[Before long in front of her there's a cup of strong and black coffee just as she wanted. For himself he gets one as strong as the machine can give him]
There you go. I'm no barista, but it should be good. Let's make the best of this night.
[Were this any other week perhaps his nonchalant attitude would be convincing enough, but with this week's effect, it's glaringly obvious every minute that passes gets him more and more alarmed. Nobody is coming, nobody is trying to get in touch with him for whatever reason, and although it's possible they're not the only ones awake, nobody else seems to be getting involved. Bad signs, all that. At least he still feels in complete control of his own head, nothing feels different.
He keeps making conversation about anything that comes to mind, but tries to notice any change in Hot Pants, as if she would snap at any moment and try to bludgeon him with a table. Even now, even after all signs that seemingly point as them being the only two involved, part of him hopes he's mistaken]
[She says, nodding at the cup given. That sentiment is echoing in Hot Pants, too. They can be casual all they like, but this isn't right. Percy and Chang Geng also had a nice chat, before things began. The anxiety she feels is close to the surface, though there's something a little surprised, at the alarm she feels from him, like she expected a cool head to rule over a slowly fearful heart.]
[She lets him chat, happy to sit and listen. There's no urge to hurt him. In fact, as the time goes on, she sips at her coffee and seems to grow more melancholy.]
[Finally, she speaks, putting her saucer down.]
You know...we shouldn't be too worried, November. We're already dead men walking, aren't we?
[A character once monologued: "It's common knowledge that Contractors act rationally regardless of what kind of situation they're in. They're able to remain calm and collected while devising a sensible solution. Is it because they know no fear? No, Contractors can get scared shitless, just like anyone else. The only difference is that they don't act on their emotions."
If he knew about that monologue he'd agree completely, that's for sure. That he can continue acting like normal despite the increasing alarm really says a lot about how he's such an effective person. Only someone experienced as him could stay so composed despite how he feels]
Hm?
[November nods. In a way it's true, because of that they shouldn't be too worried, but still...]
I think we both hardly can be called anything else, yes.
I've been thinking about it lately. If we do escape from this place, and return to our worlds...
[She pauses, glancing down at her coffee cup, emptied. The melancholy from her sits heavy, like a shroud. Two ghosts, chatting, waiting for eventuality to come like a train at a train station.]
Is there any chance we could actually keep living? Or is this all just borrowed time? Are we just prolonging the inevitable?
It's going to be difficult for both of us, for many reasons.
[They both have made many powerful enemies in their worlds, and the circumstances are full of hardships. It's likely as soon as they return their lives won't be the same anymore. When you think about it like that...]
We're prolonging the inevitable.
[Which he's fine with, all things considered, but it'd be silly to deny that yeah, they won't be okay]
[She finally turns to him, her expression set like stone. The sadness is shifting suddenly now, like a blade being placed on a grindstone, sharpening with a certain resolve. But still, it aches.]
...You know. I think we know what has to be done. In a way, I'm glad...I'm glad it's you.
[That definitely is what it sounds like. Hot Pants has resigned herself to what probably will happen tonight. Is this like giving up? Some may see it that way, he supposes.]
The sentiment is reciprocated, Hot Pants. It has been quite fortunate to meet you.
[It has been good to have someone to relate to, and who in turn understands better than most the circumstances he has been in. He's not glad any confrontation will have to be against her, but in a way it feels appropriate, he thinks]
You're right, we know what has to be done. Neither of us will back down from anything that needs to happen tonight.
[Slowly, November stands up]
No way you'll sit there and meekly accept death. How do you want this to happen?
[Its a bit strange. The blade of emotion sharpens more, her anxiety being stuffed down inside. Her emotions are hard as steel, but tinged with heightened bittersweetness all the same, like a storm brewing.]
A challenge. You and me. We both have similar skills, and I know you're one of the few ones who can take me down.
[She also stands.]
If you die...if I die...regardless, it'll be a mercy. Better now than to wait. We can't stand at the precipice of a cliff forever, November.
[November's emotions change immediately. They had always been there, albeit somewhat muted, but as soon as Hot Pants worded her wish for a challenge all emotions just...disappeared, shunted away to guarantee he keeps a clear mind. Time to be cold as ice.
Quick, devise a good plan. Consider the possibility she'll die, consider the possibility he'll die. Immediate action, alternate plans, contingencies, it all began assembling while he took the empty cups and saucers, moving them further down the counter and out of the way]
A cafe is hardly an appropriate location for this. While I doubt either of us would flee, we should have it be both an open area, yet also make it impossible to run away from. The rooftop is a good location.
[Many ideas get discarded. Message someone to inform them he's fighting Hot Pants? Absolutely not, that'd point at him once he survives. He needs to be subtle. Use Thought Seed gumball, leave behind a hint to point at the greenhouse, aim to kill Hot Pants as quickly as possible. Yes, this is a sensible plan, he decides]
[She considers it. November puts on his plans, she steels her determination like armor. Like they're warriors, doomed to circle around each other for one final battle.]
Mm. Alright. I think that's a good area. Don't hold back on me, okay? I'd hate it if you did.
[Because she respects him that highly. If he brought anything less, she'd be insulted.]
[Time to completely obliterate Hot Pants. Plans are set, he has determined how to handle this.
With the excuse of tidying things up a little to avoid calling attention to the cafe in case someone came before everyone else woke up, he chewed the Thought Seed gumball while ordering everything. The cups they used were left untouched, too, hiding his cigarette carton full of leaves. It all seems pretty natural, he judges]
This should guarantee there will be no interruptions. Nobody should figure out something will happen tonight.
[Satisfied, November goes to the entrance, ready to go to their final destination]
[It's curious -- last time he felt fear was because he was facing one of the bloodiest, most dangerous Contractors in history, even though she had lost her powers, his fear based on the possibility she had gotten them back. It led to him killing her as soon as he got his sights on her. Tonight he felt fear for similar yet somewhat different reasons. With him depowered, Hot Pants is probably on his same level, he's sure, but also he fears what she may be capable of doing under the influence of the refraction. This is going to get so ugly, he knows it. Now he's completely emotionless, ready for the tough task at hand...but he can't deny a while ago he was dreading this all pretty badly.
Perhaps that dread is why as soon as they arrive to the rooftop in the elevator, once Hot Pants exits the elevator, November presses the button to the first floor and leaps out before the doors close, the elevator descending. As he said: getting out of here is not an option.
November faces her, a hand in his pocket touching the purple gumball he decided would be his lethal weapon, and nodded]
Shall we, Hot Pants?
[Having said that, November made a move like he was going to run straight at her, but instead swiftly changed directions to run towards the greenhouse. All he needs is some time to chew that gumball! Once he's sure he has the psychic damage effect ready, he can reach and kill her instantly!
By the time he crossed the open doorway of the greenhouse he had already popped the gumball into his mouth. He just needed to buy a minute max to thoroughly chew it, that was all he'd need!]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
There you go. I'm no barista, but it should be good. Let's make the best of this night.
[Were this any other week perhaps his nonchalant attitude would be convincing enough, but with this week's effect, it's glaringly obvious every minute that passes gets him more and more alarmed. Nobody is coming, nobody is trying to get in touch with him for whatever reason, and although it's possible they're not the only ones awake, nobody else seems to be getting involved. Bad signs, all that. At least he still feels in complete control of his own head, nothing feels different.
He keeps making conversation about anything that comes to mind, but tries to notice any change in Hot Pants, as if she would snap at any moment and try to bludgeon him with a table. Even now, even after all signs that seemingly point as them being the only two involved, part of him hopes he's mistaken]
no subject
[She says, nodding at the cup given. That sentiment is echoing in Hot Pants, too. They can be casual all they like, but this isn't right. Percy and Chang Geng also had a nice chat, before things began. The anxiety she feels is close to the surface, though there's something a little surprised, at the alarm she feels from him, like she expected a cool head to rule over a slowly fearful heart.]
[She lets him chat, happy to sit and listen. There's no urge to hurt him. In fact, as the time goes on, she sips at her coffee and seems to grow more melancholy.]
[Finally, she speaks, putting her saucer down.]
You know...we shouldn't be too worried, November. We're already dead men walking, aren't we?
no subject
If he knew about that monologue he'd agree completely, that's for sure. That he can continue acting like normal despite the increasing alarm really says a lot about how he's such an effective person. Only someone experienced as him could stay so composed despite how he feels]
Hm?
[November nods. In a way it's true, because of that they shouldn't be too worried, but still...]
I think we both hardly can be called anything else, yes.
no subject
[She pauses, glancing down at her coffee cup, emptied. The melancholy from her sits heavy, like a shroud. Two ghosts, chatting, waiting for eventuality to come like a train at a train station.]
Is there any chance we could actually keep living? Or is this all just borrowed time? Are we just prolonging the inevitable?
no subject
[They both have made many powerful enemies in their worlds, and the circumstances are full of hardships. It's likely as soon as they return their lives won't be the same anymore. When you think about it like that...]
We're prolonging the inevitable.
[Which he's fine with, all things considered, but it'd be silly to deny that yeah, they won't be okay]
no subject
[She finally turns to him, her expression set like stone. The sadness is shifting suddenly now, like a blade being placed on a grindstone, sharpening with a certain resolve. But still, it aches.]
...You know. I think we know what has to be done. In a way, I'm glad...I'm glad it's you.
[She closes her eyes.]
You understand me better than most, November.
no subject
The sentiment is reciprocated, Hot Pants. It has been quite fortunate to meet you.
[It has been good to have someone to relate to, and who in turn understands better than most the circumstances he has been in. He's not glad any confrontation will have to be against her, but in a way it feels appropriate, he thinks]
You're right, we know what has to be done. Neither of us will back down from anything that needs to happen tonight.
[Slowly, November stands up]
No way you'll sit there and meekly accept death. How do you want this to happen?
no subject
[Its a bit strange. The blade of emotion sharpens more, her anxiety being stuffed down inside. Her emotions are hard as steel, but tinged with heightened bittersweetness all the same, like a storm brewing.]
A challenge. You and me. We both have similar skills, and I know you're one of the few ones who can take me down.
[She also stands.]
If you die...if I die...regardless, it'll be a mercy. Better now than to wait. We can't stand at the precipice of a cliff forever, November.
no subject
[November's emotions change immediately. They had always been there, albeit somewhat muted, but as soon as Hot Pants worded her wish for a challenge all emotions just...disappeared, shunted away to guarantee he keeps a clear mind. Time to be cold as ice.
Quick, devise a good plan. Consider the possibility she'll die, consider the possibility he'll die. Immediate action, alternate plans, contingencies, it all began assembling while he took the empty cups and saucers, moving them further down the counter and out of the way]
A cafe is hardly an appropriate location for this. While I doubt either of us would flee, we should have it be both an open area, yet also make it impossible to run away from. The rooftop is a good location.
[Many ideas get discarded. Message someone to inform them he's fighting Hot Pants? Absolutely not, that'd point at him once he survives. He needs to be subtle. Use Thought Seed gumball, leave behind a hint to point at the greenhouse, aim to kill Hot Pants as quickly as possible. Yes, this is a sensible plan, he decides]
no subject
[She considers it. November puts on his plans, she steels her determination like armor. Like they're warriors, doomed to circle around each other for one final battle.]
Mm. Alright. I think that's a good area. Don't hold back on me, okay? I'd hate it if you did.
[Because she respects him that highly. If he brought anything less, she'd be insulted.]
[It's the way it has to be.]
no subject
[Time to completely obliterate Hot Pants. Plans are set, he has determined how to handle this.
With the excuse of tidying things up a little to avoid calling attention to the cafe in case someone came before everyone else woke up, he chewed the Thought Seed gumball while ordering everything. The cups they used were left untouched, too, hiding his cigarette carton full of leaves. It all seems pretty natural, he judges]
This should guarantee there will be no interruptions. Nobody should figure out something will happen tonight.
[Satisfied, November goes to the entrance, ready to go to their final destination]
Let's go.
no subject
[She feels more ready than she ever has been. It has to be done. It has to be done, she tells herself.]
[It has to be done.]
Not scared anymore, huh?
no subject
[It's curious -- last time he felt fear was because he was facing one of the bloodiest, most dangerous Contractors in history, even though she had lost her powers, his fear based on the possibility she had gotten them back. It led to him killing her as soon as he got his sights on her. Tonight he felt fear for similar yet somewhat different reasons. With him depowered, Hot Pants is probably on his same level, he's sure, but also he fears what she may be capable of doing under the influence of the refraction. This is going to get so ugly, he knows it. Now he's completely emotionless, ready for the tough task at hand...but he can't deny a while ago he was dreading this all pretty badly.
Perhaps that dread is why as soon as they arrive to the rooftop in the elevator, once Hot Pants exits the elevator, November presses the button to the first floor and leaps out before the doors close, the elevator descending. As he said: getting out of here is not an option.
November faces her, a hand in his pocket touching the purple gumball he decided would be his lethal weapon, and nodded]
Shall we, Hot Pants?
[Having said that, November made a move like he was going to run straight at her, but instead swiftly changed directions to run towards the greenhouse. All he needs is some time to chew that gumball! Once he's sure he has the psychic damage effect ready, he can reach and kill her instantly!
By the time he crossed the open doorway of the greenhouse he had already popped the gumball into his mouth. He just needed to buy a minute max to thoroughly chew it, that was all he'd need!]