museunboxing | PSL for arkfall

[Knives seems to consider Vash carefully then.]

That's so like you. This is the man you just called a psychopath, who tried to kill you without permission, and is helping me keep you trapped in a cell back home - a cell, I might add, that you do not escape from for eight months. I'm not sure if you know that part. [He probably shouldn't say that so flippantly, but he's not to best at realizing when he's being an asshole.]

And you want me to feel sorry for him.

[...] Eight months? [It's not so much his life that was spent trapped. It was how much damage Knives would have done in that length of time.] I don't get out for eight months. [What would be left to save by then? He hadn't wanted to ask about how long he was trapped for because he didn't want to think about this.] H- how did I get away from Legato?

The babysitter I sent to bring you to me turns traitor and breaks you out.

The baby-- Wolfwood! [Finally Vash actually looks and is happy for the first time since seeing his brother. Deep down he knew if anyone could survive Knives's genocide it was his friend, but it was so much relief hearing it as fact.] I knew he had to still be alive. [He didn't think anyone would be foolish enough to take on the ark so he laughs a bit lightly. Touched knowing that he wasn't as alone back home as he had thought for awhile.] Heh. Gotta admit. He's a really good babysitter.

[Question is now Knives. Do you want to crush that happiness he's just clung to?]

[There's this irritational sense of jealousy that almost makes Knives tell him, but he doesn't. Instead, he shares a bit more about Wolfwood's past.]

Well, he had no qualms turning on those who considered him an ally, and I needed someone who would not hesitate to kill the other Gung Ho Guns.

Did you know that he shot and paralyzed his previous Master and then impersonated him to get a chance to kill me? That's how I knew he was perfect.

Wolfwood might have done some terrible things in the past, but he's changing. He's learning to be a better man. [Vash grows defensive of his friend. He knows Knives is trying to make him think badly of the human, but it wasn't going to work. At least not when that information was coming from Knives.] That is what makes humans so great. They can learn from their mistakes and become better people because of it.

Besides. He hadn't betrayed me. He would never turn on me. Not now.

[There's that jealousy again. This time it wins.]

And I'm sure he took that loyalty to his grave.

[Vash's response is nearly instant as he suddenly stops walking.] You're lying.

[Knives tilts his head to the side and considers Vash. He doesn't respond because he isn't sure how verbally confirming or denying that his lying is going to help.]

[The silence is what starts to crack Vash's shell of denial. Desperately he clings to the idea that Knives would say anything to hurt him.

So why wasn't he rubbing it in more?] He's not dead. Wolfwood is too strong and stubborn to die.

If that's what you need to think...

Besides, in your timeline he has to be alive because he has to show up to break you out.

Don't patronize me. [Even if that wasn't Knives's intention that's how Vash feels.] Is this what the next three months are going to be? You trying to make my life absolutely miserable every day? [Likely longer than three, but giving it an end point makes it a little easier to stomach.] I thought you said you wouldn't be doing that anymore.

I'm not trying to make you miserable.

[He sighs.] Listen, I won't tell you anything more about the future if everything I say about it is going to make you miserable. You win in the end, but it's not a pretty fight, Vash. Nothing between us has been since... [They found out about Tesla] For a long time.

Yes you are! You had no reason to say that except to try to hurt me! [Vash starts walking in the right direction again, but now with a bit more stomp to his step.] Now I'm not sure if you're trying to lie to me or yourself. [It doesn't feel like he won anything at the moment.]

[Knives hates it when Vash accurately calls him out on his bullshit. He glares and then follows after Vash.]

That's right, I'm lying to myself just like I always do. You got me figured out Vash.

[He sounds like he's mocking, but it's very true.]

[Vash snorts and bites his tongue. Trying to avoid calling his brother an asshole. Talking back to a dominant in public was not a good idea and it being Knives just made it that much worse for his health.

That and as they approached the building Vash felt that sinking feeling start up in his stomach once again. He knew those officers who stood outside as if waiting for them.

Despite his nervousness he smiles brightly and waves as if there was nothing wrong.] Sally! Mark! Good to see you! How are the kids? Your dog? Look, I'm here to contract with a dominant! No more running around without one for me! [Vash has an idea what they're standing around for.

Clearly these two have had a few run ins with Vash before as his playful antics barely register on their faces.] They're fine, Vash. Thanks for asking. [Their tone is light and easy. Not at all feeling threatened by who they're dealing with.] Glad to hear you're finally contracting again. We just have a few things that need to be discussed. [Mark moves to open the door for the brothers expecting them to enter.] Just standard processing. Vash you come with us and your new dominant can head to the spare room on the left there.

[Knives's eyes narrow at the suggestion but since he already made a scene a drove Vash to threaten him once he plays along for now.]

If you any of you hurt him... [He starts, though, unable to bite back that possessiveness completely.]

Don't worry. [Sally reaches out and gives Vash a friendly pat on his shoulder. Vash laughs happily, but keeps his eye on his brother for a reaction to the contact.] We always treat you well, don't we Vash?

[He nods along like a bumbling fool.] Oh yeah. Mark and Sally are great. Don't worry, Knives. As long as you keep your cool and your hands to yourself then I'm sure things will be fine.

Fine. [He says, as if giving these people permission to leave with his brother. He then focuses on the one who wants to take him to a separate room.]

[They'll lead Vash one way and Knives to another. With his superior hearing Knives may hear Sally ask in an amused voice. You couldn't wait another hour to contract with someone, could you? She says something else, but Vash's wild, amused laughter drowns out what she was going to say. Almost like it was on purpose.

Mark will lead Knives to his own room with a table and a comfortable chair to sit in. He'll ask Knives to sit.] Someone will see you shortly to discuss your new contract. Please make yourself comfortable. Can I get you anything? Water? A coffee?

[Knives doesn't sit. He stands and puts his back against one of the walls. His arms are crossed over his chest. He glares at Mark.]

No.

[Mark shrugs and leaves Knives to stand. Shutting the door as he goes. Knives will feel that they're not whisking Vash away in secret or anything. Vash stays in the building the whole time.

They won't keep him waiting for too long. Eventually a man in a business suit will come in and sit down at the table. A fair sized folder in front of him. Not caring if Knives doesn't join him.] Sorry for the wait. We just needed time to read over your proposed contract with the submissive Vash.

We're aware you are a brand new resident and we wish to be sure you're not rushing into things. [He'll spin the folder around so Knives can clearly see Vash's name on the cover. Should he look through he'll see a history of arrests and fines Vash has paid. Mostly for minor disobedience offenses, but a couple more serious ones as well. There's even a record of a time Vash wound up in the remittance facility and was purchased by a dominant. The name has been redacted to who bought him, but how much they paid is still there.]

I'm going to be blunt. You seem the type to appreciate things not being sugar coated. We understand he threatened you today. He'll be given a fine for that and if you wish you may pay for that or he can spend the standard two days in lock up. That will be your choice if you agree to this contact.

[He pulls their written contract out from the file. There's two others that have EXPIRED written across them. The dominants being listed as having returned home.] But we have some concerns, Mr. Millions. Of your ability to control your brother. We want to keep the submissives of this city safe and to do that some need a firm dominant to watch over them. Once such as your brother. One day he's going to run into a lot of trouble and get himself hurt if he doesn't learn his place.

I understand wanting to protect your family, but are you sure you are a right fit for this contract?

[Knvies hadn't budged from his spot against the wall, even as this man was speaking to him.

He only came forward to read over the materials. He takes the file and tucks it under his arm, clearly not planning on giving it back.

At the talk about Vash 'knowing his place,' one of Knives's arms moves in a way that is clearly not natural. It morphs and bends just a little before snapping back into place.

He hates this. He hates that his body is so weak he can't even form a blade. He can't simply stab this man through the head and watch his blood drip down the wall behind him.]

Yes. [He says, his voice hard and unforgiving.

In truth, he's never been able to get his brother to do what he wants, but he'll be damned if he shares any of that with this piece of trash in front of him.]

[The man makes no move to stop Knives from sticking the folder under his arm. He has a more extensive copy after all so he doesn't mind. He also doesn't seem to mind the way Knives's body appeared to shift. He's read both of the Plant's files before coming in here after all.

Vash, however, does notice how lucky the man was just now. His brother's voice coming through Knives's head.] Knives. [There's a warning tone to the mental voice.] Careful. Don't make things worse.

[The man stands and smooths out his jacket as he does. Still just as calm as always. Like he deals with madmen all the time.] Before we approve of this contract, could you prove it? We'll bring your brother back, but we'd like to see an example of how you plan to deal with the disrespectful way he spoke to you today.

Would that be acceptable to you, Mr. Millions? Put our minds at ease that we have nothing to worry about with leaving your brother to you. If your example is satisfactory enough we may even be able to wave his fine this one time.

[Knives can feel his anger burning him up.

These so-called people want Vash to supplicate himself for their enjoyment?? How disgusting. How despicable.

He responds to Vash's voice in his head.] They want me to force you to beg for my forgiveness for threatening me today.

[The sick part is that not too long ago, Knives would have killed to make Vash do such a thing. He had killed in the hopes that Vash would eventually come crawling to his side.

But he didn't want that like this. He didn't want it on someone else's terms. What he wanted was to kill all of them for daring to view his brother this way.]

Very well.

PSL for arkfall

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