, until he finds the green-haired pope wherever he may be this evening]

[he pauses, before he pulls up a smile, soft as the rest]

. . . hello, Ion-san.

How are you this evening?

Comments

[fragileprophet]

[Ion's frowning in thought when Akechi finds him, but at the sound of his voice he whips out that iconic(tm) smile.]

I wouldn't complain.

[He folds his hands behind his back, his staff running perpendicular to his body as he does.]

Worried for tomorrow, I suppose, but how are you faring after today's events?

[doublecrows]

I'm feeling rather. . . disappointed.

[in what? in Sharpay, for murdering? in Sharpay. . . for getting caught? in himself, for missing so much vital evidence? which serves only to remind him that he's not a real detective, but a hack who only plays detective?]

[itisamystery.jpg]

I had hoped no one would give into temptation so easily.

[fragileprophet]

[Whatever the answer to that mystery is, Ion nods all the same.]

I had the same hope...and no matter what Sharpay says about the value of her actions, I'm afraid she may grow to regret what she's done.

[But they can't take it back, now. The choices she made can't be erased, only paid for.]

I suppose in a situation like this, with so many variables, it's hard to say exactly what will happen.

[doublecrows]

[amen, Ion]

It is. And none of us have magical crystal balls that allow us to see into the future. We can only act to events as they happen.

[fragileprophet]

[A weirdly personal metaphor, but Ion brushes past it. He understands the sentiment well enough.]

At least as far as we know, without knowing what everyone has as a given "gift" to match their title.

[His shoulders fall.]

It's hard not to feel a stroke of guilt. Even without having any way of predicting what may happen, there are still thoughts of "could I have prevented this" and "what if I had only spoken to her more?". I never had the chance to talk to Sharpay, myself.

[doublecrows]

[for once, the weirdly personal part was not done on purpose]

I spoke to her twice. And truthfully, because of who she is, I doubt anyone could have talked her out of what she did.