first shot • video

[severing]

[Dated to the morning of the 31st. He's... making the most out of the day? o/]

Hey Saya, happy birthday!

[Did that catch your attention? Too bad, since this is really just meant for Saya, but Train can't be bothered to filter this part.]

—It is your birthday, right? Anyway, since I'm pretty sure it is, let's go celebrate! I bet you know where all the good places to eat here are, so I'll leave you in charge of that. I can... go fetch milk? You probably wouldn't tell me what you want even if I asked, anyway.

[A pause]

Oh yeah! Since I don't know whether your observational skills are lacking or you've just been avoiding me, I'm giving you until noon to reply! If you don't say anything by then, I'm gonna assume you're hiding and find you. And in case you don't know...

[He smirks.]

I'm pretty good at finding people who don't want to be found. And don't think running will work either.

[Grin~]

So! You've got until noon!

[The feed appears to end—]

[Filtered to Saya; unhackable]

[—and now his expression becomes serious.]

... At least tell me what's going on. This isn't like the other times, is it? You're really real this time, right?

Comments

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

That's not how it works.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Well I quite clearly beg to differ.

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

Too bad. You're not winning this one.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

You sure about that? You seem to be on a losing streak, Train.

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

No, I'm not. You just won't admit defeat.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Considering that there's no defeat to admit, that's no surprise.

Because I know you're not accusing me of lying on my birthday. Right, Train?

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

[DRAMATIC SIGH GOES HERE]

Fine, fine, I'll allow you to live in your delusions today. Just because it's your birthday.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

You're talking to a dead person in an underwater city and I'm the one with delusions?

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't be the first time I've done that—well, minus the underwater city part.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

And this is where the details would come in handy.

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

Well, I didn't really get it... but the first time, you appeared in this dimension of one of Creed's allies and pulled me out.

[He smiles—but this one's less goofy than his usual ones.]

Because of that, I managed to save my friend. Thanks.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

... thank me when I remember that happening.

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

I figured it was worth repeating.

[...]

'Strong faith will become a power that can rival even the strongest of weapons'. That's what you told me then.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

... Heh, of course.

[Even if she doesn't remember saying it, she sure does believe it.]

I take it that you must've had a pretty tough challenge ahead of you then.

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

You have no idea. But I had a lot of help too, so it's not like I was alone.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

That's good to hear.

What're those partners of yours like?

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

My partners? Let's see...

First one I met is Sven. He's a pretty serious guy, but friendly too. He treated me to a meal when we first met, a few months after I became a sweeper.

[He starts snickering.]

I don't think he realized who I was at the time, 'cause he suggested I quit being a sweeper and live a normal life. I sure showed him!

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

[She laughs.]

Can't really blame the guy for not being familiar with your reputation. Gotta admit, Train, you look nothing like the fearsome Black Cat right now.

Glad you found someone you could rely on, though.

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

Hey, I think this is an improvement. And you'd be surprised at how many people still recognize this.

[He points to his XIII tattoo.]

We've also got a third member of our little group.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Well, it is the defining mark of the Black Cat. Though like I said, you don't look much like the Black Cat. A little bit too cheeky, if you ask me.

But tell me about the third member. It seems like you've rounded up quite the gang.

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

And yet apparently anyone can pass off as me as long as they've got the tattoo.

[Hell, not even the right tattoo.]

Little Princess? Sven and I took her in about a year and a few months ago. She loves to read, and... I don't think she likes me very much.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

... I take it that you've learned from experience.

[And then she's surprised again.]

Awwwww! A little girl traveling with you? Cute, but... that's kinda dangerous, don't you think?

[seeing as Train's weaknesses are women and children, she's a little shocked that he'd let 'Little Princess' join them]

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

Yup. Guy decided to go back to being an information broker, though.

[Griiiiin—]

Don't be fooled by her age; she's really strong. Not as strong as me, of course, but she's a great sweeper. Or will be once she's old enough.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you've done a lot in the past couple years.

[A laugh.] Oh, I'm sure. So with the three of you... how's sweeper life working out? Creed had a pretty nice bounty on him.

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

Yeah, three bi—

[What.]

—Wait, how do you know about that!?