week 3 | caren (sunday)

[shinssin]

For the record, I really don't think it's Yang.

[ Like, maybe the Reaper who started the fire two weeks ago Chiyo or Velvet, but he's not about throw accusations in the air just because he's a little thirsty. ]

Buuuuut it doesn't hurt to get a little practice in before the real thing. What do we need to frame her, Caren?

Comments

[sexorcism]

It may be difficult to believe, but none of the intelligence we’ve received so far has been incorrect. Some suspicions have gone wrong, but I’m willing to see where this goes.

[Caren leans back and looks skyward and she contemplates his question.</small] She wears a prosthetic. Difficult to imitate, but impossible for her to do anything without.

[shinssin]

I could crush it in a spar and try to kill Akira with one arm, I guess!

[ He's joking.

Probably. ]

Personally, I was thinking of using my irresistible charm to get a few strands of hair, a couple of bruises, carpet burn...

[sexorcism]

I can’t say it’ll work that well, but you should be careful where you put your hands.

[From her expression, she’s certainly aware of the double meaning there. She turns her gaze back to fix him with an inscrutable look.]

What makes you think it’s so irresistible? She might not be the type to fall easily for those advances.

[shinssin]

Haha... That hurts, Master. But that's fine! I think she's the type who loves a good fight. Er, literally.

[...That doesn't help with anything.]

What I mean is, I'll ask for a spar. That's still in character for me, right?

[sexorcism]

As your Master, it would be remiss if me not to enforce reality for you whenever possible. [Caren can say that she truly likes Assassin’s company, if that’s what ‘liking’ something is, but even more than that she likes the little needles she can tease into his ego.]

You are more familiar with that type of personality than I am. Have you been in the mood to spar recently? I’d find a way to explaih your recovery if you want to temper that.

1/2

[shinssin]

Caren.

[He looks her straight in the eye.]

I'm always in the mood to spar.

[shinssin]

[anyway his ego doesn't need this why is everyone so mean]

Buuuut she did like what she saw when Terra was around, so I'm not too worried about that method either. I just gotta feel around for what her type of guy is.

[sexorcism]

It’s fine to admit that your thirst for violence has been different lately.

[He needs it just as much as he needs praise from her or anyone else. Caren turns to the side, as if appraising something.]

Plant the bruises first, or plan the crime? You’ve certainly invited a conundrum.

[shinssin]

[ He shrugs. ]

I'll admit I'm running out of patience here. Maybe I'll need something to stave me off until I do something I regret.

[sexorcism]

I was hoping to see another impulsive show from you, Assassin. But it seems you’re committing to ending this entire farce.

[Good boy! It’s a compliment. Good boy! They hadn’t been wrong to call Assassin a mutt, not for any terrible reasons, but because he resembles, in many ways, those wild qualities and feral loyalty. Caren lacks the makings of a mage, but she’s treating his oath as a real one.]

If you need my assistance, I’ll gladly talk you through. This can be an airtight plan without much difficulty.

Or perhaps you want the fight you came looking for at the beginning?

[shinssin]

[ He was praised...! He preens. ]

That depends on the sort of fight you're willing to give. Either way, I'm looking to get some practice in. These past two weeks got me feeling a little rusty...

[sexorcism]

I've said before that I am no Executor. That was not a lie. [And psychomancy, despite all its potential, turned out to be fairly weak as an ability.] Would you be satisfied fighting someone like me?

[If things persisted that way, it could seem like they're having two separate conversations that won't converge. That's finally put to rest when Caren tilts her head, turning to fix him with a plain gaze.]

Besides, what happened to loyalty?

[shinssin]

[ For the first time in this exchange, he falters. ]

It's not like I've given up on her.

[ The next part is harder to admit. ]

There are just things I can't deal with alone.

[sexorcism]

[Though the existence of souls after death chafes at her, digs into the hollow of her loss in a painful, phantom limb sort of way, Caren can't give up on Eleanor or some of the other Erased, either. She makes a tiny noise of affirmation.]

I doubt you came here with the intention of showing me this weakness. Servants truly are the most codependent creatures out there.

[Still, she reaches out to almost fondly place her hand on his face.]

[shinssin]

[Codependent. Is that what he is? In his story, he was always known as... He can't remember, but if he wanted to leave his master in the end, maybe that epithet would have stayed until his death.

It's gone with his name now.

As he gingerly places a hand over hers, he finds that it isn't so hard to remember the last time he felt warmth anymore.]

... Weakness? Maybe I'm just lying to get something out of you.

[That is what his masters would often assume, even if untrue.]

[sexorcism]

That may be true. But I think if that were the case, you would have taken whatever it is already.

[Even information can be claimed quickly with the right approach. And with theirs not being a traditional contract between Master and Servant, he could act against her without fear of the same level of retribution.]

[shinssin]

Haha.

[ Assassin closes his eyes. ]

About what I said... forget it.

[ When he does this, it's almost as if he can hear Eleanor's voice, feel Eleanor's touch. ]

But if you would be so kind, Master, please let me stay like this for a while.