[...ugggh. It was somehow easier when Shirasu was in the tree because now Sol has to, like, look at him.]
...Lune and I aren't allowed to interfere, but that doesn't mean we don't have some biases of our own. It's my job to host these trials and help you solve them, and even though I actually like you consider yourself lucky that I had a bigger problem on my hands to solve.
[The fucking murder horse.]
I don't really expect the truth, but call it a risk of my own. Are you planning on doing this again?
...that's good to hear. [It helps, at least, and some of the tension from his shoulders drops.] I'd like to continue as we have with as few casualties as possible. However, I also know there's the likelihood the corruption will continue to strike.
I'd rather be aware of people who might do things on their own volition so we're not totally off-guard in this. That makes sense, doesn't it?
[He's not promising he won't act again, but-- he doesn't just do it for fun, so. Now that this has mostly failed, he isn't going to repeat it.]
And I'm not unwilling to work toward our goal, here, particularly if you might still be willing to help me work toward mine. You remember our last conversation, don't you?
Yes. Of course I remember. [That's half the reason he's here, frankly.] I'm still willing to help even if it's at a risk. I just ask that you're honest with your intentions going forward while we're working together.
[...] You have stakes in this thing and so do I. I'd like to make sure they aren't at a risk of overlapping.
My intentions are still as I said before: I have failures I'd like to change. That can't happen if everything collapses, so you don't need to worry about me working against that.
[His fingers tap idly on his forearm as he considers.]
I'm willing to work for you as well, if that helps.
...how much can I trust you to actually keep quiet about working for me and helping me accomplish what I need done? [Like. He likes Shirasu but he's not that stupid.] Likewise, I can't have everything collapse either, but let's just say you and I have a bit of a conflict of interest in a way.
I've shared some information about others with Hisoka, but we don't share everything with each other. That much has been clear enough-- and I don't often tell others much, including my own partner.
I'm very good at keeping secrets, given reason to.
[But- hm.]
Just what sort of conflict of interest do you mean-- in our end goals?
Not necessarily in our end goals but more like in how we get there. You have people you want to keep on hand, and they happen to be attached to people I'd like to keep alive.
If that's so, then I see no reason there should be a conflict-- as long as the people I'd like to keep around live, then so do yours, and the other way around.
Axel's tied to Hisoka, who's proven a good source of information-- and more willing to share, recently. Given his ability, I have plenty of reason to keep him and Axel both around. Xion, I have no reason to kill-- the same with Saix and Namine. I don't mind Namine's partner at all, either.
[he just sort of ticks all those off on his fingers, then shrugs.]
Beyond the fact that I don't intend to repeat a failure, it seems my partner ought to be kept alive for similar reasons as Hisoka, much as I doubt we'll truly build any trust.
[After a moment, he adds:]
Hisoka, Akane-chan, and Minato-kun. They're all quite useful; if she didn't seem like she'd be trouble, I'd have chosen Akane-chan's partner instead.
With the gambit of hoping to repair Akane with someone else. [An interesting list, and he pauses as he thinks. Most of those are people he likes well enough. It's agreeable, and it's simple enough to nod along as he lists them off.]
I think those are all people we can favor and work with in keeping alive and working toward the same end goal. I gotta admit, that's more from you than I thought you'd have picked. [...they seem pleased though.]
We can consider it an arrangement. [There's a nod.] And we can figure out terms. I have a deals in place with a few people, but one more isn't going to hurt.
I take it 'don't target these particular people' would be one of yours-- I won't object to that.
[He considers a few moments, there.]
I'd prefer not to put myself at too much unnecessary risk; I do need to make it out of here alive. I can agree to keeping it between us, as well. Beyond that, it would depend on just what you'd like, and I'll consider terms individually.
So I suppose a better question is: what will it take to secure your help in finding out if this darkness is controllable, and in finding a way to influence my own home?
Generally speaking, keep some people on a leash so they don't harm the people I have a personal investment in. Not drawing attention to them would also be wise.
[...] You would need to complete some tasks and I can see about getting more information or something to aid you. However, staying alive in and of itself is a way to influence your own home. It's how the darkness interferes.
The thing you struggle with most here is trust, isn't it? Getting people to trust you, and trusting people in return.
It'll have to be before I can do anything to help, but that doesn't mean I won't be working in the background to deliver right away. Think of it like we're working on opposite paths toward the same goal and meeting in the middle.
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[He has to ask, all right. Shirasu finally leaves the tree, landing easily enough on the ground near Sol.]
I understood what all the risks were, and followed through regardless. You may make of that what you will.
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...Lune and I aren't allowed to interfere, but that doesn't mean we don't have some biases of our own. It's my job to host these trials and help you solve them, and even though I actually like you consider yourself lucky that I had a bigger problem on my hands to solve.
[The fucking murder horse.]
I don't really expect the truth, but call it a risk of my own. Are you planning on doing this again?
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[I absolutely had to say it I'm sorry.
But at that question, he pauses, leaning back against the tree with his arms folded. He's quiet for a few moments, but he finally speaks up-]
I have no current plans to, no. There's no reason for me to remove anyone else, and I'm not going to target her directly.
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...that's good to hear. [It helps, at least, and some of the tension from his shoulders drops.] I'd like to continue as we have with as few casualties as possible. However, I also know there's the likelihood the corruption will continue to strike.
I'd rather be aware of people who might do things on their own volition so we're not totally off-guard in this. That makes sense, doesn't it?
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[He's not promising he won't act again, but-- he doesn't just do it for fun, so. Now that this has mostly failed, he isn't going to repeat it.]
And I'm not unwilling to work toward our goal, here, particularly if you might still be willing to help me work toward mine. You remember our last conversation, don't you?
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[...] You have stakes in this thing and so do I. I'd like to make sure they aren't at a risk of overlapping.
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[His fingers tap idly on his forearm as he considers.]
I'm willing to work for you as well, if that helps.
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I'm very good at keeping secrets, given reason to.
[But- hm.]
Just what sort of conflict of interest do you mean-- in our end goals?
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[he just sort of ticks all those off on his fingers, then shrugs.]
Beyond the fact that I don't intend to repeat a failure, it seems my partner ought to be kept alive for similar reasons as Hisoka, much as I doubt we'll truly build any trust.
[After a moment, he adds:]
Hisoka, Akane-chan, and Minato-kun. They're all quite useful; if she didn't seem like she'd be trouble, I'd have chosen Akane-chan's partner instead.
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I think those are all people we can favor and work with in keeping alive and working toward the same end goal. I gotta admit, that's more from you than I thought you'd have picked. [...they seem pleased though.]
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[Don't call him out, Sol... he toys idly with the hanging ends of his headband, there, frowning.]
If we're agreed on that, then shall we consider this an arrangement? And decide our terms, of course.
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What kind of terms are you open to?
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[He considers a few moments, there.]
I'd prefer not to put myself at too much unnecessary risk; I do need to make it out of here alive. I can agree to keeping it between us, as well. Beyond that, it would depend on just what you'd like, and I'll consider terms individually.
So I suppose a better question is: what will it take to secure your help in finding out if this darkness is controllable, and in finding a way to influence my own home?
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[...] You would need to complete some tasks and I can see about getting more information or something to aid you. However, staying alive in and of itself is a way to influence your own home. It's how the darkness interferes.
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[Which he can't help being a little annoyed with, for obvious reasons, but. He also thinks he has a fighting chance against most here, at least.]
Tell me which people and what tasks, and I'll see what I can do.
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[There's a hum.] What if I said it's a task that may be difficult for you? Tasks that net high rewards normally have high costs.
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Are you going to want me to complete it before you'll assist me, or is this something you just want done in return?
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It'll have to be before I can do anything to help, but that doesn't mean I won't be working in the background to deliver right away. Think of it like we're working on opposite paths toward the same goal and meeting in the middle.
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[Sol wasn't kidding about it being difficult, huh.]
And that should be acceptable.
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