Transgender
strider
No mourners, no funerals
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Post by strider on Aug 7, 2021 17:33:01 GMT -5
“Ruined,” Zuko repeated, the word hard and bitter against his lips. He pulled his arms closer to his chest, doing his best to ignore that he was still tied up. To ignore the fact that, while good, the bread he’d eaten wasn’t going to keep him full for more than a few hours. He had become adjusted to the life Skaa led, though he would never admit it to himself. He wasn’t Skaa. He was a nobleman, he was his father’s son, and he needed to do as his father required. “Obviously I don’t know what’s under your mask, but I don’t think… I think ruined is a cruel way to describe it. It’s not ruined unless… unless you’re dead.” If Zuko allowed himself to think of scars as marring someone’s appearance… then he would be weighting himself with even more self hatred and shame than he currently carried. He was doing his best not to be ashamed of his scar. It had come… it had come because he had tried to be kind. It wasn’t fair, but nothing in life was fair. It was about time he stop trying to pretend that it was. He took in a deep breath, searching Sal’s expression for a long moment before he eventually looked away. “I’m sorry,” he said after a moment, his voice just as soft. “It wasn’t really your choice, then. Even if it is now. I was… I was thirteen. And it was supposed to be a reminder. I never had the option to hide it, and I don’t think I could now, either.” Would Ozai ever let Zuko cover it? Somehow, he doubted it. It was a punishment, and it was a reminder that he was going to have to bear for the rest of his life. The Skaa aren’t people. They don’t deserve kindness. Their lives are not worth our own. Zuko tried to ignore the way his mind yelled that they were the same. They were all the same, and it was cruelty to treat the Skaa as they did. “I’m not trying to destroy hope,” he added after a moment, staring at his knee as tough it was about to do something very interesting. It wasn’t. “All I’m trying to do is get home.”
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 9, 2021 0:35:36 GMT -5
L hesitated, watching Orpheus quietly for a long moment. He was trying to decide whether or not to order him to rest…he wasn’t sure which was the better option. It would have been simpler of he’d just agreed that he needed rest and accepted L’s help, but he understood on some level why that wasn’t possible. He may have been sheltered, but he wasn’t stupid. Orpheus had said this was life or death, and L was trying to take that into consideration before he acted. What Orpheus didn’t seem to realize was that not resting was also dangerous. Concussions could be serious. Falling was probably even more pressing, and if he tried to go home in his current condition… L was sheltered. L was not unaware that people died on the streets and it wasn’t shocking to anyone at all when they did. “You’re missing the point,” he replied carefully, trying to sound as convincing as he could. “Whether I’m different or not…it doesn’t really matter. I’m just trying not to be responsible for a death because you didn’t think you were worth taking a break.” He stared at him for a long moment. “If I ordered you to stay here and rest, would you do it?”
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Transgender
strider
No mourners, no funerals
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Post by strider on Aug 9, 2021 2:53:14 GMT -5
Orpheus had to consider L’s words for a good long while. Sometimes it was better to choose which way you wanted to die. Sometimes it was better to choose the one where you had the best chance of living to fight another day. Orpheus hadn’t met anyone who had died from a concussion. He had met plenty of people who had died or lost people because the nobility had gotten tired of them, or because they were just… in the way. If Orpheus took a break… if he stepped off work for even a day… he would be in the way. How long before Watari threatened to kill him if he didn’t? How long before he made good on those threats? Orpheus hated that he had to think the worst of L and Watari, but it was the only way he knew how to keep himself alive. “I… wouldn’t have a choice,” he managed after a long moment, dipping his head to L. “Unless, of course, Lord Wammy were to overrule you. But if you were to order me to stay, and he wasn’t aware of it, then I have to listen to you.” The idea that Orpheus’ life might be worth caring about to a nobleman… it sent a shudder down his spine. He couldn’t tell anyone else. It felt too dangerous. It felt too much like a secret.
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 10, 2021 1:24:13 GMT -5
L pursed his lips. He hadn’t known what answer he was expecting, but he didn’t much like the answer he’d received. So for Orpheus, an order was the end of any way on his part. An order meant he was stripped of any sort of autonomy. L wanted to keep him alive, yes, but he didn’t like that. He valued his autonomy very much. It felt wrong to remove it from someone else, even for their own good. After all…that was uncomfortably close to the reasoning the Lord Ruler had for keeping the Skaa below the nobility in the first place. The concept that they needed it, that it was best for them… He sighed a little, eyeing Orpheus. He was determined, that much was clear. Stubborn, too. L was also stubborn, and he’d been handling Watari for as long as he could remember, so he knew something about how to handle stubborn people. “Alright, I don’t want to do that,” he said decidedly. “But I also don’t want you to die. So you can do as you wish, but if you go back, I’ll go with you.”
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 10, 2021 12:04:57 GMT -5
L studied Orpheus, quietly taking in the words. He didn’t really want to do anything dangerous, of course. He wasn’t interested in being murdered, and the mention of the Survivor made him tense, eyes widening a little. Orpheus had a point…but still, L had known some of that already. “I don’t actually know where you live,” he admitted, staying where he was. He couldn’t back down, not until he could get Orpheus to see what he was trying to say. “But that’s why I’d need to be disguised. If I appear to be Skaa, I'll be in no more danger than you will. Less, in fact, since I don’t have a concussion. I don’t want to be killed, obviously, but the chances of that aren’t high. The chances of you dying if you try to go back alone in this condition are higher.” He didn’t look away. The best way to confront someone bent on doing something was to threaten to do something they didn’t want you to do, either. That way, you weren’t trying to control them, you were just showing the same ability to make your own decisions that they were. And L was serious, too. He fully intended to go too, if Orpheus insisted on going back.
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Transgender
strider
No mourners, no funerals
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Post by strider on Aug 10, 2021 14:36:05 GMT -5
It was an impossible decision, but Orpheus had a feeling L had known that when he had said it. Regardless of whether Orpheus liked L or not (he thought he did), he was his employer. If Orpheus got him killed… he shuddered to think what the other nobility would do. He couldn’t bring L home with him. It was out of the question. But if he stayed here… Mr. Hermes would worry. There was no way to get a message to him, not… not safely, at least. Orpheus curled his knees to his chest, trying to think of how best to go about this. Maybe he would be better in the morning. Maybe he would be fit to work by then, and then he could go home tomorrow evening and apologize to Mr. Hermes for worrying him, but he had been asked to stay later and he didn’t feel like he could say no. That way L wouldn’t be in danger… “I can’t let you do that,” Orpheus murmured, lifting his gaze to L’s. “You must not put yourself in danger just because of me.” He took in a deep breath, then glanced away again. “If it’s alright with Lord Wammy, I’ll stay the night.”
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 10, 2021 17:15:18 GMT -5
L didn’t like having to put Orpheus in a hard place, but the place was going to be hard whether L made it that way or not, really. There was no pretending it wasn’t a difficult position, because one way or another, if Orpheus left, someone was going to be in danger. If his own safety wasn’t enough incentive, then at least L’s was. He knew it wasn’t quite fair to make Orpheus try and protect him, but…he hadn’t been bluffing. If Orpheus had insisted on returning, then he would have gone, danger or not. He was secretly glad that hadn’t happened, though. “Thank you,” he replied, relief seeping into his tone as he sat back. “I can ask Watari if it’s alright…or I could just hide you. Whatever you’d prefer. I’m sure that your father would prefer you to be safe, even if he has to be worried for a bit to make it happen. And if you’re not better tomorrow, we can find a way to get a message to him, somehow.”
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Transgender
strider
No mourners, no funerals
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Post by strider on Aug 11, 2021 12:15:09 GMT -5
Orpheus watched L, his thoughts slower than they normally were, but still going into overdrive. He didn’t think that L was the same as most of the nobility, but he did find that the young man was better at manipulation than he had anticipated. If he wanted to get Orpheus to do something less pleasant than just stay the night… would he know exactly which buttons to press? The thought sent a chill down Orpheus’ spine. Hopefully, he would never find himself in that situation. Hopefully, L was going to keep being as kind as he seemed now. Kind, but stubborn. Too stubborn. “If you truly believe that Lord Wammy will agree…” Orpheus murmured, staring up at the ceiling and trying not to imagine what it would be like to be kicked out and lose his job just because he’d been stupid enough not to see a nobleman coming the other direction… he glanced over at L, helplessness shining through clear as day on his face. “I’d really rather not lose my job.” He wasn’t going to reply to the bit about finding a way to get a message to Mr. Hermes. Hopefully, he would be able to deliver that message himself after work tomorrow. “Please inform Lord Wammy that I would be happy to sleep wherever is most out of the way. I don’t… I don’t need blankets or anything, please don’t trouble yourself…”
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 11, 2021 13:06:57 GMT -5
“I don’t think he’ll say no,” L assured Orpheus, doing his best to sound confident. “He’s not cruel. It would be cruel to take away your job for something that wasn’t your fault. You didn’t ask to get punched. Anyway, it’ll explain why I was cleaning, and he probably does still want to know that.” He searched his gaze, pursing his lips a little. He wished he could make this less terrifying, but he didn’t know how. Assuming Orpheus was better in a couple days, this would just fade into the background and be forgotten, with any luck. As for Orpheus’ father…L regretted worrying him, but he’d be fine as long as he didn’t do anything stupid. If he showed up here, that would actually be alright, as long as L had already told Watari what was happening. It might be a little awkward if not. He straightened up and got to his feet. “I’m sure there’s a couch available.” He told him. “Is there anything else you need right now?”
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Transgender
strider
No mourners, no funerals
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Post by strider on Aug 11, 2021 15:24:08 GMT -5
Orpheus wasn’t sure if he could trust L, but he was well aware that he didn’t have another option. It was either trust L or put L in danger by making him go home with him. That… definitely seemed like the worst out of both options, especially since he wouldn’t put it past Lord Wammy to accuse Orpheus of kidnapping L. That wouldn’t be the case, of course, but why would a nobleman intentionally venture into the parts of Luthadel that were inhabited by Skaa? No, Orpheus really had no choice other than to trust L. If he ended up on the street again with no job… then he would know who to blame. And there would be nothing he could do about it. That was how life was, he supposed. It took a moment for Orpheus to relax, but eventually he did, glancing over at L and giving an uncertain nod. “I wouldn’t want to take up one of your couches,” Orpheus replied with a small shake of his head. “I’m more than happy to sleep on the floor. I’ve done it before, it won’t be an issue.” If he was going to stay here… he didn’t want to ask anything of L or Watari. He would refuse their food, their water, and any space they offered him. He didn’t want to be in their debt. He just wanted to do his job and go home.
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 11, 2021 15:58:35 GMT -5
L didn’t like the fact that he’d had to make Orpheus stay when he clearly didn’t want to, but it was better than letting him die, and he hadn’t actually ordered him to do anything. He was slightly worried about Watari’s reaction, but he trusted him. He would see the reasons behind letting Orpheus stay and not firing him. It hadn’t taken long for L to start sympathizing with the Skaa, once he’d actually met one. Now that he had, it was impossible not to think about it. Orpheus had been attacked for no reason. L had known things weren’t amazing, but he hadn’t realized the severity of it. And now… Well. Now he needed to talk to Watari. He knocked on the door of his study, rehearsing his argument in his head.
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Transgender
strider
No mourners, no funerals
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Post by strider on Aug 11, 2021 16:09:05 GMT -5
Watari knew when L was keeping secrets, as he was now. It wasn’t so much that he was disappointed as it was that… he wasn’t used to it. He knew the sort of secret that L was keeping now was dangerous. There was nothing safe about doing a Skaa’s work, especially since L’s own origins were unknown. Watari had done his best to hide that fact, but everyone knew he had never taken a wife. It wasn’t a stretch to wonder if the child really was his sister’s. Nobody had ever spoken to any sister of Quillsh Wammy, after all… he buried his forehead in his hands, doing his best to avoid thinking about it. He would keep L safe. He had managed it for nineteen years, he could do it for a few more. Hopefully, he could do it until he died. “Come in,” Watari said after a long moment, spinning in his chair so he was facing the door. He had a feeling it was going to be L, but he was also prepared for it to be Orpheus coming in with an apology.
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 11, 2021 16:22:15 GMT -5
L was aware that neither Orpheus nor Watari wanted him to be doing Orpheus’ work. He also knew that both seemed far more aware of the situation than he had been, which was an uncomfortable sort of realization. He didn’t think Watari had been keeping him in the dark about anything on purpose, but…the fact was that he felt like he’d been missing a lot, and he didn’t like it. It was probably his own fault for being as paranoid as he was. Though…it wasn’t like he hadn’t poked around anywhere he shouldn’t. Mostly it was the other noblemen that he’d investigated on his own time. He’d never had occasion to try and talk to the Skaa, since they weren’t likely to be dangerous in public places, and they’d never had occasion to be inside his house before. He opened the door and slipped soundlessly inside, closing it behind him. It wasn’t the first time he’d come to Watari’s study, but it wasn’t a common occurrence, and he found himself glancing around, dark eyes taking everything in.
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Transgender
strider
No mourners, no funerals
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Post by strider on Aug 11, 2021 16:35:08 GMT -5
Ah. So Watari’s first guess had been correct. He took a moment to dip his head in greeting to L, giving him a thin smile as he set down the work he had been doing. It was rare for L to seek him out in the middle of the day unless there was an emergency of some sort. Usually, L was perfectly fine to handle things on his own, looking into the other noble houses and finding other means of entertainment. He had a feeling that this had something to do with a new presence in the house. In the back of his mind, Watari was worried that L had begun to do Orpheus’ chores in an attempt to prove that they didn’t need a skaa servant. He hoped that wasn’t the case… he hoped L would be honest with him if it were. L was scarcely subtle. “Is there something you wished to discuss with me, L?” Watari asked, leaning back in his hair and lifting an eyebrow. “You are, of course, welcome to take a seat.”
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 11, 2021 16:50:16 GMT -5
L hesitated, trying to decide how best to proceed here. He wanted to get Watari to see his perspective, but he also knew that he couldn’t see Watari’s perspective without more information. He moved over and stepped up onto the bed, crouching comfortably across from Watari and studying the man for a long moment. “Yes,” he said finally, dipping his head. “About Orpheus, and also why I was cleaning earlier. I couldn’t tell you before, because he was afraid you’d fire him if you knew, but it’s alright now. He has a concussion and he needs to stay here for the night, at least.” He didn’t want to draw this out. He just needed Watari’s permission, and hopefully his understanding.
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 11, 2021 17:13:24 GMT -5
L could tell that, whatever theory Watari had been forming, it hadn’t been anywhere close to the actual situation. Which wasn’t surprising. It would have been a leap to assume Orpheus had gotten a concussion somehow. “Yes, I called one in,” he confirmed, hands resting on his knees as he watched Watari. “They said he needed to rest, especially if his symptoms continued.” He hesitated. “He wanted to keep working anyway, but his condition could worsen without proper care. He also wanted to go home, but I convinced him not to. He’s afraid you’ll fire him if he doesn’t continue to work as usual.” He didn’t look away. He knew that Watari had that power, if he chose to use it. He also knew his own authority was useless against Watari’s. But he didn’t think Watari would fire him. He didn’t think Watari would punish someone for something that had in no way been their fault.
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Transgender
strider
No mourners, no funerals
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Post by strider on Aug 11, 2021 17:23:20 GMT -5
Watari didn’t know if it was fear or dedication that compelled Orpheus to keep working, but he had the sinking suspicion it was the former. He didn’t want the boy to be afraid of either of them, but… they lived in a world where a skaa who wasn’t afraid of the nobility was either naïve or stupid. The possible exception was the Survivor. He could kill the nobility as much as he wanted, and nobody was able to catch him. It frightened Watari a little bit, but he kept that thought to himself. He knew that he and L wouldn’t be the type to be targeted by the Survivor. They were low enough in the hierarchy that they were easy to look over, and there were no skaa leaving their house with horror stories about their cruelty. Still… it was a threat. “You must understand that’s a reasonable fear,” Watari said after a moment, letting the situation sink in. “Many others would simply dispose of him, in my position.” The meaning was clear: firing Orpheus would be one of the kinder options. “If he can’t work, he’s not useful to us. He cannot complete the job he was hired to do.” Watari let those words hang in the air for a long moment, making sure that L understood them. “That being said, I will not fire him. But I cannot pay him when he isn’t working. It would draw too much attention to us.”
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 12, 2021 1:09:01 GMT -5
L could tell Orpheus feared them both. He knew there was reason for that, too. He was under both their authority, technically…he’d said it himself. If L ordered him to do something, he had no choice but to do it. If Watari decided to be cruel to him, he’d have no way of defending himself. It sounded terrifying, being utterly at the mercy of strangers. L couldn’t imagine how afraid he’d be in that situation. “I understand that he’s terrified for his life because noblemen don’t seem to care for it,” he replied carefully, searching Watari’s gaze. “I didn’t know at first why he was so determined to keep this job, but it’s life or death for him, and I think you know that.” He hesitated, tensing a little. That was…not the answer he’d hoped for. “What’s the point in not firing him if you aren’t going to pay him?” He asked, voice low. “No, I understand. You’ll let him back in after he’s healed. But I don’t think that’s good enough. If he doesn’t get paid, he won’t be able to eat or have shelter.” He narrowed his eyes a little. He wasn’t really upset, he was just…confused. “How would anyone know about it?” he added patiently. “You’ve never seemed interested in my concerns about spies before. If no one has any way of knowing, it wouldn’t draw any attention at all.”
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Transgender
strider
No mourners, no funerals
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Post by strider on Aug 12, 2021 1:27:14 GMT -5
Watari searched L’s expression, his own blank. He was good at disguising his thoughts, especially from L. It was a talent that L hadn’t seemed to master in reverse, however. Strangers may not have been able to read L, but Watari could. Easily. It was clear that he wasn’t pleased with Watari’s decision. It was the kindest one he could make without potentially putting L in danger. There were risks that he was willing to take to help the skaa, and there were risks that were too dangerous. If they had the chance to come back and hurt L, they were risks that he couldn’t afford. This was one of them. It wasn’t about the money, not really. It was about the risk. “Yes,” Watari replied quietly, glancing at the door. He didn’t know where Orpheus was, but part of him was worried he might be listening in. He would have to be very careful about the language he chose. He was usually careful, anyway. Every word was chosen with precision because it was exactly the word he wanted to use. It made misunderstandings rare. “There are many skaa who cannot survive without jobs. They have to work their jobs to keep themselves afloat. If they mess up, particularly if they work for the nobility, they could die. This is the world that Orpheus comes from. I can get away with not killing him for wasting my time. I can allow him to stay here for as long as it takes to recover. I’m sorry, L, I cannot pay him for time he doesn’t work. It seems to me that if he stays here we’re providing him both shelter and food. To give him this on top of a paycheck?” Watari took a breath in, then leaned forward to glance over the terms under which Orpheus had been hired. “Servants talk,” Watari said after a long moment, leaning back. “That’s why some of the crueler houses have such a hard time finding servants. If Orpheus stays here a number of nights and goes home with money, you don’t believe that others will notice? Word will get out.”
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 12, 2021 15:57:10 GMT -5
L pursed his lips, scanning Watari’s expression. He couldn’t tell what he was thinking. He never could, when Watari didn’t want him to. He didn’t see why he needed to close his expression off now, though. L was being honest. He was just trying to find a way to make this right. He hadn’t expected this to be a problem. He should have, he realized now. He should have guessed this wouldn’t be as simple as it seemed like it should be. “He’s not listening,” he said quietly as Watari glanced at the door. “He’s lying on the floor right now. Though, this is about him, so technically it would be reasonable if he did want to be involved. Which he probably would if he weren’t afraid we were going to kill him for it.” He didn’t like this. He didn’t want to think about Orpheus’ face if L told him Watari had decided not to pay him until he was better. He’d insist on working too early, without a doubt. L could do a lot to make him rest, but as long as he wasn’t willing to order him, he couldn’t ensure it. And he really, really didn’t want to order him. He tapped the bed lightly, watching Watari closely. The way he was talking meant he wasn’t actually opposed to it, he just knew others would be, if they found out. “Yes you can,” he replied simply. “There’s nothing actually stopping you. We have enough money, obviously, or we wouldn’t be able to hire him in the first place. We’ve also survived this long without anyone cleaning the house, so that can’t be very important.” He paused, tasting his words carefully. He had to say the right thing here. “You’re worried about people finding out. Do you believe we’re being spied on? Because Orpheus won’t say anything. Feeding him isn’t good enough. What about his father?”
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Transgender
strider
No mourners, no funerals
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Post by strider on Aug 12, 2021 16:35:50 GMT -5
Watari understood where L was coming from. L was kinder and more empathetic than most people seemed to give him credit for. Most of the people who met him thought of him as the odd boy at parties who looked vaguely uncomfortable and didn’t like to dance or talk to people. Watari had tried to encourage him to socialize more, but… he knew it was hard. Balls and parties weren’t L’s forte. He was better in situations where he was the one in control. Where he could set the boundaries, and where he didn’t have to wear fancy garments. Watari wished he could change the world around so it was more forgiving to L, but he couldn’t. The best he could do was protect him and teach him morals as best he could. Of course, teaching him morals seemed to have backfired a little bit. Perhaps he shouldn’t’ have hammered in the message that L wasn’t better than anyone else just because he was smarter. Perhaps he should have known that L would apply that message to the skaa. Perhaps, on a deeper level, Watari had wanted that. He didn’t believe that the nobility were better than the skaa, but he also knew they had to walk a fine line of pretending that they were, or their lives were in peril. It was a dangerous world to believe in equality. “I understand that he is afraid of us,” Watari sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You know that he shouldn’t be. I know that he shouldn’t be. But we can’t allow him to think that he can get away with believing himself to be on our level. That’s a surefire way to get attention drawn to him, and to us.” The world was complicated and cruel. Watari had hired a servant because he needed someone to do the housework, true, but also because he thought helping one skaa might make at least a little bit of a difference. He hadn’t anticipated this situation. “I don’t believe that we’re being spied on. I believe that our home is secure, L, you know I do. But I also know that the servants of other houses are observant. They will notice if Orpheus goes home or doesn’t go home, because many of them are scouting out noble houses to see which would be the least cruel to work for. Servants talk, L, whether or not Orpheus says anything to them. My decision is final. I cannot pay Orpheus while he is unable to work.”
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 12, 2021 17:52:23 GMT -5
L did his best to be the person he was supposed to be at balls, but the truth was that he didn’t know how. He wasn’t intentionally odd, but since that was the way everyone saw him, he had to assume that was how he came across. What did people talk about? Gossip, obviously, but there was never any evidence, and he got looks when he asked for some. He had an arsenal of gossip technically, but he felt no need to share it. Small talk was impossible. Anyone could look up and see what weather they were having. As for how he was doing lately, that was not information he was willing to share. He sometimes felt that he wasn’t built to exist in this world. But he didn’t have much of a choice, so he did the best he could with it. Such as now. He stared at Watari, eyes unblinking as they tried to piece together what he was thinking. His own face was as masked as he could get it, but it was about as useful as a lie when it came to Watari. They both knew he wasn’t happy about this. “So a lie, then,” he replied bluntly. “We know for a fact that he is no worse than we are in any way, and yet we have to pretend he is and try to convince him of it anyway? To defend the self importance of people we don’t like?” It tasted bitter to him. He hated bitter things. “That doesn’t make sense. He will go home at the same time whether you pay him or not. As far as I know, Skaa are not Allomancers, they can’t see what he’s carrying on his person. He will not tell anyone, besides his father.” He hopped to his feet, walking over to the window to peer outside, mostly because he was too restless to sit still anymore. Generally, when Watari said a decision was final. He meant it. But L couldn’t afford to leave it at that. Not now. “This is why the Survivor is killing us,” he said after a second. “Isn’t it? This is exactly why he’s dangerous. We are actively harming people.”
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Transgender
strider
No mourners, no funerals
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Post by strider on Aug 12, 2021 19:08:03 GMT -5
Watari could feel L’s disappointment from where he was sitting. He understood it, but it didn’t make it any easier to withstand. The world they lived in was not fair. How was he supposed to raise L to be fair when being fair could get both of them killed? It was a conundrum, and not one Watari knew how to solve. He wished it was simpler. He wished he didn’t have to answer L the way he did. He wished he could pay Orpheus while providing him a place to stay until he was healed. It just wasn’t something he could do if he wanted to keep L safe. He would be willing to forfeit his own life, but that wasn’t the life on the line here. If Watari had to choose between L and a skaa boy, he would choose L every time. It wasn’t because he believed L to be better than Orpheus, it was just that L was his son. It was a parent’s duty to do and risk everything for their children. Watari was no exception to the rule. In fact, he thought he was probably a better parent than most of the nobility. He had never tried to get L to Snap. He thought the practice was brutal and cruel. He had never been interested in subjecting L to that sort of pain. If L Snapped later in life, then it would be a pleasant surprise. If he didn’t, then his intellect was more than enough to pull him through the world. “It’s not quite a lie,” Watari replied, voice tired. “We are not telling him that he is worth less than we are. We are simply giving him the best we can without putting ourselves at risk as well. His father will be able to survive a few days on his own. In fact, it will probably be easier on him to only have one mouth to feed instead of two.” It was, technically the truth, but it was also an excuse. Watari knew it. He knew L knew it. But he was putting his foot down on this. “You don’t think people will notice when he leaves here, having lived on our food and slept in our space, wealthy enough to buy a weeks worth of food for his father and himself? You don’t believe people will ask him where he acquired the money? Do you truly trust his ability to lie to protect you? I don’t.” Watari closed his eyes, giving a long sigh. He knew L had a point, but he was stretched thin. “If you mean we as in the nobility, yes. If you mean we as in you and I, then no. We are doing as much good as we can within a system that allows for no good at all. You are no good to the skaa if you end up dead fighting for a couple day’s pay for one boy.”
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 12, 2021 19:42:14 GMT -5
Watari was serious. Watari was serious in the way that meant he wasn’t going to change his mind about it, no matter what words L used or what arguments he created. He was Orpheus’ employer, and he controlled the pay. L had authority in a way, but it was useless to him if Watari was against him. Orpheus had said he would obey Watari over L. And L wasn’t even willing to use his authority on him, anyway, so it didn’t matter. He stared out the window, brain working rapidly to solve this problem. He knew that Watari was not going to be convinced. He also knew that Orpheus would not take care of himself if he wasn’t being paid while he rested. He could just take the money and pay Orpheus anyway, but he got the sense Orpheus wouldn’t accept it if he knew Watari had explicitly forbidden it. He could lie and say Watari had given his permission, but that was risky. L had never been the one to pay Orpheus before. He was bound to notice the change and question it. If he lied and said Watari had given his permission, and then did the work and claimed Orpheus had done it, then Watari would pay Orpheus. But that was still risky…Orpheus couldn’t be relied on to lie, and if Watari found out, he was at risk of firing Orpheus for it. He turned, facing Watari, lips pressed into a thin line. He was not in the habit of being told what to do. Especially when it conflicted with his sense of how things were supposed to be. He looked away. Watari had a point about people asking questions, as much as he despised admitting it. “He will try to continue working before he’s ready,” he said finally. “And he could make his injury worse.” It was a fact. Not one he expected to sway Watari, but one he wanted him to know. He took a step towards the door, and stopped. Then he looked at Watari again. “You don’t believe we’re really better than they are. I can’t tell what Orpheus thinks. He doesn’t know if he feels pride. I think he could, if he were given the chance. But I just want to know…how sure are you that it’s the Skaa who are the servants? We seem to be as controlled by the whims of others as they are.”
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Transgender
strider
No mourners, no funerals
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Post by strider on Aug 12, 2021 23:31:23 GMT -5
L was stubborn. Watari had known that for a long time, but very rarely did it come back on Watari. They had the same opinion on many things; it was rare that they clashed on anything as serious as this. Watari knew where L was coming from. If he could do whatever he wanted, he would have paid Orpheus for the work. He would have made sure he was getting the best care possible. He would make sure that Orpheus was taken care of. that wasn't the world they lived in, however. Watari wished he could change it, but he couldn't. Perhaps he could get away with paying Orpheus half of what he should have been making… it was a poor compromise and he knew it, but he couldn’t afford to be as idealistic as L was. He couldn’t afford to take those kinds of risks. One day he hoped L would understand. Actually, he thought wryly, he hoped that L would never need to understand. Maybe the world would be better by the time L was Watari’s age. Maybe he would be able to pay any servants he had while they were sick or injured. That wasn’t how life worked now, though. “You’re quite persuasive,” Watari said after a moment, levelling his gaze at L. “I believe if anyone can convince him to take off the time he needs, it would be you. I am happy to keep him here for as long as he needs to recover. It is probably less stress on him here than it would be in his own home – he has space here, and we can stop him from being exposed to bright lights or scents that might trigger headaches. He will be well cared for here, L. The one thing I cannot do is pay him to lay around. I’m sorry, but I will not change my mind on this. Not when it’s your safety on the line.” Watari gave a small sigh, glancing at the door as though he could imagine Orpheus laying on the floor a few rooms away. He couldn’t imagine the terror the boy must be feeling. If he were honest with himself, he had a feeling the boy would see what he was offering as a blessing. Was that because he thought he deserved less, or because he had been trained to believe that every nobleman was going to treat him like dirt? “We are part of this society,” Watari replied, voice tired. “We have to exist within it. If the Survivor succeeds in toppling the Lord Ruler, perhaps things will be different. Not all of us can afford such revolutionary ideals. And a revolution may not be the best path towards change. Go tell Orpheus my decision.”
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Post by ®Hawkpath® on Aug 13, 2021 0:50:36 GMT -5
L pursed his lips, watching Watari for a long moment. The time when he’d believed he had a chance of changing his mind was long past. He’d really known as soon as he’d gotten any answer at all that he wouldn’t be able to change it…it was just stubbornness that had made him continue. Just stubbornness and concern for a life he barely knew. It felt a bit insulting to be told he was persuasive while Watari simultaneously refused to be persuaded. L didn’t point it out, though. He could tell Watari was trying to sweeten this for him as best he could without actually changing his mind. He didn’t want to accept it. He wanted to find a way around it. But he didn’t see any way to do that that didn’t have a high probability of making things worse. Finally, he gave a small sigh and let the tension bleed out of his shoulders, hunching back into his usual terrible posture. He was stubborn, but so was Watari, and L wasn’t interested in banging his head against a wall if it wasn’t going to budge. He stared at Watari a minute longer. He knew, technically, that he could refuse to leave and continue to pester him for hours if necessary, but this wasn’t quite serious enough for that. Orpheus would live, and so would his father. So L just gave a small nod and turned, slipping out and closing the door behind him as quietly as he’d opened it.
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Transgender
strider
No mourners, no funerals
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Post by strider on Aug 14, 2021 23:22:57 GMT -5
Nico had watched Kelsier for a few days after the man had rescued him. He hated thinking of it as rescue, but… that’s what it had been. Kelsier had made sure that he hadn’t been killed for the geode he’d found. He’d only found the one… beginner’s luck, he supposed. He still had three days to find another, but… time was running short. Still, he felt he needed to do something to thank Kelsier for what he had done. Or maybe he just felt like he owed him. Kelsier had said he didn’t want anything for saving him, but Nico didn’t believe him. Everyone wanted something, and the last thing he wanted was to find himself in Kelsier’s debt. Nico took a deep breath, fingers brushing over the geode he had in his pocket. Kelsier spent most of his time with a woman, though Nico had never seen them exchange more than a word or two. He got the sense that there was something there he had missed… something had come between them. He didn’t understand why they still spent all their time together. Why they slept in shifts like they trusted each other, in spite of the looks they gave each other when they thought nobody else was looking. She hadn’t left their temporary campsite alone. Nico ducked his head back into his little hiding place, cursing under his breath. He just… needed her to leave for a minute. That was all. And then there it was: his golden opportunity. Nico pushed forward, aiming to drop the geode where she had been sitting, tucked just under a little notch in the wall. Then he would walk away like nothing had happened.
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