Roleplaying
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Seminars
| When: | 25 October 2004 |
| Who: | Alexander, Elizabeth, Megumi, Zaman |
| What: | Alexander rants about safety, masks are discussed, and a lighter is stolen. |
East - Austin
There are 'problem areas,' and then there are 'urban wastelands.' Much of he East Side of Austin fits into the latter category. It runs from the Capitol all the way to the eastern city limits, walled in by the University and the Colorado River in the south and an invisible line known only to the street-smart in the north. A reasonably comfortable buffer zone in the east-central and around the highways keeps the worst part of the city from mingling with the best and most important, and it is there that Austin has its most ambitious revitalization projects. The further east one goes, however, the faster the city seems to take an ungraceful dive into vice and decay. The exact opposite of the West Side, much of the East is a true barrio. The streets are unabashedly dirty, littered with both material trash and people, sitting or standing or walking aimlessly by the wayside.
Alexander is prowling around the edges of the burnt out area - now that the cops have gone and the scavengers moved in, he moves with them. But unlike the others, he's not grabbing stuff and hauling it away. Instead he kneels, inspecting walls, and looking - when he can find it - at the burn patterns, tracing the black soot with his fingers idly.
Elizabeth looks quite out of place for this burnt-out area in her suit and pearls. She walks among the rubble tentatively, stepping carefully to keep her shoes clean. For once, her ubiquitous briefcase is replaced by an aluminum case-clipboard. Upon spotting Alex, her step slows, and she hangs back a bit, outside of his immediate ambit of inspection.
Zaman strolls down the street, neither his normal attire or his usual confident gait dimmed in the slightest for his surroundings. In fact he seems to be wearing a broad grin, not showing any sign of worry about where it is that he's striding. He bears a briefcase in one hand while the other is perched in his jacket pocket. He seems to be nearing the site of the fire.
Alexander rises to his feet, dusting his hands off on his pants and looking around slowly. He spots both Elizabeth and Zaman. Muttering to himself, he moves over the rubble, picking his way carefully as glass and ruined bits of metal and drywall crunch beneath his feet - and squish. The area's still soaked from the fire department's efforts. "Zachary. Elizabeth. Not th' sorta place I'd expect to see either of ya."
Megumi arrives a little later than most of the others, this time with a camera. She too is heading towards the site of the fire, though choosing a different path than Zaman. She glances towards the grouping but doesn't say 'hallo' or anything to them, instead chosing to take pictures of the destruction. No briefcase, just a camera.
Elizabeth notices Zachary as Alex's speech bring him to her attention. She says, "Zachary! I hadn't even noticed you there." Returning to Alex, she says dryly, "And it's a pleasure to meet you, too. I see that your manners are still as refined as I would expect."
"I go where I am needed." Zaman replies to Alexander with a grin, nodding slightly as a way of greeting to the other man. Then he pays Elizabeth a glance, "No worries. It seems you were right, Donahue informed me this morning that we might get involved in this mess; decided I'd have a look."
"My manners were stunned by finding ye both here. This isn't th' sorta place ye just want to wander around." Alexander glances up at the sky significantly. "Particularly not after dark. I'm a gennelman compared to most sorts. There's people tryin' ta move in now that there's this nice big vacuum." He spots the kid with the camera, but leaves her alone. Her doesn't know her well enough that if she wants to be stupid... "Ah. Legalities. Who's gettin' sued?"
"Crime evidently pays," Elizabeth murmurs, "at least well enough to afford some top-flight lawyers. But I believe that Zachary's specialty is criminal cases, not civil. Unless I miss my guess, he has been retained by some of the suspects in this matter." She slants a glance at Zachary. "Am I wrong?"
"I can't say exactly who, mind you. I've run my mouth a tad much already, but there's not much I can do about that. I didn't expect to you see either of you here, and that would give up the game in any case." Zaman replies with a shrug of his shoulders. "No harm done, however." The lawyer's eyes roam over the rubble, "Really did a number on this place, didn't they?"
"Fight The Man.", Megumi says, without much seriousness, as she continues taking pictures. "Where was Remy standing when he nearly got hit by shrapnel? Perhaps part of his hat is still lying around somewhere.", she murmurs.
Alexander shrugs slowly at Zaman. "Someone came in with an accelerant. That wasn't no 'gas line' fire." He waves at some of the flame patterns on the shells of the walls. "Someone poured somethin' fast burning on the outside, an' lit it up." He finishes making his way past the worst of the rubble. "But I'm jes' an amateur. Fire department'd know better." Megumi gets a suspicious glare at her comments. "Don't go pokin' around in there, kid. It's not stable."
Elizabeth points down the road, a bit past Alexander. "Further down, Megumi, and on the right side of the road" she says. "He was on the street, so you won't need to actually go into any of the buildings."
Megumi says, "Oh good, I would hardly want to go inside anything -now-, I just came to take pictures.", she nods to Alexander politely before continuing on to look along the street for Remy's hat-bits, taking Elizabeth at her word.
Zaman only now glances at Megumi, and the look he sends her is one of sly amusement but he doesn't offer her any comment. "You seem quite knowledgeable about fire, Mr. Alexander. However, I'd have a hell of a time qualifying you as an expert witness." Zaman says with a dry chuckle, giving the rubble another sweep of his gaze before turning to Elizabeth. "I hope you didn't believe a word that that girl said. She's just fishing for trouble."
Alexander shrugs. "Dun need me ta witness. Get someone else ta come look, he'll prolly say the same." He rolls his shoulders slowly. "An yeah. I like fire - s'what keeps ya warm, but if ye let it get outta control..." He waves at the ruins behind him. Alexander listens to Zaman's comments about Megumi, and files them away. Interesting.
Elizabeth frowns at Zachary, her brow furrowed. "Do you really think she was lying to me, Zachary? She did seem to have quite the interest in Remy and his hat earlier." She bites her lip, stepping a bit back into the light. "... Although she does seem to be more than a little mischievous."
Megumi says, "Zachary, I had and still have Elizabeth's best interests at heart. I have offended her at first, and I still do not believe I have made it up to her, perhaps I never will, ah well." She finds hat bits, and turns her attention away from the conversation to pick up hat bits. She gathers them up quickly as with finely tuned obsession.
Zaman shrugs at Megumi's comment, maybe a little off-guard that she could hear him, but whatever discomfort he felt shrugged off within moments. "I can gaurantee that she was lying. Especially if she conveyed anything about the results of my question. I'm fairly sure you didn't send her, but, Elizabeth, if you want to know anything you can just ask me. I won't be offended nor will I offend you. I hold myself to higher standards than that."
Alexander sighs faintly, rubbing the bridge of his nose with a slightly sooty hand. "Okay, the kid's insane." He drops the hand to glare at Elizabeth and Zaman. "Zachary, Elizabeth. This isn't really th' best place for that." He glances up at the darkening sky, and then around at the growing pools of dark outside the intermittent lamp posts. "Ye have ta know this isn't a good neighborhood."
Elizabeth inclines her head and says, "Thank you, Zachary. That is good to hear. I assure you, I most emphatically did not send her to you." At Alex's words, she steps forward into the shadow again, moving closer to Alexander. "I know it isn't," she says calmly. "I was here for a gunfight, remember. But how much danger can we be in with you here to protect us?"
Megumi does a 'twirl' as Alexander says 'insane' but she probably didn't hear it. All the same, it doesn't take her much time at all to pick up the hat bits, and stuff it into her pocket. She returns to the others, camera bouncing against her chest. "That must have been a really amazing fire. I wonder if it will happen again."
Alexander grins in the shadows. "Well... not as much. But some - there's gangs in here, and they love pretty women and rich lookin' gentlemen. Fer different reasons, but I'm sure you catch my meanin'." He glances at Megumi, his face darkening into a frown. "People died in that fire..."
"I am not afraid to walk in any street of this city or any other city." Zaman replies calmly to Alexander, nodding slowly to Elizabeth but shutting his trap as Megumi approaches. "Perhaps it will perhaps it won't. We'll just have to see, I suppose. Though I don't think that gang violence will be allowed to escalate to this magnitude again, unless they start a riot, of course."
"You flatter me, Alex." Elizabeth smiles faintly. "I'm not particularly pretty; I know better than that. But thank you for the warning nonetheless." She moistens her lips and looks out into the shadows, eyes narrowing. "I hope it doesn't come to a riot."
Megumi looks towards Alexander, "I thought you said they were all gangers, didn't you, Alex? I'm sorry if I misheard. Though I guess even gangers don't just up and earn death, but I think you think they sort of had it coming, Alex. If there were others, well, they have my pity." She takes another picture. "My comments were about the fire alone, of course, not any horrors it may have caused," she sighs, "but at least I salvaged the remains of Remy's hat, so we can give it a proper burial. That is the good I can do now."
Alexander regards Zaman for a long moment before muttering, "Maybe you aren't at that." He shakes his head slowly. "Not a riot. Not... yet, at least. If things keep going, and aren't stabilized... who knows. Theft and fighting and territorial idiocy - it might not take all that much." He glances at Megumi. "...I said nothing of the sort - and I suggest you move out of here as well - this place is. not. safe. You may not fear it, but lack of fear doesn't change the facts." He shakes his head. "A hat. A F***ing hat."
"Really. I have my trusty briefcase full of bullet-proof argumentation and you have a high school diploma. A hat is not worth all that much, especially one blown to bits." Zaman chides Megumi lightly, the amusement he's deriving from it unmistakeable. "If it does come to that extreme, hopefully it can be contained in East Austin. I think we can count on that. I can't say what the climate for gang activity is; but if they're willing to go to some trouble burning down a building...Well, I don't need to finish."
Elizabeth says to Megumi, "You know, Alex is probably correct. This isn't a very good part of town, and you are younger and hence more attractive than I am. Every cautions he gave to myself and Zachary should apply even more strongly to a small young woman like yourself."
Megumi says, "Oh, what -did- you say, then, Alex? Refresh my unfortunate memory, would you?" She is about to look on over to Alex and say more, but Elizabeth thieves away her attention. "I-...wha?" She leans forward. "But -you- have -freckles-." She seems to think this makes a lot of difference, "However, if I leave alone, I might get ambushed, so-you know, I'm stuck with you guys," and then she mumbles, "It's not just a hat, it was...an important hat. And I don't have a high school diploma yet, maybe I'll fail all my classes and never get to college and I'll need to use these hat-bits to patch my clothing." She glances to Alex, "Er, they are usable right? Do you want them?"
"No." Alexander glares at Megumi for a long moment, and turns away from her. "I don't have time to listen to you babble. If you want to walk out of here, fine." He starts down the street, occasionally glancing into the mouths of alleyways. "Follow me," he says over his shoulder, reaching into his pocket for one of his rolled cigarettes. "Not much ta see here in the dark anyhow, Zachary, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth quirks a lopsided smile at Zachary, shrugs, and follows after Alex. "So, ah... where are you taking us, Alex?"
Zaman shrugs, "Not even out of high school yet? You sure do like to play your games at late hours for a school night. Oh well, not like I didn't go to school myself." Zaman winks at Megumi before turning back to Elizabeth, "I see no reason why we shouldn't follow." And then sets off at a brisk, casual pace.
Megumi winks back at Zaman, and doesn't retort to much of anybody. She follows along and says, "That wasn't very nice, Alex, don't be a bad influence. I have a hard enough time remaining proper as is."
"Someplace less dangerous. With a safer way to walk out." Alexander sticks to the main streets, where most of the lamp posts are lit. Already the 'nightlife' of the area is coming out, occasional catcalls coming from dark alley mouths. He simply ignores Megumi.
Elizabeth darts glances out into the darkness, trying to see where the catcalls and such are coming from. Her eyes are bright, even as she clutches her aluminum clipboard against her chest.
"Now now, Elizabeth, let's not jump at shadows. There are worse things out there than petty hooligans and small-time thugs." Zaman replies with an air of calm and confidence. "Besides, you're with friends. There is safety in numbers, as they say. We rarely get to see this side of the city, and I thank Mr. Alexander for giving us a tour, short as it is."
Megumi says, "Oh if I was a hooligan, I certainly wouldn't want to mess with Alex.", she slows down a bit at the catcalls, but only for a moment. "Thank you for being a gentleman."
Alexander smirks. "One or two of them tried to roll me, when I first drifted into town. They leave me alone now." He doesn't go into much more detail, slowing down and moving between Elizabeth and the dark alleys where the catcalls come from with a frown. "Not much furthur." Zaman earns himself a slightly raised eyebrow about worse things being abound in the night.
A glittering smile breaks across Elizabeth's face as she looks at Zachary, and she says, "Oh, I'm sure there are. Isn't this all just terribly exciting?" Her voice is husky, and she licks her lips as she looks back into the shadows. As Alex interposes his body between her and the darkness, she frowns slightly, shooting Alex a quick, irritated look.
Alexander catches the look, and sighs before lengthening his stride again.
"Exciting? No." Zaman replies. "This isn't a thrill ride, however interesting or educating it may be. No need to try and pretend that it is, we are asked not that we should find life full of enthusiam but that we should get by in it. Before you go spouting off as I know you are-" Zaman looks pointedly at Megumi, "I am well aware that I'm rambling. But what better time to ramble than under streetlights surrounded by darkness? Kant himself couldn't have asked for better atmosphere in which to philosophize."
Elizabeth rolls her eyes and says, "Zachary, who would have thought that you would prove an old fuddy-duddy? As long as one is getting by in life, one might as well enjoy the trip. For that matter-" She frowns. "-even if one isn't getting by, why not relish however much one can? There is no particular virtue to being bored." She skips ahead to catch up with Alex.
Megumi hms at Zaman, "Oh no, I don't mind rambling, or conversation, or speeches either. I prefer the written word, but hearing it vocally can be just as good or better." She smiles, "I'm sorry," and then she nods to Alexander, "You made quite an impression. I hope none of them tried to touch your lighter."
Alexander smirks faintly at the mention of his lighter. "Oh, that's what got them interested..." He shakes his head, and gestures to a well lit intersection up ahead, near the edge of the worse neighborhood. A small hole-in-the-wall taqueria is open, the scent of grease and spices wafting out from it. He glances at Elizabeth with an arched eyebrow as she comes skipping up. "This is mostly safe - the local cop patrol likes this place, so even the stupid have figured out to leave it alone..."
Zaman chuckles at Elizabeth, "Fuddy-duddy? I'm hurt." The lawyer says with mock anguish. "I think the word is tact, while we may be intersted, appalled, and run the whole gamut of emotions at this little walk I don't think we're allowed to be excited about it as you put it, that is something that seem uncultured and uncouth; something low. And I don't think we have the intention of low men and women." His gaze goes to the intersection, paying the taqueria a quick glance before nodding slightly. "Thank you, Alexander. Very considerate of you."
Elizabeth smirks at Alexander and asks sweetly, "Does that happen with everyone who tries to roll you, Alex? That they leave you alone from then on?" She looks at the tacqueria and grimaces faintly. She looks back over her shoulder at Zachary and says haughtily, "Speak for yourself, sir. I am in no way lowered by finding myself excited by uncouth things."
Alexander laughs at Elizabeth's question, grinning a bit wider. "Pretty much. I don't like people who try and steal from me - sure, sometimes they come back with a few friends, but it never really goes well for them." He rolls his shoulders and cracks his neck. He grins at Zachary. "Zach... I am a low man. I /live/ down here..."
Megumi looks around the area. She actually seems interested. Of course, knowing 'safe' places is always important. She says, "Mmhmm, I apologize for my rudeness, Alex." She gives him a deep bow.
Alexander nods to Megumi. "Apology accepted, kid. Jes'... y'can knock off that bowin' crap."
Zaman chuckles lightly, "Low is a state of mind, not a state of being, Mr. Alexander. A low person would not try and lead us to supposed safety when it is only his conscience telling him to do it." Then, he must administer his theory to Elizabeth. "As I said, attitude. There are few assistant professors that I would call low." At Megumi's gesture he only smiles.
Elizabeth drops Zachary a quick curtsey and says, "I shall choose to assume that you do not number me among those few and thank you for the compliment. Please, if I am mistaken, don't correct me." Answering Alex, she schools her face to a neutral expression and asks blandly, "So, out of curiosity, what precisely would the consequences be of such an attempt to steal your lighter, or otherwise 'roll' you?"
Megumi says, "It was how I was brought up, but I'll try.", she glances to Elizabeth, and imagines unsightly things.
Alexander shrugs slowly. "Depends on why and how they try. Desperate hungry sorts I usually just glare at - the ones who try and beat me up for it, or just doin' crap like that for th'sense a power, or meanness..." He pauses. "Them, I usually beat th' tar outta."
"What about the ones who do it just to provoke you?" Elizabeth asks innocently.
Zaman's shoulders shake as he chuckles at Elizabeth's response, maintaining his good cheer. "Then I shall remain silent on the matter, Elizabeth." He says in response to the professor comments, now watching the exchange between her and Alexander with interest.
Alexander considers the follow question gravely. "Y'know.. I don't think that's every happened yet. I'd have ta do somethin' ta get it back. Might even have ta be forceful about it." He smirks slightly, shrugging a bit. Megumi is given a quick glance. "Y'may have grown up with it, but... yeah."
"Ah, I see," Elizabeth says delicately. She smiles brightly at Megumi and asks, "So tell us more about yourself, dear. Where is your family from, that you were brought up to bow like that?"
Megumi coughs, "Well, it wasn't so much family, so much as having spent a good deal of time in Japan.", she rubs a bit at her forehead, "I very much prefer Austin."
"Japan? A place I have not had the pleasure of visiting." Zaman interjects himself into the conversation. "But that would explain not only your willingness to enter environments like this and the bowing." He observes, "Whose food do you like better? I imagine the selection is similar. Maybe more diverse depending on where you are."
Alexander listens to the conversation turn to Japan with a small frown, leaning against a lamppost with his arms folded over his chest. "Y'know, if you want to talk about that sort of stuff, there's better places. This place is safer, not completely safe."
Elizabeth looks at Alex quizzically. "What's wrong with talking about Japanese culture, Alex? It doesn't sound like a particularly dangerous topic to me. We're making small talk about Megumi's background."
"You're standin' around makin' small talk on the edge of one of the most dangerous neightborhoods of th' city, at night." replies Alex.
Megumi says, "I'd have to think about that answer anyway, I don't want to say one thing and then realize my opinion was entirely wrong. I think it depends, though." She glances to Alex, watches him for a moment, and then adds, "It may not be dangerous conversation, but it is dangerous to have a conversation here all the same, right?"
"I know," Elizabeth says to Alex. "I rather like the idea."
"This is your shortcut, Alexander." Zaman replies carefully. "If you wish to continue to lead, then lead. I have to admit it'd take me a few moments to get my bearings here. At any rate." He keeps good on his no-fear promise with a smooth transition to Megumi. "Very well then. I can't evaluate the culture anyway."
Alexander points down one of the streets. "That way's the way out. I need to stick around here - I'm doin' some pokin' around fer somebody." He blinks at Elizabeth and then barks a laugh. "You would."
Elizabeth gasps, clutching her hands to her chest melodramatically. "Alex! How can you say such things about me?" she protests. "What are you trying to imply?"
Megumi murmurs, "Good luck finding what you're looking for, Alex," she looks down the street but doesn't head down there yet, though she does look down it. "Dun, dun, dun," she murmurs.
"He's saying you're a shameless thrillseeker who delights in putting herself and her comrades in danger just to get a little shot of adrenaline." Zaman explains to Elizabeth with a grin. "At least, that's what I think."
Alexander just grins. "Nuthin'. M'just saying y'seem to like a little risk in your life. Nothin' wrong with that - risk can be a great deal of fun." He pushes away from the lamppost with his shoulders, moving to step closer to Elizabeth. "As for how I can say 'em... well. Do ye' deny it?" He glances at Zaman, and shrugs. "I wouldn't put it quite like that tho..."
Elizabeth lifts her chin defiantly to continue looking at Alex as he invades her personal space. "I am /not/ a shameless thrillseeker who delights in putting herself and her comrades in danger just to get a little shot of adrenaline. Zachary and Megumi can leave any time they like, since you have shown them the way. If they choose to remain in danger, the responsibility is theirs," she clarifies.
"I like how she adopted my word anyway." Zaman replies to Alexander with a wide grin. He's enjoying this.
Alexander grins even more widely as Elizabeth tirades at him, even as he shifts his posture to try and loom over Elizabeth. "I never said you were. I just said you like a little excitement in your life - just like I do. And I've been trying to get those two to get to safety pretty much since they started followin' me around." He nods sharply. "B'sides. Big shots of adrenaline are MUCH better."
Elizabeth draws herself up straighter in responses to Alex's looming. He still has the advantage on her by a few inches, though. "Better, are they?" she hisses, "Then why don't you tell me how you propose to get such 'big shots' of adrenaline?"
"Please, let's think of the children watching." Zaman says playfully to the two, not trying to loom but maintaining his presence all the same.
Alexander is ignoring Zaman and Megumi completely at this point, all of his grinning attention on Elizabeth. "Yes! How? Fights, chases... the hunt and pursuit! Sneaking around in the dark upon some unsuspecting bastard who's got what's about to hit him coming," he rumbles, arms spreading wide.
Megumi says, "Hm? What?", she isn't paying much attention either. "Oh, pretend I'm not here, if you like."
Elizabeth bares her teeth at Alex - it can't really be described as a smile. "Are you telling me that you criminally assault people, Alex?" she asks, a note of warning in her voice. "Be careful; you wouldn't want me to turn you in, and I doubt you can afford Zachary's rates for your defense."
"Observe this carefully, my dear." Zaman says quietly to Megumi, his voice barely a rasp. "See the true character rise to the surface, but we can't say that yet, can we? Masks, masks, masks. It's all part of the game; and now we're seeing it one on one, head to head, who will crack, who will falter?"
Megumi says, after Zaman speaks, as if quoting something, "The only mask worth wearing is Hamlet's mask, for the mask of madness, the mask of nothing reveals all masks for what they are. It teaches the rules of the game and shatters those that try to play it, but the mask of madness and oblivion has a weakness, and that is self-destruction, for if there is no mask to destroy, the only thing left is the self. To thy own self be true, and you can do away with the game altogether."
Alexander bares his own teeth right back, like a wolf or a madman. "Yes, I am telling you I do that! I have to, to survive. And the people I beat up /deserve/ it. Either by starting the fight in the first place, or by being cruel bastards to every living thing around them." His grin twists. "And they'll never charge me - rules of this place. The cops don't care if another gangbanger gets beat up - less work for them."
"Shakespeare was a hack, but I think the only thing he has to do with that is Hamlet." Zaman declares with a slight shrug, still watching the exchange. "What do you think, my dear, your opinion this time, no automation. What do you think of this? My conclusions are drawn; but what of yours? Is this sport? Is it a capital T truth or is it just a freak occurence? All three are possible."
Elizabeth steps forward, close enough to Alex to make out the pores on his face. "How dare you?" she asks in a low, flat voice. "How dare you take the law into your own hands? By what right, by whose authority do you take upon yourself to condemn others?"
Alexander glares down at Elizabeth. "How dare I? How dare I not! By the rights of those these scum crush day in and day out with none to stop them!" His voice is low and deadly now, dangerous. "I don't claim any authority, or dispensation. I do it because no one else will!"
Megumi glances to Alexander and adds, "Oh, -some- do.", in reference to the cops. And then a pause. She turns. She stares at Zaman. Just...stares. She is stunned. Silent? Yes. She could not believe that anyone would even -think- of Shakespeare as a -hack-, let alone actually speak it! And so, confronted with that belief, Megumi is...at a loss. "A -hack-?", she sputters, staring in horror, "A hack?", she steps away, rubbing at her temples, "Oh my, give me a moment, hearing that...is so distressing, I...just one moment, please.", she then turns around and looks right at Zaman, "My own opinion of masks are the same as I spoke. The mask of oblivion is dangerous if you use it on the wrong people, but if you use it on the right people you see through deception. I believe that to be Capital T Truth, I'm sure it -is- Capital T Truth. I did not begin this, it was you, if it's your game lay out the rules or the mask of oblivion is what you'll be pitted against, for though I quoted The Bard, I only do so because I have respect and trust in his words."
"Then you are both unoriginal and boring. Your words mean nothing and the faith you put behind antiquated allusions and symbols flimsy and false." Zaman returns without missing a beat to Megumi. "Now be silent. This has gotten very interesting."
Elizabeth's hand snakes out, grabbing the lighter from Alex's jacket pocket, and she runs off into the night.
Alexander litterally ROARS in fury as Elizabeth snags the lighter out of his pocket and takes off running. Stunned for an instant by the sheer audacity, he misses his first grab for her. Recovering, he pelts after her at a sprint.
Megumi says, "Oh? Unoriginal? Nay, sir, for I adapt beyond that. You see it as boredom as hackery, but that is because you do not understand them. You are not a Fool, you are an idiot who does not understand the game you are in!", she looks over to Elizabeth and tsks, "And she says she's not a thrillseeker," she looks back to Zaman, "Words of a lawyer, you would be a good defendent, but a horrible literary analyst," she looks after Alexander and shouts, "Don't let her get away! Hoorah! Hooray!", she looks back to Zaman and murmurs quietly to him, "Well it -is- interesting, I'll give you that."
Zaman throws back his head and laughs, long and hard. Megumi's words are lost to him, he's enjoying this far, far too much. Once the two are gone he settles himself, falling right back into place. "Come now, child, don't presume to insult your betters. You're the one who came to me in the middle of a restaurant and insisted I do your will. Gusty, but ultimately foolhardy. You lack tact. You lack guile. You lack the qualities that will make you great. You left me the easiest loophole I could have hoped for; and now you throw words fabricated four centuries ago and think of them as weapons. Adaption? You're stuck in the past, my dear. Wake up and smell the ashes, the old world burned a long time ago." With that he starts off down the street, back towards the more cultured side of the city.
Megumi says, "I left you a loophole because I thought you were smart, my only failing was in overestimating you. If you want modern words...Then how about this..."
Megumi coughs, as she follows Zaman and says, "Zachary, you are a Fucktard."
And then she continues in the other manner, "I do not believe the old world is burned at all, the old world is still very active, still very present, still very -here-. Your own presence confirms it. The day the old world -has- burned along, then very well, the words will be gone, very well, they will be antiquated, but just because some...ah...'retards' ruined the language, that doesn't mean it's gone. In your mind you don't know what the word 'best' is, you don't know the word 'should' either, but that is you, that is not Capital T Truth, and I know all about Capital T Truth and lowercase t truth as well, so please do not complain about my words, they are chosen for accuracy, not modernization and foolishness.", she quiets down, "When physical age is malleable, the only true age is that of the mind, so do not show yourself as an /infant/, please, in my presence. I am no babysitter. Your own logic is so wonderfully twisted but-", her voice lowers, "I wouldn't hang around Fado's anymore or the old world will tear you apart. Eventually. That is what -your- better says. Now go on, you have homework to do. And don't forget, loophole or no, your will bowed before -Mine-." of course, then she switches routes to her own haven.
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