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]

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!?

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Well, Christmas sure did deliver this year.

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

... This wouldn't have anything to do with that piece of paper, would it? I was wondering what that was.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

...

Way to be a stalker.

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

Could've been avoided if you'd have just said hi to me!

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

I sent people to say hi to you for me! Preferably without you knowing that I was the one sending the hi.

But for the record, that paper was Creed's bounty poster, yeah. Figured that you'd be the one to take him out.

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

... One of these people wouldn't happen to wear a red cloak, would he?

And of course! I'm the only one that can beat Creed—or was, anyway, now that he's been beaten.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

[.... oh, so he did go. Masking her amusement for now, because she hopes that only more amusement will come from what she's got planned.]

So you ran into the local thief, huh?

Uh-huh. Kinda cocky, but as long as he's taken out, I'm not complaining. Are you enjoying that three billion?

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

You're hanging around thieves now too?

It's not cocky if it's the truth! And I didn't take it.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to catch thieves now, Train. As I always have been.

[...]

... you didn't take it?

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

... So you're hanging around him to make him lower his guard? That's just mean, Saya!

Nope!

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Can you come up with a better method to catch him?

... that was three billion, Train!

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

Why not just chase him? It's more fun that way!

And...?

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

... then how about you try that and I'll continue with my method? See who can catch him first!

You could've bought a lot of stuff with that! Good food! Fancy hotels! Cruises! A farm!

[She's just listing random things that she kinda wanted.]

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

Hmm... but the guy did give me food...

[He laughs.]

It's not like I did for the money.

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

Didn't know you'd back down from a challenge, Train.

Yeah, but the money could've been an amazing bonus and you know it.

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

No way! ... But what do I do once I catch him?

Still don't regret it!

[sweeperesque.livejournal.com]

I think he's caused some people some trouble. Could always see if they want to do anything about it. Either way, he's kind of a tough target and I'm curious to see what you can do as a sweeper~

Well... as long as you got what you wanted, I can see why. But you're at least staying afloat as a sweeper, right?

[sweepered.livejournal.com]

Looks like you'll just have to see, then~

Yeah... We're in debt a lot [read: always] but we've got enough to eat!