[As strange as it is to think, it's familiar to him. Not personally, but it's familiar in a detached way. In a seeing this from a bystander way, which is funny considering
he was a bystander before, too.
His grip on her shoulder is a bit tight, and when he realizes it, he loosens it. He isn't scared, or upset, but he has to take a few steadying breaths against the heaviness in his stomach. It makes him angry.]
[ Dorothy doesn't answer at first, eyes dark in a way that mirrors her younger self's. It's habit, probably-- a way to shut down just enough that for the moment, at least a part of her is safe.
But then that unseeing fog lifts and she exhales. ]
You don't have to apologize for anything, Miss Dorothy.
[His lips thin into a frown, and he gives her a moment or two.
But then he carefully and slowly tries to loop his arms around her neck and shoulders to offer her a hug, if she will let him. He won't force it, though.]
That isn't something which should happen to anyone.
[His exhale is both tired and very darkly, wryly humored. Not a "this is hilarious" humored, but a "it's terrible" humored.]
I think I should explain. I had retired. I was... an assassin. The man who asked me to train Ash when he was younger, Mister Golzine, called me again to come help him capture Ash.
I went to decline, but I was also curious... I hadn't seen Ash in several years, and I wanted to see what had become of him after I taught him how to survive. The man I shot wasn't... a huge loss, as cold as it is to say. He was a pedophile. But he had information I wasn't allowed to let Ash have, too.
But yes, to answer your question: Ash has always been a part of situations such as those. He has his own gang as well.
[ A... retired assassin. Dorothy tenses just a bit, eyes widening-- but no, he said he wouldn't hurt her. She has to trust in that. Especially when he'd also just said he hadn't wanted to capture his own student. ]
... I see. [ Give her a minute to process. ]
So the man you killed was an informant, but also a pedophile. And the boy you cared for is in quite a precarious situation of his own.
I endured it for as long as I could... I was just grateful he hadn't left me like my mother had. But eventually, I couldn't take it anymore and I ran away.
[Well, now he just looks a bit frustrated. The hell...]
Yes... It's getting to be... somewhat annoying, if I'm honest. I apologize I can't answer your question. It... was a name someone else had, but I can't recall who it was, or how they are connected to me...
But it means "white," and... It was because... they had been from Belarus. "White Russia."
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he was a bystander before, too.
His grip on her shoulder is a bit tight, and when he realizes it, he loosens it. He isn't scared, or upset, but he has to take a few steadying breaths against the heaviness in his stomach. It makes him angry.]
Are you okay, Miss Dorothy?
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But then that unseeing fog lifts and she exhales. ]
... I'm sorry. That was unsightly.
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[His lips thin into a frown, and he gives her a moment or two.
But then he carefully and slowly tries to loop his arms around her neck and shoulders to offer her a hug, if she will let him. He won't force it, though.]
That isn't something which should happen to anyone.
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No, it shouldn't. But it happens, more often than I would like.
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[Admittedly, he wants to give her a reassuring squeeze, but he's too worried about her injuries, so he just holds her for as long as she wants.]
The boy in mine--Ash. He has been through things like that, too.
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... I see. Does he often find himself in situations like...
[ Well. You know. Situations where Blanca then kills a man. ]
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I think I should explain. I had retired. I was... an assassin. The man who asked me to train Ash when he was younger, Mister Golzine, called me again to come help him capture Ash.
I went to decline, but I was also curious... I hadn't seen Ash in several years, and I wanted to see what had become of him after I taught him how to survive. The man I shot wasn't... a huge loss, as cold as it is to say. He was a pedophile. But he had information I wasn't allowed to let Ash have, too.
But yes, to answer your question: Ash has always been a part of situations such as those. He has his own gang as well.
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... I see. [ Give her a minute to process. ]
So the man you killed was an informant, but also a pedophile. And the boy you cared for is in quite a precarious situation of his own.
It sounds as though it's complicated.
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It was very complicated, yes. I think Ash has always been two inches away from danger for most of his life, unfortunately.
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[ She... very much knows the type.
But she pauses when he loosens his grip-- and then, with a huff, she wraps her arms around him a little more tightly.
There, she's accepted you, you teddy bear assassin. ]
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...!
He relaxes slightly, and eases his arms back around her. The squeeze he gives is reassuring, but still not heavy enough to hurt her.]
I'm glad... you're okay, Miss Dorothy. Now, I mean. At least, it seems like you are.
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Dorothy laughs, also without humor. ]
I endured it for as long as I could... I was just grateful he hadn't left me like my mother had. But eventually, I couldn't take it anymore and I ran away.
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Ash ran away as well, when he was young. He ran away from his home in Cape Cod, and ended up later in New York. I don't blame you for doing the same.
I think anyone going through that would do the same.
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[ Dorothy sighs, a little wearily. ]
... May I ask a rather strange question?
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[This time, his arms loosen only so he can look her politely in the face.]
Go ahead.
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[ As she peers up at him. Hi. ]
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It's a nickname, yes. I chose it... [Hm. He glances up with his eyes and to the side, and then he frowns.] It... was someone's...
It was someone else's, and I kept it... Who...?
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This memory loss thing is truly troubling at times, isn't it?
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Yes... It's getting to be... somewhat annoying, if I'm honest. I apologize I can't answer your question. It... was a name someone else had, but I can't recall who it was, or how they are connected to me...
But it means "white," and... It was because... they had been from Belarus. "White Russia."
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No, it's all right. I'm hardly offended.
Truth be told, I was looking for a Faction member, and it was mentioned that they had been going by a nickname.
I... don't want to share too much until I know, but I wondered if that might be you.
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He peers at her, his eyes searching her face, cautious and also curious. After a moment, he says:]
I guess that depends on whether or not you're looking for someone with two black ears, and a little red tail...?
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I am most certainly looking for someone at the bottom of the rankings this week.
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It's a pleasure to meet you then as a teammate, Miss Dorothy.
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But Dorothy moves her hand to take his and shake it. ]
The pleasure is mine. You're about as elusive as a fox, aren't you?
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Perhaps a little. I could say the same of you, hm?
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