AU; ain't no rest for the wicked

[nooses]

i've got bills to pay, i've got mouths to feed
there ain't nothing in this world for free

STARRING:
THOSE BORN INTO FORTUNE - Shintaro Kisaragi. Shinji Ikari.
THOSE CAST OUT BY FORTUNE - Masumi Seki. Monica Campbell. Guy Cecil.

Comments

[truants]

Mmm. Probably. It wasn't far away in the first place. Old geezer's probably taking a nap.

[maskmaker]

[She laughs at that.] See? You're not getting paid either way.

[truants]

Don't put it like that! I gotta trick myself into believing I came all the way out here for something.

[maskmaker]

Yet you let it get thwarted by one fat, airheaded blond girl...

[She's just throwing the insults you've thrown at her today]

[truants]

[All right, that's a good comeback.]

It's because pushing a girl off my scooter would look bad on me.

[maskmaker]

You're surprisingly gentlemanly...

[truants]

Your idea of gentlemanly is crap.

[maskmaker]

I keep my standards low so that you'll pass.

[truants]

Oi, you're making me sound like a loser!

[maskmaker]

Aren't you?

[truants]

[Seki looks like he's about to argue against it but winds up shutting his mouth instead.]

... if I say I am, will you let me go?

[maskmaker]

[She peers at him for a moment, curiously, but will slip her arms away from around him, then steps so she can stand next to him.]

No. I won't make you say it, because you aren't.

[truants]

[He lets out a deep sigh as he stands up, rubbing the back of his neck.]

Geez, you're so wishy-washy. Don't tell me that to make me feel better.

[maskmaker]

I'm an enigma. [She smiles at him.] Have I ever said anything I didn't mean just to make you feel better?

[truants]

Nah. [As unwilling as he is to admit it, Monica isn't the sort to beat around the bush with her words.] I guess not.

[Is he really surprised by something that simple? Despite what Monica says, that really is a sign of a remarkable loser.]

Wait here for me, okay?

[maskmaker]

I'll keep guard. Is there anything important in your bike I should watch out for?

[truants]

Uhh... [does he have anything of value lbr] I got some beer, I guess. You can help yourself to those.

[maskmaker]

Don't blame me if they're all gone! [She'll wait here for him sober.]

[truants]

[And the job's done a couple of minutes later! Seki walks out, stretching his arms high above his head.]

Oh, you really did wait.

[maskmaker]

When I say I'll wait, I'm going to wait. Welcome back.

[truants]

I hate to admit it but...

[Hesitation. Then, a soft scoff.]

Whatever. I guess you're the only honest person I know. Thanks.

[maskmaker]

You're welcome. Did it go well?

[truants]

Yup. [He pats his pocket before sitting on his bike.] Got enough to treat both of us to dinner.

[maskmaker]

[She got up to make him space to sit, but she'll hop right back on next to him.] Dinner sounds so great right now. What do you feel up to?

[truants]

[He settles in comfortably, revving the engine to life. He was more than eager for this day to be over.]

... there was this noodle place I used to hang out with this guy I knew. [Surprisingly, he had a friend. Used to, at least.] It wasn't so bad.