dear_mun | very gently testing

[Oh no.

Of all the people who have been showing up and could show up.]

.. Adam.

[...so... She was here as well? There's a moment where he just stares before speaking.]

Blake.

[There was so much he could say, wanted to say, but last he saw of her she... left him..]

Hm... been enjoying yourself?

[She didn't expect much else. Really, ultimately, what was there to say? She had her reasons for what she did and she'd made her choice knowing that there was no going back. There's nothing she could do or say to change things.

So, she stands her ground.]

Yes. Every minute of it.

Just keep out my way while you do it and we'll get along just fine.

[...that stung, more than he would ever like to let on. upon hearing such words there was a slight shift, a change in his stance and he had to look away from her.

he wanted to ask her, why she left was the number one question on his mind, but he knew better than to ask.]

Not too lonely?

[she always was the kind of person that enjoyed the company of others, even if she didn't show it much.]

[YET ANOTHER DUST THIEF.]

I could easily say the same back to you.

You most certainly could and no one's stopping you either.

Hmmm... Maybe I'm going about this all wrong.

[He'll stop for a moment to light a cigar as he thinks.]

Y'know, maybe the both of us could work something out. We're both after Dust, right? We both have a flair for the dramatics, right? We're both in need of some reliable help.

Maybe we could work together and see how it goes, what do you say?

[She knew that it would, but it was true and despite everything else, she wasn't going to lie about it. There was a part of her that missed him, of course, but she knew that she couldn't stay.

Whatever it was that drove him. Anger, vengeance or something else... it just wasn't in her. Maybe it never was. She hadn't wanted to go but what else could she have done?]

I'm not alone where I am now. I'm doing fine.

[She might ask about him, but she knows him well enough to already know the answer.]

[Ruby is just going to quietly be holding Crescent Rose tentatively behind her back while thinking what she wants to say.]

[he raises an eyebrow slightly, intrigue was the only reason he was still talking to this man.]

...I'm listening. However, I don't work with just anyone.

[however-]

What's the catch?

[she left him, of course he's bitter about it all. is he lonely? like he would ever admit to it, but it seems she doesn't even have to ask. he nods at her answer.]

I see... [a beat.] I'm glad to hear that. [he practically spat out that answer, venom laced with every single word, all too apparent he didn't actually think that.]

[...? adam is holding wilt and blush at his side, but he's not acting.]

Yes?

For a long time, I thought about what I would say, if I ever got a chance to meet you. Of course, I assumed that wouldn't happen until things were a bit more... factual.

[She glances to the side, unsure of just how much she should divulge.]

If my mun's theory is right - and I'm not saying it is - I ought to just shoot you and get it over with... but... there's no proof that it's anything beyond speculation at this point.

Still... [She nods to herself and looks Adam in the... eyes? Mask? Visor? Well, where she assumes his eyes are.] Stay away from Blake, or you'll be dealing with me.

[...this girl....

he was going to walk away from her, just leave it be at whatever silly theories she has, but when she mentions blake he can't help but straighten up a little more.]

...So that's it, you're one of Blake's friends? I'm curious, just what do you think you know about me?

Yeah. Blake's my teammate, roommate, and friend.

[She tightens her grip on Rose as he asks. She's not sure she buys into the Mun's theory, but at the same time, the mere possibility was... unnerving to say the least.]

I know you're a thief - stealing from another of my friends, by the way. I know you have no regard for human life. And I know you're extremely talented and powerful.

My mun thinks... you knew my mother. ...And that at one point might have even been friends with her until something happened... and... again, this is my mun's idea and not mine... but he thinks you killed her.

That's quite the speculation.

[going so far as to say that adam was the one that killed this girl's mother.... interesting.]

I don't know you or your other friends, but is it so wrong to do what I can in order to live, to survive? Disregarding human life just happens to coincide with that, apparently.

....And I'm free to talk with Blake if I want.

[Now it's her turn to be stung by words, or more the tone of them, not that it was any less than she expected. But it still hurt.

Not that she lets that show. She keeps her expression carefully composed, except for a slight narrowing of her eyes, that likely gives her away. Afterall, he knew her just as well as she knew him.]

I needed to find my own way. That's all.

It's quite the theory.

[One she's actually rather tired of hearing, but the mun is more than willing to discuss.]

There are better ways to make a living. With your kind of talent, you could easily become a Huntsman. So why stealing?

Blake left you for a reason. I'm pretty sure she doesn't have anything to say to you. And if she does, she can tell me. Until then, you won't be talking to her in private at the very least.

I like it better.

[maybe it's more suited to his skills, but he's not exactly a team player, blake was the only one he really could work with.

he wouldn't let this brat get under his skin but it was working, especially when she brought up blake leaving him.]

What makes you think she won't leave you too?

[he finally looked back at her, staring at her behind his own mask, he was feeling a little irritated by that.]

You could have told me.

That's the coward's way.

[She didn't even really realize she'd said it out loud until it had already left her mouth. But... that's how she was brought up. Why she wanted to be a huntress.]

If she does... I'm sure she has her reasons. I won't try to stop her, if that's what you're wanting me to say. But I'll be there if she ever needs help.

[She looks back at that mask for a long second before finally breaking away for once, looking down and to the side.]

Would you have let me go if I had?

Hmph.

[coward or not, it's what he preferred. besides, it's what the organization he was with enjoyed as well.]

Well then, I will too. Because you can't control me either, little girl.

[would he have let her...? what a thing to ask him. he opens his mouth to speak, an obvious 'no' on his lips but instead he closes his mouth. he would have stopped her for sure, of course she knew that much.]

You didn't want me to come with you. [that's what hurts right now.]

You wanted away from me. I can see that now.

So you're going to just let all that potential go unused?

[It's a genuine tone she has... he could've been such an amazing Huntsman - if not the best. So... why be a criminal?]

Even if she needs someone to help deal with you?

Deal with me? You make it sound as though I could go out of control.

[...maybe?]

From what I saw... you might already be.

[Seriously, that "what about them?" made her skin crawl.]

[She'd thought as much. That was why she hadn't said anything, because he would have tried to make her stay and that... that wasn't something she could do. She had fought with him for that cause for a long time, but she wasn't going to be just a tool. Not for the White Fang. Not for Adam. Or anybody.

Still, she frowns at what he says next and takes part of a step forward.]

That's not it, Adam.

Just what is that supposed to mean?

[to him, she wasn't just a tool, they were supposed to be together, to be partners at least, but she left him alone and left him wondering why.]

Then what is it? [he took a step forward as well, refusing to back down, that had to be why she left, it just had to be it.]

I could have gone with you Blake.

Exactly what it sounds like.

[Not faltering. Not one bit. As much as she'd love to just turn tail and run away, because seriously you are scary. But, she stands her ground.]

[She sees him move forward as well and hesitates, drawing back a bit. Could he have? Was it still possible?

She had gone to Beacon, joined the "enemy." Even worse, she was teammates with the Schnee heiress herself. She hadn't even told him that, and she didn't intend to any time soon.

Even so, she looks up at him, trying to see past that mask.]

Even if it meant leaving them? [he knows who she means] Even if it meant abandoning the "cause?"

[hm, maybe this girl was more trouble than he had originally imagined.]

Are you done?

[if he knew all of that it would certainly change things, what he believed she was all about initially. maybe she really had changed since she's been away from him... for the better? no, he couldn't admit that.]

That's... [for the first time adam hesitates, generally he only has one goal in his mind and he'll do anything to complete it, casualties of others included. but blake was... someone he was close with, the only person, and she left him for others.

he couldn't deny that he was still feeling betrayed, and the wound ran deep.]

..You didn't trust me enough to ask in the first place, what would my answer now matter at all?

If you truly wish to fit in with those fools then be my guest. I suppose this would make us enemies as well.

[his fists clench at his side, such a realization just now hitting him.]

[And ultimately, that was it. Adam had always been important, more important than anybody. There had been a time when she would have stepped over a thousand bodies for his sake, but she wasn't like him. Hurting someone, taking their life because you had to was one thing, but just doing it because you could?

She wasn't like that.]

I don't want to be your enemy, Adam.

[That word cuts deep and she looks away, closing her eyes for a second. If it came down to that... could she fight him?]

But I can't be on your side either. Not if it means being like them.

[he knows he's hurting her, but he can't stop now, he can't help it. maybe somewhere deep inside he's enjoying it, having her feel what it was like after she abandoned him. like so many people abandoned both of them over the years. she should know how hard it is being alone.]

You had no problems before, but you were always soft.

[there was a time when he liked that about her, not anymore.]

We're enemies. Not only me but the group considers you one too. [there's a slight sigh that escapes adam, mostly due to what he's about to say.]

..You might not trust me, however I can steer them away from you for a while. [...he's asking himself why he would do such a thing as well, something so dangerous, but adam always did what he felt was best for him.]

Edited 2013-10-10 02:52 (UTC)

Catch? There's no catch. I'm looking to hire you and if you're as skilled as you seem I'm sure we can work out a reasonable way to split the fruits of our labour.

The only requirement for the job I'd say is that physically capable of handling a single teenage girl by yourself, my previous help couldn't seem to manage that.

..That can't be the only requirement.

[adam is skeptical of this man, still not going along with his words completely but he's not turning him down either.]

Edited 2013-10-10 02:51 (UTC)

You my friend have no idea how hard it is to find help that actually have some muscle or skill to back up their talk.

If you have a one of those two things and a fully functioning brain, then you sir are hired.

[Of course it hurts, but it's still dulled slightly. She had already hardened herself against this reality. And it just proves to her that he isn't the Adam she knew anymore.

That Adam would never have called her his enemy.]

... If that's the way it has to be.

[She looks back at him when he makes his offer. One last act for old time's sake?]

[OOC: Soooo sorry for the delay. I'm just starting a new job and a lot of backtags got lost while I'm trying to settle in.]

You know that won't last long. Besides, I already knew I'd have to deal with them someday.

[And him, apparently, but she keeps silent about that part.]

Edited 2013-10-18 02:45 (UTC)

[ooc: hey that's cool! really glad to see you reply back 8)]

[perhaps it was one last act, but for whatever reason he was doing it- it was entirely for her sake. he could hardly care about anyone else, they were all simply enemies or just prey to him, but blake, his partner, was different.]

It might not last long... however it will give you some time at least. Time to be ready for anything.

[...a brief pause, he nods to himself.]

I'll warn you if I hear of any attacks.

very gently testing

I can't NOT tag this. It is beyond me.

Oho I was hoping for a Blake!

Happy to oblige

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