[ Manipulation is second-nature to Endo. He's been getting people to do what he wants since he was a kid, and he's pulled off far greater feats since entering his teenage years. It comes so naturally to him, sometimes he doesn't fully realize he's doing it; the line between being himself and guiding conversations and relationships in his preferred direction is thin. Not that this bothers him. As long as he's able to keep his gangs running, cash coming, and Takiishi's happiness lasting, that's all he needs out of life. The rest is negligible.
Until, that is, he encounters the incredibly rare situation of wanting something for himself. Then his approach matters deeply, albeit in an entirely different way. He'd go to the ends of the earth for Takiishi; he'd scam politicians and companies alike. He'd manipulate the emperor himself, if it would make Takiishi smile. But fostering a personal connection, no matter how fake or temporary it may be, requires a degree of give on his part. Such a relationship needs to play out on a much smaller scale, so he has to be extra sharp, capable of multiple shades of nuance, and even willing to meet the person part of the way to his chosen destination. He has to offer pieces of himself, albeit in a carefully controlled manner, in order slowly claim what he's decided will be his.
Deciding that he wants to be a subtle thorn in Accelerator's side for the foreseeable future means that he can't just break him down all over again, let alone with the intensity he did previously. This time, he has to go slower, be more methodical, and take more risks.
That's why, as Accelerator stares at him, undoubtedly looking for hidden meaning in his words, Endo doesn't smirk — or make any move, really. He's patient, and he keeps his expression smooth. And when Accelerator shares more, he doesn't make a sound until he's done talking.
When Endo speaks in turn, he shapes his reply to be somewhat supportive, but not excessively so, as Endo can't suddenly morph his personality into that of a cheerleader for the good and the needy without it being blatantly obvious that he's working a specific angle. ]
Sounds like you haven't changed much at all. [ He offers a small, teasing smile. ] You got a thing for sticking yourself right in the middle of other people's business.
[ His tone, however, is kinder than it's been throughout their entire time together, despite the fact that it's also clearly teasing. It's meant to be good-natured, even nostalgic, as though everything that happened between them took place a while ago, rather than that same day. ]
That was the turning point, huh? Funny how that works sometimes.
[ Even Endo has one of those in his history, although he arguably went in the opposite direction, a fact that would be more apparent if anyone could read his mind. Despite his words, Endo thinks that Accelerator must've been a hell of a lot more interesting before he decided to turn kind and "heroic." Now he's just sitting on all that potential.
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Until, that is, he encounters the incredibly rare situation of wanting something for himself. Then his approach matters deeply, albeit in an entirely different way. He'd go to the ends of the earth for Takiishi; he'd scam politicians and companies alike. He'd manipulate the emperor himself, if it would make Takiishi smile. But fostering a personal connection, no matter how fake or temporary it may be, requires a degree of give on his part. Such a relationship needs to play out on a much smaller scale, so he has to be extra sharp, capable of multiple shades of nuance, and even willing to meet the person part of the way to his chosen destination. He has to offer pieces of himself, albeit in a carefully controlled manner, in order slowly claim what he's decided will be his.
Deciding that he wants to be a subtle thorn in Accelerator's side for the foreseeable future means that he can't just break him down all over again, let alone with the intensity he did previously. This time, he has to go slower, be more methodical, and take more risks.
That's why, as Accelerator stares at him, undoubtedly looking for hidden meaning in his words, Endo doesn't smirk — or make any move, really. He's patient, and he keeps his expression smooth. And when Accelerator shares more, he doesn't make a sound until he's done talking.
When Endo speaks in turn, he shapes his reply to be somewhat supportive, but not excessively so, as Endo can't suddenly morph his personality into that of a cheerleader for the good and the needy without it being blatantly obvious that he's working a specific angle. ]
Sounds like you haven't changed much at all. [ He offers a small, teasing smile. ] You got a thing for sticking yourself right in the middle of other people's business.
[ His tone, however, is kinder than it's been throughout their entire time together, despite the fact that it's also clearly teasing. It's meant to be good-natured, even nostalgic, as though everything that happened between them took place a while ago, rather than that same day. ]
That was the turning point, huh? Funny how that works sometimes.
[ Even Endo has one of those in his history, although he arguably went in the opposite direction, a fact that would be more apparent if anyone could read his mind. Despite his words, Endo thinks that Accelerator must've been a hell of a lot more interesting before he decided to turn kind and "heroic." Now he's just sitting on all that potential.
Which is exactly why he needs Endo in his life. ]