YAN-PARA au master post

[earthflames]

WHAT IT SAYS ON THE BOX.

Comments

[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]

[beautymark]

[he can do that!

When he gets to where he should be, D is lurking nervously by the wall]

[tracings]

[The card gets tucked into a pocket for later reference and as he strolls into the alley, he goes from feigned casual to rather serious]

...who was she?

[beautymark]

...My mistress.

[and the very thought of her being within miles of him is making D visibly worked up]

Can we leave?

[tracings]

That would be for the best, wouldn't it?

[He sighs - so much for getting something done today]

Sure. Let's go - you can thank me later.

[beautymark]

Okay...

[he's going to hover super close. in fact, people might just actually start to think Archer is gay for real realz]

[tracings]

[Fine, go ahead. Hover and intrude on his personal space - he's not sure why he even tries to maintain it anymore, honestly.

...and anyways, keeping Diarmuid stable is a priority. His inner hero isn't fond of the idea of letting any of the crazy leak out or take control]

...she's still looking for you, you know.

[beautymark]

Of course. I could get them in a lot of trouble.

[this is just fact.]

And... Well, it takes a long time to train someone to do what I did.

[tracings]

Then she'll need to start on someone else.

[TSUNFACE TIME... Diarmuid's a pain, but he's sort of their pain at this point]

[beautymark]

[oh

that never occurred to him]

...Someone else?

[tracings]

Someone else. Unless you'd rather volunteer to go back.

[beautymark]

I don't want to go back, but...

[glancing back over his shoulder]

I can't just let them do that to someone else, can I?

[tracings]

That depends on your conscience.

[....shhh, Archer, shhh, we decided we were turning off the heroics, even though the more he thinks about it, the more unsettled he gets. If they dragged someone else in, that would just mean more killing, wouldn't it? He's not a fan of that]

[beautymark]

You know what I'm like. They'll just drive someone else out of their mind, and then all those horrible things will start again.

Maybe I should go back. Then at least there's only one...

[tracings]

And what about Cu? Or the people you'll end up killing?

[A purely logical question, of course, this is a matter of weighing costs and gains]

[beautymark]

...I could kill them.

[Except he knows he couldn't. He'd be too afraid, and they know him too well.]

[tracings]

...that's the favorable situation, isn't it. But could you really.

[He huffs]

Like you said - I know what you're like.