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[He takes a moment to take in their surroundings. It's absolutely in the middle of no-where, which lends to the situation well.
He's not entirely worried about civilians getting involved, but...]
Ready as I can be for some weird magic that I don't understand.
[You can hear the cheekiness in his tone.]
He's not entirely worried about civilians getting involved, but...]
Ready as I can be for some weird magic that I don't understand.
[You can hear the cheekiness in his tone.]
You can say no to getting asked in the first place, you know.
[He figures Reaper would like that possibility. And honestly, he's holding back a lot of questions he wants to ask. He's making sure not to ask about Sombra, or anyone Reaper knows. Not to pry into Reaper's past. Not to.. bother him or waste his time.]
Why are you still- um... [He hesitates for a moment, trying to word it... properly.] I mean. Why'd you agree to come out here? Why not just... tell me to fuck off and not respond to my messages?
[He figures Reaper would like that possibility. And honestly, he's holding back a lot of questions he wants to ask. He's making sure not to ask about Sombra, or anyone Reaper knows. Not to pry into Reaper's past. Not to.. bother him or waste his time.]
Why are you still- um... [He hesitates for a moment, trying to word it... properly.] I mean. Why'd you agree to come out here? Why not just... tell me to fuck off and not respond to my messages?
No, I don't think so. In fact, I think you're likely a better person than me, Gabriel~. Even if you brush off any small comments about my career, the truth is that I thought I was like a god meant to purge the scum and waste from my school, and the methods I used to accomplish that stopped at nothing. The scale of my view of this doesn't change my personality.
It's true that I won't stop doing what I'm doing, but I'd almost like to hear your complaints. If he appears, don't tell Keito this at all, but I miss them a bit. It means that someone cares, right? Rather than watching me run loosely ahead without any intent to catch me if I fall.
It's true that I won't stop doing what I'm doing, but I'd almost like to hear your complaints. If he appears, don't tell Keito this at all, but I miss them a bit. It means that someone cares, right? Rather than watching me run loosely ahead without any intent to catch me if I fall.
Don't say obvious things. You're wasting your breath.
[He knows he doesn't have to answer. But he also isn't someone who enjoys giving silence as an answer, not when the opportunity for a snide remark is opened up for him.
But when the question is voiced, he does give the other another long moment of silence, before he withdraws a hand from his pocket. Without his gloves on, the pallid greying skin his visible, joints and wrinkles in the skin around his knuckles are cracked, like the skin is dry and showing muscle underneath. It glows red, as if there's a fire burning just underneath the surface. The hand moves to touch the bottom of his mask, almost thoughtfully--and you can almost hear the grin.]
You make a regular habit of being a bother to those I actually give half a damn about. You've hurt two of them, and you've said unsavory things to the others.
By all rights, we both know, I have no reason to like you.
And I don't.
So your answer...
[He knows he doesn't have to answer. But he also isn't someone who enjoys giving silence as an answer, not when the opportunity for a snide remark is opened up for him.
But when the question is voiced, he does give the other another long moment of silence, before he withdraws a hand from his pocket. Without his gloves on, the pallid greying skin his visible, joints and wrinkles in the skin around his knuckles are cracked, like the skin is dry and showing muscle underneath. It glows red, as if there's a fire burning just underneath the surface. The hand moves to touch the bottom of his mask, almost thoughtfully--and you can almost hear the grin.]
You make a regular habit of being a bother to those I actually give half a damn about. You've hurt two of them, and you've said unsavory things to the others.
By all rights, we both know, I have no reason to like you.
And I don't.
So your answer...
[And this is when he finally turns his head to look down at the other, glow-red eyes visible under his mask, now.]
If I don't respond to you... I might never get the chance to drain your body dry of all life. Without a good excuse, you know... I'd get in trouble here for killing someone on a whim.
If I don't respond to you... I might never get the chance to drain your body dry of all life. Without a good excuse, you know... I'd get in trouble here for killing someone on a whim.
[That's a chilling response... and if it was anyone else, they'd probably have realized now that they were making a horrible life choice. But this is Dodger. And he doesn't.
Instead, he shivers with something more akin to anticipation. One day, Reaper will put his hands on him again, and that is thrilling. And while he thinks about it, looking down at the grey, ripped skin of Reaper's hand... he has to hold down that same smile he'd gotten when Reaper had kicked him. They have a common interest, huh - Dodger getting himself killed to satisfy Reaper.
But... right. He told himself he wouldn't be saying weird shit like that. So he clears his throat, trying to keep that smile off his face, and just nods in response.]
Instead, he shivers with something more akin to anticipation. One day, Reaper will put his hands on him again, and that is thrilling. And while he thinks about it, looking down at the grey, ripped skin of Reaper's hand... he has to hold down that same smile he'd gotten when Reaper had kicked him. They have a common interest, huh - Dodger getting himself killed to satisfy Reaper.
But... right. He told himself he wouldn't be saying weird shit like that. So he clears his throat, trying to keep that smile off his face, and just nods in response.]
I wouldn't make a habit of telling a man who's a wanted terrorist back home that he's 'a better person' than you. Just as a bit of advice.
As for that purging bit, it's no different than the shit I went through when I was in the army. Least I can say that noone in your school died from being purged, while SEP killed off some of the strongest men I've ever seen.[Alright, a bit of oversharing there. Pull back, Gabriel.]
Won't make a habit of telling your idol friends all your deep dark secrets. Even I'm not that much of an asshole.The only "idol friend" I have here is Tsumugi, and he helped me quite a bit with all of that, until the end. He knows better than anyone else what I've done, and though he might speak highly of me, he left me on stage after our very last performance when I fell into my enemy's arms and coughed up blood.
[Idols are all secret snakes??]
With a kind person like him, that should tell you what I must have done to him.
There were no direct deaths from war, but there are real problems of death in areas like this. I'm sure you can think of why.
Anyway, I do appreciate you keeping it from Keito if he ever does show up.
[Idols are all secret snakes??]
With a kind person like him, that should tell you what I must have done to him.
There were no direct deaths from war, but there are real problems of death in areas like this. I'm sure you can think of why.
Anyway, I do appreciate you keeping it from Keito if he ever does show up.
[ rolling his eyes at that cheekiness, nico holds out his sword in front of him. then, he closes his eyes and concentrates.
suddenly, the grass at his feet begins dying. the air gets colder, as if a storm is brewing, and shadows seem to dance around him. fear, like nothing a normal person's ever experienced begins to leech from him and the blade. it's potent, liable to make even the most courageous man tremble a bit. when nico opens his eyes again, there's a fire in them, like he could be either a madman or a genius. ]
The shadows are my birthright. Death and darkness are mine to control.
suddenly, the grass at his feet begins dying. the air gets colder, as if a storm is brewing, and shadows seem to dance around him. fear, like nothing a normal person's ever experienced begins to leech from him and the blade. it's potent, liable to make even the most courageous man tremble a bit. when nico opens his eyes again, there's a fire in them, like he could be either a madman or a genius. ]
The shadows are my birthright. Death and darkness are mine to control.
[Any other person might call Eichi's poor attitude just that--but honestly, Reyes is the last man on earth to critique someone for using poor methods to get what he wanted.]
[He's a hard believer in 'actions speak louder than words', but he's not a fool to think that sometimes it's easier to talk than it is to raise arms. But on the same page--]
['What I must have done to him' speaks volumes here, doesn't it?]
Part of the reason why I don't feel like you need babysat one hundred percent of the time is because I know you're good enough with words to weave yourself out of bad situations. [He's a hard believer in 'actions speak louder than words', but he's not a fool to think that sometimes it's easier to talk than it is to raise arms. But on the same page--]
But I also know the trouble you can get yourself into with the same tongue you've got. ['What I must have done to him' speaks volumes here, doesn't it?]
Just keep your nose clean and you can do whatever you want. Even if in involves that stupid obsessive fuck.Fufu, you've caught me on that. It's always nice to have friends like you who can keep me in line. I tend to look to the sky too much, so I might float away if someone isn't here to keep me grounded.
[He wants to selfishly ask for more. Keito is someone who Eichi doesn't think will ever come here, but he's the one who Eichi entrusted his funeral to. He'd worry about all of those arrangements so Eichi wouldn't have to worry at all. That's all gone, isn't it? He needs a replacement, or to face that he's going to worry about it here no matter what.
But asking Reaper, who's already dealt with too much loss, is unfair. At least he's learning enough to realize that.]
I'm glad for each day.
[He wants to selfishly ask for more. Keito is someone who Eichi doesn't think will ever come here, but he's the one who Eichi entrusted his funeral to. He'd worry about all of those arrangements so Eichi wouldn't have to worry at all. That's all gone, isn't it? He needs a replacement, or to face that he's going to worry about it here no matter what.
But asking Reaper, who's already dealt with too much loss, is unfair. At least he's learning enough to realize that.]
I'm glad for each day.
If you get to be too much of an irritant to keep grounded, I'll just tie you to a rock.[If you could hear his voice you'd be able to hear this delivered with such a dry point of sarcasm.
There's a few things going unsaid here, but he's old enough by now to catch them--not that he'll offer to say a single one of them outloud himself. It's more comfortable, like this. So he settles. Scoffing at that last reply.]
At least one of us are.Saying something like that is inviting me to spread joy to even you, Gabriel. Let's have tea more often.
[Eichi laughs when he gets that text. Jokes!!]
That's right, isn't it? ♪ If there are some snacks you wouldn't mind eating, you should tell me as well. I'm well aware that you may not need them, but they can still be enjoyable.
I'll leave you to the rest of your time, then. I simply wanted someone to know about my actions before I did anything.
That's right, isn't it? ♪ If there are some snacks you wouldn't mind eating, you should tell me as well. I'm well aware that you may not need them, but they can still be enjoyable.
I'll leave you to the rest of your time, then. I simply wanted someone to know about my actions before I did anything.
[Spicy!! He's weak to things like spicy foods himself, but if it's the one clue Reaper has given about his tastes... Well, then that's what he'll bring, next time.]
Understood.
Understood.
[Night of the fire, late enough that Reaper might not get this until the next day.]
Intel at the Perimeter Guard says you're the one in charge of that Jamie Dodger guy. Apparently his collar was trying to kill him so I removed it. Thought you'd like a heads up on the situation so that you can plan accordingly.
[Ed might be acting more distance and professional than he normally would, but he's kind of expecting to get chewed out for removing the collar from Dodger without being in a position to contain him or replace it.]
Intel at the Perimeter Guard says you're the one in charge of that Jamie Dodger guy. Apparently his collar was trying to kill him so I removed it. Thought you'd like a heads up on the situation so that you can plan accordingly.
[Ed might be acting more distance and professional than he normally would, but he's kind of expecting to get chewed out for removing the collar from Dodger without being in a position to contain him or replace it.]
[this is a horrible life choice and anyone worth their weight in feathers would be out of here. At this exact moment, as that red-eyed stare fixes on the others' with an intensity that very plainly states that he's a man who would make good on his word.
Really good on his word.
Without another added quip, (as he feels he's gotten the message across) , he gestures with a hand with a nearly sarcastic flair to it--as if to say keep walking to the other, as their destination hasn't yet been reached.]
Glad we have an understanding.
Really good on his word.
Without another added quip, (as he feels he's gotten the message across) , he gestures with a hand with a nearly sarcastic flair to it--as if to say keep walking to the other, as their destination hasn't yet been reached.]
Glad we have an understanding.
[He wonders, idly, if Dodger's some sort of human-shaped curse that he's gotten in return for all the things he's done wrong in his life. Edward's text isn't one he needs to see on the morning after the fire, but at least he's not so tired as to ignore it.]
Usually his collar tries to kill him when he does something that he's not supposed to.
Let me guess.
He tried to leave without permission to avoid the fire, it activated it and you did it to save his life.
Where is he now. [Dodger nods quietly, in confirmation of both the command and their understanding. As much as the two of them are capable of being on the same page, at least.]
You know, for someone with a death motif you're not exceptionally cruel... I figured I could have pushed you to kill me by now.
[Turns out he can't help himself from being... himself. Oh well.]
What would I have to do for you to hurt me? I'm curious... because you've only put your hands on me twice. For all the shit I've put you through trying to figure out the limits of your patience.
You know, for someone with a death motif you're not exceptionally cruel... I figured I could have pushed you to kill me by now.
[Turns out he can't help himself from being... himself. Oh well.]
What would I have to do for you to hurt me? I'm curious... because you've only put your hands on me twice. For all the shit I've put you through trying to figure out the limits of your patience.
You're just like everyone else here. You see my self-control and patience as some sort of kindness or grace and it's fucking hilarious how pathetic it is.
[Pathetic, or stupid, honestly. Just because someone didn't raise a hand to you, didn't mean they wouldn't kill you.]
You see that shock collar you're wearing? That's why I haven't killed you, or anyone else in this place. I'm not a damn idiot, and I understand that I'm in a place that puts me at a disadvantage for my usual habits.
Except, unlike you, I don't test those limits to see what I can do before I get someone pissed off enough to try to kill me or leash me up like some sort of hairless dog.
[You can almost hear his teeth clicking with finality, here.]
My patience does have a limit. And I'll advise you to not try that curiosity of yours to find it.
[Pathetic, or stupid, honestly. Just because someone didn't raise a hand to you, didn't mean they wouldn't kill you.]
You see that shock collar you're wearing? That's why I haven't killed you, or anyone else in this place. I'm not a damn idiot, and I understand that I'm in a place that puts me at a disadvantage for my usual habits.
Except, unlike you, I don't test those limits to see what I can do before I get someone pissed off enough to try to kill me or leash me up like some sort of hairless dog.
[You can almost hear his teeth clicking with finality, here.]
My patience does have a limit. And I'll advise you to not try that curiosity of yours to find it.
[That just gets a smile out of him, even a lazy little chuckle.]
I don't know if you've noticed but I am a dog. And usually, you don't get pissed at a dog for being untrained, do you.
[He reaches up to curl his fingers around the collar, tugging at it loosely.]
Just because I get off on getting my ass kicked doesn't mean I don't learn from it. It's the lack of consequences that gets me restless - food for thought.
[And they've finally gotten to the bar, so he's pushing the door open with his back to give Reaper an almost sultry smirk, before heading in to pick a spot in the quiet corner.]
I don't know if you've noticed but I am a dog. And usually, you don't get pissed at a dog for being untrained, do you.
[He reaches up to curl his fingers around the collar, tugging at it loosely.]
Just because I get off on getting my ass kicked doesn't mean I don't learn from it. It's the lack of consequences that gets me restless - food for thought.
[And they've finally gotten to the bar, so he's pushing the door open with his back to give Reaper an almost sultry smirk, before heading in to pick a spot in the quiet corner.]
Shows you haven't raised a dog properly in your entire life.
[Because the point of training a dog was to get angry at it so it knows when it was misbehaving. He gives a little grumble in return, not feeling he needed that bit of food for thought, but he doesn't make a point about calling the other an idiot at least. Even if he will comment on the first bit.]
Ever think it's because I know you get off on getting your ass kicked that I don't do it?
I'm not into encouraging your bad habits, Dodger. [Ignoring that smirk, too, as he drifts inside, pulling his hood up a little closer around his mask.]
[Because the point of training a dog was to get angry at it so it knows when it was misbehaving. He gives a little grumble in return, not feeling he needed that bit of food for thought, but he doesn't make a point about calling the other an idiot at least. Even if he will comment on the first bit.]
Ever think it's because I know you get off on getting your ass kicked that I don't do it?
I'm not into encouraging your bad habits, Dodger. [Ignoring that smirk, too, as he drifts inside, pulling his hood up a little closer around his mask.]
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