noreasonneeded | IC/Overflow Post

Very true. Plenty of material for very confusing songs in that.

That makes sense. Words can very easily be lies, but actions are a lot harder to fake.

I think it’s also the personal nature of some fights. Not all by any means, but often what gets romanticized are those nemesis dynamics. ‘Thin line between love and hate’ and all that. Which I’ve always found nonsense in my personal experience.

Exactly. Neither is foolproof, but lying through actions requires more effort usually.

Oh, absolutely. It's never been my thing, personally. People play it up a lot with Kindred and people that hunt us. I never did understand how you could get very romantic with someone that wants you dead.

And certainly more skill if you want to be believed. Or, like, powers that make you more believable regardless of what you do. Those come in handy.

Yeah. And the reverse is true, too. There are people I hate. There’s nothing romantic about it. I just want them to suffer.

That just makes me even more paranoid, you know. Though I'm not arguing against it. Trust in any capacity is no easy feat to achieve, nor should it be.

Completely understandable. Is there anyone you'd have a romantic swordfight with?

What, are you afraid I'll whammy you into liking me and believing anything I say?

No. I've trained people to use blades, but not out of romance. If I'm to have a work date, I'd rather it be on a job than sparring.

I don't think you're likely to do that to me, no.

That's good to know. I don't know how good I'd be at sparring, outside of using an umbrella.

I'm glad you think so. But if you worry about it at all from other Kindred, I can always try it a little, with warning. That way you know what it feels like if someone else tries it with you.

I won't pretend I'm the most technical of fighters, but I've trained a fair number of beginners if you ever want some pointers. I've used more random items than umbrellas in battles.

[There's sense to her offer, even as his blood runs cold from it. Not because he doesn't trust Birdie, but any relinquishing of control is difficult for him. It would be good to know what it's like though, especially if it's different than a heartrender's skills.]

Will I still be able to say stop if I want to stop?

Maybe, if we keep going on jobs together. Seems prudent, and I get to spend time with you where you're teaching me. Kinda want to see what it's like from that angle.

[ It is a lot different from a heartrender's skill, and far less precise. Which means Birdie is telling about as much truth as she can about the process, because there's a possibility he won't think to stop even if he wants to. Just as much as there's a possibility he'll get it out right away. ]

Of course, though if you want we can do a time limit or something.

Lockpicking and fighting skills are usually what I show those who end up on jobs with me. Occasionally infiltration but you already know your way around a costume.

You know me. I won’t be against another failsafe like a timer. As long as there aren’t lingering side effects afterwards though, I’d consider it. I can see how it might be useful to know, especially if I am going to deal with more Kindred.

I'm sure there's something you could teach me about costumes. Probably how to hide a lockpicking set in one.

There is one that would have a lingering effect. I don't use it often, and it's... Hard to determine how long the effect lasts. I wouldn't use that as an example, anyway.

I do know a number of ways to hide a lockpick set. Some more pleasant than others.

Noted. I appreciate the transparency. What is that one, for sheer curiosity's sake?

Can you only show me the pleasant ones first?

We call it Entrancement. It's kind of like hypnotism, but really all it does is make someone like me very, very much. It won't make them do anything directly, but they'll be suggestable, they'll want to do what I want them to do to a point. They can interpret things however they want, and I never really know how long it'll last.

I’ll only show you the pleasant ones. Most people aren’t fond of regurgitating lockpicks and bombs.

I think you’ve mentioned that in the past, though not with the label on it. I was just curious. It’s not a power I’d want in many people’s hands. Though I'd say that about just any power and skill.

Be honest with me. Have you swallowed bombs? And if so, how much of the full story do I get to have?

The one I'll show you is called Awe. It's similar, but it doesn't last. Soon as I stop doing it, it stops working. There's others that are a little more... Probably a lot more concerning for you, but I don't know them. Trusting the Kindred that can is always a unique challenge.

I may have swallowed and regurgitated root bombs and my lockpicks over the course of a few hours to have in case needed on a job. It was the only way to smuggle them in. Wylan made the bombs so I was fairly confident they would withstand it. If you really want to hear the full story I can share it. It’s long though, so I understand if not.

I’ll be in awe of you? I already am at times, you know. You’re pretty talented.

Trusting anyone is a unique challenge, but I understand your point where compulsion is concerned.

...honestly I've heard of people swallowing weirder stuff, though probably not quite as dangerous unless you count drugs. And I'm willing to hear the whole long story if you're willing to tell it.

I'm glad I got you in awe of me without it. I always preferred getting attention without it, though if it's only at times I worry I'm losing my touch.

Yeah, it can be fraught sometimes. Some can go as far as changing your memory, and when you realize that's on the table it's no wonder we all tend to be a little paranoid.

Only if you want. Like I said, it could get long and it’s probably not as entertaining in context.

I would hope you’d worry more if I thought of nothing but you, Birdie. Pretty sure that’s obsession. [He’s teasing a little.] Plus, you really don’t want me thinking of you when I’m contemplating the downfall of others. When I do think of you though, it’s good thoughts.

Have you ever had your memories altered?

Trust me when I say that I'll be entertained by this no matter how long and weird and gross it can get.

I don't mind a little obsession, so long as when I come up in the downfall of others I'm one of the ones helping and not getting knocked off a pedestal. Good thoughts, though, are my favorite. I've got plenty of those about you, too.

A couple times. It's possible there's more than what I know about, but that one is harder to notice.

We were hired to break someone out of the Ice Court in Fjerda. Best way in was to ambush a prison cart and sneak onboard as prisoners. Which meant being stripped down once we were inside, so I swallowed packets of Wylan’s root bombs along with a pouch of chloropellets and an extra set of lockpicks. … I suppose it wasn’t actually that long of a story. Anyway, I had to vomit them up and swallow them back down a few times. Better to have them on hand if needed than not. [He hadn’t even been certain they would need all the times, but Kaz prefers to plan for any contingency he can.]

I have no desire to knock you off a pedestal, not that I put you on one myself. Which also isn’t personal. I don’t put anything or anyone on one. There are good thoughts, though.

I hope you got revenge on who caused it.

Not that long, no, but still just as impressive that you got all that down at once, let alone multiple times. I suppose that means they were useful still in the end when you had to get back out. I'd be mad if I had to do all that and never even blow anything up.

Good thoughts I can work with better than pedestals, anyway.

No. I learned about it because they told me up front, and they had their reasons for it.

It was useful, but I wouldn't have been mad either way. Better to be prepared than not.

They tend to have a wider base than a narrow lens, it allows for less precarious teetering.

I respect the reasons are yours, even if I can't fathom making the same choice.

You do have your very solid grasp on preparation. You really are very impressive with it.

That is a big bonus. I also like that you've got them for me. It's nice to know.

If you learn one thing about Kindred is that we sometimes do... Terrible things, to survive. Both from other humans and each other. I've certainly done some things that'd deserve revenging, too.

One needn't be a scout to be prepared.

Likewise, it's good to know.

That doesn't sound any different than humans, to be honest. Myself included. The fact though that some people have reason to want revenge against me doesn't stop me from wanting it against others, though.

No, but I bet you'd qualify for an honorary scoutship.

It really isn't, beyond the methods we have to accomplish our misdeeds. And I think it's a little more practical than not wanting it, though. If Kindred were constantly revenging on each other, we'd be a mess. No way to defend ourselves as a whole. That's why Anarch free states end up in so much trouble so much of the time.

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