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[ He nods. And then he crosses his arms, and it's clear he's processing all that. When he's done, he nods again, mostly to himself, and looks to Hickey. ]

So you want to go to the frozen north to chase a bear god who killed you last time, after you cut out your tongue, because he may decide to accept you as his follower, and then you may be able to bide your time for more.

[ A pause. A finger raised. And then he's going to stand up. And walk over to his bedroom. There's some shuffling around before he returns with a silver briefcase. He puts it on the table between them and opens it, revealing row up on row of 10,000 yen bills. While the bills themselves are obviously nothing Hickey's ever seen, money looks like money. And this money very much looks like money. Finally, he says-]

I wasn't kidding. And that?

Is 'enough'.

Edited 2021-11-04 03:03 (UTC)

[ Well when you phrase it like that, it sounds like a stupid idea!

Hickey glowers, the sort of glower someone gets when they know that they're wrong and they know that they can't really defend it. All he can say is 'well it made sense at the time' which he knows is stupid and knows is a poor explanation! So he just sulks a little and the sulking continues as Kiryu shows him that briefcase of money.

God how he wants it. But there are a few other practicalities Hickey feels he should point out first. ]

I don't want to go to Japan, [ he points out. Might as well focus on a small thing right now, even if he knows he sounds childish when he says it. ] And I especially don't want to go to Japan two hundred years in my future. Don't even know how the bloody banks work in your time.

You wouldn’t have to go to Japan. And I- [ only the briefest pause because everything’s changed now, there’s no sense in staying away from him, but he doesn’t feel great that he’d be coming to him that first time asking for help, though that’s his problem, not Hickey’s ] know someone who could explain the banks to you.

[ He looks over to Hickey. And the question he asks is more about what he’s been wondering than anything directly tied to the discussion. ]

So is it really about ‘enough’? Or is there another dream in your heart?

[ There's a long pause. Because the dreams Hickey has are partly dreams. But they're also partly what-ifs. Hopes and possibilities to strive towards mostly because it's just something better than what he had. ]

Back on Terror, I was planning to desert. We were going to pass by tropical islands. Oahu. Maui. My plan was to jump ship and spend the rest of my life there.

[ A pause before he admits, ] I don't know if I want to do that anymore.

[ He looks very firmly at Hickey. At his eyes. And he asks, very deliberately. ]

What do you really want, Hickey-san?

[ There's another long pause. If this was anyone else, he'd change the question. But Kiryu...he honestly believes that Kiryu would do these things for him. That he actually does care. ]

I want to get to a place where I don't have to constantly try to make things better. I want people to respect and to actually see me.

[ Kiryu keeps his eyes firmly on Hickey... and he nods. ]

Then that's what we do. That's what we work on. Your dream is our goal.

[ Based on Hickey's little scoff, it's obvious he doesn't think he'll reach that point any time soon. ]

It's a nice goal to have, [ he shrugs. ] We might not get there all the way but hell, it's worth a shot.

[ Kiryu shakes his head. Firmly. ]

You can do it. I know you can. But you won't if you don't know that.

[ He leans back and crosses his arms over his chest. ]

No excuses. No halfway measures.

Are we doing this or are you settling for less?

I don't settle for anything, [ Hickey points out. ] If we're doing this, we're doing this. I'll give it my all.

I'll hold you to that.

[ Which is when he's going to hold up a finger and reach over to the liquor cabinet (or part of the entertainment center he uses that way) to get a bottle of sake and a pair of cups. He'll pour out for both of them and push one towards Hickey.

They're taking an oath. That means sealing this properly. ]

[ Hickey doesn't get the idea of sealing an oath like this. But as far as he's concerned, he's not saying no to a drink. ]

What's that drink? [ he asks, looking at the sake. ]

Rice wine. It's tradition, when making a pledge.

And today, we tie our fates together.

So today, we share a drink together.

How melodramatic, [ he teases. Tie our fates together. This should be a job for Kiryu. Nothing more. And yet here he goes, saying things like this. ]

Won't say no to a drink, though.

[ A job has never been just a job to Kiryu, which might be why he's very very good at most things he turns his hand to. But this? Has never been about the job. ]

I didn't think you would.

[ Is all he says before lifting his own glass. ]

[ Hickey holds his up as well, giving Kiryu a little nod. ]

To ourselves, [ he toasts, before taking a drink. Sake's honestly like nothing he's tasted before, but it's alcohol. It'll do just fine. ]

To your future.

[ And he'll drink his own with a bow of his head. ]

[ Hickey knocks back the sake as well. Once finished, he sets the glass down and looks over at Kiryu. ]

So. Warden. Figure now that we've drunk to this, let's get down to practicalities. I know you expect me to graduate. And I suspect you'd want me to continue working in the dining hall as you'd be on our own otherwise. But what else do you want from me? Weekly meetings, check-ins, anything of that sort?

My name's still Kiryu.

[ 'Warden' is not what you call someone you're working with. Something respectful would be accepted, but he's heard 'warden' used as a pejorative too many times on this ship to want that term. ]

And I don't expect anything of the sort. If you want to graduate, you graduate. If you don't want to, you don't. I told you this was about what you wanted and I meant it.

[ He dips his head towards Hickey. ]

And given we see each other most meal times, I figure we can have a discussion as needed then.

[ Hickey pauses for a moment, frowning. He's used to things being a bit more...structured than what Kiryu's suggesting. Not expecting anything of the sort is a bit odd.

Nice. But odd. ]

I can work with that, Kiryu.

[ A nod. ]

I won't use my item to find you unless I think it's necessary. Otherwise, I won't be looking to see where you go. And if you tell me to leave you alone? I will, within reason. [ He figures he should explain. ] Unless I think there's a danger you'll come to harm.

[ He crosses his arms again. ]

Part of freedom is showing you can handle it. Which means, if I start getting reports from other wardens about you causing trouble? I'm going to ask you about it. I won't play games. And I expect a reasonable answer. Not as a warden. As me. Then we'll figure out how to handle it.

Dick me around and I'll kick your ass. Fair?

[ Hickey nods. ]

The same goes for you. If this changes, if you start bothering me for no reason or abusing your power, I'll kick your ass as well. Doubt you will. But might as well get this on record.

If I do that, I might even let you.

[ But he stands up then, holding up a hand. ]

I promised you a weapon. I'll be right back.

[ He's headed for his bedroom and there's the sound of shuffling there.]

[ Hickey makes a little note to self: when Kiryu gives him the weapon, he should make sure to hide that little boatknife of his in his trunk, beneath all his other clothes. That way if Kiryu takes this knife away, he'll at least have a back-up.

Though Hickey, nosy-ass man that he is, is also moving his head juuuust so as he tries to peek into Kiryu's bedroom and see what it looks like. ]

[ From this angle, he can mostly just see the dresser, but Kiryu will come out soon enough with a few things cradled in one arm: a short knife, a longer blade, and what looks like just a handle. ]

I want to make sure you can protect yourself.

I'm going to explain each one, and you'll choose the one you think you'll be able to use best.

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