04 [video/action for Violet] ★ ominous things

[justicepuns]

[Backdated to Monday afternoon][The feed clicks on to reveal a rather tired Apollo with a sleeping Hoothoot perched on his shoulder

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[action]

[bottletothehead]

[ Kristoph followed the feed closely, though rather than being interested in Apollo's worries he was more keen to know the young man's current location. After all they hadn't had the chance for a proper chat yet. And now that he had the chance for it... it would be the best to do that face to face, wouldn't it? ]

[ Fortunately Apollo wasn't that far away, so it didn't take long for Kristoph to find his former pupil. He quietly approached the younger man from behind, then gently and firmly placing his hand on Apollo's free shoulder. ]

It has been a while, hasn't it, Justice?

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[justicepuns]

[Apollo's chest tightens immediately. It can't be-- he's not supposed to be here yet!

He turns around slowly, looking rather pale. Oh god he really is here. It takes him a good half minute to form any kind of coherent sentence.]

...not long enough.

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[bottletothehead]

[ Apollo's reaction tells more than a thousand words. ]

Is something wrong? You don't look as fine as usual, Justice.

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[justicepuns]

[He tightens his grip on his sleeping Growlithe. Part of him thinks Gavin is teasing him, but most of him is still in a state of shock.

Apollo completely ignores his question. He's not in the mood for fake pleasantries.]

What do you want?

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[bottletothehead]

I was looking forward to having a nice chat with my student. I've been here for quite some time already, yet we haven't really had the chance to talk to each other. It was starting to feel almost as if you were avoiding me. [ Kristoph chuckles. ]

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[justicepuns]

[Apollo musters his iciest glare. It's not super effective, but it's the best he can do.]

I'm not your student any more.

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[bottletothehead]

[ Oh Kristoph can handle glares like that just fine. Perhaps Apollo should start practising his Icy Glare in the mornings instead of Chords of Steel? His neighbours would probably appreciate that, too. ]

You aren't? Now exactly when did that happen?

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[justicepuns]

[He probably should. Apollo isn't very intimidating.

His weak icy glare turns into confusion. Is he toying with Apollo or is he really from before that trial? Only one way to find out.]

Months ago, after that trial. You remember, don't you?

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[bottletothehead]

...no. I'm afraid I remember nothing of the sort.

[ With the lie Kristoph's grip on Apollo's shoulder slightly tightens, but loosens again immediately as Kristoph realises what he's doing. ]

Would this be yet another case of people coming from different points in time?

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[justicepuns]

[Apollo notices and it's obvious that he doesn't believe Kristoph.]

Apparently.

Could you sit in front of me? I don't like talking with my back turned to someone.

[By someone he really only means Kristoph. It makes him really uncomfortable to have his back turned to a known murderer, even if Apollo has his head turned toward him.]

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[bottletothehead]

Oh, my apologies. I used to do this so often when working with you at the office so it only felt natural to me. You should have noted me about it earlier. [ Kristoph pats Apollo's shoulder before removing his hand and seating himself in front of Apollo as per his request. ]

Is this better?

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[justicepuns]

[Apollo just nods, but he doesn't get any less tense. His Growlithe has woken up and is eying Kristoph warily from the comfort of Apollo's lap.

Apollo honestly doesn't know what to say. He'd never had the chance to talk to Kristoph after everything that happened, and, honestly, he was pretty sure he'd never wanted to. What was there to say? "I trusted you and you lied to me"? "How could you kill those people and not feel a thing?"

No, he's just going to stay silent.]

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[bottletothehead]

[ Other than his act Kristoph doesn't have much to say to Apollo either. He betrayed him after all. And he used to be such a good pupil and employee too. It was almost a pity. If only Wright hadn't messed that up as well... ]

I see that you have one of those fire-breathing dogs as well. [ Kristoph smiles, reaching over to offer his hand for the Growlithe to smell. ] I almost wish I had gotten one myself. After all I'm more familiar when it comes to handling dogs rather than snakes.

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[justicepuns]

[Oh, they'd have a very interesting conversation about who betrayed whom. But not now. Maybe not ever.

Apollo's normally polite Growlithe gives Kristoph a very low growl.]

They're called Growlithes and they're very protective.

[Whether that's an explanation for Sirius' growling or a warning that Apollo is well-protected is hard to say.]

[action] Whoops HTML fail

[bottletothehead]

[ They would. Even though everyone knows that it was you, Apollo. ]

[ Kristoph chuckles, pulling his hand away from the creature. He isn't going to take the risk of getting bitten by an unknown animal, thank you very much. ]

I can see that. Dogs often tend to be that way, I myself noticed that with Vongole.

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[justicepuns]

[Sirius is fully awake now, staring daggers at Kristoph. Apollo doesn't like him, so Sirius doesn't either. The Hoothoot on Apollo's shoulder wakes up a little at the commotion.]

I see.

[This is ridiculous. Maybe he should call Kristoph's bluff.]