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[The very fact that he was out for a walk spoke volumes. He lacked everything that someone who may be looking for anything specific would possess: the unhurried pace, the lightly slumped shoulder, and yet ever-so-present, also that worn alertness she could well distinguish, guilty of carrying the same airs herself more of late. It was so, that the conclusion seemed obvious to draw:

He's wandering.

Someone who does that without purpose, to her personal and interpersonal experiences, generally meant they may be avoiding something, while seeking solitude away from the faces of familiar people. Whether it was cowardice or to avoid complications wasn't important, deducing that much already drew up a peculiar but oddly specific image. (She'd know it well, her of all people.)

...And now, how he's calling her out. She wasn't trying to hide her presence; in fact, it came a habit to make herself known from a distance, a strange sort of courtesy given to whoever she's following, to let them know they're not alone. She should be no stranger to him, however. Is he not aware it's her? Or rather...

Part of why he was slow and worn, may be...?

A soft 'thud' on the hard ground, as she makes her landing and saunters over to catch up.]

I'm not picky, and besides, I have a relatively specific schedule about the people I follow, mister Break.

[When she finally speaks up, her tone is light and conversational. Nothing big, right? Might as well go with the flow, in that case!]

[ The voice surprises him, since he hadn't ignore Ciel's absence. Being one of the few, perhaps the only person in Haven that Break trusted who he hadn't known for a decade beforehand, he had of course noticed. He's somewhat relieved to hear her voice again, since it meant that she was back, of course, and from the fact that she was wandering around too, at least decently well. With Haven, unexplained absences were rarely a good thing, but he's in no mood to pry.

Break turns to face her with a smile, though Ciel may notice that his eye doesn't quite meet hers. It's just barely off, since he can only see a blur of her face, but it's noticeable for sharp eyes like hers. ]

Do you? Then excuse me, for I'm honored to be amongst them.

[ He laughs, then bows his head in a polite greeting ]

Thank you, by the way, for the other day. I didn't get a chance to thank you myself, since my company had left me in a sour mood.

[The small things add up, and in this case, they spell out something rather distinctive. His eyesight. There's... something wrong with it, isn't there?

She doesn't assume right away. It's Haven, after all, and likewise, there's no (immediate) need to pry. So he can't see well; moving on.

Smiling back (of course), she chuckles that off.]

Thank you for accepting it so graciously, some of them tend to become offended, for some mysterious reason. [Why would people not see being stalked as a form of compliment, sheesh.] And it's no problem at all, I was already out and in the area that night. It seemed that luck was in our favor, for a rare change.

[it may not be the funniest thing she can say, but it's still a fact...]

Has your mood improved any since, if I may ask?

[ Break laughs softly and shrugs. ]

Well, yes, overall. It's better to be able to wander around under an apparently watchful eye than to be stuck in a room with people I mostly dislike.

[ She's shrewd, though, and Break has a feeling that he knows where this conversation is heading. Still, his tone and smile stay friendly and polite, if muted as compared to his usual clownish cheer. ] I can only imagine what would have happened had we been stuck together longer.

[she mildly raises an eyebrow in amusement.]

Not very popular at home, mister Break? You've been plenty charming, to my experience.

[HA HA... she's so good at jokes when she tries

i mean]

Then someone else would've found you, I'm sure. One of you at least must've been carrying their communicator too, you could've called for someone else as well. But that's all resolved and in the past now, right? So let us speak no more of it; I'm just glad that I was able to help.

[ He shakes his head with a laugh ]

Oh, to your experience, at least, but to most, I tend to be less than agreeable. But then again, our first meeting was much more pleasant than most.

[ But to that, Break nods, since, yes, being trapped in a room full of losers is better forgotten. ]

But how have you been, Miss Ciel? It's been quite a while since I've seen you.

You should be careful to whom you admit something like that to. If you tend to be less agreeable to others than to me, I'm sure there must be a reason, and it can't be a irredeemably terrible one. We've only met here, after all, I should be at a distinct disadvantage.

[She continues lightly as she ~implies~ things. HM...]

[and a dismissive wave!! HER circumstances? what a trifling subject, hahaha.]

A little miffed from the wholly uncalled for vacation that Haven saw fit to put me on, I do confess, but I haven't been better, otherwise~! [she needs meddling like normal people need air, clearly.] It's good to be back, it seems like I've missed a lot.

[Jessica dying, crazy plants, earthquakes, your cast imploding, etc etc etc. WHAT SHE WOULD'VE GIVEN TO BE THERE... (in a helpful way, that is)]

[ He nods, with a sympathetic expression. He's actually somewhat relieved to hear that it was just a vacation and nothing worse. ]

I would be upset as well. I was upset enough to return home. It was brief by this place's measure, but a few months return by mine.

[ Break smiles more, softly, and maybe even genuinely. ] Either way, I'm glad to see that you're well. More or less. I keep thinking all of the competent people here will leave one by one.

Ah? Understandable. That sort of leave happened to me in Mayfield, too. I only lost track of a day in that town while I gained around a year or so of memory from home. A colleague later confirmed it, although I haven't really had any reason to think back about that since. It's just something that happens, when you're taken into a trapped environment like such.

[...ahaha sincere-ish compliments, y dis. At least it's Break, she can play it cool... It only gets hard when it comes from shounen protags/dumb bakas.] ...Goodness, that's humbling, but I do thank you for such high regard. Still, you're making it sound like a lot of active people have left... Has that really been the case?

[ He shakes his head ]

Not left, perhaps, but they're getting desperate. [ Himself included, and he doesn't exclude himself from that group. ] Desperation causes lapses in judgement, hm?

[ At least it's somewhat good to know that random ~~canon updates~~ returns home are somewhat normal for places like this. Considering her track record with cities like this, Break would consider her an expert, after all. ]

But I'm glad to know that returning home is not so rare that I should be worried. I've heard no stories of it here.

[She mildly raises an eyebrow at that. ARE YOU AWARE OF SOMETHING REALLY STUPID HAVING HAPPENED.... may this be related to her finding Sharon on the verge of tears the other day (she didn't ask because ~ladies~ and MANNERS, but Things Are Adding Up, okay.]

Impatient, you mean? It's not my intent to encourage passivity or to promote the status-quo, but fact remains that we've little active and sound options available at our disposal. Until a concrete chance presents itself, everyone must continue enduring, as they always have from the first day of their arrival until now. Knowing our captors, we absolutely cannot afford to be irrational.

[guess who spoke to jason-look-at-me-publicly-beating-junko-up-like-a-tru-REBEL and had a long "Talk" about the type of people who defects/idiotic martyrs who sell themselves for a supposed Greater Cause...]

[she hums, exhaling softly.] The absence caused by a brief return home tends to be short, plus you remember everything of this place when you regain consciousness again. Barring upsetting events back home that might greatly change an individual, it's generally easier to deal with, than someone who leaves completely and is then taken back to Haven again with no memories of their previous stay.

[ He's aware of that phenomenon as well, having seen it happen with some people he knows, but the returns home suddenly seem uninteresting compared to the status-quo. He pauses, briefly, since that line of conversation would undoubtedly reveal his new alliance, but... As he thinks about it, it's not so daunting to tell Ciel. He had come to trust her for her level-headed nature and prudence, so perhaps such a thing would be useful here rather than the advice of his friends.

...Not to say that he'll outright admit it, but. ]

Yes, impatient. Especially the longer you stay, since it seems that no concrete chances will ever present themselves. [ A pause, then, ] Speaking of, in a way, what did you think of that recent display of vigilantism?

[The pause is noted, and she briefly looks up.]

Ah, that? I wasn't around to witness the broadcast personally, but I've heard summaries. Frankly?

[It's her turn to pause now, as she takes a brief glance around.

...]

I've no opinion on the righteousness of it, morality is a burden to carry anyway in a place like this. [is her grayness showing yet...] I can understand the reasoning, however: they wished to warn and discourage more of our fellows from signing up with the corporation.

[A beat.]

I don't agree with the method of execution, however: it was gaudy, but inefficient. There's three types of people who may betray the collectivity. First would be the likes of Junko and Hyobu, who revel in chaos for the simple sake of. They're the most obvious and shameless of their affiliation, they won't turn over a new leaf and won't be affected at all by threats of violence. Then there are those who think they stand to net personal gain by working with the corporation: Caroline would be the best example, as we know she's sacrificed every other captive in her cycle to reach her ends. Threats can't affect that type of individual either, their ambition and drive would be too strong to be affected by promises of physical violence.

[Her gaze sharpens, as she looks back up to him.]

Do you follow?

[ He nods, listening with an interested expression, since naturally her analysis is interesting. As she goes on, he also finds it quite accurate, but he ducks his head with a small smile. Does she know already or suspect it? He can't help but wonder, based on the one he imagines she's left for last. ]

And the third?

[If she noticed him wondering, she doesn't show it. After his acknowledging reply, she simply continues, with the same tone and demeanor.]

Those who think they can protect - no, spare their closer friends and acquaintances from the worst of Haven, by scapegoating themselves into a puppet of the corporation. They could be weak-willed, they could be desperate, they could be easily influenced, they could be a great number of things.

[She raises her head to look up, but it's not at him; her gaze remains fixed in front.]

Ultimately, what unifies them is their loyalty to a very specific minority, combined with a lack of faith in themselves as well as the closed ones around them. It doesn't matter how well one can fight or how many reality-altering powers one may possess: individuals swayed by the corporation for the sake of someone else lack the empathy to understand that the most valuable thing they can ever provide to their loved ones is their own unfaltering support. As long as that pillar remains, both can get back up regardless of how many times they may be knocked down.

[...]

Their motivation remains powerful, however, even if they may be martyring themselves for a foolish cause. It's for this reason that I don't expect the broadcast to affect them significantly, either: they can easily justify the negatives away with the fact that they're acting for a higher cause. These type of people are also the trickiest of the three to deal with: they have good in mind, but tried to reach it through a means that cannot guarantee good in any way - if not, the complete opposite. They stand to lose the most as well, for they've put up for bargain the very lives they want to keep safe.

[She ends on a quiet note, eyelids drooping. It's not an expression of pity, but yeah, yeah it would suck to be in that position, she thinks, and that much may show on her face.

No sympathy though, different people make different choices.]

[ He chuckles softly, and all he can do is nod in agreement in the face of that. It's nothing that he disagrees with, having examined his own actions many times over to come to the same conclusion. He could think of excuses and justifications, but to no real end, he felt. It was inconsequential, because he had already bargained and lost the life of the one he'd wanted to protect most. ]

Incredibly accurate, as always. [ He looks up towards her, and his smile is still light and polite, but there is something tired in his eye, like a hint that his true age may be showing through that tired gaze. ]

So hiding it is meaningless, since I'm sure you already know, or at least have suspicions, Miss Ciel. I'm a recent addition to that third category, but the damage is already done, so I'd ask you spare me the lecture on the decision itself.

[...!

Having suspicions is one thing. But... An outright confession?

She looks back at him, although her expression shows nothing more than a quiet surprise.

It fades quickly, however, and it's not long, before she responds with an old smile of her own.]

People are emotional and social, regardless of what they claim and how they behave. Ah; I've no place to judge what pushed others to choose as they have, but what's done is done, and I'm aware no amount of nagging will change that. [A joke, even if there's nothing particularly funny about ant of what's happened.

Crossing her arms over her stomach, she gives a quiet sigh, before closing her eyes.]

Knowing miss Rainsworth, Reim, and Gilbert, I'm sure you've already heard enough. May I ask, regardless, what do you plan to do now?

[ Even if there's nothing funny, he still smiles, with a soft exhale that could be a sardonic laugh. He's appreciative that she's accepted the request, and to also be met with a cool demeanor. The question she asks is, in a way, why he had chosen to reveal it at all. He trusted her judgement, since she was an especially shrewd person, but also because she was divorced from things that made him reluctant to seek advice from those he had known much longer. Ten or more years of history with them meant that their emotions were too closely tied to the matter, and as things were... He wished to push the emotional aspect away. That was what had gotten him into this trouble in the first place, as it always did. ]

Unfortunately, I have little to offer. I'll keep my head low as long as I'm able, considering how people are thirsting for blood, and with the way this town works... I have no intentions to die needlessly.

[ It's a waste. He'll just be revived, and quickly, based on his contract, so it amounts to nothing more than an inconvenience. ]

But my hands are also tied. If I'm called upon again, I cannot refuse. It's as you said—I've bargained the life of the one that I wish to keep safe. I'll act in my capacity as their employee, but that is also when I would consider my death more than deserved. It's a complex matter, unfortunately. If it were as simple as ripping up my contract, then that would be my hope, but I doubt it's as simple as a piece of paper.

[ He looks back to her, having had his gaze turned to the floor pensively. ] So, may I ask a favor of you, Miss Ciel?

[She laughs.]

Thirsty for blood, do you truly believe so? That broadcast was met with fervent protests that equated brutal beating to murder, and self-righteous claims that the ones who did it were on the same level of evil as the corporation. An overabundance of idealism can be just as damaging as despair, although that's an opinion I'm aware I should keep to myself also.

[That's as much of a 'confession' on her part, given her reputation, but well.]

Right. The company seems very skilled at managing their assets, they won't let go to waste what they've managed to hook. [a beat.]

You wouldn't be the first I may have to stop, and even taking Yao out of the equation, I'm sure these sort of situations would've continued cropping up. Haven is infinitely fond of turning us against each other, it's merely unfortunate to hear that they've got you hung on a more personal string, now.

[but small talks aside, and with a small and courteous nod of acknowledgement:]

What may I do for you, Break?

[ He smiles more, since she's already touched on what he thought to ask her. ]

It's selfish of me to ask, but in the event that I should have to play my hand? I'd like to ask you to stop me. Gilbert has expressed much of the same interest, but... [ He shakes his head ]

Well, I don't doubt his ability and resolve to kill me, should it come to that, but I would prefer it not be him. I've known him since he was a boy, so I feel that it would still weigh on him at least somewhat. I can't imagine you would be bound by such sentimentality, and that is how I would prefer it.

[She tilts her head back, shoulders slumping slightly, as if tension is leaking AWAY with that statement Break's just made.]

Not at all. I have a terrible habit of meddling, you see, and now that you've told me, it's only a matter of time before I implicate myself somehow. It's still a relief to have your permission though, I also understand and agree with your reasoning. Gilbert's got enough on his plate as is, I'll beat him to the punch if the inevitable does occur. I'll also do my best to be quick and subtle, so that anyone attempting to investigate won't find much at all. [aka IT WILL BE A TRUE ASSASSINATION and retracing the culprit will be made difficult, what a professional proposal] Would that be okay, too?

[quick and subtle over quick and painless tho

CHOICE OF WORDING...]

Edited (htmlll) 2014-01-27 21:44 (UTC)

[ It's a turn of phrase that Break doesn't miss, and his eyebrow quirks when she says it, but he doesn't challenge it. It's a part of his deep self-loathing, since he feels that a painless death isn't something he should be afforded, but... Well, that sort of complex is best kept to himself. Break nods in agreement without so much as a moment of consideration. ]

Absolutely. I imagine it would cause you some trouble if it weren't discrete, so do whatever is easiest for you, when the time comes.

[well, "painlessly" is SORT OF implied, ciel isn't exactly fond of long and messy kills. but well. We can't always afford that luxury, right? It'll have to be settled, when push comes to shove.

She chuckles.]

I'm really going to start building up a shady reputation if word gets out, hehe, so I'll be careful. Necessity is something far too few are able to understand fully here, thank you for taking this so graciously as well; I do appreciate it, Break.

[pleasant afternoon tea convos, clearly...]

[ with these two, it might as well be ]

[ Break nods, though it comes with something of a tired sigh. ]

And I appreciate your assistance and prudence, as always. I feel as if I've aged twenty years in the past few weeks! [ His tone turns playful, but it's still tired and half-hearted ] My fragile health may just suffer yet~.

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