Shiraishi;

[foxweddings]

Mean girls style

Comments

[felinguistic]

Ah, am I getting a critiquing?

[ he sets the drink down ]

It’s nothing I haven’t already heard, I’m sure.

[foxweddings]

I can tell, as your first assumption was that I would lecture you.

[almost chuckling at that]

I much prefer your way of doing things, and the overwhelming sentiments during the trials are exhausting to watch. Handholding and kindhearted words are a privilege for those with time, and we have very little to spare.

[felinguistic]

Hm.

[ he’s... not surprised, but a little surprised to hear it. ]

Both weeks the person people have wanted to defend has been involved. Although this week was not so clear cut. [ the attitude is familiar and even normal to him, but right now it fits like an ill worn coat. ]

I... objectively I can see their point. Some of them. Listening and coaxing information from someone you have earned the trust of is possible, and might work better in some cases. Or so I’ve been told. [ and seen ]

But not here.

[foxweddings]

... You were not wrong.

[The closest Tamamo will ever get to admitting that she felt a certain type of way, watching some of their shipmates dogpile on him for his logic approach]

We're all strangers trying to survive. For some, it is easy to give that trust. For others, it's near impossible, or we simply don't want to.

-- And that is not accounting for the demons that can wear us like skins.

[felinguistic]

I know.

[ he takes another sip of his drink. ] Expecting and forcing us to trust each other is counter-productive. Trust that you drag out of someone kicking and screaming is worse than not-trusting someone at all. It's wearing a mask and you can't see what it's mutating into under the surface. [ which is a BIT FUCKING RICH COMING FROM THIS GUY but go off i guess, shiraishi. ]

People don't like the truth, at the best of times. Especially when it doesn't suit them. I suppose the shared desire to not be worn like a suit and to go home in one piece isn't enough?

[foxweddings]

Of course it's not enough. You humans do enjoy being coddled, whether for your bad opinions or because you happen to be having a bad time.

[Sipping her own drink]

[felinguistic]

[ he laughs. ]

Yes, yes. We get attached and don't want to believe the worst.

But we'll all be seeing each other again soon if we don't figure this out. Holding hands and sidestepping the facts will just guarantee we all see each other again sooner than hoped.

[foxweddings]

[Glancing at him over the rim of her glass]

Hm. What do you intend to do then? Continue the course in your own way? You've made yourself into quite a target; I'd daresay some on this ship don't like you much.

[felinguistic]

I'm not unwilling to work with people. I can't die here, after all. It'd be a waste.

[ he sighs, a little dramatically. ]

I'm not unused to that. Whether people don't like me or not doesn't bother me.

[foxweddings]

Oh I'm aware you don't care. It makes you a terrible candidate for teasing.

[felinguistic]

Tragic, really. How will you get your kicks now?

[foxweddings]

There's more than one human on this ship, you know. I'll simply torture them in your place. Congratulations on your good fortune~♥

[felinguistic]

I consider myself blessed right now, yes.

[foxweddings]

[A snort. Daresay she almost seems amused]

Well at least you're not so in your feelings that you can't banter properly.

[felinguistic]

Have you checked in on your detective?

[ he sips his drink again, a little thoughtfully. ]

[foxweddings]

Why, are you concerned for him?

[felinguistic]

I figured it'd be the sort of thing you'd do immediately. Once again, he was quite emotionally involved in this. She's his roommate, isn't she?

[foxweddings]

Escha-san? Yes, and he is quite fond of her, as is most of the ship. There's a reason very few were willing to put up with your usual tactics.

Though in any case, Master and I have our own way of doing things. I will check in with him when the time is right.

[felinguistic]

She fits the picture for someone people would be fond of. [ he looks thoughtful. ] Ending up this way when you were only defending yourself... a lot of things aren't fair, are they?

Are you concerned about him?

[foxweddings]

Life in general is not fair. Karma is merely a tool used to set the soul at ease when things aren't going our way. But often life allows the wicked and depraved their pleasures while punishing the good. It simply is what it is.

[Pragmatic to a fault, it seems, and she tilts her head curiously]

You keep asking if I am concerned, though I do not know why. I would think I'm always concerned for Master's safety.

[felinguistic]

I’m aware of that much. People don’t often see it that way — especially if it’s at the hands of someone not so different from you. But I suppose this situation is unique.

You’ve threatened him once before. As easy as some people are to read, you like to make things interesting.

[ ... ]

How do you plan on keeping him safe?

[foxweddings]

I threaten everyone here. He's hardly special in that regard.

[Her tails sway behind her as she stares, then grins]

I have my ways, you needn't concern yourself with that. Instead worry what should happen if I fail.

[felinguistic]

Again — I’m aware of that.

[ there’s a pause, and a thoughtful look. but then he just smiles. ]

Are you going to elaborate? On your methods, rather than the cosmic temper tantrum you’d throw if they failed.

[foxweddings]

Hmmm hmm. I could.

But that is a secret for me alone. You should know, yes -- I don't like sharing when it comes to Master.

Though if you're sniffing for information, I have other things worth trading, Boar-san~♥

[felinguistic]

You made that rather clear in the first week, if I remember rightly.

[ hm. he leans forward on the bar, just a little. ]

Oh? You've been diligent in your information gathering then.