the legate pauses, trying to think of the proper way to ask anything at all. he usually isn’t at such a loss.

“how did you get here?” it’s sharp — his voice usually is. “i did not call for you.”

“good.” it’s blunt, and doesn’t quite show how relieved he is. his face beneath the mask is just as blank as ever.

“your presence ( will * ) be integral to our next steps. come, let us talk privately. away from prying eyes and all.”

he knows it doesn’t. he’d probably be barking orders at him to leave had it not been for their immediate proximity to other legionnaires — not when he would be forced to show mercy.

when they’re put together to watch over troops, he can’t.

through his mask, lanius stares daggers at the other man. to be fair, this is not abnormal. the legate does not exactly have the gentlest of gazes in the first place.

he hopes the silence makes joshua uncomfortable enough. deep down,

there are fewer places lanius would like to be less than at @bvrnedman.bsky.social’s side. still, he is forced to be. it’s a shame that he feels committed to his choice to remain in the legion. it’s this that causes him not to argue — at least this time, he’s free to leave when he likes. +

( you cannot see his eyes, but it’s obvious. )

lead paint stare.

watching through his mask at a distance.

independent portrayal of legate lanius. mdni. non lewd. penned by lee.

⠀⠀ ⠀THE MONSTER
⠀⠀ ⠀OF THE EAST.