His claws ease away. Washing from the round of her skull as Greed flattens his elbows across his thighs. He's silent when she yells and screams; it isn't the kind of anger that comes out of spite. It's fear - he can practically smell it, taste it. That coppery tinge that quickly turns static.
"You done?" For a moment, his whole face seems to drop and a calm stillness takes his eyes. His expression isn't annoyed, it isn't even upset. Just blank for a moment or two before he turns his head over his shoulder.
"No use hiding it, I guess," Greed's voice comes out like a haunted whisper. "-but there were some things I had to take care of. Not really stuff kids like you should be seeing."
"...You're such a jerk." Kaede's anger crumbles in the face of Greed's impassiveness, crossing her arms over her chest as the Shield starts to receed from her face, leaving her with her chin up, scowling. But his words still send a bit of a shiver down her spine and her scowl turns to uncertainty.
There's only one thing that goes through her mind with his words, looking him over before softly asking, "you didn't hurt someone, did you?" Her mind is actually thinking 'kill', but really she couldn't bring herself to say it. She knows Greed isn't a good guy, he isn't a hero, but right now, he's all that she's got. She knows, bad guy and all, he will protect her and make sure she's taken care of. Easier to stay with something she knows than taking a chance on a world that might do something terrible to her if they know she isn't just human.
"No," Greed says back firmly. His fingers dribble between his knees and sway every so often. "I'm not too interested in hurting anyone unless I have to. I just had something to take care of."
His face falls a bit. Waning between exasperation and something a bit more. There's no scratches on his hands, no damage to anything. But there's a distinct smell of wet; of something raw that's been laying around for quite some time now. Greed grunts, shifting his shoulder up as he moves to stand.
"Eh- guess there's no use hiding it." The Sin turns his head over his shoulder, looking back towards the door. "I think you're smart enough to figure it out."
The bullets, the disarray: it tells a story. Simple to read between the lines that when everything went to hell? There were a few caught in the crossfire. Greed's teeth set, his upper lip pulls. "A few of mine," he starts, almost too low. Almost growling, a bit feral at the tongue. "-never did get what was owed to me."
Kaede doesn't quite understand. She's still a child, one who hasn't experienced anything like this in her short life. So she looks around in the light starting to come in and sees a bar in serious distress, dust and dirt. So she squints, trying to find something she's missing. Her head tilts slightly, then she spots it. The spray of bullet holes across one wall. But what does it mean?
She looks back to Greed with creased brows, trying to understand. A few of mine. He's called her that. She's felt it from him. Had something happened to other people he considered-
It comes to her all at once and she looks around sharply, then back to him. "Who? Why?" What had happened, here?!
"Doesn't really matter now, does it? They don't come back like I do."
And it isn't something he entirely wants to dredge up either. But something is owed, an explanation at best. He can see it in her eyes - that needle-point precision that's entirely like a child to have. Adults usually know better, kids like the pry. The who(s), what(s), where(s), when(s); it's a nagging trait.
Greed raps his nail against the floorboards.
"The military," he starts, not without the usual smarmy expression. "-eventually they found out I was here. Usually it wouldn't have been a problem, but they had something I wasn't expecting."
Wrath. For a second, his shoulders stiffen and his lips pull back. "Wasn't exactly prepared for it."
Kaede listens in silence as she tries to understand what happened back then. The military - the one he had warned her about - had come in and hurt (killed, she knows it's killed) the people Greed had with him. The idea of having anyone killed always makes her sick, but in this case, it's someone she cares about. ...Cares about in a very weird fashion, but does.
"Why? ...Why would they suddenly hurt you? Why did they have to hurt you and your people?" Still trying to understand, but realizing that maybe it's because of who-- what-- Greed is. He had warned her about being 'different' and the military, after all.
"Because," Greed has his pointer down and his whole body is stark still. "-they were working for one of mine at the time." Orders passed through one of his kin via his would-be creator. A whole government pulled on the strings of a master that would see his plan through. The Sin's lips pull back, his teeth flare out.
He had just removed himself from the picture long-since prior.
"Remember what I told you? I don't work for anyone else, sweet heart." He bows his head forward, thighs spreading just a bit more. "Good ol'Daddy sir wasn't too happy when I told him the same answer." And the answer had been a firm no. "I'm sure things have changed since then. The world hasn't ended - more than likely they actually took the opportunity."
He extends his hand, shoving it to the top of her skull. "It was a long time ago, kid. No use worrying about it now."
"I don't plan on worrying about it." Giving him a bit of a scowl for the headpat. She's not five or something. She pulls her head out from under his hand and crossed her arms. "So it was whoever this guy is that .... made you? He sent the military after you?"
What a jerk of a dad! Her nose wrinkles at the mere idea. "But now you're free, right? No one even knows you're here. You can do what you want." She looks around, gestures a little. "Fix this place up, even, or go somewhere else and do it. Make something else your own."
A hundred years of hiding; it had done him well. For a while, at least. Not that he had made it that hard, but those back in Central kept to their own. Chance had changed the circumstances; one mistake leading to a snowball effect. Greed reels away, forming into his back and spine as he slithers on the retreat. "But that's right - I wasn't born like you were."
Created, artificial. The Sin's mouth peels open, his teeth shine through. "Free enough. No one knows I'm here and you're right - " Whatever he wants. Oh, it's too good, too rich. Enough to make an almost inaudible pitch rumble in his gut. Sure, things have changed: he's changed.
But some habits are just a little harder to kick. "-there's still a whole world out there."
He fails to mention other things. Histories that still had some fixing, intel to paint the rest of the picture. There's gaps that are missing; details that are lost. It'll take some time, but thankfully?
Time's always been a commodity he had.
Greed presses his thumb into the back-dip of his hip. "Who says I'm not?" His head lulls to the side, his eyes flare open.
"The name is Greed - wouldn't be me if I just sat this out." His mouth presses together and his index hooks in the same space allotted between him and his. "The real question is - what do you plan to do?"
Then Greed turns it back on her. She frowns uncertainly and brushes some hair back behind her ear, looking to the side as she thinks about it. What does she plan to do? Well, isn't that obvious? There's only one thing she really can do, right now. So she looks to him after that undecided moment and meets his gaze without fear.
"I have to find my family. This isn't my world, right? If I got put here, there has to be a way home. Zelien's always brought everyone together, and I don't know why this seems to be different, but my family could even be out there somewhere!"
But how she's supposed to do that? She has no idea. She doesn't have time like Greed does, and she's only a child. A child who has a power that could get her in deep trouble if anyone finds out.
Anything is possible and there's no such thing as no such thing. Greed listens in silence as she explains. Despite her age, Kaede can bounce back. She can reform under pressure and become resilient in her own ways.
Even without the help of a borrowed 'Shield.
Greed's knees creak when he finally stands. A straightening of the spine and he's slumping over again. This time, though, the smile of his is more beckoning. Thriving with his insatiable need. "There's a whole world out there - doesn't seem right to just stay here, does it."
It doesn't mean that Greed won't come back to Dublith, but a lot has changed since his untimely demise. He turns from her, peering out where the small brisk of dawn shines through. A sneer paints onto his face and a quick scoff follows.
"And here I thought I was done with brats - fine." The homunculus throws his thumb over his shoulder. "Go grab some supplies from out back."
"Supplies?" She frowns, looking over towards where he gestured with confusion. "Where do you have supplies?" Which... sounds like a good idea as suddenly her stomach gurgles loudly. She's gotten used to a severely reduced diet as they've had almost nothing but creamed corn for months now so her appetite has reduced to nothing. Still, it's been long enough that she's gotten quite hungry.
"Can we-- we don't even have money or anything, do we?" How would they be able to survive? Get food, get clothing... all she has is the stuff in her pack, but it isn't a lot!
"Doesn't matter - it's not like we can really stay here anyway, right?"
He doesn't need to say more than that. The curtains flutter and the shutters bang. The 'Nest is nothing but bones. A skeletal remain of what used to be; of what was once his. Now there's nothing more save dust and grime to keep the weathered bits company.
Greed walks away from her, moving around the bar with a swift stride. He disappears not a second later, ducking under to the tune of chiming glass and banging tin. "Over there," he starts. With his hand extending out, crooked index throwing itself to a small hallway. "-not much in there, but snag what you can. There's a box with a few centz still left in it."
Not much to go by, but enough to get them out of Dublith.
But the Sin's grin is as present as it is obvious, despite him being out of sight. He purrs on the other side of the wood:
Kaede snorts before she goes down the hallway Greed pointed out, moving uncertainly as she goes about, trying to find what there is to be found. Really, it isn't a lot. Really someone had probably long since come through and cleaned this place out, but she isn't about to say that. What does surprise her is to find a box and indeed, some odd looking currency within that she empties into her own pocket. Maybe Greed's used to going through life without too much worry, but she needs to eat and seriously isn't about to stay in the same grungy clothes forever!
She comes back out and gives him a look. "Whatever's been in this place before is pretty much gone, boss," spoken with a bit of a mocking tone, having no idea that title might be more than she intends.
By the time she's back, there's a collection of liquor on the bar and some more spare change. That gets swiped up by his hand and shoved into his back pocket. It's only a few coins and bills, but it'll at least get them out of Dublith.
Not that train-hoping wasn't another option.
Greed knuckles the few bottles worth his time: a wine, a brandy. A type of clear liquid marked with some strange letters. And of course, a half-drained portion of scotch. Next to the bar, there's an open shoulder bag with faded markings: "AMESTRIS | CENTRAL COMMAND" is stamped in white on the olive-drab side.
He shoves his collection in, letting them ring and chime off one another. "Doesn't surprise me," Greed purrs out. What does is her choice in wording. There's no hiding the keen pleasure on his face.
The liquor gets an uneasy eye settled on it because what does she care about booze at her age, but she knows her father tends to drink beer and the rest of her family doesn't. Still, she doesn't say anything and just makes a face at the sound of the bottles clinking together; anyone could hear them from a mile away. An abnormal thought for someone her age, maybe, but enough time in Zelien does that.
So she reaches into her own bag and pulls out a shirt, gesturing for him to let her at the bag. She winds the shirt between the bottles so that there's enough padding to keep them from clinking against one another, to a degree.
She doesn't miss the grin on his lips from her words, either. She remember all too well the utter swelling of possessiveness she had felt when she had his power activated in her. How she had wanted everything, even him. To own it all. It's part of why she plans to not use it as much as possible, on top of the danger it could put her in.
When she's finished with the bag, Greed slips his fingers through the straps. One, two, three, four until his thumb winds around the other side. He lifts it onto his shoulder, forcing the olive-drab sling under the fur of his collar. "Good thinking," is the only compliment he provides.
Still, there is a glimmer of appreciation. Greed places his hand on Kaede's skull for one last rub. As his fingers leave, the night life outside dwindles. Like devils creeping back so that the sun couldn't catch them. It's replaced by the soft opening of windows, the groaning of store fronts yawning to the early morning. The Sin places his hand to the front door and forces it ajar.
"Now?" Greed taps his foot, almost giddily excited at the prospect. And he is, to some degree. His world, his turf - but it's new.
And it's all his. "-why don't we see just what they've got for us, huh?" The homunculus flashes a grin over his shoulder. Glinting white as the gold-orange rays peek through the wood-slits like curious children about to unwrap a secret box.
"-There's a whole world out there, Kaede. C'mon."
And with a kick, he throws the hatch door and disappears below.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
"You done?" For a moment, his whole face seems to drop and a calm stillness takes his eyes. His expression isn't annoyed, it isn't even upset. Just blank for a moment or two before he turns his head over his shoulder.
"No use hiding it, I guess," Greed's voice comes out like a haunted whisper. "-but there were some things I had to take care of. Not really stuff kids like you should be seeing."
no subject
There's only one thing that goes through her mind with his words, looking him over before softly asking, "you didn't hurt someone, did you?" Her mind is actually thinking 'kill', but really she couldn't bring herself to say it. She knows Greed isn't a good guy, he isn't a hero, but right now, he's all that she's got. She knows, bad guy and all, he will protect her and make sure she's taken care of. Easier to stay with something she knows than taking a chance on a world that might do something terrible to her if they know she isn't just human.
no subject
His face falls a bit. Waning between exasperation and something a bit more. There's no scratches on his hands, no damage to anything. But there's a distinct smell of wet; of something raw that's been laying around for quite some time now. Greed grunts, shifting his shoulder up as he moves to stand.
"Eh- guess there's no use hiding it." The Sin turns his head over his shoulder, looking back towards the door. "I think you're smart enough to figure it out."
The bullets, the disarray: it tells a story. Simple to read between the lines that when everything went to hell? There were a few caught in the crossfire. Greed's teeth set, his upper lip pulls. "A few of mine," he starts, almost too low. Almost growling, a bit feral at the tongue. "-never did get what was owed to me."
no subject
She looks back to Greed with creased brows, trying to understand. A few of mine. He's called her that. She's felt it from him. Had something happened to other people he considered-
It comes to her all at once and she looks around sharply, then back to him. "Who? Why?" What had happened, here?!
no subject
And it isn't something he entirely wants to dredge up either. But something is owed, an explanation at best. He can see it in her eyes - that needle-point precision that's entirely like a child to have. Adults usually know better, kids like the pry. The who(s), what(s), where(s), when(s); it's a nagging trait.
Greed raps his nail against the floorboards.
"The military," he starts, not without the usual smarmy expression. "-eventually they found out I was here. Usually it wouldn't have been a problem, but they had something I wasn't expecting."
Wrath. For a second, his shoulders stiffen and his lips pull back. "Wasn't exactly prepared for it."
no subject
"Why? ...Why would they suddenly hurt you? Why did they have to hurt you and your people?" Still trying to understand, but realizing that maybe it's because of who-- what-- Greed is. He had warned her about being 'different' and the military, after all.
no subject
He had just removed himself from the picture long-since prior.
"Remember what I told you? I don't work for anyone else, sweet heart." He bows his head forward, thighs spreading just a bit more. "Good ol'Daddy sir wasn't too happy when I told him the same answer." And the answer had been a firm no. "I'm sure things have changed since then. The world hasn't ended - more than likely they actually took the opportunity."
He extends his hand, shoving it to the top of her skull. "It was a long time ago, kid. No use worrying about it now."
no subject
What a jerk of a dad! Her nose wrinkles at the mere idea. "But now you're free, right? No one even knows you're here. You can do what you want." She looks around, gestures a little. "Fix this place up, even, or go somewhere else and do it. Make something else your own."
no subject
A hundred years of hiding; it had done him well. For a while, at least. Not that he had made it that hard, but those back in Central kept to their own. Chance had changed the circumstances; one mistake leading to a snowball effect. Greed reels away, forming into his back and spine as he slithers on the retreat. "But that's right - I wasn't born like you were."
Created, artificial. The Sin's mouth peels open, his teeth shine through. "Free enough. No one knows I'm here and you're right - " Whatever he wants. Oh, it's too good, too rich. Enough to make an almost inaudible pitch rumble in his gut. Sure, things have changed: he's changed.
But some habits are just a little harder to kick. "-there's still a whole world out there."
He fails to mention other things. Histories that still had some fixing, intel to paint the rest of the picture. There's gaps that are missing; details that are lost. It'll take some time, but thankfully?
Time's always been a commodity he had.
Greed presses his thumb into the back-dip of his hip. "Who says I'm not?" His head lulls to the side, his eyes flare open.
"The name is Greed - wouldn't be me if I just sat this out." His mouth presses together and his index hooks in the same space allotted between him and his. "The real question is - what do you plan to do?"
no subject
"I have to find my family. This isn't my world, right? If I got put here, there has to be a way home. Zelien's always brought everyone together, and I don't know why this seems to be different, but my family could even be out there somewhere!"
But how she's supposed to do that? She has no idea. She doesn't have time like Greed does, and she's only a child. A child who has a power that could get her in deep trouble if anyone finds out.
holy shit this is so fucking late god damn
Even without the help of a borrowed 'Shield.
Greed's knees creak when he finally stands. A straightening of the spine and he's slumping over again. This time, though, the smile of his is more beckoning. Thriving with his insatiable need. "There's a whole world out there - doesn't seem right to just stay here, does it."
It doesn't mean that Greed won't come back to Dublith, but a lot has changed since his untimely demise. He turns from her, peering out where the small brisk of dawn shines through. A sneer paints onto his face and a quick scoff follows.
"And here I thought I was done with brats - fine." The homunculus throws his thumb over his shoulder. "Go grab some supplies from out back."
It's okay!
"Can we-- we don't even have money or anything, do we?" How would they be able to survive? Get food, get clothing... all she has is the stuff in her pack, but it isn't a lot!
no subject
He doesn't need to say more than that. The curtains flutter and the shutters bang. The 'Nest is nothing but bones. A skeletal remain of what used to be; of what was once his. Now there's nothing more save dust and grime to keep the weathered bits company.
Greed walks away from her, moving around the bar with a swift stride. He disappears not a second later, ducking under to the tune of chiming glass and banging tin. "Over there," he starts. With his hand extending out, crooked index throwing itself to a small hallway. "-not much in there, but snag what you can. There's a box with a few centz still left in it."
Not much to go by, but enough to get them out of Dublith.
But the Sin's grin is as present as it is obvious, despite him being out of sight. He purrs on the other side of the wood:
"Money's never been a problem."
no subject
She comes back out and gives him a look. "Whatever's been in this place before is pretty much gone, boss," spoken with a bit of a mocking tone, having no idea that title might be more than she intends.
no subject
Not that train-hoping wasn't another option.
Greed knuckles the few bottles worth his time: a wine, a brandy. A type of clear liquid marked with some strange letters. And of course, a half-drained portion of scotch. Next to the bar, there's an open shoulder bag with faded markings: "AMESTRIS | CENTRAL COMMAND" is stamped in white on the olive-drab side.
He shoves his collection in, letting them ring and chime off one another. "Doesn't surprise me," Greed purrs out. What does is her choice in wording. There's no hiding the keen pleasure on his face.
Boss is a fitting title.
no subject
So she reaches into her own bag and pulls out a shirt, gesturing for him to let her at the bag. She winds the shirt between the bottles so that there's enough padding to keep them from clinking against one another, to a degree.
She doesn't miss the grin on his lips from her words, either. She remember all too well the utter swelling of possessiveness she had felt when she had his power activated in her. How she had wanted everything, even him. To own it all. It's part of why she plans to not use it as much as possible, on top of the danger it could put her in.
"So, now what?"
no subject
Still, there is a glimmer of appreciation. Greed places his hand on Kaede's skull for one last rub. As his fingers leave, the night life outside dwindles. Like devils creeping back so that the sun couldn't catch them. It's replaced by the soft opening of windows, the groaning of store fronts yawning to the early morning. The Sin places his hand to the front door and forces it ajar.
"Now?" Greed taps his foot, almost giddily excited at the prospect. And he is, to some degree. His world, his turf - but it's new.
And it's all his. "-why don't we see just what they've got for us, huh?" The homunculus flashes a grin over his shoulder. Glinting white as the gold-orange rays peek through the wood-slits like curious children about to unwrap a secret box.
"-There's a whole world out there, Kaede. C'mon."
And with a kick, he throws the hatch door and disappears below.