EPIC SIDESTORY: LOVER'S DUEL CONTINUED

[actuallyhornets.livejournal.com]

[Pain got a call from Viper fifty minutes ago telling him to show up for a fight or he'd kill Alek.]

[Forty minutes ago, Pain called his 'nephew' Ocelot for help and started a plan.]

[Twenty-five minutes ago, The Pain used Mantis to find the Sorrow and figured out the plan.]

[And now he's waiting for Sorrow to report back on the state of Viper's traps before he goes to confront him. He's going to rescue Alek, no matter what he has to do.]

[The Pain is here. The Pain is not happy.]

[The Pain is ready.]



((for actuallyhornets , donttripwire , old_gunslinger , a_sign_of_rain  and hall_patrol ))

Comments

[hall-patrol.livejournal.com]

[Other than the occasionally muttered curse, he doesn't react to either Pain or the mystery person. It seems like all he can do now is talk and blink his eyes.]

[actuallyhornets.livejournal.com]

...you may have a point. Keeping his arms like that would probably prevent any further damage to the tendons. We should wait until the paralyzing powder wears off.

[He curls Alek into the coat and kisses him on the forehead, then in a monumentally clueless move pulls off the blindfold.]

You're safe. We're getting a doctor right now, alright?

[He picks Alek up bridal-style and turns to Ocelot.]

Let's go before evil me shows up. I don't need more fighting now.

[hall-patrol.livejournal.com]

[He's not pleased when Pain fails to remove the tape from his hands, but that thought disappears pretty quickly when he turns around, bring him (almost) face to face with...]

[hall-patrol.livejournal.com]

...

[hall-patrol.livejournal.com]

...

[hall-patrol.livejournal.com]

SHALASHASKA!

[old-gunslinger.livejournal.com]

[Face. Palm.]

This is going to be brilliant...

[actuallyhornets.livejournal.com]

...Huh?

I thought you were working with him....?

[So. Confused. And possibly will go back to being angry in a minute or two.]

[hall-patrol.livejournal.com]

He is traitor, what you are doing!? He kill my first commander and try to kill us all! You cannot trust him!

[He eyes Ocelot nervously, unable to comprehend what he was doing here anyway.]

[actuallyhornets.livejournal.com]

...what?

[His eyes narrow.]

Ocelot, I want an explenation. Now. Or I'll use the cute icon again.

[He starts walking quickly, then turns and looks back at Ocelot.]

Come on. Evil Pain may come back and we don't want to be here then.

[old-gunslinger.livejournal.com]

[Damn it, uncle. Ocelot should really dig his heels in and say his business with the man is done, but he feels himself getting led along anyway. Someone will need to press the button for the elevator.]

I've done plenty that I'm not-- no longer proud of. If your friend is looking for reparations we can talk about that once we're out of the hallways. It's not important right now.

[actuallyhornets.livejournal.com]

...Yes, of course.

[He pauses. Then:]

I want a full explenation after this. I'm tired of getting incomplete stories.

[And he squeezes Alek softly.]

He's not going to hurt you, don't worry. You're safe.

[hall-patrol.livejournal.com]

[He's still worried- very worried. They'd all trusted this man... what's to say that he isn't trying to trick Pain now too?]

Be careful... he is best marksman I ever hear of.

[old-gunslinger.livejournal.com]

[Have some annoyed Russian.]

/Presently retired. Don't be problematic./

[They've reached the elevator, so Ocelot presses the Up arrow. Thankfully, they don't have to wait for a car to arrive.]

Seventh floor? Or is there another one?

[actuallyhornets.livejournal.com]

/I take it you've lead an interesting life of espianage, nephew./

[He steps in, pulling Alek closer.]

/That's the only theater I know./

[old-gunslinger.livejournal.com]

[Pushes the button, then. Please be a fast elevator.]

[back in English] I never said I don't regret. I'll be content once this power grab is done with.

That room was meant for torture, I take it?

[actuallyhornets.livejournal.com]

[You won't escape that easily.]

I didn't say that. I merely said that you've had a busy life. There's no need regretting what's already been done, else I'd be a guilty wreck. And I understand your wish for peace after this. I just want the Nexus to stop fighting so that I can get on with life.

[...]

It was used for it, yes. The victim was killed afterward. You saw the blood, I assume?

[Not mentioning the victim yet.]

[old-gunslinger.livejournal.com]

[You're weighed down and his home is on the seventh floor anyway. Retreat will be easy.]

Precisely why I agreed to go along with you on this. I have enough following me as it is.

[Glances over. It doesn't take much to see that room was chosen for a reason. But he doesn't care for his own human drama shit, much less anyone else's.]

It was old.

[Oh hay seventh floor.]

[actuallyhornets.livejournal.com]

[That's what you think.]

...Thanks. You were very helpful.

[How much does he suspect?]

Three weeks old, yes. Were you injured? You seem sluggish.

[old-gunslinger.livejournal.com]

[Ocelot holds the elevator door open and takes a cautious glance out in both directions. They're good to move.]

For some shades of 'helpful.' [gruffs] I was hit with some of that powder. I'll be fine.

[He motions him out into the hall.]

[actuallyhornets.livejournal.com]

Don't underestimate yourself. If Viper had proven as much of a threat as I had anticipated, you would be the only reason Alek would be alive.

[A small squeeze for the man in his arms as he follows Ocelot.]

Do you want it treated, or are you going back to take care of your Big Boss? I'm heading to see Para-Medic after this.

[old-gunslinger.livejournal.com]

Hnn... I'm curious about the level of response we received...

[Ocelot leads them down the corridor, alert as --well-- a cat. But they seem to be in the clear.]

I'd ask you to please not qualify Big Boss like that. [Even if that's what he does in his own head.] As for that, yes. I don't wish to trouble the good doctor any more today.

[He peeks around the corner of the next hallway. Empty as before, and there's the theater. He motions Pain along.]

[actuallyhornets.livejournal.com]

Yes; why wasn't my evil self still there? Wouldn't Viper have brought reinforcements? And why were't there any lethal traps?

[The hornets buzz, still on alert.]

Why not? It's true, isn't it?

...

Or is it too disturbing having a reletive talk about him in that way?

[He nods and continues following.]

[old-gunslinger.livejournal.com]

[He looks back at Pain. He has his own suspicions about the ease with which this operation was carried out, but he won't relate his thoughts until he's sure. Something in the way control was taken away from him on that last tripwire hints strongly that they're being monitored at the least; manipulated at worst. An adept puppeteer never appreciates being turned into a puppet.]

I couldn't say.

[He checks the theater door. Locked. Fortunately, his projectionist key takes care of that. He should enter first to ensure Para-Medic and the other two inside are where and how they should be-- though he doesn't intend to interact with Jane beyond that.]

No more or less disturbing than anyone else doing it... Let's not get into ownership at all, if it's all the same to you. He's just as free as I am.

Wait here.

[He ducks inside.]

[actuallyhornets.livejournal.com]

[Pain has his suspicions as well, but none nearly as well-formed as Ocelot's. He's never been very good at fighting an unknown.]

It's not ownership. You don't say "my religion" in the sense that it belongs to you as if it was shoes; the same goes for Big Boss. It's...more than that, you know?

...

Alright.

[He waits, rocking back on his heels in nervousness. Hopefully he'd be back soon; he had no idea if the powder was permanent or not, and he's still somewhat restless from the battle.]