[That depended. Was he trying? Was the gun pointed directly at his face? It didn't matter much; he'd been shot with worse things, after all.
What Hol might want to worry about was the fact that Nusakan was both quick and light-footed - in a blink or two, he would be in the taller man's personal space (and any shots placed within that movement wouldn't be dodged, each ripping through flesh that would immediately begin mending again), sharp-tipped, slender fingers catching Hol by the jaw. They weren't pressing hard enough to pierce the skin, though it wasn't a large leap to guess they could.]
I simply find you... terribly interesting. I've actually never threatened your life directly, and yet you would rather shoot at me, even though you know it won't kill me. [His head tilted a little, glasses glinting briefly before those red eyes settled on Hol's own.] Beyond that... it is a terribly interesting weapon. I wouldn't mind learning how it works, in fact.
[A laugh rumbles faintly in his chest, and his fingers grip a little harder, tugging Hol's face downward.] You do realize that a doctor is, in fact, one of the last people you should be making enemies with, do you not? Human beings are fragile creatures, simple to take apart using the very same technology that keeps you stitched together.
[Hol froze in place, almost as if he hated human contact. Eyes narrowed, and while any injuries Nusakan did take were simply healed in a matter of moments... he refused to back down. He even tried to move his head out of the man's grip, until he was forced to look directly into the other's eyes.
[That smug look never left his face, though now the grin was more unhinged, fangs glinting in the light. Hol could shoot him a hundred times, and it still wouldn't disappear for good.]
So, then... what is your story? Do you pretend to be the tragic hero.. [A pause, and he released Hol's chin, waving his hand] or perhaps the all-but-useless villain? Have you deemed me a threat, or are you simply impulsive, and mad that I've so much as suggested you're weak?
[Oh, there was no doubt that his words were specifically chosen to frustrate Hol one way or another.] Really, if it weren't for that cowardice, I might have had a job for you, once I had my clinic running again.
[Clearly, Hol took offense to being called as such. He knew his Stand was weak without another to back it up... but he refused to believe he was as well.]
My ... story isn't yer business. I ain't no hero, and I ain't no villain...! ...
[He remained where he stood, glaring at the other... trying to think what sort of job the other could have for him. It's not as if Nusakan could pay him much.]
You project it. There's an air of [A pause, as though he were trying to find a suitable word.] worthlessness, as though you have no belief in yourself. [Flashing his glasses again, he waved a hand almost dismissively.] That belief projects itself and affects your actions - you refuse to be close to people, for example. It makes you anxious.
You can't step up and be a hero or a villain, and so you cower in their shadows, forever a lackey to whoever you think can help you most, I figure. [He held up a finger, though, as if to stop the other from protesting.] But, that does make you quite an asset for whoever can buy your work... if they're not afraid of you skittering off to save your own life, which is - by all means - a perfectly normal and acceptable response to human endangerment.
[He could have found something, assuming he could get Hol to stand up straight and actually be menacing... or, of course, there was always the occasion when he needed an ally or two for one reason or another.
Of course, Hol didn't know that Nusakan had a tendency of paying well when he hired people; only Fuse and a few... very specific skeletons knew that.]
[Hol listened carefully to what was being said to him, and wanted to interject. Yet a raised finger hushed him, almost as if it were a command he was used to. His frame shook, not with fear, but rather anger. Anger that Nusakan was reading him like an open book. In a calm and collected manner, and so matter-of-factly.
His shoulders seemed to slump, and he took a step back to place some space between the two of them.]
...
So... ya got me.
[His body language seemed to resemble that of a whipped dog, who knew it had displeased its master.]
I guess I had no real reason to go out 'nd shoot ya. ... 'nd I ain't got no way of showin' ya how The Emperor works.
[A laugh, both amused and unsurprised, left his lips.]
Well, you don't live for a millennium or two and not learn to read people. [His lips quirked into a wider grin, then.] You were responding to fear and accusations. If you hadn't shot, the first time, you wouldn't have actually been worth my time.
As for The Emperor... well, I'm certain there's a way. I recall, briefly - that is, before my body realized it wasn't able to fix my heart - that someone else had an... invisible ally, as it were, and my blood did make it visible for a time.
[And by "for a time", he meant "until his body completely shut down", of course.]
[Hol bit his lip upon hearing those names. He would never outright admit it, but he missed those two. They were at least some manner of familiarity to him. He took a step back and shook his head.]
Good luck on figuring out the Stands. Though with them not here, I guess Stands mean nothing t' ya now.
[He knew his Stand was worthless, no sense in learning anything about it.]
[Yet another chuckle, dark as ever.] I'm more interested in the biology and psychology of those who possess them - and as I see it, there's still at least one person with one.
[There you go, Hol. Assuming you're worthless as always. Test subject---I MEAN INTERESTING PEOPLE are never worthless.]
Mm. You, too. I expect we'll cross paths again one day.
What Hol might want to worry about was the fact that Nusakan was both quick and light-footed - in a blink or two, he would be in the taller man's personal space (and any shots placed within that movement wouldn't be dodged, each ripping through flesh that would immediately begin mending again), sharp-tipped, slender fingers catching Hol by the jaw. They weren't pressing hard enough to pierce the skin, though it wasn't a large leap to guess they could.]
I simply find you... terribly interesting. I've actually never threatened your life directly, and yet you would rather shoot at me, even though you know it won't kill me. [His head tilted a little, glasses glinting briefly before those red eyes settled on Hol's own.] Beyond that... it is a terribly interesting weapon. I wouldn't mind learning how it works, in fact.
[A laugh rumbles faintly in his chest, and his fingers grip a little harder, tugging Hol's face downward.] You do realize that a doctor is, in fact, one of the last people you should be making enemies with, do you not? Human beings are fragile creatures, simple to take apart using the very same technology that keeps you stitched together.
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He blinked at that last statement.]
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So, then... what is your story? Do you pretend to be the tragic hero.. [A pause, and he released Hol's chin, waving his hand] or perhaps the all-but-useless villain? Have you deemed me a threat, or are you simply impulsive, and mad that I've so much as suggested you're weak?
[Oh, there was no doubt that his words were specifically chosen to frustrate Hol one way or another.] Really, if it weren't for that cowardice, I might have had a job for you, once I had my clinic running again.
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[Clearly, Hol took offense to being called as such. He knew his Stand was weak without another to back it up... but he refused to believe he was as well.]
My ... story isn't yer business. I ain't no hero, and I ain't no villain...! ...
[He remained where he stood, glaring at the other... trying to think what sort of job the other could have for him. It's not as if Nusakan could pay him much.]
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You project it. There's an air of [A pause, as though he were trying to find a suitable word.] worthlessness, as though you have no belief in yourself. [Flashing his glasses again, he waved a hand almost dismissively.] That belief projects itself and affects your actions - you refuse to be close to people, for example. It makes you anxious.
You can't step up and be a hero or a villain, and so you cower in their shadows, forever a lackey to whoever you think can help you most, I figure. [He held up a finger, though, as if to stop the other from protesting.] But, that does make you quite an asset for whoever can buy your work... if they're not afraid of you skittering off to save your own life, which is - by all means - a perfectly normal and acceptable response to human endangerment.
[He could have found something, assuming he could get Hol to stand up straight and actually be menacing... or, of course, there was always the occasion when he needed an ally or two for one reason or another.
Of course, Hol didn't know that Nusakan had a tendency of paying well when he hired people; only Fuse and a few... very specific skeletons knew that.]
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His shoulders seemed to slump, and he took a step back to place some space between the two of them.]
...
So... ya got me.
[His body language seemed to resemble that of a whipped dog, who knew it had displeased its master.]
I guess I had no real reason to go out 'nd shoot ya. ... 'nd I ain't got no way of showin' ya how The Emperor works.
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Well, you don't live for a millennium or two and not learn to read people. [His lips quirked into a wider grin, then.] You were responding to fear and accusations. If you hadn't shot, the first time, you wouldn't have actually been worth my time.
As for The Emperor... well, I'm certain there's a way. I recall, briefly - that is, before my body realized it wasn't able to fix my heart - that someone else had an... invisible ally, as it were, and my blood did make it visible for a time.
[And by "for a time", he meant "until his body completely shut down", of course.]
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[Hol blinked at this.]
What d'ya mean? Who's this "someone else" yer talkin' about?
[Clearly he was interested in this statement.]
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Now, what was it he called him... Kakyoin's friend. Jotaro, I believe?
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Good luck on figuring out the Stands. Though with them not here, I guess Stands mean nothing t' ya now.
[He knew his Stand was worthless, no sense in learning anything about it.]
So enjoy the rest of yer day.
[Hol then turned away and headed off.]
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[There you go, Hol. Assuming you're worthless as always. Test subject---I MEAN INTERESTING PEOPLE are never worthless.]
Mm. You, too. I expect we'll cross paths again one day.
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