[It's almost in complete silence that Junpei leads Tamamo out of the lounge. The walk to his room, luckily, isn't that far and even with the servant latched onto his arm he's taking his free hand and digging in the pocket of his jeans to find his clamshell. His duffle bag is over one shoulder and he's maneuvering to open the door.
The room, thankfully, lacks his two new roomies. Once inside he shuts the door though and looks down at her again.
There's a thoughtfulness to his expression that wasn't there previously.]
Are you good with this? [Privacy, he means. He's gauging her behavior for a sec now that they're alone.]
[Privacy is fine. It means Tamamo can let her hair down, so to speak.
Because once they're in the room, she releases his arm, such a casual motion that contradicts how tightly she held him up to this point. Her eyes, golden like a sunset, have slitted like a feline]
But of course, Master.
[Still using that title without irony.]
I'm quite eager to discuss the particulars with you. How such a man with no knowledge of Heroic Spirits would agree to my terms this easily.
[This might be a dangerous look on others, but Junpei doesn't seem to mind. He doesn't sit down, standing with his arms folded and looking at her quietly.]
Couldn't I say the same for you? Agreeing to my terms when I know nothing of Heroic Spirits. [...] I'd like to hear more about that, and how you served your previous master.
... The conditions of my servitude were quite different then.
[Arms also folded, the two of them like mirrors before the other. Tamamo's eyes slowly close as her chest heaves with a sigh]
Heroic Spirits are summoned by Masters using ... well, for your purposes, consider it magic. We are essentially enslaved to do a Master's bidding, though we Servants welcome such a miracle that leads to our summoning in the first place. It's mutually beneficial.
And in most cases, summoning a Servant is done during a Holy Grail War. The prize is a wish granted to both the Servant and Master pair who are able to defeat the others.
[An eye of hers slowly opens, spearing Junpei with a veiled look]
Naturally, I don't expect you to use me in warfare. You haven't the magic circuits or command seals necessary for that.
[Continuing on without explaining either of those terms]
But I still have a wish I desire, even here. To be my Master is simple: you'll help me escape this place, and I you. We prioritize each other for our mutual freedom.
[...some of that goes over his head, yeah, but the main point sticks. Tamamo has a wish, this is a mutually beneficial thing, and mutual freedom sounds good. He won't ask about circuits or seals because they aren't relevant, and while he's curious about this war that's not important either.]
Let's just say I've got a wish, too. [His eyes are hard and he's not quite facing her, looking at her from the corner of his eye.] But a mutually beneficial relationship seems workable. I'm looking to find answers and get out of here as fast as possible.
As a Master and Servant pair...well. I could use the extra set of eyes to get ahead of the game.
Well spoken. I'm accustomed to surviving hostile odds, so I will serve you well.
[She speaks like she expects them to be tossed into chaos soon -- and perhaps she does. Regardless, her shoulders slump slightly as if in relief]
Currently I'm sorting out who to trust. Illumi-san is dangerous, but easily bargained with should you have something he wants. Dimitri-san is young and impressionable; I won't have trouble bending him under my thumb if it proves necessary. And we have at least two people here with some sort of amnesia, unless they're better actors than I.
[Never trust a fox.]
I offer you this information freely, a sign of my goodwill. The final seal on our contract of sorts.
[Those are people he's met already and spoken to briefly. Those are also assessments he didn't gain on his own because Illumi fucking walked away from him, and he argued about John Lennon for a while instead of being useful. He's pretty sure he can guess exactly which two amnesiacs she means, too.
There's another pause.]
...I trust Carlos with my life. And that will extend to you, too, if I ask him. I've talked to just about everyone who's arrived with the exception of two, one of whom I have information on anyway. [...]
This isn't the first time I've found myself in a game like this. I don't know what the stakes are yet, but I'll be looking as much as I can. Guess you could say I'm offering this information freely, too. Our contract can be on based on a trade of information.
Hmmhmmm~ My Master has been busy as well. What a fitting pair we make.
[it would be a mocking statement if not for the smile, suddenly full and amused.]
Very well. I agree to those terms. We'll meet up regularly and exchange what we know. I doubt most here would be able to resist the whims of a cute fox, neh~ ♥
[Clapping her hands together]
In the meantime, Master! I believe it's in our best interests that we keep our relationship public. Everyone will be striking their allegiances soon. It might seem counter-intuitive to lay some of our cards on the table, but -- what is the saying you humans use? Fortune favors the bold?
[Heh]
Half of winning is controlling the assumptions others will make of us, after all.
[Oh. That's cute. He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly, but that's actually a good idea.]
There are a lot less girls here than guys. I think you'll find that people will be more lenient. Meeting regularly makes sense with how fast things can change. [As for the relationship:]
Beating them to the punch with their conclusions, you mean. It can't hurt. You've seen how some of the others are already behaving, haven't you? [Polly...] It won't be too hard to convince them. People want to believe in stuff so badly that they'll take a lie if it looks like it makes sense. I'm interested in what other alliances will form this early. None of us really have a reason to trust each other yet.
[So the fact that he trusts her enough to do this means he's either accepting it, stupid, or both.]
I haven't. She seems boorish so I've been putting it off.
[Yikes, just. Going for the jugular there.]
Regardless, it's a decision I'll leave with you, Master: if I remain in my assigned room, or here. [A gesture at their surroundings with a delicate cant of her arm]
Normally I would not offer you a choice -- my Master's life is usually crucial to my own survival. But circumstances what they are...
[He may rejoice in knowing he'll get to keep his bed, if that's what he prefers]
[That almost gets a laugh from him, startled though it may be.]
...I've got two roommates. But the thing is...Zero is someone I want to keep an eye on. This also isn't the first game I've played against someone with that name. [But then there's also a slanted little smile.]
I'm pretty good at surviving. Your survival will be fine and we can cover more information this way.
Hmmm... very well. We can't ignore a potential connection between this game and your last.
[Nodding in quick little bursts as she hums to herself, obviously pleased that this man knows how to use his head. Perhaps this will work out in her favor]
If it will be of some use, then I will subject myself to this Zero's lack of charm for the time being, and report back to you.
Right. [...and because she's being so agreeable, he thinks it's only fair to make another offer.] If she gives you trouble, tell me. I wouldn't say we get along but it was amicable enough. She might even listen to me on occasion.
[But he's not trusting just that alone to get by when it comes to people named Zero.]
[Her voice is a low purr, suddenly, an octave deeper than the cheerful chirp she normally offers. Her hands cross across her chest, sizing him up like a meal.]
I'll take your eyes, first, for daring to stray, and then your tongue for speaking against me, and finally your head, for thinking yourself clever enough to escape my wrath. Foxes are very jealous creatures, Master. We do not forget or forgive slights against us.
[JESUS CHRIST TAMAMO. Junpei listens to this, and just. Laughs nervously? Like. CHRIST ALIVE HE'S GOING TO GET KILLED BY A HOT FOX LADY.
But like. It's fine. There's a nervous laugh and he rubs the back of his neck, eyes wide as he listens to her and subconsciously biting his tongue to make sure it's still in his mouth.
Seems reasonable. [AHHHH.] What would make you back out of a contract besides leaving this hotel though?
[It seems even she doesn't have an immediate answer to give him, though after a pause:]
I suppose your unwillingness will suffice, if it poses a problem. I've no interest in weak-willed men of no conviction. A lady must have her standards.
[Tapping her chin, eyes slightly narrowed. They lack the primal hunger from before, and simply glance at him, curious]
I do not think that will be an issue for you. That you agreed to my terms means you have a wish worth granting, Master, above all else. I will put my faith in that for the time being.
[Is he a weak man? Sometimes...he wonders what that means. Weak-willed? Absolutely not. You do what you can to get what you want. He stands in front of her and he doesn't back away, meeting her with a similarly curious look.]
...I'm going to get both of us out of here so long as the contract's in place. You just have to work with me as best as you can.
[It's a huge leap of faith, but...yeah. He has a wish he refuses to give up here.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
W0, FRIDAY;
The room, thankfully, lacks his two new roomies. Once inside he shuts the door though and looks down at her again.
There's a thoughtfulness to his expression that wasn't there previously.]
Are you good with this? [Privacy, he means. He's gauging her behavior for a sec now that they're alone.]
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Because once they're in the room, she releases his arm, such a casual motion that contradicts how tightly she held him up to this point. Her eyes, golden like a sunset, have slitted like a feline]
But of course, Master.
[Still using that title without irony.]
I'm quite eager to discuss the particulars with you. How such a man with no knowledge of Heroic Spirits would agree to my terms this easily.
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Couldn't I say the same for you? Agreeing to my terms when I know nothing of Heroic Spirits. [...] I'd like to hear more about that, and how you served your previous master.
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[Arms also folded, the two of them like mirrors before the other. Tamamo's eyes slowly close as her chest heaves with a sigh]
Heroic Spirits are summoned by Masters using ... well, for your purposes, consider it magic. We are essentially enslaved to do a Master's bidding, though we Servants welcome such a miracle that leads to our summoning in the first place. It's mutually beneficial.
And in most cases, summoning a Servant is done during a Holy Grail War. The prize is a wish granted to both the Servant and Master pair who are able to defeat the others.
[An eye of hers slowly opens, spearing Junpei with a veiled look]
Naturally, I don't expect you to use me in warfare. You haven't the magic circuits or command seals necessary for that.
[Continuing on without explaining either of those terms]
But I still have a wish I desire, even here. To be my Master is simple: you'll help me escape this place, and I you. We prioritize each other for our mutual freedom.
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Let's just say I've got a wish, too. [His eyes are hard and he's not quite facing her, looking at her from the corner of his eye.] But a mutually beneficial relationship seems workable. I'm looking to find answers and get out of here as fast as possible.
As a Master and Servant pair...well. I could use the extra set of eyes to get ahead of the game.
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[She speaks like she expects them to be tossed into chaos soon -- and perhaps she does. Regardless, her shoulders slump slightly as if in relief]
Currently I'm sorting out who to trust. Illumi-san is dangerous, but easily bargained with should you have something he wants. Dimitri-san is young and impressionable; I won't have trouble bending him under my thumb if it proves necessary. And we have at least two people here with some sort of amnesia, unless they're better actors than I.
[Never trust a fox.]
I offer you this information freely, a sign of my goodwill. The final seal on our contract of sorts.
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There's another pause.]
...I trust Carlos with my life. And that will extend to you, too, if I ask him. I've talked to just about everyone who's arrived with the exception of two, one of whom I have information on anyway. [...]
This isn't the first time I've found myself in a game like this. I don't know what the stakes are yet, but I'll be looking as much as I can. Guess you could say I'm offering this information freely, too. Our contract can be on based on a trade of information.
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[it would be a mocking statement if not for the smile, suddenly full and amused.]
Very well. I agree to those terms. We'll meet up regularly and exchange what we know. I doubt most here would be able to resist the whims of a cute fox, neh~ ♥
[Clapping her hands together]
In the meantime, Master! I believe it's in our best interests that we keep our relationship public. Everyone will be striking their allegiances soon. It might seem counter-intuitive to lay some of our cards on the table, but -- what is the saying you humans use? Fortune favors the bold?
[Heh]
Half of winning is controlling the assumptions others will make of us, after all.
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There are a lot less girls here than guys. I think you'll find that people will be more lenient. Meeting regularly makes sense with how fast things can change. [As for the relationship:]
Beating them to the punch with their conclusions, you mean. It can't hurt. You've seen how some of the others are already behaving, haven't you? [Polly...] It won't be too hard to convince them. People want to believe in stuff so badly that they'll take a lie if it looks like it makes sense. I'm interested in what other alliances will form this early. None of us really have a reason to trust each other yet.
[So the fact that he trusts her enough to do this means he's either accepting it, stupid, or both.]
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Of course it won't take much to fool them! I'll have you know I'm a brilliant actress and an even more brilliant wife~
[Chuckling idly to herself like she just told a great joke.]
And I haven't a clue who will end up trusting who. All we can do is put ourselves ahead of the pack while we're able.
... Though I suppose this means we'll need to finalize our living arrangements then, won't we? ♥
[Can Junpei hear the heart at the end of that sentence? Because it's there, looming in the air like a guillotine]
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Granted. It's time to behead him ig.]
...you're with Zero, right? Have you talked to her yet?
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[Yikes, just. Going for the jugular there.]
Regardless, it's a decision I'll leave with you, Master: if I remain in my assigned room, or here. [A gesture at their surroundings with a delicate cant of her arm]
Normally I would not offer you a choice -- my Master's life is usually crucial to my own survival. But circumstances what they are...
[He may rejoice in knowing he'll get to keep his bed, if that's what he prefers]
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...I've got two roommates. But the thing is...Zero is someone I want to keep an eye on. This also isn't the first game I've played against someone with that name. [But then there's also a slanted little smile.]
I'm pretty good at surviving. Your survival will be fine and we can cover more information this way.
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[Nodding in quick little bursts as she hums to herself, obviously pleased that this man knows how to use his head. Perhaps this will work out in her favor]
If it will be of some use, then I will subject myself to this Zero's lack of charm for the time being, and report back to you.
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[But he's not trusting just that alone to get by when it comes to people named Zero.]
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To think, Master is already taking steps to protect his Servant from slander and harm! Ah, my heart might have just skipped a beat!
[Hehehehe]
While I don't foresee too many complications, the offer is noted and appreciated ♥ Mas~ter~
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[Nothing more and nothing less. Really. It's not like he's actually a good person or anything.]
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[Tamamo twists a lock of her hair around a finger]
I think it's only fair that I inform you of the punishment that awaits for betraying me at any point.
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Right. Um. Punishments. You've...thought about this already?
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But of course.
[Her voice is a low purr, suddenly, an octave deeper than the cheerful chirp she normally offers. Her hands cross across her chest, sizing him up like a meal.]
I'll take your eyes, first, for daring to stray, and then your tongue for speaking against me, and finally your head, for thinking yourself clever enough to escape my wrath. Foxes are very jealous creatures, Master. We do not forget or forgive slights against us.
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Of course, if we both back out of the contract, you've no need to worry~! Your sweet Servant isn't unreasonable, I promise you.
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But like. It's fine. There's a nervous laugh and he rubs the back of his neck, eyes wide as he listens to her and subconsciously biting his tongue to make sure it's still in his mouth.
Seems reasonable. [AHHHH.] What would make you back out of a contract besides leaving this hotel though?
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[It seems even she doesn't have an immediate answer to give him, though after a pause:]
I suppose your unwillingness will suffice, if it poses a problem. I've no interest in weak-willed men of no conviction. A lady must have her standards.
[Tapping her chin, eyes slightly narrowed. They lack the primal hunger from before, and simply glance at him, curious]
I do not think that will be an issue for you. That you agreed to my terms means you have a wish worth granting, Master, above all else. I will put my faith in that for the time being.
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...I'm going to get both of us out of here so long as the contract's in place. You just have to work with me as best as you can.
[It's a huge leap of faith, but...yeah. He has a wish he refuses to give up here.]
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[And suddenly she practically materializes right next to him, winding her arms around his elbow and squeezing it into a hug]
Lucky, Tamamo! You've hit the jackpot!
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