Intro! Confused Big Brother is confused.

[roseguillotine]

...I will not show my chest to students, I will not show my chest to students, I will not show my chest to students...
...I will not show my chest to students, I will not show my chest to students, I will not show my chest to students...
...I will not show my chest to students, I will not show my chest to students, I will not show my chest to

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[evenburnssouls]

[...Let's see. Just how many people does he know that would walk around with a large blade sticking out of their arm? Exactly -okay, quite a few, really, but between the outfit and the hair and the shape of the blade- one. For a moment, he debates whether he should really sneak up on Francis when he is so obviously on his guard, but sometimes more times than he'd care to admit the delinquent wins.

So he moves quietly, masking his wavelength as much as he can (because, he thinks, he really needs to learn proper Soul Protect) until he's behind Francis.]

Boo.

[roseguillotine]

[ Oh Arthur, that's a horrible idea. Good job at making an awful tactical decision. ]

[ ...He's also very lucky that Francis happens to be fairly level headed when it's important. It's the only thing keeping him from aiming at the nearest throat -- it's hard to get answers when the person you intend to ask them to is choking on their own blood. So instead, when he spins towards him with a bit of a start, the edge of that blade swings around to pause just short of cutting range. ]

[ Of course, after he sees who it is, the blade disappears in a flash, and his expression goes from dire to mildly relieved. ]

A-Arthur! What are you doing here...!?

[evenburnssouls]

[He's fairly excellent at poor tactical decisions. Thankfully, he is also excellent at good ones, so as soon as he sees Francis begin to move, he's stepping back and leaning away from that blade.]

I could ask you the same question. You didn't get sent on a mission too, did you?

[He straightens as soon as the blade goes away, quirking an eyebrow at Francis.]

[roseguillotine]

No, I was just -- uh. W-well, yes. Yes, I suppose that you could say that. [ He smiles almost uncomfortably, as he rubs at his forehead suddenly with his wrist, effectively rubbing off most of the chalk. Or, well. Most of it. Probably.]

[ Then his expression goes a little more serious, as he steps closer to Arthur so as to give him a good poke in the forehead. ]

Anyway, what would make you sneak up on me like that? Idiot. Do you know nothing? [ And then a pause. ] ..Though, if you could tell Big Brother where we are right now, he would be very grateful.

[evenburnssouls]

[Notices the chalk still smeared on Francis' forehead.] Either you had to fight a Chalk Witch or you've been flashing the poor students again.

[WHAT ARE YOU DOING LEAVE HIS BUBBLE ALONE YOU FROG. Do not want. Batting at your hand go awaaaay.]

I know you won't hurt me and I know you're not going to kill someone right away when you need answers. Thus, I was never in any danger.

And this place is called Headquarters. The Headquarters of what, exactly, no one knows.

[roseguillotine]

[ At that remark, Francis' face will suddenly look a little weary, and he'll just be cradling his writing arm to his chest for the next few moments. ]

My hand, it is so tired.. there is a cramp in it. I fear that if you do not kiss it right away, it will fall off right here in the hall! [ Woeful expression, go. ]

Ah.. Is that so. You must think that you are fairly clever. You would not say the same thing if I had cut you even just a little.

...Headquarters.. ? [ His brows loft. ] Are we still in Death City?

[evenburnssouls]

Your hand will not fall off if I don't kiss it! Sod off! [He crosses his arms stubbornly, scowling deeply at Francis. Honestly, of all the ridiculous requests. Kisses are only magical healing things in fairytales.]

But you wouldn't have and you didn't. Therefore, I am fairly clever.

And no, we're not even on Earth as we know it. [Goes to pass Francis and continue on to where he was going.]

[roseguillotine]

Fine then, be that way. If I do not have a hand tomorrow, it will be all your fault. I only hope that you do not expect any favors from me, because all requests will now be denied! [ He's being dramatic, of course. Honestly, he only does it to amuse himself. ]

.. I could have. [ He sulks a bit, but as soon as Arthur starts to walk past him, he's quick to follow closely, walking at his side. ]

Not even on Earth.. ? [ Frowning. ] Who else is here?

[evenburnssouls]

[He really does try to not roll his eyes at Francis' melodramatics and sulking, but ultimately he fails. Though it is comfortingly predictable of him.] That we know? Ah, Braginski, Laurinaitis, von Bock... Alfred... [Hopefully Francis didn't pick up on the fondness to his tone when he says Alfred's name. After all, the last time they saw each other, Alfred was still someone who tended to get a fair amount of scorn attached with mention of him.]

Of course, there are also plenty of people we don't know, but who look like us... or like what we might if we were women! I've met quite a few interesting sorts. It seems the bulk of inhabitants here are Nations.

And no, I am not delusional; so don't even think it.

[roseguillotine]

Alfred. [ Yes. There is a very sincere amount of disdain in his voice at the very mention of that name. He really isn't too fond of the kid. ]

[ sdfhjk But wait a second. Braginkski...? It couldn't be.. ]

You do not mean Ivan, oui?

[ In his surprise, he barely even registers the rest of what he had to say. ]

[evenburnssouls]

Yes, Alfred. [Perhaps you should have thought about that before you decided to up and leave in the middle of the night then.]

...Of course I mean Ivan. Who the fuck else do you know named Braginsky? [And that's where all the loathing went to, because he has been getting on worse and worse terms with the man ever since coming here.]

[roseguillotine]

Hm. [ That wasn't his fault, Arthur. Really.. He didn't want it to end like that... ]

W-what!? Ivan Braginsky, from Russia.. He and I go far ba-- Ahh, I mean.. I have heard of him! [ Heard of, was a weapon for; same thing. ]

[evenburnssouls]

[Funny, considering he wasn't the one who left...

Oh. That grabs his attention right away, because who did Alfred go to later on but Braginsky? And he's now wondering exactly what Francis means by 'far back'. Just a bit more hate curls deep in him, a little more bloodlust to see Ivan dead, and he stops in his tracks. Though, he doesn't look at Francis when he speaks.]

How far back are we talking?

[roseguillotine]

[ Oh.. that's a bit of a frightening response, and Francis miiight just be taking a step backwards, now, to stay slightly out of punching range. ]

Oh, aha, well, funny thing, that. I suppose a couple.. few... seven to eight years... maybe... Oh, Artie! Look at that! [ He tries to change the subject in a flash, as he gestures vaguely down the hall. ]

There's something very interesting down there! [ Well, no. But. Distraction! ]

[evenburnssouls]

[He harrumphs, before continuing down the hall and stopping at a door. A key comes out from under his shirt, which he twists in the lock before stepping inside the room.]

Did you know after Alfred left, he worked with Braginsky for a while? [That's said in a slightly loud, yet still conversational tone. If Francis cares to follow -really, it's doubtful he won't- he will find the room to be very spare. Plain, thick curtains blocking out light from the lone window. A single light fixture centred in the ceiling. A rather understated bed that might hold two if they like to cuddle. Finally, two other doors.]

Interesting that you would also be so well acquainted with the man. I hear he can work with any weapon.

[roseguillotine]

[ He winces somewhat at that sound, but follows after him just the same, a bit of guilt tugging at his heartstrings. He shouldn't have said anything. Usually he has a little bit better tact than that. He won't mind blaming Alfred for that, though. It was his name that distracted him first -- if his head wasn't fixed on that, he wouldn't have slipped up. ]

Did he? [ He inquires tentatively. It sounds like a sensitive topic, so he doesn't want to press very far. He's willing to let Arthur talk or vent or whatever at his own pace, as Francis follows him into the room and shuts the door quietly behind them, leaning back against it. ]

.. Do not say it like that. I.. yes. I worked with him for a time, but.. Things started to go wrong and I had no other choice but to leave. [ Also probably not the best choice of words to say to Arthur, but. ]