[voice]

[formerfoxhound]

[The audio starts with a brief whine of feedback. After working with nanocommunications for so many years, switching back to an old fashioned broadcast can be a little strange in itself. But Snake is nothing if not adaptable, and old habits are easy enough to fall back into. People familiar with Big Boss will recognize the voice. Different in the

Comments

[video] /breaks hiatus just for you |3a

[argentcruelty]

[It takes Kadaj a moment to realise that that voice didn't belong to Big Boss (or that if it did, Big Boss had suddenly contracted Liquid's amnesia). Briefly he considers checking in with Liquid to make sure the man wasn't going to do something too stupid... but then he just shrugs. Snake could deal, and Liquid... was Liquid.]

They think they can tell us our memories are fake. [In a way, he's testing. Would Snake remember who he was, or had he forgotten, too?]

[action]

[formerfoxhound]

[Well, he doesn't know. Can't. He may be made from Big Boss's genetic material, but Snake is a person in his own right, and damn insistent about it. As far as his experience goes, Kadaj should be, too.]

Why is it so important to bring him back? People die all the time. It's a damn shame sometimes, but that's how it is.

[Natural to want your loved ones back, but it can't be because the kid likes this guy, not the way he's been talking. Sounds more like an obligation.]

[action]

[argentcruelty]

...It's what Mother wants.

[That confirm your suspicions well enough, Snake?]

[action]

[formerfoxhound]

[Uh huh.]

...and what about what you want?

[Sick of hearing that question yet, Kadaj?]

[action]

[argentcruelty]

[So sick. So sick that he may punch the next person who asks him.]

I don't know. [The words come out as a frustrated snarl.] Why is that all you ever care about?

[action]

[formerfoxhound]

Don't see why you don't. You're dedicating a whole lot of loyalty to a cause you don't seem to have much stock in. Nothing worth accomplishing is easy. If you're not even sure you want to succeed, you're setting yourself up to fail.

[Not that Snake never second guesses himself. He'd made mistakes. Done things that he hated himself for. But what had been important had been the will to survive, to carry out his mission, no matter what. Loyal to the end.]

...

[He's silent for a while before continuing. He could really use a cigarette. Too bad he's fresh out for the moment.]

...Don't get so defensive. It isn't wrong to be uncertain. Hell, if there's anyone who claims they know exactly who they are and what they really want, they're probably lying to you. But you won't find it unless you start looking.

[action]

[argentcruelty]

I am looking. Liquid, and me. We're both looking.

[He pauses in his pacing, fixing Snake with an accusatory glare.]

I want what Mother wants. I'd do anything for her. But they-Liquid, and Boss-they don't think that's good enough. Mother isn't here, so why should I still follow her? I don't know what she wants, so why should I waste my time trying to make her happy? They tell me I need to find something worthwhile, but nothing ever is.

[His voice had risen, taut and shaking with pent-up frustration. But he cuts off his rant abruptly, frowning at Snake a moment longer before turning away. When he speaks again, his tone has dropped to something quiet and dull, almost listless.]

And now I'm human, and weak. I probably can't even bring him back any more. What if Mother- ...Tch.

[action]

[formerfoxhound]

[Far be it from him to agree with them and all, but, well, it's pretty obvious that he does. Sorry, Kadaj, the Snakes are all on the same page for once. If you're going to keep hanging around them you should probably get used to it.]

So your mother is important to you. You shouldn't disregard that just because she's gone. But that doesn't mean it's enough, either. If it bothers you, maybe you need to step back and ask yourself why you care so much. [And "because she's mother" doesn't count.] You've got to have reasons, otherwise you're just blindly following orders. You're worried about failing, but sounds to me you don't even know what it is you're fighting for

[action]

[argentcruelty]

[Maybe you'll learn that bringing up Mother is not a sensible thing to do, Snake.]

Everything was fine how it was before. [Just him and his brothers-he missed his brothers like one would miss a piece of their own being-and Mother. Nothing more. Sure he liked Liquid, and even Big Boss when he wasn't being completely infuriating, but they made things so complicated.]

I'll do what I want to do. I don't care if you don't think it's good enough.

[action]

[formerfoxhound]

[Maybe. Hasn't bitten him in the ass yet, though.]

That's up to you. It's really not my problem. [Not right now, anyway.]

[action]

[argentcruelty]

[He just scowls at Snake for a moment, and then huffs impatiently.]

Are you just going to sit there all night?

[action]

[formerfoxhound]

[Maybe. Honestly, he'd expected Liquid by now. But Snake's hardly hopeful enough to assume that means he's given up.]

Nowhere else to be.

[It's a little cold, but he can deal with it. He may not be Liquid, but he did live in Alaska for a long time.]

You have a better idea?

[action]

[argentcruelty]

You look pathetic. [A slight laugh, and he strides over to crouch in front of Snake. Ignore that wince, won't you? His ribs still hurt.]

They give you a room for a little while, but you'll need to find somewhere else after that.

[What's this, Kadaj being kind of helpful?]

[action]

[formerfoxhound]

[That's appropriate. He feels a little pathetic. Not admitting it out loud, though, nope. He interrupts the flat glare he's busy giving Kadaj for that to cast a glance back at the hostel.]

Somewhere else, huh? ...Heard as much, but thanks for the tip.

[action]

[ysobritish]

Now look what the cat dragged in.

[Liquid's voice rings out as he casually jumps down from the nearest building. It was quicker to take the rooftops and less visible. Most people didn't tend to look up, although he supposed he'd scared a few housewives with his feet.]

Kadaj, what are you doing here? You should be resting.

[action]

[argentcruelty]

[Kadaj glances up in the direction of Liquid's voice, smirking slightly. He could argue that he didn't need to rest, but instead he ignores the question, turning back to Snake.]

I guess offering you a place to stay wouldn't go down too well.

[And he stands up with an amused hum, moving away from Snake. He's pretty curious to see what Liquid intends to do.]