inkwreaths | AU; ain't no rest for the wicked

[Compared to most nights it was a fairly calm one. Little wind, no clouds. If the city lights weren't so strong Guy was certain that they'd be able to see stars. Back when he still had a place to call home, he spent plenty of nights leaning on the balcony outside his room. He didn't do much of once he grew up--all his focus had been channeled into surviving.

A town like this was likely to eat you alive if you weren't careful. It was about time to remind the government that there were two giants in this dreadful place.

His step is measured, with no sign of haste. As he approaches Shintaro there's a friendly smile on his face, as though he's greeting an old friend.]

Hey, sorry about that. But I really wanted to talk to you guys. [The muscle's been taken care of for now. Th boy was a little roughed up, but unharmed. Guy's goal, after all, wasn't terror. It was to inform.] You mind if we have a little one-on-one?

[Somehow, he lost contact with Ene and Shinji a few rooms down. It must be someone interfering, but at this point there's nothing he can do now. It was carefully planned so that he ran out of ammo right as the man showed up, too, and while he had extra in his jacket pocket, he won't have the time to reload now.

Fuck shit damn. He doesn't know how much he can trust this guy, and by that he knows he can't trust him at all. Narrowing his eyes, he sets his mouth in a frown.]

What do you want?

[Certainly not, when Guy's got a gun of his own and a sword by his side. Both remain where they are. He isn't concerned about being hurt. This boy was of little threat, but he'll do nicely as a messenger.

Guy rubs the back of his head and lets out a sigh.]

Ouch! That's an awfully cold tone. Here, how about I introduce myself? [He offers his hand.] Guy Cecil. I'm sure you've heard of me. How about you?

Yeah, I know about you. You control a bunch of guys in this area -- most indirectly. [He doesn't take the hand, but he drops his own shoulders and lets his gun hang at his side. It's useless anyway. He keeps his eyes on the man.]

Kisaragi. You didn't come here to make friends, did you?

[Guy lets his hand rest on his hip instead, his tone still friendly despite the refusal of the gesture.]

I could say the same for you. I don't remember inviting you over to my place, but you're here. [A beat.] How long have you been in the force, Kisaragi? You don't seem like the type they like picking up.

I hardly remember. It feels like forever.

[A chat? He didn't come here for a chat. He wanted to get this done and over with quickly and get home and eat microwave dinner and let Ene watch that show she wanted to watch. His legs and feet hurt from all the moving around he's done today; his arms and back hurt from using his gun. Is this going to take a while? He sighs loudly and finds an overturned chair to pull up and drop himself on, sitting slumped and his legs spread in the most obnoxious pose he can take.]

What's it to you?

[Hope you're comfortable sitting like that, Shintaro, because Guy's slamming down his sword between those legs of yours. The blade digs into the floor, but he doesn't raise his voice.]

You've got your family and I've got mine. For the sake of both of them, I'd like it if you could go back to your superiors and tell them that I haven't forgotten our arrangement.

[People like Shinji and Ene who have entered Shintaro's semi-trust circle could've gotten a reaction out of him with much less, but Guy doesn't have that sort of privilege. A chill runs down Shintaro's spine at the sudden danger between his legs, but he turns his eyes up to the man without betraying any emotion.]

You're telling me to play messenger? Unfortunately, the great Mr Ikari doesn't have so much spare time he can use to talk to me in.

[What a good kid. Shintaro has Guy's respect for keeping a cool demeanor in the face of danger. He heaves a sigh, as if this conversation is tiring for him.]

I see. [If brute force won't work, he'll try pushing another button.] That Shinji kid you came in with... he's Mr. Ikari's son, isn't he? What an irresponsible father, sending his son out into the field like this. He looks like he should be in school. How old is he?

Too young for you to be getting interested in him, old man. [He shakes his head, matching Guy's sigh with an exasperated one of his own.] Just tell me what you want.

Geez, is that the image I give off?

[All right, then. He yanks out his sword and sheathes it.] I guess it doesn't matter to you, but I'll be keeping your partner. I want you to work on passing that message on to Mr. Ikari. That's all I'm asking from you.

You think you can manage it?

Keeping him?

[Shintaro raises an eyebrow, seemingly uninterested, but his eyes haven't left Guy, watching his every movement. Was Shinji the one trapped, then, not him? Where's Ene?]

I don't think I can leave him here with the guy that didn't deny being interested in guys still going through puberty. As his partner, I have a responsibility to him.

[There won't be any answers from Guy, since his only concern is getting his message through. He wasn't like Van--sending back bodies or heads was a messy affair and he preferred not to resort to choices that caused unnecessary losses in lie. If Shintaro won't crack, that's fine by him. All he needs is leverage, and he knows that Shinji will play that part just fine.

With a casual stride he makes his way back to the door, turns to smile at Shintaro.]

And you've failed that responsibility pretty badly, haven't you? Sorry. I'm not the one who started this game.

[Before Guy turns, Shintaro's already moved. He doesn't have time to reload the first gun, but he has a second hidden. Why wouldn't he? By the time Guy's turned, the smaller one is pointed at his forehead.]

So I tell Ikari your message. What are you going to do with the son?

[Shintaro's bumped up from 'good kid' to 'smart kid.' Though the gun's aimed right at him, Guy doesn't lose his calm. Being raised in the slums here has gotten him familiar with the sight. Much too familiar.]

I'm no monster, unlike your employer. [He folds his arms.] You'll get him back safe and sound. I won't touch a hair on his head.

[He simply narrows his eyes, not lowering the gun as he takes slow, measured steps toward Guy.]

That you haven't forgotten the arrangement. You better not forget this one. I don't have so nice of a face that I can recommend it being the last thing you see before I kill you.

[The smile finally leaves Guy's face, his gaze hardening.]

I'm making a promise. I don't break my promises. You're better off saving your petty threats for someone else.

To think I'd hear that coming from a guy threatening me with a hostage...

[He heaves a sigh, lowering his gun though his finger never leaves the trigger.]

Any time limits?

He wouldn't take me seriously if I didn't. [Not Shintaro. Not the employees.]

It depends on how long you'd like to go without your friend. I'm sure both of us want negotiations to end quickly and peacefully.

You think Ikari would actually be affected? [He shakes his head.]

I'll be back here by midnight. He's got homework.

Not emotionally, no. [It all hinges on the accuracy of the intel he's got. If Shinji really is important to that pet project of Ikari's...

Shintaro's response gets a quiet laugh from Guy.]

Sure, sure. Just mention my name when you get back. They'll be expecting you.

[That comment gets a flash of curiosity in Shintaro's eyes, but it's gone quickly enough as he turns for another door.]

Sounds good enough. I'll just come back to this building.

[And he will. :|b About fifteen minutes early.]

[He is still setting things up wow!! Which is to say, the door to the building's closed. But he's sitting inside, looking thoughtful as mob bosses usually do.]

[Uwah, how cliche. Shintaro's walking in fifteen minutes early with a paper cup of coffee from the offices, and a shopping bag with food for poor Shinji. None for u Guy. He's not even hiding that he's armed.]

He actually looked up at me, if you wanted a report on his reaction.

[The narration corrects itself on a universal, temporal level. Midnight is no excuse for Weird Time Shit to go down. We do not want to pull a Kagerou Project here.

In any case, Guy isn't too alarmed to see Shintaro walking in like that. As before, there's no guards with him. He's confident that he'll die one day--just not at this kid's hands. With a smile, he stands up.]

That's better than nothing. You look like you're coming home from a hard day at work.

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