[ Sigh, indeed. Daud's just gonna... let that one pass for now. Pick your battles, etc. ]
I'll see that you're paired with Riza. As long as she agrees to the arrangement.
[ He mostly believes that she will, but it's no good putting two people together if they'll be in conflict the whole time. Which doesn't seem likely, but better to take care. ]
It's good you're joining.
[ He means it. And it's about as close to a compliment - 'it's good for the watch you're joining' - as Daud's willing to give right now. ]
[Which can be interpreted any number of ways, but judging from how his eyes soften -- openly ringed with affection, ever hopeful as mere moments before -- the compliment has been fully, and gratefully, returned. He's practically glowing. He's happy.
He's well. That's just the sort of man he is: one prone to lean on camaraderie, even when he probably shouldn't.]
[ It doesn't mean anything. They're words, nothing more. Words and a way of watching, the way Roy seems to beam in return. (He knows that look.) (Never mind.) (Never mind the ways it feels. It's nothing.) ]
You'll be keeping to the rooftops as much as possible. Be at your post on time, don't leave your area unless you spot something. I'll be observing everyone's first shift and supervising the first week or two, at least.
[ He tells Roy where the shift schedule can be found. Which would be dialogued out if this was a known fact right now oops. ]
[Not a single sarcastic remark escapes, not even so much as a smarmy glance. Roy rises, stiff and attentive, though it's not followed by a salute; Daud isn't military, and even if he was, Roy outranks him. It wouldn't be appropriate.
But he doesn't move a muscle. Doesn't look away. Remains standing, head held high, confidence brimming from every bone.
Daud should recognize what this means. Roy is waiting to be dismissed -- as a teacher dismisses a student, a sign of respect and reverence.]
[ He absolutely does recognize it. Instantly, like a shock. This. This, too, is familiar, and he feels a cold creeping up his limbs, up from the bottom of his spine, blossoming through this chest and into his throat. Almost without knowing it, he's straightened his back, standing straight before the man who's assumed that unmistakable posture. Daud knows he shouldn't have done that. Shouldn't be reacting to any of this the way he is, and yet, and yet, what other way is there?
The pause before speaking is longer than it should be, and though Daud's eyes are fixed on Roy's, they've gone somehow distant, as if at once here and elsewhere.
He appreciates the gesture. He's worried by the gesture. And it recalls so, so many scenes.
[That's it. Just his name, simple as could be, and then he turns to go.
Walks back to the door, pauses there. Seems to consider something. And then does it, brushing his hand along the wall. Staking his claim, as if to say I made it here, and don't you forget it. Don't you forget the promises we both made to each other.
Daud at least won't have to suffer any further burden of eye contact, as he makes a gracefully silent exit after that.]
[ It's too much. Whatever he's meant to make of that gesture - and Daud has a pretty good idea - it's too much on top of everything else, this entire conversation, what he'd said and all those recollections now crowding for recognition. So he sinks down onto the bed, elbows on his knees, staring at the floor.
It's good that Roy came to him. Good that Roy wants to avoid another disaster. Fortunate as well that the man's going to be joining the watch, because they do need the bodies and Daud knows the man's skilled. Even leading him inside hadn't been such a bad call, given what they'd been discussing, what might have come up again.
But something, something isn't sitting right. Daud can't tell whether it's what happened just now or what all of this recalls. (So many years. So many faces. How often had he been addressed as 'Sir' and how natural had it seemed and why, why does all of this sit awry now?) He doesn't want to sort through the mess. It'll settle out eventually and if the problem's something present, he'll know. He only needs time.
He has twenty minutes until he needs to go check on the watch. If things haven't settled out by then, he'll just have to muddle through. Make it work. And so he will. ]
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[He seems serious about it... however, there's also a certain twinkle in his gaze that hints at his usual mischief. Sigh.]
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I'll see that you're paired with Riza. As long as she agrees to the arrangement.
[ He mostly believes that she will, but it's no good putting two people together if they'll be in conflict the whole time. Which doesn't seem likely, but better to take care. ]
It's good you're joining.
[ He means it. And it's about as close to a compliment - 'it's good for the watch you're joining' - as Daud's willing to give right now. ]
no subject
[Which can be interpreted any number of ways, but judging from how his eyes soften -- openly ringed with affection, ever hopeful as mere moments before -- the compliment has been fully, and gratefully, returned. He's practically glowing. He's happy.
He's well. That's just the sort of man he is: one prone to lean on camaraderie, even when he probably shouldn't.]
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You'll be keeping to the rooftops as much as possible. Be at your post on time, don't leave your area unless you spot something. I'll be observing everyone's first shift and supervising the first week or two, at least.
[ He tells Roy where the shift schedule can be found. Which would be dialogued out if this was a known fact right now oops. ]
I'll see you on duty.
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But he doesn't move a muscle. Doesn't look away. Remains standing, head held high, confidence brimming from every bone.
Daud should recognize what this means. Roy is waiting to be dismissed -- as a teacher dismisses a student, a sign of respect and reverence.]
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The pause before speaking is longer than it should be, and though Daud's eyes are fixed on Roy's, they've gone somehow distant, as if at once here and elsewhere.
He appreciates the gesture. He's worried by the gesture. And it recalls so, so many scenes.
When he speaks, his tone is clipped. ]
Roy. That's all. You're free to go.
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[That's it. Just his name, simple as could be, and then he turns to go.
Walks back to the door, pauses there. Seems to consider something. And then does it, brushing his hand along the wall. Staking his claim, as if to say I made it here, and don't you forget it. Don't you forget the promises we both made to each other.
Daud at least won't have to suffer any further burden of eye contact, as he makes a gracefully silent exit after that.]
no subject
It's good that Roy came to him. Good that Roy wants to avoid another disaster. Fortunate as well that the man's going to be joining the watch, because they do need the bodies and Daud knows the man's skilled. Even leading him inside hadn't been such a bad call, given what they'd been discussing, what might have come up again.
But something, something isn't sitting right. Daud can't tell whether it's what happened just now or what all of this recalls. (So many years. So many faces. How often had he been addressed as 'Sir' and how natural had it seemed and why, why does all of this sit awry now?) He doesn't want to sort through the mess. It'll settle out eventually and if the problem's something present, he'll know. He only needs time.
He has twenty minutes until he needs to go check on the watch. If things haven't settled out by then, he'll just have to muddle through. Make it work. And so he will. ]