[Reaper remained at the edge, drinking in the whole fact that 76 was here and had come looking for him. It almost felt like old times, but the energy and hungry need for a fight wasn't in either of them at this point.
He scoffed with a shake of his head, turning his back on 76 and walking deeper into the loft where he had some meager items that he kept for himself.]
[That was the only warning, because next ting was 76 taking the jump and catching the edge, pulling himself up with a grunt. Fucking ribs.
Had to take a slow breath once on his feet again, bag being dropped as he walked closer to where Reaper had stalked off to in the loft. Shrugging off his jacket so that he could drop it and the pulse rifle near his back. Left in a compression shirt and gloves.
Tactical visor and face guard were next, kept in a glove hand and black eyes focused on Reaper.]
Oh of course... especially if your snake boy is coming to rescue you.
[Reaper had moved to the wall that he had previously been leaning against, settling himself back down there as 76 made his way up to his level. He eyed the younger soldier, stilling when 76 appeared to be comfortable enough to willingly remove jacket, weapon and even visor.
His eyes narrowed behind his mask, uncertain what to expect from this encounter. Normally they had to bicker and fight a bit before anything productive happened. That was just plain tradition.
Slowly, he returned to bandaging the bite on his blackened hand, though it didn't look much like 76's anymore. His was more 'dead' than demonic in nature.]
[The bag as picked back up, leaving his jacket and mask on the floor with his pulse rifle, steadily walking closer until he was moving down. Sitting on the balls of his feet and that bag rested down within reach.
76 offered out a gloved hand, eyes never leaving Reaper.]
It's not just my face.
[He was tired, worn out. Whatever had happened earlier had drained him enough that he wasn't up to another fight so soon. No, this was something different.]
[He was more than willing to engage in a fight if it came down to it, but at the time, it hadn't been worthwhile. He had burned alive before, so it was no skin off of his back honestly, but he had not yet tested how death worked here. Everything seemed intact with his powers, but it would require some caution.
He eyed 76 as the younger man moved closer to his position, and his small amount of items were neatly arranged in an open backpack. There wasn't much there, a bit of bandage material, a map, a notebook with writing implements, and a small sewing kit.]
All the little spiderwebs have met up all over then?
[He hesitated in giving his hand, but if 76 waited long enough and patient enough, he growled as he slowly handed it over.]
[His own bag was still closed; wasn't the duffle, but a worn leather one he'd gotten here and used it like one of his go-bags Had some necessities and was better stocked when it came to first aid
Reaper would see that as 76 got the flap open with his free hand, the other taking the bitten hand offered. All the better to move bandaging a bit and get a look at the bite. His teeth still just as sharp, those splits on either side of his face.]
Yes and no. You probably want to see for yourself, am I right?
I'll put a bullet in him next time. See how he enjoys that.
[He was watchful, yet he recognized that for once there was no aggression in either of their body language. That 76 had taken the time and effort to hunt for him - no easy task for anyone - and come to sit down rather than come out swinging was different.
The bite on his hand had gone through his leather glove and there were deep punctures on both sides of his hand, slicing a bit to his pinky finger. The teeth had scored good hits where it came to the meat of his hand but less so on the top where it was more tendon than muscle. It looked like he was treating an infection, dark spiderwebs spreading out from the injury.]
[His tone was dry, eyes on the wound, narrowing a bit as a hand moved in to the bag and- well. He took out a few flower petals, pure white save for the black along the outside edges. Crushing them in his fingertips a bit before he was pressing them against the worst of the bites; felt cold, could even sting a little if it ate at any nightmare energy. 76 was wrapping bandages around the hand and pinky, keeping those petals in place and hidden.
Guess he had a hell of a bite on him.]
Head's back on straight. Did I get you anywhere else?
[His own eyes narrowed at the sight of the white petals, and he growled low in his throat at the sting. The cold part didn't bother him at all, since his skin was naturally cold like a corpse anyway, but he was aware that the petals were doing something, probably pulling the nightmare energy out of his flesh. Was that how corruption was actually spread? No, it was deeper than that.
He didn't resist the bandaging, leaving his hand in 76's grip. Why the younger man felt the need to do this was not something he wanted to think hard about. He might not enjoy the answer. Or worse... he might.]
You sort it out then? [The corruption.] No. Snake boy clawed my shoulder.
[The flowers certainly did something about it, some little possibility with how fresh the bite was. In cases like his own and Kazuma's they just... calmed the Noctaere side a bit. May as well try here, right?
He was careful with the bandaging, like he'd done it a million times, snug enough to do the job, and also cushion that pinky. Fixing it all in to place, not bothered by the appearance of Reaper's hand. His own still hidden by gloves since they had certainly changed the last time this asshole got a look at them.]
[He shook his head, irritated but not enough to pick a fight over at this point. So he let the subject of snake boy, Kazuma, go for the moment, deciding that he would pick a time to round back to it later. Maybe once his hand wasn't currently in 76's possession. He would have to keep one glove off for now it seemed, which was no matter. He was laying low.
He flexed his fingers and then his hand to be certain that everything would hold. The bandage wasn't too bulky, so it didn't limit too much mobility. Good.
He glanced at 76 at the demand, shrugging.]
I've dealt with it, Morrison. Maybe you should show and tell a little more?
[Arms rested across thighs with his 76 was sitting on the balls of his feet, an eyebrow arching ever so slowly.]
Maybe you should let me check it over anyway.
[He'd push it, but not without a little give. Gloved hand held out in offering, turned so that Reaper could get a hold of his wrist if so inclined. Skin there and up his forearm was a very dark black, shades of black-blue spiderwebbing through it. A hint of red here and there as well.
[Reaper was fully prepared to dig in, to let himself be more stubborn. It was a routine that won him many battles, verbal or physical.
Yet, he stared at the offered hand, surprised and slightly suspicious of the clear give in order to convince him to return something back. He took 76's arm, drawing up more of the compression shirt sleeve and then slid his fingers under the glove to remove it as well. He turned the now bare hand and forearm over to examine the extent of corruption.
At the same time, he rolled his shoulders and his jacket seemed to melt away to land on the floor behind him in a puddle of leather. He wore his own black compression shirt, and while it looked perfectly fine, there was a bulge to indicate bandaging.]
[76 allowed it, gave Reaper no resistance when it came to rolling up his sleeve to see that it nearly went up to his shoulders, spiderwebs of the dark discoloration creeping over it and down his back and even further under fabric. Could barely see where it faded in some type of 'ending' to it.
That hand looked so much worse than just looking as if he'd been digging in charcoal with curved and sharp claws. There were ridges that felt almost like hardened scales on the backs of fingers, a larger one on the back of his hand. Skin creased as if trying to cling more to bone than muscle, claws so much sharper than they had been.]
Joints ache at times, like bones are trying to shift around.
[He'd let Reaper examine before he'd be going for that shoulder.]
[This process was far worse than he would have imagined, no matter how much 76 had apparently stabilized. The damage was done, and the question was if it could be reversed or if this physical change was permanent. He took his time examining the skin and the blackness.]
Hmpt, who would have thought after all this time, I finally get to be the prettier one between us again.
[He sighed heavily, thinking more now than ever that he would be researching the energies of this place, perhaps investing and taking his own set of risks to make it happen. Answers were necessary.]
Don't go all demonic on us further. There may be less opportunity to go back than we think.
When were you ever the pretty one? Was always my job, while you were the handsome mysterious asshole.
[Just as dryly as before. His fingers flexed a little, and at last the skin wasn't brittle. Still ached a bit. More so than usual since they started to look as they did now.
His head tipped.]
Too many unknown factors, but I'd rather know the extent of what I can do than stop because of this.
When we were twenty-one and you were still a bean pole. That fade of mine earned me quite the attention.
[Well, he would be the handsome for the war before it took its toll, then 76 took over that job full time for decades. Thankfully there was make-up to keep the blond young looking forever. It was good for hiding all the bags under the other's eyes too.
He scoffed and released 76's hand. There was no way to correct the course of action now. He decided more information was needed.]
Maybe lean a little less into the power it gives you. You could survive longer.
[With his hand let go of? 76 dragged that bag with him as he moved to be more at Reaper's side, claws making it easier to get under fabric and roll it up out of the way. Kneeling then, because it was more comfortable, he picked the bandaging loose so he could see the damage done.
Didn't stop him from talking, even if he was focusing more on the task at hand.]
The power is what's needed to fight all of the stupid but dangerous bullshit around here.
I see... most honest assessment you've made in years.
[He allowed 76 to move without too much suspicion on his part, and he shifted to draw the compression shirt up and draw his arm out so that it was out of the way. His arm and any exposed skin was mottled with old burn scars, laceration and bullet scars, but primarily he bore the weight of a building falling on him that resulted in his first death.
Once the bandage was removed, the four claw marks were visible from when he had been struck. The two middle ones were deeper than the outside two. He had deemed them not worth stitches, but the two middle ones could make a case. He was healing, though he had not taken it upon himself to use damage to other living creatures to help himself along.]
But if you take too much power without understanding it, you're of no help to take care of danger. You become dangerous.
Not true, just the first on you've paid attention to, preening asshole.
[Better. Fingertips ran alongside the marks, leaning a little closer just to se better, pressing the skin a little to judge how deep with a low noise in his throat. Yeah, he knew how these felt. Had a few himself from when he'd went after Kazuma when he was on the one track rampage though the woods.
He let two fingers rest beside the deepest ones-] It wouldn't hurt to stitch these two up a bit.
You going to let me?
[Asking first at least.]
This isn't my first time working with shadows, or turning in to some sort of monstrous beast. I get it, though. I know I'm taking a hell of a risk, but the only way to figure this shit out is to practice.
[He sounded suspicious, not certain how to take the compliment. Their relationship was so contentious the last years that it was easy to suspect some ulterior motive or some set up. He was a touch more used to compliments thanks to Maul, but he didn't expecting anything even remotely close to one now.
He sat quietly and stared straight ahead as 76 explored the injury that he had sustained. He slowly turned his head to regard 76 at the question, sighing heavily before he shrugged his shoulders.]
Fine, if you insist.
[There was a story there with 76's experiences, and he knew for a fact that the 76 he remembered definitely had not been playing with shadows and beasthood. That had to be from wherever this one came from before here.]
Don't be so reckless. Smaller increments, and you need to control your emotions and usage.
Moved his hands then, looking through the bag as he tugged out a medical kit. Sterile curved needle and thread, cleaning around those two deeper lacerations before he gave a small warning and starting sewing skin back together. Curved hook always worked better with stitching wounds.
I have always pegged you as the oblivious flirt or too-busy-for-flirting flirt.
[Work took priority in so many cases and he often wondered if 76 had been continually hung up on the 'boy' that was sent packing for a career. After that, he knew Jack dabbled but nothing serious.
He winced as the needle pressing into flesh, shivering slightly but steeling himself as he remained firm to the treatment. Blood pooled from the needle puncture, red at first and then oxidizing to black and turning to smoke within seconds.
This wasn't his first rodeo receiving stitches.]
Maybe you should try it. Might save you and the kid. What's his deal anyway?
[He still wiped blood away to better see what he was doing, even if he noted what happened to it after a few seconds. So he ended up blowing a bit of that smoke away, too. Stitches were something he was good at, at the very least. Be able to still move the shoulder when he was done.
Had gotten in a lot of practice to do them in such a way on himself, after all.]
Personal issues he'd been struggling with in the other place, too. Came to something of a head here.
[It was obvious that 76 was keeping it vague simply because it wasn't his business to tell. Even if the vagueness may have given the fact 76 had known Kazuma before this dream world.]
Been keeping an eye on him since he changed in to what you saw. [Hadn't realized Kazuma would be protective over him like that. Wanting him to take care of himself was one thing but, well.]
[He sat for it, wrinkling his nose with each pierce of the needle. 76 was good at his business when it came to a needle and thread; they both did. It had been a long time since they had sat here and did this. He actually couldn't remember when it had been... decades probably.]
Ah, personal issues... no wonder you two get along. You both are clearly just a pile of personal complexes.
[As curious as he naturally was, he wasn't about to pry much from 76. He knew it wouldn't go anywhere to begin with, and there was an odd sense of peace getting sewn up by the old asshole.]
Oh, he's not naturally half a snake throwing flames around? Does he actually have an occupation?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Re: You do~
He scoffed with a shake of his head, turning his back on 76 and walking deeper into the loft where he had some meager items that he kept for himself.]
You still a loose cannon of corruption?
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[That was the only warning, because next ting was 76 taking the jump and catching the edge, pulling himself up with a grunt. Fucking ribs.
Had to take a slow breath once on his feet again, bag being dropped as he walked closer to where Reaper had stalked off to in the loft. Shrugging off his jacket so that he could drop it and the pulse rifle near his back. Left in a compression shirt and gloves.
Tactical visor and face guard were next, kept in a glove hand and black eyes focused on Reaper.]
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[Reaper had moved to the wall that he had previously been leaning against, settling himself back down there as 76 made his way up to his level. He eyed the younger soldier, stilling when 76 appeared to be comfortable enough to willingly remove jacket, weapon and even visor.
His eyes narrowed behind his mask, uncertain what to expect from this encounter. Normally they had to bicker and fight a bit before anything productive happened. That was just plain tradition.
Slowly, he returned to bandaging the bite on his blackened hand, though it didn't look much like 76's anymore. His was more 'dead' than demonic in nature.]
Is this a social call...?
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[The bag as picked back up, leaving his jacket and mask on the floor with his pulse rifle, steadily walking closer until he was moving down. Sitting on the balls of his feet and that bag rested down within reach.
76 offered out a gloved hand, eyes never leaving Reaper.]
It's not just my face.
[He was tired, worn out. Whatever had happened earlier had drained him enough that he wasn't up to another fight so soon. No, this was something different.]
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[He was more than willing to engage in a fight if it came down to it, but at the time, it hadn't been worthwhile. He had burned alive before, so it was no skin off of his back honestly, but he had not yet tested how death worked here. Everything seemed intact with his powers, but it would require some caution.
He eyed 76 as the younger man moved closer to his position, and his small amount of items were neatly arranged in an open backpack. There wasn't much there, a bit of bandage material, a map, a notebook with writing implements, and a small sewing kit.]
All the little spiderwebs have met up all over then?
[He hesitated in giving his hand, but if 76 waited long enough and patient enough, he growled as he slowly handed it over.]
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[His own bag was still closed; wasn't the duffle, but a worn leather one he'd gotten here and used it like one of his go-bags Had some necessities and was better stocked when it came to first aid
Reaper would see that as 76 got the flap open with his free hand, the other taking the bitten hand offered. All the better to move bandaging a bit and get a look at the bite. His teeth still just as sharp, those splits on either side of his face.]
Yes and no. You probably want to see for yourself, am I right?
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[He was watchful, yet he recognized that for once there was no aggression in either of their body language. That 76 had taken the time and effort to hunt for him - no easy task for anyone - and come to sit down rather than come out swinging was different.
The bite on his hand had gone through his leather glove and there were deep punctures on both sides of his hand, slicing a bit to his pinky finger. The teeth had scored good hits where it came to the meat of his hand but less so on the top where it was more tendon than muscle. It looked like he was treating an infection, dark spiderwebs spreading out from the injury.]
You seem more together than last time.
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[His tone was dry, eyes on the wound, narrowing a bit as a hand moved in to the bag and- well. He took out a few flower petals, pure white save for the black along the outside edges. Crushing them in his fingertips a bit before he was pressing them against the worst of the bites; felt cold, could even sting a little if it ate at any nightmare energy. 76 was wrapping bandages around the hand and pinky, keeping those petals in place and hidden.
Guess he had a hell of a bite on him.]
Head's back on straight. Did I get you anywhere else?
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[His own eyes narrowed at the sight of the white petals, and he growled low in his throat at the sting. The cold part didn't bother him at all, since his skin was naturally cold like a corpse anyway, but he was aware that the petals were doing something, probably pulling the nightmare energy out of his flesh. Was that how corruption was actually spread? No, it was deeper than that.
He didn't resist the bandaging, leaving his hand in 76's grip. Why the younger man felt the need to do this was not something he wanted to think hard about. He might not enjoy the answer. Or worse... he might.]
You sort it out then? [The corruption.] No. Snake boy clawed my shoulder.
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[The flowers certainly did something about it, some little possibility with how fresh the bite was. In cases like his own and Kazuma's they just... calmed the Noctaere side a bit. May as well try here, right?
He was careful with the bandaging, like he'd done it a million times, snug enough to do the job, and also cushion that pinky. Fixing it all in to place, not bothered by the appearance of Reaper's hand. His own still hidden by gloves since they had certainly changed the last time this asshole got a look at them.]
Show me.
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He flexed his fingers and then his hand to be certain that everything would hold. The bandage wasn't too bulky, so it didn't limit too much mobility. Good.
He glanced at 76 at the demand, shrugging.]
I've dealt with it, Morrison. Maybe you should show and tell a little more?
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Maybe you should let me check it over anyway.
[He'd push it, but not without a little give. Gloved hand held out in offering, turned so that Reaper could get a hold of his wrist if so inclined. Skin there and up his forearm was a very dark black, shades of black-blue spiderwebbing through it. A hint of red here and there as well.
A very clear offer to remove the glove.]
I'll show more for it.
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Yet, he stared at the offered hand, surprised and slightly suspicious of the clear give in order to convince him to return something back. He took 76's arm, drawing up more of the compression shirt sleeve and then slid his fingers under the glove to remove it as well. He turned the now bare hand and forearm over to examine the extent of corruption.
At the same time, he rolled his shoulders and his jacket seemed to melt away to land on the floor behind him in a puddle of leather. He wore his own black compression shirt, and while it looked perfectly fine, there was a bulge to indicate bandaging.]
Is this painful?
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That hand looked so much worse than just looking as if he'd been digging in charcoal with curved and sharp claws. There were ridges that felt almost like hardened scales on the backs of fingers, a larger one on the back of his hand. Skin creased as if trying to cling more to bone than muscle, claws so much sharper than they had been.]
Joints ache at times, like bones are trying to shift around.
[He'd let Reaper examine before he'd be going for that shoulder.]
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Hmpt, who would have thought after all this time, I finally get to be the prettier one between us again.
[He sighed heavily, thinking more now than ever that he would be researching the energies of this place, perhaps investing and taking his own set of risks to make it happen. Answers were necessary.]
Don't go all demonic on us further. There may be less opportunity to go back than we think.
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[Just as dryly as before. His fingers flexed a little, and at last the skin wasn't brittle. Still ached a bit. More so than usual since they started to look as they did now.
His head tipped.]
Too many unknown factors, but I'd rather know the extent of what I can do than stop because of this.
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[Well, he would be the handsome for the war before it took its toll, then 76 took over that job full time for decades. Thankfully there was make-up to keep the blond young looking forever. It was good for hiding all the bags under the other's eyes too.
He scoffed and released 76's hand. There was no way to correct the course of action now. He decided more information was needed.]
Maybe lean a little less into the power it gives you. You could survive longer.
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[With his hand let go of? 76 dragged that bag with him as he moved to be more at Reaper's side, claws making it easier to get under fabric and roll it up out of the way. Kneeling then, because it was more comfortable, he picked the bandaging loose so he could see the damage done.
Didn't stop him from talking, even if he was focusing more on the task at hand.]
The power is what's needed to fight all of the stupid but dangerous bullshit around here.
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[He allowed 76 to move without too much suspicion on his part, and he shifted to draw the compression shirt up and draw his arm out so that it was out of the way. His arm and any exposed skin was mottled with old burn scars, laceration and bullet scars, but primarily he bore the weight of a building falling on him that resulted in his first death.
Once the bandage was removed, the four claw marks were visible from when he had been struck. The two middle ones were deeper than the outside two. He had deemed them not worth stitches, but the two middle ones could make a case. He was healing, though he had not taken it upon himself to use damage to other living creatures to help himself along.]
But if you take too much power without understanding it, you're of no help to take care of danger. You become dangerous.
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[Better. Fingertips ran alongside the marks, leaning a little closer just to se better, pressing the skin a little to judge how deep with a low noise in his throat. Yeah, he knew how these felt. Had a few himself from when he'd went after Kazuma when he was on the one track rampage though the woods.
He let two fingers rest beside the deepest ones-] It wouldn't hurt to stitch these two up a bit.
You going to let me?
[Asking first at least.]
This isn't my first time working with shadows, or turning in to some sort of monstrous beast. I get it, though. I know I'm taking a hell of a risk, but the only way to figure this shit out is to practice.
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[He sounded suspicious, not certain how to take the compliment. Their relationship was so contentious the last years that it was easy to suspect some ulterior motive or some set up. He was a touch more used to compliments thanks to Maul, but he didn't expecting anything even remotely close to one now.
He sat quietly and stared straight ahead as 76 explored the injury that he had sustained. He slowly turned his head to regard 76 at the question, sighing heavily before he shrugged his shoulders.]
Fine, if you insist.
[There was a story there with 76's experiences, and he knew for a fact that the 76 he remembered definitely had not been playing with shadows and beasthood. That had to be from wherever this one came from before here.]
Don't be so reckless. Smaller increments, and you need to control your emotions and usage.
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Do I look like the type to flirt to you?
[No.
Moved his hands then, looking through the bag as he tugged out a medical kit. Sterile curved needle and thread, cleaning around those two deeper lacerations before he gave a small warning and starting sewing skin back together. Curved hook always worked better with stitching wounds.
Clearly he had insisted.]
Never been great at any of that.
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[Work took priority in so many cases and he often wondered if 76 had been continually hung up on the 'boy' that was sent packing for a career. After that, he knew Jack dabbled but nothing serious.
He winced as the needle pressing into flesh, shivering slightly but steeling himself as he remained firm to the treatment. Blood pooled from the needle puncture, red at first and then oxidizing to black and turning to smoke within seconds.
This wasn't his first rodeo receiving stitches.]
Maybe you should try it. Might save you and the kid. What's his deal anyway?
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[He still wiped blood away to better see what he was doing, even if he noted what happened to it after a few seconds. So he ended up blowing a bit of that smoke away, too. Stitches were something he was good at, at the very least. Be able to still move the shoulder when he was done.
Had gotten in a lot of practice to do them in such a way on himself, after all.]
Personal issues he'd been struggling with in the other place, too. Came to something of a head here.
[It was obvious that 76 was keeping it vague simply because it wasn't his business to tell. Even if the vagueness may have given the fact 76 had known Kazuma before this dream world.]
Been keeping an eye on him since he changed in to what you saw. [Hadn't realized Kazuma would be protective over him like that. Wanting him to take care of himself was one thing but, well.]
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Ah, personal issues... no wonder you two get along. You both are clearly just a pile of personal complexes.
[As curious as he naturally was, he wasn't about to pry much from 76. He knew it wouldn't go anywhere to begin with, and there was an odd sense of peace getting sewn up by the old asshole.]
Oh, he's not naturally half a snake throwing flames around? Does he actually have an occupation?
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