[IC] Mistletoe (old/new)

[acloneforever]

[Spain/Turkey/Kondo/Banjou/Mori/Malik/Superboy]

Comments

[maleborgia]

I understand why you did it, just as I know you understand why I had hoped you would not have. I thought, perhaps... No, it is not important. Regardless, you know what I am going to ask you next. You have not told him the rest of what I told you, but will you?

[sharpasafawkes]

[Looking almost hurt before- wait...]

I don't see any reason to right now, but what was that little, unimportant detail?

[maleborgia]

I don't know which part of that you are talking about, but from that change in tone I will assume you think I am trying to trick you. I thought perhaps you had let something drop to Malik in conversation. When he came to see me I was not sure if he was trying to foster a better relationship or feel me out for himself. Either could have been the case. I did not, however, think you would have told him that, at least not so specifically.

[sharpasafawkes]

You were though, you'd started to do it even when I first came in.

[maleborgia]

I was?

[sharpasafawkes]

[repeating the bit from the start where he started to "apologize"]

[maleborgia]

*this slight recoil is real enough*

You think I was lying to you?

[sharpasafawkes]

At first, but I'm not sure now.

[maleborgia]

*shelving these books a little more forcefully now*

I wasn't.

[sharpasafawkes]

Even if you weren't, you still tried to manipulate me.

[maleborgia]

You still do not believe me. I tried and failed--miserably--to apologize while you were in the hospital. While I appreciate that we have been able to interact on a more normal level, some things require a formal act.

[sharpasafawkes]

There's a diference between formality and manipulation, and if you don't know what that is... well you far worse off than I imagined.

[maleborgia]

*snap.

slams that last book in hard, leaving his hand on its spine when he turns to look at Shaun.*

I know what the difference is! You are the one who does not understand. I have been raised my entire life to learn the system and how to work within it. Even knowing that you are working for an opposing side every word I have ever said to you here has been true to the best of my knowledge. I doubt I could say the same thing about you.

I refrained from asking you to divulge the secret machinations of your organization while you were delirious, even though you were very willing to start heading in that direction. I made the effort to contact you in a form you would find more manageable after you were wounded, even though doing so meant exposing myself. Do not dare to tell me that I do not understand these things, Shaun! I know these rules very well and I know that I have been breaking them. All I ask in return is that you do not let what I tell you go beyond the two of us! I am taking enough of a risk as it is!

[sharpasafawkes]

[Shrinking back slightly, even though it looks like he hates that it's happening]

I don't want to tell anybody about you, and I've stopped myself from doing it before, but when my brotherhood or my friends ask if you're a threat, I've got to tell them the truth. I'll leave out anything that's not required, but I wouldn't have to do it in the bloody first place if you didn't set yourself up as someone I'm not sure the people I know should trust!

[maleborgia]

*these gestures might be a little more violent than normal*

There is no sense in hurting any of you unless you attack me first! None of you are from my world. I have very little interest in or patience for the idea of becoming entangled in a new set of politics. I am not a threat to you. If anything, you are a threat to me.

[sharpasafawkes]

[His voice might be loosing a bit of its edge, his eyes slightly widening]

What about the fact that you'd side with Rodrigo or Cesare from my world in a heartbeat, you'd tell them everything, which is a damn sight worse than what I'd do, it wouldn't even matter if what they wanted was the complete opposite of you. That's the only reason any of us would go after you here.

[maleborgia]

*not exactly yelling anymore, but might as well be*

They are not here, are they? And even if they were, I am the one who stands the best chance of bringing our goals to fruition. They made their mistakes already and I need to know now if you are going to help me avoid them or if I am simply wasting my time.

[sharpasafawkes]

[Shutting his eyes for a moment, you can do this Shaun, you can do this.]

I'm not sure, are you going to listen or am I wasting my time with you?

[maleborgia]

I already told you I would listen.

[sharpasafawkes]

But did you really- Cesare I can't do this right now, I've got to go.

[maleborgia]

*grabbing at Shaun, obviously too frustrated to end this right now*

Where are you going? Didn't you just tell me not to run away?

[sharpasafawkes]

Get the hell away!

[... yeah, sorry about this punch.]

[maleborgia]

*totally caught off guard by that, stumbles backwards with a short cry of pain*

What the hell?!

[sharpasafawkes]

[Breaking away fast, and then trying not to run, but still leave as quickly as posible.]

[maleborgia]

*...seriously, what the hell. chasing after*

Shaun. Shaun!