[Tekkensplosion]

[notblackwesker]

If you were so intent on hopping upon this bandwagon of sorts, you should have done so with that venomous spider of a woman floating around in your head-space; not me.

I don't have time to get "friendly" with the others. You should know that I've got more important things to do.

Comments

[squeal_like_a_piggy]

Did you just call me a "venomous spider"?

[notblackwesker]

I did. Nothing personal.

[squeal_like_a_piggy]

Oh; no...... I kind of like that~....

[notblackwesker]

[Sigh.]

[raechenden]

I guess this is a sort of break from the insanity of the last few to show up...

[notblackwesker]

A few people complaining about "shipping" and "fanservice" hardly qualifies as insanity. Just frivolousness.

[raechenden]

Maybe for you, Herr Raven.

[notblackwesker]

I imagine you'd have to live a very privileged life for something like that to qualify.

[raechenden]

Or just a quiet one.

[notblackwesker]

Hnh.

I see little difference. Take it from me, kid; not everyone is able to live as quietly as they might like.

[raechenden]

...

Apologies, Herr Raven. I did not mean to seem ungrateful. It's just a lot of the things the others go on about confuse me at times.

[notblackwesker]

Understandable.

You seem like a rational being yourself... I'd advise against giving it any more thought than necessary.

[raechenden]

Naturliche, Herr Raven.

[forestfighter]

[Sorry, man, but Julia can't help but chuckle at your suffering.]

Never were the social one, were you?

[notblackwesker]

Only when I'm obligated to be.

[Dramatic gesture] I work best alone; and from the shadows.

[forestfighter]

To each their own, I suppose. Just don't forget it's okay to come out of the shadows and work with the rest of us from time to time.

[notblackwesker]

I'd have no qualms in working alongside someone such as yourself. As for the others... I haven't yet deemed all of them to be entirely useful.

[forestfighter]

Thanks, I think. That's a bit harsh, though, don't you think? I daresay the majority of our fellow competitors are quite 'useful'.

[notblackwesker]

Gratitude is unnecessary- This isn't flattery. It is what it is. With your intelligence and athletic ability, I could easily see working out some sort of deal with you.

It takes more than just brawn to be an actual asset to my organization. More than brains, even. It takes a certain focus that comes with endless days of training, dedication to a cause higher than yourself, and a respect for the natural order of things.

That is why you have been deemed worthy, and certain others have not.

[separatingstars]

I believed all men were victim to Anna Williams' charms. Have you escaped her clutches, Raven?

[notblackwesker]

Do you really think so little of us men?

[separatingstars]

As it is, men have not proved themselves to be creatures worth thinking highly of.

[notblackwesker]

In other words, you've had a share of bad dates.

I can recognize Anna's talent for bewitching weak-minded men. Her record speaks for itself. If I were a simple man, perhaps...

...But I am not so simple.

[separatingstars]

I do not 'date'. You know of that.

[Or, at least he should. Does Zafina look like the type who goes on dates? No? That's because she doesn't.]

However, I acknowledge you are not a simple man. You are a man, though. Eventually men fall to temptation. I do not believe you are above such acts.

[She doesn't mean that as a direct insult to him, exactly. It's more of an indirect insult to his gender.]

[notblackwesker]

[A shrug] I have no intel pertaining to your personal affairs.

[She doesn't. But just because you "do not" date doesn't mean you "have not" dated. Either Zafina's putting up a front or she genuinely has been a rather focused individual for the entirety of her life.]

I'd worry about myself, if I were you. Both men and women feel temptation. Whether it's a carnal, animalistic desire or the need for affection- The long line of dead agents before us is proof enough of that fact.

But actually giving in to that temptation is an entirely different matter. There are thoughts, and then there are actions. [Raven then gives the closest thing to a smirk that he has been known to offer.]

-And in any case; she's not my type.

[separatingstars]

I believed an agent such as yourself would have intel on all things.

[It's the latter. Definitely the latter. While she's had crushes as a child, she's never actually acted on them.]

I do not feel temptation as there is nothing to tempt me.

[She finds it rather annoying that he think she should worry about herself. Whether he means it as an insult or not, Zafina is taking it as one.]

Even having a 'type' is giving in to temptation. How long before your body follows your mind?

[notblackwesker]

In due time, perhaps. You've proved yourself to be quite elusive when you want to be. ...Outside of your "public life" as an astrologist, anyway.

[Raven gives a brief sigh.] From the way you phrase things, you make me sound like some sort of deviant.

I don't put thought into what I may hypothetically find bewitching; but that doesn't mean I can't easily acknowledge that it certainly isn't someone so irrational that they would damn the entire world to hell for the sake of petty revenge.

Predictable, simple-minded, self-centered, destructive...

...All the makeup in the world couldn't hide personality-traits that unsightly.

[squeal_like_a_piggy]

[HEY.]

[separatingstars]

It is as it sounds.

Speaking of which, it sounds as if you already find someone bewitching. Such is a danger to yourself and your organization.

[She makes a sweeping gesture with one of her arms.]

If that person should betray you, your feelings for them may interfere with your mission. To be bewitched is to be severely weakened. Have your acquaintances, but do not allow them closer than necessary, Raven. Otherwise you deserve whatever fate has in store for you.

[notblackwesker]

[It takes everything in Raven's power to avoid giving an audible groan. He is still as much of a skeptic as a man who has been face-to-face with a living deity can be.] Do me a favor and lay off the 'fate' talk for a second, will you?

I was merely speaking in hypotheicals to get a point across, Zafina- There's nothing to be concerned about.

And I don't need a lecture.

[separatingstars]

[Hey, don't groan! Her talk of fate is completely valid and totally relevant except not]

I will do no such thing. It would be wise for you to watch your tongue.

[She scowls, eyes darkening.]

I shall lecture you as I wish.

[notblackwesker]

Out of respect for your entirely false completely irrational hocus-pocus beliefs, I'll drop that subject.

But let's get something straight; I'm well aware of how to do my job. If you want to make yourself useful, focus on preforming your own tasks efficiently- and leave me to mine.

Do we have an understanding?

[separatingstars]

By even speaking with you I am demonstrating my efficiency. It shows I have already completed all missions that require my immediate attention. Believe me, as fascinating as I find your company, I would refuse it without hesitation if something of importance came to my attention.

[A small, almost unnoticeable sigh.]

But I will trust you will not stay from your current path. Though, should you, I swear I will come after you. Any deviation could prove troublesome for me.

[The tiniest smirk twitches as her lips as she leans in, tone teasing.]

Do we have an understanding?

[notblackwesker]

.....

[After a short pause, Raven gives the woman a brief nod of his head and folds his arms; mirroring her expression.]

I would expect no less.

[separatingstars]

I am honoured to think so highly of me.

[Just as quickly as she leaned in, Zafina swoops back out.]

If I might speak honestly for a moment, I expect no less from you, either.

[notblackwesker]

[The man's stagnant posture hadn't faltered any with Zafina's shift in proximity- but as usual he kept a very close eye on her behind the reflective surface of his armless shades; gaze intent and analytical. The astrologist's following words, however, do earn a slight raise of his lack of brow.] Really, now?

From the way you lecture, one would think that you had little confidence in me at all.

[Zafina; queen of mixed signals. She can be a difficult woman to read at times... There's a certain strangeness about her that most would find unsettling; an air of... deviance, not-so-hidden beneath a cool demeanor. He'll likely need more in-person exposure to her in the future to properly assess her thought-patterns. Despite this, Zafina has proved herself to be a trustworthy ally.]

[separatingstars]

[A quiet laugh parts her lips, her eyes brightening slightly. She places places a hand over her mouth, stifling the laugh, an glimmer of mischief lingering on her face as she speaks.]

It appears you do not understand my thoughts, Raven. How disappointing.

[Despite the coldness of her tone, it's clear - or as clear as it can be when dealing with the mysterious astrologer - that she's simply teasing him. Trying to see how far she can push him before he gives up on attempting to understand her.]

I had expected that you had already inspected every corner of my behaviour.

[notblackwesker]

[Yeah sorry but "Gives up" cannot be located Raven's data archives.]

[In fact the man grimaces slightly at her mischievous chuckle; almost taking her words as a bit of a blow to his ego. Well.... there's only one thing to do about that.]

[After a short pause, the man steps just a bit closer. It's Raven's turn to invade her bubble of personal space now; eying Zafina as though inspecting her under a microscope. The act in itself would be quite intimidating to most people.]

[Though entirely calm, his words somehow manage to hold a tangible air of intensity.]

Is that a challenge?

[separatingstars]

[Zafina manages to fight off the urge to lean back, instead allowing Raven to get far too close for comfort with that mischievous little smirk still on her lips. She's not intimidated by his stare; instead it only seems to increase her amusement.]

Perhaps.

[She almost purrs the word, before flipping a stray piece of hair out of her face.]

Once more, I believed you would already knew the answer.

[notblackwesker]

[Simply] Mission accepted.

[Stepping back into his previous position, the man points challengingly.] I'm going to get to know you. Consider yourself on my 'watch list'.

And I wont let you get out of this easily.

[separatingstars]

Trust me, if I wanted to get out of it, I would find a way.

[Zafina nods, ever so slightly cocking an eyebrow at the pointed finger.]

And, if I may, it is rude to point at people. Especially those you wish to know better.

[notblackwesker]

Good luck with that.

[He lowers his hand, with a small smirk.]

I said that I'd get to know you; I never said that you'd necessarily enjoy it all of the time.

[With that, he turns his back to the woman.] I'll see you in hell around.

[And then he disappears; ninja-flipping up... IDK into the abyss or something!]