badfic_manor | [Video]

[...he's breaking his vow of raido silence for the rest just long enough to...]

It doesn't matter what you're talking about, you can only say something that's true.

[a pause]

Now I want to go before I end up telling you something I don't want you or anyone else to know, because I've spilt more than a few things this week. Which is frustrating.

[...WELP. That is the face of someone who's now looking a few shades paler and unhappy.]

I do not blame you at all, and I'm sure you'd rather not hear any of the skeletons in my closet, either.

[Spade does not like this week already. ~~And really if he knew he was talking to Mary's son he'd be even less inclined to want to share anything.~~]

[He's torn between being really curious and not wanting to say anything in case he gets asked in reply.

...but of course, it gets harder not to say anything, and the event wins out with:] ...Depends what sort of skeletons. I should know if they're anything bad - like 'could be considered evil' bad. [He's just going to.... facepalm at himself.]

[That's ... not a very sane sounding laugh. It's a very unhinged sounding laugh, in fact, as much as inwardly Spade isn't entirely appreciating the joke.]

I could be here all day, and it's not like any of it is relevant here, unless I have some reason to aim at you that I don't know about.

[Well, he'd TRIED to dodge that one about no really he's harmless buuuttt...]

[He's looking unimpressed. Uh oh, you've sparked his 'possibly to protect from' senses, which are in hyperdrive where momma's concerned, especially without anyone else here to really focus his efforts on yet. ~~Yep, that means Sam.~~]

How the hell is it not relevant?

[~~Let's not talk about his brief meeting with Mary. No real conflict but he did decide he didn't like her.~~]

Every conflict that would be important to me is far removed from here; I highly doubt you have any part in our internal affairs, and I've got plenty of things to sort out as far as what I'm going to do with myself in the future. [And that was something where he struggled uncomfortably with that statement, as hissed as some of it was; there was the verge of a lot of things he didn't want to blurt out at a random stranger teetering in that.]

I can tell you that even at my worst, I have done nothing without a reason; I'd be loathe to waste energy on random cruelty for its own sake, nevermind that those who would are what I've always existed to destroy. Threaten me or certain people around me and I will leave you WISHING it would end; leave me and mine be, or prove helpful - as much as I doubt you would - and you have nothing to worry yourself over from me.

Shame it's not the same situation for me. I do have people here that matter, so let me just turn that right back at you. and call it extremely 'relevant'. [The words are low, and dangerously silky despite the ~~batman voice~~ rough voice.]

But trust me - there's nothing you could do to me that I haven't suffered three times as much already. [...shit, don't ask about that.]

[...Oh for the love of. This game again.]

Oh, I have people here that matter. [...And that was a brief flicker of a bit-into-a-lemon face; both for the realization that it was plural and he'd said out loud that he DID care about certain people, and that it was something that could be used against him.] But really, is there anything to gain from starting stupid, petty squabbles? If you and yours aren't going to threaten me and mine, I would be wasting energy and further ensuring I could never face Elena again by harming any of you.

[...Oh, now THAT is the sour face. FAR more than he'd EVER want to say to anyone he didn't know. The last comment is very quiet, almost an attempt at salvaging his dignity.]

You're quite confident.

No, but I'm laying it straight on the line seeing as you've given me no reason to trust you in any way, shape, or form at all. And I'm not meaning trust in the "You can be my BFF" kind of way. I mean it in a simple and generic "I don't have to worry about him" kind of way. [Being evasive helped you with nothing. Plus, he's now making a mental note of the name 'Elena' to see if he can find out who that is, and is going to be watching the network veeeeeery carefully when it comes to you.]

I have every reason to be. in respect to both things I said last.

[~~GIOTTO YOUR MIST USER IS GETTING IN TROUBLE AGAIN~~]

Look. Right now, I COULDN'T lie and tell you I was some kind of perfectly harmless, helpless little bunny if I wanted to.

But if you're struggling with this event as much as I am, then you know I can't lie - I don't want a fight that I don't have a reason for. I'll defend myself and a few certain people here, and unless you're the sort that goes around picking fights for no reason or terrorizing the weak, I highly doubt you're going to end up in a conflict with them. [And he's pretty sure Giotto can probably take care of himself.] I have enough problems of my own without making enemies for no reason whatsoever - whether or not you have to worry about me depends entirely on your own actions.

I don't harm people unless I have a reason, and right now, the only reason that would make sense and not just dig the hole I'm in deeper is defense. Just because I've been lousy at the whole "protecting the weak" thing doesn't mean I'm going to be some kind of blithering idiot out looking for trouble. [And yes, there was some kind of nerve there that was flinch-worthy on "I'm bad at this" where his usual poker face just isn't working.]

Don't give me a real reason to think of you as a threat, and I'll happy never test if our standards on "worst" are anywhere related.

I'm not, not usually. [DAMN IT. It was true, but still could lead to questions. which is BAD.]

But harming people without a reason isn't what I asked, which is the answer I'm looking for.

[...He's looking at you about that first line. It's less a look of dawning recognition and more the restrained urge to facepalm at the realization they've been arguing the same damn thing, apparently.]

I grew up in the middle of a civil war and have been dealing with the underworld and other things. I'm neither a pacifist nor a saint, and I'm not sure what more you want; I've done horrible things in the past, and I'm perfectly capable of being dangerous, but I'd honestly rather not drown my karmic debt in any more red ink.

...Which civil war? [Not that he really wants to know the answer.] And by underworld, are we meaning the metaphorical - drugs, gangs, mobs, all that kind of bad shit - or the literal?

That'll do. It doesn't really matter what you'd rather - I know people have done things that they'd rather wished they hadn't turned out how they did. Actually, that's happened a couple of time. each time it happened, it's made me wary, and I wasn't exactly not wary in the first place. Plus, overprotective of my people. So. [All the word vomit 8|]

The Italian Unification War. [Which was messy and very multidirectional...if Dean actually knows anything about it.]

And both, after some fashion. [There's a brief flicker in his right eye, a glowing white spade symbol over his pupil.]

How about I put it simply? As long as my people and I are unharmed, I am no threat to you or any of yours, and I will assume the same goes the other direction; would that be an acceptable understanding?

Don't know it.

[There's a pause. He could be vague enough to get away with it. And yet he still says:] I don't make deals with monsters unless absolutely unavoidable, and even then I go back on it half the time if they're then useless or I straight up don't think they should live. [Because he didn't miss the eyething, dude. That kind of thing means nothing good on his world.]

[Welcome to hitting Spade's nerves all the wrong way 101! That symbol's back, and less as a "yes I have powers whatever" and more as a manifestation of agitation; the area around him seems to've gotten a few shades darker, as well.]

My, how noble of you; one flicker of something that isn't your standard of pure normal and it's time for the Inquisition, is it? Particularly charming when you know I CAN'T lie about my own intentions.

I'm not sure if this is a sad irony that I'm the one trying to actually be honorable and avoid unnecessary suffering and death, or just par for the course, just like every other time I've thought maybe I could expect someone to have a "better nature".

Let me rephrase that: If I see you around any of my people, any of them, and you give them so much as a sideways look that you might harm them, I will come after you, and I will do my damnedest to compete with whatever else you've been through -

And since you're ever so faithful and trustworthy, I see no reason to tell you who that is so you can aim at them.

it's what I do; I'd be crap at it if I started holding hands with every self-proclaimed ex-bad guy or trusted every single damned person in the first meeting, whether they can lie or not.

You realise I could just ask you if I really wanted to know, right? [There's a pause, before the truth is pulled out of him. He makes a face as he says] I like the hunt anyway. If you give me so much of a hint of a reason to know, I will have no damned problem figuring it out.

And did you ever consider that being so indiscriminate might just be emulating what you hunt a little too much? "He who hunts monsters", after all.

[Oh, he doesn't like you.] "Hints" go against my nature - but if you press this either way and are "hunting" my people, I'll have no recourse but to hunt you right back.

[No. Just say no.] It's been said before. [Damn it.]

Like I say - it's fine and dandy unless you go giving me a reason.

[You know what? Screw this. Just going to. Hit the shut off.]

Do things happen here a lot?

[Here, have Becky. She's overly excitable and quite entertained by this place. So much so that she's grinning from ear to ear.]

[...Oh god it's you again.]

Oh, often; what happens here changes every week, sometimes even to the point of complete scenery changes.

Who knows, maybe we'll get to have a zombie apocalypse and you can get eaten.

[...Wait, did he just say that out loud? ...Eh.]

[Yep. It's her again.]

Really? That's awesome!

[Angry pout.]

Maybe I haven't fought zombies, but I could handle myself. And if I couldn't, there's someone here that might totally help me out.

Hoping to play the damsel in distress, I take it?

[Oh look! He's ~smiling~! ...Too bad it's not a nice smile.]

Oh no! I want to be on the field, not held up and waiting. I might not be the strongest, but I can learn.

[Such a nice smile it is. Nothing like Sam's, but it's still nice.]

You should start now, then, if you actually want to be able to do something; perish the thought you become a liability and get someone else killed covering for you floundering.

[Smile~ Oh he can appreciate the sentiment a little but the way you seem to be going about it? neon "prey" sign~]

[Becky's smile fades immediately.]

... would someone really do that?

I know for a fact that there's a few "heroic" sorts here who'd put themselves at risk for anyone that failed at defending themselves.

But better for you to avoid that by learning to be competent so they don't end up overwhelmed, yes?

[He technically kind of sort of works for one of them... and if you manage to get Giotto killed, as much as he knows he'll be right back, you will have a Very Unhappy Illusionist. Who's still shark-smiling. ]

[Becky nodded immediately.]

Yeah. [Pause.] I... I should go and... talk with someone about that.

This week has stripped everyone of their restraint. They cannot hide their thoughts or feelings.

[He doesn't look happy. But when does Arumat look happy?]

Including myself.

........

[YEP. THAT is a bit into a lemon face.]

Well.

Fuck.

So if there is someone you don't want to talk to, I suggest you avoid them.

[SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE.]

It can become awkward.

Well...

At least most of the people I know that would have personal reasons to react, already know most of my secrets.

You are fortunate.

[He doesn't need to say anything more does he?]

[...Not really, and this is the kind of situation where showing the same courtesy you'd like others to show is the safest bet... don't poke someone if you don't want to risk them poking you.]

You have my condolences on that.

[Sympathies didn't quite work, but it is a "poor bastard" moment.]

I have not divulged anything that has caused any lasting damage to my pride.

[Arumat gets over stuff quickly. What can he say?]

I don't trust it, either.

[Not that she trusts much of anything.]

I'm considering the assumption that there is something going on, I just haven't found it yet.

[Although there is one thing that worries him - ]

Are you well? You've been rather scarce the last few days.

Yeah, I don't trust this kind of peace.

[Tris makes a face- she was hoping Spade wouldn't ask that.]

I was hoping you wouldn't ask about that. I was having problems with all the people around.

[...And now she looks like she's tried to bite a sea urchin.]

...I think I know where the other shoe is, now, too. And I don't like it at all.

I can't blame you, although I do worry - I've already run into one person that apparently dabbled in witch-hunting. [Oh, is that a distasteful look.]

I wouldn't expect it to be something we'd be happy about; what is it?

...Witch-hunting? There are people who practice such a barbaric thing? [Tris suddenly looks... kind of pale. Especially with her powers not entirely under control...]

...I'd planned on giving you a white lie about where I was, and instead I admitted that I would rather you not have asked that, and that I was bothered and upset.

Against my will.

Make of that what you will. [Tris is just going to shut off her blackberry now.]

[Well, that's ... you know... worrying.]

[And Spade's powers ARE, in fact, working normally, so he's going to be a cheating bastard - and some patch of shadows near Tris is going to deepen and thicken as he steps through it.]

On my world, the only reason it stopped being an open practice was that people decided they wanted to pretend to be too "enlightened" to believe in "silly superstitions" like witch-craft or magic - if I'd been born seventy years earlier, I'd have been openly executed and not just ostracized and abused.

I don't know what they're capable of, or if they would go as far as to harm a child, but I don't want to risk it.

[Tris is curled up in a chair in the library, practically wrapped around a book- and she's not expecting Spade to show up. She yelps a little, more surprised than anything, but- Spade's words aren't comforting.]

That's... terrifying. [Tris is wadding up tighter around her book and trying to be as small as possible. Bad enough to be beaten for something mistaken for demonic possession or inhuman origins, but...]

[Boy! It sure got windy in here, didn't it.]

[He's settling - not quite in contact, but along the arm of the chair, leaning against the back and looming protectively.]

My childhood wasn't pleasant; and as much as I've had my moral deficiencies in the past, I'm certainly not going to abandon someone else to the same fate - if anyone tries to harm you or even start in on the old tangents about it being something demonic, I will make sure they pay for the harm they've done and never go near you again.

[And if Spade can't lie any more than she can...

...Well, at least the wind's dying down.

On the other hand, she's never had anyone go this protective over her, and her shoulders are twitching and jerking a little. She's just happy she has her face hidden, because that kind of- busted something a little.]

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[video]

[video] MUN would like to half-apologize that he can... be a MASSIVE dick.

[video] It's alright, Becky's kind of use to it. XD

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