005

[hebime]

[Snake-Eyes' lair. There's a new rack in the same corner as his ninja equipment. This one's displaying half-a-dozen spike-knuckled trench knives. Their blades, lovingly polished to a scinitillating sheen, gleam in the flickering candlelight

Comments

[ voice ]

[swordofmiltia]

That is quite the hobby.

[ Can't say much. He collects books, a friend collects guns. But it is interesting. ]

[ text ]

[hebime]

Didn't remember I had one until today.

[A bad thing for a man on the job.]

Do you have any yourself?

[ text ]

[swordofmiltia]

You must be a busy man, then.

I have a few. Mostly books -- history in particular. I do have an appreciation for blades, though.

[ text ]

[hebime]

Our Commander sees to that.

[A scholar and a warrior? Barring casual interest in the latter, at least.]

I find that admirable. Not many bother to reach for that kind of balance.

[video]

[sonvisage]

Stay another month and it's solved, then.

[smile]

Do you plan to use them?

[text]

[hebime]

'For Display Only' is somewhat wasteful.

[video]

[sonvisage]

It is isn't it? I like to combine looking with touching.

[And the things she says sound even more terrible than usual. Probably because she's not bothering to seem nonchalant about her choice of words. In fact, she'll follow up with a wicked laugh. Because everything is suddenly amusing.]

You fought in the Arena, didn't you?

[text]

[hebime]

[Lucky for Snakes, his 'lust' is focused on the purely non-carnal. Else he'd be doubting his feelings for Scarlett right this minute.]

A few times. Didn't end well.

...surprised anyone noticed.

Video

[wellsuited]

They're really nice...

[Really nice.]

Are they for sale?

Text

[hebime]

[Rare smile beneath that mask. Attaboy Kunsel!]

No. But I could always make an exception for a returnee.

Video

[wellsuited]

That's okay. I know how much things like that can mean to a person.

[Persons like them.]

I...heard you looked for me. [A tad sheepish.] I really appreciate that.

Text

[hebime]

It's just a hobby.

[Watch him try to find out when your birthday is from now on.]

We all look out for each other. Isn't that the secret to living here?

Besides: you stood up for me first.

Video.

[takesthings]

Hottest thing I've seen since I got here.

Text

[hebime]

Check back in this weekend. They might not look so hot once whatever's got into us passes.

[...]

Unless you're as crazy about them as I am.

Video.

[takesthings]

Who said I was talking about the knives?

[ ...Actually, she really was talking about the knives. ]

Text

[hebime]

...I get it. It's the mask, isn't it?

[Oh he could tell, Faith.]

[Audio]

[key_destination]

You're...collecting them? [Clearly you're defining the word "hobby" for him right now, Snake-Eyes. Or at least he's editing what he thought might have been the meaning of it.]

[Text]

[hebime]

[Awkwaaard, though he's not sure why.]

My one passion in life, I'm afraid.

[Audio]

[key_destination]

...Huh...That's cool. [What is "passion", he doesn't even...]

I can always summon my weapon, so I guess I've never thought about collecting stuff like that--

[Wait a sec.] Why would you be afraid of it?

[Text]

[hebime]

["Summon"? Oh right... man, he'll never truly get used to the idea of real magic.]

I'm not afraid of my favorite pasttime, per se.

It's just that... owning up to a love of blades can send the wrong signal. Then people may have trouble putting their trust in you.