Haha... Well, in this instance, I feel I might. Call it force of habit, if you want. [He taps the end of the pen to his lips coyly, before continuing.] That said, I know I'm only human. In a more humbling way than I'm used to, in fact. So... even if my heart wants to take it all, I know it's not realistic.
I hope you can forgive me, should I forget. [His smile tugs at the edges.] And that I might rely on you, should something happen to me too soon.
There are less destructive habits you could indulge in, you know? [ Although, there's little seriousness in the quip; he'd be pretty hypocritical if he was being serious, after all. ] But there are also worse ones. At least you know it isn't realistic...that's a point for you.
[ The request...hm, he can't say he likes the implications, but he settles for keeping that one to himself. ]
I could always try and give you a little something to help you remember. The side effects wouldn't be too bad. [ A subtle, careful jab. Don't do anything stupid. ] But if you're going to rely on me, at least do it before. I'm not the type who likes cleaning up someone else's mess without warning.
[Pft.] I'd rather not resort to drastic measures just yet, if it's all the same.
[...
But he holds up the pen, and his tone smooths over to something just slightly stricter.]
Yugamu.... If I am to be found dead? You find this on my person, and you take it. Make sure it stays in the hands of someone trustworthy.
I cannot explain what it is, and I cannot explain where it came from. Any information I give in front of the others will be a lie that I have to follow until we're free.
But if I am not here, it cannot fall into the wrong hands. And I know you are, if nothing, thorough with the bodies.
[ Yugamu is not too sure what he expects here. Solomon is somebody who both seems easy to read, and yet has things beneath the surface even Yugamu struggles to grasp with those sharp fingers.
It's this reason the request throws him off guard enough to show on his face, before his features harden somewhat. ]
...And you're willing to just tell me this?
[ Sure, he had been anticipating something, but it wasn't this. ]
You know what I am. Who's to say I won't just up and keep it for myself, sate my curiosity? We assassins can be selfish. Or maybe I'll just get rid of it, if it's as dangerous as you say.
Whether or not you're telling the truth, are you really willing to leave something you consider that important in the hands of a killer you met barely two weeks ago? [ Or more specifically- ] Or should I say, do you really have enough faith in me to keep up your lie by holding onto a potential ticking time bomb?
[ He hasn't said 'no'. But Yugamu Omokage is nothing if not pragmatic. ]
Think of this as... the knife to free the ropes, should they not sail as planned. I don't know if it will become inactive, or even vanish, were I not to be here. But I'm not willing to take that risk with someone who would turn it on another in a worse case scenario.
And, unless you've fallen madly in love for someone in two weeks? I do not believe that will be you, will it?
[ He dislikes how he can read that face so accurately.
He doesn't hide the displeasure on his face now, lips pursed as he lets his gaze fall to that pen again. It's true, he doesn't actually know what happened to the other's private possessions once the trials were all said and done....frustrating, because he should have thought of it. ]
...I prefer more of a build-up to my relationships. [ It's low and quiet, to match the look in his eyes. ] And you know I've got no intention of playing this game in the way they want me to.
You seriously might be a fool trusting me that easily...I'm not too sure how flattered I should feel.
[ ....It's not a bad feeling, though. ]
...I can't guarantee anything if someone gets to the body before me, if something happens. But if they don't...I'll see what I can do.
Consider it hope placed in your values, and nothing more. If I'm a fool for that, then so be it.
I have another party that I will try to have join you. If I can tell you any more than this and not compromise everything I have set up, I will. You have my word.
...
Know that I'm asking you only to do what you can, if you can. Nothing more.
[And like the flip of a switch, his expression loses its seriousness as he tucks the pen back into his jacket like nothing happened.]
Anyway! I trust you can play along for now, correct?
[ Hope, huh. How painfully sappy and optimistic. Had he been the Yugamu of days and days ago, back when they'd just woken up with desks under their heads and unwanted responsibility in his hands, maybe he'd have shrugged it off.
But, here he is. Seriously, all these guys have made him soft. It's almost embarrassing.
He isn't expecting the revelation as much as he's expecting the switch flip, and there's a moment where Yugamu just regards Solomon with a sharp, cool eye before he finally lets the tension leak from his shoulders with an overly exasperated sigh. ]
Really, Sensei? You gave me that big of a touching speech just to tell me I have to share? [ Damn... ] And here I thought I was your favorite. I didn't take you for such a playboy...
[ Well, he's already in this deep. Might as well just sell it. ]
That sort of thing doesn't really bother me. Do you think anyone could drag down the reputation of a killer for hire even further? We might as well make it a little interesting.
[ In short; he'd find it pretty entertaining, actually.
Ah, but that's a semi-loaded question. ]
Not wrong. They decided to ship me off to war out of the blue, back where I came from; for an assassin, working with a bunch of other people wasn't really my forte...But I've come to find it has it's own charm.
[He chuckles, but doesn't seem to want to entertain that joking line of thought any further. It looks like Yugamu isn't the one that's going to be bothered by it.]
...You seem very young to be out in war. Is it common where you're from?
[ Maybe Solomon should consider the thrill in illicit affairs more often. But Yugamu will drop it, choosing to idly play with his earring. ]
Nope, not at all. [ There's a brief haze of faces, of voices, of complaints and begs. Blurry and not put together, but snippets come through now and then. Too young to fight, they say. Too young to die. The sentiment almost makes him laugh. ] But we're the only ones who could use a little special something, so the responsibility is ours. Killing targets for money can't really prepare you for the weight of the world on your shoulders...almost literally.
About as dire as it gets. [ And despite the tone he takes, like it's a minor inconvenience, his mouth still twitches with the urge to frown. ] All of humanity's pretty much done for if we don't break our backs out there.
[ Will he be in trouble, for mentioning it? Well, not like he can get punished here more than he already is. ]
[ Something about learning someone else had put him under the knife without his permission was...less than ideal. Just as unappealing as the war itself. ]
The enemies we're fighting against had a special kind of mutated blood. Since they couldn't win against it after years of traditional war, they ended up taking one of their greatest weapons, which let them research that ability to their heart's content. Then, it was just about finding people compatible with it.
[ One taloned finger taps himself on the chest. ]
Which ended up being all of us. We just happened to get the short end of the stick.
Can't say I had much choice but to suck it up. I don't remember anything about those tests, and I woke up too far away to just go back home. The idea didn't exactly thrill me in the beginning, but...at this point, either we kill or we die.
[ Not an ideal choice, no matter what. But no matter how bitter the taste of relentless war sits on his tongue, better to fight to the last than lie down and throw away all the efforts thus far. ]
16, to start with. [ If only because— ] 15 of us shipped off, and the 'special weapon' I mentioned.
[ Mad science bullshit is right. His favorite type of bullshit...just maybe not right now. ]
Basically, his body makes the fuel for the weapons we're protecting...Even for me, it sounded pretty far-fetched. Science is one thing, the magic mutations and everything is a whole 'nother ballgame, man. Not that all the experimental opportunities weren't exciting...
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I hope you can forgive me, should I forget. [His smile tugs at the edges.] And that I might rely on you, should something happen to me too soon.
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[ The request...hm, he can't say he likes the implications, but he settles for keeping that one to himself. ]
I could always try and give you a little something to help you remember. The side effects wouldn't be too bad. [ A subtle, careful jab. Don't do anything stupid. ] But if you're going to rely on me, at least do it before. I'm not the type who likes cleaning up someone else's mess without warning.
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[...
But he holds up the pen, and his tone smooths over to something just slightly stricter.]
Yugamu.... If I am to be found dead? You find this on my person, and you take it. Make sure it stays in the hands of someone trustworthy.
I cannot explain what it is, and I cannot explain where it came from. Any information I give in front of the others will be a lie that I have to follow until we're free.
But if I am not here, it cannot fall into the wrong hands. And I know you are, if nothing, thorough with the bodies.
Understood?
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It's this reason the request throws him off guard enough to show on his face, before his features harden somewhat. ]
...And you're willing to just tell me this?
[ Sure, he had been anticipating something, but it wasn't this. ]
You know what I am. Who's to say I won't just up and keep it for myself, sate my curiosity? We assassins can be selfish. Or maybe I'll just get rid of it, if it's as dangerous as you say.
Whether or not you're telling the truth, are you really willing to leave something you consider that important in the hands of a killer you met barely two weeks ago? [ Or more specifically- ] Or should I say, do you really have enough faith in me to keep up your lie by holding onto a potential ticking time bomb?
[ He hasn't said 'no'. But Yugamu Omokage is nothing if not pragmatic. ]
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I did mention lifeboats, didn't I?
...
Think of this as... the knife to free the ropes, should they not sail as planned. I don't know if it will become inactive, or even vanish, were I not to be here. But I'm not willing to take that risk with someone who would turn it on another in a worse case scenario.
And, unless you've fallen madly in love for someone in two weeks? I do not believe that will be you, will it?
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He doesn't hide the displeasure on his face now, lips pursed as he lets his gaze fall to that pen again. It's true, he doesn't actually know what happened to the other's private possessions once the trials were all said and done....frustrating, because he should have thought of it. ]
...I prefer more of a build-up to my relationships. [ It's low and quiet, to match the look in his eyes. ] And you know I've got no intention of playing this game in the way they want me to.
You seriously might be a fool trusting me that easily...I'm not too sure how flattered I should feel.
[ ....It's not a bad feeling, though. ]
...I can't guarantee anything if someone gets to the body before me, if something happens. But if they don't...I'll see what I can do.
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I have another party that I will try to have join you. If I can tell you any more than this and not compromise everything I have set up, I will. You have my word.
...
Know that I'm asking you only to do what you can, if you can. Nothing more.
[And like the flip of a switch, his expression loses its seriousness as he tucks the pen back into his jacket like nothing happened.]
Anyway! I trust you can play along for now, correct?
no subject
But, here he is. Seriously, all these guys have made him soft. It's almost embarrassing.
He isn't expecting the revelation as much as he's expecting the switch flip, and there's a moment where Yugamu just regards Solomon with a sharp, cool eye before he finally lets the tension leak from his shoulders with an overly exasperated sigh. ]
Really, Sensei? You gave me that big of a touching speech just to tell me I have to share? [ Damn... ] And here I thought I was your favorite. I didn't take you for such a playboy...
[ Well, he's already in this deep. Might as well just sell it. ]
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[He's not sorry, from the looks of it.]
Greater hands divided among the busy work will make for less suspicion. Just put up with it for the time being, okay?
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[ Yeah, he wouldn't be sorry, would he. ]
I guess my days as a lone wolf are over. Not that they were letting me off the hook before...
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[smashcut to the gossip about him being in love with a student..... we look away
Still, at least he grows thoughtful as the tangent.]
"Before" as in, before you were here, I take it? Is life tossing you into a lot of group projects?
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[ In short; he'd find it pretty entertaining, actually.
Ah, but that's a semi-loaded question. ]
Not wrong. They decided to ship me off to war out of the blue, back where I came from; for an assassin, working with a bunch of other people wasn't really my forte...But I've come to find it has it's own charm.
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...You seem very young to be out in war. Is it common where you're from?
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Nope, not at all. [ There's a brief haze of faces, of voices, of complaints and begs. Blurry and not put together, but snippets come through now and then. Too young to fight, they say. Too young to die. The sentiment almost makes him laugh. ] But we're the only ones who could use a little special something, so the responsibility is ours. Killing targets for money can't really prepare you for the weight of the world on your shoulders...almost literally.
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[He has some questions about that ability, too, but one thing at a time. He's not here to interrogate the poor kid.]
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[ Will he be in trouble, for mentioning it? Well, not like he can get punished here more than he already is. ]
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And why would they only have to send you and those like you? What about this ability makes you special?
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[ Something about learning someone else had put him under the knife without his permission was...less than ideal. Just as unappealing as the war itself. ]
The enemies we're fighting against had a special kind of mutated blood. Since they couldn't win against it after years of traditional war, they ended up taking one of their greatest weapons, which let them research that ability to their heart's content. Then, it was just about finding people compatible with it.
[ One taloned finger taps himself on the chest. ]
Which ended up being all of us. We just happened to get the short end of the stick.
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[An exchange that works on paper, but feels uncomfortable in the details.]
Just or not, it's not as though that puts you in a good position. I'm surprised you're so composed about it.
How many of you were there?
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Can't say I had much choice but to suck it up. I don't remember anything about those tests, and I woke up too far away to just go back home. The idea didn't exactly thrill me in the beginning, but...at this point, either we kill or we die.
[ Not an ideal choice, no matter what. But no matter how bitter the taste of relentless war sits on his tongue, better to fight to the last than lie down and throw away all the efforts thus far. ]
16, to start with. [ If only because— ] 15 of us shipped off, and the 'special weapon' I mentioned.
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[This is getting into some mad scientist bullshit, man.]
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[ Mad science bullshit is right. His favorite type of bullshit...just maybe not right now. ]
Basically, his body makes the fuel for the weapons we're protecting...Even for me, it sounded pretty far-fetched. Science is one thing, the magic mutations and everything is a whole 'nother ballgame, man. Not that all the experimental opportunities weren't exciting...
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[Yknow, Yugamu hasn't been painting a very pretty picture.]