IC Contact for duplicity

[arkfall]

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[goldenglasses]

What? Bored? Me? Never! Can't a guy just want to say hello to his brother? [His voice is light and jovial. He doesn't really expect his brother to believe that.]

[arkfall]

Bored is good. Bored means they aren't hurting you.

[And there is real concern there, as Knives hates not knowing exactly what Vash is going through.]

Have they hurt you?

[goldenglasses]

No. No one has hurt me. [Which was true although some had tried. Seeing the tall smiling man as an easy target at first, but Vash had out maneuvered them at every turn. Then when the first group shower had happened and they saw all of scars that happy go lucky man had most decided that Vash had to be some sort of deranged lunatic and backed off.]

I'm making sure not to give them a reason to.

And you're doing okay? You know... with everything? [How do you ask someone if they've lost their temper without asking exactly that?]

[arkfall]

I suppose I could go on about how this city makes me feel sick to my stomach every second, but you didn't reach out to me because you missed me lecturing you about degeneracy.

[He's trying Vash. He's trying.]

Otherwise, I am worried about you. And your stupid habit of putting yourself in harm's way. [Trying doesn't mean stop insulting Vash, apparently.]

[goldenglasses]

[Vash appreciates the trying and if there weren't insults involved he'd question if he reached the right brother.]

If it makes you feel better? I'm probably safer in here then the trouble I could be getting into out there.

[A pause.] I'm sorry I make you worry so much. And... well, I can't imagine how hard it must be for you. Not having any of our sisters here. [Vash had felt so alone when he first woke up here. He can't begin to understand how much worse it must be for someone who had bonded so closely with them.] I'll be out of here and home sooner than you realize.

[arkfall]

Why are you apologizing to me? You suffer more than I do.

[goldenglasses]

[Can you tell Legato that?] I don't suffer that much and at least I get the choice. You just get the fall out.

[arkfall]

[Knives laughs then, and the sound escapes him in person as well as in Vash's head.]

I don't make choices that lead to you dealing with the fall out?

Are you certain about that, my dear brother?

[goldenglasses]

[Knives can't see it, but Vash pouts as Knives laughs.] Well, you haven't since you arrived in this city.

[Which has Vash thinking about the other thing that he's had lots of time to think about while in prison.] You really have changed. And... well... how do think you'd feel about meeting some of my friends one day.

[arkfall]

How do you feel about it?

[goldenglasses]

Honestly? I'm nervous. [As bad as he feels for saying he was nervous about his brother meeting his friends it felt incredibly good to be talking honestly to his brother in this way.]

Even if you have changed and wouldn't normally hurt those I call friends anymore what if this city changed you in some way? I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if my friend got hurt because of me.

[arkfall]

I think this city has changed us both...

A part of me wishes I could promise you I wouldn't hurt them. But I'm not sure I could keep that promise.

[goldenglasses]

Is... is that something you'd be even interested in? It's alright if you're not. [It's only been a few months after all. Nothing more than a blink of an eye for beings like them.]

[arkfall]

I am interested in the trust you would show by introducing me to them.

[goldenglasses]

I'll give it a bit more thought and maybe talk to them when I get out. [Which one? Vash can't think of any that could defend themselves against Knives if the worst would happen. Not that Vash liked living his life preparing for the worse. Maybe one Knives had already met and knew about.

Either way it was too much to think about while in lock up. Vash decides to change the topic again.] It's getting colder out! Are you looking forward to seeing some snow for the first time?

[arkfall]

I... I hadn't considered it.

[But, yes. Now that Vash has brought it up, he is.]

[goldenglasses]

Fair and only warning. I'm going to make sure to hit you with a snowball as soon as I'm out of here.

[arkfall]

That means I can return the favor.

[goldenglasses]

Ooooh yeah? You have to be able to hit me first!

[arkfall]

That feels like a challenge.

[goldenglasses]

A challenge means there's an equal chance of winning. With a year of practice and my natural amazing-ness there is no way you'll win.

[arkfall]

'Natural amazing-ness.' More like 'natural lameness.'

[This teasing is at least more good-natured than anything.]

[goldenglasses]

Don't be jealous and don't go crying when you lose! [There's a merry tone to Vash's voice. He's missed be able to tease his brother in this way.]

[arkfall]

I've gotten really good at losing to you. I won't this time, but if it happens I won't cry.

[goldenglasses]

You don't lose against me all the time. Although one day I will be crowned the champion of chess. Just you wait and see. [But don't hold your breath.]