[He pauses for a moment, trying to find a way to explain this that doesn't make it seem as Foolish as it truly was.]
I thought maybe there'd be a clue about why that kid ran off inside the car. But, um, he happened to look out the window and saw me while I was looking through it. [He rubs at the back of his neck.] I was going to just run, but then I thought he'd be able to catch up to me if he still had the car, and with the blood and what he was shouting and everything... I didn't really want him to.
[He's just going to leave off the part where he was a little shit. It's fine.]
[I CAN'T BELIEVE ONLY GOD AND THIS FUCKIN NPC KIDNAPPER KNOW ABOUT HUNTER'S HUBRIS.
His explanation is definitely logical and explained succinctly enough that Wei Wuxian is nodding in agreement, though.]
You gave me a heart attack at the time, but that's not a bad move, honestly... The last thing we need is you going missing on top of everyone else, especially if we're dealing with violence.
[He doesn't know about Brie yet or he'd be EVEN MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THESE PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF...]
Hmm. Then you'd better be careful, sir. [ He means Hunter... ] We can hide this car, but you can't hide your face. And who knows how long the owner will be out for blood? Anyway, hold on...
[ He trots back over to the house and hauls the garage door up. Most people use their garages for cars, but 9S uses it for his work; within are the 50 guns (and then some) that he's been working on, ranging from run-of-the-mill pistols to submachine guns to rifles. They line the walls neatly along with a variety of power tools, foot lockers, and mystery projects, fun experimental gadgets that Nines tinkered with but which 9S has abandoned. Considering the place is manned by a supposed teen, it might look surprisingly clean and organized.
9S starts moving tables and power benches over to make room for the car. ]
Sorry for worrying you. [And to 9S:] I'm sure it'll be fine.
[It's said casually before he gets into the car, carefully pulling it into the garage. As he does so and takes a look at everything, he gives a low whistle. He's still staring as he gets out.]
[ 9S nods, agreeing with Wei Wuxian agreeing with him. He has seen some things, and he's learned that people can be stupid vengeful over the vaguest of things. And there's nothing vague about some guy stealing your entire car. ]
Where'd I get them? Mail-order catalogue.
[ He says this brightly. But in truth, he isn't entirely sure. There are some things here that he is pretty sure civilians aren't supposed to own.
As he waits for Hunter to turn the engine off, he stops and looks the car over again. He saw lots of beat-down, rusted old cars on his Earth, but never any functioning ones. They're interesting little gadgets -- toys, really, compared to a YoRHa flight unit. But they have a sort of charm to them... ]
Say, are you sure you want me to take this apart? It would be a mighty shame.
[He could explain that he knows it's a dangerous situation but that he doesn't particularly care, but. That's opening a whole can of worms he doesn't want to get into, so instead, time to focus on the car!!]
I guess it's pretty cool looking, but... Someone's could come looking for it. You'd be in a lot of trouble if they found out it was here.
[Yeah humans are bad and weird and stupid and VIOLENT. Anyway yeah good thing Hunter doesn't get into that, Wei Wuxian's the only one here allowed to be self-deprecatingly self-sacrificial. Y'all get off his lawn.]
Mm, it's not like you could actually drive it around here even if you didn't take it apart. Who knows how many eyes will be on the lookout?
[THEY DON'T KNOW HOW BIG THIS RING IS IT COULD BE EVERYONE.]
[ 9S crosses his arms and stares at the car some more. Hunter and Wei Wuxian aren't wrong, but it would be such a waste to dismantle this car and just turn it into scrap metal. Maybe it's the post-apocalyptic hoarder in him, but there has to be some way to make use of this car... ]
Well, [he says slowly,] that might not be such a bad thing. We've been looking for the kidnappers all this time. Maybe it's time to let the kidnappers come to us.
[You GUYS he's got an ENTIRE APARTMENT FULL OF CHILDREN AND CHICKEN TO TAKE CARE OF!!
And the fact that he hums in agreement is exactly why everyone keeps being like "Wei Wuxian please do not get involved". They know.]
You might be on to something there... We'd have to leave it in a way that doesn't seem like an obvious trap, though. Maybe make it look like we ditched it near the river or something?
[Maybe don't say it like that BUT LIKE, HE'S NOT WRONG. Apparently Wei Wuxian has nothing else to say about making things fun via little surprises, though. He, too, is an agent of chaos.
Then, to 9S:] As long as you don't have to open or close this door too often, it should be fine.
[ 9S nods readily to the non-lethal thing because humans are valuable, or something, and also more importantly, information. ]
Oh, I keep it closed on principle. Even without a high-risk car around, I try not to advertise my collection to the neighbors. [ He pats the car. ] The only other person who should be seeing this thing will be my brother, and he isn't the nosy type.
[ Speaking of keeping the garage door closed, he should probably close the garage door. He hops up and grabs the edge of it. ]
Anything else you two need while you're here? First aid? Refreshments?
I'm good, thanks. [He glances towards WWX.] When do we want to do this...?
[But the mention of time makes him think of something, and he frowns before sighing. This is always weird to explain, and it's even tougher to find a way to explain it when one of them is currently AU'd. Hm.]
Also, um, one of you is going to have to get me when it's time. I have, uh - a disorder where I can't read clocks.
[What a good host though, so kind, so caring. He doesn't seem too fussed about leaving the car here or about 9S's apparent brother, trusting that he'd know best whether or not to trust the guy.
Instead he just gives Hunter a look... But it's not a suspicious one at least.]
Oh! You have dyscalculia? [FAIR, FAIR. He nods in understanding. Apparently that was discovered in 1919, god.] That's fine, we can let you know. How about we go for it sometime after the date auction? With all of the people that's going to draw out, it would probably be hard to do any sort of covert operation.
Uh - yeah, that. I have that. But that time sounds good to me.
[He's just making a mental note to himself to research what dyscalculia is so he can pretend to have it. It's fine. He kind of makes a face when 9S suggests that, though.]
No, I don't really... I mean, I'm not really a weapon kind of guy.
[It's one thing to make a plan where someone gets hurt, but it's different to imagine hurting someone himself.]
[WEIRD LITTLE BUGS LIKE DYSCALCULIA... 9S sure is learning a whole lot about humans, huh.
He just hums out his agreement with 9S's point, either way. The less time they leave Hunter just wandering around in the open, the BETTER. He doesn't want to hear Hunter's gone and gotten his stupid ass snatched up or murdered.]
Have you ever fired a gun before? It might be easier to just carry a knife if you haven't, but that would be much messier and they would have to get a lot closer to you.
[ He finishes closing the garage before kicking open a nearby foot locker and taking out a slightly beat up, puffy-looking vest. He tries to push it onto Hunter. ]
[It's hard not to wince a little bit, because he's certain this is going to earn him another Disapproving Look, but...]
I don't really, um, want either a gun or a knife.
[The vest, though... As he takes it, he shifts his shoulder almost unconsciously, giving a nod. He looks genuinely grateful, almost touched, as he looks back up at 9S.]
Thanks, man. Seriously. I'll make sure to bring it back when all this is over.
[He doesn't get a disapproving look exactly, because Wei Wuxian's all about that "keep kids out of The Crime Life" life, but he gets a marginally concerned one!]
Just be sure to stick close to town centers, then. Don't go out at night alone and try not to go at all, even if you have other people with you. We don't know how many numbers we're working against... I can write you a list of safe buildings too, if you want.
[BEST TO BE UNNECESSARILY PREPARED. As much as he thinks Hunter should consider carrying something just to be extra safe, it's not like that's the only way to go about it.]
[He still feels pretty flattered by the fact that they Care, but he's also getting uncomfortable with the focus being on him, so!]
Yeah. Hey - maybe we could write them all down and, like, pass them out to kids in the area. That way they have a lot of places to go if they're being chased and need to duck into somewhere close.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[He pauses for a moment, trying to find a way to explain this that doesn't make it seem as Foolish as it truly was.]
I thought maybe there'd be a clue about why that kid ran off inside the car. But, um, he happened to look out the window and saw me while I was looking through it. [He rubs at the back of his neck.] I was going to just run, but then I thought he'd be able to catch up to me if he still had the car, and with the blood and what he was shouting and everything... I didn't really want him to.
[He's just going to leave off the part where he was a little shit. It's fine.]
no subject
His explanation is definitely logical and explained succinctly enough that Wei Wuxian is nodding in agreement, though.]
You gave me a heart attack at the time, but that's not a bad move, honestly... The last thing we need is you going missing on top of everyone else, especially if we're dealing with violence.
[He doesn't know about Brie yet or he'd be EVEN MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THESE PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF...]
no subject
[ He trots back over to the house and hauls the garage door up. Most people use their garages for cars, but 9S uses it for his work; within are the 50 guns (and then some) that he's been working on, ranging from run-of-the-mill pistols to submachine guns to rifles. They line the walls neatly along with a variety of power tools, foot lockers, and mystery projects, fun experimental gadgets that Nines tinkered with but which 9S has abandoned. Considering the place is manned by a supposed teen, it might look surprisingly clean and organized.
9S starts moving tables and power benches over to make room for the car. ]
Alright, bring it around!
no subject
Sorry for worrying you. [And to 9S:] I'm sure it'll be fine.
[It's said casually before he gets into the car, carefully pulling it into the garage. As he does so and takes a look at everything, he gives a low whistle. He's still staring as he gets out.]
Where did you get all of these?
no subject
Don't be, it's not like you could have done anything else about it at the time. [EXCEPT BE LESS OF A SHIT WHILE STEALING THE CAR.]
But you should listen to Nines, too. This is a big city, but it's not that big.
[He'll just leave the gun-admiring to Hunter, though. What a silly kid. It's mafiatown, who doesn't own at least one gun!]
no subject
Where'd I get them? Mail-order catalogue.
[ He says this brightly. But in truth, he isn't entirely sure. There are some things here that he is pretty sure civilians aren't supposed to own.
As he waits for Hunter to turn the engine off, he stops and looks the car over again. He saw lots of beat-down, rusted old cars on his Earth, but never any functioning ones. They're interesting little gadgets -- toys, really, compared to a YoRHa flight unit. But they have a sort of charm to them... ]
Say, are you sure you want me to take this apart? It would be a mighty shame.
no subject
I guess it's pretty cool looking, but... Someone's could come looking for it. You'd be in a lot of trouble if they found out it was here.
no subject
Mm, it's not like you could actually drive it around here even if you didn't take it apart. Who knows how many eyes will be on the lookout?
[THEY DON'T KNOW HOW BIG THIS RING IS IT COULD BE EVERYONE.]
no subject
Well, [he says slowly,] that might not be such a bad thing. We've been looking for the kidnappers all this time. Maybe it's time to let the kidnappers come to us.
no subject
You mean, like, we leave it somewhere as bait and wait for the owner to come take it back while we stay nearby?
[He thinks about it for a long moment, before he looks towards WWX.]
I think it’s a good idea. I mean - better than just waiting around, for sure.
no subject
And the fact that he hums in agreement is exactly why everyone keeps being like "Wei Wuxian please do not get involved". They know.]
You might be on to something there... We'd have to leave it in a way that doesn't seem like an obvious trap, though. Maybe make it look like we ditched it near the river or something?
no subject
Sure. And I can think of a few little surprises we can plant in it, too. Let's make it fun!
[ He looks between Wei Wuxian and Hunter with a smile, pleased as punch. ]
The car can stay here until we're ready to move. How does that sound?
no subject
[Any other kind is fine. Probably.]
Sounds good to me. It'll be pretty well hidden as long as the garage is shut, right?
no subject
[Maybe don't say it like that BUT LIKE, HE'S NOT WRONG. Apparently Wei Wuxian has nothing else to say about making things fun via little surprises, though. He, too, is an agent of chaos.
Then, to 9S:] As long as you don't have to open or close this door too often, it should be fine.
no subject
Oh, I keep it closed on principle. Even without a high-risk car around, I try not to advertise my collection to the neighbors. [ He pats the car. ] The only other person who should be seeing this thing will be my brother, and he isn't the nosy type.
[ Speaking of keeping the garage door closed, he should probably close the garage door. He hops up and grabs the edge of it. ]
Anything else you two need while you're here? First aid? Refreshments?
no subject
[But the mention of time makes him think of something, and he frowns before sighing. This is always weird to explain, and it's even tougher to find a way to explain it when one of them is currently AU'd. Hm.]
Also, um, one of you is going to have to get me when it's time. I have, uh - a disorder where I can't read clocks.
[that's really what he's going with huh]
no subject
[What a good host though, so kind, so caring. He doesn't seem too fussed about leaving the car here or about 9S's apparent brother, trusting that he'd know best whether or not to trust the guy.
Instead he just gives Hunter a look... But it's not a suspicious one at least.]
Oh! You have dyscalculia? [FAIR, FAIR. He nods in understanding. Apparently that was discovered in 1919, god.] That's fine, we can let you know. How about we go for it sometime after the date auction? With all of the people that's going to draw out, it would probably be hard to do any sort of covert operation.
no subject
That works for me. The sooner, the better, though. If our man spots Mr. Hunter in the meantime, it could mean trouble.
[ Hunter isn't concerned about himself but 9S is!!!! He says to him: ]
Do you have anything to defend yourself with? Just in case. I wouldn't mind lending you something.
no subject
[He's just making a mental note to himself to research what dyscalculia is so he can pretend to have it. It's fine. He kind of makes a face when 9S suggests that, though.]
No, I don't really... I mean, I'm not really a weapon kind of guy.
[It's one thing to make a plan where someone gets hurt, but it's different to imagine hurting someone himself.]
no subject
He just hums out his agreement with 9S's point, either way. The less time they leave Hunter just wandering around in the open, the BETTER. He doesn't want to hear Hunter's gone and gotten his stupid ass snatched up or murdered.]
Have you ever fired a gun before? It might be easier to just carry a knife if you haven't, but that would be much messier and they would have to get a lot closer to you.
no subject
[ He finishes closing the garage before kicking open a nearby foot locker and taking out a slightly beat up, puffy-looking vest. He tries to push it onto Hunter. ]
It's bulletproof, tried and true.
no subject
I don't really, um, want either a gun or a knife.
[The vest, though... As he takes it, he shifts his shoulder almost unconsciously, giving a nod. He looks genuinely grateful, almost touched, as he looks back up at 9S.]
Thanks, man. Seriously. I'll make sure to bring it back when all this is over.
no subject
Just be sure to stick close to town centers, then. Don't go out at night alone and try not to go at all, even if you have other people with you. We don't know how many numbers we're working against... I can write you a list of safe buildings too, if you want.
[BEST TO BE UNNECESSARILY PREPARED. As much as he thinks Hunter should consider carrying something just to be extra safe, it's not like that's the only way to go about it.]
no subject
I wouldn't mind hearing about those safe buildings too. You never know when you might need to make a quick getaway.
no subject
Yeah. Hey - maybe we could write them all down and, like, pass them out to kids in the area. That way they have a lot of places to go if they're being chased and need to duck into somewhere close.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)