PC: HARROW

[headmt]

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[headmt]

[He does not laugh! He listens, rapt attention, leaning forward on his hands like someone watching a very intriguing show and then when she has finished he politely claps enthusiastically!!!!]

That! Was! Excellent! Amazing! Stupendous! If you're ever in need of a second career, I'm certain we could find you a place with the carnival. I could watch hours of that.

[bonetiddies]

[Making the worst, sourest face at him.]

It was not. Don't patronize me. Did you at least listen to the information?

[headmt]

Just, incredibly charming. My gods.

[Sorry, this is not helping your case that you're adorable Harrow.]

Mmhmm. Got it, got it. Indulging, ghosts, something about fathers, magic is temporarily banished, do not die, clean up after yourselves.

[bonetiddies]

[She looks startled at what he just said.]

There was something about fathers? You heard me read that to you?

[headmt]

A . . . daddy.

[He doesn't get that it's like. A horny version of dad. But still.]

[bonetiddies]

Oh.

[Making a face.]

That means. . . something different.

[headmt]

[Squints.

INSIGHT CHECK.]

I see.

[bonetiddies]

[Your insight check shows that she obviously was wigged out by the idea she read something to him without realizing it, and is relieved that's not what happened!]

[headmt]

[Well that's fine then. Just letting it go, since it seems she's a bit wigged by it.]

. . . You know, all the comments about dying do make me strongly think that dying is going to be a large problem here.

[bonetiddies]

Yes. It's fairly alarming how they go straight to dispensing justice. Many of us have been discussing it. That's why I thought it better that you also receive the warning.

[headmt]

Can't be that surprised, I suppose. It isn't often you get to make deals like this. Of course the trade isn't going to be easy.

[He stops and reaches up to lightly pull at one of the charms - a silver moon - that hangs off the tip of his horn. Then drops the hand.]

. . . You've got nothing to worry about from me. I think it'd be rather hypocritical to start killing for what I want.

[bonetiddies]

Ah.

[Hmm. She considers him, whether to take him at his word. And she decides, for now - maybe.]

I don't intend to shoulder the burden of any more ghosts than I already do. Though I also do not intend to lose my life here. So there I stand.

. . . Still, I have to think we're meant to at least consider it. Is it prying to ask what you've traded for?

[headmt]

Yes, but you did do that wonderful reading, so I suppose I owe you.

[also, it's not like a huge secret. He pauses, while he considers how to phrase it.]

For now, let's say there's a body that's mine, and I'd rather like it back.

[bonetiddies]

[Oh. Well, that's a little cryptic, but there is the blood on his shirt. So.]

. . . You're competing for your life. And yet, you won't consider killing others for it?

[headmt]

[Oh, philosophical time. Okay. Sure.]

You have to draw the line somewhere eventually, right? How many dead people am I worth? One? Two? Don't get me wrong, I'm not above gutting someone that needs it - especially if they're trying to kill me. That's different. But I'm not going to start taking weights and measures of their lives against mine. That's a bloody road you can't turn around on.

It doesn't say anywhere that you have to.

[bonetiddies]

[She looks completely stricken when he asks how many dead people he's worth - she loses the thread of the conversation entirely for a moment, her thoughts going somewhere else. But she pulls herself back quickly, the only hesitation left the arm wrapped absently, protectively around herself.]

. . . No. It doesn't say you have to. But I suspect some won't wait for the direction to come.

There are people who measure the value of lives differently than you do, after all.

[headmt]

[Trying a smile instead, because he can kind of tell that seemed to hit a nerve. It wasn't really meant as a Judgement.]

That's quite true. And who knows, I could be full of shit right now, or change my mind down the road when the decisions get harder, or decide that I can live with it because there are important people I have to get back to. Things to do. For now, this is all just . . . ah. What's the word? [Hypothetical.]

[bonetiddies]

Don't take it back.

[She's come back to herself, back to her forceful personality. A little less awkward now, even, when they're discussing this sort of thing rather than making small talk.]

If those are your convictions, you must be resolute in them. No life is worth more than another. But if you cannot hold to that with confidence now, where will you be when you're actually tested?

[headmt]

. . . As you say, Miss Harrowhawk.

[ That is, in fact, a deeply powerful thing she's just said, and he appreciates it more than she can probably get from the fairly lighthearted tease he says in response.]

Perhaps I'm still feeling my way around it. I'm a bit in the dark on this one. I suppose it's simple to say you'll always leave a place better than you've found it when it's a matter of cheer and coin, but a little more difficult when the decision could be final curtains.

At least for now it's one more day, and I think I'd like to enjoy it. Do you know how to operate those machines in the kitchens?

[bonetiddies]

I know how to make soup.

[That's absolutely all, though.]

[headmt]

[Hm.]

Perhaps your wish should be for a larger cooking skill set.

[Heading on out of the room! Waving at her to follow. So demanding.]

[bonetiddies]

That, I think I can resolve on my own.

[Following him! She has nothing better to do.]

[headmt]

You can practice with the steak! Meat like that doesn’t come along for free often!

[It’s not like he can really cook much either.]

Anyway. I showed you mine. Yours?

[bonetiddies]

My. . . oh. What I'm competing for, you mean?

[She frowns, like she's thinking it over.]

[headmt]

That’s right.

[When she frowns and pauses he doesn’t really react, just keeps walkin’ towards the kitchen.]