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?
I think most people would probably feel more soothed to not run into multiple courses.
[but then jason's doing that and aquarius's gloved hand is shooting up to, like, push on his face.]
You're not that good at it, Todd, stop. [there goes being polite and also being worried, apparently!!] I don't think I can get you a book right this minute, but give it a few days and let's see what we can do. Okay?
[aquarius is flurry.... pinches their cheeks even if they would hate it]
Yeah? I've got sooooo much downtime, remember? I have plenty of time to bother you about my books while you're trying so hard to do your job and work. It's almost like... you should give me a book so I'd leave you the hell alone.
[He isn't trying to get one, but it's funny to tease. He laughs.]
[SQUEAKY FROG NOISES except not really, just shut up! stop! ahhh this got turned around on them so fast what the fuck!!]
You could try talking to other people if you've got downtime. That means they probably do, too. Or swim laps. Something. [huff.] Maybe I should just ban you from all libraries in the future.
[despite all of this they're still not even really mad? this is just retaliation because they can.]
[This is like when Flurry thought she was going to bully me with Lup, but it was actually I who bullied her with Blanca instead. These are the vibes here.]
Hey. Banning me just means I'm more of your problem, you know. More time to bug you. Probably going to bother Gemini and Virgo tomorrow; see if I can't get on their nerves. Maybe Aquila or Vulpecula. They probably miss me.
And that means more time for me to find other things to keep you busy instead. [there's a slight pause then though.] You may as well start with Virgo first and work your way up. Have you talked to them much yet?
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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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[but then jason's doing that and aquarius's gloved hand is shooting up to, like, push on his face.]
You're not that good at it, Todd, stop. [there goes being polite and also being worried, apparently!!] I don't think I can get you a book right this minute, but give it a few days and let's see what we can do. Okay?
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Waaaah. His head bends with the push, and it at least gets him to stop with the pleading face. Unfortunately, he is just very gremlin-y amused.]
Alright. I'm going to hold you to that. Get ready for me to be annoying about it.
[You are already annoying, Jason.]
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So what, you're just going to bug me about it until something changes?
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Yeah? I've got sooooo much downtime, remember? I have plenty of time to bother you about my books while you're trying so hard to do your job and work. It's almost like... you should give me a book so I'd leave you the hell alone.
[He isn't trying to get one, but it's funny to tease. He laughs.]
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You could try talking to other people if you've got downtime. That means they probably do, too. Or swim laps. Something. [huff.] Maybe I should just ban you from all libraries in the future.
[despite all of this they're still not even really mad? this is just retaliation because they can.]
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Hey. Banning me just means I'm more of your problem, you know. More time to bug you. Probably going to bother Gemini and Virgo tomorrow; see if I can't get on their nerves. Maybe Aquila or Vulpecula. They probably miss me.
[No.]
Who's your favorite? I can keep a secret.
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And that means more time for me to find other things to keep you busy instead. [there's a slight pause then though.] You may as well start with Virgo first and work your way up. Have you talked to them much yet?
And who's my favorite of what, the staff?
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[He nods his head, but, like, with his chin as usual.]
Yeah. Who's your favorite staff?
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I don't really have one. We're co-workers, so I'll work with all of them, but I wouldn't say I have a favorite.
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