and then a liet landed on your floor

[justaszabla]

[There's a trail of destruction running down the halls of Headquarters. Every door in a number of hallways has been destroyed: slashed in half, broken off its hinges, or splintered to pieces. The rooms beyond these doors are overturned: bookcases tipped forward onto the floor, sofas and mattresses flipped over or ripped apart, closet doors torn

Comments

Both, either, doesn't matter~

[evenburnssouls]

[Just a simple assignment, right? Find Alfred and Toris and drag both weapons back to Shibusen whether they liked it or not. Easy. Fast. Except he doesn't think this is Braginsky's house, where both of them had last been reported as being seen near.

He is not wholly familiar with the building, but he is reasonably certain that all the destruction is recent. Not done by Alfred, though. He's only slightly relieved, but immediately returns to full alert when he rounds the corner and hears what sounds like Toris' voice, whereas the only person in sight is Braginsky.]

Ah, Mr Braginsky. What a pleasant surprise.

[No, not really, but it's the gentlemanly thing to say. The only thing pleasant about this is that he now knows where half his objective is. And that likely the other half isn't far behind.]

[snowymadness]

Kirkland~

[It's mocking. Only copying the greeting style. It's given away well enough by the tone and then the fact that he hasn't even looked yet.

He'll turn to do so, now, though.]

Even an old friend [Yeah right] like you is here?

Whenever Liet wants to jump in is fine <3

[evenburnssouls]

[Two can play at passingly polite.]

So it appears. Perhaps you can answer a few questions for me, if you aren't too busy destroying this place.

[He's still being pleasant, but the edge to his tone suggests that if Ivan decides he is too busy, there will be a fight.]

[snowymadness]

Mm, well, there's a lot of it to get through...

[He moves to guard the doorway.]

But we can see~

[justaszabla]

[Toris can hear the argument developing outside the room. Hissing and grimacing, he staggers to his feet and works his way to the doorframe when Ivan blocks the way.

That sounds like Arthur from Shibusen ...

He's not sure whether or not to say anything. Ivan clearly doesn't want him to, but he's not just answering to Ivan - he's trying to get Ivan help. So maybe he should say something ...]

Mr. Kirkland?

[evenburnssouls]

[He is about to start his interrogation when he hears Toris' voice. Time for a slight change of tactics.]

Well, that answers one of my questions. Hello, Laurinaitis. Have either of you seen A- Jones?

[Arthur smiles, though it certainly doesn't reach his eyes.]

[snowymadness]

[Looking away, slightly]

Has been bothering us. Wants to kidnap Toris. I won't let him.

... Won't let you, either.

[justaszabla]

[Toris is trapped behind Ivan who is guarding the doorway, so he can only see Arthur with one eye. He doesn't look pleased. He's about to answer when Ivan answers instead, and he realizes: Ivan really has no idea that he's kidnapped Toris. To him, in his crazy, Toris belongs to Ivan. Now what does he say?

He glances at Ivan nervously and says nothing.]

[evenburnssouls]

I'm afraid there has been a bit of a misunderstanding. I'm here to take Jones back to Shibusen. They would also like me to retrieve Laurinaitis, as Łukasiewicz is understandably quite worried about his... friend.

[Trying to be diplomatic about this might be difficult for Alfred, but Arthur is well aware that trying to tell Ivan in his current state that the szabla behind him has another meister is only going to end in a fight.]

I see no reason why you cannot come with us for a visit, just so we can... ah... soothe some concerns. Of course, we will not force the two of you to stay.

[snowymadness]

... Capture Jones first. When he is no longer a threat, we can talk.

[justaszabla]

[At the name of his usual meister, Toris visibly perks up.]

Is Feliks okay? Please let him know I'm - [... okay this might be a little white lie] - fine! I--

[But Ivan talks over him - not a surprise per se. Toris clenches his jaw shut, then murmurs to Ivan:] He's n-not a threat, really ...

[He could become one. He's dangerous. But he hasn't been really threatening ... has he?]

[evenburnssouls]

I will be sure to inform him you are well. [He rolls his shoulders back and watches the two men a bit warily.] I'm afraid I need something more concrete than that. If I can subdue Alfred, will you return to Shibusen with us willingly?

[snowymadness]

Once you can prove it to me, of course.

[There's always time to take that back later.]

[justaszabla]

[Toris is behind him shaking his head vigorously at Arthur. Don't believe Ivan, Arthur, he'll say anything to get you to go away. At least you're not actively antagonizing Ivan like Alfred has ...]

Thank you - for Feliks, I mean. He's well, isn't he?

[evenburnssouls]

[He catches the rapid motion of Toris' head and responds with a slight quirk of his eyebrows. Which is perhaps not as subtle as he would have hoped, considering their size. Still. Noted.]

In case you have forgotten, I was the meister who made him a Death Scythe. It will not be an issue. As it stands, the only way there will be an issue is if you intend to do anything but accompany me to Shibusen once Alfred is under my control. This seems to be a nice place. I would hate to have to be like some uncouth delinquent and destroy it because you cannot be a gentleman.

[snowymadness]

[Seeing that, he glances back towards Toris for a moment.

When his attention returns to Arthur, he takes on a more serious expression than usual.]

As long as you hold up your end, there is nothing to worry about.