misstrust | Blanca; catch-all

[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.

It sounds as though it's complicated.

[When she tenses, he loosens his hold slightly. Not enough she'll topple, but enough to show her he didn't intend to startle her.]

It was very complicated, yes. I think Ash has always been two inches away from danger for most of his life, unfortunately.

I know the type.

[ 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. ]

[Oh?!

...!

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.

[ Thanks, sir.

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.

[His expression softens.]

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.

I would hope so... not everyone who wishes for help will be saved. Sometimes you have to take those steps yourself.

[ Dorothy sighs, a little wearily. ]

... May I ask a rather strange question?

You're right.

[This time, his arms loosen only so he can look her politely in the face.]

Go ahead.

Blanca is a nickname, isn't it? Is there some sort of story behind it?

[ As she peers up at him. Hi. ]

[He actually looks slightly surprised by the question. He goes to smile, but it falters a little at the edges.]

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...?

... [ Ah. ]

This memory loss thing is truly troubling at times, isn't it?

[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."

[ She pats his shoulder with a reassuring smile. She knows exactly how frustrating it is. ]

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.

[...oh.

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...?

[ Dorothy meets his eyes, and then with a smile-- ]

I am most certainly looking for someone at the bottom of the rankings this week.

[Hm. He brings his right hand up between the two of them, offering her his palm. For a handshake.]

It's a pleasure to meet you then as a teammate, Miss Dorothy.

[ I was like wow is he kissing her hand--

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?

[STOP i thought about it tbh]

Perhaps a little. I could say the same of you, hm?

I wanted to keep it close to myself for the time being. But we're a bit of an endangered species right now, so I thought I ought to put some work in.

[ Whew. ]

I don't blame you. I think handing it out left and right wouldn't be such a good idea.

Did Fox tell you there are only a few of us?

I asked Fox if they were in trouble this week and they said "only if someone wants me dead"... more or less. Which means we've lost enough members to put them in danger.

So I asked for a hint, and that led me to someone who gave me an additional hint that led to you. I believe... there are only four of us left.

Ah. Fox was a little apprehensive when I asked them to stay with me the other week at the fort. I think they're wary anyway. Very fox-like.

But they may have been worried because it already didn't look very good for us.

[He frowns at the last part, though.]

I wonder how difficult it would be to find the other two of us. Who here seems the most foxish...? Perhaps Soo-won can help us. He's very good at this sort of thing.

Talk to our feast organizer. [ With a wink. ]

I still need to let our last member know who I am, but that should help get you started.

[ Look, Dorothy has been putting in work. ]

[Hmmm. After a moment or two of thought, he smiles knowingly, and then nods.]

Thank you for your help, Miss Dorothy.

(no subject)

misstrust - 2020-10-29 15:41 (UTC) - Expand