allen walker

[grigori]

Comments

[grigori]

Right, only one way to find out. Never know what might pop-up on the radar.

[ thinks. ]

How about you play the game two truths and one lie with two separate people who you don't know too well and see what kind of interesting information you learn about them.

No cheating either! I wanna know if you can pick up on some nice goss.

[lefthandpath]

How would someone even cheat at a game like that?

[amused because he probably could find a way]

But that should be simple enough. I'll be much quicker with this one, I think.

[grigori]

Should I raise the difficulty and see if you could find a way for you to cheat?

I don't mean to make things too easy but there's no harm in having fun with these rewards.

[lefthandpath]

No, no! This is a good level.

Breaking the ice with people I've known but haven't really gotten to know is already difficult enough, actually.

[grigori]

Then I'm looking forward to hearing what kind of fascinating things you've learned for our fellow folk that have been traveling with us against their will.

[lefthandpath]

My, that's a cheerlessly accurate way of putting it.

I'll be sure to get whatever interesting thing I can.

[but he doesn't get up from the table.]

Now that business is out of the way... didn't I say I'd bully you a little?

[grigori]

The point is, however, that it was accurate.

[ hmm. a concern but not one where they're going to move for. ]

I do recall something like that... Now, what kind of bullying should I be expecting?

[lefthandpath]

The kind every clown gets whenever they get a little too attached to their facepaint or mask.

I could point out where you've missed spots, but that seems to be counter-productive.

[grigori]

[ they'll have a laugh. ]

That's a very round about way to say that you're worried about me.

[lefthandpath]

I try to avoid being direct lest I be called a liar or something.

Anyway, I know you can manage yourself, but all you Watchers have one thing in common and that's that you like to pass things like concern off to the others.

[grigori]

We are your Watchers, Allen. Our duty here is to be a benefit for your case, so of course we're going to pass things off.

It'd be even worse form if your "babysitters" needing caring after, hmm?

[lefthandpath]

But you worry after Yomiel. And Yomiel also says they dislike being fussed over.

To me, you lot just seem like more of the same kinda adults and guardians I've always known--people who need to be looked after just as much.

[grigori]

Are you saying that I'm not allowed to fuss over Yomiel? They're one of my fellow Watcher-men.

[ a laugh. ]

My, is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult? Did you like those adults and guardians?

[lefthandpath]

I'm saying that people frequently have those sorts of objections but they shouldn't always been listened to.

And I loved my adopted father very dearly. That's why I'll take his last gift to me back.

[gift. curse. same thing, really.]

And while he was a frustrating man who made my life hellish at times, my Master is still someone I have some affection for.

[grigori]

Given all the trouble that you will make yourself go through to get it back—I think I can understand.

[ they'll both smile with a sense of fondness for a moment before laughing to themselves. ]

So what would you have me do then, Allen? Are you going to send me to bed and make sure I don't go walking around giving things away to needy hands? A bit irresponsible of me if I do something like that.

[lefthandpath]

You could use a nap. But instead, would you like to play some cards for a little while? At least until someone else calls on you.

I'll even forego cheating if you ask nicely.

[grigori]

[ they'll laugh at that, a bit more sincerely. ]

What kind of card game were you thinking of then?

[lefthandpath]

How about just quick games of Black Jack?

Up to you if you want to put stakes on it.

[grigori]

Sure, we can play some Black Jack. I better not catch you counting cards.

[ playfully. ]

We can throw some out there. Nothing too serious, though.

[lefthandpath]

I would never.

[he's more the sleight of hand type of cheater, anyway.]

And of course! We can exchange silly things like a favorite color or something.

[grigori]

Only one way to find out for sure.

[ now as much as they like allen, they'll just casually conjure up their own set of cards. it'll be a nice new set of cards and everything. never been used! ]

My favorite color? Well, I'd give you that one for free, if you want.

[lefthandpath]

[entirely fair move when it comes to this shady kid, really]

It was an example, but I wouldn't mind knowing.

[grigori]

[ well, he did just come back telling him his ways of conn'ing people so. you know.

they'll begin to shuffle the cards lazily before offering allen to cut the deck for them. ]

It's an innocuous question and there's no harm in it, but it's red! A hero's color.

How about your's?

[lefthandpath]

[he easily cuts the cards.]

A hero's, huh...

I don't really have a favorite. But I find monochromatic colors to be soothing.

[grigori]

[ back to shuffling we go a few more times before dealing them each a card and setting the rest of the deck down on the table. ]

Never heard of that before?

But monochromatic isn't a bad aesthetic to go with, but you don't have a particular color you'd want to see as a gradient? Maybe purple or green?