Nightshift 29, Patient Library
There was music playing in the library.
The door was closed and shut, but music filtered out anyway. Inside, the room was lit with battery operated lanterns set on tables. The tables themselves had been moved and arranged into a U formation, one table horizontal in the center of the room with two tables parallel to one another set against its ends ( Read more... )
Jack leaned back, finger tapping at his lips as he thought. What else did he expect, really? Nothing less. So far, so good. Honestly, better than good. He'd expected a flat out 'no'.
"I make trades of equal value in my eyes," Jack said, finally. "Your secrets are worth the same as my secrets are to me. Because you're like me. You hide behind equipment and false names and watch and you pull strings and you live your life different than normal man, bound by different rules, different laws, and you answer only to the truth and to justice. We're not that different, you and I, when you strip away the frivolities of personality and personal interest." He rolled his shoulders and put his hands behind his head, leaning further back in his chair to look at the ceiling.
"I can't answer your first question. Sorry about that." He shrugged. L could try and push for it, but it was off limits. "Second one, fine. I'll give him my headphones, he won't hear a word of what we say. Third, I give you my oath that I will not sell your secrets to anyone. They'll be mine, and I like my exclusives to stay exclusive." He grinned at that. "Other than the first question, I agree to your terms completely. I'll even cut open my hand and spit in it to seal the deal. Fair?"
Reply
Folding his arms over his chest, the sword’s typical scowling expression deepened when it appeared that Jack wanted to give him something to rob him of his hearing. To say he was displeased was an understatement. This human seemed to believe that he had any right to govern his actions in such a way. He was not somebody’s tool to do with as they pleased. He was the Great Star Dragon Sword, the incantation of the Night Rune, and he didn’t have to remain here to be belittled like a common servant to those unworthy - He’d rather put up with the company of that rotting bag of flesh than be treated in such a disrespectful manner.
Using every bit of his determination, the sword held back any biting comments as he out rightly ignored the bag of flesh behind the desk. While he had once considered thanking Jack for the weapon given, that thought had now entirely disappeared. Turning his sharp gaze up to regard Ryuga, there was a definite edge to his voice as the sword snapped. “Make this quick.”
Nothing else was said after that, and without waiting for a response, the sword huffed as he turned and stormed back out to the Sun Room.
He had a duty to perform anyway, and he would not allow any undead to go unchecked.
[ Storming his way out to the Sun Room]
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
"I ask three, you ask three. No more. Three's a magic number, and numbers and blood and spit all have power here. And so do riddles. But I assume you want me to lay riddles aside - that I can do, much as it pains me." He smiled some, but then turned serious.
"And if I can't answer a question you ask, I'll tell you something else, something you don't know. I always deliver my goods, no matter what. Deal?"
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
"Well then, the boundaries are set and the flags are flown. Let us begin the games!"
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
"The simple shepherd, whisked away to the castle. Worlds upon worlds upon worlds unfolded in crystal clarity. So bright it was blinding. Pretty words and pretty promises turned the young shepherd's head, and he didn't understand. He knew and he saw and he worked and applied his trade in ways beyond wildest imagination. And it was good. Until the veil fell away and realization dawned and he looked at his hands and they were stained with blood.
"But there's no going back to the farm."
L asked for legends, and L was given a legend. Truth and legend went hand in hand, after all.
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
"There are only two characters that matter, my friend. The rest are background players, naught but friends who flew before, cardboard cutouts to pad the scenery. Were you expecting Shakespeare? I'm afraid you're going to have to be content with something more along the lines of Chaucer. But hey, you've still got some juicy betrayal and redemption going on."
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
"I like a guy who can play with me," he said, nodding. "You understand how it works. But now, my real question, if you'd be so kind as to indulge me." He leaned forward, a serious expression on his face. His questions had been chosen carefully, lined up in his mind like bullets ready to be fired.
"Have you ever been in love?"
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
"Sometimes hindrances are worth it. Sometimes the pain and mistakes and misfortune that follow are nothing in the face of yearning. But thank you, for your answer. You have another question, go ahead and lay it out."
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
And then he grinned, widely, once more delighted and impressed with this strange young man before him.
"And if there is no room upon the hill?" he countered, falling into this oh so easily. "Those freaks were right when they said you were dead, hmm? Paul isn't that bloody, only his hands, but there's a shadow hanging over him. But we'll play the game until the end, won't we? All of us, I suppose. You and I and Lucifer Sam here. They say the fallout was all the fault of a woman. Funny how that works, isn't it? Maybe there were other factors at work, but it all comes back to a woman. History repeats, the pages writing the same lines again and again and again."
He snuffed out his cigarette and lit another, one hand moving to lazily stroke the cat's head.
Reply
Leave a comment