[Clementine sighs loudly and rolls her eyes. She climbs down half the distance and jumps, landing on her feet in front of him. She just stares at him. At least she doesn't need a weapon right away and abandons the branch.]
Because you don't trust me? Because you think you'll be safer on your own? Because you think I'll get in your way? I'm sure you're quite capable of taking care of yourself, but there's no reason why you should have to. I'll see you as far as your ship.
[That's all there is to it. She frowns at him. She's smaller close up. Starving, slowly. Either way, the gash was enough of an injury it might get infected. All of this matters little to her right now.]
I wouldn't imagine you trust anyone. I don't expect you to trust me with anything more than seeing you to the docks to find your boat. What can I do to get you to allow me that much?
[If she sizes him up, she'll notice that he's not so tall himself. He's a bit better fed than he was when he was her age, but that malnourishment as a child has had its effect. He's also keeping his arms folded to better keep his sleeves in place and his weapons hidden because he doesn't know how she'll react to seeing them.]
I see. I've fought monsters like that, though usually with someone who thought it would be better to make as much noise as possible and draw them all out.
[He has many more years of practice at this, so he's not terribly concerned. There's no real feeling of danger here and, though he's separated from his king, he can still feel Baal's power in Bararaq Sei, so he's quite well armed.]
I never said he was smart, but he is strong enough to pull it off. Also he--and you--aren't alone. You may not find me trustworthy, but I'll look after you nonetheless.
[He probably wouldn't usually be this persistent, but she reminds him a lot of himself at that age. Just quieter and better behaved.]
I'm sure you don't, but always fighting on your own drains you. After a while, you don't have any hope or dreams or happiness left. You don't care, since it's easier that way, but bit by bit every last little piece of you dies. You end up angry all the time because it's the only way you have left to feel anything.
[He sighs.]
These aren't empty words, Clementine. That was my life when I was your age.
[Wordlessly, he pulls up one sleeve, revealing the dagger tucked away at his wrist and the thick red wire wrapped around the length of his arm. Beneath it are visible the indentations and scars it's left over the 20 years he's worn it day in and day out. In the process, his other sleeve falls back just enough to show the matching weapon on his other arm.]
I began when I was six and you have the same look I had in my eyes back then; I recognize it. Would you like to know how many people I'd killed by the time I was your age? I think I'd lost count by then.
[He was about to question the initial statement, but then came the qualifiers. He shakes his sleeves out and folds his arms before speaking again.]
You've killed, though, and you've ceased to have a reason for it other than keeping yourself alive.
[He sighs. Apparently he isn't cut out for this, as much as he wants to help. Maybe he's being too impatient. It wasn't like Sin had gotten through to him the first time. If his subordinates hadn't dragged him off, he has no idea what might have happened back then.]
I know I can't make you care about the reason I found and the reason I left that life behind me, so all I can do is help you however I can.
I don't want your help anymore. I am not going to be in your debt. Go away.
[Clementine's had enough. She stalks off again with a glare thrown over her shoulder, at least she goes into town and moves quickly in the crowds, to disappear.]
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You're better off finding someone else.
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[At least she didn't hit him with the branch.]
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[She shrugs a little bit and looks around again, it's a habit, one she can't stop.]
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[That's all there is to it. She frowns at him. She's smaller close up. Starving, slowly. Either way, the gash was enough of an injury it might get infected. All of this matters little to her right now.]
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[If she sizes him up, she'll notice that he's not so tall himself. He's a bit better fed than he was when he was her age, but that malnourishment as a child has had its effect. He's also keeping his arms folded to better keep his sleeves in place and his weapons hidden because he doesn't know how she'll react to seeing them.]
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I don't need an escort. I'm leaving.
[She turns her back on him and starts walking back to town.]
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You're allowed to yell at me, you know.
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[And there goes his language. He was doing so well...]
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[He just shrugs off the "annoying" part. He knows just how annoying he's being.]
I've never heard of them.
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[She glances around as she walks, arms crossed. Here at least she doesn't have to be quite as vigilant or slow in her movements.]
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[He has many more years of practice at this, so he's not terribly concerned. There's no real feeling of danger here and, though he's separated from his king, he can still feel Baal's power in Bararaq Sei, so he's quite well armed.]
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[He probably wouldn't usually be this persistent, but she reminds him a lot of himself at that age. Just quieter and better behaved.]
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[He sighs.]
These aren't empty words, Clementine. That was my life when I was your age.
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[Back in town she points at the shops.]
Go that way to get anything you need and leave me alone.
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I began when I was six and you have the same look I had in my eyes back then; I recognize it. Would you like to know how many people I'd killed by the time I was your age? I think I'd lost count by then.
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I don't kill people. Not really, not directly.
[But she can make an exception.]
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You've killed, though, and you've ceased to have a reason for it other than keeping yourself alive.
[He sighs. Apparently he isn't cut out for this, as much as he wants to help. Maybe he's being too impatient. It wasn't like Sin had gotten through to him the first time. If his subordinates hadn't dragged him off, he has no idea what might have happened back then.]
I know I can't make you care about the reason I found and the reason I left that life behind me, so all I can do is help you however I can.
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[Clementine's had enough. She stalks off again with a glare thrown over her shoulder, at least she goes into town and moves quickly in the crowds, to disappear.]