poly_chromatic | ♦ ♦ 14th Contract [Video/Action]

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darker than black - hei

♦ ♦ 14th Contract [Video/Action]

[ The feed snaps on to 'Li' popping shut the oven. He's in Cafe Satine's kitchen, surrounded by a colorful cornucopia of half-and-fully decorated desserts. Most stark is a tray of painfully red cupcakes with sugar-shards. A serial killer's treat. ]

[ Sublimation is a terrible thing. ]

[ Scowling, Li digs the heels of his hands into a slab of dough. Folds it. Digs again. From behind it looks like he's pummeling someone to death. One of his memories has crept its way onto the Network. He can't ignore it. But he can't withdraw somewhere until it disappears either. ]

[ That'd be tantamount to admitting he has much, much more to hide. ]

[ OOC: Memory bits shown are from 11:27 to 12:37, 15:21 to 20:17 and 20:28 to 24:19. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Years of gameplaying have honed Hei's percipience to a finely-tuned point. Ken's subdued tone is more revealing than any question. How much of the memory did he see? ]

Would you be interested in buying them?

[The whole thing. He DOES like gathering information, still.]

Yes. I'd like to try one. I'm assuming the shards are actually made of sugar? It's not too sweet, is it?

[ Dammit. All that's left is to determine how deep the boy's suspicions run. Hei will deal with him accordingly. ]

That's right. Sugar-crystals. It's just them and the cream-cheese frosting that's sweet.

[But then Hei might have to ask questions. And Ken's not going to even start that. Li seems like a very patient, and kind person, though. But the lights.... How did the lights come on?]

I don't like things too sweet, but I'll at least try it.

[ ...The main power-panel was right behind him. That's his story. He's sticking to it. ]

Great.

Would you like to come over right now?

[Ken's not so sure he can buy that. He didn't see ANYTHING near Li.]

Yes, if you don't mind?

[ Li will teach you all about sleight-of-hand. One day. Maybe. ]

Not at all. [ The epitome of gracious. ] There's even a few new samples I'd like you to try.

[Not buying it! Li's hiding things. Definitely. Well, more so than most people, at least.]

I would like to try them, then.

[ Tsk, Ken. Everybody has secrets. Some just guard them closer than others. ]

I'll have them ready for you

[Some don't have two different identities, though. Not that Ken knows that part.]

[He's a little timid when he enters the cafe, but still manages a small smile for Li when he sees him. He's even, still, too shy to wave him down. He just waits patiently.]

[ ...And he never should... ]

[ Li returns the smile brightly. Approaches Ken with a tray of pastries, gesturing him to a nearby table. Sit. Sit. ]

How've you been, Ken?

I-I'm okay. I'm not cursed. At least, I don't think so.

[But you are. Even if it was only on the network, you are.]

Those look good. Is it alright if I try one? [The tray is being offered to him, but he still feels it's polite to ask without Li giving him specific instructions. ~~They're not poisoned are they?~~]

[ Cursed. He knows. He knows too well. ]

Of course. [ Proffering the tray. ~~Poison? What poison?~~ ] Take as many as you like.

I can't eat that much, though. Are these the ones you wanted me to try? [Still not reaching for them, not quite. Hand raised a little.]

[ Take them, Ken. You know you want to~ ~~He could've laced them with Amytal, if he wanted. Just to get you sleepy and talkative about your own secrets~~. ] They are. I need someone to tell me which ones taste best. I'll include those in tomorrow's menu. [ Nudge, nudge. ]

Okay. [A slight timid, upwards glance before Ken finally takes one of each. They're about to find out, as Ken takes careful, slow bites of each.]

[ Li will watch with a pretend-suspense worthy of the Grand National. ]

Well?

I.... [SOFT spoken.] I like the one in the middle best. Though the bigger chocolate one is good. It's not too sweet. The smaller one is too sweet for my tastes. And the other two are okay, but also on the sweet side.

[ He beams at highest wattage. ]

Chocolate. Got it. [ Indulgently. ] I forgot you're not too into sweets. Next time maybe I'll have you try some of the breads.

[Ken seems to light up at that, a little.] Really? Homemade bread? I'd really like that, Li-san.

[ How cute. Ken has a weakness for fresh bread. ]

No problem. The cafe serves different types. Zucchini. Monkey bread. Sourdough. Rye.

[Technically, Ken has a weakness for being fed homemade things. That's what happens with an eleven year-old living alone who was accustomed to homemade meals.]

I'd like to try whatever you make. ...could I buy, maybe, something like a loaf?

[ Stick with Li, kiddo. He'll feed you aaaaall the time. And subtly brainwash you. ]

Of course. We've just put out a fresh batch. [ He indicates to the display. The cafe is fragrant with the sweet doughy scent. ] What kind would you like?

[He's already been somewhat brainwashed before, and would prefer to NOT be again, thanks. But he'll take the food as a bribe to keep his mouth shut on his thoughts.]

[Ken looks at the display from the distance, eyes a little wide. He has to swallow.] I.... Could I try some first? Do you have samples? I'm not sure which I would prefer, yet.

[ THAT'S JUST AS GOOD. ]

There's plenty of samples. [ He reaches for a laden basket. Sets it before Ken like a centerpiece. ] Pick your favorite.

♦ ♦ 14th Contract [Video/Action]

video;

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video; action, for the lulz while they skirt around it completely?

Sure >3<

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End~