bang bang (open/closed)

[shashka]

Who: Revolver Ocelot (shashka) & YOU
What: Catch-all for Wyver (with some backdated threads)
When: Throughout Late October
Where: Around Wyver
Warning(s): Shadiness. Possible adult content. The usual.

I.THE OLD CITY

[ the Old City certainly fit its name, though it was unlike any place that he was used to back home, despite his well-traveled status. there were a few different ways to get to know the area.

Ocelot decides on something a little more creative. he separates the coin that he has on him into two pouches. the first, he tucks safely into one of his boots. the second... he places on his belt. and really, all he has to do is wait until just the right person bumps into him, and...

the bait is taken. of course. he does his best panicked expression, before rushing to the nearest person that he can find. ]

That man took my money!

[ if nothing else, it helps him run into a few locals, meet up with a potential new ally, and gain some more information about the area. not that bad, now was it? ]

II.THE GILDED CAGE

[ while Ocelot wouldn't admit it out loud, he felt more at home in the Gilded Cage than he had in Olympia. he likes the intrigue, the information trading, and the fact that you never know exactly who it is that you're supposed to trust.

and so, of course, he's eyeing you. someone like him, who doesn't quite seem like they're from around here.

maybe you're someone he knows. or maybe you're a fellow refugee that looks distinctly out of place. or maybe he just wants to annoy you. either way, he's speaking to you right now, with the ghost of a smile on his face. ]

Can't say I was expecting to see someone like you here.

[ notably, he doesn't say why he's here. let the other person answer first. then he can come up with a reason to match theirs. ]

III.THE UNDERGROWTH

[ there's something about the jungles that remind him of one of his first postings in his youth. he can't exactly say that he's overly fond of it, but all the same, he finds himself feeling a certain sense of... nostalgia.

still, it comes as a surprise to him when he manages to run into someone else among the undergrowth. ]

You trying to hunt, too?

[ he can't say that he's the best survivalist out there, but he's learned enough from the best that he's pretty sure he won't die. ]

IV. WILDCARD

[ got another idea? let me know via PM or over at roflskate ]

Comments

[vorrutyer]

All too well.

[ His smile becomes an outright grin in response to Ocelot's laughter. ]

What do you think, dear fellow - shall we burn this place down? Cut off their food supplies so that they starve? Stage a coup?

[shashka]

All in good time.

[ he raises a hand, as if to order a drink. ]

While I am partial to cutting off the food supplies, that takes time. If we wanted to bring the charm of the homeland here, it could be a lengthy undertaking to plan it to absolute certainty.

[ is he joking? given that they're out in the open in the middle of what was essentially a den of spies, probably. but what is far more interesting is the other man's reaction. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ His reaction is warm, charmed, and amused. ]

So how would you start? If you were to bring down this place. Or - better - if you were to bring down the whole country.

[shashka]

[ oh. colour him intrigued. seems things really don't change that much with Russians, centuries into the future or otherwise. ]

Well, if I were serious, I wouldn't be talking about it where anyone could overhear it...

[ but his grin widens. ]

But, since this is all hypothetical, I suppose that I'd start by securing myself allies that I can count on. Not necessarily fully trust, but someone who I can work with towards a common goal. Then the real "fun" would begin.

[vorrutyer]

Ahh.

[ By tilts his head to the side, studying Ocelot with open approval of his own. ]

And how do you differentiate a reliable fellow from an unreliable one?

[shashka]

Now that's the question, isn't it?

[ though, he realizes he's been doing most of the talking. ]

I'll tell you, if you tell me how you would.

[ equal division of knowledge. it's the Communist way. ]

[vorrutyer]

How I would do it.

[ He makes a show of tapping his lower lip thoughtfully. ]

Why...I suppose I'd set them little tests. Tasks to complete. To see if they're competent, and to see if they're loyal.

[shashka]

Seems like a solid plan.

[ he nods in approval. ]

But here's the real question. Given the choice, which would you pick, competence, or loyalty?

Personally, I'm more on the side of competence.

[ there were other ways to supplement loyalty, after all. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ With a quick laugh - ]

The history of my planet is pockmarked with craters left by faithful imbeciles. Competence, every time. But then the question becomes: how do you capture the loyalty of the competent?

[shashka]

A history that can be traced back to Earth, if we're being honest.

[ but as for that question... ]

Easy. Find out exactly what the competent want. And if they claim they desire nothing, know that you need to keep an eye on them. That type is always the most dangerous.

[vorrutyer]

Hm. Well, let's try it out.

[ By's eyes gleam with interest as he spreads his hands in invitation. ]

What, dear fellow, do you want?

[ Flattery as much as a genuine request for information. There really is no higher compliment than being called competent. ]

[shashka]

[ he considers his answer carefully, pausing only a moment before speaking. ]

Right now? Nothing in particular.

[ it's a lie, but ambiguous enough what he means by that. is he saying he's dangerous? is he joking? his expression really does make it a little hard to tell. ]

And what about you?

[ a compliment in turn. the man might seem easy-going, but it's clear that he's pretty sharp himself. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ With a cheerful shrug, Byerly lies: ]

A good time. My eternal quest.

[shashka]

[ two liars. what a pair they made. ]

Seems to me that together, you and I might stand a chance of bringing a little old-fashioned Russian misery to this place after all.

[ simply fascinating. ]

[vorrutyer]

Wouldn't that be fun?

[ By flutters his long eyelashes at Ocelot in a deliberately flirtatious gesture. ]

Though it sounds like if we do, I need to spend my time watching you. Certainly wouldn't be an unpleasant experience.

[shashka]

Miserably so.

[ in turn, he flashes an equally flirtatious grin back at him. ]

If I have to have someone watching me, I suppose that I could do worse than you.

[ after all, it wasn't often that he had the chance to match wits with a man with... similar tastes. ]

[vorrutyer]

I've been told I have lovely eyes. Imagine them, trained unblinking on your form, every minute of every day.

[ Seeing that the fellow certainly hasn't been flustered by his flirting - indeed, seeing that the fellow is flirting back - makes him even more shamelessly bold. ]

I imagine you move most pleasingly.

[shashka]

As lovely as your eyes are, I'd have to make it a challenge for you. Give you a chance to see just how pleasingly I move.

[ there was only one person who could fluster him on this particular topic, and thankfully, he was still sound asleep and blissfully oblivious.

he takes a drink, smirk still playing at his lips. ]

Hypothetically, of course.

[vorrutyer]

[ He spreads his hands, grinning slightly. ]

Hypothetically. Of course.

So - what? Would you be stealthy? Hide from me?

[shashka]

Maybe, but stealth isn't my strongest suit.

[ he'll save that for his closest friend, who's still up there in stasis. ]

No, I'd definitely try to talk to you, first. I've got a way with my tongue.

[ fluent in over six languages. his grin only grows. ]

[vorrutyer]

Hm. I think I'd like to see the strategies you'd try.

[ By taps his thumb against his lower lip. ]

Will you show me how you'd talk? We can go somewhere private.

[shashka]

[ that grin really hasn't left his face the whole time they've been talking. now, as to a request like that...

well. it had been a while since he'd had a good conversation, hadn't it? ]

You have somewhere specific in mind?

[vorrutyer]

There was a charming little inn not far from here. Did you notice it? Vines on the door, a scantily-clad proprietress...

[shashka]

...Sounds like a perfect place to continue an intimate conversation.

[ and considering that he's used to these sorts of "conversations" happening in dirty bathroom stalls and back alleys, this sounds downright luxurious. ]

[vorrutyer]

Hah.

[ By grins, jerks his head in invitation. ]

Follow me. [ He heads out of the building. ]