So late to the regain bandwagon

[have_your_lives]

[I'm sorry, Mayfield - did you think you had enough problems as things stood? Did you think the town had made you suffer every possible cruelty already?

Well, not yet! Because today you may go blind.

What this means is that Schuldig got a clothing box with the mail today, which contained his absolutely ridiculous canon outfit. This assault on

Comments

[deaths_heritor]

Something you need?

[have_your_lives]

Just some answers. My boss wants me to talk to you.

[deaths_heritor]

. . . Answers are usually accompanied by questions. So I'll start. Who, exactly, are you? And your boss?

[have_your_lives]

Call me Schuldig. You'll find out who my boss is if you decide to speak to him personally.

[deaths_heritor]

Which, you understand, I'd be somewhat loathe to do until I knew who he was.

[have_your_lives]

I doubt you know him, so what good will hearing his name do you?

[deaths_heritor]

Ostensibly, I'd use his name to do a bit of asking around. But be stubborn if you'd like. What questions do you have for me?

[have_your_lives]

Well, since all he gave me was a list with your name on it, I don't know what his interest is in you. I'd like to hear what qualities you've got that might've gotten his attention.

[deaths_heritor]

. . . Really, Schuldig? Really? Yes, let's ask ridiculous questions that no one would possibly answer truthfully. It gives me an excellent impression of you and your boss, certainly. And as long as we're doing that, why don't I give you my specific strengths and weaknesses, with suggestions as to how exactly I can be used most effectively as a pawn.

Is that right? My. How flattering.

Well, I don't mean to brag, but it is something of a hidden talent that I'm just a tiny bit proud of. Do you know, I can juggle four -- not three, mind, but four -- Four plates simultaneously without ever keeping more than a single one in my hands? And I can stand on my head and count to 500, and I'm almost completely certain that I've never spelled the word 'platitudinous' incorrectly in my life.

[have_your_lives]

[Schuldig's laugh is audible, but his reply is for her mind alone.] That would certainly be helpful. Almost as helpful as knowing when you're lying...

Impressive as those talents are, they're not particularly useful in our line of work. I'm looking for something more along the lines of how we can mutually benefit each other.

[deaths_heritor]

[Susan's eyebrow raises a fraction of an inch at the voice that suddenly resounds in her mind.]

Hm. You'd have been wiser not to let me cotton on.

That would depend entirely on your purposes, of course, although I don't mind saying that it's doubtful you'll be able to do anything for me.

[have_your_lives]

Probably, but wouldn't you prefer I played fair? [Of course, playing fair has absolutely nothing to do with his flaunting his telepathy; he's just never cared who knows. But how can it hurt to let her think he's got a more noble reason?]

Because working with a telepath carries no possible intrinsic benefits, of course. [He sounds considerably amused.] And the rest of my team have their own unique talents, as well. As for our purposes...now that's something you'd have to ask our boss, isn't it?

[deaths_heritor]

Given my general paranoia and the smug expression on your face, I'm inclined to think there was another motive.

I don't have to be a psychic to know what other people are thinking, Mr. Schuldig.

And as for that, you still haven't given me a very good reason to want to speak with him. I haven't a clue what you want, really.

[have_your_lives]

[And what else are you inclined to think, Miss Susan?]

And you do have to be psychic to know what people are thinking. Just not for making educated guesses.

What we want are people we can make use of. Of course, it'd be nice to get that for nothing, but it's a selfish world. So we're willing to trade off. But for anything more specific than that, you need to talk to my boss.

[deaths_heritor]

I think you ought to take a look in the mirror when you get home. You seem to have neglected to do so after getting dressed this morning.

In the vaguest of terms, the only thing you've phrased so far is, "let's trade favors". Is there any more point to this visit or are you about done?

[have_your_lives]

Hah. I dress like this to offend the sensibilities of people like you.

Not really. It was just that, and to get a measure of you.