Day 3

[collateraltsunage]

[During a lull during the trail after Ema's expulsion, Meryl is once again pulling Wolfwood aside]

[This time, it's only Wolfwood]

... Mr. Wolfwood. If you have a moment, I'd like to speak with you.

[SHE ALREADY FEELS A HEADACHE COMING ON]

Comments

[s2g]

[ something focused and intense in his expression the second he sees her comin' his way; coming back to a problem he'd forgotten about, almost, but not surprised. not even a little.

and she knows damn well all he's got is moments. eyes flicking to the side, making sure there's no one stopping to listen in. ]

Got somethin' new to say, short girl?

[collateraltsunage]

[WHY IS SHE EVEN TALKING TO THIS GUY]

[Meryl's made sure they were alone before speaking, of course, but she double-checks out of habit when he does. Then she stares directly at him, matching his intense expression for a measuring one]

Some things to ask you, actually.

[s2g]

[ girl's a spitfire.

more than the usual. ]

Usually it's the priest askin' the questions, but shoot.

[collateraltsunage]

[That may be because she's]

[GETTIN REEL TIRED OF YOUR BULLSHIT]

If you have any for me, feel free. I don't trust this operation, and I can see that you don't, either. [And there's Vash, of course, who knows what kind of damage or situations he'd get into if left unattended? She feels her blood pressure rising just thinking about it]

So I would like for us to work together in case our suspicions turn out correct.

[s2g]

[ well buckle in, sister, because there's more left where all this is comin' from. ]

And what's working together entail?

[ are you surprised he knows the word "entail" ]

[collateraltsunage]

[SOMEWHAT, YES.]

Honesty. Both of us staying in this so-called game and sharing information.

[Do you think you can manage that.]

...Keeping an eye on that idiot.

[s2g]

[ what does she figure he does? turn a blind eye on him? that ain't what Knives let him live for. ]

Honesty, huh. [ there's that look again ]

[collateraltsunage]

[Okay but even manga Meryl wouldn't know about your little deal with Knives, l'Oreal commercial edition]

Do you think you can manage that?

[Stop giving her looks.]

[s2g]

[ make him. ]

You the other detective?

[collateraltsunage]

[She may be short, but all the better to nutpunch you with]

No.

What is your role?

[s2g]

[ so much for getting information. he realises he didn't actually have anywhere to go with this topic if she said "no", and shrugs. ]

Like I said before, I ain't against ya. If anyone starts gettin' ideas about knocking you or needlenoggin outta the race, I'll scatter 'em. That's my role.

[collateraltsunage]

[She hopes he doesn't mean that in a literal sense, considering the amount of teenagers and children present.]

What exactly do you mean by that?

[s2g]

Exactly what I said.

[ #helpful ]

[collateraltsunage]

[SQUINTS SUSPICIOUSLY]

You have the ability to do this?

[s2g]

[ he needs this. he needs someone to watch his back, even if it's this watchdog of a girl. he needs it, now, even if he might not later. and he's already stuck his neck out, so.

stressing, ] I ain't against ya.

[ but. ]

[collateraltsunage]

So you're a spy. [Bluntly, still squinting. She can put two and two together!!]

The magician spy?

[s2g]

[ god, say it a little louder, why don't you.

shrugs. ] You've heard what you needed to, girl.

[collateraltsunage]

[This is a locked post, you weenie]

...The other spies. Who are the other spies?

[s2g]

[ ohhhhh, girrrrrl ]

You'll find out eventually.

[collateraltsunage]

[A little too sharply:]

I thought you were on our side?

[s2g]

[ he knows full well she knows that isn't what he meant ]

For the last time, I said I wasn't against you. [ and if he was, he wouldn't have slapped a big ol' do-not-touch sticker over her the other night. but since she's being troublesome now, he isn't gonna bother mentioning that he did. ] Count your blessings, short girl.

[collateraltsunage]

[There's a brief moment of silence in which she softens, as if in deliberation, and then she sighs and rubs her temple]

I meant what I said, Mr. Wolfwood. I don't trust this so-called game and our so-called host. I would like to work with you. [Not that she particularly trusts him, but if things go south as she suspects they well, she would feel better with him around. Especially with the amount of children and naive teenagers present]

For that reason, I'm telling you this much: you're currently under suspicion.

[s2g]

[ she doesn't want to see him when he's not cooperating with someone.

in a tone of "oh, well then": ] Guess that means you'll have to help me get out of it.

[ now, doesn't it ]

[collateraltsunage]

[She doesn't want to see him at all!!!]

Heavy suspicion. I've been trying- [Her defense was basically "this guy is always shady"] -but there's only so much I can do.

[And here he's getting a pointed look] If I had more information I could do more.

[s2g]

[ shoulda figured she wouldn't be above blackmail.

he can't lose here. he needs that wish, that second chance to put a hole in that fucker's head, for real this time. ]

An eye for an eye.