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

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.

[Shintaro has no real plans to be the one to kill Guy, either. He thinks if they ever got the mission, he'd pull the trigger instead of Shinji, but Guy's death was not an order he was given.]

I am, honestly. Thanks to you, I'm in overtime. Where's Shinji Ikari?

Eager to see the kids, are we? First, tell me. Did Gendo want to pass anything on?

He said "I see." [He waves his hand in a "don't ask me" gesture. He has no idea, you know?]

Like I said earlier, he's a responsibility.

That definitely sounds like him.

[A pensive look crosses over his face. It's hard to estimate what move Gendo would pull next. But the deal's done. A message was all he needed to send, a brief chance was all he wanted. Despite the lines he's willing to push, the things he's done, the one thing Guy Cecil isn't is a liar. He taps his fingers on the desk.] I'll bring him out. Thanks for the help.

[He means it sincerely, funnily enough.] Just make sure you keep a closer eye on the kid. You two aren't in the best of businesses.

He knew what he signed up for. [He's not going to just easily say "okay" to a man named his enemy. But there's no real hostility coming from Shintaro as he watches the fingers tap the desk.]

Why did you choose me?

You were convenient. [It's said with his usual friendly smile.] Although you worked with a high-profile agent you were careless, too. But I think you're a smart guy. You'll realize a couple of things now that we've had the chance to talk, I'm hoping.

If your hopes are getting answered, that's good for you. I don't know. [He sighs, his shoulders dropping tiredly.]

Any more errands you want since I'm apparently so convenient?

Are you offering? I didn't expect that from you.

[Truth be told, he's glad that Gendo's stopped roping in younger recruits. Shintaro doesn't seem much better, but at least he's not some susceptible child. At least, Guy hopes that's the case. A squawk comes from the radio clipped to his belt.]

All I wanted was to deliver a message. You did that well. So, thanks. You can head home now if you'd like. [A mischievous smile.] And my apologies for keeping both of you up on a school night.

I was thinking maybe I can demand payment from you if there was a next time. [He sighs with a roll of his eyes, as if he really was disappointed by the lack of payment. Maybe he is! Who really knows? Shintaro's not known for his undying loyalty to anybody, really.]

Where can I pick him up?

[What a strange kid.] Don't let your boss hear you say that. We don't want him thinking we're in cahoots.

At the park. You know where it is, right?

You don't. I don't really care -- he knows I'm not going to do anything to piss him off since he can hold my sister over my head whenever he wants.

[But the next information makes his head snap up and he looks -- angry? Alarmed?]

You left that kid at the park?! At this time of night?! I hope you're single and not a parent because you lack responsibility! [What the heck bro!!!]

AU; ain't no rest for the wicked

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