[Despite the static running circles in his skull, the Sin manages a smile. A deadly one, sharp to every point, and daring to stay in the thick of it all, no matter how hot he may have burned or how likely he is to burn again. It's not the first time he's towed the line of oblivion, and it certainly won't be his last.]
[So, he levels himself to his feet, even as he feels the snap of a coat that isn't there, slithering between borrowed legs he abandoned on a similar gamble.] No, it isn't. And who said anything about it being painful, Suits? [He snaps; a warning, clipped on the tips of his teeth. The cigarette waiting for him tableside easily finds a home between his claws and as his mouth wraps around it, he imagines his face split down the middle. Both halves dangerous, even if the latter could be easily mistaken for innocent.] Ha - ! Is that right? Sounds like schatz made good on his word, after all. Call me surprised.
[He snorts, and whatever is left of Ling Yao fades away in a skitter of ash that'll never see the light of day.] Tsk. I'll keep it in mind, demanding little shit. [The former homunculus flicks his eyes towards the door and as the red of them bleeds halos, he lets himself swallow up the tobacco. The slowness of his drag, savoring every scorch it'll give him.]
Mn. Maybe, maybe not. But that's a secret. [He pats his foot, spreading his talons along the floor, and one of the exposed blanks squelches in response.] What? Can't get enough of me? [He winks through the Murmur. Unpolite, unbothered, and all the bit of sin he really, truly is.] Didn't take you for the sort, Yu.
[ Taking a seat in his room, he crosses one leg over the other. Resting his hand on his knee, he continues to radiate his usual friendliness. Regardless of how his intentions change, he is still a cheerful person. ]
You've gathered so many people and want them to be safe. We are part of your collection, then? I'm touched to be part of it, and I agreed in part, but doesn't that make things uneven for you? [ He interlaces his fingers. ] Everything is an illusion, after all ... even if we are close together, there may not be any security.
Even though you are right next to us, you may not be able to save anyone.
[ He smiles yet again. ] Wouldn't it be better to come clean before you regret?
[Whatever comment he has on that, though, doesn't come through. Not with words, at least. However, the Murmur does tug from his end; a warning, as if his claws have wrapped themselves finger over finger around the front of Yuuto's suit, yanking it with little to no kindness; their silence, speaking where he won't:]
["Careful, careful. You might just end up regretting what you're asking for yourself."]
[Greed crosses his legs and again, the familiar form of Ling settles over him. Not as young as the kid was then, but somewhere in the middle. An illusion of 30 or so, yet timeless all same.] Mn. The name is Greed, Yu. I won't abandon what's mine so easily. That's all there is to it. [Mindlessly, he thumbs the butt of his cigarette, letting its stray ash pepper through the floorboards.] And no, it doesn't. It's as fair a deal as any. You all, here, working for me. You've made good on your end, and me, mine. That's just how it is, nothing more.
[The Sin runs his hand through his hair (short to his fingers, long to his touch), and he places the cigarette back on his lip; its burn making a shadow of his face to hold both him and Ling as one.] Between me and Sil, we've got it taken care of. Even if she does bite back, you don't actually believe we wouldn't have additional firepower, do you? [He chases Yuuto through the Murmur. With eyes bright, burning, and as scorched as a two-pronged fork, dipped in the mouth of a vat.]
[ Through their connection, he lightly rests his hand on the sensation - the one of grabbing at the front of his suit. He lightly pats the top of those claws. There, there. It's just a friendly chat. ]
Greed-san. You may lose all of your tethers. Silco-san said he would assist you if something might happen. I'm sure the rest of us would feel like doing something for you, as well.
[ However -- ] It would be easier to just harm what you care about than to cause you pain, if you ask me. You are our leader, after all, and it seems as though you are willing and able to take in everything that may befall you. [ And it seems like he has a lot of faith in Silco, as well. Yuuto has no opinion one way or the other, but he simply feels like saying: ]
It feels as though you have a lot of regrets that you're running from, is all.
[ Another smile. ] I don't know what they might be and it's none of my business. [ His favorite line. ] Unfortunately, you're the one that is suffering and so I felt I should, at the very least, say... you should stop running.
[The Sin huffs (a short sound, a defiant sound, and slick all the same), and his grip loosens. The sensation of his hand, flattening across the lapels of Yuuto's suit once. Twice.]
Yeah, I've been warned. Wouldn't surprise me if the hag decided to pull a stupid fucking stunt like that. But it wouldn't be the first time. [He's sure it won't be the same, but the concept isn't a strange one to him. Back then, he'd had Lan Fan do the dirty work. A call to her, over the shoulder he shared with the very face he's wearing, barking his final order.]
[He pockets his hands, feeling slacks that aren't leather, and the snug of a coat, gripping his shoulders tight.] Yeah, well, you can count on schatz for one thing. He knows how to get the job done. If it's necessary, he'll let you know. He owns half the place, Yuuto. And credit where credit's do, the man's got a talent for getting things done.
[The Sin walks, tossing the memory of a ponytail over his shoulder.] Sorry, that's something I can't do. Hurting mine is the same as stealing, friend. Don't think I need to tell you what that means, hmn? [The trail of his cigarette burns smoke between his fingers; a lacework of blue and silver, finding themselves in the dark.] Oh, ho - ! Leader is a strong word. Boss is more like it. I'm no hero, Suits. Don't start getting this wild idea in your head that I'm anything other than what I am.
[Running, regrets, and oh, does he have a few. He ran for 100 years, and two more on top of them. A fugitive that belonged no where and would end up in exactly the same spot he started.]
[Greed pinches his cigarette between his nails, grinning into its fumes.] And what do you think I'm running from? [His tone shifts again. Dangerous, sharp, and as cutting as the crooks of his claws, hovering over his face.]
Go ahead, and spit it out. Told you before there's no point holding anything back with me. And I think we both know how bullshit you can be sometimes. [It isn't mean how he says it. More the kindness of a criminal, passing along his admiration.]
Well, I wonder if you really understand but I suppose you won't know until you know. In any case, I won't tell you I told you so after.
[ Because he isn't that cruel. Kicking someone while they are down is against his sensibilities. ]
Rest assured, I have already accepted him as another employer. [ He interlaces all his fingers save his index - those he lightly taps together thoughtfully. ] I have not seen what he can accomplish and so I'll just have to believe what you say, Greed-san.
[ A neutral response to the boasting of Silco. ]
I believe you are far more human than you believe yourself to be. The Sin of Greed has more humanity than he's willing to admit. Because to admit would mean that he might end up hurt.
[ His voice shifts to something sympathetic, something kind, but it is only something. ]
I believe you're running from something painful and attempting to soothe yourself here to avoid acknowledging that agony.
[ Lifting his head, he looks up - like he's making eye contact. His gaze calm, serene, gentle; friendliness baked underneath the resolve. ]
To protect yourself, you should try to come to terms with it... or you'll always be running scared... afraid that it will show up in the new horror Sleep decides to show you.
[ A slight pause. ] It is why your face doesn't know what shape to be, isn't it?
[Something jumps from his side. Something harsh, something static, biting across both their connection and whatever's been shoved into the pit of his chest. Oh, he hates it when they do that. When they try to dig deeper and push against something they had no way of knowing how far it actually goes. Greed's teeth set (a clap like sharp glass), and that grin of his stretches. A maw that'll smile through everything if only to avoid the inevitable.]
Do you, now? Think you've got me all figured out? [The Sin's eyes turn, and a whiff of heat floats past his face; a sigh of steam, peeling off his skin.] Dunno, Yuuto. Takes a lot more than that to hurt me. [Physically, anyway. He's not going to get into the details of the rest of it. Not here, not with him, not with anyone. Sleep's already done enough damage, pulling out some of his secrets. And avarice, ah. How it does like to hold onto what's his.]
[Which may be why he meets Yuuto's gaze through the Murmur without a hint of hesitation. As he leers forward, wild as ever, like a fire-line of brush, inching towards a main road.] Comes to terms with it? GAHAHAHA - ! [The former homunculus throws his head back, false ponytail and all, as he barks smoke at the ceiling.]
You sure got some crazy ideas, Suits. Just what do you think I have to come to terms with? I don't really care what she does. She's just another dwarf in the flask, far as I'm concerned. [A tell, perhaps, of how far his defiance really goes. Whatever he means.]
[But then, Yuuto shoves in the pick, and the Sin bows his head. His smile never leaves (couldn't, really), yet the tension of it: it's forced. Forced because he knows no other way to be, no other way to react, no other way of understanding, save the pulse of his want, pounding constant behind his ribs.]
[So, he gives a simple answer:] It's because it was the last one I had. [Ah, and that's a truth he hasn't shared with anyone.] Call it an old memory.
I don't know. I believe I could hurt you quite easily.
[ Interlacing his fingers, he believes this very much to be true. While he can't do anything about the physical state of Greed; he is certain he could peel away his smile. ]
But I'm not that mean.
[ A dismissive reply, even though he is attempting to kill him with a million tiny, little cuts. ]
However, as you are asking me, I believe it's something too painful to name or even talk to anyone about, which means it will one day choke you.
[ His head lifts to meet his "gaze" through the Murmur. His smile just as placid as ever, just as empty, just as friendly in its emptiness. Still, there is something sympathetic in how he talks to him. ]
I'll call it an old memory, then.
[ A beat. ] How long do you intend to be mired in your old memory?
[His smile is obvious. Not kind, not vicious, but menacing all the same. A tiger showing its teeth while it dared men to try.]
You think so, huh. [Greed wanders, numb, and his claws find the comfort of a shallow glass.] All right, Suits. Call me curious. [The tips of his nails circle, then; their points, running the rim like hooks, dragging loathsome on the floor.] How do you think you can hurt me? Ah, but be careful. You might not like what I have to say, after.
[A warning, though, it's a mild one. He's already claimed the man as one of his. And there still are rules, after all.]
[The former homunculus lifts his drink, taking in the faint smell of smokey scotch. He's pulling from the top shelf today. He deserves it.] Mn. Good thing I don't have much of a gag reflex then, huh. [He lifts the glass to his mouth and as he breathes against it, it's fire. Fire and brimstone, baking into the surface like boiled lead.]
As long as the hag wants, I suppose. Don't exactly have a timer for this sort of thing. [With little ceremony, he throws back the liquor; every lick of it, sucked to the bone. Greed tosses the glass somewhere and as it screams on quickly drying sweat, he tips over his hips; the lean of his body as hovering as a vulture, trying to peck itself in, in, in.]
How long do you intend to ask questions you might not like the answer to?
[ It's through the Murmur that he reaches out to lightly poke the Sin's forehead. ]
Don't ask me to hurt you then threaten me with a good time.
[ His smile returns just as friendly and pleasant as always. He retracts the feeling of him reaching out to literally poke the bear, as it were. ]
I'm one of yours and working with you under my own volition, of course. [ A soft laugh follows after. ] If you vanish from this place, if you die, I am certain there are those that will mourn that passing but I'm afraid... I will forget all about you because your memory isn't worth holding onto after you're gone.
[ However, that is how he feels about anyone. Even someone he attempted to save the life of. He doesn't dislike anyone. ]
You're just a life of one sin who burning ever so brightly yet obviously crying out for something he doesn't have the courage to name.
[ Again, his hand lifts as he lightly chuckles. ] I don't know what that might be, but I do think it's painful to watch.
[ However, it isn't just Greed. ] Everyone's running from something, I suppose... but you should try to make it a little less obvious how much you're sprinting. [ And he interlaces his fingers and smiles. ]
I suppose I'll keep asking until you decide to turn around and face me.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[So, he levels himself to his feet, even as he feels the snap of a coat that isn't there, slithering between borrowed legs he abandoned on a similar gamble.] No, it isn't. And who said anything about it being painful, Suits? [He snaps; a warning, clipped on the tips of his teeth. The cigarette waiting for him tableside easily finds a home between his claws and as his mouth wraps around it, he imagines his face split down the middle. Both halves dangerous, even if the latter could be easily mistaken for innocent.] Ha - ! Is that right? Sounds like schatz made good on his word, after all. Call me surprised.
[He snorts, and whatever is left of Ling Yao fades away in a skitter of ash that'll never see the light of day.] Tsk. I'll keep it in mind, demanding little shit. [The former homunculus flicks his eyes towards the door and as the red of them bleeds halos, he lets himself swallow up the tobacco. The slowness of his drag, savoring every scorch it'll give him.]
Mn. Maybe, maybe not. But that's a secret. [He pats his foot, spreading his talons along the floor, and one of the exposed blanks squelches in response.] What? Can't get enough of me? [He winks through the Murmur. Unpolite, unbothered, and all the bit of sin he really, truly is.] Didn't take you for the sort, Yu.
no subject
[ Taking a seat in his room, he crosses one leg over the other. Resting his hand on his knee, he continues to radiate his usual friendliness. Regardless of how his intentions change, he is still a cheerful person. ]
You've gathered so many people and want them to be safe. We are part of your collection, then? I'm touched to be part of it, and I agreed in part, but doesn't that make things uneven for you? [ He interlaces his fingers. ] Everything is an illusion, after all ... even if we are close together, there may not be any security.
Even though you are right next to us, you may not be able to save anyone.
[ He smiles yet again. ] Wouldn't it be better to come clean before you regret?
no subject
["Careful, careful. You might just end up regretting what you're asking for yourself."]
[Greed crosses his legs and again, the familiar form of Ling settles over him. Not as young as the kid was then, but somewhere in the middle. An illusion of 30 or so, yet timeless all same.] Mn. The name is Greed, Yu. I won't abandon what's mine so easily. That's all there is to it. [Mindlessly, he thumbs the butt of his cigarette, letting its stray ash pepper through the floorboards.] And no, it doesn't. It's as fair a deal as any. You all, here, working for me. You've made good on your end, and me, mine. That's just how it is, nothing more.
[The Sin runs his hand through his hair (short to his fingers, long to his touch), and he places the cigarette back on his lip; its burn making a shadow of his face to hold both him and Ling as one.] Between me and Sil, we've got it taken care of. Even if she does bite back, you don't actually believe we wouldn't have additional firepower, do you? [He chases Yuuto through the Murmur. With eyes bright, burning, and as scorched as a two-pronged fork, dipped in the mouth of a vat.]
Oh - ? And what would I regret, exactly?
no subject
Greed-san. You may lose all of your tethers. Silco-san said he would assist you if something might happen. I'm sure the rest of us would feel like doing something for you, as well.
[ However -- ] It would be easier to just harm what you care about than to cause you pain, if you ask me. You are our leader, after all, and it seems as though you are willing and able to take in everything that may befall you. [ And it seems like he has a lot of faith in Silco, as well. Yuuto has no opinion one way or the other, but he simply feels like saying: ]
It feels as though you have a lot of regrets that you're running from, is all.
[ Another smile. ] I don't know what they might be and it's none of my business. [ His favorite line. ] Unfortunately, you're the one that is suffering and so I felt I should, at the very least, say... you should stop running.
no subject
Yeah, I've been warned. Wouldn't surprise me if the hag decided to pull a stupid fucking stunt like that. But it wouldn't be the first time. [He's sure it won't be the same, but the concept isn't a strange one to him. Back then, he'd had Lan Fan do the dirty work. A call to her, over the shoulder he shared with the very face he's wearing, barking his final order.]
[He pockets his hands, feeling slacks that aren't leather, and the snug of a coat, gripping his shoulders tight.] Yeah, well, you can count on schatz for one thing. He knows how to get the job done. If it's necessary, he'll let you know. He owns half the place, Yuuto. And credit where credit's do, the man's got a talent for getting things done.
[The Sin walks, tossing the memory of a ponytail over his shoulder.] Sorry, that's something I can't do. Hurting mine is the same as stealing, friend. Don't think I need to tell you what that means, hmn? [The trail of his cigarette burns smoke between his fingers; a lacework of blue and silver, finding themselves in the dark.] Oh, ho - ! Leader is a strong word. Boss is more like it. I'm no hero, Suits. Don't start getting this wild idea in your head that I'm anything other than what I am.
[Running, regrets, and oh, does he have a few. He ran for 100 years, and two more on top of them. A fugitive that belonged no where and would end up in exactly the same spot he started.]
[Greed pinches his cigarette between his nails, grinning into its fumes.] And what do you think I'm running from? [His tone shifts again. Dangerous, sharp, and as cutting as the crooks of his claws, hovering over his face.]
Go ahead, and spit it out. Told you before there's no point holding anything back with me. And I think we both know how bullshit you can be sometimes. [It isn't mean how he says it. More the kindness of a criminal, passing along his admiration.]
no subject
[ Because he isn't that cruel. Kicking someone while they are down is against his sensibilities. ]
Rest assured, I have already accepted him as another employer. [ He interlaces all his fingers save his index - those he lightly taps together thoughtfully. ] I have not seen what he can accomplish and so I'll just have to believe what you say, Greed-san.
[ A neutral response to the boasting of Silco. ]
I believe you are far more human than you believe yourself to be. The Sin of Greed has more humanity than he's willing to admit. Because to admit would mean that he might end up hurt.
[ His voice shifts to something sympathetic, something kind, but it is only something. ]
I believe you're running from something painful and attempting to soothe yourself here to avoid acknowledging that agony.
[ Lifting his head, he looks up - like he's making eye contact. His gaze calm, serene, gentle; friendliness baked underneath the resolve. ]
To protect yourself, you should try to come to terms with it... or you'll always be running scared... afraid that it will show up in the new horror Sleep decides to show you.
[ A slight pause. ] It is why your face doesn't know what shape to be, isn't it?
no subject
Do you, now? Think you've got me all figured out? [The Sin's eyes turn, and a whiff of heat floats past his face; a sigh of steam, peeling off his skin.] Dunno, Yuuto. Takes a lot more than that to hurt me. [Physically, anyway. He's not going to get into the details of the rest of it. Not here, not with him, not with anyone. Sleep's already done enough damage, pulling out some of his secrets. And avarice, ah. How it does like to hold onto what's his.]
[Which may be why he meets Yuuto's gaze through the Murmur without a hint of hesitation. As he leers forward, wild as ever, like a fire-line of brush, inching towards a main road.] Comes to terms with it? GAHAHAHA - ! [The former homunculus throws his head back, false ponytail and all, as he barks smoke at the ceiling.]
You sure got some crazy ideas, Suits. Just what do you think I have to come to terms with? I don't really care what she does. She's just another dwarf in the flask, far as I'm concerned. [A tell, perhaps, of how far his defiance really goes. Whatever he means.]
[But then, Yuuto shoves in the pick, and the Sin bows his head. His smile never leaves (couldn't, really), yet the tension of it: it's forced. Forced because he knows no other way to be, no other way to react, no other way of understanding, save the pulse of his want, pounding constant behind his ribs.]
[So, he gives a simple answer:] It's because it was the last one I had. [Ah, and that's a truth he hasn't shared with anyone.] Call it an old memory.
no subject
[ Interlacing his fingers, he believes this very much to be true. While he can't do anything about the physical state of Greed; he is certain he could peel away his smile. ]
But I'm not that mean.
[ A dismissive reply, even though he is attempting to kill him with a million tiny, little cuts. ]
However, as you are asking me, I believe it's something too painful to name or even talk to anyone about, which means it will one day choke you.
[ His head lifts to meet his "gaze" through the Murmur. His smile just as placid as ever, just as empty, just as friendly in its emptiness. Still, there is something sympathetic in how he talks to him. ]
I'll call it an old memory, then.
[ A beat. ] How long do you intend to be mired in your old memory?
no subject
You think so, huh. [Greed wanders, numb, and his claws find the comfort of a shallow glass.] All right, Suits. Call me curious. [The tips of his nails circle, then; their points, running the rim like hooks, dragging loathsome on the floor.] How do you think you can hurt me? Ah, but be careful. You might not like what I have to say, after.
[A warning, though, it's a mild one. He's already claimed the man as one of his. And there still are rules, after all.]
[The former homunculus lifts his drink, taking in the faint smell of smokey scotch. He's pulling from the top shelf today. He deserves it.] Mn. Good thing I don't have much of a gag reflex then, huh. [He lifts the glass to his mouth and as he breathes against it, it's fire. Fire and brimstone, baking into the surface like boiled lead.]
As long as the hag wants, I suppose. Don't exactly have a timer for this sort of thing. [With little ceremony, he throws back the liquor; every lick of it, sucked to the bone. Greed tosses the glass somewhere and as it screams on quickly drying sweat, he tips over his hips; the lean of his body as hovering as a vulture, trying to peck itself in, in, in.]
How long do you intend to ask questions you might not like the answer to?
no subject
Don't ask me to hurt you then threaten me with a good time.
[ His smile returns just as friendly and pleasant as always. He retracts the feeling of him reaching out to literally poke the bear, as it were. ]
I'm one of yours and working with you under my own volition, of course. [ A soft laugh follows after. ] If you vanish from this place, if you die, I am certain there are those that will mourn that passing but I'm afraid... I will forget all about you because your memory isn't worth holding onto after you're gone.
[ However, that is how he feels about anyone. Even someone he attempted to save the life of. He doesn't dislike anyone. ]
You're just a life of one sin who burning ever so brightly yet obviously crying out for something he doesn't have the courage to name.
[ Again, his hand lifts as he lightly chuckles. ] I don't know what that might be, but I do think it's painful to watch.
[ However, it isn't just Greed. ] Everyone's running from something, I suppose... but you should try to make it a little less obvious how much you're sprinting. [ And he interlaces his fingers and smiles. ]
I suppose I'll keep asking until you decide to turn around and face me.
[ A casual reply. ]