poly_chromatic | Entry 600; Day 1277

[Filtered from Known DELILAH Members || Unhackable]
A second day aboard this ship. It's now late afternoon, perhaps early evening, on this second day. It's a marvelous ship, I will say that. It's as fine as any of the great vessels that set out between Britain and the Continent, or even Britain and the Americas. Perhaps it's even more fine than those. I think it must not have its like anywhere--perhaps in any world, and wouldn't the 'deities' be fond of such an idea as that?

Still, it cannot be what it seems. I know that much.

Given what I've seen in my time in the City and its curses, I would have expected the worst to have struck last night. The ship ought to have collided with something, sunk, been beset by pirates, or attacked by a sea-monster by now. By now we all ought to be rushing for the lifeboats or using bits of the ship to fend off our would-be attackers. And yet, there's nothing.

But I suppose there's still time for all that, even now. Perhaps we're meant to celebrate for one day and suffer for the second. But the time left for that is growing short. And I am most certainly watching for what might come of it.

But there's something more and--if not worse, then certainly more curious going on aboard this ship. I won't say more than that. I have my theories, though-- My father is yet in the City and he may have someone aboard this ship-- But I have my tasks too, strange as they are-- There are questions to be answered, to be sure-- Riff, I'm going to take a chance--

Well, it's been a pleasant enough voyage, I suppose, if a little rough. My fellow passengers could be a little more accommodating or polite as well. It doesn't surprise me that they aren't, the City being what it is.

So, here I sit for a second day.

I will say that I am looking forward to midnight tonight. ~~But another close call like that between now and then-- Who is he?--~~

~C.

[ooc: Strike-outs are deleted! Cain is currently targeting Isaak Sirko in the course of all the boat-related shenanigans and Isaak is targeting him. And each may now have a notion that the other is after him (maybe). The point is: gentlemen in eveningwear having immense bloodstained battles. It's the best. Right now he's holed up in his room, tending to a few scratches and near-misses, and scheming.]

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[It misses--not by much, but by just enough of a margin that Cain is unscathed.

But he stays very still and holds his breath, waiting.]

[He ought to have known better, really. One more bullet wasted.

He sighs, very softly, beginning to be frustrated.]

Really, it's not so bad. So I'm told.

What isn't so bad?

Dying, here.

I've no interest in it. I've heard that one can never leave the City. And I've too much to attend to in London. So I'm afraid I can't oblige you.

Ridiculous. They can't keep you perpetually.

Well! [And there's a small, rueful laugh] They've certainly done their best at keeping me here so far.

How unfortunate.

[He sounds like he cares. Really.]

Isn't it, though?

[Cain sounds equally genuine.]

So are we to keep shooting at one another in this hallway all evening?

If you've another preference I'd be happy to oblige.

[He means that, of course, in a very specific way. He'd be happy to snap your neck, or gut you, though really he'd prefer not to make a mess.

None of this is personal.]

Not especially. I just wonder how long you intend to keep this up.

Exactly as long as necessary.

How tedious.

[Cain's wondering if there's any way to poison a bullet in the hopes that even a graze, even a scrape, might do his enemy in. He has the necessary needles and vials tucked away. Perhaps there's some way to do it...]

Only as tedious as you make it.

Since I think the only thing that will make you relent is my death, I suppose I'll have to endure the tedium.

Hmmn.

[Considering, not quite disbelieving. Really, he doesn't expect the other man will give up.]

I'm not the sort to call it a draw.

What a shame. I'd almost be willing to endure the frustration of draw than to let this tedium linger.

We seem to be at an impasse.

Tell me, do people try to kill you often?

[There comes the small sound of a tired sigh.]

Regrettably, they do.

Perhaps I ought to be surprised.

Whatever for?

I expect you get on a lot of people's nerves.

[Irritated silence for a moment. And then, sarcastically:]

Oh. Ha ha.

And am I getting on your nerves? I do apologise. Clearly, it must just be in my nature.

Clearly,

[he agrees, far too affably for the circumstances.

Perhaps the boredom will lure you back out into the open, Cain? Patience, he can manage. Sometimes.]

[Silence for a time.

And then, as if he's doing it for a lark, Cain takes another shot.]

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