Audience: Mahito

[probe]

Comments

[touchups]

Ah... Yeah, Endorsi wants to take a break anyway, so you don't have to worry about that.

[HE IS POUTING ABOUT THIS. Mahito would absolutely kill as often as possible just for the thrill of trying to get away with it but fortunately Endorsi is the one voice of reason holding the leash as eli and aki suffer in the bg]

--You know, I'm really curious, though. If you don't like killing, why didn't you just pick someone else?

[probe]

[the fact that endorsi is the morality leash exhausts me i hate both of you so much.]

If you'll recall, you are the one who approached me to kill those two. [that's not what mahito is asking and they know it, but.]

[touchups]

[YEAH I ALSO HATE US!!! Endorsi is the morality leash and yet she's out here like (feels 10% bad for Luca's demise).]

Yeah. And you knew I would, right? Sooner or later. If not them, someone else. And someone else again, if I'm still alive. You could've just left me with one of the others, yeah? Then it wouldn't be your problem.

[SHOULDA GIVEN HIM TO DESPAIR!! Now they're stuck with their bad murder flea purchase.]

[probe]

It would always be my problem by virtue of being here and overseeing whatever the hell it is you're all doing here.

[and it's only slightly tired-sounding but only because the trial was still, in fact, a mess. nevertheless...]

Am I correct in assuming Miss Jahad told you about a reward?

[touchups]

[HE JUST LAUGHS because of course he does...]

Yeah, but you at least wouldn't have to deal with me coming to talk to you about killing people.

[He's very fond of their messy trials, though! And he absolutely slammed Sasazuka and Mineo to the bottom of his list for their very smart suggestions on how to make things more streamlined. Can't believe it's been 3 weeks since he's had to deal with cops and he already hates them.

But anyway, with a nod:] She did.

[probe]

[this is also true, but greed just sort of shrugs in response. apparently they can't be assed to actually give him a decently reply.]

You may receive an ability from me, an ability from yourself, or something from home. Unfortunately it can only be one.

[touchups]

[He looks like he's going to say something else for a second, but predictably gets distracted by the offer.]

An ability from myself? Something I could do before I came here, you mean?

[probe]

Within reason, naturally. I can't quite predict how it will manifest, but it would be something you could do before you came here, yes.

[i.e. don't break the game aki and we can discuss it with you if you need it]

[touchups]

[SALUTES

Unfortunately for everyone, he seems very interested in that even with the caveats.]

Wow... And the thing from you - it'd be kinda like the other stuff so far, right?

[probe]

Similar, yes. To be decided upon your choosing.

[touchups]

Huh... Okay! I'll pick the one from myself, then.

[WHATEVER FORM THAT COMES IN WHENEVER WE WORK IT OUT. He craves his gumby hands, in whatever shape they return to him in.]

[probe]

[i hate you and i hate gumby so fucking much.

anyway, mahito says that and soon greed waves their hand. a rush of warmth washes over mahito's body and he will instinctively feel that he has regained the ability to transform himself or one person into an animal or object for 24 hours. this can only be used once, however, and non-fatally.]

[touchups]

[at least he didn't regain his inside pocket.

ANYWAY THAT'S DELIGHTFUL. CAN'T WAIT TO TURN SOMEONE INTO A TOBLERONE FOR REAL. Mahito also looks delighted by this, because he honestly hadn't expected being able to access anything at all until he bounced. CLAPPING HIS HANDS TOGETHER.]

Ah! That's gonna be fun.

[probe]

[horrible. all of this.]

Do try not to make me regret this more than I already have.

[touchups]

So, like... No clown shoes?

[Is. Is that going to help at all.]

[probe]

If I ever see another clown show, it will be far too soon.

[touchups]

[me, knowing you meant clown shoe: unfortunately every fucking week is a clown show here]

Okay, no more clown stuff! Got it, I can do that.

[probe]

[i hate it here.]

...you already have a plan for your next victim, don't you?

[touchups]

[YOU PITCHED THIS CIRCUS TENT.]

Not really... [Planning isn't fun... He misses Getou more every day.] That's why I asked!

[probe]

[I DID NO SUCH THING.]

...how can you be sure Miss Jahad won't betray you?

[touchups]

[YEAH!! YOU PUT IT UP AND WE ALL RAN OVER, THE SOUND OF OUR CLEETS SLAPPING ON THE PAVEMENT GROWING INCREASINGLY LOUD!!!!

Anyway, there's something in his expression that's hard to read for a second, and his usual exuberance fades a little. His shoulders rise.]

I'm not. Actually, I'm pretty sure someone will sooner or later! If not Endorsi, definitely Childe. That's just the nature of people, especially when they have something to win.

[probe]

[your cleets....]

Ah. So you do understand that. [they give him another curious look from under their hood, claws hooked into the fabric of their sleeve for a moment.]

You don't believe that cooperation is possible in the long-term?

[touchups]

[cactus cleets]

Of course I do. I was born from humans, after all.

[And sure, some of these people aren't human by name, but a lot of them sure behave similarly enough that Mahito has a pretty good understanding of them, too. He's always braced for the worst!! Because people in general are the worst!!!

As for that:] What, between the three of us? With this whole group? Or just in general?

[probe]

[shoves you into the cactus]

In general. [there's maybe a specific answer they're looking for, but they're not going to clarify it.]

[touchups]

[WHEN ARE YOU GONNA LET ME LIVE

Anyway, hopefully Greed is ready for Mahito to be a Debbie Downer once again.]

I don't think so. Not in the long-term, anyway. Short-term, for sure! People cooperate all the time, whether they're fighting against a common enemy or connecting over stuff they share or just wanting to keep the peace. But cooperation can't last forever, with the way people are. General conflict of interest and desire for personal gain are pretty strong deterrents to that.