#crowtongued

It’s quiet enough, at least. An assumed day off for a change. Kato hasn’t called him yet. And while he appreciated Suzue’s concern, she really could be smothering at times. He needed some time to himself. A little while is all he asked for. Besides, there was something else he’d like to investigate at the moment. Something a little less depressing than his usual and somewhere no one would actually look for him.

He removes his sunglasses and tucks them away neatly in his pocket before stepping into the nature reserve. It’d been quite some time since he’d actually seen one in person and not just through some camera. The transaction for the admission fee is made and he dips his head to the worker and striding in to take a seat on one of the benches. Not busy today either. That he could appreciate. A stifled yawn and he scans over the enclosures.

Each one of them is clean enough. Perhaps he’ll take into mind sponsoring this reserve. Maybe. It’s a strong maybe. Lowering his gaze, he closes his eyes and relaxes for quite possibly the first time since he had joined the police force.

When he reopens his eyes, the sun is just a bit higher in the sky. And there’s a few missed calls from Suzue on his phone, but for now he ignores them. Something more interesting catches his eye. Perhaps the park’s owner, perhaps just another well-dressed gentleman. A cat-like stretch is given before he pushes himself to his feet and makes his approach. He think he recognizes this guy anyway.

Alekt: I didn’t. You just walked in here and started talking.

Alekt: 5'4"

Protem hums thoughtfully, a small smile - barely noticeable, but noticeable nonetheless - graces his pale features. He tucks a strand of white hair behind his ear, unseeing eyes cracking open.

"So many people have speculated over the course of history... but you know that as fact a little better than some, yes?"

The way he speaks is eerily certain of his words, entirely relaxed about it as though such a conversation was a daily occurrence, no stranger than discussing the weather.

It doesn't take much to tell that the man before him can't see. But that doesn't mean he's to be taken lightly. He's a Gifted, he can tell that much, but he's not quite sure what it is yet. He takes a few steps closer before tilting his head, wavy locks brushing over his shoulder. He... didn't shoo him away.

It wasn't every day he came across someone that just accepted that he knew something. Especially something that would sound so absurd to normal people. "You've seen them too, haven't you? That's why you know that I know. Otherwise, you would call me a lunatic and that'd be the end of the discussion." Some of that childlike wonder kicks in and he moves a little closer.

"How many have you seen? If you don't mind me asking, that is."

"Maybe you're just looking at life from the wrong angle."

He blinks once, glancing away from the brunette, at the shapes of people going about their lives, walking on the street or driving their cars to a destination, of birds fluttering to and fro from their perches along power lines or street lights.

"I won't pretend to understand wherever it is you come from, but a lot of life is about perspective. Choosing to see value in the things around you, even if those things are small. A state of mind, I suppose."

A shallow pause.

"For most people, the greatest cage in their life is the one they form around themselves. They're the wardens of their own prisons."

There was something about the way the other carried himself that he had seen in two very different people for two very different reasons. And he's not sure whether he likes that or not. A stranger randomly coming into his life, speaking similar words that had been spoken to him before.

Whereas Dazai would normally just laugh it off, like he had intended to this time after saying what he said, he doesn't. He listens to each word the other speaks to him, watching him from the corner of dark, tired eyes. And he finds himself actually considering them.

He'd expected some kind of snide remark. Something like "yeah, buddy, everyone's exhausted; it's part of life". It was what he usually got when making those kinds of comments. Not something like... this.

Part of him is praying for the first time since he was a child to whatever god that would listen that this isn't another omen. To have mercy upon him this time. Hoping that this stranger will move on and they never meet again after this encounter.

He doesn't think his heart can take it.

Dazai's gaze follows the other man's after a moment, traces of a saddened smile painting his features. "Someone else told me something like that a while ago." Someone dear to him. Someone that didn't deserve to die. Someone that should still be alive right now-- still breathing, still walking amongst them.

He's silent for a long beat, taking a deep breath. He can still smell the blood that filled the room. His eyes glaze over before he shifts his weight, lifting one hand to idly pick at a bandage on the opposite hand.

"A cage, huh?" A forced laugh leaves him, shooting the man another glance. Was he becoming transparent or did this man just have a way with words? It made him paranoid in a way. And yet, he wants to know more about him-- if only to put a face to a name.

"What an interesting way of looking at it." Another few beats, and a tense breath. "What's your name?"