16 • [voice]

[endthem]

[still hanging around town while he waits on word about his arm, he purposefully lets days go by before dropping Vash a little message]

[filtered to Vash || 94%]

It looks as though we're going to be going to the same mechanic, hmm?

She seemed happy to be able to practice her craft on a new customer. I feel as though I'm giving something back by

Comments

[Filtered 100%]

[plantsactivist]

... Your filtering capabilities are still lacking.

[Action]

[plantsactivist]

[He spots Legato approach and shoves down the weird feelings that jump up and instead gets a testy tone in his voice again.]

Why are you here?

[Action]

[endthem]

[there is a small pause before he formulates a response. Without a clear reason that he can put into words, he goes a different route]

Would you have me go back?

[Action]

[plantsactivist]

[Knives raises an eyebrow at that. Answering a question with a question. Interesting.]

No. That does not answer my question.

[Action]

[endthem]

[Knives may not be berating him, but he's making up for it internally. Suddenly feeling extremely foolish. Hesitating again with his answer.]

[Action]

[plantsactivist]

[Knives observes him for a moment and then stands, starting to walk over.]

I can't seem to recall the last time you didn't have a reason for coming to see me. [His tone is a dangerous kind of casual.]

[Action]

[endthem]

[the underlying danger does not go unnoticed, but nothing that is coming to mind would do to actually be let out of his mouth. None of the reasons make any sense, and the more he thinks about them, the more nonsensical they become.

It is stressing not to reply to Knives... but still preferable when weighed against actually voicing what is in his head]

[Action]

[plantsactivist]

[He stops a foot away and studies him with a slightly tilted head. He doesn't know quite what to make of this behavior, but that is the least of his worries right now. The strange emotions build up in his chest again and anger flashes over his features.]

Or is the question too much for your human mind to process? [Why does it feel wrong to say that? This thought makes him glower even more.]

[Action]

[endthem]

I am sorry, Master...

[again a pause as he fails to come up with anything other than distressing reasons, and weak excuses. He must spit out something, however...]

I wasn't thinking.

[Action]

[plantsactivist]

... That is unlike you.

[It is true, but why is he bothering to mention it? A flash of frustration crosses his face.]

[Action]

[endthem]

...I agree.

[how else can he convey that something is off; that normally he wouldn't have acted without thinking?]

[Action]

[plantsactivist]

Hm... [He deflates and runs a hand through his hair, feigning indifference. Then he turns to head to the lab.]

Then I suggest you come up with something useful to say.

[Action]

[endthem]

[there is a lurch in Legato's stomach as Knives turns his back on him. Enough to cause him to step even further out of line--]

--I was concerned.

[Action]

[plantsactivist]

[He stops and glances over his shoulder at Legato.]

Concerned?

[Action]

[endthem]

[he's nothing but horrified with himself]

It sounded as though something was wrong, so I foolishly assumed that my attention would be better spent here.

[Action]

[plantsactivist]

[A pause as another strange feeling comes over him and he cringes at himself.]

... And what did you think you could do if that were the case?