He shrugs one shoulder.] Why can’t it be both? [He refuses to look in Aquarius’s direction.]
You have a job to do, right? There are parameters. I can’t come in here like Hope, saying I want to be a hero because that isn’t going to a: work, and b: get me what I want. And C? Not exactly my schtick.
[He is literally still a Bat who helps people but whatever, Jason.]
Because you have to follow the rules of it being about murder entertainment. Right? Tell me I’m wrong.
[He makes a face at the semantics, not mad, only exasperated.
He gives Aquarius a sidelong look.]
Why do I have to be anything? [Aquarius didn’t even say anything, but he has middle child syndrome.] Why do I have to be great? See, that’s what’s wrong with Dick now. He got the golden boy mantle, and it’s suffocating him.
You don’t live in the gutter and then suddenly not be a gutter boy just because a rich dude put two hundred dollar Nikes on you and gave you some books to read.
I’m the city garbage man. I take out the trash. […] If even one victim has some peace, that’s enough for me.
[they seem to be watching him from under the veil.]
...well there is a lot to unpack there. [lightly. and they seem to pause when jason mentions dick's name like they're trying to decide how to proceed.]
But you're right. A change in environment and lifestyle doesn't change who you actually are. [that's all they say on that though for a second.] Walk me through your thought process here. If you take on the possession, what do you think happens after that?
[He has a whole checked bag of issues. You’re welcome.
The point of the restaurant was so he could pretend he was hungry, but halfway there, he goes in another direction which seems idly aimless.]
The only thing that can happen. I hopefully off someone who deserves it so I can have a definite that Royce gets out of here. If it’s someone who’s pretty innocent, then… I’ll just have to live with that guilt. It’d make it easier for everyone else to vote for me if that’s the case.
[they can lightly mock themselves, too. they don't seem to care that jason's changed directions, following after him all the same.]
...so when you say giving a victim peace, you mean someone who could potentially become possessed and by taking on the deal you're blocking them from that suffering. In exchange, you open yourself to possession and follow through with the act yourself at the risk of getting caught and executed. Right?
[Not sure how tall they are in comparison, but Jason reaches over and thumps the back of their head with the flat of his hand.]
Quit putting me in the hero mold. I meant back home actually. The “bad guys”? I kill them. Which goes against my former mentor and his family’s teaching. Since I’m such a rebel, you know. I kill them because I want their victims to have peace of mind knowing whatever shitbag isn’t still out there.
But sure, okay. Yeah. If I put the right person in the box, I get the shadowy STD deal instead, so they don’t have to do it. There’s so many of us my probability is damn low right now, but as the weeks pass, as long as I’m alive, the probability increases. Nightman a gambling man? Let’s gamble then.
[i will be kind and tell you that aquarius is a good several inches shorter than jason. there's a noise almost like an indignant squawk with the thump and they dart away.]
I'm not putting you in a mold, I'm asking you a question. [they tilt their head.] Am I supposed to find your brand of vigilantism scary or something? Your probability is low, but the deal is a deal. Once you take it, no going back.
He peers at Aquarius even if he can’t see shit. He can tell there is some apprehension because someone is definitely making him roll out the full list for more besides just the motive.]
Want me to talk to Orion first? Would it make you feel better if I did?
It does matter how you feel about it, stop saying that. Throw the damn hotel staff bullshit out the window for half a second when you talk to me and tell me what you really want to say.
[He slows his walk into a stop. He levels Aquarius with a firm, but not hard or intense stare.]
Talking to Orion isn't going to change my mind. [He holds out a hand.] I want to do it. If I put someone possessed in the ground, that possession goes to me. I don't care if it's the week after. It's mine, and they walk away like nothing happened. No tricks. It doesn't matter if they remember or not.
[jason stops walking and aquarius stands in front of them. there's a veil, but it's pretty obvious that they're staring right at him, too. they don't immediately hold out the hand to shake on the deal, though, because there's still one stipulation they can think of.]
...you can't stop something that's already in progress. No interfering with anything else on Thursday night, remember?
So let's say you successfully bury someone who is possessed. The victim can get justice when you find their killer. If you actually find the killer and correctly vote them out, you would then prevent someone else from being approached by them should the shadows come back, since they would then approach you instead. This would only work once.
You're really busting my chops here. Nightman really make you forced to play as unfairly as possible, huh? Not only do I gotta find and vote for them like normal, but I've got to put them in the box, too? Sheesh.
[His lips thin.]
What makes it any different than a shadow just waltzing up to me anyway regardless? I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't.
[it's called we're not stopping someone who started a murder plot already jason, gosh.]
As entertaining as possible with the highest net rewards. The only thing your deal would do is redirect the shadows' attention to you instead of someone else if they started hunting again. [a pause.] This is why I wanted you to really think it through.
His frown is a little harder. He glances off for a moment, considering. There isn't anything to consider. He's too stubborn even though he's smart. All the other bats might have enough of a shred of hope left to never push the envelop, but not him. What does he have to lose? His life? He's lost that a few times already.
He looks back with an unwavering resolve.]
One more thing: how many of these can I make? Just one?
[slaps yours and jason's hands. but no. okay. aquarius looks at the hand before they nod and reach out to firmly shake it. the hand is a bit chilled even through the gloves.]
Like you wouldn't just figure out how to make it work in your favor. [. . .] It's a deal then.
[stop they're fine!! their hand is just doing its best. but then jason pulls away and squishes their hat which means there's a slight disgruntled noise. no!!]
I know enough, but I'm not really much of a reader. It's easier to just watch. [... ] I can't tell you what to do and you can't tell me either. So we're even.
[no squish :( also it's because they're both stupid, i've decided this. they look up at him (probably) and seem like they're trying to make themselves a little more menacing because yeah! they're even!
but then of course they pause at that.]
Hey, I have a lot of stuff to be doing. Reading wasn't always an option. [but they tilt their head.] You want a book that bad?
Jason is so afraid of the menace, his knees are shaking. He's very scared. Please look at him being afraid.]
Yeah? Our little hunting game only lasted a week. I'm not used to having so much extra down-time. And having to go all the way to the other places for a book I can't bring back is a pain in my ass. It'd have to be something pretty thick, though. I go through books kind of fast. Not to brag.
I keep forgetting your timeline was so short...this is probably driving you crazy. [free time...wild.] Are you trying to bribe me into giving you a book?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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He shrugs one shoulder.] Why can’t it be both? [He refuses to look in Aquarius’s direction.]
You have a job to do, right? There are parameters. I can’t come in here like Hope, saying I want to be a hero because that isn’t going to a: work, and b: get me what I want. And C? Not exactly my schtick.
[He is literally still a Bat who helps people but whatever, Jason.]
Because you have to follow the rules of it being about murder entertainment. Right? Tell me I’m wrong.
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[. . .]
If you don't want to be a hero, then what do you actually want to be?
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He gives Aquarius a sidelong look.]
Why do I have to be anything? [Aquarius didn’t even say anything, but he has middle child syndrome.] Why do I have to be great? See, that’s what’s wrong with Dick now. He got the golden boy mantle, and it’s suffocating him.
You don’t live in the gutter and then suddenly not be a gutter boy just because a rich dude put two hundred dollar Nikes on you and gave you some books to read.
I’m the city garbage man. I take out the trash. […] If even one victim has some peace, that’s enough for me.
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...well there is a lot to unpack there. [lightly. and they seem to pause when jason mentions dick's name like they're trying to decide how to proceed.]
But you're right. A change in environment and lifestyle doesn't change who you actually are. [that's all they say on that though for a second.] Walk me through your thought process here. If you take on the possession, what do you think happens after that?
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[He has a whole checked bag of issues. You’re welcome.
The point of the restaurant was so he could pretend he was hungry, but halfway there, he goes in another direction which seems idly aimless.]
The only thing that can happen. I hopefully off someone who deserves it so I can have a definite that Royce gets out of here. If it’s someone who’s pretty innocent, then… I’ll just have to live with that guilt. It’d make it easier for everyone else to vote for me if that’s the case.
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[they can lightly mock themselves, too. they don't seem to care that jason's changed directions, following after him all the same.]
...so when you say giving a victim peace, you mean someone who could potentially become possessed and by taking on the deal you're blocking them from that suffering. In exchange, you open yourself to possession and follow through with the act yourself at the risk of getting caught and executed. Right?
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Quit putting me in the hero mold. I meant back home actually. The “bad guys”? I kill them. Which goes against my former mentor and his family’s teaching. Since I’m such a rebel, you know. I kill them because I want their victims to have peace of mind knowing whatever shitbag isn’t still out there.
But sure, okay. Yeah. If I put the right person in the box, I get the shadowy STD deal instead, so they don’t have to do it. There’s so many of us my probability is damn low right now, but as the weeks pass, as long as I’m alive, the probability increases. Nightman a gambling man? Let’s gamble then.
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I'm not putting you in a mold, I'm asking you a question. [they tilt their head.] Am I supposed to find your brand of vigilantism scary or something? Your probability is low, but the deal is a deal. Once you take it, no going back.
[a pause.]
You're really sure then.
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He peers at Aquarius even if he can’t see shit. He can tell there is some apprehension because someone is definitely making him roll out the full list for more besides just the motive.]
Want me to talk to Orion first? Would it make you feel better if I did?
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It doesn't really matter how I feel about it. I'm not the one making the deal. I'm making sure you've thought it through before making an agreement.
[. . .]
You can ask Orion if you want, but it doesn't matter if you're really sure.
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[He slows his walk into a stop. He levels Aquarius with a firm, but not hard or intense stare.]
Talking to Orion isn't going to change my mind. [He holds out a hand.] I want to do it. If I put someone possessed in the ground, that possession goes to me. I don't care if it's the week after. It's mine, and they walk away like nothing happened. No tricks. It doesn't matter if they remember or not.
Deal?
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...you can't stop something that's already in progress. No interfering with anything else on Thursday night, remember?
So let's say you successfully bury someone who is possessed. The victim can get justice when you find their killer. If you actually find the killer and correctly vote them out, you would then prevent someone else from being approached by them should the shadows come back, since they would then approach you instead. This would only work once.
Do you accept?
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[His lips thin.]
What makes it any different than a shadow just waltzing up to me anyway regardless? I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't.
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As entertaining as possible with the highest net rewards. The only thing your deal would do is redirect the shadows' attention to you instead of someone else if they started hunting again. [a pause.] This is why I wanted you to really think it through.
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His frown is a little harder. He glances off for a moment, considering. There isn't anything to consider. He's too stubborn even though he's smart. All the other bats might have enough of a shred of hope left to never push the envelop, but not him. What does he have to lose? His life? He's lost that a few times already.
He looks back with an unwavering resolve.]
One more thing: how many of these can I make? Just one?
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No. You can make multiple, but make sure they're deals you can keep. Doesn't hurt to spread out your resources either.
[i.e. he can ask other npcs and also just dont try to do a new deal each week/multiple deals a week and you'll be fine if that's an option you want.]
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[Runs out of here to make seven more deals (no). He holds up his hand a bit more.]
Maybe I'll do something less long-term later. Do it. [Hand.] I accept.
Your boss better not make me regret it.
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Like you wouldn't just figure out how to make it work in your favor. [. . .] It's a deal then.
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Jason is unfortunately warm, so he does not like the fact the other hand is cold, but he grips it firmly anyway. He's not a coward.]
Maybe. [They have him there.] It's a deal.
[He draws his hand away but not back. Instead, he reaches up to squish the hat down on top of their head so he can "ruffle" it.]
You don't have to worry about me. Promise. I know you already know I'm used to making bad deals. If not, maybe you should read a little more about me.
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I know enough, but I'm not really much of a reader. It's easier to just watch. [... ] I can't tell you what to do and you can't tell me either. So we're even.
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This actually gets him to chuckle.] Alright. I can agree to that, I guess. We're even. [Why are they both so hard-headed?]
Here I am wanting desperately to have a book to my name for my room, and you're out here saying you're not much of a reader. Sheesh.
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but then of course they pause at that.]
Hey, I have a lot of stuff to be doing. Reading wasn't always an option. [but they tilt their head.] You want a book that bad?
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Jason is so afraid of the menace, his knees are shaking. He's very scared. Please look at him being afraid.]
Yeah? Our little hunting game only lasted a week. I'm not used to having so much extra down-time. And having to go all the way to the other places for a book I can't bring back is a pain in my ass. It'd have to be something pretty thick, though. I go through books kind of fast. Not to brag.
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I keep forgetting your timeline was so short...this is probably driving you crazy. [free time...wild.] Are you trying to bribe me into giving you a book?
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[Imagine.]
Sure. Is it working? I can try to put on my puppy-dog face.
[HE ACTUALLY STARTS MAKING AN ATTEMPT TO PLAYFULLY DO 🥺 AT THEM.]
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