T-chan gives Wolfwood a LOOK. How dare he be mocked... How dare Wolfwood attempt to apply shitty adult realism to his existence...]
I'm not surprised by how narrow-minded you are. [He says this in the most unbothered tone, though. Like he's used to it.] You really do make me think of the detective.
Tetsu-chan is a totetsu, and he is a carnivore. There is no greater pleasure to him than eating.
[ You got him... his cross is full of unknowable horrors. (Vash tried to put a Blahaj in it.) ]
I don't apply to any of those things. Not yet, anyway.
[ He sure hopes his world isn't going into ruins right about now. It might eventually, but not in his lifetime. Or, at minimum, supposed projected lifetime. ]
[ Please be nice to him, he's got a very soupy brain. ]
The same applies to you, doesn't it?
We don't know what kinda games this place wants to play at. So it's not like you can hunt people out based off of certain skillsets, not with what we've got right now.
So I guess you're just gonna have to figure out who you can trust and synergise well with for the next few however-longs.
[He smiles a little, giving T-chan a few strokes along the fur.]
We have to make our best judgement is all. Or just be more open with each other in hopes we find someone compatible rather than someone who would get rid of us for things we’ve done.
[Wondering if Wolfwood knows he is somewhat souped brain also, he hasn’t escaped it.]
Yes, that is the conundrum we all face now. But people often pretend to be who they aren’t when they meet others, for whatever reason. Hurt, or fear, or resentment. And then you will be on a team with someone you didn’t expect.
Everyone on one team having the same goals or desires could prove to be the team’s downfall. If everyone agrees all the time, how will advantages and disadvantages be found through any disagreements?
[It was very nice except for his juices being on the outside not the inside. Endgame for you.]
I'm afraid we don't have to be in the business of marketing. People come to us for a pet when they are in need of one and only then. We find the perfect pet for them, they sign a contract, and then they take the pet home.
We are the only pet shop in Chinatown, yes. My grandfather is very reputable, so many people know about the pet shop. Those that don't find us by word of mouth.
[He smiles a bit teasingly.]
You seem to be very interested, Mr. Wolfwood. Are you in need of a pet?
Honestly, gonna be real with you. With my lifestyle, I don't think a pet is sustainable.
[ While he's not outright completely anti-pet, he finds basically zero merit in having one... because it'll probably die. The orphanage would probably love one though, maybe one less carnivorous. ]
You might be surprised. As I said, our shop has a pet for everyone. There is likely a pet out there for you.
[As dour as he is about everything else, he is so genuinely assertive about this one thing. About there being a companion for even Nicholas D. Wolfwood. He sounds very sincere about it.]
[ He makes a noise that's like, an intrigued hum. It's for show because he doesn't believe Count D, but his proposal is regardless interesting because what the FUCK kind of animals is this dude selling. It all sounds super crazy black market stuff. ]
Wanderin' traveler and priest. Usually wading through miles and miles of hellfire-hot sand, not a lot of water or money. Get caught up in other people's gunfights a lot. Gotta stop in motels pretty often and not all of them are pet-friendly.
There's no way Count D knows even if he's looking at him like that, but the expression on his face instantly says so much about how much he doesn't appreciate this answer. ]
What, I gotta talk to plants now? It's not like it'd understand me. 'Sides, what if it catches a bullet?
Tsk. Still just as unbelieving as the detective. He told me much the same when I gave him a plant once, too. But what do you know, it bloomed for him when he followed my instructions on how to care for it.
Plants can hear you very well actually. They are as social as any human or animal. [He makes an exaggerated expression.] You must take care of it, Mr. Wolfwood.
Is black the opposite of green? Guess I don't know my colours.
[ Womp womp, the best he knows are traffic lights.
He readjusts the hold on his cross though, belts digging into the joints of his fingers, and he looks steadily at Count D. His expression is pretty simple and nonchalant, and yet at the same time, there's nothing to be read from it. ]
[The sass. He makes a face which then smooths out into something a little softer.]
Then I would hope you'd give yourself more credit. I refuse to offer you recommendations or a pet of any kind if you can't at least pretend like you have experience caring for something.
Thanks for the call of faith, but pretty sure I'm just not fit for it.
[ He's a failure, you understand. He can't protect a thing if it keeps slipping between his fingers, if he has to claw his way to get there, if he can't look at it in the eyes. Pets are an equal relationship, it sounds like, and Wolfwood is far below. ]
I'll keep your advice in mind though, if this afterlife is treating me with spare time. Who knows, maybe I'll even have a change of heart while we're all still here.
Maybe you will. You'll return a changed man with a second chance.
[His smile is amused. He turns demurely away with T-chan, but then pauses and looks over his shoulder, sizing Wolfwood up as a whole. T-chan also looks over D's shoulder at Wolfwood.]
[D and T-chan are wandering around the selfie shop like it’s some kind of art gallery… The pain of dropping in from the 90s.
They are standing just inside of a room with a bunch of fake succulents and cacti and a backdrop of red-clay plateaus. There’s a rustic wooden gate prop. And some plastic lizards…? This is insulting to him.]
Well, I believe we’re a state over in Arizona, T-chan…
[Both of his brows RISE. He... slowly... looks at the decor. Western. He has never once looked good in any kind of outfit that'd befit this imagery. This is unfortunately canon.]
I see. I'm not sure T-chan and I... um, match... this decorum.
[Hmm.]
But perhaps you do, Mr. Wolfwood...? Being from a desert-like place and all.
You're pretty mindful of this actually, aren't you?
[ Count D just analysed and picked apart the setting and what photo studios should be for in seconds when Wolfwood could personally care less and wouldn't bother. ]
I'm not a professional, but I can use my imagination. Lots of kids wanna imagine being out in space. Adults aren't so wild, but maybe they wanna have just one nice photo with the people they like.
It's what you have to consider. All things have a place in the world.
[He just looks back at Wolfwood with T-chan.]
So there is no artistic merit, only... sentimental value for the quality time? I understand. Well. [He claps his hands together gently by his stomach.] It looks like Mr. Wolfwood is going to be taking photos with us, T-chan.
[D would say very quickly that both of those creatures are, in fact, important to the ecology of natural predators as a form of food; therefore, they should exist...]
Now, now. You are not as big as your friend Livio, so I do not think you will have to worry about space. T-chan and I will make room for you.
[ BUT THE MALARIA, D... also look. Livio is honkin' huge. I honestly think Sipp was being conservative with 6'7".
Normally he'd have more of a protest about being manhandled like this, but it's touch week so. He just lets it happen. He is raising a brow, though. ]
Good, 'cause I'm not leavin' it anywhere.
[ Just ftr. BUT JUST STANDS HERE, HE SUPPOSES. Flicks at the wooden gate while D is running around setting up other stuff... picks up a cactus and looks at it. Wowie. ]
[Not that part. Livio is huge, though. D ran directly into him as if being huge is not a deterrent for people seeing you exist.
T-chan comes over, and D directs the totetsu to sit (begrudgingly) by Wolfwood's legs and the gate. T-chan does not look happy about this, so now it makes two of them.]
Mr. Wolfwood, please. [He yoinks the cactus away.] Be still.
[He greatly dislikes this FAKE cactus, so he just... chunks it off to the side lightly. Begone.]
D does not look concerned in the slightest. He flaps a hand near himself dismissively.]
Cacti are so easy to care for; fake ones are a disgrace to anyone who owns them. Now.
[He gets a hold of Wolfwood and moves him into a better position to stand.] Ah, the peacekeeper of the desert plains of Arizona. A priestkeeper, if you will. With his loyal totetsu. [He is setting up the vibe.
He steps back to look at the two of them while taking out his phone.]
T-chan, your fur blends into the backdrop too much, but we will make this work, don't worry. Father Nicholas D. Wolfwood, a man the civilians love, but a man the God-fearing hate.
Somewhat Wolfwood is thinking 'damn, that was fake?' because there aren't enough plants on his planet to even make fake ones, but you know. He doesn't comment about that. ]
Guess it's another part of your passions as a pet owner and seller.
[ Just continues to be manhandled, he really would be more annoyed if it weren't kind of funny and it wasn't this week. He really is just standing there, raising a brow and very clearly mulling over this scenario D has set up for the two of them, and also feeling like he should find some sort of issue with the reputation D gave him but he doesn't feel like reputing it nor where to start. ]
I see. [He sounds so flat.] I'm the eccentric merchant now? How stereotypical. You must really be American for sure...
[Don't be rude to T-chan, wow. T-chan is now looking at Wolfwood's leg... But D glides over to them. He surveys Wolfwood a moment, then reaches up to fix Wolfwood's unfixable hair. It's touch week, sue him. Maybe he'll burn his hands off next week when he realizes.
Then he bends down and scoops T-chan up under one arm against his chest. He offers his phone to Wolfwood.]
Take a picture of us then, Father Wolfwood and the eccentric merchant, Count D. Your arms are longer.
You're the only shop of your kind in town, aren't you? That makes you eccentric. I don't know what American is.
[ Just throws that in btw.
He does somewhat raise a brow looking down at Count D for this but touch week means he's not as dismissive as he usually is, though still somewhat cognisant. Fixing his stray bang when D returns his attention to T-chan, like what's wrong with my hair... what was that about. ]
[ The idea of D yelling about it later after touch week is funny. Also stop Wolfwood has learned how the phone but not why the phone. He doesn't learn many fun things.
Anyway he. Holds it out? He's seeing them on the screen. And taps the button as D suggests.
Hooray, they get a selfie! Wolfwood has this expression basically. ]
[He will be a lot. It's fine maybe. It's not fine, and it won't be, but I can pretend before it happens.
When Wolfwood moves the phone out, D takes T-chan up a bit more in both arms so that T-chan actually reaches into the frame. Just a dumbass priest, cryptid shopkeeper and his one of the four evil fiends, flesh-eating pet.
D smiles mildly. T-chan has the usual case of resting bitch face.]
We do not have things like this where I'm from, so it's interesting to see. I have a duty, however, so no matter how interesting it is, I must return home.
[The new room unfortunately has a pink, teenage girl's bed with brightly decorated walls and a bunch of trendy decor.
D gestures at the bed, but at Wolfwood. Like... get on.]
You wouldn't go in room order with your best friend...?
[Pretends to have a :pleading_face: expression. He puts T-chan on the bed, and then he climbs onto one side, lounging experimentally. T-chan sort of looks around at this disaster; he grunts.]
Yes, it's not quite like the settee in the shop, I know. It's comfortable, though. [He peers at Wolfwood.] It's big enough you have your own side.
[ D really just slutshamed him with zero hesitation. He's coming over and picking at these wall decorations... this... One Direction poster... hm. ]
Looks like... teen girl bedroom. I think. Who is this for?
[ Like, for photo opportunities. He knows he said it's for imagination and all that but who is wanting this. He's not a teen girl so how would he know... ]
[He continues to pet T-chan, watching Wolfwood inspect the foreign room of a teenage girl. It's very funny to see.]
Weren't you the one who said they were for your imagination?
[Look, Wolfwood might not, but D will just say it. He uses his nails to give T-chan a headscratch exactly like one of those whisk-looking scalp scratchers.]
It doesn't sound like you have children. Or daughters, at least. [D's survey of the room is oddly indifferent. It sure is a girl's room.] Since neither of us are girls or daughters, I guess in this scene, we're meant to be terrible interlopers.
[Thinks about all the sibling kids I play but the other sibling is dead or fucked up. Nods.
The look on his face as he peers at Wolfwood is strange and unreadable.]
I had not seen my father for a long time, not until recently. My grandfather raised me. [He lifts his eyes.] I never had a mother, or a nursemaid, or a nanny.
Maybe. It's been a long time since I last saw her, but had an auntie around who I liked. Always made time for me when I was havin' trouble, but she had a lot of things and other kids to look after.
[ He'll extend a hand for T-chan to judge whether it's worth sniffing, at the least. He isn't the kind to just ram his way into a pet's personal space. ]
[ He'll hold it there for like 10 seconds, choose fast lil T. Which, when butted, he'll turn his palm over and run a thumb over his cheek lightly. He may not be familiar with animals supposedly, but he seems to know how to approach one. ]
...Yeah, humans do that.
Think it's one of the reasons why they all had to leave the Old World.
[ As long as it doesn't break skin, who is he to deny T-chan a little angy nibble. He gives him a little swipe over the nose. ]
Yeah, doesn't sound like it. You don't wanna be where I am. All hot sun and gunpowder, industrial burnished steel and iron dust stuck so far up my nose I'll be smelling rust 'til the day I die. [ Beat pause. ] Well, I'm still smelling it, so.
[The more Wolfwood talks, the bigger D’s frown of disdain grows.
The last part actually makes D look searchingly at Wolfwood’s face for a long time, silent.
Then T-chan absolutely bites Wolfwood’s fingers for that, but like, not badly or necessarily suddenly. Warning bite. D really doesn’t do anything to mitigate this.]
We should look at another room before T-chan decides you’re delicious.
[ Wiggles his finger a bit by T-chan's mouth. Naughty. He only meets D's look with a slight rise of his brows. Is he finding what he's searching? But glancing down when T-chan's hangry levels are brought up. ]
Can't even sit still in a room for ten minutes before deciding you're hungry? Guess you're like us in this city right now, needing enrichment.
[T-chan huffs at the finger wag as D turns to walk to the door. DON'T PATRONIZE HIM. Instead of getting up and leaving, T-chan gets up
and leaps straight across to headbutt Wolfwood in the stomach on his way to the ground. Goat ram. This satisfies him, though? D pauses to smile over his shoulder; this is funny to him.]
T-chan's love and appetite are one and the same. That's his nature.
[T-chan huffs back at Wolfwood from the door. Yeah! He does this thing where he scratches both back legs on the floor before he shoots out of the door. Like a very territorial leg kicky.
It makes D laugh.]
He's a totetsu. He likes you. I think it's because you remind him of the detective.
Animals are rather simple to understand. More than humans. You always know what to expect from an animal because they live on their instincts.
[D and T-chan are at the door diagonal from the teenager girl's room.]
They have no consciences to tell them to be good or bad; they don't relish in another's suffering, they don't hide behind fake identities. They hunt and fight and spare for survival.
[This room has a fake ivy backdrop, a blue couch, and a neon light that says I WOKE UP LIKE THIS.]
It must make you mad then, when people describe something as animalistic. "Beastly", you know.
[ He still doesn't know who these backdrops are advertising for. Who in the world is waking up like this? Wolfwood is not down with the influencer culture. He's peering in over D's shoulder. ]
He just looks at Wolfwood again, like he had before, searching the man's face.] So many people here enjoying asking me this question, trying to categorize me with a label which will ease the burden of their fear and uncertainty. [His right eye is canary yellow and the left is midnight purple, though.
And his skin is pale and smooth, unmarred by age.]
Heterochromia isn't always necessarily an indicator of inhumanity. I first really almost typed heterosexuality and like, I guess so.
Wolfwood is rough around the edges, tanned and a little scruffy, but for being from a literal desert planet with ceaseless bearing suns and sandstorms, his skin is pretty smooth, build immaculate, wired with a strength that's humming constant. ]
[Heterosexuality too. You say this, but the colors are definitely not normal, listen here.
They're just both out here looking like a retinol ad, love that for them.]
The manager of Count D's Pet Shop. [Teasing, as if this is deeply clarifying. He doesn't look away.] Does the answer explain how you can carry such a big cross?
...No, you don't seem like a man who does anything for show. At least, not in that regard. [A thoughtful look.] Though I have heard you will scam me out of my money...
[ Sometimes, you are incredibly poor, and not everyone is looking for a brute bodyguard for hire. Gotta hustle somehow! It's rude to call him a scam, he has mouths to feed.
Anyway, it probably could enough to make sure he's alive, but he believes in self-sufficiency and elsewise. ]
Not as much as I'd like. 'Sides, I'm often out wanderin' the sands, and there's miles and miles between cities. It's not like I can just get an easy weekly allowance.
[Maybe he WILL feel sorry for Wolfwood then. Just for spite.]
Maybe you should become a detective after all... You've already been a bodyguard, so you must know how to protect yourself and others. And you're apparently good at figuring out which people would pay you for whatever fatherly service.
You could open a lucrative business in the harsh lands of your world.
The question earns a snort, so Wolfwood can already tell this is going to be Something.]
Leon Orcot. He was a giant nuisance. A boorish womanizer who smoked too much and spent his time sticking his nose into other people's business. [HE IS LITERALLY A DETECTIVE, IDIOT.] He always tried to accuse me of being up to no good, his apartment was a wreck, he didn't like sweets at all, and he always tried to logic away the magic of the world.
[Not him roasting Wolfwood in the process of roasting Leon.]
I haven't accused you of no-good yet, I don't have an apartment, I like the occasional sweet thing, and it's not like I haven't seen my fair share of the unusual.
[ He doesn't have anything for the first few points, he doesn't even bother defending against 'nuisance' because he thinks it's funny. Womaniser is also wobble hands but hey, again it's funny. ]
[ Hurgh?! He didn't expect Count D to do this of all things so he does get an unexpected shock anyway. And then he just finds it funny. Oh, this bitch has a bully bone huh. ]
Sorry, that's not a habit that's going away any time soon. I'll keep a window open and some distance if that makes you feel better.
I’m used to it, but would prefer if you didn’t right beside me. And for goodness sakes, please put it out and not toss it on the ground like a heathen.
[ The more he talks to D about this detective the funnier the imagery gets. The world's most annoying weirdo detective who just won't leave the pet shop owner alone... ]
I'll be a good boy, at least inside. I'm not lookin' to cause any arson.
[ Yeah, okay. The idea of sexy T-chan photocards actually makes him laugh as he's batted out. Goodbye!! Puts paws on for next week bc I'm busy this weekend... ]
[Puts Wolfwood at the cathedral because it's the funniest option.
This works out though because D comes in not at all like an Eldritch horror repelled by God and the holy ground. He seems a bit interested actually? He's looking around with his hands in front of himself.
But he does not say anything really out of respect for the godly echo of the place.]
[ The back-to-back pcs I just answered that are like 'i'm sorry to be one of the 2390420935 take me to church pcs you will have this week.' into this is sooo funny.
But yeah sure, Wolfwood can be in here, looking at Mother Peter like who the hell is this. He glances over at D when he enters, and he has no such revering respect for the silence, though he isn't too loud. ]
[We really collectively all forced Wolfwood to only go to the cathedral this week.
He looks surprised to see Wolfwood briefly. Maybe not in here necessarily, just in general. Languidly, he wanders over, still looking about. He glances at Mother Peter around Wolfwood and makes a bit of a confused face for a second before looking at Wolfwood.]
I was looking for Mr. Livio. He had been in here earlier today.
[He goes back to tilting his head to glance around the cathedral either as if things have changed, or perhaps he's re-experiencing the beauty of it again for the first time.]
No reason in particular. I just feel... as if I should be in his company.
[ Every single time there's a moment where Stampede Wolfwood would be freaking out but not TriMax I just laugh and then fear the day I do eventually play Stampedes in a mg. ]
Yeah. He's real nice.
Just worried someone's gonna take advantage of that, that's all.
[He tips his head and lifts his eyes to the high vaulted ceiling thoughtfully.]
Someone who tries to change. Someone who is conscience of others and the space others take up beside them. Someone who doesn’t forget even the smallest of creatures that deserve to exist, or the health of the world giving them the chance to live.
A person who is appreciative to be alive and shows it.
Think that name's familiar. Don't know much more than that though.
[ Bad Christian... though to be fair it's been minimum 150 years since they left Earth and because spaceships, probably way after Theresa's time. He thinks about it... and shrugs. ]
The Lord's Prayer will do. The most basic of 'em all, but it's pretty applicable. Wanna sit down on a pew?
[That's so long. Wolfwood, your Christianity did not die out at all. D looks over the pews, and then he casually goes to one nearby.
Sliding in, he kneels the Catholic way (Matsui would be proud of him) against the back of the pew in front, making sure his robes aren't bunched at the knees. He laces his fingers and folds his hands on the back of the pew before him. He looks expectantly at Wolfwood.]
[ He watches D get settled, and sighs as he sets down his own cross, running his tongue over the back of his teeth as he brings the lines from the crevices of his memory. He wonders if this counts as a service of some kind. Damn... it's for free... but they are in the proper establishment. ]
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
[ Easy enough. The first lines are always easy to remember. But he recalls the next few lines, and he tastes bleeding irony somewhere in the words. He heard the first two a lot around low and cracked dinner tables, kind smiles and warm gratitude. The next tastes like immaculate steel, sterile and cold. ]
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
[Getting a good ol' Wolfwood service for free. It's because he's pretty.
He watches Wolfwood. If Wolfwood closes his eyes, D will keep his open and watch Wolfwood speak the lines like a naughty Christian. But if Wolfwood keeps his open to pray, then D will close his and bow his head.]
Amen.
[Waow... He doesn't go up in flames at all. Not a demon.]
[ Some of those icons are lookin' mighty Seto Kaiba-y. ]
Father's a title, it's earned shit. One that I don't really want.
I'm licensed enough to do basic things and have it not be considered blasphemy -- hear you out, say prayers for you. Don't have that kind of bigger authority though, and don't care to rise through the ranks.
That’s good since I prefer calling you Mr. Wolfwood anyway.
[He stands and looks all around the ceiling and the walls again, like he’s in an art gallery.]
I’m surprised to run into a man who does not have lofty ambitions like those. Who takes care of children and inspires an almost seven foot man into looking up to him.
[He laces his fingers together in front of himself. Peers around the front architecture of the cathedral, and then turns halfway so he can look back at Wolfwood.]
I have a question for you, Mr. Wolfwood. If your time comes, hypothetically, can you do it? Can you kill someone else here in order to keep your team on the path to victory?
[He twists back to the front of the church, gives it a cursory glance again.]
Except for the discrimination. Everyone here has an equal opportunity. Men, women, and children. All notion of right and wrong have been given up in death, and we are no higher than animals simply fighting for survival.
[ He looks at him, corner of his mouth twitching in a smile that says he doesn't believe D. ]
Too late for that, count. I'll stay my hand until I need to, 'cause that's the deal I've got going on right now, but once stained red, it's never washing off.
It's honorable you hold onto the things you experienced while alive and don't consider death a reset. [He doesn't say this like it's a bad thing.] I just meant here. I suppose I should have said I hope your hands don't become more stained.
I don't know, Mr. Wolfwood. Maybe death is the place where you get the choice to let go. What you see as a cruelty is only a karmic opportunity to be a better person in the next life. Then you are reborn so you may start again. Only those who reach nirvana can be free of the shackles of existing again and again.
I am not the same as everyone, but I would take a thousand different lives to try again than just a single one full of regrets at the end. It's a burden, but I would bear it. I don't want to become like my father; unfortunately, I believe it's my fate to walk in his shoes.
Not really, just didn't come off to me as the type to have one. You know. Are you married?
[ Is there a Mrs. D...? That being said, while this family structure is new to him, he can see the pattern and who is he to riff off of someone else's tradition. ]
[ Wolfwood 'banged Millie in the '98 version without marriage' Lastname doesn't get to talk even if this is not his slutty slutty '98 self. ]
I don't know if I'd say I like 'em. [ It's kind of a lie but it's semantics. He's fond of kids regardless. ] I just don't think they've got anything to be blamed for. Not for the kind of responsibilities adults have got.
I see. [Said in the way where he knows Wolfwood is full of shit, but he's being POLITE and not calling him out on it.] I run a pet shop, and I see many children, as you can imagine.
So I cannot say I agree with some of that. Even children have terribly selfish desires.
I'm not saying there ain't any demonic children out there, but that's not what I mean. Even then, in most cases, they're just what their parents, or lack of parents make 'em.
Someone just needs to set them on the right path. That's all.
Children do not have to be demonic to have selfish desires. I have seen parents make or break children as well. In fact, I gave a couple a rabbit to help with the loss of their daughter whom the mother killed by giving her the drugs she kept begging for. It's no surprise she also killed the rabbit by not following my guidelines and feeding it cookies.
But I also believe even children are smart enough to learn from correction, yes.
Sounds like nobody taught the mother how to say no.
Though, the majority of the way you think seems to be just about animals, even kids. [ He made a notable face when D referred to it as 'correction'. ] Guess that's why I'm so surprised you even had a kid of your own.
I'm a bit offended [he does not sound offended, only amused] you think I "correct" my animals. They are wild creatures and do not deserve being forced to obey arbitrary rules of behavior imposed on them by humans.
As I said, Grandfather is caring for my son, so you don't have to worry, Mr. Wolfwood. Unless you would like to care for him instead?
I'm not even a part of your planet, or world, or whatever. Besides, doubt that if you care about him, you'd want me to be his guardian. You already don't like the sound of my planet as it is, let alone put him in my care.
[LISTEN. He will judge other pet sellers if they unnecessarily train their animals.]
I don't know, Mr. Wolfwood. Maybe he would become a different person than his father if he was in another environment. He'd know even better the importance of natural life having experienced a planet without it.
The entire point of a pet is that it's gotta adhere to some human rules. If children gotta, then so does a housepet. Equality or not.
[ He's really here thinking D is just being like ANIMALS SHOULD NEVER BE TOLD WHAT TO DO PERIOD. ]
I don't know about that. You wouldn't know how to appropriately treat something you've never seen. Some might be extra careful because of it, or be just as reckless.
w6, sun h-how... did we have 230 comments when i died w1..........hello
[The maids and butlers all cheerfully greet him in unison with, "Welcome back, Master!" when he enters.
BACK. He bows at the shoulders to them.] Thank you, hello. A sweet black tea for me and Mr. Wolfwood, please. Maybe some macarons as well. [He moves over to sit across from Wolfwood, smoothing the changshan under him so it isn't wrinkled.]
It's been a while, Mr. Wolfwood.
anna this is what i mean anna. anna. im going to kill you anna. you did this and then you died anna
Sweet black tea and macarons, of course. [He looks both amused and playfully offended Wolfwood does not know why he is getting macarons in a maid cafe.] Sweet meringue cookies.
T-chan?
[Said in the way of him pretending to again be offended Wolfwood didn't remember T-chan's name.]
Did you miss him and want to see him? I left him in the pet shop here.
[His eyes lower under his lashes. He does not answer at first because the tea and macarons come to them with the very hated chirping of Master.]
Thank you.
[He pushes the fancy plate of macarons toward Wolfwood, then cups his hands around his teacup.]
...We talked, yes. I apologized, though I don't think he will forgive me. Not that he has to. Then we've bickered off and on ever since because he acts a lot like you and the detective unfortunately.
[ He looks at these weird burger shaped things. Cool.
He'll start with the tea, making a slight face at its sweetness. ]
You really just can't let that go, huh. Maybe you should learn to meet new people.
If Rin can hold his own against you then I'm not gonna go off and be angry on his behalf, even if I think it was shit that out of all the adults, you went after him.
[Eat your burger-shaped sugars. He smiles in amusement, and then smiles coyly about the sweet-ass tea. He sips his own happily.]
I meet a great deal of people, I assure you. It was my job.
[He does not seem bothered by the last bit.]
None of the adults annoyed me unfortunately. Not at that time at least. Maybe you all shouldn't have kept your terrible secrets so close to your chest, and I would have picked you instead.
You do annoy me rather well. But you would never tell me much about yourself. It was only the first week. Rin is just a boy, so he was honest. We had a conversation about sacrificing what's important to reach a goal. Then he told me it was worth it.
We believed we were already dead, and we were in a game of kill or be killed. Imposing those sorts of morals here, as you can see, is useless. So it didn’t matter if it was a teenager or an adult to me.
And here you tried to make out like you were surprised I thought you didn’t want to speak to me. I can’t say whether Rin is still angry or not. You’ll have to ask him.
I think it was bad taste, but you didn't kill a kid.
[ The thing is that yeah they're teens but looks at Livio also being listed as 16. You're Flurry's bestie so I refuse to think you haven't seen Stampede with your Wolfwood discord icon. And even beyond that, Wolfwood's been basically given the adult treatment since he was like... twelve.
So.
He's definitely severely judging D for his choice, but it's not like he murdered a complete child. ]
[ :sob: Well you can always try making them yourself if you can bake... They always say macarons are insanely hard to make but as long as you follow instructions it's maybe not that hard so I hear... ]
Sayin' it's the world is a bit much.
[ Given he knows she loves her home so very much and he's just some guy she's known for a month. ]
[ Holds your hand through the baking process... I love baking.
Anyway it's kind of evident that Wolfwood doesn't really understand this. Not in the sense of like, low self-esteem, but like... legitimately just doesn't understand how that's the case. Not bothered by it, but? ]
Guess the stress of bein' the only person from our team to be stuck all alone over on this side must've been a lot.
[ This is sincere, even if it doesn't sound like it on paper. ]
D REALLY JUST SETS DOWN HIS CUP A BIT ROUGHLY. He can’t set it too roughly, it’ll spill.]
Mr. Wolfwood, for once, would you at least pretend not to be a total idiot? Miss Shenhe loves you, and Vash, and Miss Nahri, and I hope you would not take that for granted, or diminish her feelings.
Honestly…
She has a difficult life, and you have shown her kindness and understanding. That means more to her than simply being separated.
[He looks like he almost says something he doesn't want to say, so he sorta folds himself back into Polite Manners.]
Because. Don't hurt Miss Shenhe's feelings by being a typical stupid man if she tells you these things. She already feels like she has been useless to you all, and that she got you killed.
[Before he can add anything else, Wolfwood gets a memory.]
[ He doesn't really get it. Did you know he's been getting a handful of texts that keep apologising to him about this or that, and he literally doesn't know what they're for? ]
That's none of her business. Puttin' aside that the game fucked me over since I gave up tryin' to kill to get our team ahead the start of this week, it still wasn't anybody's decision but mine.
[ It's his only sense of control, a brief word that flickers as a thought before the stupid memory pig bounces around. OH NO NOT THIS AGAIN.
Hmm. ]
Well, shit. Looks like you definitely run way more than just a humble pet store after all.
[Nooo, he has so much to say. Me forgetting to mention the pig. He has to re-calibrate a bit afterward. He doesn't look ashamed so much as... embarrassed at being Seen without it being his choice.
Ha ha, CONTROL.]
...Don't misconstrue my intentions. I had no interest in that boy. It was the Scarlet Scorpion I was after. The one on his chest.
I meant more the fact that your shop could do something like that to begin with. That's fucked up.
[ He means that. Family is important to him even if he technically never had any, but he did come from an orphanage full of kids who struggled with the feeling of abandonment, after all. He does think showing their mother to them... as an illusion...? Would be cruel.
That, and relating deeply to not being able to face your family anymore due to having killed. ]
The shop sells love, hopes, and dreams, Mr. Wolfwood. The people who come in see what they desire most inside. He was a Scorpio's Child. Orphans taken by a place which turns them into assassins without emotions.
But he's still a child, and still humans. Of course he would see his mother in the shop.
[Finally, he will carefully have a sip of tea.]
When Scorpio's Children fail their mission, the only thing left for them is to commit suicide, and that is something he tried. I didn't let him, of course. I took the Scarlet Scorpion from him and turned him over to the police. But without the scorpion, he was no longer a Scorpio's Child.
Why the hell else do you think people go to stores? Charity?
[ It's CAPITALISM, D!! But ugh, he eats this macaron and makes such a dark expression. It's not over the macaron, it's over what D mentioned the kid did as a job, but he will use the macaron as an excuse because he immediately would rather not.
He doesn't have a comment. He doesn't want to have a comment. So D can hear a little snort-oink and get this as a follow-up. ]
[ It was either this or the cutest childhood memories but I decided this one was more topical yeah. Winky wonky.
Wolfwood is grimacing, fingers a little tight on his cup of tea, but he remains behaved. Just annoyed to have it be doxxed... again. ]
I haven't made it a secret. I ain't the kind of world-hatin' nihilist who thinks all humans are outright bad, but humans are also how monsters came to be.
[ The Gung-ho Guns. He means in his world obviously because everyone else's worlds / dimensions are so radically different. ]
[ No, he thinks every single person in the Gung-ho Guns is a total freak and hateful creature. Literally every single one of them are absolutely insane. ]
Sure, yeah. A special squad formed by the lord freak, Legato -- who, by the way, you look a little like him. [ But don't act like him, because thank fucking God you don't. ] Full of former humans who threw away their respective humanity for one reason or another, though I'd say a majority of it is for power.
I snuck into their group 'cause I had a score to settle. Worst people I've ever met and I thought I'd already seen a lot by that point.
[ You're right LA is fucked up anything can happen there. ]
It ain't exactly normal and good conversation to have over tea. All it does is be a downer and doesn't add any benefits.
[ He doesn't think this is necessary information to 'understand' himself as a person either. It's just dredging trauma. His expression twists when D asks this, a mixture of both resentment, irritation, and just the slightest flicker of some kind of deeper, primal fear at the memory -- the necessity to survive. ]
No, or else I wouldn't be here... or I guess, that'd be the story if it didn't turn out that me bein' here isn't 'cause I'm dead. [ Not yet... ] Turns out, tryin' to kill a higher being is a lot tougher to do in practice, and I don't mean just physically.
[ As in, like, they're tough to kill physically. ]
On the contrary, I have conversations like that many times over tea. It does help you get to know who someone is as a person.
It’s part of my job.
[He watches Wolfwood with his mismatched eyes. He gets it’s not a conversation you really bring up with just anyone, but Wolfwood is easy to tease.]
I’d imagine such a thing would be true. You may not want to mention it to Miss Shenhe if you haven’t already. She will probably be as mad about the idea as she always is hearing I cannot forsake my duty to the shop.
I wasn't talkin' about you, Jesus. Read the room, D.
[ SIGHING, in the 'of course you would, you weirdo' way. ]
Sad shit about being mortal and all that. In the end, I'm only human.
But Vash, and Livio, can do it.
[ Which is why, at the bare minimum, he needs them to get back alive no matter what. Bare minimum, because he isn't like most of the self-sacrificial doofuses here. ]
Well, try not to put all of your eggs in one basket, Mr. Wolfwood. Call me paranoid, but the way this all seems to be wrapping up feels... too easy. If someone bothered rigging a game even for amusement, I don't see why they would let it end so nicely for us.
Of course I'm not gonna just sit down and think it's gonna wrap up all that easy. If anythin' in life came that easy then I wouldn't be in a place like this to begin with.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
w0, friday
T-chan gives Wolfwood a LOOK. How dare he be mocked... How dare Wolfwood attempt to apply shitty adult realism to his existence...]
I'm not surprised by how narrow-minded you are. [He says this in the most unbothered tone, though. Like he's used to it.] You really do make me think of the detective.
Tetsu-chan is a totetsu, and he is a carnivore. There is no greater pleasure to him than eating.
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Well, excuse me. I didn't exactly go to school, and all my education was pretty much of the sanctified kind.
[ Really if anything, he should know less about things like evolution, but he has approximate knowledge of many things. ]
Sorry to disappoint, but I'm a priest, not a cop.
[ Feed Totetsu-chan some meatballs... ]
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On the contrary, Mr. Wolfwood, you do not need to attend any school to simply accept T-chan as he is, a half goat and half tiger who is a carnivore.
[T-chan will get all the meatballs.]
I'm sure as a priest, you are very familiar with accepting things wildly unbelievable on faith alone...?
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[ Raising a brow at him. But -- ]
Sorry, but my faith would be a lot more shaken if I hadn't already seen all kinds of proof with my own two eyes. So, yeah.
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Like supposedly being dead?
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[ For better or worse. Probably worse.
It's fine, he's so used to being surrounded by freaks. It's a problem. ]
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You’ve seen angels…?
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[ He's got that Man... horse energy. ]
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Was it what you thought it'd be, seeing angels?
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Can't meet expectations that you don't really have...
But sure. It was a thousand times worse than whatever stupid shit I imagined as a kid. Every bit as horrifying as you can imagine.
[ He hates it here. ]
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He watches Wolfwood for a long moment.]
And what does that mean for you here? Do you plan to help a team win a chance to go back?
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Do I have a choice? And why does it have to be only helping? I'd like to get back alive, too.
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[The smile he gets is a tad mischievous.]
So you do have the will to go back as well.
[This tracks for what he now thinks might be a human.]
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What, you didn't think I did? Take it to mean you've got the intention, too.
[ Go back to your apparently possibly horrid pet shop... ]
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Some people may be satisfied with their end. The place they would return may be in ruins. There are many reasons.
[Why someone might not want to go back.]
I have a duty to return to, yes.
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I don't apply to any of those things. Not yet, anyway.
[ He sure hopes his world isn't going into ruins right about now. It might eventually, but not in his lifetime. Or, at minimum, supposed projected lifetime. ]
Guessin' that that's running your storefront.
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Yes, you are correct.
[In the general terms of it.]
You will have to find you a team of people willing to do what it takes to live then.
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The same applies to you, doesn't it?
We don't know what kinda games this place wants to play at. So it's not like you can hunt people out based off of certain skillsets, not with what we've got right now.
So I guess you're just gonna have to figure out who you can trust and synergise well with for the next few however-longs.
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We have to make our best judgement is all. Or just be more open with each other in hopes we find someone compatible rather than someone who would get rid of us for things we’ve done.
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Especially if you just opened yourself up to someone who you might have to go up against later.
[ Damn... why's he gotta be the one who thinks... he wants to be soup-brained too... ]
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Yes, that is the conundrum we all face now. But people often pretend to be who they aren’t when they meet others, for whatever reason. Hurt, or fear, or resentment. And then you will be on a team with someone you didn’t expect.
I’m sure we’ll manage.
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But ugh. He doesn't deny D because with his world view, Wolfwood thinks D is right. Who knows how genuine everyone actually is being. ]
Not exactly the kind of mindset that gets you friends here. [ Just turns it on him anyway. ] Pretty nihilistic.
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Yes, join him in cynicism. Thank you. DON’T TURN IT ON HIM, HELLO?]
Well, we are apparently dead, and we are also being forced to play a game for a chance at revival which none of us know is actually promised.
[Let the nihilism exist.]
If others cannot accept my reasonings, then they will be better off in a team without me.
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[ Like, he gets it but. Maybe Count D can just have a team full of people who are there to pet T-chan. ]
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[He shrugs gently behind T-chan’s furry body. The creature huffs some.]
Something to consider.
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For being a pet shop owner, sounds like you like taking a gamble. Got a side hobby on the weekends like that?
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Do I not take a gamble every time I sell a pet to a new owner? Who knows what will become of them after I do?
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More like the stance of someone who sells guns and bullets.
[ Who knows what people use them for? All he does is as the customer asks. ]
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I assure you I am not an arms dealer. I do not care for guns at all. I find them rather barbarous actually.
[Saying this to Wolfwood is so funny.]
My grandfather’s shop sells only pets. Whatever pet you may desire.
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It's an analogy.
[ But also this is such a weirdly ominous add-on about pet sales. ]
Yeah? Got any more of your sales pitch you wanna share?
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[It was very nice except for his juices being on the outside not the inside. Endgame for you.]
I'm afraid we don't have to be in the business of marketing. People come to us for a pet when they are in need of one and only then. We find the perfect pet for them, they sign a contract, and then they take the pet home.
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Okay?
[ DUDE'S CONFIDENT IN HIS STORE. It must be intergenerational wealth and security. Big Pet has changed... ]
What makes you stand out so much? You the only pet shop in town or something?
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We are the only pet shop in Chinatown, yes. My grandfather is very reputable, so many people know about the pet shop. Those that don't find us by word of mouth.
[He smiles a bit teasingly.]
You seem to be very interested, Mr. Wolfwood. Are you in need of a pet?
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[ While he's not outright completely anti-pet, he finds basically zero merit in having one... because it'll probably die. The orphanage would probably love one though, maybe one less carnivorous. ]
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[As dour as he is about everything else, he is so genuinely assertive about this one thing. About there being a companion for even Nicholas D. Wolfwood. He sounds very sincere about it.]
What kind of lifestyle did you have?
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Wanderin' traveler and priest. Usually wading through miles and miles of hellfire-hot sand, not a lot of water or money. Get caught up in other people's gunfights a lot. Gotta stop in motels pretty often and not all of them are pet-friendly.
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Hmmm... [He tips his head and looks contemplative for a long moment. Then he smiles knowingly and looks at Wolfwood again.] It sounds like...
You need a plant instead of an animal.
[Hehe.]
A hardy one fit for the desert. Resilient, doesn't need money, easy to take care of so long as you water it every once in a while and talk to it.
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There's no way Count D knows even if he's looking at him like that, but the expression on his face instantly says so much about how much he doesn't appreciate this answer. ]
What, I gotta talk to plants now? It's not like it'd understand me. 'Sides, what if it catches a bullet?
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Tsk. Still just as unbelieving as the detective. He told me much the same when I gave him a plant once, too. But what do you know, it bloomed for him when he followed my instructions on how to care for it.
Plants can hear you very well actually. They are as social as any human or animal. [He makes an exaggerated expression.] You must take care of it, Mr. Wolfwood.
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[ So much blood. ]
But I'll keep it in mind.
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[It's an exasperated correction since he understands what Wolfwood is getting at. STOP.]
Have you truly never had anything to protect before, Mr. Wolfwood? A plant, a pet, a... child or a lover?
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[ Womp womp, the best he knows are traffic lights.
He readjusts the hold on his cross though, belts digging into the joints of his fingers, and he looks steadily at Count D. His expression is pretty simple and nonchalant, and yet at the same time, there's nothing to be read from it. ]
Yeah. Don't we all?
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Then I would hope you'd give yourself more credit. I refuse to offer you recommendations or a pet of any kind if you can't at least pretend like you have experience caring for something.
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[ He's a failure, you understand. He can't protect a thing if it keeps slipping between his fingers, if he has to claw his way to get there, if he can't look at it in the eyes. Pets are an equal relationship, it sounds like, and Wolfwood is far below. ]
I'll keep your advice in mind though, if this afterlife is treating me with spare time. Who knows, maybe I'll even have a change of heart while we're all still here.
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Maybe you will. You'll return a changed man with a second chance.
[His smile is amused. He turns demurely away with T-chan, but then pauses and looks over his shoulder, sizing Wolfwood up as a whole. T-chan also looks over D's shoulder at Wolfwood.]
Good luck, Mr. Priest.
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You too, Count.
[ It's about the closest he's gotten to actually calling someone by name so far... good job... ]
W0, Tues
They are standing just inside of a room with a bunch of fake succulents and cacti and a backdrop of red-clay plateaus. There’s a rustic wooden gate prop. And some plastic lizards…? This is insulting to him.]
Well, I believe we’re a state over in Arizona, T-chan…
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I can't tell if you look right at home, or really out of place, count.
[ What's up? ]
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D turns to Wolfwood, and T-chan huffs but it’s hard to tell if it’s a greeting or exasperation.]
Mr. Wolfwood. [His greeting.] This art gallery is very strange.
[He looks so out of place standing here in a beautifully ornate changshan.]
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You could do a fancied up photoshoot with T there.
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I see. I'm not sure T-chan and I... um, match... this decorum.
[Hmm.]
But perhaps you do, Mr. Wolfwood...? Being from a desert-like place and all.
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Not as sandy as I'm used to, but sure. It's not that different from what I usually see.
Doesn't that make it boring, though? This place is so that you can try looking like you're in different places... I think.
[ Photo studios exist... in his weird technological mire canon. ]
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The subject should fit the setting, I think, or... it just seems... unnatural and out of place. T-chan is not an arid environment creature...
[He's putting so much thought into this and for what.]
You seem to know quite a bit about all of this. Maybe you can show us.
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You're pretty mindful of this actually, aren't you?
[ Count D just analysed and picked apart the setting and what photo studios should be for in seconds when Wolfwood could personally care less and wouldn't bother. ]
I'm not a professional, but I can use my imagination. Lots of kids wanna imagine being out in space. Adults aren't so wild, but maybe they wanna have just one nice photo with the people they like.
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It's what you have to consider. All things have a place in the world.
[He just looks back at Wolfwood with T-chan.]
So there is no artistic merit, only... sentimental value for the quality time? I understand. Well. [He claps his hands together gently by his stomach.] It looks like Mr. Wolfwood is going to be taking photos with us, T-chan.
Isn't that nice of him?
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Anyway. Do they, though... Wolfwood thinks some things have no business existing, and could do away with them. Like... mosquitoes, and ticks. ]
I'm sure there's artistic merit, but I can't say I'm qualified for that. Sounds like you might be though.
[ Oi. ]
Don't just volunteer me to take pictures with you. I'd be taking up so much of your precious photo space.
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Now, now. You are not as big as your friend Livio, so I do not think you will have to worry about space. T-chan and I will make room for you.
[He smiles at Wolfwood!]
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Wolfwood just pointedly readjusts his grip on the belted cross over his back, but raises a brow. Okay, he'll bite. Why not. ]
What's your artistic vision, count?
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The fact Wolfwood does not acknowledge what he said is very funny to him also. He thinks it's amusing.]
Let's see... First, put that giant thing over there--no, wait. On second thought, keep it. Come here.
[He takes Wolfwood by the upper arm and directs him over to the wooden gate.]
Lean on this. T-chan, come here, please.
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Normally he'd have more of a protest about being manhandled like this, but it's touch week so. He just lets it happen. He is raising a brow, though. ]
Good, 'cause I'm not leavin' it anywhere.
[ Just ftr. BUT JUST STANDS HERE, HE SUPPOSES. Flicks at the wooden gate while D is running around setting up other stuff... picks up a cactus and looks at it. Wowie. ]
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T-chan comes over, and D directs the totetsu to sit (begrudgingly) by Wolfwood's legs and the gate. T-chan does not look happy about this, so now it makes two of them.]
Mr. Wolfwood, please. [He yoinks the cactus away.] Be still.
[He greatly dislikes this FAKE cactus, so he just... chunks it off to the side lightly. Begone.]
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That was personal.
[ Now he's cactusless, you did this to him. ]
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D does not look concerned in the slightest. He flaps a hand near himself dismissively.]
Cacti are so easy to care for; fake ones are a disgrace to anyone who owns them. Now.
[He gets a hold of Wolfwood and moves him into a better position to stand.] Ah, the peacekeeper of the desert plains of Arizona. A priestkeeper, if you will. With his loyal totetsu. [He is setting up the vibe.
He steps back to look at the two of them while taking out his phone.]
T-chan, your fur blends into the backdrop too much, but we will make this work, don't worry. Father Nicholas D. Wolfwood, a man the civilians love, but a man the God-fearing hate.
[He
Takes a picture of just the two of them. :)]
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Somewhat Wolfwood is thinking 'damn, that was fake?' because there aren't enough plants on his planet to even make fake ones, but you know. He doesn't comment about that. ]
Guess it's another part of your passions as a pet owner and seller.
[ Just continues to be manhandled, he really would be more annoyed if it weren't kind of funny and it wasn't this week. He really is just standing there, raising a brow and very clearly mulling over this scenario D has set up for the two of them, and also feeling like he should find some sort of issue with the reputation D gave him but he doesn't feel like reputing it nor where to start. ]
What, you're not gonna be in it?
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He admires the photo on his phone for a moment (he's admiring T-chan). But he finally looks back up at Wolfwood trough his lashes.]
Are you wanting me to be in it with you? I don't know who Father Nicholas Wolfwood would run into during his peacekeeper journeys which I would be.
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I've ran into my fair share of eccentric merchants, you know. It's not that odd. You'd fit right into the Juukei District.
[ Moving his foot a bit away from T-chan. ]
Plus, I don't think your little friend is actually all that happy to be over here with me, instead of with you.
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[Don't be rude to T-chan, wow. T-chan is now looking at Wolfwood's leg... But D glides over to them. He surveys Wolfwood a moment, then reaches up to fix Wolfwood's unfixable hair. It's touch week, sue him. Maybe he'll burn his hands off next week when he realizes.
Then he bends down and scoops T-chan up under one arm against his chest. He offers his phone to Wolfwood.]
Take a picture of us then, Father Wolfwood and the eccentric merchant, Count D. Your arms are longer.
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[ Just throws that in btw.
He does somewhat raise a brow looking down at Count D for this but touch week means he's not as dismissive as he usually is, though still somewhat cognisant. Fixing his stray bang when D returns his attention to T-chan, like what's wrong with my hair... what was that about. ]
? What's my arm got to do with it?
[ Bro's never taken a selfie before. ]
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And tch. NEITHER DID HE? Up until recently. Get with the program, Wolfwood. D swishes the phone in his hand.]
You have to hold it up so it faces us and press the button on the front.
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Anyway he. Holds it out? He's seeing them on the screen. And taps the button as D suggests.
Hooray, they get a selfie! Wolfwood has this expression basically. ]
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When Wolfwood moves the phone out, D takes T-chan up a bit more in both arms so that T-chan actually reaches into the frame. Just a dumbass priest, cryptid shopkeeper and his one of the four evil fiends, flesh-eating pet.
D smiles mildly. T-chan has the usual case of resting bitch face.]
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I guess that wasn't a terrible experience, though I don't know what you're gonna do with this.
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He laughs gently and moves away.]
Use it for blackmail probably.
[The way he says this so casually.]
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[ Yeah? ]
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Come with me, best friend.
[He walks out of the Peacekeeper Arizona room and into another one.]
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[ Wow... bestie rapport... ]
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[The new room unfortunately has a pink, teenage girl's bed with brightly decorated walls and a bunch of trendy decor.
D gestures at the bed, but at Wolfwood. Like... get on.]
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Seriously?
[ Just looking at D like hey I know we're all joking and buddy-buddy (no) but we have standards. I have standards. ]
Pick a better room.
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[Pretends to have a :pleading_face: expression. He puts T-chan on the bed, and then he climbs onto one side, lounging experimentally. T-chan sort of looks around at this disaster; he grunts.]
Yes, it's not quite like the settee in the shop, I know. It's comfortable, though. [He peers at Wolfwood.] It's big enough you have your own side.
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[ Just bluntly says this. Looks at T-chan too. He doesn't seem very happy. ]
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[T-chan finally settles down on the bed against D's front since D is on his side. D reaches up to pet him lovingly on the head and back of the neck.]
Neither of us fit the aesthetic of this room at all.
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[ D really just slutshamed him with zero hesitation. He's coming over and picking at these wall decorations... this... One Direction poster... hm. ]
Looks like... teen girl bedroom. I think. Who is this for?
[ Like, for photo opportunities. He knows he said it's for imagination and all that but who is wanting this. He's not a teen girl so how would he know... ]
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Weren't you the one who said they were for your imagination?
[Look, Wolfwood might not, but D will just say it. He uses his nails to give T-chan a headscratch exactly like one of those whisk-looking scalp scratchers.]
It doesn't sound like you have children. Or daughters, at least. [D's survey of the room is oddly indifferent. It sure is a girl's room.] Since neither of us are girls or daughters, I guess in this scene, we're meant to be terrible interlopers.
Perhaps we're the monsters under her bed.
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It's still gotta be an imagination you like. Don't know anyone who wants to go out and take pictures in a place they don't care to be in.
[ He looks back at D, considering though. ]
Nah, don't have any kids of my own. Pretty familiar with 'em, though. Grew up being surrounded by brats.
Chased out my fair share of monsters under the bed.
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He thinks about it for a moment.]
Siblings of your own?
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[ Thinking about it, wondering how they're doing now... ]
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An orphanage then. Unless you had a very large family.
[Honestly, Wolfwood truly has that Orphanage Energy, he must say.]
Were you the oldest, or just the least afraid?
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[ Doesn't really confirm nor deny though. ]
I'd say I was pretty tough to scare, yeah.
You? You kinda got that single kid feeling about you.
[ But according to Hei, I (Lowe) as a single kid apparently assign single child to everyone so what do I know!! ]
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[Shakes your hand in single kid. Is this why we’re playing single kids…… I see.]
I have a grandfather, and I had a father. That is all.
[So Wolfwood was right.]
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Guess we're kinda the opposite, then. Had more women around than men.
[ And fuck the few men that there were. ]
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The look on his face as he peers at Wolfwood is strange and unreadable.]
I had not seen my father for a long time, not until recently. My grandfather raised me. [He lifts his eyes.] I never had a mother, or a nursemaid, or a nanny.
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[ He's never had any of those either technically speaking, but he won't just put that out there without prompting. ]
You get along well with your gramps?
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Yes. We traveled the world, and he taught me many things.
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That sounds good. Always nice to have a reliable adult around.
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Are you speaking from experience?
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Maybe. It's been a long time since I last saw her, but had an auntie around who I liked. Always made time for me when I was havin' trouble, but she had a lot of things and other kids to look after.
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An auntie boy...
[T-chan's head gets a few more scritches, then he swings his legs over the side of the bed to sit up on the edge.]
So how does a boy with an auntie surrounded by other kids go from shooing away bed monsters to being burdened by priesthood?
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[ Pats on the head, the little things like thanks Nicholas. He's grateful to her nonetheless. ]
Guess I decided to graduate to a different kind of shepherding. From kids to lost lambs, now.
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Then you and I have something in common, Father.
[Carefully, he stands to his feet. T-chan gets up, but only to stand at the edge of the bed for a moment.]
Being shepherds to the lost.
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Is that how you see yourself? Shepherding your animals?
[ When will T-chan warm up to pets... not that Wolfwood is trying... ]
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Yes, that is how it is.
[HELP. T-chan warms up to pets……maybe. Wolfwood can pet him.]
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Why do you consider 'em lost?
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Many of them are few and far between, the last of their kind. T-chan, for instance, is a rare breed.
[Whatever has satisfied T-chan about Wolfwood is hard to say, but he tentatively butts his head against the hand like a goat.]
The humans have hunted and killed them, or either destroyed their habitats. They wander the industrialized world, suffering.
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...Yeah, humans do that.
Think it's one of the reasons why they all had to leave the Old World.
[ Planet... dying... ]
All pretty good at taking.
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What Wolfwood says makes him frown a lot!!!!]
I think your timeline is the timeline I’m trying to avoid, if at all possible.
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Yeah, doesn't sound like it. You don't wanna be where I am. All hot sun and gunpowder, industrial burnished steel and iron dust stuck so far up my nose I'll be smelling rust 'til the day I die. [ Beat pause. ] Well, I'm still smelling it, so.
Maybe you can Noah's Ark your way out.
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The last part actually makes D look searchingly at Wolfwood’s face for a long time, silent.
Then T-chan absolutely bites Wolfwood’s fingers for that, but like, not badly or necessarily suddenly. Warning bite. D really doesn’t do anything to mitigate this.]
We should look at another room before T-chan decides you’re delicious.
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Can't even sit still in a room for ten minutes before deciding you're hungry? Guess you're like us in this city right now, needing enrichment.
[ When BORED just EAT. ]
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and leaps straight across to headbutt Wolfwood in the stomach on his way to the ground. Goat ram. This satisfies him, though? D pauses to smile over his shoulder; this is funny to him.]
T-chan's love and appetite are one and the same. That's his nature.
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[ HIS ABS. Wtf he'll turn you into lamb skewer you lil shit. ]
And where does the unwarranted violence categorise into?
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It makes D laugh.]
He's a totetsu. He likes you. I think it's because you remind him of the detective.
[And then D disappears out of the door too.]
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I wouldn't ever know. I'll never understand animals.
[ Owie. ]
Sorry to say that I won't be solving any crimes any time soon.
[ KNOCK ON (WOLF)WOOD!!! haha i'm funny ]
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Animals are rather simple to understand. More than humans. You always know what to expect from an animal because they live on their instincts.
[D and T-chan are at the door diagonal from the teenager girl's room.]
They have no consciences to tell them to be good or bad; they don't relish in another's suffering, they don't hide behind fake identities. They hunt and fight and spare for survival.
[This room has a fake ivy backdrop, a blue couch, and a neon light that says I WOKE UP LIKE THIS.]
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[ He still doesn't know who these backdrops are advertising for. Who in the world is waking up like this? Wolfwood is not down with the influencer culture. He's peering in over D's shoulder. ]
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I suppose we did wake up like this.
[He lifts his head to glance at Wolfwood over his shoulder.]
Yes, it does. Especially when humans are the most beastly of all.
[(knives voice)]
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He stands here for a moment, a little awash in the light too, a low hum in the deep part of his throat of consideration. ]
Are you human?
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He just looks at Wolfwood again, like he had before, searching the man's face.] So many people here enjoying asking me this question, trying to categorize me with a label which will ease the burden of their fear and uncertainty. [His right eye is canary yellow and the left is midnight purple, though.
And his skin is pale and smooth, unmarred by age.]
Are you?
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Heterochromia isn't always necessarily an indicator of inhumanity. I first really almost typed heterosexuality and like, I guess so.
Wolfwood is rough around the edges, tanned and a little scruffy, but for being from a literal desert planet with ceaseless bearing suns and sandstorms, his skin is pretty smooth, build immaculate, wired with a strength that's humming constant. ]
Depends on who I'm talkin' to.
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They're just both out here looking like a retinol ad, love that for them.]
The manager of Count D's Pet Shop. [Teasing, as if this is deeply clarifying. He doesn't look away.] Does the answer explain how you can carry such a big cross?
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Maybe other bitches should get up to their skincare level? ]
It's not that heavy, but I consider the weight special in its own way. Dunno how much of a religious man you are.
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The burden of your cross? Very symbolic of you, Father Wolfwood.
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What, you thought I just had this for show? It's not great for my back.
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...No, you don't seem like a man who does anything for show. At least, not in that regard. [A thoughtful look.] Though I have heard you will scam me out of my money...
So maybe you do like putting on a show.
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Heh. He has such a smarmy look at that. But also Vash needs to stop calling him a scammer, those things are different okay. ]
It ain't a scam if you get what you're payin' for. I always deliver.
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Oh? A delivery man... And what exactly kind of services are you delivering?
[Don't think he's interested! He's curious how Wolfwood will tell him...]
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I'm pretty flexible, so it depends on what's in need.
The more sanctified sorts of services, usually. Prayers, rites.
When times are rough, I take on extra jobs, like bodyguarding.
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He tilts his head a bit and raises a brow.]
I’m guessing the scam part of your scheme is a high rate and not desertion…?
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That's not a scam. I charge appropriately for what I do.
[ Just that usually, confession is a free service if you go to a proper church is all. ]
I'm not lazy, I just need to survive. Damn.
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Your scummy church services, sir??? Look, he doesn’t know Wolfwood’s denomination or anything. Maybe that’s a feature not a flaw.]
Does the church not pay you…?
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Anyway, it probably could enough to make sure he's alive, but he believes in self-sufficiency and elsewise. ]
Not as much as I'd like. 'Sides, I'm often out wanderin' the sands, and there's miles and miles between cities. It's not like I can just get an easy weekly allowance.
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He looks at Wolfwood like he’s wondering if he is meant to feel sorry for him.]
It sounds like you need a new career, Mr. Wolfwood.
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If it were that easy, you don't think I'd be working something else?
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Maybe you should become a detective after all... You've already been a bodyguard, so you must know how to protect yourself and others. And you're apparently good at figuring out which people would pay you for whatever fatherly service.
You could open a lucrative business in the harsh lands of your world.
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He snorts at this though. ]
You keep mentioning detective this, detective that. Who's he?
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The question earns a snort, so Wolfwood can already tell this is going to be Something.]
Leon Orcot. He was a giant nuisance. A boorish womanizer who smoked too much and spent his time sticking his nose into other people's business. [HE IS LITERALLY A DETECTIVE, IDIOT.] He always tried to accuse me of being up to no good, his apartment was a wreck, he didn't like sweets at all, and he always tried to logic away the magic of the world.
[Not him roasting Wolfwood in the process of roasting Leon.]
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[ He doesn't have anything for the first few points, he doesn't even bother defending against 'nuisance' because he thinks it's funny. Womaniser is also wobble hands but hey, again it's funny. ]
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I'm sure you have plenty of time here for all of that to change.
[Maybe. He gestures at T-chan on the couch.] I trust T-chan's judgement. [T-chan huffs from the couch.]
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You secretly can't stand me or something? Rough...
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As annoying as it is, you are at least less bothersome than some of the others. Even if you smell like cigarettes.
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Sorry, that's not a habit that's going away any time soon. I'll keep a window open and some distance if that makes you feel better.
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I’m used to it, but would prefer if you didn’t right beside me. And for goodness sakes, please put it out and not toss it on the ground like a heathen.
[Prissy.]
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[ The more he talks to D about this detective the funnier the imagery gets. The world's most annoying weirdo detective who just won't leave the pet shop owner alone... ]
I'll be a good boy, at least inside. I'm not lookin' to cause any arson.
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He shoots Wolfwood a look which says a lot and also nothing.]
Don’t litter.
[HE IS SUCH A NEW AGE HIPPIE.]
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He is also lowkey a hussy... (don't it's a real word) ]
Fine, I hear you.
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He just peers very skeptically at Wolfwood for a moment or two.]
…Thank you.
[Assigned hussy and he even thanked Wolfwood politely tch smh…]
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I'll leave you to your photos, count. Maybe you can sell good ones of your pet for money.
[ Get yourself a side business of making intricate framed photos of T-chan in a bowtie... ]
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T-chan isn’t a harlot either! [Why did he make the photos lewd. To himself:] Though he would make very cute postcards…
[T-chan grumbly growls in offense.]
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w1, mon
This works out though because D comes in not at all like an Eldritch horror repelled by God and the holy ground. He seems a bit interested actually? He's looking around with his hands in front of himself.
But he does not say anything really out of respect for the godly echo of the place.]
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But yeah sure, Wolfwood can be in here, looking at Mother Peter like who the hell is this. He glances over at D when he enters, and he has no such revering respect for the silence, though he isn't too loud. ]
Hey, count. What brings you in here?
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He looks surprised to see Wolfwood briefly. Maybe not in here necessarily, just in general. Languidly, he wanders over, still looking about. He glances at Mother Peter around Wolfwood and makes a bit of a confused face for a second before looking at Wolfwood.]
I was looking for Mr. Livio. He had been in here earlier today.
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You can probably text him, he's gotten good about his phone lately.
Why're you lookin' for him?
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[He goes back to tilting his head to glance around the cathedral either as if things have changed, or perhaps he's re-experiencing the beauty of it again for the first time.]
No reason in particular. I just feel... as if I should be in his company.
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[ Oh no. He makes a face. ]
Really?
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Yes...? Is there a reason I shouldn't want to be in his company?
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[ It's like when the big brother corners a new prospective boyfriend into an impromptu interview. ]
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I beg your pardon? I only want to spend some time near him since... it feels strange when we are apart. I'm not some kind of unsavory man.
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You basically told me to my face that I'd make a good meal for your pet the first day we met. Excuse me for bein' a little judgmental.
[ Eugh. It's not like he doesn't understand though because he also feels a weird pull... ]
You be nice to him.
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He's a carnivore.
[Huff. AS IF THIS ABSOLVES EVERYTHING.]
I'm plenty nice to him. I've spoken to him several times before, and I've never been rude.
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[ ... ]
Where'd your sass go? This weird effect is really doing shit to you, huh?
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[The sass is BACK. He gives Wolfwood a Look.]
I'm just offended you would insinuate my... need... [grits teeth] to be in Mr. Livio's company as an advance. And also that I'd be rude to him.
Why are you so concerned? Are you two...?
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[ He looks flatly at D though. FINISH THAT SENTENCE. ]
Are we what?
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An item? A mated pair.
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Why do you... why are you like that. No.
We're more like family.
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Ahh. It explains why he got so excited when he thought you said something nice about him to me.
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I have plenty of nice things to say about him. Of course I'm gonna be wary about what kind of people come after him, though.
[ Due to reasons... that is Livio's business to tell. ]
Treat him nice though, and we'll be alright.
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He watches Wolfwood thoughtfully.]
So you are a big brother like the detective, hm? And what happens if I don’t treat him nicely?
[Said like he’s curious, not like he will.]
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[ He's not gonna outright threaten D, because he's TriMax and has restraint unlike Stampede. ]
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He looks away from Wolfwood at the question, like he’s surveying the architecture again.]
No, not yet. He has been kind.
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Yeah. He's real nice.
Just worried someone's gonna take advantage of that, that's all.
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Oh, I’m sure someone will. That is just how people are; they will take advantage of kindness because their own goals are more important.
But Mr. Livio has nothing I’m interested in.
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What kinda stuff are you interested in? In people, at least.
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[He tips his head and lifts his eyes to the high vaulted ceiling thoughtfully.]
Someone who tries to change. Someone who is conscience of others and the space others take up beside them. Someone who doesn’t forget even the smallest of creatures that deserve to exist, or the health of the world giving them the chance to live.
A person who is appreciative to be alive and shows it.
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[ Now it's his turn to look over D, hand stuck in his pockets as he considers this. It's not quite what he expected.
Livio would check everything in that, he thinks... save for one. ]
You'd make a good Christian man with those kinds of values. Maybe you do belong in the house of God.
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I don’t believe this game is going to make God’s men out of any of us, Mr. Wolfwood. But thank you for saying so.
And it isn’t all sunshine, as I’m sure you know. God doles out punishments to those who take the things he’s created for them for granted.
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It's not too late to try if you ever wanna join in on a prayer. It's not always that boring.
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[He seems amused, though not in a mocking way.]
Are you going to pray for me now? Is it because you have me cornered in a church?
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[ He gestures vaguely, though. ]
Can't say I'm really familiar with this one though. Don't know any Mother Peters. Know a Saint Peter. Dunno if the prayers I've got line up for here.
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I don't know, Father Wolfwood, it looks very much like a badly designed Mother Teresa. I mean no offense to the artist, of course.
[Then he looks at Wolfwood after.]
A prayer is a prayer, right? No matter what kind of temple you're in. I'll allow you to give me a prayer.
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Think that name's familiar. Don't know much more than that though.
[ Bad Christian... though to be fair it's been minimum 150 years since they left Earth and because spaceships, probably way after Theresa's time. He thinks about it... and shrugs. ]
The Lord's Prayer will do. The most basic of 'em all, but it's pretty applicable. Wanna sit down on a pew?
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She was a nun, I believe.
[That's so long. Wolfwood, your Christianity did not die out at all. D looks over the pews, and then he casually goes to one nearby.
Sliding in, he kneels the Catholic way (Matsui would be proud of him) against the back of the pew in front, making sure his robes aren't bunched at the knees. He laces his fingers and folds his hands on the back of the pew before him. He looks expectantly at Wolfwood.]
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Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
[ Easy enough. The first lines are always easy to remember. But he recalls the next few lines, and he tastes bleeding irony somewhere in the words. He heard the first two a lot around low and cracked dinner tables, kind smiles and warm gratitude. The next tastes like immaculate steel, sterile and cold. ]
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
[ ... ]
Amen.
And that's how one of them goes.
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He watches Wolfwood. If Wolfwood closes his eyes, D will keep his open and watch Wolfwood speak the lines like a naughty Christian. But if Wolfwood keeps his open to pray, then D will close his and bow his head.]
Amen.
[Waow... He doesn't go up in flames at all. Not a demon.]
Not a bad one, Father.
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But yeah, impressive. ]
You can quit callin' me Father while you're at it, haven't earned that kind of title and don't really want to either.
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I’m teasing you.
[He will just say it because he thinks saying it boldly is also part if the tease since it's Wolfwood.
Unlacing his hands, he uses the back of the pew to stand again. He fixes his changshan neatly.]
You said you were a priest? Was I blessed by someone not ordained…?
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Father's a title, it's earned shit. One that I don't really want.
I'm licensed enough to do basic things and have it not be considered blasphemy -- hear you out, say prayers for you. Don't have that kind of bigger authority though, and don't care to rise through the ranks.
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That’s good since I prefer calling you Mr. Wolfwood anyway.
[He stands and looks all around the ceiling and the walls again, like he’s in an art gallery.]
I’m surprised to run into a man who does not have lofty ambitions like those. Who takes care of children and inspires an almost seven foot man into looking up to him.
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[ He would also rather you just stick with Mr. Wolfwood. D is so polite...
Anyway Kendrick Lamar's Humble plays bass-boosted. ]
He wasn't always that big. Knew him when he was a lot scrawnier. People just grow up real fast when you're not looking.
[ He looks consideringly at the cathedral interior, and it's almost distant when he talks. ]
I neve wanted to go anywhere big, do anything huge.
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Yes… They sure do.
[The expression staring at some arbitrary part of the cathedral is strangely soft before it fades into something mournfully hard.
And then it’s gone, replaced by the mirage of a smile he gives Wolfwood.]
And yet, how many places did you really go, and how many huge things swallowed you up?
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Told you, didn't I? Been all around the planet and more. So, plenty.
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[See WHAT.
He moves out of the pews back into the aisle and slowly wanders down it toward the front.]
When you let go of earthly desires, life will bring you what you need to be satisfied.
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Sorry, but I guess I've still got attachments that I'm not willing to let go of.
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Attachments here or back home...?
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...Both.
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[He laces his fingers together in front of himself. Peers around the front architecture of the cathedral, and then turns halfway so he can look back at Wolfwood.]
I have a question for you, Mr. Wolfwood. If your time comes, hypothetically, can you do it? Can you kill someone else here in order to keep your team on the path to victory?
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That's a pretty dangerous question to answer.
A "no" makes me a target. A "yes" makes me a danger.
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I'm only a visitor in God's house, not Judgement. Would you kill someone for your own desires? Would you discriminate among the ones here?
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Yeah. I would.
[ Somewhat true to the both of those things -- he's got some standards. ]
I can't afford to be that kind of merciful, idealist saviour who thinks everyone can survive. If I don't take my chances, somebody else will.
I've got things I can't risk losing, things way too big for something like that.
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[He twists back to the front of the church, gives it a cursory glance again.]
Except for the discrimination. Everyone here has an equal opportunity. Men, women, and children. All notion of right and wrong have been given up in death, and we are no higher than animals simply fighting for survival.
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[ In the end, he hopes, but his prayers have never been answered before. ]
I'm not really a fan of bein' stained red, honestly. But if that's the burden I'll have to take, then I'll wade through it as much as I need to.
[ Hopefully, it stays need to. ]
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[A quiet sigh. He lowers his head, and then he turns around to walk down the middle aisle again, unhurried. He stops near Wolfwood.]
You can always ask for forgiveness later. Or so they say.
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Too late for that, count. I'll stay my hand until I need to, 'cause that's the deal I've got going on right now, but once stained red, it's never washing off.
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I hope it stays that way for you then. Unstained.
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[ Somehow... he can still sass a little. ]
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[DON'T SASS.]
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My death doesn't mean my problems stop existing. It's a cruelty that I'm still around, aware, and breathing.
Means I don't get the luxury of letting go.
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[He smiles a little.]
Excuse me, that isn't a Christian ideology.
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[ Though being an open mind and accepting it for yourself are different things. ]
You think a next life would be better? Think the whole "weight of sins" thing is probably gonna drag me down someplace pretty shitty.
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I am not the same as everyone, but I would take a thousand different lives to try again than just a single one full of regrets at the end. It's a burden, but I would bear it. I don't want to become like my father; unfortunately, I believe it's my fate to walk in his shoes.
Unless I change.
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Do you think you can?
[ Do you think people change, D? ]
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Not in the life I left. Maybe in the next.
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Good luck with that.
[ And honestly, he does kind of mean it. ]
Hope you can escape your Father.
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[He gazes out thoughtfully over the cathedral with no real distinct expression. Not happy, not sad.]
But now I am the father to my son. And it is my turn to reject hope.
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You talking about T-chan or do you seriously have a kid?
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[He slowly turns his head back to Wolfwood, expression coy and teasing.]
I have a son. My grandfather is caring for him.
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[ Partially because D is pretty young but also the idea... that D fucks... is it adoption... ]
Why not you? You don't wanna be around him?
[ Because of this whole, like father like son thing? ]
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[He shakes his head, face softening.]
That is my grandfather’s duty. He cared for me as well all of my life. It is now my duty to look after the pet shop I inherited.
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[ Is there a Mrs. D...? That being said, while this family structure is new to him, he can see the pattern and who is he to riff off of someone else's tradition. ]
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He is young. He was born very recently. [Maybe this assuages some of the worry about him being young. “It doesn’t.”] I’m not married, no.
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[ He's not interested in caring about wedlock or whatever so. ]
...Hope he grows up well.
[ He really does mean that. Kids deserve every chance. ]
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Grandfather knows what to do, so I'm sure he will be alright. [A teasing, knowing smile.] You really do like kids, don't you, Mr. Wolfwood?
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I don't know if I'd say I like 'em. [ It's kind of a lie but it's semantics. He's fond of kids regardless. ] I just don't think they've got anything to be blamed for. Not for the kind of responsibilities adults have got.
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I see. [Said in the way where he knows Wolfwood is full of shit, but he's being POLITE and not calling him out on it.] I run a pet shop, and I see many children, as you can imagine.
So I cannot say I agree with some of that. Even children have terribly selfish desires.
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Also stop pinches D's eyes closed. ]
I'm not saying there ain't any demonic children out there, but that's not what I mean. Even then, in most cases, they're just what their parents, or lack of parents make 'em.
Someone just needs to set them on the right path. That's all.
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Children do not have to be demonic to have selfish desires. I have seen parents make or break children as well. In fact, I gave a couple a rabbit to help with the loss of their daughter whom the mother killed by giving her the drugs she kept begging for. It's no surprise she also killed the rabbit by not following my guidelines and feeding it cookies.
But I also believe even children are smart enough to learn from correction, yes.
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Though, the majority of the way you think seems to be just about animals, even kids. [ He made a notable face when D referred to it as 'correction'. ] Guess that's why I'm so surprised you even had a kid of your own.
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I'm a bit offended [he does not sound offended, only amused] you think I "correct" my animals. They are wild creatures and do not deserve being forced to obey arbitrary rules of behavior imposed on them by humans.
As I said, Grandfather is caring for my son, so you don't have to worry, Mr. Wolfwood. Unless you would like to care for him instead?
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[ Pointedly. ]
I'm not even a part of your planet, or world, or whatever. Besides, doubt that if you care about him, you'd want me to be his guardian. You already don't like the sound of my planet as it is, let alone put him in my care.
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[LISTEN. He will judge other pet sellers if they unnecessarily train their animals.]
I don't know, Mr. Wolfwood. Maybe he would become a different person than his father if he was in another environment. He'd know even better the importance of natural life having experienced a planet without it.
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[ He's really here thinking D is just being like ANIMALS SHOULD NEVER BE TOLD WHAT TO DO PERIOD. ]
I don't know about that. You wouldn't know how to appropriately treat something you've never seen. Some might be extra careful because of it, or be just as reckless.
w6, sun h-how... did we have 230 comments when i died w1..........hello
BACK. He bows at the shoulders to them.] Thank you, hello. A sweet black tea for me and Mr. Wolfwood, please. Maybe some macarons as well. [He moves over to sit across from Wolfwood, smoothing the changshan under him so it isn't wrinkled.]
It's been a while, Mr. Wolfwood.
anna this is what i mean anna. anna. im going to kill you anna. you did this and then you died anna
What'd you just order for me?
[ The macaron, not the black tea. This universe canonically has ceylon so he knows that one but macarons are rich people snacks. ]
Sure has. Where's your companion-pet-whatever's your favourite term?
LISTEN!!!!!!!
Sweet black tea and macarons, of course. [He looks both amused and playfully offended Wolfwood does not know why he is getting macarons in a maid cafe.] Sweet meringue cookies.
T-chan?
[Said in the way of him pretending to again be offended Wolfwood didn't remember T-chan's name.]
Did you miss him and want to see him? I left him in the pet shop here.
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I don't know what a meringue cookie is either... and yeah, no shit I mean him.
[ Unfortunately he just steamrolls D's mock offense. ]
He can do anything he wants. Just was more, uh, well, glad to know he showed up with you.
[ You know. Hope T-chan didn't get obliterated in the afterlife. ]
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[He folds his hands in his lap, smiling regardless.]
Your concern is very sweet, but yes, he showed up with me here. Me, T-chan, and Rin.
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You two talked it out or what?
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Thank you.
[He pushes the fancy plate of macarons toward Wolfwood, then cups his hands around his teacup.]
...We talked, yes. I apologized, though I don't think he will forgive me. Not that he has to. Then we've bickered off and on ever since because he acts a lot like you and the detective unfortunately.
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He'll start with the tea, making a slight face at its sweetness. ]
You really just can't let that go, huh. Maybe you should learn to meet new people.
If Rin can hold his own against you then I'm not gonna go off and be angry on his behalf, even if I think it was shit that out of all the adults, you went after him.
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I meet a great deal of people, I assure you. It was my job.
[He does not seem bothered by the last bit.]
None of the adults annoyed me unfortunately. Not at that time at least. Maybe you all shouldn't have kept your terrible secrets so close to your chest, and I would have picked you instead.
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You made it pretty clear I annoy the fuck out of you, actually.
[ But mildly. ]
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You do annoy me rather well. But you would never tell me much about yourself. It was only the first week. Rin is just a boy, so he was honest. We had a conversation about sacrificing what's important to reach a goal. Then he told me it was worth it.
But apparently, it was a misunderstanding.
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[ His thoughts are very much like how do you misunderstand so bad you'd kill a teen over an adult like him, Wolfwood is garbage. ]
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We believed we were already dead, and we were in a game of kill or be killed. Imposing those sorts of morals here, as you can see, is useless. So it didn’t matter if it was a teenager or an adult to me.
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But like I said, if Rin ain't angry anymore then I ain't that pissed. Just judging.
[ You're on... medium, somewhat thin ice. ]
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[Wow, his mediumly thin ice.]
And here you tried to make out like you were surprised I thought you didn’t want to speak to me. I can’t say whether Rin is still angry or not. You’ll have to ask him.
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[ The thing is that yeah they're teens but looks at Livio also being listed as 16. You're Flurry's bestie so I refuse to think you haven't seen Stampede with your Wolfwood discord icon. And even beyond that, Wolfwood's been basically given the adult treatment since he was like... twelve.
So.
He's definitely severely judging D for his choice, but it's not like he murdered a complete child. ]
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D seems wryly amused.]
There’s no point in harping. I’ve apologized, and what’s done is done. You and I won’t ever see eye-to-eye on it. That’s okay.
[He will have one of the macarons.]
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[ Watches the macaron crumble like oh, it's a crunchy thing? ]
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Yes, I’ve seen and heard. But Miss Shenhe missed you anyway.
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Why're you the third person who told me that? How much has she been sayin' this?
[ ??? The vibe is very clearly not understanding why Shenhe missed him THIS hard. ]
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Oh. You are the world to Miss Shenhe, I’m afraid to say. She cares about everyone on her team very much, you included.
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Sayin' it's the world is a bit much.
[ Given he knows she loves her home so very much and he's just some guy she's known for a month. ]
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Is it…
[IT’S NOT A QUESTION!!!
He sips some of his tea pointedly.]
I think I should know, she told me.
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Anyway it's kind of evident that Wolfwood doesn't really understand this. Not in the sense of like, low self-esteem, but like... legitimately just doesn't understand how that's the case. Not bothered by it, but? ]
Guess the stress of bein' the only person from our team to be stuck all alone over on this side must've been a lot.
[ This is sincere, even if it doesn't sound like it on paper. ]
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D REALLY JUST SETS DOWN HIS CUP A BIT ROUGHLY. He can’t set it too roughly, it’ll spill.]
Mr. Wolfwood, for once, would you at least pretend not to be a total idiot? Miss Shenhe loves you, and Vash, and Miss Nahri, and I hope you would not take that for granted, or diminish her feelings.
Honestly…
She has a difficult life, and you have shown her kindness and understanding. That means more to her than simply being separated.
[HE GOT SO PASSIONATE AND FOR WHAT]
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[ WHAT THE HECK!! ]
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Stop acting like you're so surprised!
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[ Wolfwood and his unfortunate habit of not realising how important he can be to others okay. ]
Why are you lecturin' me on this?!
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[He looks like he almost says something he doesn't want to say, so he sorta folds himself back into Polite Manners.]
Because. Don't hurt Miss Shenhe's feelings by being a typical stupid man if she tells you these things. She already feels like she has been useless to you all, and that she got you killed.
[Before he can add anything else, Wolfwood gets a memory.]
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That's none of her business. Puttin' aside that the game fucked me over since I gave up tryin' to kill to get our team ahead the start of this week, it still wasn't anybody's decision but mine.
[ It's his only sense of control, a brief word that flickers as a thought before the stupid memory pig bounces around. OH NO NOT THIS AGAIN.
Hmm. ]
Well, shit. Looks like you definitely run way more than just a humble pet store after all.
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Ha ha, CONTROL.]
...Don't misconstrue my intentions. I had no interest in that boy. It was the Scarlet Scorpion I was after. The one on his chest.
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I meant more the fact that your shop could do something like that to begin with. That's fucked up.
[ He means that. Family is important to him even if he technically never had any, but he did come from an orphanage full of kids who struggled with the feeling of abandonment, after all. He does think showing their mother to them... as an illusion...? Would be cruel.
That, and relating deeply to not being able to face your family anymore due to having killed. ]
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The shop sells love, hopes, and dreams, Mr. Wolfwood. The people who come in see what they desire most inside. He was a Scorpio's Child. Orphans taken by a place which turns them into assassins without emotions.
But he's still a child, and still humans. Of course he would see his mother in the shop.
[Finally, he will carefully have a sip of tea.]
When Scorpio's Children fail their mission, the only thing left for them is to commit suicide, and that is something he tried. I didn't let him, of course. I took the Scarlet Scorpion from him and turned him over to the police. But without the scorpion, he was no longer a Scorpio's Child.
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[ He'll have a macaron. He's still decidedly very unamused and unenthused about it, but does listen along.,/small> ]
Sayin' you "sell" that stuff sounds pretty insincere, you know.
What happened to the kid after?
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It's not untrue. What's insincere is humans coming to the pet shop for their selfish desires.
The detective and his station turned him over to social workers, I assume. He was a prostitute.
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Why the hell else do you think people go to stores? Charity?
[ It's CAPITALISM, D!! But ugh, he eats this macaron and makes such a dark expression. It's not over the macaron, it's over what D mentioned the kid did as a job, but he will use the macaron as an excuse because he immediately would rather not.
He doesn't have a comment. He doesn't want to have a comment. So D can hear a little snort-oink and get this as a follow-up. ]
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Strangely, he is not surprised by this. It's... fitting? It explains some things.]
I see you understand the horrors of humans, too, Mr. Wolfwood.
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Wolfwood is grimacing, fingers a little tight on his cup of tea, but he remains behaved. Just annoyed to have it be doxxed... again. ]
I haven't made it a secret. I ain't the kind of world-hatin' nihilist who thinks all humans are outright bad, but humans are also how monsters came to be.
[ The Gung-ho Guns. He means in his world obviously because everyone else's worlds / dimensions are so radically different. ]
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Humans are often the real monsters.
[SEE]
Was that what they were called…? It seems like you and that boy had a few things in common.
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Sure, yeah. A special squad formed by the lord freak, Legato -- who, by the way, you look a little like him. [ But don't act like him, because thank fucking God you don't. ] Full of former humans who threw away their respective humanity for one reason or another, though I'd say a majority of it is for power.
I snuck into their group 'cause I had a score to settle. Worst people I've ever met and I thought I'd already seen a lot by that point.
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It doesn’t sound all that different than Los Angeles sometimes.
[…]
Your vengeance was that strong?
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...Sure, it's a bit more complicated than that, but we can settle for that.
Killed the man who turned me into what I am now, so he'd never pick up another kid from my orphanage and do to them like what they did to me again.
My next step was goin' to our church's angel and takin' him out while he was still weak.
[ Unfortunately, he arrived at bad timing, and also learned humankind is absolutely outpowered even by a weakened angel. ]
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I see. And here you kept all of these cards close to your chest.
[Teasing. They literally only knew each other for like a week.]
And…? Did you succeed, or were these just your plans?
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It ain't exactly normal and good conversation to have over tea. All it does is be a downer and doesn't add any benefits.
[ He doesn't think this is necessary information to 'understand' himself as a person either. It's just dredging trauma. His expression twists when D asks this, a mixture of both resentment, irritation, and just the slightest flicker of some kind of deeper, primal fear at the memory -- the necessity to survive. ]
No, or else I wouldn't be here... or I guess, that'd be the story if it didn't turn out that me bein' here isn't 'cause I'm dead. [ Not yet... ] Turns out, tryin' to kill a higher being is a lot tougher to do in practice, and I don't mean just physically.
[ As in, like, they're tough to kill physically. ]
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It’s part of my job.
[He watches Wolfwood with his mismatched eyes. He gets it’s not a conversation you really bring up with just anyone, but Wolfwood is easy to tease.]
I’d imagine such a thing would be true. You may not want to mention it to Miss Shenhe if you haven’t already. She will probably be as mad about the idea as she always is hearing I cannot forsake my duty to the shop.
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[ SIGHING, in the 'of course you would, you weirdo' way. ]
Sad shit about being mortal and all that. In the end, I'm only human.
But Vash, and Livio, can do it.
[ Which is why, at the bare minimum, he needs them to get back alive no matter what. Bare minimum, because he isn't like most of the self-sacrificial doofuses here. ]
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I was talking about the principle of the matter. Getting to know someone applies to everyone.
[Stop!!! He can be a weirdo!! Who else will feel these shoes?!]
You are putting a lot on the two of them.
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I'm no expert in time loops or paradoxes or whatever, but does sound to me like keeping the two who survive it all alive is a good place to start.
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Well, try not to put all of your eggs in one basket, Mr. Wolfwood. Call me paranoid, but the way this all seems to be wrapping up feels... too easy. If someone bothered rigging a game even for amusement, I don't see why they would let it end so nicely for us.
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Of course I'm not gonna just sit down and think it's gonna wrap up all that easy. If anythin' in life came that easy then I wouldn't be in a place like this to begin with.
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[Not that this will keep Wolfwood from being a dingdong about it.
Humans…]