imeeji_frontstage | (no subject)

[Bluntness is appreciated. He chews on this, face like a stone.]

Were you sane?

No, I was totally nuts. No-one could tell; I fooled all three of them. If Aries hadn't gotten stupidly lucky I would have killed D, too.

[But that's not the point. This is just a set-up to the point.]

After the game I bought a memory, and finally got a recent one. Every year in my world, all the most well-circulated papers put out a "7/10" list; it's just a stupid editorial about the ten most influential people that year, but it's really popular.

The people on these lists—They're not celebrities. It's heads of state, the chief of the CFB, the Deputy Censor [it doesn't matter what these things ARE; just know they're important!!] People with real political power and influence, people who you really could call the most important people in the world.

[It's like they are trying to be as objective as possible but also trying to make sure Wire knows the proper scale here.]

I've been on lists nearly every year since I was 17. I'm on them so often it's weirder when I'm not.

Edited 2018-08-13 04:18 (UTC)

[Wire's expression is gradually going from stern to dumbfounded as Cardigan keeps talking.]

So what you're saying is... For 13 years, give or take, you've had more power and influence than most heads of state.

[Sweet Jesus.]

Edited 2018-08-13 04:25 (UTC)

Right.

[scale established.]

I'm not even officially in politics, I'm just a celebrity.

Between that, and the game... I don't think it's egotistical to say I'm a dangerous person.

[Hrmgh. He leans forward to rest his elbows in his knees, taking this in for a moment.]

...Well, I suspected you were, but somehow I still managed to underestimate you.

[How could he have seen THAT coming though, let's be fair]

[slightly wry??]

Thanks.

I don't exactly have a plan of action right now. I think told Ace and I'm telling you, don't trust anything I do if my state of mind might be in question. Just take me out of I'm in a position to do any harm.

[Raises a brow - there's no horror or rejection of the idea, only mild incredulity.]

You think a busted old soldier can take you out.

[If he could, it wouldn't be easy. He's seen Cardigan work out, and he knows from the small demos of skill that they were definitely holding back. They're faster, in their biological prime, and sharp as a knife.

Add their avante abilities and it'd be a hell of a fight. But shit, having them ask was the biggest gesture a fighter could give.]

[Wow this is a serious conversation don't make them smile!! But they do smirk a bit.]

You know what I mean. Just get me out of the game.

[leaning in a bit]

But if you think you'll need to practice, we can set something up.

[He smirks back] I'd never say no to more sparring practice - especially with you.

But how exactly do I tell if you're not in control?

[:x

No back to serious; they frown, idly tucking their hair back.]

It's impossible to predict. If the option's on the table, or might be, just assume it and treat me accordingly.

So, you're leaving it to a judgment call.

[No pressure or anything.]

I assume it's no hard feelings either way from you. Your unit might disagree, in the moment.

[He realizes of course they are off limits. But if they jump to Cardigans defense, it's going to be a tricky situation.]

[They shrug, looking a shade unhappy.]

I told you I didn't have a good plan yet.

Fair enough.

[It was probably a mental ordeal coming to terms with this anyway. Understandable that everything was still rough.]

I'll do my best. No promises that I won't get my ass handed t'me, but... I appreciate the trust.

Thanks.

[Sincerely. But moving on:] We can go check on your soup now.

[Okay, they can head downstairs. But (and this ISN'T a secret),]

In the interest of fairness, I should also probably let you know...

I nearly decapitated someone with a shovel and tried to suck the soul outta their unitmate in the Game. And I was completely myself.

Edited 2018-08-13 05:37 (UTC)

[quirks a brow. Like, they assume he had a good reason.]

Was soul stealing Heart Soldier's goal?

Edited 2018-08-13 13:25 (UTC)

More or less. Down to chance if it'd work though.

I gambled on Russian roulette and lost. [He shrugs]

[EYEBROWS]

You lost your soul?

Turns out I'm a bad gambler.

[That's all he's gonna say on the subject.]

[eyes a little wide, but they can hear the undertone there and don't press.]

... How is Heart Soldier doing, in general, after that?

[Avante's kids seem.... fine? But Cardigan's not stupid enough to put stock in that.]

Some are worse than others. Sparkles is fine. Spidey and Mori weren't in the game as long, but I'm pretty sure there's something they're not saying.

Abi, he's so quiet it's hard to get a read on how badly this affected him. Hurricane and Hiryuu seem t'have gone through the worst of it.

[He believed in Hiryuu's ability to recover from this. Hurricane... was going to need help.]

[hmmm.]

What do you know about dealing with trauma?

I don't think whatever I do is textbook, exactly.

Christ, I'm just dealing with the symptoms at hand. Keep'em comfortable, keep'em busy...

[Snorts.]

You have more ideas than me.

We should get a book. Teach'em to meditate or some crap.

[He's only half kidding]