genessia | video + action

[ Mercury, never content to just start the feed focused on his face like a normal human being, instead backflips into the frame shortly after the video begins. What might be most surprising to anyone who knows him is his change of attire - instead of the same outfit he wears pretty much every single freaking day, he's in what appears to be some kind of uniform. Blue buttondown shirt, darker blue slacks and a hat of matching color, a nice pair of shoes... he kind of looks like-- ]

Ta-da! Guess who works for the post office!

[ Yeah. That. ]

Well, the Nova City branch anyway. So anyone who lives around here can expect to be seeing a lot more of me soon. Right on your doorstep, even! I can hardly wait.

... I won't be the one delivering the paper, though, so don't whine to me about broken windows.

[ He winks at the camera, leaning in as if to turn it off... but pauses for just a moment. ]

Oh, uh. Right. If any of the other city's guardians could shoot me a line? There are things I'd like to discuss. Sooner rather than later, please and thank you!

[ Now he clicks the feed off. ]

========

PRIVATE TO: Emerald Sustrai

[ ... or at least clicks the feed to a private channel. ]

Tell me your jaw didn't just drop.

=========

ACTION: Nova City

[ Mercury, on the job and dressed for it, is making his way to the addresses he's assigned to for the day with a sack full of letters and such slung over his back. Feel free to intercept him, or have him show up at your door with some stuff.

Or, perhaps, talk about delivering something outside the normal postal system. He's not opposed to some smuggling work on the side. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Well, they are at least mutually uncomfortable now. She's not sure whether he's genuine or not. So she's not sure how to approach this.

Not that he hasn't earned any scorn she dishes at him.]

Gave up or stopped caring?

Edited 2016-05-18 05:32 (UTC)

Both.

[ It's a blunt reply - he's barely even started trying to take this conversation seriously and it's already grating on him. It's easier to repress emotions than actually deal with them.

Except anger. He's really good at using that. ]

I guess it's pointless to ask you about second chances when I sure as hell don't believe in them.

[Her natural instinct towards anything that makes her uncomfortable is to make an exit. But that's....that's something she's always hated about herself. So she'll fight it a bit longer.

This is really weird, though. Mercury Black is almost acting human.]

But you did ask. [She looks thoughtful.] Would it change something if you did believe in them?

[ He actually lets out a laugh, though it's a quiet and not terribly pleasant one. ]

Yeah, I'd probably be dead.

[ ... apparently that's funny? ]

[She doesn't see the joke.]

But you made a deal with Weiss anyway - and don't you stand a better chance of living if people aren't constantly after you for being a jackass? [A simple, if not blunt observation. Yep, putting up her own walls that include dry humor and sarcasm.]

Edited 2016-05-18 06:14 (UTC)

[ It's really only funny to him. ]

Weiss made an offer that I'd be an idiot to refuse. I'm not saying I won't accept a second chance - or that I won't use it now that I've been given one.

That doesn't mean I think it was a smart idea for her to offer in the first place. I'm sure you must have thought she was crazy, too.

[Careful, Blake.]

She's my teammate. And no, I don't like it. But I'll stand behind her anyway.[That's all she has to say about that.]

[ God, these kids were dumb. What would possibly drive someone to this kind of loyalty? If he was following someone and they made a move he thought was just the stupidest goddamn thing, he'd be out as quick as he possibly could. He's not going to get dragged down by someone else's mistakes. That's not how you survive.

And yet it seemed like everyone was willing to throw themselves headfirst into loyalty and friendship, without regard for their own well-being.

Morons.

He just couldn't understand it.

But he could use it.

...

he can't fucking believe he's having this serious conversation in this dumb uniform ]

So are you going to give me a chance?

[She gives him a long serious look. Anyone else might be sincere. And maybe he is. But that doesn't mean he earns her trust on a dime. He and Emerald are good at manipulating people. She wonders if they even know how to stop.]

Armin.
Why did you kill him?

[It was out before she even realized she'd meant to say it. But maybe his answer depends on her answer.]

It was something to do.

[ It's a simple, matter-of-fact statement. Remorseless. Honest, though. ]

In hindsight, though, it was stupid. I'm not saying I've had a change of heart, or that I'm sorry. I'm just not dumb enough to make that mistake again. Picking fights I can't win isn't a hobby I'm about to dive into.

[That it was truth doesn't soften the look of disgust she is giving him. But it was the truth. Which is why it's disgusting, but a start.]

It was Weiss that gave you that chance. You want one from me? I already have by not hunting you down. But if you betray her...

[There's really no need to say anything.]

You're doing yourself a favor by not coming after me... and I don't just mean because it'd technically be illegal, now.

[ Just because he's playing don't-break-the-law doesn't mean he's playing nice. ]

Anyway, relax. I've got a good thing going. I'm not gonna botch it.

We'd see, wouldn't we? [Double meaning can be taken for for both of his statements.]

Edited 2016-05-20 05:38 (UTC)

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