022 [voice]
I never thought I'd see the day this place got some decent entertainment. But what's with the security?
[Someone overhearing nearby replies, "Sorry, sir. We do have a dress code." The line stays open while he argues with them, ("Hey, it's a suit, isn't it?" -"Try again, sir." "What's wrong with it? -"Sir, your gun." "You don't allow those ( Read more... )
[Someone overhearing nearby replies, "Sorry, sir. We do have a dress code." The line stays open while he argues with them, ("Hey, it's a suit, isn't it?" -"Try again, sir." "What's wrong with it? -"Sir, your gun." "You don't allow those ( Read more... )
those aren't the main issues at hand, though, and at the suggestion of a seat, he looks to spike. somewhere between confused and surprised. there's a certain gravity to those words, and nagi suddenly finds himself wondering if the peace and quiet that's fallen over the city is only on the surface. is there something more tumultuous hiding beneath?
still, he gives a small nod, and gestures a little way away where there's a modest table and set of chairs. the owl, now awake thanks to the conversation, takes off his shoulder, instead perching on the frame of an open window as nagi sits down, his one hand tugging at the folds of his scarf in his usual nervous gesture. ]
If -- I may ask what you needed help with?
[ and he immediately backtracks a bit with a forced, awkward half-laugh ]
I, ah -- just wasn't sure what the issue is, and I haven't heard of anything notable as of late.
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Taking a breath, he sits down opposite of him, only taking a moment to watch where the owl settled itself before facing Nagi. They might not know each other well, but Spike does owe him enough to be upfront.]
Someone's been looking for you. And they came to me.
[He smiles, just enough to hint at the cynical humor that seems to strike him whenever he's faced with these choices. Like any of this is as simple as that.]
Honestly, I'm kind of curious to find out what you did.
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... I assume you spoke to the Chief Warden? [ he smiles too, but it's small, defeated. ] Perhaps I should have expected something like this.
[ a small sigh, and he looks to the far wall. again, pausing. he'd tried so hard to hide this fact away, and it hurts, somewhat, to have someone he trusted stumble upon it. he speaks slowly, hesitantly. ]
I don't suppose you'd believe it if I said that most of us from that area of death row weren't guilty of any crimes?
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Yeah. She's really got it out for you guys.
[He's quiet after Nagi speaks. Spike isn't sure if he's lying, or if it would really change his opinion of him. Either way, he listens very carefully to what he has to say. Maybe it's because of his morbid curiosity. Or maybe he has hopes that learning more about his situation would finally explain why Spike ended up in this place.]
This should probably be going the other way around then.
[He doesn't know why he said it, but he doesn't elaborate.]
You're not the only one she told me about. Are all of you innocent?
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Those of here, yes, as far as I know. [ a small, cynical sort of laugh. ] -- I suppose I should explain?
[ a low exhale, before he goes on. he seems fairly serious about this all. ]
... we were imprisoned in a special wing of the prison, not under the Chief Warden's control. Some of the inmates there were arrested for their crimes, of course, but most of us in that ward were taken in for our, ah -- abilities. Ones we were unknowingly plagued with. We were framed or accused of crimes we did not commit, and charged guilty, so that we could be kept away from the public's eyes.
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That doesn't mean he takes everything he says at face value. Convicts, murders, they aren't always what you imagine. Everyone makes mistakes, they were just the poor bastards who got caught. Some really were insane psychopaths, but most of them wanted nothing more than to live a quiet secluded life.
But if that's the reason they came to the city, they must be feeling pretty gypped by now.]
So you're saying the prison was a front?
[Spike frowns then, remembering the last artificially enhanced bounty he went up against. He never got the full story, other than that the experiments they did on him caused his mind to regress and turned him into a murderous child with inhuman strength. If that's what Nagi is talking about, he can understand why Makina is so determined to get them back. Funny how she left that part out.]
What kind of abilities?
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As far as I know, yes. The main objective of the prison was to hold those of us with abilities -- and keep us available for entertainment and research purposes. I doubt that the Chief Warden knows of the underground ward's purposes, but it's dubious that she would listen to us, either. For the moment, we've merely been avoiding her.
[ and at the mention of his ability, he pauses for a moment. he's used it several times before in nuadoria, in order to defend himself, but once again, it's not something he's ever really explained. still, there isn't much else he can do here.
with a small nod, he lowers his hand, brushing his fingertips over the razor at his belt, then holding his hand palm-up above the table. the cuts on his fingers leak bright beads of blood that quiver a moment, then swirl up into the air in wispy tendrils, circling into the loose shape of an orb that hovers in the air. and nagi gives a weak smile. ]
It's called the 'Branch of Sin' -- it may not look like much, but you'd be surprised at what's possible just by controlling one's blood. The specifics vary from person to person, but this is its basis.
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It also means that Nagi still trusts him. Considering Spike just told him he's working with Makina, he's taking a pretty big risk. Or maybe he notices that Spike isn't reaching for a pair of handcuffs.
By the time Nagi moves to demonstrate, his mind blanks. Spike watches the blood with a fixated stare, just barely catching what he says. For a moment, he wonders if the gravity was suddenly cut off, but after a while it's clear that Nagi really does seem to be moving it on his own. Spike has seen plenty of weird things in his day, but he's never heard of this one.
Finally, he finds his voice again, although he still can't quite get his head around it.]
You use it as a weapon?
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still, nagi hesitates for a moment, unsure of how much to say. if spike has listened this far, then it's most likely that he believes this story, or at least part of it. the story only gets more ludicrous from there, though -- and nagi quietly worries how long it is before spike decides to return to the job on hand. ]
... we had to. Those of us with this ability were pitted against each other. Cock fights, but with people instead of animals.
[ with a small sigh, he leans back into his seat, letting his hand drop from the table -- the sphere of blood remains hovering in the air, cutting a slow circle around him. ]
It all sounds rather strange, doesn't it? The Warden probably knows nothing of this, and thinks of us only as 'escaped prisoners.' It's rather complicated, and those of us here have been trying to keep the truth hidden only to prevent such a situation.
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At the mention of fights, he raises an eyebrow. So that's what he meant by entertainment. Even for people on death row, that's a little crude.]
Seems like a waste of resources.
[He scratches at the back of his head, still digesting and keeping an eye on that sphere of blood hover around in the air. Nagi's right about one thing, the less people who know about them, the better. But there's only so much he can do, and somehow he doesn't think all of them are as mild mannered as Nagi is.]
How well do you know the rest of them? They all have that ability?
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he's already told more to spike than he's told anyone else here. but so far it's only been the most general information. and as much as he trusts spike, if spike's been sent by makina, then passing any information indirectly to makina might put the others in danger.
eventually, he gives a small shake of the head, brows slightly furrowed. ]
The others also have a variation of the same ability, but I'm afraid it isn't in my right to elaborate any further.
[ a pause, before he looks up at spike, expression almost imploring. ]
-- but please, Mr. Spiegel, despite what the Warden may have said, none of us wish for any conflict, least of all in this city. Whatever punishment she wishes to enforce upon us is deserved only by her standards.
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Yet even if it is invading Nagi's privacy, it's good to know what he's up against. After everything he's been through, he wouldn't have believed something like that was possible if he hadn't seen it.]
Fair enough.
[Spike doesn't say anything else at first. Not until the silence becomes uncomfortable. Then, abruptly, he pulls back from the table and stands up.]
Don't worry, I'm not turning you in. I just wanted to hear your side of it.
[Looking down at Nagi, he offers a more good-natured smile.]
And I don't guess you'd tell me if you knew where I can find the others, huh?
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and he looks up, startled, at the sudden movement. still a little wary -- he didn't expect such an easy end. ]
You won't -- ? But what will you tell the Warden?
[ not that he particularly cares how the warden reacts, but more because he worries if spike's gotten tangled too much in DW's business. but the smile suggests that the situation isn't as bad as he's worried for a moment -- and nagi returns it weakly, with a small shake of the head. ]
I'm afraid not. With all due respect, I think it may be wise for you to give up on such an attempt -- we don't want a fight, but we can defend ourselves quite fiercely if startled.
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Then again, this could be a mistake. Just because Spike has known him for a while, doesn't mean he can judge what kind of person he is. All he has is what his instincts tell him. But Spike figures that he owes him a favor or two either way.]
I'll figure something out.
[It might put him in an awkward position, but Makina barely thought Spike was competent before. She probably has her expectations set low. All he has to do is find the other two.
He turns to the door as he considers Nagi's advice. Yeah, that probably would be the wise thing to do.
Spike is still smiling when he looks back over his shoulder.]
Sorry, I can't do that. But you're free to warn them.
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and he looks torn. on the one hand, it's only natural that he worries for karako and ganta -- but on the other hand, spike's also been a friend here, and he feels that it wouldn't be impossible for spike to be killed by the branch of sin. biting his lip, he hesitates for a moment before giving a small nod. ]
-- thank you. For at least listening to what I had to say.
[ then he looks back up at spike, weak smile on his face despite the slightly guarded manner with which he's holding himself now. it's clear that he hates this situation, this inevitable conflict -- but he's trying to balance his priorities as best as he can. ]
I'm afraid none of us can consider surrendering to the Warden, so I can't wish you luck -- but please be careful. Of her, as well. Her anger can be quite impressive when she's displeased by anything.
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He shakes his head now. It seems like Nagi is more concerned about him than the others. Spike hasn't drawn a gun, if he wants he can stop him from finding them he could try something. Yet he'd rather hope for the best and tell him to be careful.
Hell of a guy.
At his last statement he nearly laughs, but catches himself. Maybe that old man was right. Maybe he does take women too lightly. Still, there's humor in his voice when he replies.]
You should see her when she's losing at poker.
[He pauses, then adds more seriously.]
I'll keep in touch.
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