[voice]

[formerfoxhound]

[The audio starts with a brief whine of feedback. After working with nanocommunications for so many years, switching back to an old fashioned broadcast can be a little strange in itself. But Snake is nothing if not adaptable, and old habits are easy enough to fall back into. People familiar with Big Boss will recognize the voice. Different in the

Comments

[action]

[formerfoxhound]

[Far be it from him to agree with them and all, but, well, it's pretty obvious that he does. Sorry, Kadaj, the Snakes are all on the same page for once. If you're going to keep hanging around them you should probably get used to it.]

So your mother is important to you. You shouldn't disregard that just because she's gone. But that doesn't mean it's enough, either. If it bothers you, maybe you need to step back and ask yourself why you care so much. [And "because she's mother" doesn't count.] You've got to have reasons, otherwise you're just blindly following orders. You're worried about failing, but sounds to me you don't even know what it is you're fighting for.

[He slides back down along the wall to sit again. Jeez, people, he just woke up here. Between Kadaj and Liquid and Raiden, he's getting all talked out.]

It's easier said than done. Finding something worthwhile. ...Doesn't always work out the way you think it will, either. But you'd be surprised how much it changes things.

[He's quoted Gray Fox at Kadaj before, so he's not going to repeat himself. But the sentiment is still there.]

In the end, you can't do it because of me, or Liquid, or Big Boss, or that mother of yours. If you're looking for someone to tell you what to do, look somewhere else. It's not that simple. It's the kind of thing you need to find on your own.

[action]

[argentcruelty]

[Maybe you'll learn that bringing up Mother is not a sensible thing to do, Snake.]

Everything was fine how it was before. [Just him and his brothers-he missed his brothers like one would miss a piece of their own being-and Mother. Nothing more. Sure he liked Liquid, and even Big Boss when he wasn't being completely infuriating, but they made things so complicated.]

I'll do what I want to do. I don't care if you don't think it's good enough.

[action]

[formerfoxhound]

[Maybe. Hasn't bitten him in the ass yet, though.]

That's up to you. It's really not my problem. [Not right now, anyway.]

[action]

[argentcruelty]

[He just scowls at Snake for a moment, and then huffs impatiently.]

Are you just going to sit there all night?

[action]

[formerfoxhound]

[Maybe. Honestly, he'd expected Liquid by now. But Snake's hardly hopeful enough to assume that means he's given up.]

Nowhere else to be.

[It's a little cold, but he can deal with it. He may not be Liquid, but he did live in Alaska for a long time.]

You have a better idea?

[action]

[argentcruelty]

You look pathetic. [A slight laugh, and he strides over to crouch in front of Snake. Ignore that wince, won't you? His ribs still hurt.]

They give you a room for a little while, but you'll need to find somewhere else after that.

[What's this, Kadaj being kind of helpful?]

[action]

[formerfoxhound]

[That's appropriate. He feels a little pathetic. Not admitting it out loud, though, nope. He interrupts the flat glare he's busy giving Kadaj for that to cast a glance back at the hostel.]

Somewhere else, huh? ...Heard as much, but thanks for the tip.

[action]

[ysobritish]

Now look what the cat dragged in.

[Liquid's voice rings out as he casually jumps down from the nearest building. It was quicker to take the rooftops and less visible. Most people didn't tend to look up, although he supposed he'd scared a few housewives with his feet.]

Kadaj, what are you doing here? You should be resting.

[action]

[argentcruelty]

[Kadaj glances up in the direction of Liquid's voice, smirking slightly. He could argue that he didn't need to rest, but instead he ignores the question, turning back to Snake.]

I guess offering you a place to stay wouldn't go down too well.

[And he stands up with an amused hum, moving away from Snake. He's pretty curious to see what Liquid intends to do.]

[action]

[formerfoxhound]

[There we go. Knew it was only a matter of time. Snake goes tense immediately, looking past Kadaj (very funny, not even going to bother with an answer) to where Liquid had landed.]

[He stands, slowly and warily, backing off from the building without taking his eyes off of his twin.]

[What do you intend to do, Liquid?]

[action]

[ysobritish]

...Kadaj, once you inevitably get kicked out, we won't have a place to stay either. No use extending invites under that situation.

[Liquid moves almost like a prowling beast, watching Snake with wary, cold eyes. His eyes were always far more expressive than Snake's. It was too hard for him to hide his emotions fully. There were always signs. Always ways to see, if you looked. His eyes barely showed reluctance, faint traces of fear pushed back by the knowledge that this was inevitable.

Meaningless.

Killing Snake in this condition would mean nothing.

It was all well and good to ask his intentions, but the fact was... he didn't know.]

Brother! You haven't changed you mind now, have you?

[When he first came here, neither he nor Big Boss were even capable of hitting each other, although both had tried.

Since then, Liquid had been training hard, taking Miller's advice from that one-off conversation to heart and - for once - not pushing himself too far past his limits. This would be over fast.]

[action]

[formerfoxhound]

[It's just like Liquid to draw things out a bit and launch into dramatics. But it isn't like him to hesitate. In contrast to Liquid's prowling, Snake's absolutely still, following Liquid's movements with his eyes. His posture is defensive, but he's not backing down. Snake's been a solider a long time. He knows when he's in no shape to fight. That doesn't mean he won't try if he has to.]

Changed my mind?

[action]

[ysobritish]

You wanted to fight, correct? Even though in your condition it's likely to be over far too quickly.

[He cracks his knuckles as he approaches, watching Snake warily. On the other hand, Liquid has perfect confidence in his "perfect" brother managing to defeat him if he has to. Snake just wouldn't die after all. The one thing the two had in common. Sheer stubbornness.]

Far less dramatic a setting than I'd have chosen. So low and dingy. Ah, well. That will just make your death that much more pitiful.

[action]

[formerfoxhound]

Wanted to? I never said that.

[He shifts slightly, hands curling into fists. Snake's never claimed to be perfect. But Liquid's right. He's too damn stubborn to let this beat him.]

[action]

[ysobritish]

Well, I was all set to be graceful and allow you to recover, but no. Dear, darling Snake had to push the issue.

Don't lie.

You live to fight, isn't that right? Even if you don't admit it, that blood lust is inside of you. The thrill and joy of battle. You'll never be free of it.

Even in this condition.

[Liquid's feet stilled, then slid apart slightly, his weight shifting to the back leg. Braced and ready, although it was hardly noticeable.]

But I'm not unkind, brother. I'll give you one more chance.

Ask me to leave you alone until you recover. Ask nicely. And I'll consider it.

[action]

[formerfoxhound]

[Well, all that is damn familiar. Brings him right back to Shadow Moses. And to Zanzibarland before that. And Outer Heaven before that. Not the best memories to dredge up in the first place. Worse, with Liquid right here and Big Boss not far away himself.]

...

[In lieu of a proper answer, he grits his teeth and glares. It's Liquid. Hell if he's going to beg.]