[008] text

[not_a_crybaby]

[LOCKED FROM ELENDIRA]

If any of you see or talk to a ma- wo- oh fuck it someone named Elendira snooping around, I'd appreciate it if you let me know or, at the very least, were careful about it.

Also, if anyone knows anything about how to go about having your chip removed, I'd appreciate the input.

Thanks.

Comments

[Locked to Livio]

[prodigal_axe]

...

Name it.

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[not_a_crybaby]

[Livio said nothing, letting the question sink in before he said anymore. He would rather not have to explain too much about what had happened and why, and just from his own conversations within Shinji, Livio doubted he'd have to. And, sure enough, he was right--Wolfwood had told him. If not all the gorey details, than some of them. Plus, there was what he himself had told Shinji, but even that...he wasn't really sure Shinji would understand his request, at first. Hopefully, Livio thought, stomach knotting uncomfortably at the brief flash of anger that appeared on Shinji's face, he would in the end.]

There's something I need you to do, if something like that happens again.

Re: commentlog

[prodigal_axe]

[Shinji took those few seconds and struggled with his composure. No point in the anger. No right in it, either. At first he couldn't even pinpoint the reason for his emotion, until he thought about the conflict itself, and a similar one he'd be forced into soon enough.

No, not forced. There was always a choice and his own was his to bear. He earned any pain in that--no point in resenting other, similar fights.]

Something you need me to.. I'll do it, if I can. Just tell me what you'll need me for.

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[not_a_crybaby]

[It was no surprise when Shinji agreed to do what he asked, but Livio was still unsure, uneasy over making a request like this of him. Shinji already had so much on him, and the last thing Livio wanted to do was add to his burden. There was no one else, though--no one else in Discedo whom he (and Wolfwood) could trust enough to do this. His skin prickled, his insides as tangled as his thoughts as he tried to get both under control. 'How to say this...'

He wrestled with it, the silence lengthening into what seemed to be an eternity before he finally made his decision: to be straightforward and to-the-point.]

If Razlo comes out again--and if what Elendira told me is true, I'd say it's a possibility, with or without the chip--I want you to stay away from him. I want you to stay away, and let Wolfwood deal with him however he sees fit. And... [He took a deep breath--this was the most difficult part, but it had to be said.] I want you to keep others out of it, too.

Re: commentlog

[prodigal_axe]

[Another silence. Shinji leaned back into the familiar roof tiles. The chilled metal dug into him, but not enough to distract his thoughts from unwanted paths. He bit down on his lip with impatience. Out with it, already.

As though summoned by the thought, Livio spilled his request into the quiet. It struck him. To just stay away.. do nothing.. and filled him with a vicious bitterness that burnt his throat like bad whiskey. He needed a stubborn minute of his own silence to clear his thoughts before answering.]

So let me get this straight. If you go Razlo, Wolfwood's gonna stop you. He knows how. So you don't want me involved..?

But there's parts you didn't consider. I'll keep people away if I can, but what about Elendira?

Can't say I like this. But.. I owe you, so I'll deal with it.

[He turned his back on Livio in case the bitterness showed in his eyes.]

Tch. It's what he'd want. No right of mine either way. It's between the two of you.

When shit goes down with me, eventually.. maybe it'll be the same.

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[not_a_crybaby]

[He could tell by the silence, the crackle of tension burning through the cold air between them, that his words had not been well-received. And why should they have been? Livio knew he was asking a very hard favor, and to be perfectly honest, he wasn't all that happy with it himself. He didn't want Wolfwood to get hurt because of him or to have to do the same thing he'd already given his life back home to accomplish. No; he wasn't happy about this at all. However, if there was one thing he understood, it was that Wolfwood felt responsible for him, even after all these years. It was how he would want it, and honestly, Livio couldn't stomach the thought of any of the people he'd met here seeing him like that.]

...I don't want you to get hurt. Or to- to see me like that...

[Livio bit his lip at that next part. 'Elendira...shit.' What the hell could be done about her? He doubted she'd let it slide if she saw Razlo emerge. Who knew what could happen if she intervened?]Elendira is an entirely different class of problem. I doubt

Re: commentlog

[prodigal_axe]

I get that. It doesn't bother me.. you know, if I got hurt. This place ain't the same. Even if I died, I'd come back.

[A hollow laugh--cold and thoughtful.]

My luck hasn't been so bad so far. I've faced down people stronger than me so many times in this damned place.

But it's.. I understand. Since you're asking me, I'll honor it. Your business.

I almost want a similar favor, but I've got no right to ask shit..

[Shinji copped his bent flask from a coat pocket and took down two swallows of whiskey. Maybe another sip or two remained--and that was the end of his easy stash. Despite his calm, he wanted the sudden warmth and bitter taste to burn out the actual emotion. He shouldn't be giving this to Livio--it wasn't for him.]

So you'll fight Elendira and Wolfwood.. or she'll fight both of you?

Look, I'll do what you want, but if your.. other self goes after people I care about.. would you expect me to do nothing?

[His eyes widened at that apology. He turned--almost too quick-- and had to right himself before sliding right off the

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[not_a_crybaby]

[At those words, Livio's head jerked up, something not unlike anger kindling in his eyes. That Shinji would say something like that and value his life so cheaply--he wouldn't stand for it.]

It matters to me. I've already killed one person I care about. I don't want it to happen again.

[Livio fell silent again, letting Shinji finish what he had to say, some of the fury at the other's previous words fading somewhat. It did make him feel slightly better that Shinji had agreed keep his end of the deal, but not by much because, in all honesty, Shinji was right. It was way too much to hope that, in the event that Razlo ever appeared, things would settle into the neat, confined roles he'd just suggested, where Wolfwood would beat him down and Shinji would keep others away. Life was never that simply (or easy). In fact, it was very likely that other people would get involved, despite any effort Shinji and Wolfwood might put forth. So how could he ask something like this

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[prodigal_axe]

[His muscles twitched into wariness as that anger surfaced. Livio, pissed off? A rare enough state for curiosity--until those words came, and struck him hard. 'Already killed one person..' His face grayed and locked up as the hit connected.]

Oh, I get that. It's not.. that I'd want you to, more that if it was important, I'd..

[His sentence trailed into a sigh as words failed him. He used to want death--vaguely, as someone does who fucked up too badly to ever fix it. He had died. Then, after awakening in this place, he'd worked hard toward wanting life and found it at last. That new part of him would struggle against that eventuality, he knew, but he'd still risk it for some people--no hesitation.

Thoughts ran clearer than words and tended to fail at his lips. Frustrating... He kept his silence and listened to Livio for awhile. When Shinji spoke again, his voice was careful--calm and level. Their genuine peace matched the other man's empty smile.]I'll do what I can. Like I said, I owe you, and I wouldn't want to hurt people, either

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[not_a_crybaby]

[Livio listened to Shinji fumble over his response, his stare heavy with a mixture of exasperation and weariness. He was completely missing the point. Again.]

It's important to me. And your life isn't cheap, so don't talk about it like it is.

[He agreed, though. Shinji would do as he'd asked, despite whatever misgivings he had about it. It felt as though a load had been lifted off his shoulders, and even though he didn't expect the burden to lessen by much in the long run, it still helped.]

...Thank you.

[The anger seemed to roll off of Shinji in waves, then, and Livio's stomach knotted uncomfortably all over again. He knew Shinji wasn't really angry with him, but it was still upsetting that his request had caused this much ire. As for his question...well.]

I don't need to ask him. I already know how he is. He's been like that since we were kids so I can't really say I expect him to change. [He looked at Shinji and smiled again, weakly.] I don't like it, either. That's why-- I'll understand if it's personal, but I

Re: commentlog

[prodigal_axe]

I never said it was..

I'll bet it's important. Otherwise you wouldn't be askin' me, so I understand that.

But.. not saying it's cheap. Just for some people I'd be willing to give it without a price. I'd back you or Wolfwood anywhere, let me tell you. And Kadaj..

[His voice got a bit wistful, then hard, when he got to the remnant's name. Time to change the subject.]

Er, don't have to thank me. I owed you, like I said..

[His anger over Wolfwood had faded a little by now, but the frustration remained. He didn't need or want one-sided help from anyone, and from him of all people? He shook his head a little at the damned stupidity of that. Wolfwood's, and his own.]

Tch. Same with me. I was always the one protectin' the ones close to me when I was a kid. I got used to that.

Besides, people don't bother.. but during that shit with Aki..

[His voice trailed off. He did -not- want to talk about this. But, once again, too late--his habit of speaking more than he wanted had betrayed him, and he couldn't back off after having said that