nysalogs | Closed ♪ You think you know about me

[He won't get as far as he did last time. After only a few steps, he's teleported backwards again -- only this time, the lights on either side of the hallway suddenly flicker off, leaving only one light left to illuminate the ground where Duo stands.]

[And from the darkness comes footsteps, followed by the vague outline of a person.]

[...Mephisto is nothing if not needlessly dramatic.]

Well, well-- I can't say I've ever seen your face around here before.

Okay, you've got to be shitting me. [ It's frustration more than anything else, annoyance at his circumstance and being pushed back again. At least until there's footsteps, the outline of a person. Duo's hand moves back to the pistol at his waistband, his ever faithful side arm, looking at whoever is coming toward him through his bangs, under the brim of his hat. His shoulders are still relaxed, standing just so, watching as if this is the most normal thing ever. ]

Really? And is this what you normally do to people you don't recognize?

Pretty crummy, y'know.

[Something about that voice sounds familiar... But be can't quite place it yet. Someone he's heard over the network perhaps? No, it feels more nostalgic than that.]

Oh no, not at all. But you see, this hallway just so happens to be restricted... it's a rather strange place for one to simply wander into unaware.

[He steps closer, still mostly shrouded in darkness, but now close enough that the light shines off of his eyes. They're practically glowing, bright green and oddly cat-like.]

Just what were you doing down here, I wonder?

Oh, really? [ He's doing his best to sound genuine even though the sarcastic, evil little part of him wants to just say 'no shit, sherlock' and move along. He doesn't want to cause a hell of a kerfuffle if he doesn't have to, after all. If he does.. well, it isn't his first rodeo anyways.

The hand on his gun comes up to scratch at the base of his braid, a nervous gesture for most, but is Duo checking what he's tucked away up there weaponry and escape tools wise in case this goes south, a little laugh and half smirk crossing his face as he does it. ]

Ah, you know.. wandered through the wrong door I guess... [ Yeah, that side window he jimmied to get here. And then every door subsequent. ]

Now I think we both know that's a lie. Just how long do think I've been following you?

[...not actually that long, but it's not like he couldn't have been watching without being seen. Even without his spooky time/space powers, he was still an expert on creepily stalking people.]

The city's been on high alert since that "attack" from Wyver. [Or at least, that's how all the natives see the arrival of the new refugees.] How am I to know you aren't a spy?

I’d bet not too long. [ He wasn’t sure that he would’ve stood around while he was rifling through paperwork just to see what he could find a bit earlier or anything of the sort. Must be hard to be patrolling in a place that has so many people’s interest, really. But then again with magic powers how the hell hard could it be? At any rate Duo doesn’t seem bothered to be caught in the middle of a bit of a white lie, still standing there as if this is the most casual thing in the world. ]

Oh, you mean the new refugees? Takes a lot to shoot down a ship of innocent people. [ trust him he speaks from experience. ]

I guess you don’t man, I don’t know what to tell ya. [ throws his hands up, oh so casual and flippant. ]

[Well now-- if he needed any confirmation that this guy was a refugee, there it was. They certainly liked sticking their noses into this world's business, didn't they?]

[Ah, but that made things more complicated. Should he keep messing with him, or take the opportunity to turn it around? It might be useful to try and secure an ally who's willing to investigate the Institute in Mephisto's place--]

[Then again, it's kinda bothering him that this guy isn't bothered?? For him to be this confident, he's either stupid, exceptionally powerful, or severely underestimating Mephisto. And he kind of wants to see which it is.]

[And so he laughs -- practically cackles really, as he brings a hand up to his chin.]

Oh? Is that really the answer you wish to settle on? After all--

[With his hands in the air, Duo will suddenly feel a slight breeze around his forearms... because his sleeves have suddenly been cut by some unseen force, causing them to awkwardly bunch down around his elbows. They're fine cuts, as if done by a very precise blade, but he won't feel any hint of what happened on his arms. The only "tell" would have been a slight narrowing of Mephisto's eyes as he cut through the fabric with his mind -- a fairly simply spell, but it certainly had it's uses.]

--I haven't decided whether or not I'm going to take you into custody alive.

[ He’s mostly stupid. Somewhat over confident because he’s been a terrorist most of his young life, too. Sneaking in to buildings and taking intel was a lot easier when it was just people with cameras instead of weird ass magic powers though. The art of the poker face is something Duo has near on mastered, though. Played this game while being actually physically punched - which, by the way, doesn’t weird him out as much as his sleeves suddenly disappearing. He swallows but doesn’t show anything outwardly, at least not past the tune of being annoyed about his shirt.

Masks, after all, are Duo’s forte.

Still, the former Gundam pilot just makes a noise of slight irritation, reaching up to run his hand through his bangs, lifting the brim of his hat -

Which may reveal why the voice is so familiar. ]

Well listen, make your decision because you’re burning the time I have left to grab dinner before I sleep.

[God, why is this guy so obnox-- WHAT THE SHIT IS THAT DUO FUCKING MAXWELL??]

[He knew video games were real. He had a sneaking suspicion anime was real. But here he is, a main character, in the flesh. Now that he sees his face, the voice matches so perfectly that there's no mistaking it.]

[(Would it be weird to ask for his autograph? Yeah, that'd be weird. Better not.)]

[But none of this shows on his face. No, if anything, his Cheshire-like grin only grows as he snickers some more. It's entirely possible it might be some bizarre extended coincidence, but he doubts it.]

[So why not take things one step further and see if he can't rattle him a little.]

Fufu... as expected of the God of Death. I suppose you wouldn't fear the reaper if you met him face to face, would you-- Mr. Maxwell.

[ If only Duo knew of his inner monologue here he'd be shitting his pants so fast. For the moment, though, he just wants to know whether he's going to have to pull his gun or not, one hand still poised behind him, shifting slightly as if he's just impatient and wants to move. Which is true, but he's also pretty convinced he might have to shoot his way out of here -

Which is kind of annoying.

There's an obvious moment of hesitation as he calls him by name - twice, but of course Duo doesn't stumble for long : ]

If you're suggesting I'm looking in a mirror the eye color is all wrong.

Oh no, not at all! But you see, there's only one god of death standing in this hallway.

[And in the blink of an eye, he's suddenly closer. Too close, his face only inches away from Duo's. The shadows created by the light over his head stretch down over his face, making it hard to see clearly, even this close up. But that just means that his cat-like eyes and unnaturally sharp teeth stand out all the more.]

And he's standing right in front of you.

[ Duo's brows raise, that cat smirk spreading across his face even as Mephisto begins to move. It's too fast for Duo's brain to process at first, but by the time Mephisto's been too close for comfort for a second or two Duo's face is settled in to an expression much more grim, the strange blue of his eyes hardened, focused on the face in front of him -

And the formerly concealed gun pointed upward toward Mephisto's chin in a very assured grip. ]

That so? [ Ah, there's the smirk back, though this time it's sharper, a bit more threatening. ]

Just because you got party tricks doesn't mean you can stomach blood and guts, man. You sure you wanna claim that one?

[You'd think the gun only excited him more for all that his grin only increases, snickering under his breath. That's a much better look in his eyes.]

[--also he's being threatened by Duo fucking Maxwell?? What a good day...]

Oh, I think I'll be the one to decide what I can handle... but are you really going to risk murder charges over a little break-in?

If you're determined. [ He's not sure he really wants to blow him sky high over all of this, but considering all the threatening motions and.. words.. previous to this he's not writing it off. Duo isn't exactly murder happy, but there's also very little hesitation within him to pull the trigger if he has to.

Maybe not in the head, but enough that he can get out.

They'll see. ]

That's up to you. I've played nice. You're the one jumping up close and the lot. Can't blame a guy for wanting to make sure he's safe and sound, right? [ Besides, it seems this guy somehow knows him, so he has to know what he's capable of. ]

I suppose I can't. But then, surely the same is true for myself, yes?

I have no idea what you're doing here or what you're planning. You could be a terrorist hoping to start the second coming of that little plague that nearly wiped out the city just a few months back. Or a Wyvern spy, fleeing after rigging the building with explosives.

One can't be too careful in times like this, after all. I imagine it'll only take one wrong move to trigger a war. And I'm certain there are those who would love to see that come about...

[Also, gonna just... slowly try and reach up to grab his arm, if he can. He doesn't actually need to to physically grab him to move him away, no, but he's still having too much fun playing with death here.]

Of all the shit I've done, getting random people sick with a dirty bomb isn't exactly on my list of to-do's. [ He'd been quite turned off by the entire episode, if he's honest. That's not his brand of terrorism, in round about terms, as bad as that sounded. Of all dirty tactics in the world that Duo wasn't opposed to, giving people potentially life-threatening illnesses isn't on his list even remotely.

And, of course, to toot his own horn - ]

And if you really know me, you know that had I rigged this place it, and we, would be sky high right now.

[ And speaking of sky high - ]

Like you can be if you really think I don't see that.

[HOLDS HIS HANDS UP LIKE-- well, like there's a gun in his face.]

Oh? See what? You never did say I couldn't move, did you?

Besides, for you to be this confident-- I'd say you're probably not going to shoot me.

[At least, probably not fatally. That's the sort of move one might pull when they think they're cornered, and he's seeing now that he can't buff his way into making Duo think that he is.]

No, but you'd think a gun under your chin would make you smart enough not to try to grab. [ He's unamused and his face says it all, a cross of bemusement and .. well, being irritated at the situation, honestly. How the hell was he striking out so much in this damn place? It's frustrating as hell. ]

Oh? You're too used to dealing with normal people I think. I can still be confident and put your grey matter on the ceiling at the same time. Of all people that spook at gore I think you know I'm the wrong one.

[ Duo is, of course, armed to the teeth - when isn't he? But he's not going to back down so easily, either. Mephisto isn't the first or last person he'll pull a gun on if he has to in this place. ]

So, how are we solving this? I'm leaving, either way.

Well, I'd say you have a few options in front of you! You could simply turn and leave and hope that I won't follow or try to stop you.

[He taps the side of his own head.] You could put a bullet through my head and walk out of here a free man.

Or... I suppose we could make a deal? One of mutual benefit, perhaps!

The fact you bothered to stop me so dramatically in the first place makes me think there's no way you're letting me just leave now.. [ Again that sort of lips drawn back expression, not very amused with the situation and mostly wanting out of here with the least amount of fuss. Sometimes a guy just wanted to raid a place without it being a big deal, okay? Sometimes he just wanted to info grab for the sake of it.

The idea of a 'deal' of mutual benefit, though.. Duo's eyes narrow slightly, giving him an intent look. ]

Elaborate, would ya? If you take too long I'm just gonna go, as a heads up.

I'm glad you catch on quickly. [Yeah, that one wasn't really much of an option...]

My offer is simple. I'll allow you to leave unharmed, and shall even assist you in escaping unseen... and in return, you'll tell me anything you discover about this place and its secrets.

I can't exactly afford to risk losing my job by snooping around myself, after all. Why, if your information proves to be promising, I might even consider sweetening the deal with a bit of silver.

Consider silver? [ Nope. Doesn't seem to strike a deal just yet Mephisto. Duo, in fact, stuffs his hands on his hips pretty quickly, brow raised to the sky as he looks at him, as if waiting for the laugh and just joking or something like that. ]

So basically what you're saying is I take on all the risk and you don't even have to give me anything for it? What the hell says I can even trust you or why you're asking me to do all of this for you?

[ Yep, spinning his gun round his finger, a little bit agitated - ]

Get out with that. I'm leaving.

Oh, are you now? Hmm, it seems there's something of a misunderstanding here...

[Duo better hope he has a good grip on his gun right now, otherwise he might just drop it. In an instant, he'll feel a strange force barreling towards him, throwing him up against the nearby wall on his back, as if gravity suddenly decided to work horizontally. It pins him there, hanging a few inches off the ground with no real way to kick off of it.]

[Of course, the force on his arms and legs is a bit weaker -- if he struggles enough, he should be able to at least move his arms.]

It appears I've given you the impression you have a choice in the matter!

[ Thankfully he'd done the spinning number hundreds of thousands of times by now - it doesn't clatter to the ground, caught as Duo tries to put it back in his palm. Which he doesn't quite get right away, actually, laughing lightly.

This is just great. His favorite thing that's happened to him to date.

Just wait until he gets his gundam. He exerts the most effort in getting his gun back in to his palm for the moment, finger on the trigger and the lot - ]

I always have a choice. I'm the God of Death, like you said. [ He ego also helps. Always. ]

I just missed a great chance to neutralize the problem before it became one. My mistake - but it won't happen again.

Either way, I'm not doing shit for no payment, buddy. Like it or not.

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1/2 INTERNAL ONLY....

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