mineo

[dotcom]

Comments

[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?

[sengokus]

[a

long

telling

pause]

.... Define 'things'.

[dotcom]

There are bowls full of condoms in the rooms?

[ THERE

IS A LOT OF SEX STUFF ]

[sengokus]

[he starts choking on his ice cream]

[dotcom]

I'm just pointing out that there seems to be a strong implication here.

[sengokus]

[he's coughing and smacking his own chest to try to get through it but

god

okay he's just frowning and there's an oBVIOUS ANSWER HERE FOR HIM BUT]

—Can you handle things here?!

[DOES TAKERU IS FUCK?]

[dotcom]

I would prefer to avoid that.

[ takeru will try very hard not to fuck ]

[sengokus]

[mineo just nods....]

Wow... You're actually a surprisingly upstanding guy....

[THIS IS SO RUDE]

[dotcom]

I didn't ask for your opinion.

[sengokus]

Well you got it.

[easy peasy]

Oh yeah, did you get a new tattoo too?