"I think a lot of people will find what lies under the veil easy on the eyes at the very least. If you're not sure..."Soshi Kotori wrote: Sun Nov 23, 2025 10:29 am Kotori's demeanor remains pleasant as he speaks, a little nod of affirmation here and there in acknowledgment, but as the mask is placed on the counter there's a long moment where her attention seems to grow distant. From the conversation at least, it's obvious where her attention shifts to - the mask.
"How very special to have received such a sentimental token." It's hard to tell if she is perhaps admiring it, or her thoughts have strayed elsewhere, but for the slightest moment there's a brief, lingering bitterness in her gaze. By the time she looks back up, a warm smile tugging at the corners of her lips it's as if it never happened. "When you aren't given a mask, you have no choice but to fashion one of your own making. And I'm not sure that is a mask I am ready to abandon, nor that anyone should wish to see."
Her smile, at the very least, is honest. But as she watches Hinata - she couldn't help but wonder if the domesticated crane act could just as easily be another mask.
His hand reaches out to grab the mask. Donning it properly. Just as easily as his smallie disarmed, as his eyes chilled, the mask terrified, unsettled. His breathing is audible through gas filters, the eyes shift in a predatory golden tone that seems to pierce deeper into Kotori than she was comfortable. It wasn't just a mask. A mempo, a tool of war. When he speaks again, his voice is distorted, almost unrecogniseable, his body language is the same though as he lans in closer.
"You can always just let them have a peek. See if they're intrigued enough to pry further."
He pulls back and takes a thermos out of his bag, pouring the soup into it and making his way out of the kitchen.
"Have a nice day Soshi-san. Don't be afraid of what's under the mask. It's just you after all." He waves at her with his back turned to her.