How are you all feeling? [closed]

[space_ripper]

WHO: Dio Brando (space_ripper), Paul Atreides (bilakaifa), Ulquiorra Schiffer (sfigato_quarto), Kia WelBelhenna (kia_on_top), and Kaede (fogliadacero
WHAT: Checking up on those who helped and how they're "feeling"
WHERE: A private room in a restaurant
WHEN: November 30, evening

Comments

Kaede

[space_ripper]

[fogliadacero]

Kaede went into the meeting with some wariness. First of all, she wasn't one to discuss her 'feelings,' and she doubted Dio was one to care--so she knew this debriefing was most likely a means of ensuring that none of them would end up becoming a liability to him. It was just the way things were done.

She wondered--with some irritation--on whom the suspicion had been pinned, but it wouldn't do to appear more defensive than usual, so she made sure to ground herself before she went in. After all, she told herself, she had nothing to worry about.

"Sir?"

[space_ripper]

Dio greeted her with something rare: a smile. He wanted to seem as warm and welcoming as possible, which was, quite frankly, a bit unnatural for someone like Dio.

"Come, sit down."

[fogliadacero]

A smile was rare indeed, whether it was just for her, or to be disarming--and didn't Kaede know it--but she smiled back as she approached and took her seat. "What seems to be the trouble, sir?"

[space_ripper]

"Oh, nothing in particular...I just wish to ask you a few questions about what occurred Thursday night. It won't be a problem for you to answer them, will it?" Dio's voice was soft, comforting, like he really meant the words he spoke.

[fogliadacero]

Kaede took a deep breath and let it out slowly, allowing herself to relax visibly, but she was far from dropping her guard entirely. His soothing tones were something she couldn't remember hearing even in their games in the bedroom--and it tasted of danger in all the wrong ways.

"No, of course not, Dio," she replied, "What about Thursday? I thought everything went perfectly?" Well, everything except for that fourth explosion that had all but upstaged their work, but she didn't feel the need to mention that. "You're not afraid I've gone soft just because I'm a woman, do you?"

[space_ripper]

Dio leaned back casually and tilted his head ever so slightly.

"Mm, it did...but, how are you feeling about it? That civilians were killed, lives were destroyed...You wouldn't think of, perhaps, talking?"

[fogliadacero]

"Talking? To whom?" Kaede returned, tilting her head in the opposite direction, watching him. Listening. For what she didn't know but she couldn't be too careful.

"I grew up in this business," she said, "I know all about the costs involved. I know that sometimes things must be destroyed in order to rebuild. My loyalty is here now, there would be very little for me to go back to if I tried to leave, so why would I betray that?"

Besides, she though, she had real friends in the Monacello house--but she doubted Dio took much stock in friendship so she held her peace.

[space_ripper]

Dio gave a little smirk.

"You wouldn't talk even if offered an incentive?"

[fogliadacero]

Kaede offered a wry laugh under her breath as the familiar smirk flit across Dio's face.

"Like what?" she asked, "A more comfortable cell? A job in counter intelligence? Insurance against the price you'd probably have on my head? I'm not stupid. I know what happens to people like that."

Hell, on occasion, she'd even been the one to clean up after people like that.

[space_ripper]

Dio allowed himself a small laugh and gave a dismissive wave of his hand.

"Good. I was hoping I wouldn't have to worry about you. You're free to leave."

[fogliadacero]

The thought had crossed her mind that Dio had assigned her to that particular location as a test but she'd already sweated out those worries in the dojo--and when it came down to the wire, those who pegged her for a bitch, well...they were probably right.

Kaede nodded, thanking him briefly as she took her leave, but somehow sh couldn't shake the notion that--god help them--somebody was going to talk.