Meeting of Families

[Eidolon]

Eido gave no obvious response to the accusation. She only intended to watch long enough to ensure Kiyohito was not followed, or to at least mark anyone who gave undue interest to his passing through. Gus’s assumption was not pleasant, but neither was it unanticipated, and it served to divert his attention away from questions he might ask instead. Their landlord was used to Eido’s silences and downcast gaze. It perplexed him but he rarely pressed. He wouldn’t stop her simply walking away the moment Kiyohito was out of sight, whether she answered or not.

The money presently slid across the bar surprised her though, and it twisted an unexpectedly visceral reaction in her stomach. She couldn‘t say exactly why, for it was a gesture well meant by the words that followed. But it pulled her attention to Kiyohito; the first clear look she’d taken of his face. He was younger than she’d thought, given his old-fashioned mannerisms.

It seemed like a good time to leave. Gus wouldn’t argue with cash, and neither would he wonder at what he was being paid to forget. But she was aware by then of the man sauntering up to the bar; the one who Kiyohito had looked a little too long at, before. He came closer than he needed to, which prickled unease against her skin. It seemed a better time to leave, for this was assuredly no longer her business, but she didn’t. Even Gus looked watchful as he popped the top off a beer and passed it over. A fractious moment lingered and seemed to disarm itself.

Eido turned away from the stranger’s goad. Neither did she want to hear the calibre of Gus’s reply. But her eyes widened as she caught the flash of movement in her peripheral.

“Take it the fuck outside!” Gus bellowed. The stranger was laughing. Eido’s path diverted around the bar; closer instead of away. A frown pressed her brow, but she was acting not thinking. Instinct swept a wary gaze over the other patrons. She was surprisingly swift. “My honour isn’t worth an enemy; I have none to defend, and a man dressed like that will not be here alone.” The Japanese felt strange on her tongue after so long. She ignored the stranger. Neither did she quite meet Kiyohito’s gaze, unless he seemed reluctant to accept the advice. Her hand hovered like she was going to place it on his arm, but refrained from that too.