hangman is coming down from the gallows [closed]

[personalwar]

Who: Soldier: 76 (personalwar) & others
What: Catch-all log for October event! 76 is a fugitive, but that isn't going to stop him from digging for information. Part 2, escape and Wyver exploration!
When: October
Where: All around the dark shady parts of town, primarily in the Red Light District. Part 2, all over Wyver territory!
Warning(s): People may be trying to bring him in, so expect possible violence, language, etc!

[ This is a closed catch-all for me to put starters for any plotted threads. My plotting comment is here if you would like to do something! ]

Comments

[shashka]

[ the corner of his mouth quirks upwards into a lopsided grin. ]

Of course.

[ and just like last time, he gives him a look, as if to say "lead the way". letting him decide on his own terms. it gives him yet another indication that it's just that. a talk.

the reward might be tempting, but there are many other things to consider. and for the time being, a man like 76 would be far better as an ally than an enemy. ]

[personalwar]

[ It is a lot of silver that the Olympians have promised to hand over for the safe capture of a fugitive, and 76 certainly doesn't forget that as he considers Ocelot's suggestion. He isn't eager to show him his back, so he motions for Ocelot to come walk at his side as he moves away from the palace.

It's only once they're away from any sight lines and out of earshot, tucked away in some back alley, that 76 speaks again. He turns back toward Ocelot with a swish of his cloak. ]

I'm guessing Ashti would have wanted you to drag me in the moment you saw me.

[ So why hasn't he? ]

[shashka]

[ now, Ocelot has betrayed his fair share of men. even shot a few of them in the back. but that was all in the past (or, a future that was now never going to happen). no, he's not about to make an enemy out of someone useful. ]

I'm sure she would've.

[ the way he says it is strangely affable, as if he's telling some sort of terrible joke about the weather, or something. ]

But you see, I haven't quite decided whether or not I really like her or not.

[ he slowly leans against the nearest wall, crossing his arms. ]

See, what I'm more curious about is the man responsible for all of this in the first place. And you and I both know you were probably tricked into participating.

[ how does he know this? ...the world may never know.

or maybe it was because he was also tricked into helping but managed to escape unnoticed so... ]

[personalwar]

[ 76 hadn't made up his mind about Ashti either, though his opinion of her has become more concrete now that she's calling for their heads. She wants to dole out justice and she doesn't want to stop and think about what could really be going on. She just needs some scapegoats, right?

Maybe there's more to her than that, but at this point 76 doubts he'll get the opportunity to find out.

While Ocelot relaxes in his posture, 76 remains as tense as ever. That isn't bound to change any time soon, no matter what Ocelot might say. ]

It's more like the job was misrepresented to us. Should've known better than to accept what he was telling me at face value.

[ He's been kicking himself over that one, even if he's not the only one who fell for it. Still, he should have known better. ]

[shashka]

[ isn't that just the way with some self-righteous types? always driving straight ahead and never looking at the bigger picture.

either way, it suits Ocelot just fine. helps him better understand who she is, what makes her tick. if the day ever comes that he's in this position... well, he'll be ready.

but for now, he can't help but look at the other man with a hint of amusement in his eyes. he supposes he'd probably give him a good fight if he really wanted, maybe even take him down.

(but he still wouldn't be the best) ]

I'll take a wild guess and say you haven't had any luck in tracking down the guy.

[ not that Ocelot had either. he really was curious as to how he managed to avoid trouble when others hadn't been so lucky. ]

Vanished without a trace. Almost like he has friends in high places.

[ or low places.

and it would seem he is going to continue to have this conversation like this is perfectly normal and no one's in any danger of being arrested. ]

[personalwar]

[ While 76 doesn't know all that much about Ocelot, if it came down to a fight between them, he's fairly certain he could take him. 76 has the advantage over most normal humans, though that's not to say that Ocelot doesn't have some tricks hidden up his sleeve.

So far, it doesn't seem like anyone's been able to find this mystery man, and 76's getting frustrated with the search, especially when he has to watch his every move to make sure he doesn't catch the eye of someone who wants to bring him in.

Ocelot implies that the 'shady man' might have a connection to the empress and others of high rank. She used to be a courtesan, if the stories are true, so maybe it's not so far-fetched. ]

If that's the case, it'd be easier for you to confirm it. Could be he's just really good at knowing when and how to disappear.

[ Who's to say he's even still in Olympia? ]

[shashka]

[ Ocelot wouldn't be surprised that he'd be at a disadvantage. while his skills are excellent, there's still certain people that he could never quite hope to beat, no matter how hard he tries.

and maybe it's just that odd nagging sense of familiarity, but he almost expects that this guy would be one of those. but regardless, he really doesn't want to get into a fight, especially when there's other options available. ]

You think? Look what happened to anyone who just so much as worked with the guy. Imagine what would happen if I were to try and accuse anyone of being involved with things.

[ although... ]

I guess that's a possibility too. But it seems too easy, doesn't it?

[personalwar]

I'm not saying you need to put yourself in danger, but you've got better access to the palace than I do.

[ Ocelot patrols around there, doesn't he? Not that his post would necessarily allow him to see what goes on behind closed doors, but there are times when word gets around, whispered in seemingly empty rooms or corridors.

It does seem 'too easy,' but 76 also knows that if he ends up obsessed with tracking this guy down, he might only land himself in hotter water. Even being aware of that, there's no saying if he'll actually be able to stop himself.

He sighs and shakes his head. ] Maybe. I really don't know any more than you do, though. [ Sure, he'd been one of the chumps who received the job, so he knows what the guy they're hunting down looks like, how he sounds. But beyond that, he's just as clueless as the other refugees. ]

[shashka]

At the moment, I'd say almost anyone has better access to the palace than you.

[ wanted terrorist and all that. still, he gets what 76 means. ]

Actually, there's something else that's interesting too. Not everyone who was part of the job ended up getting caught. Some of them just managed to slip under everyone's radar, so to spea.

[ is he going to outright say he's one of those people? well, there isn't really a hope in hell for that, because that would be too straightforward, wouldn't it? but he's definitely going to be doing some heavy implying. ]

[personalwar]

[ That's definitely news to 76, and his eyes narrow. How would someone have gotten away with this? Unless they'd specifically refused to give their name to the man who gave them the job. Sometimes even an alias isn't good enough.

Not that he's going to simply take Ocelot's word for it. He needs some sort of source for this information.

He tilts his head slightly to one side. ] Where'd you hear that? And from who? [ It's presumptuous of him to demand information, given his position, but Ocelot specifically chose to bring this up. ]

[shashka]

[ a smirk continues to play across Ocelot's lips. he really shouldn't be enjoying this as much as he is, but there's just something about 76 that he can't quite place his finger on. ]

I didn't need to hear it from anyone.

[ and that's all he really needs to say on it, isn't it? he trusts that 76 is a smart man. he's sure that he's going to be able to figure the whole thing out. ]

[personalwar]

[ Yes, 76 is a smart man, at least when it comes to certain things, and it takes no time at all for him to read between the lines. Apparently Ocelot's espionage abilities are worth something, if he'd taken the job and been able to avoid getting called out.

While 76 could be angry that Ocelot had managed to weasel his way out of this punishment, it's not something he wants to wish on anyone either.

Really, he just wants to know one thing. ]

How'd you manage it?

[shashka]

[ Ocelot can't really help but laugh at first. he supposes that he could spin a tale of intrigue and lies, but there's something about 76 that just makes him want to be a little more honest than he is with most people.

so, shockingly, he tells a version of the truth. ]

I was careful not to give my name. The guy who approached me for the job never really saw my face, and did most of his interactions with my partner. [ a pause. ] For the most part, though, I was just lucky.

[ he's sure that someone likely thought they were seeing double, with both men and their western garb. though, perhaps because McCree was a bit more flamboyant in his dress, he stood out just a little bit more. ]

[personalwar]

[ Those are all worthwhile points, and 76 puts it all to memory for any future incidents. Not that he wants this to happen again, but he does remember how the man who'd given him the job had insisted on having their names. He'd claimed it was so he could follow up, but 76 could have tried to at least dance around giving Ana or McCree's names.

He could kick himself about this all he wants, but ultimately there's nothing for it. What's done is done and they'll all need to deal with the consequences. ]

Well, lucky or not, it's for the best. We don't need more people caught up in this.

[ 76 sighs and massages the back of his neck. ]

Speaking of which, I should get moving.

[ Not a great idea to stay anywhere too long when you're wanted. ]

[shashka]

[ a nod. the fact of the matter was, it was only a matter of time before someone caught the two of them together, and then he'd be in the exact same situation as 76.

well. such was life. ]

Keep in touch.

[ he gives the other man one last hand gesture, before leaving him to slip off into the shadows. ]