[Voice / Action]

[dissonates]

Hey- Buffy. I need to talk to you.

...Or Yuri, I don't really care who it is.


[After Guy's rather uneventful kidnapping right under their noses, Asch is feeling suitably irritated and downight volatile. He's trying to channel his temper into a more productive use, however; early in the day, he can be found stretched out on the lawn behind House 5, lying on his stomach and facing Star, the yellow cheagle. From the look of things, he's playing a rather bizarre game of fire Ping Pong with it- Star spits a fireball at him, and he uses his palm to either dissolve it or bat it back at the cheagle, who dodges deftly. Each time, Asch flicks a little treat in Star's direction, who munches it down before starting the cycle over again.

If one were to look closely, they might see a little flicker of light on Asch's palm right before the fire touches it. At his side are two swords, both sheathed; one, the Maestro sword, the other an unfamiliar katana. If caught in the moment he might actually look... relaxed, despite the situation. It's not going to last long, though.]

Comments

[voice]

[dissonates]

[Keep up, Buffy, you're supposed to read his mind here.] ...Our house.

[voice]

[herotypical]

Right, because I was so nearly blinded by the obvious.

[But, with a forgiving sigh:] Sure, I'll see you in two shakes of a lamb's tail.

[voice]

[dissonates]

[She gets a vague mumble in response. It might have been an apology, but good luck deciphering it. He'll wait for her, though. He's not completely hopeless.

[voice]

[herotypical]

[She does arrive shortly after, well-wrapped and booted. Oh, how she longs for a southern Californian fall.]

Hey. [A casual wave.]

[action]

[dissonates]

[Asch greets Buffy with a nod, though she gets an odd look for the clothes. It's not that cold, Buffy, come on. By the time she comes over, he's just finishing up his training, so Star is curled up on a corner of his tabard, munching on the last of the treats.]

You're going, aren't you? Part of the mission? Guy told me.

[action]

[herotypical]

Yeah, I'm there. Or I will be there...couldn't exactly pass that up.

[action]

[dissonates]

[This is uh. Kind of awkward and embarrassing to discuss, but...]

...I can't go- they refused to let me. Can you watch him if you get the chance?

[action]

[herotypical]

Of course I can. [Maybe he found it awkward, but Buffy understands. With a firm nod, she accepts with little ceremony.] You can count on me.

[action]

[dissonates]

[He hopes his expression shows a modicum of gratefulness, because he doesn't respond with more than a nod. He honestly doesn't know much about her strength, but Guy trusts her, so that means something.]

[action]

[herotypical]

[Her small smile persists.] See? I told him he was lucky. This just proves it.

[action]

[dissonates]

[Wh-whoa, whoa.]

What are you talking about? [ffff how much does she know D8]

[action]

[herotypical]

What I'm talking about is I was telling Guy just the other day that he's fortune to have someone who gets so concerned over him. It's gotta be--y'know--touching. Nice, in its own warped kinda way.

[action]

[dissonates]

..."Warped"? [Buffy he does not get it. D|]

[action]

[herotypical]

I just mean...you're good to him, from what I can see. Always coming into the bar when he's unavailable and getting worried-face--well, as much as I think a straight-shooter like you ever can and--[a soft, inward smirk at the irony of straight-shooter.]

Good things, that's all. Just good things.

[action]

[dissonates]

[Asch is having trouble wrapping his head around what's so "warped" about it, but maybe it's just Buffy's lingo. He's not exactly well-versed in Auldrant's slang, never mind that of other worlds.]

...I guess that's alright.

[action]

[herotypical]

[It's warped because it's hard to see that you even have real emotions, Red. Try smiling more! People in love tend to smile. At least, that's what Buffy thinks.]

Of course it's alright.

[action]

[dissonates]

[He's just kind of selective about who he smiles at, unfortunately. Doesn't give the best impression.

This conversation is driving him crazy with awkward, so he averts his eyes and tries to deviate the topic elsewhere.]

Why did you volunteer, anyway?

[action]

[herotypical]

Bones is on the list. [She shrugs.] So the answer is easy--I gotta go.

[action]

[dissonates]

That doctor? He's a friend of yours? [He only knows the man in passing.]

[action]

[herotypical]

I live with him. He's...a friend, yeah. A very good one. [A small smile. A shrug.] He's not really the fighting kind and I really don't like the thought of him getting all locked up again.

[action]

[dissonates]

Hm. [Asch nods in vague agreement, though he doesn't particularly care about anyone on the list besides Guy. Maybe that's why he hadn't been picked after all. Selective heroism isn't heroism at all.]

[action]

[herotypical]

At least...at least those going are getting that barcode mod, right? I think it means they'll be somewhat safer.

[Cold comfort, but there it was.]

[action]

[dissonates]

[Not terribly comforting, but Asch nods anyway.] And it's not for long.

[action]

[herotypical]

Yeah--they'll spent, what? Two nights there? Tops. Maybe less. And maybe we can put an end to the kidnappings altogether.

[Optimistic. Buffy more realistically believes just for a while.]

[action]

[dissonates]

I doubt it. We're not that lucky.

[brb raining on your parade.]