[In this case, it had been less a targeted question and more just honest curiosity. But the masked man's reaction is telling, nonetheless, even if Ryunosuke can't be entirely sure if he's just struggling with his headache or struggling with... Something else.
Either way, it's worrying, and he finds himself stilling to match, feeling strangely tense as he waits for a reply.]
Right... I see. It does make a certain amount of sense, when you put it like that...
[Ryunosuke sighs. He wants to know more. He wants to keep pressing. He would keep pressing, if this were an investigation for a client, but... It's not. He can't just keep digging for the sake of his own personal peace and curiosity, not at the expense of this supposed stranger.
He inclines his head in gratitude.]
...Thank you. For answering my questions.
[He's not eager to end things here, but in a way he is giving his assent for his masked friend to take off into the night once more, if he finds it necessary. Ryunosuke is conscious of the fact that they've been chatting in this alley for some time now, and the longer they linger, the more likely it is someone will discover them... And then it might get back to Lord Stronghart that the masked man had broken the terms of their agreement. It'd be sensible and safer for them to part ways for now...
...But Ryunosuke's heart aches at the idea.
It's not just that he wants to keep pressing for more answers, he realizes. He also doesn't want to see this man slink back to whatever miserable circumstances Lord Stronghart seems to be keeping him under. And that prompts him to chime in with one last question, just as soon as he's finished voicing his thanks. Emotion and impulse get the better of him:]
Will... Will you be alright? Going back to your duties? I mean, I'm sure you can manage those just fine, it's just... Being completely forbidden to speak to anyone, it seems...
no subject
Either way, it's worrying, and he finds himself stilling to match, feeling strangely tense as he waits for a reply.]
Right... I see. It does make a certain amount of sense, when you put it like that...
[Ryunosuke sighs. He wants to know more. He wants to keep pressing. He would keep pressing, if this were an investigation for a client, but... It's not. He can't just keep digging for the sake of his own personal peace and curiosity, not at the expense of this supposed stranger.
He inclines his head in gratitude.]
...Thank you. For answering my questions.
[He's not eager to end things here, but in a way he is giving his assent for his masked friend to take off into the night once more, if he finds it necessary. Ryunosuke is conscious of the fact that they've been chatting in this alley for some time now, and the longer they linger, the more likely it is someone will discover them... And then it might get back to Lord Stronghart that the masked man had broken the terms of their agreement. It'd be sensible and safer for them to part ways for now...
...But Ryunosuke's heart aches at the idea.
It's not just that he wants to keep pressing for more answers, he realizes. He also doesn't want to see this man slink back to whatever miserable circumstances Lord Stronghart seems to be keeping him under. And that prompts him to chime in with one last question, just as soon as he's finished voicing his thanks. Emotion and impulse get the better of him:]
Will... Will you be alright? Going back to your duties? I mean, I'm sure you can manage those just fine, it's just... Being completely forbidden to speak to anyone, it seems...
[It sounds horribly lonely.]