YAN-PARA au master post

[earthflames]

WHAT IT SAYS ON THE BOX.

Comments

[beautymark]

[Fortunately D is practiced in pretending to be less crazy than he is. In public, he can fake fine. The only sign he's not is a strange hint of lag when his expressions change. He smiles, but internally he flinches.]

I can tell you how well they're made, you know.

[tracings]

[On one hand: a second, informed opinion would be incredibly useful.

On the other: crazy person probab;y accustomed to weaponizing things, unloaded or otherwise.

After a moment's hesitation, he passes another gun to Diarmuid with a nod]

That one?

[Look, he's trying this whole 'trust' thing. The good behavior helps.]

[beautymark]

[He can be good. He can be very good and helpful and peaceful!

He really does know a lot about weapons, of course. It takes him just a moment to go through all the motions of inspecting, opening and closing and clicking and moving all the parts with an expert casualness that clearly impresses the stall owner. When he's done, he passes it back to Archer just as easily.]

Cheaply made. Not very durable. Overpriced.

[tracings]

[After the muttered 'damn it,' Diarmuid gets half a chuckle out of him.]

Way to make more work for me.

[He sets the gun back down and motions for Diarmuid to follow - time to go dig around somewhere else, he supposes.]

[beautymark]

But a better reputation means better pay.

[He is quite happy to follow Archer!]

[beautymark]

[buuut then about a block down he suddenly freezes in place]

[tracings]

Too bad our pay doesn't grow as fast as the weird reputation.

[...at first he keeps walking, but after a moment he doesn't notice Diarmuid pressing against the outer walls of his space bubble and he stops, staring at him from up ahead]

...what?

[beautymark]

[He holds dead still for a few moments, staring at a point past Archer as if he's afraid to move. Then he takes a slow, shuddering breath and comes up to Archer again, clearly trying his damndest to look natural.]

Archer, we're friends, right?

[tracings]

[Well. In all technicality, Diarmuid's a friend of a friend who wasn't supposed to be much of a friend in the first place, but Archer's learned since then that things rarely turn out his way.

Not that he's above lying - more like he's weighing the pros and cons of an honest answer vs. a convenient outcome.

...he chooses the latter, consider Diarmuid is actually pretty decent when acting normal.]

Sure.

[beautymark]

So you wouldn't betray me, right?

[It's not a threat, and he's not showing his violent face right now. He's saying it as if he's really frightened, even though he's trying to keep that off of his face and keep his voice low. Something's got him severely spooked.]

Even if someone gave you a lot of money?

[tracings]

[In reality?

He'd consider it. Strongly. Especially if Diarmuid didn't have Cu.

Luckily, he decides to answer in the negative.]

Betray you? Not really, no.

[He pauses - maybe it'd be best to say something more?"

[beautymark]

...I need you to do me a favor then.

[tracings]

Yeah? And what would that be?

[beautymark]

Turn around and keep walking for-- Ah, four more stalls. There's a lady in a lace dress. Ignore her no matter what. Don't make eye contact. Then turn right and cut through the alley. I'll meet you on the next street.

...If you're tempted to talk to her, I-- You just remember who I was before we met.

[tracings]

[Well. To be honest he was expecting much worse...]

...ah, you were able to deter my curiosity. That's a surprise.

[He shoots a look up the road, casually examining the stretch of stalls Diarmuid spoke of, then waves him off casually]

Go sneak off, I'll see you in a moment.

[beautymark]

[He hesitates a moment, then nods and heads off in the opposite direction. For him, it'd be suicide to even attempt to pass that woman.

Archer won't get past without her grabbing his arm, though.]

Excuse me, sir.

[tracings]

[He can't keep the women away ugh what the hell no what do how does one handle girls when they're the family weakness.

No wait.

He's totally got this.

Totally going to just look away and escape with an awesome one-liner.

First thing out of his mouth?]

...I'm gay.

[Fuck yes we're so smooth]

[beautymark]

[well that's not what she expected. She keeps a pleasant smile on anyway, though, and waves her free hand to excuse the comment.]

That's not important. I'm just looking for someone. Do you mind looking at a picture?

[tracings]

[Well. Technically he's already spoken to her, but he's certain it's not a big deal... Just

Just gotta scoot off casually. So much for that first attempt]

I'm occupied at the moment, so you'll need to make it fast.

[beautymark]

Thank you.

[aaand pulling out a rather formal photo of D]

You see, my cousin's gotten kidnapped. He's very mentally ill and I'm afraid whoever he's with must be preying on that. We thought we'd get a ransom letter, but it's been so long I just can't help but look on my own. Here, this is the person he was seen with...

[yep, she has Cu's mugshot]

Have you seen either of them, maybe?

[tracings]

[Oh. Oh. Suddenly he has a bad feeling he knows what this woman's been up to before.]

...I can't say I have.

[beautymark]

[her hand tightens just a bit at his arm, and she keeps smiling brightly]

Are you absolutely sure? There's an awfully big reward for information...

[tracings]

I'm positive -- I can't say I'm the sort to give up large sums willingly...

[Real talk: it's a touch tempting, though the inevitable disapproval from Cu and Shirou would be maddening]

[beautymark]

I see...

[she even manages to look incredibly sad!]

Well he's been like a brother to me ever since uncle and auntie died, so if you see anything, please contact me. Here's my card. Pass it around if you can?

[a totally legit calling card for a lady of more money than skills]

[tracings]

[And he manages what he assumes to be a pleasant grin, but might actually look more like a shiteating, face-punch-worthy sort of smile]

Of course. I'll do my best to help find your cousin.

[Ok bye? BYE... Gonna try to reclaim his arm and leave now thx]