Bullet 5 [VAMPIRES. I HATE VAMPIRES]

[hadalotofsugar]

[The comm clicks on with no flourish to announce it. When King's voice comes on board, it sounds tired and frustrated, like he wants to rip someone's throat out. There is also a distinct lack of sarcasm, which is telling.]

For those of you who've heard our newest batch of passengers, this guy [Frost's userid] should be avoided at all costs. His name

Comments

[electronichound]

You struck first.

[hadalotofsugar]

[Derisive snort.]

Guy tries to become a fucking blood god, which is ensured to pretty much destroy the world if he does.

Now, I'm all for second chances, but suffice to say, some shit just don't fly.

[electronichound]

That was stupid.

[hadalotofsugar]

Me or him? Because I'd agree that we both occupy varying levels of stupidity.

[electronichound]

You. If he is that violent it wouldn't be hard to provoke him into first strike.

[And then you would have been free to kill him, King.

Batou is a bit irritated with your lack of foreplanning.]

[hadalotofsugar]

[Yes, King had a Crowning Moment Of Stupid. Believe him, he hates it too.]

Duly taken into consideration. Then again, I do have a thick skull.

[To be honest King's not that scared of punishment by Redd if he killed Deacon.]

[electronichound]

[A pause. The underpowered model train engine that powers Batou's 'empathy' centres finally chug-chug to life.]

Are you wounded badly?

[hadalotofsugar]

Nah, I got away with just a scratch.

[The black eye and bruises don't really bother him that much.]

[electronichound]

Good.

[Batou likes King. If King were seriously hurt, that would put Deacon Frost even higher on Batou's personal Shit List.]

[hadalotofsugar]

Lets see if my next little tuffle improves the score. I've gone from extra holes in my body to broken ribs to cuts; I'll just scuff my knee next time.

[King thinks Batou is awesome too.]

[electronichound]

Next. Hn. I would like to speak to you over a secure channel or in person, King.

[IE. Can King lock to 100%? If not, let's meet.]

[hadalotofsugar]

[King can only lock to about 50%, but he figures that's not secure enough for a cyborg.]

Did you get my daisies? We can meet there.

[Deck 1?]

[electronichound]

yes, I did.

[Batou has been watering and tending to the daisies ever since. For some reason, other men continually give Batou flowers. He thinks the flowers are quite lovely.]

Sounds good. I'll meet you there.

[hadalotofsugar]

[King likes running with his own gags.]

I'll skedaddle up there in a few minutes.

[And a few minutes later King does! The cut on his head is again bandaged, and the swelling on his eye has gone down. His neck still looks like a bad S&M porno, though.

He's hanging out where he left the flowers originally.]

[electronichound]

[Batou approaches him, hands in the pockets of his leather jacket. King doesn't look like he broke anything, so the wounds are just scratches, really.]

So he's tough, is he?

[hadalotofsugar]

[King straightens a little when he sees Batou.]

He's tough enough. Should have been a little more on my game before I went after him.

[Thats about as close as King's going to get to 'I was a dumb shit.']