[Feed popping open to the call with static to follow. Angle of the recording from a flat surface, catching the ceiling and shadows stretch. Fingertips laced in the dark before a familiar face graces the line. Popping up with an air of surprise, strong jaw to hang open wide and two hands wrap around the surface. Pull him right in.]
[The video catches the under part of his throat. Head whirling about on a spine that seems boneless, sinking his shades back into the thick of it. Little light for all of his troubles, the faint glow from the video-feed igniting him in artificial blues that shift. Threatening gray and back again.]
Why? That's a stupid question. [Humbled surprise gone and his smile stays closed. Curved and coiled with smarmy intentions, making eyebrows curve up to the beat. Dip to caress the frames of his shades and the Sin slowly peels his hands away from the surface.]
The name is Greed, or did you not get that the first time?
[Well, it had been odd. As if the stone itself was ringing out; tuning to his more sinister core and finding the same pulse. Making that fever rise and he remembers. The parched feeling at his jaws, the throbbing in his skull.]
[Greed tosses both hands out, backs of his palms facing the floor.] Eh- I guess you could say it was a little strange. But then again, anything is possible.
Because they're my responsibility. And I need to know if they did it under influence and COMPASS is just bullshitting events as excuses to do what they please or if this is something in my control to fix.
[ and he doesn't think this information is going to save them but it'll do a lot for him in terms of knowing where he needs to stand and how. ]
[Responsibility is a funny thing and so is the idea of possessing. Something, someone to claim ownership of and Greed's expression turns a bit sour. He hasn't missed the public display of violence nor does he find any sort of solace in it.]
[So his tone shifts; matching the eyes that glare back at him through the feed, expecting answers.]
No - it wasn't normal. But my avarice tends to run a bit deeper than most.
[Attentions drawing away and Greed juts out his chin. Turns in the direction of a window present. Holding with that silence for a moment before lacing his heels together with one solid thud.]
Nothing much seems in our control, friend. But hey - I've always been a fan of the underdog. [The slightest lift of a grin, as if the venom between is quickly draining and maybe, just maybe, they'll see eye to eye after all.]
So - what's your plan? Not like you can barge in there and take what was stolen.
I'm used to having to claw my way up from under a heel of authority abusing fuckwits like this Project Head.
[ he's used to it, but not quite at this level and never has there been a situation where it literally is impossible to get at this guy. the feeling of helplessness is maddening, but hijikata can't dwell for long. ]
I don't know yet. But, nothing is absolute—it just needs to be reassessed. If something goes in or it goes out of it, it's a flaw that can be exploited.
[ the problem is there isn't any time and no one here seems to have a clue to work off of. in fact, in really could very well be too late this time around. he can't think about that, though, even though he's not holding out any promises to himself that he's going to get them before it's their turn. ]
You and me both, friend. Seems to me we have a common goal.
[Rebel to rebel and authority never sat well with the cardinal Sin in question. Always to bite back against the chains that held him and in the end, COMPASS is just the same. Change of face, but still a similar flavor. It's just packaged a bit differently.]
That's right - [That smile widens and those teeth show. Two-fingers to bounce off his temple and Greed peels away from the wood-face of his project. Moving as he falls over the shelf of his hips.] - there's no such thing as no such thing.
[Still, there's a problem and that problem is time. Mortal lot hanging on the thread and not a lot of cards to play.]
[The Sin opens up his hand - swings it around, nails to scratch the dark.] It's called equivalent exchange back where I'm come from. Something given in order to receive - least, that's what the good ol'boys back in Central always claimed.
[Though it was the truth - everything for a price and Greed pauses. Stops with a clack of the heel.]
There's a key to every door, friend. We just need to find the right one - don't you think?
[ 'we' being carefully noted since this conversation definitely didn't start with such, not even from greed's mouth. so now, it looks like a slight change that might very well be worth entertaining. ]
[It's a sudden turn of events; all hands on deck leaving, threat clearing. And finally, there's an eye to eye, a tooth to tooth, and someone gets it.]
[He's on the move, though. Attentions brought back to the present and the noise of his walk clacks true on the other side of the line. Darker places left to his back and he stops just once in the frame of a door.]
Wouldn't happen to know anything about alchemy, would you?
[Said as he leaves the wood-work of a door, foot-falls finding a vacant hall and his pace is drawling. Time taken as his shoulders slouch just slightly.]
[It'll prove more difficult, then. No talent to the art himself, just made from it and Greed starts up a stairwell. Passing along the curve as the top opens up and he's heading in the direction of an exit.]
That's too bad. The one I knew up and disappeared, so it looks like we'll have to try something else.
[Doesn't mean it's out of reach, though.]
Know them pretty well, don't you. Must be pretty important to come to me.
[ he's quiet a moment then before he's starting to walk himself, away from the quad because apparently there's nothing worth stalling and hoping for here. his voice is a little quieter when he responds.
[Meaning a key to the lock. There's always some way of opening a door and he's seen it done on more than one occasion. Reversing the current and pulling it wide open. Prying where latches would otherwise hold and he knows of a few with the talent. But they aren't here now and he'll have to resort to other means.]
[The Sin pauses at the top of the stairs. Balls of his feet pushed forward and it's like he's had his own power cut. The slide of his eyes the only thing given him away, making his eyebrows move in unison to that admission. Spilling it out in a confessional damned and Greed slowly lets the shelf of his boot hit the surface.]
[Because doesn't he know the importance; of things that don't come back at the edge of the knife plunged. After the bullets have stopped smoldering and he jerks his gaze away. Watches the still of the next hallway, his frown holding.]
[But he waves it away. Hand tossing, finger by finger out and he slips towards his destination.]
Don't do anything too brash, hmn? You'll end up losing more, in the end.
That would mean I had more to actually lose in the first place.
[ he says it quietly, distant almost as if telling himself a reminder or two and in a way it is if only because 'losing more in the end'... in the end, didn't he lose everything, anyway? Everything, everyone, this place and their faces here as they are are all he has left to hold onto.
how is he supposed to look at that in any way rational? ]
[Willing to risk it all then and it's a type he's seen time and time again. Neck out to the ax swung, the martyr always putting himself in harm's way. Hoping and praying that it'll hit him first.]
[For a second, he's quiet. Pace of his slowly down, the slightest bit of a sigh escaping. As if it's entirely a bother and one eye opens. The other closing shut.]
Willing to do that for them? Not that entirely I blame you, but it's not like that'll help 'em in the end, right? Don't let that emotional control you, friend. No use to anyone dead.
[ shit shit shit. because he has to take things into account here that people who die don't stay dead which means it doesn't just end. he doesn't think of that in a hopeful way, but he does think of it in the sense that he probably needs to reevaluate getting himself killed and failing to help them, them getting killed and then for some reason him not around to maybe stop something like it happening again.
hijikata sighs himself before glancing up before finally stopping... because well. ]
Seems like I don't even know where the hell I'm going here.
[ for more than one reason, but the biggest one would be he can't really remember the layout of the campus and where who and what are at this moment. so... he's going to wait here, plenty far enough away from the spectacle at the center of campus, at least. ]
Most don't - it's not like we have much choice in the matter, do we.
[And he doesn't like the idea; the idea of being held back, of living without choice. Because if there's one thing he's stolen, it's that. The ability to pick the direction of his would-be path, the right to follow that too-rotten core of his and in the end, all that he ever wanted was - ]
[Greed turns his attention back to the feed. To the down-ridden look that quickly replaces ill tempers. Narrow eyes to sag, defeat already hanging in the balance and he unfurls his fingers. One by one, elongated and lengthy.]
Oi, oi, oi - kids like you shouldn't give up so easily. That's not what I was implying. [No - what he was implying was far more. Firecrackers to the proverbial cake walk and he's always had a flair for the dramatics. Though, he usually played under the table, out of watchful eyes. Proverbial king of the underworld and he wore the title with a sense of pride.]
[Still, it's troublesome. Words turning to action and as he moves from one hallway to the next, there's that faint glow. The shifting voids letting in their own colors. Washed out as they flutter past, like artificial flame to the canvas - sickening, blue electric.]
Remember what I said before: [A bit of a grin, slicing up one side of his jaw and Greed tips his head just so. Bone to the dog underwater, to drag him back from the depths.]
- there's no such thing as no such thing. And there's always a possibility, hmn?
...That's true. You won't know for sure 'til you try.
[ how long has he been saying that himself, anyway, to start losing sight of it? maybe one too many failures are starting to weight from back home. he's not sure, but the point is, greed's right and he can't anything stop him but the fact of it end up being truly and absolutely impossible.
so, it's a good enough bone, certainly, to tug this dog away from a place it can't swim out from on its own. ]
[Lips screw together with a smarmy sort of flavor and his eyebrows dip to match. Smug and confident, though there's something else: as if Sin incarnate can understand the play and Greed tosses his elbows back. Lays them on the flat surface of an elevated desk.]
Seems to me you've got a choice, then. What do you plan to do with it?
[He hooks his ankles outside of the feed, but they bounce with a resounding thud and the Sin's skull lulls back. Allowing a look at those eyes through the dips of his shades and he waits. A drum of one finger follows the other.]
Y'know, you could always just ask. But I think you're smart enough to know that I don't do anything for free.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nestingdevil) wrote2013-08-29 06:10 am
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Ah-?
➥ VIDEO |
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[The video catches the under part of his throat. Head whirling about on a spine that seems boneless, sinking his shades back into the thick of it. Little light for all of his troubles, the faint glow from the video-feed igniting him in artificial blues that shift. Threatening gray and back again.]
Why? That's a stupid question. [Humbled surprise gone and his smile stays closed. Curved and coiled with smarmy intentions, making eyebrows curve up to the beat. Dip to caress the frames of his shades and the Sin slowly peels his hands away from the surface.]
The name is Greed, or did you not get that the first time?
➥ VIDEO |
Those two have no reason to want to take that but this thing apparently caught the attention of a few people.
You're telling me there was absolutely nothing out of the ordinary about that rock in terms of you wanting it?
➥ VIDEO |
[Well, it had been odd. As if the stone itself was ringing out; tuning to his more sinister core and finding the same pulse. Making that fever rise and he remembers. The parched feeling at his jaws, the throbbing in his skull.]
[Greed tosses both hands out, backs of his palms facing the floor.] Eh- I guess you could say it was a little strange. But then again, anything is possible.
Why do you want to know?
➥ VIDEO |
[ and he doesn't think this information is going to save them but it'll do a lot for him in terms of knowing where he needs to stand and how. ]
➥ VIDEO |
[Responsibility is a funny thing and so is the idea of possessing. Something, someone to claim ownership of and Greed's expression turns a bit sour. He hasn't missed the public display of violence nor does he find any sort of solace in it.]
[So his tone shifts; matching the eyes that glare back at him through the feed, expecting answers.]
No - it wasn't normal. But my avarice tends to run a bit deeper than most.
[Attentions drawing away and Greed juts out his chin. Turns in the direction of a window present. Holding with that silence for a moment before lacing his heels together with one solid thud.]
Nothing much seems in our control, friend. But hey - I've always been a fan of the underdog. [The slightest lift of a grin, as if the venom between is quickly draining and maybe, just maybe, they'll see eye to eye after all.]
So - what's your plan? Not like you can barge in there and take what was stolen.
➥ VIDEO |
[ he's used to it, but not quite at this level and never has there been a situation where it literally is impossible to get at this guy. the feeling of helplessness is maddening, but hijikata can't dwell for long. ]
I don't know yet. But, nothing is absolute—it just needs to be reassessed. If something goes in or it goes out of it, it's a flaw that can be exploited.
[ the problem is there isn't any time and no one here seems to have a clue to work off of. in fact, in really could very well be too late this time around. he can't think about that, though, even though he's not holding out any promises to himself that he's going to get them before it's their turn. ]
➥ VIDEO |
[Rebel to rebel and authority never sat well with the cardinal Sin in question. Always to bite back against the chains that held him and in the end, COMPASS is just the same. Change of face, but still a similar flavor. It's just packaged a bit differently.]
That's right - [That smile widens and those teeth show. Two-fingers to bounce off his temple and Greed peels away from the wood-face of his project. Moving as he falls over the shelf of his hips.] - there's no such thing as no such thing.
[Still, there's a problem and that problem is time. Mortal lot hanging on the thread and not a lot of cards to play.]
[The Sin opens up his hand - swings it around, nails to scratch the dark.] It's called equivalent exchange back where I'm come from. Something given in order to receive - least, that's what the good ol'boys back in Central always claimed.
[Though it was the truth - everything for a price and Greed pauses. Stops with a clack of the heel.]
There's a key to every door, friend. We just need to find the right one - don't you think?
➥ VIDEO |
[ 'we' being carefully noted since this conversation definitely didn't start with such, not even from greed's mouth. so now, it looks like a slight change that might very well be worth entertaining. ]
➥ VIDEO |
[He's on the move, though. Attentions brought back to the present and the noise of his walk clacks true on the other side of the line. Darker places left to his back and he stops just once in the frame of a door.]
What's your name, anyway?
➥ VIDEO |
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Wouldn't happen to know anything about alchemy, would you?
[Said as he leaves the wood-work of a door, foot-falls finding a vacant hall and his pace is drawling. Time taken as his shoulders slouch just slightly.]
➥ VIDEO |
Afraid I don't.
➥ VIDEO |
[It'll prove more difficult, then. No talent to the art himself, just made from it and Greed starts up a stairwell. Passing along the curve as the top opens up and he's heading in the direction of an exit.]
That's too bad. The one I knew up and disappeared, so it looks like we'll have to try something else.
[Doesn't mean it's out of reach, though.]
Know them pretty well, don't you. Must be pretty important to come to me.
➥ VIDEO |
[ he's quiet a moment then before he's starting to walk himself, away from the quad because apparently there's nothing worth stalling and hoping for here. his voice is a little quieter when he responds.
pretty important? understatement. ]
They are.
➥ VIDEO |
[Meaning a key to the lock. There's always some way of opening a door and he's seen it done on more than one occasion. Reversing the current and pulling it wide open. Prying where latches would otherwise hold and he knows of a few with the talent. But they aren't here now and he'll have to resort to other means.]
[The Sin pauses at the top of the stairs. Balls of his feet pushed forward and it's like he's had his own power cut. The slide of his eyes the only thing given him away, making his eyebrows move in unison to that admission. Spilling it out in a confessional damned and Greed slowly lets the shelf of his boot hit the surface.]
[Because doesn't he know the importance; of things that don't come back at the edge of the knife plunged. After the bullets have stopped smoldering and he jerks his gaze away. Watches the still of the next hallway, his frown holding.]
[But he waves it away. Hand tossing, finger by finger out and he slips towards his destination.]
Don't do anything too brash, hmn? You'll end up losing more, in the end.
➥ VIDEO |
[ he says it quietly, distant almost as if telling himself a reminder or two and in a way it is if only because 'losing more in the end'... in the end, didn't he lose everything, anyway? Everything, everyone, this place and their faces here as they are are all he has left to hold onto.
how is he supposed to look at that in any way rational? ]
➥ VIDEO |
[For a second, he's quiet. Pace of his slowly down, the slightest bit of a sigh escaping. As if it's entirely a bother and one eye opens. The other closing shut.]
Willing to do that for them? Not that entirely I blame you, but it's not like that'll help 'em in the end, right? Don't let that emotional control you, friend. No use to anyone dead.
➥ VIDEO |
[ shit shit shit. because he has to take things into account here that people who die don't stay dead which means it doesn't just end. he doesn't think of that in a hopeful way, but he does think of it in the sense that he probably needs to reevaluate getting himself killed and failing to help them, them getting killed and then for some reason him not around to maybe stop something like it happening again.
hijikata sighs himself before glancing up before finally stopping... because well. ]
Seems like I don't even know where the hell I'm going here.
[ for more than one reason, but the biggest one would be he can't really remember the layout of the campus and where who and what are at this moment. so... he's going to wait here, plenty far enough away from the spectacle at the center of campus, at least. ]
➥ VIDEO |
[And he doesn't like the idea; the idea of being held back, of living without choice. Because if there's one thing he's stolen, it's that. The ability to pick the direction of his would-be path, the right to follow that too-rotten core of his and in the end, all that he ever wanted was - ]
[Greed turns his attention back to the feed. To the down-ridden look that quickly replaces ill tempers. Narrow eyes to sag, defeat already hanging in the balance and he unfurls his fingers. One by one, elongated and lengthy.]
Oi, oi, oi - kids like you shouldn't give up so easily. That's not what I was implying. [No - what he was implying was far more. Firecrackers to the proverbial cake walk and he's always had a flair for the dramatics. Though, he usually played under the table, out of watchful eyes. Proverbial king of the underworld and he wore the title with a sense of pride.]
[Still, it's troublesome. Words turning to action and as he moves from one hallway to the next, there's that faint glow. The shifting voids letting in their own colors. Washed out as they flutter past, like artificial flame to the canvas - sickening, blue electric.]
Remember what I said before: [A bit of a grin, slicing up one side of his jaw and Greed tips his head just so. Bone to the dog underwater, to drag him back from the depths.]
- there's no such thing as no such thing. And there's always a possibility, hmn?
➥ VIDEO |
[ how long has he been saying that himself, anyway, to start losing sight of it? maybe one too many failures are starting to weight from back home. he's not sure, but the point is, greed's right and he can't anything stop him but the fact of it end up being truly and absolutely impossible.
so, it's a good enough bone, certainly, to tug this dog away from a place it can't swim out from on its own. ]
➥ VIDEO |
Seems to me you've got a choice, then. What do you plan to do with it?
[He hooks his ankles outside of the feed, but they bounce with a resounding thud and the Sin's skull lulls back. Allowing a look at those eyes through the dips of his shades and he waits. A drum of one finger follows the other.]
Y'know, you could always just ask. But I think you're smart enough to know that I don't do anything for free.