( With no reason to linger, he leaves her to her plate and her wine, heading back to stand at the counter and graze on his own half of the food and wine. For all appearances, they may have led dramatically different lives, but there is something of a spark of kindred Tseng feels for Shadow Weaver as they share this space, even with that invisible wall between them. He certainly could have done much worse for a roommate.
Still, for all that he dismisses his curiosity about how she came to wear so many bandages, work is something he finds much easier to talk about, even though, at least for him, it straddles the line between personal and impersonal. Such is the life of a Turk, where the true personal life is all but lost entirely for the sake of the company. )
I suppose that's true enough. ( He laughs lightly, chews thoughtfully and swallows before speaking again. ) I certainly didn't value ruthlessness in my early career the way that I do now. But then, values had to shift once the number of branch employees shrank while the duties and expectations grew. There's a little less at stake in data protection and espionage than in bodyguarding and assassination.
( It is a bit of bait—to see how she'll react, and whether that's to balk or to ask questions or perhaps even, as he hopes, to share in return the sort of life she used to lead before they both found themselves here. )
[Even if she had been facing Tseng, the coverings on her face would obscure her expression. As it is, Shadow Weaver's head tilts the slightest fraction to the side. What a curious statement. This man had struck her as polite, but not particularly chatty; that felt a very deliberate statement, one which could have a number of motivations.]
[Shadow Weaver mostly heard a quiet threat, not unlike a predator making itself known in a space.]
[Oh, how she missed the Black Garnet. Until she found something to siphon...]
My, what a varied and dangerous career you've led. One that you would have quite some difficulty surviving for long without ruthlessness. [She pauses to take a sip of her wine.] I'm sure you'll be able to handle yourself well, should those two come around to trouble us.
[Keeping her tone light, she adds,] What sort of means are you proficient with?
( To interpret his offer of information as a threat isn't so far off, although he has little interest in throwing his weight around at home. He doesn't feel like he needs to; he doesn't see her as a threat, after all, and even if he did, there would be little sense in making an enemy already. He has enough of those back home. A fresh start might almost be...nice.
But in the end the bait doesn't work even remotely as intended. He isn't disappointed, though. If anything, it's admirable how tight-lipped she remains. However, it also makes her all the more intriguing. )
Many. ( He replies simply, eyeing his spread of food briefly but not yet having any more. ) Firearms are my weapon of choice, but I'm capable in hand-to-hand combat. I'm also familiar with something...a little difficult to explain. A sort of blend of science and something a little more arcane. We call it Materia. It can create fire, lightning, and some of them can even heal the deadliest of wounds or poisons.
( It's unfortunately only the latter type of Materia he's brought with him, nothing so flashy as Magic Materia. He's grateful to have what he does, but he does regret not bringing something offensive as well. Especially not knowing how or where he'll be able to acquire any other kind of weaponry, should he need it. )
[Ah, there is—quite literally—the magic word. Shadow Weaver's head turns slightly, not enough to show her exposed lower face, but enough indicate her interest was piqued.]
[Very piqued.]
Is that so? "It," as like an object... that is quite fascinating. Your culture uses technology of a sort to harness magic, does it?
( Although no fool, there is a certain degree of foolishness Tseng feels in the way she reacts. These scales have tipped far too much in her favor. So much for a fresh start. But, he's straddling a delicate line, now, and closing off suddenly would surely only cause more trouble than he already has by so easily revealing so much. All in the interest of polite conversation... )
An object, yes, though I hesitate to call it "magic." The only sort of magic I'm familiar with is sleight of hand that lightens a wallet under the guise of a simple guessing game.
( He pauses: to drink, to eat, to gather his thoughts and choose his words carefully. ) I take it you're familiar with magic that's a little more impressive than petty theft?
[This is one particular area she doesn't mind tipping her hand. Even if the history of it is checkered, there were still points of pride there.]
Quite. I've spent a number of my years as a renowned teacher of sorcery. Sorcerers like myself, however, channel latent magic in our environment. The idea of this... materia, is completely novel.
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timeasmymeasure
Apologies; things have been a little hectic for me lately but should be better now
Date: 2020-12-08 09:23 pm (UTC)Still, for all that he dismisses his curiosity about how she came to wear so many bandages, work is something he finds much easier to talk about, even though, at least for him, it straddles the line between personal and impersonal. Such is the life of a Turk, where the true personal life is all but lost entirely for the sake of the company. )
I suppose that's true enough. ( He laughs lightly, chews thoughtfully and swallows before speaking again. ) I certainly didn't value ruthlessness in my early career the way that I do now. But then, values had to shift once the number of branch employees shrank while the duties and expectations grew. There's a little less at stake in data protection and espionage than in bodyguarding and assassination.
( It is a bit of bait—to see how she'll react, and whether that's to balk or to ask questions or perhaps even, as he hopes, to share in return the sort of life she used to lead before they both found themselves here. )
NP; same here.
Date: 2020-12-16 03:16 am (UTC)[Shadow Weaver mostly heard a quiet threat, not unlike a predator making itself known in a space.]
[Oh, how she missed the Black Garnet. Until she found something to siphon...]
My, what a varied and dangerous career you've led. One that you would have quite some difficulty surviving for long without ruthlessness. [She pauses to take a sip of her wine.] I'm sure you'll be able to handle yourself well, should those two come around to trouble us.
[Keeping her tone light, she adds,] What sort of means are you proficient with?
no subject
Date: 2020-12-19 01:53 am (UTC)But in the end the bait doesn't work even remotely as intended. He isn't disappointed, though. If anything, it's admirable how tight-lipped she remains. However, it also makes her all the more intriguing. )
Many. ( He replies simply, eyeing his spread of food briefly but not yet having any more. ) Firearms are my weapon of choice, but I'm capable in hand-to-hand combat. I'm also familiar with something...a little difficult to explain. A sort of blend of science and something a little more arcane. We call it Materia. It can create fire, lightning, and some of them can even heal the deadliest of wounds or poisons.
( It's unfortunately only the latter type of Materia he's brought with him, nothing so flashy as Magic Materia. He's grateful to have what he does, but he does regret not bringing something offensive as well. Especially not knowing how or where he'll be able to acquire any other kind of weaponry, should he need it. )
no subject
Date: 2020-12-19 02:03 am (UTC)[Very piqued.]
Is that so? "It," as like an object... that is quite fascinating. Your culture uses technology of a sort to harness magic, does it?
[Like the First Ones.]
no subject
Date: 2020-12-19 02:13 am (UTC)An object, yes, though I hesitate to call it "magic." The only sort of magic I'm familiar with is sleight of hand that lightens a wallet under the guise of a simple guessing game.
( He pauses: to drink, to eat, to gather his thoughts and choose his words carefully. ) I take it you're familiar with magic that's a little more impressive than petty theft?
no subject
Date: 2020-12-27 08:05 pm (UTC)Quite. I've spent a number of my years as a renowned teacher of sorcery. Sorcerers like myself, however, channel latent magic in our environment. The idea of this... materia, is completely novel.
[Kind of.]