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[ They can both feel like shit about this later \o/ ]
I'll be there.
I'll be there.
Noted. I'll be in a purple shirt and have dark brown hair.
[ This is some kind of mistake. ]
[ This is some kind of mistake. ]
[ He doesn't respond to this for a while; the name isn't familiar and that he doesn't outright name Felix gives some cause for caution. When the reply finally does come, it's in text. For now. Sorry, buddy. ]
Who are you and what business needs discussing?
Who are you and what business needs discussing?
Why are you coming to me if you've already spoken with my partner?
Yes.
[ No point in hiding things, he guesses. ]
What is it you want?
[ No point in hiding things, he guesses. ]
What is it you want?
[ Unfortunately, Locus doesn't have the patience for these types of games. Sorry! ]
You've spoken to Felix. You know what my capabilities are already, otherwise you wouldn't have wasted your time contacting me to begin with.
This isn't a résumé. Either you want a job done correctly and efficiently or you don't.
You've spoken to Felix. You know what my capabilities are already, otherwise you wouldn't have wasted your time contacting me to begin with.
This isn't a résumé. Either you want a job done correctly and efficiently or you don't.
I find there is little to be diplomatic about in regards to the jobs we tend to do. Felix has more tolerance to appease. I do not.
My skill set is as you would imagine a mercenary to be. Here I am aided in stealth even more so as it is what I was granted upon entry to this world.
My skill set is as you would imagine a mercenary to be. Here I am aided in stealth even more so as it is what I was granted upon entry to this world.
I see.
[It's rare in Dooku's experience for mercenaries to actually describe themselves as mercenaries. They prefer to rely on euphemisms like 'security contractor' or 'troubleshooter' or 'bounty hunter.' This one is far blunter- honest, in his own way. An unusual quality in a hired gun, especially one who associates with someone like Felix.]
Stealth is a valuable quality for the job in question. I want to find out the current status of a Soviet weapon captured by the American government. It is called LACKEY.
[It's rare in Dooku's experience for mercenaries to actually describe themselves as mercenaries. They prefer to rely on euphemisms like 'security contractor' or 'troubleshooter' or 'bounty hunter.' This one is far blunter- honest, in his own way. An unusual quality in a hired gun, especially one who associates with someone like Felix.]
Stealth is a valuable quality for the job in question. I want to find out the current status of a Soviet weapon captured by the American government. It is called LACKEY.
[ It's what he is. Or was. Back home Felix and Locus were known mercenaries and Locus doesn't see the point in calling an apple anything other than an apple. They started as "bounty hunters" and made the shift. Here he just doesn't think it matters if he says so or not. ]
Just the status?
Just the status?
So more than just the status.
Fine. Felix has already shared the rest of the terms with me. Is there anything else I should know?
Fine. Felix has already shared the rest of the terms with me. Is there anything else I should know?
Then one of us will be in touch when we have further information.
[ Between dealing with Traci's texts and rounding up Leon, it takes Felix a while to leave Locus' house. It's neat, all the glitter and marshmallow-flavored cat puke cleaned up, and there are fresh sheets on the bed. Just like Locus in his fussy adherence to neatness and order likes.
But Felix isn't thinking about that as he and the lynx trudge back to his house. He's not thinking of the stuff he left there—he can get more stuff if he needs to do it—or the fact that he won't be able to appreciate the fruits of his decorating. He's not even really angry anymore. Though, he's pretending to be angry, that what he's feeling is anger and not a kind of hopeless futility that's verging too close to sadness for his liking.
Leon cavorts around like he's having the best time, pouncing on leaves and chasing rabbits into bushes, but he really livens up when they're nearing Felix's house. And by the time Felix gets the door open, Leon is shoving his way in and bounding into the living room like something great is in there waiting for him.
Really, that should've been a clue. But it takes Felix actually looking into the living room and seeing Locus there, with Leon purring to beat the band and trying to climb into his lap, to realize what's happened.
Sighing, he leans against the wall and folds his arms across his chest. He feels tired, he probably looks tired, and he certainly sounds tired when he opens his mouth. ]
I spent all day decorating your house for you to see it. Go on. [ He gestures in the direction of Locus' house. ] Go home.
But Felix isn't thinking about that as he and the lynx trudge back to his house. He's not thinking of the stuff he left there—he can get more stuff if he needs to do it—or the fact that he won't be able to appreciate the fruits of his decorating. He's not even really angry anymore. Though, he's pretending to be angry, that what he's feeling is anger and not a kind of hopeless futility that's verging too close to sadness for his liking.
Leon cavorts around like he's having the best time, pouncing on leaves and chasing rabbits into bushes, but he really livens up when they're nearing Felix's house. And by the time Felix gets the door open, Leon is shoving his way in and bounding into the living room like something great is in there waiting for him.
Really, that should've been a clue. But it takes Felix actually looking into the living room and seeing Locus there, with Leon purring to beat the band and trying to climb into his lap, to realize what's happened.
Sighing, he leans against the wall and folds his arms across his chest. He feels tired, he probably looks tired, and he certainly sounds tired when he opens his mouth. ]
I spent all day decorating your house for you to see it. Go on. [ He gestures in the direction of Locus' house. ] Go home.
[ It's not that he wants to offer an olive branch. But, he knows the gap needs to be mended or else it will end up like last time and that isn't particularly ideal. The fact of it all is that they're going to pick at one another. That probably isn't going to change no matter what. They may be trying to do things along a different path now, but the fact remains that they drive each other crazy and they know better than anyone how to piss the other one off.
Locus didn't really mean what he said. ...Well, that's not true, he did mean it, but he didn't mean to say it in that careless kind of way. But, he doesn't have patience for this kind of thing. If he didn't want to be here and trying to pursue this with Felix, he wouldn't be. Simple as that. He's not so easily swayed—because let's face facts, he never has been. It feels like Felix doesn't trust him and is treating this whole thing like it's some sort of prize. Like Locus isn't his own person. And that's what made him angry. So, he'd gotten mad and hit where he'd knew it make a dent.
So, instead of going home, he goes to Felix's house instead because he knows that's where he'll find him quicker. And Locus doesn't like to waste time.
It's a little surprising that Felix isn't there by the time Locus shows up and he wonders if he's wrong in his assumption. He thinks to leave, but in the end decides to wait a little to see if he'll show up. It's not difficult to pick the lock and get inside. He's rewarded for his patience only a short while later when he hears Felix come in and Leon is doing all but shredding his clothes to try and get in his lap. With a sigh he relents and just leans back to let him get halfway on.
He looks at Felix for a few moments, silent and contemplative. Just barely he tips his head to the side to indicate the empty end of the couch. ]
Sit down, Isaac.
Locus didn't really mean what he said. ...Well, that's not true, he did mean it, but he didn't mean to say it in that careless kind of way. But, he doesn't have patience for this kind of thing. If he didn't want to be here and trying to pursue this with Felix, he wouldn't be. Simple as that. He's not so easily swayed—because let's face facts, he never has been. It feels like Felix doesn't trust him and is treating this whole thing like it's some sort of prize. Like Locus isn't his own person. And that's what made him angry. So, he'd gotten mad and hit where he'd knew it make a dent.
So, instead of going home, he goes to Felix's house instead because he knows that's where he'll find him quicker. And Locus doesn't like to waste time.
It's a little surprising that Felix isn't there by the time Locus shows up and he wonders if he's wrong in his assumption. He thinks to leave, but in the end decides to wait a little to see if he'll show up. It's not difficult to pick the lock and get inside. He's rewarded for his patience only a short while later when he hears Felix come in and Leon is doing all but shredding his clothes to try and get in his lap. With a sigh he relents and just leans back to let him get halfway on.
He looks at Felix for a few moments, silent and contemplative. Just barely he tips his head to the side to indicate the empty end of the couch. ]
Sit down, Isaac.
[ Oh God, they're going to talk about it. Inwardly, it feels like his whole body blanches at the thought. Outwardly, he involuntarily grimaces. It's the faintest kind of recoil, but he's shit at hiding stuff like this from Locus anyway. Besides, by now he's got to know how much he hates talking about stuff like this.
Sighing, he shoves off from the wall and drags himself across the room like he's going to his own execution. Which, he knows from experience, he approached a hell of a lot more enthusiastically than he does this.
Felix throws himself down onto the empty end of the couch and draws his legs up, tucking his knees under his chin and propping his heels on the edge of the cushion. ]
Yes. I'm jealous. Okay? There. I admitted it.
[ He doesn't look at Locus when he says it, just fixes his eyes on the wall opposite him and keeps talking, hoping if he's fast enough they can just avoid this whole fucking thing. ]
I'm a jealous person. And it's hard when I know that— [ You don't feel the same way. You don't want me. There were so many ways he could finish that sentence, but they're all pathetic so he sidesteps them and blunders on. ] It's hard. I'm trying not to be.
[ The same way he's trying not to be a mess of insecurities. It might not be working but he's trying. Best he can, anyway. His voice takes on an edge as he frowns. ]
So you don't have to babysit.
Sighing, he shoves off from the wall and drags himself across the room like he's going to his own execution. Which, he knows from experience, he approached a hell of a lot more enthusiastically than he does this.
Felix throws himself down onto the empty end of the couch and draws his legs up, tucking his knees under his chin and propping his heels on the edge of the cushion. ]
Yes. I'm jealous. Okay? There. I admitted it.
[ He doesn't look at Locus when he says it, just fixes his eyes on the wall opposite him and keeps talking, hoping if he's fast enough they can just avoid this whole fucking thing. ]
I'm a jealous person. And it's hard when I know that— [ You don't feel the same way. You don't want me. There were so many ways he could finish that sentence, but they're all pathetic so he sidesteps them and blunders on. ] It's hard. I'm trying not to be.
[ The same way he's trying not to be a mess of insecurities. It might not be working but he's trying. Best he can, anyway. His voice takes on an edge as he frowns. ]
So you don't have to babysit.
[ Look. He doesn't like talking about things, either. But. They kind of have to now. They didn't talk about things before ( not really—and on the off-chance that they did, Felix didn't listen... ) and right now they need to. If they don't, that's the quickest way for things to get all twisted and messed up again.
So, yeah.
Locus lets Felix go, only glancing at him out of the corner of his eyes. Leon is a furry buffer between them. He doesn't say anything for a few moments, thinking over how he knows that was meant to end and what he's meant to say in return. To say that Locus is without envy is a lie. No matter what he thinks, he is still a man and there are things to make him jealous. Eventually. But it's not something he's ever really concerned himself with. It just feels like a waste of time.
Especially in a case like this.
Taking a breath, he shifts slightly to face Felix. Which only opens up more lap space for Leon, of which he sprawls out even more. Locus does, however, ignore that. ]
It was your idea to hire her.
[ He says it matter-of-factly. Because it was. Granted they did need employees, but it was Felix's idea to hire these particular women. There isn't blame to place, though, and that's not why he said it. ]
I asked you to trust me. This isn't going to work if you don't.
So, yeah.
Locus lets Felix go, only glancing at him out of the corner of his eyes. Leon is a furry buffer between them. He doesn't say anything for a few moments, thinking over how he knows that was meant to end and what he's meant to say in return. To say that Locus is without envy is a lie. No matter what he thinks, he is still a man and there are things to make him jealous. Eventually. But it's not something he's ever really concerned himself with. It just feels like a waste of time.
Especially in a case like this.
Taking a breath, he shifts slightly to face Felix. Which only opens up more lap space for Leon, of which he sprawls out even more. Locus does, however, ignore that. ]
It was your idea to hire her.
[ He says it matter-of-factly. Because it was. Granted they did need employees, but it was Felix's idea to hire these particular women. There isn't blame to place, though, and that's not why he said it. ]
I asked you to trust me. This isn't going to work if you don't.
[ He doesn't actually turn to look at him, but he does look sideways out of the corner of his eyes for a few seconds. Locus is a slightly blurry cat-covered blob beside him, but Felix is familiar enough with him that his mind can fill in the details and pretty accurately construct his expression simply from the tone of his voice. ]
I know. [ That comes out a little snappish and impatient. ] And I stand by the decision. She can count. [ That's sarcastic, he can't help it. ] And she won't stab us in the back. None of them will.
[ Because the problem isn't really Traci. Deep down, Felix knows that. Just like the problem isn't the possibility of Locus sneaking off to the back room with her. ]
It isn't about not trusting you. It's... [ Sighing, he shoves his fingers through his hair. ] It's me. Internal stuff. [ This time, he does look at him. It's a quick twist of his head, stealing a glance and then pretending that he hasn't. ] And I don't know how to talk about it without sounding manipulative or ungrateful—[ That leaves a bad taste in his mouth. He shakes his head. ]—or whatever.
[ Felix frowns a little deeper. He takes a breath. Then releases it. ]
I'm sorry I pissed you off so much that you left work without finishing up what you were doing.
I know. [ That comes out a little snappish and impatient. ] And I stand by the decision. She can count. [ That's sarcastic, he can't help it. ] And she won't stab us in the back. None of them will.
[ Because the problem isn't really Traci. Deep down, Felix knows that. Just like the problem isn't the possibility of Locus sneaking off to the back room with her. ]
It isn't about not trusting you. It's... [ Sighing, he shoves his fingers through his hair. ] It's me. Internal stuff. [ This time, he does look at him. It's a quick twist of his head, stealing a glance and then pretending that he hasn't. ] And I don't know how to talk about it without sounding manipulative or ungrateful—[ That leaves a bad taste in his mouth. He shakes his head. ]—or whatever.
[ Felix frowns a little deeper. He takes a breath. Then releases it. ]
I'm sorry I pissed you off so much that you left work without finishing up what you were doing.
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