[ He's still sitting perfectly still across from her, just where he was placed, but there's been gradually more awareness coming back into his eyes, a spark of fire as he glares across the car at her. he doesn't know her, but he knows what she is. That cool awareness that raises the hair on the back of his neck as she gazes at him is impossible to ignore.
Even from here, he can feel the pull of her gaze, some part of him wanting to react to it, even as it made him furious at himself.
Pinned in place by the drugs and the intensity of her stare, he can only scowl back. Although her words get a small, derisive scoff from him. ]
Vampires don't make deals. They give orders and expect everyone else to fall all over themselves to grovel and obey.
[It's an unsurprising attitude from him, of course. She can see that charm plain as day making him as one of the rebellion. He wouldn't have committed himself to the cause if he didn't hate vampires.]
I don't fault you the distrust. But hear me out before you jump to any conclusions. You might be surprised.
[Not that he is her dinner, but since he's determined to believe he is, she may as well take the moment to poke holes in his argument instead. Denials, assurances, and promises to the contrary, at this point, are going to get no traction.]
Yeah, well. Apparently, my mouth works even when the rest of me doesn't.
[ Considering he could still barely manage to twitch his fingers... ]
I was never any good at keeping quiet anyway. [ He shoots her a sharp, sardonic smirk at that, fire lingering in his gaze. ] I'd say sorry, but I'm betting we both know that'd be a lie.
[She likes that look in his eyes, a verification she read the clues well enough inside. She smirks back at him.]
That's right. And that suits me fine. I'm not interested in anyone passive. That'll get you killed in the job I have planned for you-- should you choose to take it.
Whether I tell you now depends on how ready you are to listen. How about it?
[She holds that smirk; it's playful, mischievous. She's teasing curiosity and knows it. It's what she wants-- real curiosity means paying attention. And he should be curious. It's his life they're talking about, after all.]
[That's certainly true. And it seems to have worked, so she leans forward. The playful mischief across her face drops as she begins to speak with seriousness.]
I'm interested in people to be part of a ship's crew. We're planning a voyage south to investigate a lead to a hidden trove. It's not a journey for cowards. Survival for everyone depends on cooperation, trust and perseverance. If you're wondering why I would seek cooperation and trust from someone who's dedicated himself to hunting vampires, that's where the deal comes in:
I spent 85,000 bailing you out of there. I played by the rules of the system, but I want it clear I don't have any love for it as an institution. So let's think of this more like an indentured servitude. You messed up and got caught, but if you pay me back in labor, I'll let you have your freedom back. No strings attached.
I'll consider completion of this voyage full repayment.
[ Yata just stares at her a moment in disbelief, her words hitting him like a punch in the gut. It sounds...
...It sounds too good to be true. Which means it probably is. ]
Bullshit. You're telling me all I gotta do is survive one sea voyage and that's it? I'm free? Even if I did take you at your word and you followed through on it, what then? I can't go anywhere in the city. I'm branded now. Owned. There's no freedom from that. It's a life sentence. I'd be picked up the first time one of the guards spotted me anywhere on my own.
[Honestly, she's pleased his first reaction is to not believe her. It means he has a good head on his shoulders, which is another point for him. Anyone who would jump eagerly on such a promise without skepticism would be a fool. She's especially glad to see him thinking through the situation long-term, considering future complications and not just the immediate return.
On that subject, she simply poses:]
What would you propose as an alternative?
[There are some corrections to be made on the record of expectations, but those can wait for now.]
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no subject
Even from here, he can feel the pull of her gaze, some part of him wanting to react to it, even as it made him furious at himself.
Pinned in place by the drugs and the intensity of her stare, he can only scowl back. Although her words get a small, derisive scoff from him. ]
Vampires don't make deals. They give orders and expect everyone else to fall all over themselves to grovel and obey.
no subject
[It's an unsurprising attitude from him, of course. She can see that charm plain as day making him as one of the rebellion. He wouldn't have committed himself to the cause if he didn't hate vampires.]
I don't fault you the distrust. But hear me out before you jump to any conclusions. You might be surprised.
no subject
I'm surprised you're bothering with words, does that count? Most people don't try to talk to their dinner.
no subject
[Not that he is her dinner, but since he's determined to believe he is, she may as well take the moment to poke holes in his argument instead. Denials, assurances, and promises to the contrary, at this point, are going to get no traction.]
no subject
[ Considering he could still barely manage to twitch his fingers... ]
I was never any good at keeping quiet anyway. [ He shoots her a sharp, sardonic smirk at that, fire lingering in his gaze. ] I'd say sorry, but I'm betting we both know that'd be a lie.
no subject
That's right. And that suits me fine. I'm not interested in anyone passive. That'll get you killed in the job I have planned for you-- should you choose to take it.
no subject
What the fuck are you on about?
no subject
[She holds that smirk; it's playful, mischievous. She's teasing curiosity and knows it. It's what she wants-- real curiosity means paying attention. And he should be curious. It's his life they're talking about, after all.]
no subject
It's not like I can go anywhere, is it?
[ You can take that as a yes, Nami. ]
no subject
I'm interested in people to be part of a ship's crew. We're planning a voyage south to investigate a lead to a hidden trove. It's not a journey for cowards. Survival for everyone depends on cooperation, trust and perseverance. If you're wondering why I would seek cooperation and trust from someone who's dedicated himself to hunting vampires, that's where the deal comes in:
I spent 85,000 bailing you out of there. I played by the rules of the system, but I want it clear I don't have any love for it as an institution. So let's think of this more like an indentured servitude. You messed up and got caught, but if you pay me back in labor, I'll let you have your freedom back. No strings attached.
I'll consider completion of this voyage full repayment.
no subject
...It sounds too good to be true. Which means it probably is. ]
Bullshit. You're telling me all I gotta do is survive one sea voyage and that's it? I'm free? Even if I did take you at your word and you followed through on it, what then? I can't go anywhere in the city. I'm branded now. Owned. There's no freedom from that. It's a life sentence. I'd be picked up the first time one of the guards spotted me anywhere on my own.
no subject
On that subject, she simply poses:]
What would you propose as an alternative?
[There are some corrections to be made on the record of expectations, but those can wait for now.]