killful | inbox for duplicity (old)

What? You know this man too, Hakuno? I'm surprised. You sure get around.

What? Uh, a version of him is an important ally back in the Moon Cell... who is this?

[It’s Archer’s voice but—

OH.

There’s a sound of her moving quickly, and a door closing.]

Yan Qing? H-Hey.

Why do you never let me have fun with these things?

[ Not Archer's voice now. ]

I told you I knew him the first time we met, I’m pretty sure.

Did you? Oh, you did. Wahahahaha!

[ He forgot. ]

[ Whatever, he's doing this anyway. ]

Now why did the cute little lady send me a cute little panda? Trying to get on my good side? There's nothing to say sorry for.

That’s the first one you tried on me. And I know him too, he nearly killed me once.

[She pauses, and when she speaks up, her voice is small.]

You were desperate. You would have taken anyone with mana at that point. I was... very accommodating in various ways that week, without a second thought. For myself, or others, long term. I don’t want you to feel... I don’t know, trapped, or something. I haven’t used any Command Seals, but if you’d... well, if there’s someone else that you want as your Master, but couldn’t find when things got rough... I would understand.

Edited 2018-10-21 16:02 (UTC)

Fool!

[ Another familiar voice booms from the speakers. ]

I don't recall telling you that I wanted to sever our contract, mongrel. I have been called upon to take on the role as your Servant; I have no intention of relinquishing it. Unless... What? You wish to make your own grave? Is paying the foolish Ereshkigal a visit more preferable than that deplorable Ishtar? Hah! I have no qualms with that. This world is tiresome as it is depraved. It would do well for our returns — yours to the underworld, and mine to the Throne.

[A strangled shriek worms it’s way out of her throat.]

O-Okay I know you’re trying to be funny but, uh, but Gilgamesh rememberers the Moon Cell too, as well as... a-apparently an alternate timeline where I was his Master, so...

Yes, I am aware. This Phantom called the Doppelganger lets me see into the memories of each identity I take. I am surprised to know you have done well to impress the King of Heroes. After all, you are not a mongrel who stands out by any means.

[ why is he still gilgamesh ]

Oh my god...

[Her voice is a little muffled, as she rubs it.]

Are these your feelings or his you’re talking about? ...Contract-wise, I mean.

Wahahaha.

[ It's the last thing he says as Gilgamesh before he turns back. ]

They're mine! We were all weird last week. I can look for another Master if you really want me to. I just don't get why, though? I'm okay here with you. It's not like you're making me look at Goldie's flat ass or something.

[I-Ignoring the parting shot at Gilgamesh, she raises her main concern.]

...after we contracted though, it felt like... you had some doubts or misgivings. Are you really okay with this?

I don't like being tied down. Frankly, I'd rather not have a Master at all. I only need one to keep fighting.

[ She is too much like his former masters, foolish and all too willing to give their lives to someone they have yet to truly see. ]

There's someone I'll always put first before anyone else, and it's neither you or me. It's not like you chose to summon me, anyway. But...

[ But she chose to help him.

... ]

I still have my honor, so for helping this ruffian, I'll protect you. But don't tell me what to do or how to live. I just need to live for this.

[ This loyalty for the demon who wants him by her side. ]

In the Moon Cell, plenty of our allies went where they pleased, once the danger had passed. So I don't mind that at all. But...

[Her voice is quiet, but the gentle uncertainty is gone.]

If you don't intend to treat me as a Master at all, then please don't waste your time or mine with lip-service. I've had enough two-faced treachery from misplaced trust as it stands, though I don't actually think you'd pull an Archimedes on me. I won't ask for your undivided devotion, or demand you stay by my side every hour of the day. I just want honesty from you, above anything else. Is that okay?

[Well, that's what she gets for trusting a traitor. That's what he is. Shouldn't she know this? Stupid, stupid, stupid. Taking on a Master was a mistake. They can't do anything right. He can't do anything right. In the eyes of all, there is no right he can do.

But... he has to do this. Otherwise, he'd never forgive himself.]

That's a tall order for an outlaw, but it's nothing I can't do. I can do anything, after all.

I'm saying this as a former servant with extremely bad luck, but frankly, you should just sever your contracts with troublesome servants if you think they'll give you grief later on. They don't deserve your kindness.

Ah, don't get me wrong. I want this contract? But that's just my honest opinion.

It wasn't that simple at the time, but we... handled things. He wasn't directly contracted to me, otherwise a Command Seal would have made things much easier.

[That's a lot left out of a very long tale, but it's true.]

I think... I think I'd rather risk my kindness being wasted on those who haven't gotten a lot of it rather than hold back entirely. Because, there are people dear to me who were alone for... far longer than I can imagine. Who suffered in ways I can't comprehend. Who were hated for things that were and weren't their fault.

[She thinks of Altera, alone. Of the White Titan, reviled. Of a girl with a small, warm, impossible dream.

She doesn't regret what she's done, on that account.]

But, since you were honest, if or when that sort of thinking backfires on me, you officially get the first "I told you so" rights.

[ That sort of thinking is how Lu Junyi died.

But that sort of thinking is how Yan Qing lived to see past tomorrow.

Little Yan, don't cry— ]

Oh, those rights are the best! I'd like it if I never have to use them, though. Ahahaha.

[ Don't cry. You said you'd never take on another master, didn't you? ]

Is that all? If you got an actual contract I gotta read, I'll just pretend I'm illiterate. [ He's just kidding.

... Is he??? ]

[That sort of thinking has very nearly killed Hakuno herself several times, but he doesn't need to know about that just yet.]

No, I don't think we need anything as stringent as that. Even with Tumenalia in full swing, I think I managed to say most of my stipulations.

[Don't kill wantonly, chief among it.]

Oh, you don't need to worry about those. I know I don't look it, but I'm a really responsible guy.

[ He'll just kill selectively. ]

Handsome and talented with a sense of responsibility. You can't get any better than that!

I mean, you can look as responsible as you want, but the last couple of 'responsible' looking men I met back home were the biggest dangers to me.

[Here's to you, Twice and Archimedes. You crazy goddamn nihilist nerds.]

...yeah. I'll look forward to it, I guess.

...Haha. Well, you can doubt me all you want. It's not like I'm anyone respectable anyway.

[So much for showing his good side. That's fine, though. There's only one person who matters in the end.]

I gotta get going. You know you can always use our telepathic link, right? Might be safer than these phones sometimes. Adios!

Actually, I meant the opposite. Dangerous people have been the most reliable for me, historically speaking.

[Ah, but...]

Oh, um... okay. I'll try not to bother you too much.

[It will be weird, having that with somebody she doesn't live with.]

Bye, Yan Qing. Have a good day.

inbox for duplicity (old)

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