mineo

[dotcom]

Comments

[dotcom]

Let's get a better idea of what's going on first. We should find out what will be more beneficial to us in the long run.

[sengokus]

[ . . . his expression continues to fluster as he thinks about sharing a room with a girl for more than a day]

I guess...

But we're all here because we want something, right?

[dotcom]

Yes.

So it's good to know who would actually be useful in helping us get what we want.

[sengokus]

What do you want? Solving X-Day?

[back to the vending machine.... takeru's cupcake was left behind. mineo's at least decent enough to order him another one]

[dotcom]

[ thank you, gopher ]

What else would I want at the moment?

[sengokus]

[he's been trained in food retrieval - but he'll take a bite out of the cupcake first since that's what takeru asked him to do

but hey it's not poisoned, and he'll offer it over to him]

I dunno... but you're making progress on your case, right? I guess I didn't expect you to be willing to accept outside help...

[dotcom]

It depends on the type of help.

[ ... ]

What about you?

[sengokus]

[ . . .

mineo's finger hovers over an order of pudding.

he settles for just getting an ice cream bar instead, letting it land in the vending machine with a kerthunk.]

... you need to ask?

[when takeru, more than anyone else, drilled in how little progress mineo was making]

[dotcom]

Well, between the two of us, as long as one of us wins...

[ he trails off, taking a bite out of the cupcake. ]

What do you think about the indulging aspect?

[sengokus]

[there's a pause as he bites into his ice cream bar and starts walking so they're not hogging up the space by the vending machines. i guess they're going on a tour.]

... uh, I don't know - kind of weird. Leaning into our bad traits, right? I think...

[he's been doing plenty of that already.

it's why he's quiet for a few more steps before slowly, eventually]

... I gotta win too, Takeru. I'll help you, of course - but... [apparently he can't afford to lose] I'll be taking things more seriously from now on.

[dotcom]

[ ...

he tilts his head as he takes mineo in-- his words, what he said. ]

You should have been taking things seriously in the first place.

[sengokus]

[ . . . . he chomps into his ice cream some more and his gaze flicks up to the ceiling. it'd be easy to think he's got brain freeze, if not for the way he seems like he's thinking about something.]

... yeah.

I know.

[and he'll turn to him, bowing his head - once, and only once.]

Sorry for being dead weight this long.

[dotcom]

Just make sure it doesn't happen again. Words are just that-- words. It's results that I care about.

[ but that shouldn't come as a surprise. ]

We don't know if all of us can get the prize, or if there's a limit to it yet. So, we'll see what happens.

[sengokus]

[for once there's no bluster, no immediate flinch and guilt - just a little nod. makes sense. he has to do more than just say that he's gonna do something, and then fail to deliver.

. . . ]

... they said something about dying in the FAQ, right?

[dotcom]

They did.

[ and that's the problem with agreeing to something without knowing the full details beforehand. but, there's not much they can do about that now. ]

So, what situations could possibly come up where that may be a factor?

[sengokus]

[ . . . . he thinks about the crossed swords tattoos he'd seen, and just sighs.]

... Indulging in revenge. Bloodbaths. Screwed up power trips.

Just sounds like Adonis, doesn't it?

[dotcom]

It does.

But at the same time, it also opposes their views. They hate sinners, don't they? Indulgence is a sin.

[sengokus]

[ . . . ]

Yeah.

I don't think it's the same people or anything - but I don't think I agree with either. This is just putting people in a situation where they're in danger, right? Even if... I guess we agreed....

[dotcom]

We'll just have to take responsibility for the fact that we chose this. Even if we disagree with what might come after that agreement.

[ he does sound a little uneasy, but he'll push on. ]

Just... stay focused.

[sengokus]

Mm, I will.

[ . . . but admittedly - ]

I'm not on the force anymore, but I'm a ex-Field Ops, you know? If it's situations of danger, I think I'm more used to it.

Think you'll be okay? Or do you want to start sleeping in shifts or something?

[dotcom]

[ it is hard to admit that mineo may be better suited than him at something. takeru is good at many things, but he is not a jock. ]

I'll be fine. I won't get taken out so easily.

[sengokus]

Yeah, I know - but anyone can get surprised at any time.

[and he frowns.]

I don't know how many other people know folks around here but... Seriously, Takeru, call me if you need something, okay? Even if it's just to run and get donuts in the middle of the night or whatever.

[dotcom]

We'll see.

[ mineo was always going to be his errand boy. ]

But that's also why it's good to pay more attention to those around us. We don't know why they're here and how far they're willing to go... even if they seem friendly.

[sengokus]

[as if mineo and takeru didn't already have trust issues]

... well my roommate at least made it clear that if I annoy her enough, I'm probably in trouble.

It's almost easier to be on my guard if everyone's straightforward like that?

[dotcom]

Mine is similar, I think.

[ ... ]

Can you handle things here?