No matter how many deaths that I die, I will never forget

[warisallweknow]

Who: ysobritish and warisallweknow (also OPEN to anyone living in Outer Heaven)
When: BACKDATED to the 17th because I am le slow
Where: Outer Heaven in Sector 11
Summary: Fox investigates Big Boss's legacy in the city. Liquid isn't happy about uninvited guests.
Warnings: Uh. Potential violence in the form of shirtless fistfights?

Comments

[ysobritish]

[The glittering eyes of the cat were wide as it mewed its information to Liquid. A man on the roof... and one who held the scent of smoke. Not Snake, clearly; Snake would never visit without warning and not by the roof. Then who?

He strode rapidly to the stairs, pausing only to grasp his coat and fasten it tightly around him before he headed up. The thought of a stranger intruding upon his home was a worrying one. It may be that he was simply a wanderer taking a break, but then why would they rest on the roof rather than the ground floor? Either it was someone who flew or someone who climbed, and expending that effort meant intent. He readied the FAMAS in his hand, bracing himself behind the slightly-open door before kicking it open and stepping it out, levelling the gun at-

-at-

-at-?]

...hello. And who might you be?

[warisallweknow]

[Fox's back is to the stairwell door, but he doesn't so much as blink at the sound of it being kicked open. He doesn't respond immediately, either, taking note of the accent and the tone of voice. Interesting. Slowly, coolly, he lifts his hands at his sides to show that he's unarmed-not the kind reaction one would expect from someone who was unaware what they were dealing with-before letting them fall again. There was intent there, definitely. This one knew that he might not be welcome, and what sort of threat he faced.]

Just a visitor. I hope you don't mind the intrusion.

[ysobritish]

[Lowering the gun, he took a step back, resting his weight on the leg behind him. There was suspicion in his eyes, but he would not shoot yet. Not unless the other made a move.]

There is a door. You could have knocked, if you were wishing to visit.

[A familiar voice, now. But it couldn't be. Could it? He circled Fox slowly.]

What sort of visitor settles on the roof, I wonder? Or perhaps you were intending to break in.

[warisallweknow]

I thought I'd take a look around first.

[He turns only his head as Liquid circles him, otherwise remaining still, casting an appraising eye over the man in the FOXHOUND coat.]

It's a nice place, if a little different from what I'd been expecting.

[ysobritish]

[...it had to be. His fingers tensed around the gun as he stilled, looking him in the eyes to try to see his intent.]

That is the point. This place was never meant to stand as a military base capable of war. Unfortunately, even Father had trouble in that regard.

"Take a look around"?

[warisallweknow]

[Oh, he could imagine Big Boss's frustration at that. It was probably for the best that he was no longer stuck here.]

I had to see what he'd left me to work with. [And he's not just talking about Outer Heaven- not that it's obvious.]

[ysobritish]

Outer Heaven isn't yours to work with. It passed into my hands with the disappearance of Miller and Big Boss.

[He raised his hand in an idle gesture. Playing it cool, a little.]

I don't even know who you are.

[warisallweknow]

Gray Fox. [And that should be all the explanation Liquid needs. Fox knew his reputation in FOXHOUND.]

[ysobritish]

[Not that he needed the confirmation, knowing the man's voice as he did. That pleasant memory was seared into his mind.]

...I see. Do forgive me for my rudeness; however, the people here are under my care and it would be unkind to them to allow you control over this place. Regardless, as one of Father's commanders, I suppose you must feel free to intrude upon it if you will. However, I would prefer that you kept the location secret.

However did you find it?

[warisallweknow]

[Why, Liquid. You sound like you don't trust him to keep a secret location secret. Gray Fox, of all people.]

You're quite a presence on the network. Draw a lot of attention to yourself. It was easy enough to follow you here, once I'd found you.

[ysobritish]

[Not his secret location. He doesn't know if the man is an enemy or not.]

I'm quite a presence in general, also. [There's distaste in his voice. Followed? With all of his paranoia? This man is a danger beyond all others. No... there is no other danger if this man is an enemy.]

Gray Fox. Why would you follow me? We've never met before.

[warisallweknow]

[But it was also Big Boss's secret location. His Outer Heaven. He had no motive to compromise that.]

Isn't that enough reason? Liquid Snake, the other son of Big Boss. I wanted to see if the man lived up to the legacy.

[ysobritish]

[Something flickers in his eyes, there but swiftly gone. A look of anger follows it and when he responds, his voice is sharp.]

Oh? Big Boss didn't see fit to tell you? That's unexpected. Or maybe you wanted a chance to mock me for my many failings.

[That said, his anger dims a lot faster than it would have even a year ago, dipping back inside of him to fester once more.]

Mere curiosity, then? You could have simply been direct.