@givres cont.
They flinch. Closed fist moving toward their chest, and for a brief moment they consider retreating. Give up on finding something worthwhile along the sea so many of them loved (it wasn't right, nor did it resemble any place they had visited prior, they knew that — and yet the ocean called), aimlessly walk the opposite way and hope a village would come into sight, with someone kind and gentle to lend them a hand.
Instead, it seems they had upset someone. Far from as intimidating as an angered Oz nor as anxiety-inducing as the day they choose to deny Vincent the truth, but it was unpleasant and it was scary when all alone. However, that didn't mean he should be feared. Unknowing of his reason and undoubtedly the person who caused a surprise, he must have expected to remain alone. A solitary place like this could hold a rare herb not meant for anyone else's eyes, or, perhaps, preparations for a shady crime. …Right, it wouldn't be the first time they had been shown hidden entrances where no one would suspect them to be, he could simply be protecting a secret. In which case…a moment's hesitation turns into newfound conviction and they walk toward him with (somewhat shaky) steps.
Except it does turn into an interrogation, and whatever consideration Akira had held that the prior movements wasn't suspicious is thrown out the window. More importantly… It reminds me of Murr… Differing designs but a cloak nonetheless, and just like that none of it matters. It's probably important to him, whatever it is that he's protecting, but their shoulders slump and the short speech they had practiced in their head becomes obsolete. Who are you? The Sage. Once upon a time or now, the white jacket they had been wearing during that time their only current comfort, unsure if they were even supposed to still be in hold of it. The seagulls' cries, the waves crashing into stone and the violent wind catching hold of their hood felt all the more lonely.
Ah, no, they had to collect themself. Unsure as they may be, they still had their name. Don't forget it.
"…I'm Akira," the smile is brief but diplomatic, unable to be genuine when they were yearning for someone else to stand in front of them. He probably wished for a 'nothing' next. Unfortunately their gaze had already been drawn to the side, somewhere behind him where the cliff towered the sea, unable to be seen due to how he had positioned himself. Perhaps they should've considering lying, but they had faced people wishing them harm before. None of them had the kind of gaze that was currently looking over them. "I don't know what you are doing, but I won't tell anyone that you were here... So, please don't worry about that," likely insufficient and undesired and all they could manage before their heart took charge, leaving no time for a response. "Do you...do you know if the Sage's wizards are nearby? I'm looking for them...or any directions, really..."
