022 [voice]

[7livesleft]

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

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[action log]

[cicumae]

[ the cuts are shallow, and the bleeding stops fairly soon, but not before enough blood flickers into the air to form a little hollow sphere. it hovers above nagi's palm, floating a lazy path over the table -- this one hasn't been made explosive, and it flickers faintly, almost pretty.

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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[7livesleft]

[He should have known there was going to be a catch. Spike crosses his arms across his chest and tries to keep himself from asking how it happened. If there is a rational way to explain how someone could manipulate their own blood, Spike would be the last person to understand it.

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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[ the orb of blood, he lets float over to the sink, where it gently dissolves into splatters of red, dripping down the drain. the owl's been watching it idly from the windowsill, and fluffs itself, settling back down as nagi thinks for a moment.

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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[7livesleft]

[Of course. As curious as he is, he gives an understanding nod. It reminds him why he doesn't get involved with most of the city. Doing a job is one thing, but he's too used to keeping his distance. He's well-aware of what happens when you make attachments.

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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[ during the silence, nagi twitches, fingers twisting uneasily about the hem of his scarf again -- partly scared, partly nervous, partly wondering if spike doesn't believe any of this in the end. did he put the others in danger by saying this much? should he have fled in the first place? but no, he trusts spike, the least that he could have done was offer an explanation --

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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[7livesleft]

[Spike has never been that good on the business side of bounty hunting. Usually it was more about the chase than the reward. If he really cared about it, he could have done this differently. As trusting as Nagi is, Spike probably could have set up a trap without ever having to fight him. He thought Nagi would have learned to be more suspicious, but apparently prison doesn't make everyone hard.

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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[ nagi's glad that spike hasn't tried anything violent here, and he's grateful for this opportunity to explain himself, he really is. but when spike heads off towards the door, nagi rises quickly from his seat with a start, the chair clattering behind him -- then pauses, knowing he has to say something, but not sure what.

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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[7livesleft]

[Spike turns when Nagi stands, surprised considering how collected he's been. But Spike can't really reassure him that it'll end well. That's the way it goes. Whatever happens--

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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[ nagi's just torn, really. worried for both sides. and all he wishes is that the chief warden wouldn't try to reinforce her self-centered idea of justice in this place, wouldn't disrupt the meager peace that the deadmen have finally caught sight of. because in this sort of situation, neither side can really back off.

still, spike's comment about poker does make him smile, even if it's wry and more concerned than amused. (he never would have gusseed that the chief warden would spend time on something so seemingly trivial as poker.)

letting out a small sigh, he eventually gives a small nod, expression determined. ]

I'll speak to you later, then.

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[7livesleft]

[Spike waits at the door for a minute, wavering between saying something else or not. But he thinks better of it, deciding it's better to leave looking like he knows what he's doing.]

Yeah.

[Almost the exact moment that he reaches for the door, the sound of a very irate cat calls out. Spike's expression sours, but he doesn't acknowledge it. So it can get out of crates too. Or someone let it out thinking they were doing him a favor.

Story of his life. After a short wave behind him, he shoves his hands in his pockets and stalks back out the way he came.]