abandonware | i n [B] o x . // acata.

Did they fuck with yo–

[ She knows immediately that that's wrong, even before she can finish her query. The sprites had fucked with them both, but A2 had still stepped in– swinging her big dumb sword around like it carried the whole of her ego. She'd been their knight, probably in the name of some 'all life is precious' high horse.

If these things had bothered just her, she wouldn't be this way, right? ]

Did they fuck with someone you know? Is that it?

[She looks over, caught off guard. Bothered by this too, the fact she'd been found out so easily.

She frowns.]

I said forget it. Why do you even care?

You asked me for help, dumbass. Remember?

[ She glances sidelong at A2, realizing she'd probably been right. ]

Your business is only your business till you try and get someone else involved.

[ ... ]

Don't look so surprised. You're not exactly the toughest nut to crack. Just because you frown most of the time doesn't mean you're not easy to read.

That's not what I meant.

[She doesn't seem willing to clarify what she does mean, though, and so the response comes out almost petulant.]

...

Someone I haven't seen in a while got pulled down there.

[ That wording gets a look from her. She doesn't quite smile, but there's a note of amusement in her voice when she speaks.]

I think the word you're looking for is friend.

[ She's very much aware of hypocrisy. Knows full well that she herself would never dare to refer the few that she'd cared for or been amicable with as friends. But perhaps that's why she feels even more compelled to bother A2 about it. ]

Never pegged you as the shy type, but I guess I should have. I'm learning so much today.

[ But all teasing aside– ]

Doubt the person they pulled in would want to see you get torn from limb to limb by some slutty fish. They're stronger than they look, you know.

I'm not shy.

[She sounds annoyed, but it's more bark than bite, honestly. She knows she's being made fun of and has no real way to contest it other than bristling at it. She's not in the mood to start a fight over nothing, which is incredible progress, honestly.

Besides, Zero is right, which is an awful thought to have.]

Are you concerned about my well-being all of a sudden?

[ Zero scoffs. ]

Can't I give sound advice without being accused of caring about you?

[ She sounds just a little bit offended, but it's hard to tell how genuine that is. ]

I was going to say that I doubt you're someone anyone really needs to be worried about. But if you're going around trying to start wars with everyone who so much as looks at your friends wrong– well, maybe someone else should worry about you.

[A2 raises an eyebrow. She studies Zero with a sharp sort of focus, an assessing thoughtfulness.]

And is someone else supposed to be you?

[a pause.]

No thanks. One human who can't mind their own business is enough.

[...]

You're kind of scrawny, anyway.

What part of I don't care are you not getting?

[ She's just a little terse, perhaps unnecessarily agitated by the fact that the assumption keeps getting repeated (even if it is a joke). ]

I'm all about minding my own business, you were the one who roped me in with your stupid murder plot.

[ She points a finger accusingly. ]

And I might not have a giant metal ass like you, but I can sure as hell kick yours half way across this lake.

And I told you to forget about it. But somehow, you're still here. Isn't that strange. [She points out, again. A2's reactions are deadened to the point where it's hard to say if she's amused or not, but there's a slight drop to her voice that suggests it.]

Oh yeah? You did a such a great job last time.

That's some tough talk, coming from someone who cried over a getting some dust in her eye.

[ She's too easily egged on, and far too eager to turn the conversation in a direction that doesn't lead to implying that she's capable of sympathy. ]

I've taken out big, stupid metal things way stronger than you! And besides, I don't remember losing. All I remember is the stupid look on your face when those dumb birds shat glitter all over you.

Should've pulled that machine arm of yours off. [A2's eyes narrow a fraction, though her tone stays shallowly pleasant.] Then I guess we'd see who was crying.

[She walks forward, slowly. Doesn't draw her sword, but she keeps the weight of her gaze on Zero.]

There aren't any birds around now. Or are you all talk?

Oh, are we doing this? Here?

[ Zero tilts her head, smiling pleasantly. She folds her hands behind her back, a foreign and almost demure poise in the way she stands. ]

Didn't expect you to proposition me all of a sudden and out here in the open, but gosh darn it, I just can't say no to you.

[ One of her hands brushes just slightly against the hilt of her sword, but she doesn't move anymore than that. ]

It won't be the same as before, not with how I am now– but I'm sure I can still show you good time.

i n [B] o x . // acata.

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