She sits a bit stiller. There's no twitch of her fingers against the table or idle lick of her lip to test the puffiness of her bruise. He mentions she was here before — it wasn't the first time someone's said such things. It sucks, confuses her and puts her at a disadvantage. So, she deflects. ]
Noooope. Unless we shared a bed or screwed each other over on cash, does it even matter? [ Especially in this state. ] I won't forget again, though. Trust me on that.
Well we've definitely done neither of those things. [ Actually... ] Maybe a little on the latter, but it didn't earn a complain from either of us. So, yeah, it doesn't matter.
[ Because earning a little or a lot of silver isn't really on his priority list. It's not what he desires, being a vampire drained of emotion and human wants, and so what she had once gained in their little encounter met nothing to him. Unbalance was just a way of life. ]
Whether you forget or not doesn't mean much to me. I'm just here to find answers here and there.
[ Of this world, of how things work when familiar faces disappear and then reappear, he's already gone so many years questioning about the unknown back home and he's in no rush of doing it here. ]
So, clean slate then. [ She wants to just clear the air on that. Don't hold her responsible!! She just woke back up!!
But, the guy was pleasant enough to converse with so she does so without feeling weird. But the hand comment does make her feel a bit confused. She lifts her fingers, knuckles dusted with a more red color and splatters of blood. Fingers spread on the table in front of her. ]
Ta-da? Don't tell me you're going to do a magic trick.
Haha. [ Empty. It's obvious that the laughter isn't forced but it certainly reveals that there's nothing he finds humorous. ] Fortunately I won't. The last thing I am is a magician.
[ He holds no malicious intent, examining her hands with his eyes and catching broken pieces of skin from where her knuckles met skin of her opponent. He reaches over, taking her hand with a surprising amount of ease. His hold is strong, yet considerate enough not to add pressure and cause her pain. ]
You should have taken better care of yourself.
[ He scolds. Though it's hard to tell if it comes from a place of genuine concern or he's simply pointing out the obvious. ]
I could have done a lot of things — finding better ways to make cash included.
[ She was a little hecked up. Which is why she is always an advocate for armor!! Unfortunately, dragoon armor was not allowed during her fight. She's watching as he examines, but there's a slight hesitance in her voice. ]
Trying to. It'll heal. This isn't the first time I've had 'em.
Aranea's far too preoccupied with the hits he gave her to notice the slight discoloration fading away. She didn't have any personal stake in this — she proved enough to get paid. She's weaving through the crowd and if he follows, he'll hear her snap back with a bark of humor. ]
That friendly sock to the jaw can be deceiving — I don't fight for a living. [ But. ] I do fight when necessary, though.
Then it's all the more shameful that I lost. I do fight for a living.
[ in a manner of speaking. well, to be technical, his continued existence is dependent on him fighting. or at least, it was back before he was brought here. now he's not entirely sure what keeps him alive, but he's not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. not yet, anyway.
that said, he doesn't really seem too upset over his loss. ]
This is probably a strange place to ask it, but what do you do that taught you to fight like that?
You don't say. Should have figured, you had a good fighter's stance.
[ What's done is done. Aranea will get her ass royally handed to her by Ardyn in a few hours, so even the best fighters lose. ]
I did mercenary work. Fought daemons, hunted fiends, solved peoples problems. Use to lead an airborne unit for the Empire, but — that went to shit really fast.
There's still a glint of deviousness in her eyes. She's eyeing him a bit more, inspecting him — muscle mass, scars, and any words that may slip out. If he's use to mercenary work, that means he may be useful or at the very least, interesting enough to talk to. ]
It's what I did back home. I ran a troop from a shitty army, but I did it well. Left it to go back to mercenary work. Thinking of getting that started here.
[ More or less what he expected, then. There are plenty of stories of people who gave up official military work for one reason or another, only to take matters into their own hands. 76 hadn't been given much of a choice, but McCree is a prime example. ]
Why did you leave? What was so shitty about it?
[ It sounds like a story worth hearing, and she's already been forthcoming.
He'd be curious to see how she fares in Olympia trying the mercenary gig, but it's something he plans to observe from a distance. ]
When you find out you backed the asshole in politics, it's pretty much egg on your face at that point. [ She's kidding, she never truly backed them. There was money involved — so she played along until... ] — Shit got bad. The priorities weren't the people, it was the power. I wouldn't work my ass off to be someone else's cannon fodder.
[ The explanation is one that 76 can completely understand. While he'd always done his best to be the sort of leader people would be proud to follow, he definitely bungled it at the end of the day. He'd also seen plenty of world leaders and politicians who used and abused those beneath them. ]
Sounds like you jumped ship at the right time, then. Mercenary work is liberating — you're not accountable to anyone but yourself and whoever's hired you.
[ But it looks like they're finally getting toward the front of the line, that's something. ]
Last thing I needed is for shit to get pinned back to me. Higher ups love blaming their "lackeys" for everything they've done wrong.
[ There was no way the Empire really could, but with the grand scheme of things? Aranea wouldn't put it past them. They made a political terrorist attack and killed a King after all. ]
End up with this — [ waves hands around??? ] — to deal with now. Just hope I can keep myself going instead of play puppet to someone else.
[ She isn't wrong, of course. There are plenty of people in leadership positions who are precisely as despicable as what she's describing. Better not to dwell too much on the past, even though he knows in his bones he's not the sort of person.
Thankfully, she has more than that to say, and 76 focuses on her concerns about their position here in Olympia. ]
We didn't have much choice in getting dumped here, but once you're settled you shouldn't really have anyone telling you what to do or not do. It's... something.
[ He's not really much for looking for the silver lining these days, but there it is.
He sighs and faces forward again. Just a few people in front of them, now. ] I'm guessing the Orbiters are far from done with us, though.
I don't like the sound of that, though. You plan on going your own way or following blindly?
[ Her words were sharp, focused on her own idea of a good 'life' outside of this. She feels blackmailed, honestly, but hey — some people have it worse. ]
I've never been much for following blindly. [ He shakes his head, the action sharp in turn. He doesn't need some stranger making assumptions about him. ] The question is how much of a choice we'll have, at the end of the day.
[ The Orbiters have already proved what sort of power they have, and it's something he can barely wrap his head around. Who knows what else they could do? ]
Trying to learn my way around, and what's around. And---- maybe a little nostalgia. My father was a boxer, I used to listen to his matches all the time.
[plus intel gathering.... it'd be nice if he could fight and let loose though, but the mask isn't for that] I wasn't sure it was you until you confirmed it - but I managed to follow the match. Do you need some ice?
Must be hard, but you seem to be coping well. [ Definitely, what is it with blind guys always proving to be self-sufficient? Brings a tear to her eyes. ] So you're use to all of this stuff. Meaning, you'd be my worst critic if you could see my form.
[ She dismisses him with a wave of her hand, but then realizes how stupid it was. ]
No, I'm good. Nice to actually have some common sense knocked back into me.
Well, I have a lot of help. [And modest!!! In other words, totally bullshitting, but hey....] If you ever want some pointers -- if you're planning to go back into the ring -- I might be able to offer some help. As far as my ears go, anyway.
[it's kind of a joke.......]
You've got a pretty good outlook for someone who just came out of a match.
Looks like they're just going to be the eye rolling brigade over here. ]
You don't have to. Not the smartest of choices, but — hey, think I'm going to turn down be in the audience for once?
[ She has no coat, only the dragoon-akin casualwear. Her heavy armor left at home and her helmet lost in hammerspace, Aranea was behind him in a few moments. ]
Don't worry about me, worry about if you put a target on your back fucking with the wrong guy with powerful friends.
[ dang. at least walk in front of him if you aren't going to wear the coat, Aranea. that leather-clad booty tho!!! ]
Heh. I'm not calling this place home until there is a target on my back, lady. Just not the same.
[ he's indeed leaving the hideout hosting these stupid fights and finds himself out on the streets with his new friend in tow. after a few moments of walking, Bigby turns around and gives her a bit of a look, almost as if wondering when the hell she'll point her finger in the right direction. ]
Also, kind of disappointed to hear you just want to be in the audience. I was under the assumption that you would never turn down a good fight. Everyone has their limits, I suppose...
[ EYEROLL. She follows behind, a bit more wobbly than she'd like, but she'll live. When he stops, she nudges her head to the left and walks ahead of him. ]
I'm not a fighter. I'm just good at it, so I get paid for it. It's called good job placement.
I don't know — maybe save up? [ She's tempted to keep drinking, honestly, but she knows it's against her better judgment. ] Nothing is free here. Some people probably selling their souls already. I'd like to keep mine intact.
[ She has enough going on with her external injuries, the last thing she needs is something internal like conflict or guilt. ]
Maybe I'll use it to actually get groceries and cook. It's been a while since a home-cooked meal.
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CROWLEY
She sits a bit stiller. There's no twitch of her fingers against the table or idle lick of her lip to test the puffiness of her bruise. He mentions she was here before — it wasn't the first time someone's said such things. It sucks, confuses her and puts her at a disadvantage. So, she deflects. ]
Noooope. Unless we shared a bed or screwed each other over on cash, does it even matter? [ Especially in this state. ] I won't forget again, though. Trust me on that.
no subject
[ Because earning a little or a lot of silver isn't really on his priority list. It's not what he desires, being a vampire drained of emotion and human wants, and so what she had once gained in their little encounter met nothing to him. Unbalance was just a way of life. ]
Whether you forget or not doesn't mean much to me. I'm just here to find answers here and there.
[ Of this world, of how things work when familiar faces disappear and then reappear, he's already gone so many years questioning about the unknown back home and he's in no rush of doing it here. ]
... Let me see your hands, though.
no subject
But, the guy was pleasant enough to converse with so she does so without feeling weird. But the hand comment does make her feel a bit confused. She lifts her fingers, knuckles dusted with a more red color and splatters of blood. Fingers spread on the table in front of her. ]
Ta-da? Don't tell me you're going to do a magic trick.
no subject
[ He holds no malicious intent, examining her hands with his eyes and catching broken pieces of skin from where her knuckles met skin of her opponent. He reaches over, taking her hand with a surprising amount of ease. His hold is strong, yet considerate enough not to add pressure and cause her pain. ]
You should have taken better care of yourself.
[ He scolds. Though it's hard to tell if it comes from a place of genuine concern or he's simply pointing out the obvious. ]
Are you cleaning this on your own?
no subject
[ She was a little hecked up. Which is why she is always an advocate for armor!! Unfortunately, dragoon armor was not allowed during her fight. She's watching as he examines, but there's a slight hesitance in her voice. ]
Trying to. It'll heal. This isn't the first time I've had 'em.
ARCHER
Aranea's far too preoccupied with the hits he gave her to notice the slight discoloration fading away. She didn't have any personal stake in this — she proved enough to get paid. She's weaving through the crowd and if he follows, he'll hear her snap back with a bark of humor. ]
That friendly sock to the jaw can be deceiving — I don't fight for a living. [ But. ] I do fight when necessary, though.
no subject
[ in a manner of speaking. well, to be technical, his continued existence is dependent on him fighting. or at least, it was back before he was brought here. now he's not entirely sure what keeps him alive, but he's not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. not yet, anyway.
that said, he doesn't really seem too upset over his loss. ]
This is probably a strange place to ask it, but what do you do that taught you to fight like that?
no subject
[ What's done is done. Aranea will get her ass royally handed to her by Ardyn in a few hours, so even the best fighters lose. ]
I did mercenary work. Fought daemons, hunted fiends, solved peoples problems. Use to lead an airborne unit for the Empire, but — that went to shit really fast.
And you?
no subject
Something similar. I traveled the world, fighting where it was needed. Less for money than for... [ ideals? ] ...something more foolish.
I suppose in the end, the reasons don't matter as much as what you do anyway.
no subject
[ That's the first thing she latches to — when it comes to being foolish. ]
no subject
No, I think that would have been more admirable.
no subject
[ There's a passive shrug. ]
no subject
[ like, way too much. ]
no subject
[ BECAUSE IT SEEMS FUN. ]
76
There's still a glint of deviousness in her eyes. She's eyeing him a bit more, inspecting him — muscle mass, scars, and any words that may slip out. If he's use to mercenary work, that means he may be useful or at the very least, interesting enough to talk to. ]
It's what I did back home. I ran a troop from a shitty army, but I did it well. Left it to go back to mercenary work. Thinking of getting that started here.
no subject
Why did you leave? What was so shitty about it?
[ It sounds like a story worth hearing, and she's already been forthcoming.
He'd be curious to see how she fares in Olympia trying the mercenary gig, but it's something he plans to observe from a distance. ]
no subject
no subject
Sounds like you jumped ship at the right time, then. Mercenary work is liberating — you're not accountable to anyone but yourself and whoever's hired you.
[ But it looks like they're finally getting toward the front of the line, that's something. ]
no subject
[ There was no way the Empire really could, but with the grand scheme of things? Aranea wouldn't put it past them. They made a political terrorist attack and killed a King after all. ]
End up with this — [ waves hands around??? ] — to deal with now. Just hope I can keep myself going instead of play puppet to someone else.
no subject
Thankfully, she has more than that to say, and 76 focuses on her concerns about their position here in Olympia. ]
We didn't have much choice in getting dumped here, but once you're settled you shouldn't really have anyone telling you what to do or not do. It's... something.
[ He's not really much for looking for the silver lining these days, but there it is.
He sighs and faces forward again. Just a few people in front of them, now. ] I'm guessing the Orbiters are far from done with us, though.
no subject
[ Her words were sharp, focused on her own idea of a good 'life' outside of this. She feels blackmailed, honestly, but hey — some people have it worse. ]
no subject
[ The Orbiters have already proved what sort of power they have, and it's something he can barely wrap his head around. Who knows what else they could do? ]
MATTY
Smart as a fox, blind as a bat. Isn't that how it always goes?
Aranea perks a brow, eyeing him with her confirmed suspicion. ]
You could tell? A shame you couldn't see it, then. [ She laments. ] I almost broke my hand, the guy was a lot more sturdy than I anticipated.
But, gotta ask.. what brings a guy like you here then if you can't enjoy the match?
no subject
[plus intel gathering.... it'd be nice if he could fight and let loose though, but the mask isn't for that] I wasn't sure it was you until you confirmed it - but I managed to follow the match. Do you need some ice?
no subject
[ She dismisses him with a wave of her hand, but then realizes how stupid it was. ]
No, I'm good. Nice to actually have some common sense knocked back into me.
no subject
[it's kind of a joke.......]
You've got a pretty good outlook for someone who just came out of a match.
BIGBY
Looks like they're just going to be the eye rolling brigade over here. ]
You don't have to. Not the smartest of choices, but — hey, think I'm going to turn down be in the audience for once?
[ She has no coat, only the dragoon-akin casualwear. Her heavy armor left at home and her helmet lost in hammerspace, Aranea was behind him in a few moments. ]
Don't worry about me, worry about if you put a target on your back fucking with the wrong guy with powerful friends.
no subject
Heh. I'm not calling this place home until there is a target on my back, lady. Just not the same.
[ he's indeed leaving the hideout hosting these stupid fights and finds himself out on the streets with his new friend in tow. after a few moments of walking, Bigby turns around and gives her a bit of a look, almost as if wondering when the hell she'll point her finger in the right direction. ]
Also, kind of disappointed to hear you just want to be in the audience. I was under the assumption that you would never turn down a good fight. Everyone has their limits, I suppose...
no subject
[ EYEROLL. She follows behind, a bit more wobbly than she'd like, but she'll live. When he stops, she nudges her head to the left and walks ahead of him. ]
I'm not a fighter. I'm just good at it, so I get paid for it. It's called good job placement.
FRANKENSTEIN
I don't know — maybe save up? [ She's tempted to keep drinking, honestly, but she knows it's against her better judgment. ] Nothing is free here. Some people probably selling their souls already. I'd like to keep mine intact.
[ She has enough going on with her external injuries, the last thing she needs is something internal like conflict or guilt. ]
Maybe I'll use it to actually get groceries and cook. It's been a while since a home-cooked meal.