I will take that pledge for what it means to you and not what it means to me.

( considering that swearing by God would have meant incredibly little to him even before he'd consigned his soul over to a demon and become one of them. but, really, what's important to him in this moment is that abel means this promise and not how the same words would weigh in his mouth. )

No, my friend, that's not necessary. I will see you there at the given time.

( and the line of Communion narrows to a close.

sure enough, makoto can be found in the same tavern that he sent abel the location of the previous evening. it's a smaller establishment, warmly lit and populated by a scattered crowd of patrons that are understandably subdued from what they and their city had recently weathered. the demon himself is sequestered away in a narrow booth against the far wall. he's made a concerted effort to dress more nondescript and in more drab colors, his hair tied back plainly, but there's not much he can do to hide his unique eyes. the venerans aren't to the point of ejecting him from the tavern if he's peaceable and paying jools, but they seem to be giving the table a wide berth.

which works all the better for them. )