Time to Play Bingo [Closed]

[concealingeyes]

Date & Time: April 4th, afternoon
Location: Around the market!
Characters: Jade, Kido, Kano
Summary: Jade is a bad person
Warnings: See above




[All things considered, their lives here at Exsilium have been very peaceful. So maybe it was inevitable that something would come and ruin that peace. Kido herself can't be too worried yet until she finds out what she needs but she is definitely guarded.

...Guarded because of what Kano said but also from how worried Kano was about this. She hopes things won't be too troublesome. As long as Kano behaves it'll be fine. Probably.

She spots Jade finally and waves at him.]

Oi, Jade! We need to talk!

Comments

[duplicitoussight]

[He promised that he'd behave and he intends to try at least, as unsettled as Jade makes him. Kano hangs behind her, hands in his pockets in an attempt to look as nonchalant as possible. It's just some acquaintances meeting up, right? That's the image he wants to project to hide his worry. Only he hopes that, after this, they won't have to talk to him ever again.

He isn't smiling this time, but his face is carefully blank as he looks Jade's way. He'll let Kido do most of the talking for now.]

[clinical]

[Of course, Kido's little lesson has made Jade far more attentive to his surroundings. He wouldn't want to be surprised twice. So when he sees them out of the corner of his eyes, he waits for them to call to him. The slightest smile crosses his lips. He wonders what truths that boy told.

He only turns when she calls out to him.]

Hello, Kido. I'm happy to see you're no longer giving old men heart attacks for fun.

[concealingeyes]

I don't want to get stabbed. It's not really high on my list...

[She scratches her head before remembering that she's not supposed to chitchat right now. How could she forget? Even Kano is being serious.]

Anyway, I don't think I really need to explain but you scared Kano pretty bad yesterday with the prank. So do you mind explaining it?

[duplicitoussight]

Ah, I didn't react that badly, did I?

[He can't help but pipe up at that. He'd been scared, but he doesn't want attention to be brought to that fact, even if the conversation's about just that.]

[clinical]

[Jade just. Glances at Kano. With that smile, cold and sharp as a scalpel.

It's only a second. His attention flickers back to Kido.]

Now, now, Kido. A responsible leader shouldn't advertise the weaknesses those under her command. Particularly not in a public space. If you want to discuss this, why don't we find somewhere that will make Kano more comfortable?

[concealingeyes]

Ah... R-Right. I was going to suggest that next. Well, anyway. Follow me.

[She shoves her hands into her pockets and straightens up. Since she's spent some time memorizing this place, she easily finds a mot secluded area outside the markets, a sort of 'clearing' between a few buildings.]

Everyone fine now? So we can start the meeting. It doesn't really matter how it made Kano feel but you did do something nasty to him. On top of that, you said you were in the military as a colonel but told Kano you're a scientist interested in abnormalities.

[duplicitoussight]

[He already doesn't like the direction the conversation's going and he doesn't like the way Jade's taking control of the situation. He doesn't react to his glance, as much as it bothers him. He knows that this guy would probably try to needle him again.

He still stays quiet, keeping on his best poker face.]

[clinical]

[Jade responds genially, calmly, amicably. This is child's play, boys and girls.] Ah, I'm afraid that what I said to Kano was a little lie. It's surprising that he takes such issue with lying; I had thought that deception was a more comfortable state for him.

My apologies, Kano, for my error in judgement.

[concealingeyes]

Would you knock it off with the word play?

[Kido sighs. Yeah, sure, it's really clever or something but it's not an answer.]

How about a straight answer? We have pretty obvious reasons for needing to know this.

[duplicitoussight]

[It's unnerving how he can see through his masks so easily, though Kano's certain some of what he's saying are just shots in the dark to see if they'd land.

(Which they did.)]

Ah, maybe I should sit down, Kido! It looks like we'll might be here for a while. He doesn't seem the type to tell the truth straight out.

[clinical]

[His smile widens just a touch. It's simply too easy. Kano will be spared.]

I'm not certain which answer you're after. You posed two questions: the matter of scientific research into abnormal humans, and an explanation for 'pulling a prank,' as you said, on Kano.

[His tone becomes less sly—more soldier-like.] As I said, it was a small lie. I've never taken any scientific interest in abnormal humans. I've also worked in the science divisons of the Malkuth military. My primary employment has been as a soldier.

[concealingeyes]

[Despite trying her best, she still can't help the creeping sensation inside. But she nods and takes a breath.]

Well, that answers both of them, more or less... Let me see if I've got this. You used the information you got from me to mess with Kano, probably because you felt like it. You lied a little but it was using half-truths.

[She combines this with the information he gave her.] So, your eyes... were probably a military experiment, I guess. And probably however that spear of yours works, too. Using yourself for that stuff...

[Well, it's better than using someone else by leagues, so she's glad for that, but that's still pretty sick and dangerous. Talk about an irresponsible person. He did say he used to be one.]

Either way, you don't really have an interest in us then.

[duplicitoussight]

[Hearing that is a small relief. He folds his hands behind his head.]

I see, I see! I get it now. This is all just a result of his hobby to pick on others, then.

[clinical]

[He'll let Kido believe what she wants, but—really, Kano?]

Indeed, I'm that kind of person. It's so nice to find someone with similar hobbies here.

[It's practically his duty to give you a response when you keep opening yourself up like that. What would happen to you if acted like this around someone really malicious?]

[concealingeyes]

[Suddenly Kido feels like she's actually with two children, instead of a teenager and a grown man.]

Eh... Kano picks on people and teases them but even he wouldn't be that cruel with a prank. Well, probably not.

[clinical]

['Probably not.'

Jade is getting kind of depressed watching these two kids fail all over the place.]

I'm certain Kano wouldn't be so cruel. You would know if that was in his personality.

[concealingeyes]

Hm? It's not like that. He's not a bad kid. But he has a habit of taking things too far without realising it. So, that's why I say 'probably not'.

[She smiles slightly.] He wouldn't be so cruel on purpose. I can say that, though. It's his filter that's busted.

[duplicitoussight]

[The jab he expects back doesn't come. Huh. He smiles along.]

Hey, hey, Leader! I'm right here, you know!

[concealingeyes]

Huh? You are? [She glances at him.] Without hearing you talk nonstop, it was hard to tell.

[duplicitoussight]

Eh? I can be quiet too! Is it really that strange for me to stay quiet? [A sigh.] I'm not a complete chatterbox.

[concealingeyes]

You always leave me so many messages, though. I think the only time you're quiet is when you're sleeping.

[clinical]

My, my. [Jade adjusts his glasses.] I believe this kind of conversation is an old man's cue to leave.

[You sure are flirting in front of him.]

[concealingeyes]

Huh...? [A beat. Then she turns red, waving her hands.]

S-Stop assuming he's my boyfriend, geez!! You don't have many friends, do you?

[She scratches her head.] Oi, that reminds me. You should apologise for that prank. Otherwise it's going to be a pain.

[duplicitoussight]

[Kano can't help his snicker, even though he presses a hand to his mouth.]

You mean he's assumed that before too, Kido? Ah, what sort of things did you tell him about me, I wonder...?

[concealingeyes]

[She turns and kicks him in the shin.]

I didn't say anything weird! Don't laugh like that!