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[batricide]

@hafid.alghul| ■ ▲ ◌ ▼

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[batricide]

Most people do.

[ The water comes. He takes a sip. ]

[fessus]

You don't know most people. Besides, even if you did that sounds like a stressful way to live.

--hey, hold on-- [ As he halts the waiter momentarily to order himself a pastry. Good, he doesn't have to wait too long. ]

[batricide]

You're extremely naive if you think that. [ He looks to the waiter, considers ordering something and then opts to just save the cash. ] It's less stressful than being taken advantage of.

[fessus]

There's a difference between people maybe having other motives and them taking advantage of you. That's a leap...

That makes it sound like you think I'm trying to take advantage of you. [ ... ] I guess if I was it's just because I thought it'd be cool to hang out. You can still spy on people, though.

[batricide]

You wanted to hang out with me.

[ what. ]

... why?

[fessus]

[ The expression on his face is enough to fracture Noctis's usual impassive demeanor, clicking his tongue once with a shake of his head to hide an errant half-smile. ]

What's that look for? I dunno... I wanted to. It's not a huge deal or anything.

... or wasn't until you thought I poisoned you...

[batricide]

[ i'm not personable and i don't like people. what part of our interaction made you think 'ah yes, this guy, this guy i want around'. there are so many questions. ]

Whatever. [ he doesn't understand the fascination with bars you all have either. ]

[fessus]

[ Incredible. It's someone more awkward than he is... ]

That's my line.

You figure out the game and character creation yet?

[batricide]

No. [ Because his brother decided to basically set his entire week on fire. ] I haven't had time.

[fessus]

[ That's fair. ]

Ahh... Yeah, I guess it's a time investment. Shouldn't take long anyway now though since you've figured out the class and everything.

You said you've played before, right?

[batricide]

No. I don't play games.

[ he's too busy punching and stabbing REAL THINGS thanks. ]

[fessus]

...

[ Noctis squints at him, chin lifting slightly. Almost like an expression of challenge. ]

[batricide]

[ ......................... ]

What. I already said I'd play.

[fessus]

Nah, it's not that. I just wanted to see if you knew how to keep a conversation going.

You said something about destroying consoles that were around though, I remember that. Those belong to a friend of yours?

[batricide]

I'm not inept. [ wow!!! ] They belonged to a co-worker. He had more important things to do than to waste his time beating up polygons.

[fessus]

I dunno... Socially? Maybe a little. You said you thought up sixteen ways to kill me and you'd barely sat down; that's pretty weird.

[ DON'T WOW ME ]

Can't believe you destroyed your coworker's stuff... Isn't that kind of a dick move?

[batricide]

[ He rolls his eyes like a mature person who is very mature and grown up. ]

He deserved it.

[fessus]

See? You're proving my point. Whatever...

... hey, how do you pronounce your name?

[batricide]

Hafid al Ghul.

[ He says it slowly - not mockingly, because he really doesn't expect most people to pronounce it right. If people can't pronounce Damian then they're definitely not going to have an easy time with this.. ]

I don't claim to be nice. I get results, that's what matters.

[fessus]

Thanks, Hafid. Hafid al Ghul... Hafid al Ghul... Okay, got it. Did-- [ He cuts himself off abruptly when the waiter returns, dropping off the sweet treat. It smells great, a lot better than half the stuff he's been eating lately, and he's certainly not shy about cutting into it with his dessert fork.

Manners. ]

... I've met a lot of guys like you. I guess if I think about it like that, I get where you're coming from more.

[batricide]

And what exactly do you think I'm like?

[ He leans back in his seat, crossing his arms. The food smells good but it feels like a sign of weakness to order something now, so he doesn't. ]

[fessus]

You just said.

[ The first bite is segmented away from the others, popped into his mouth. ]

Ah, like... you're a guy that's focused. Doesn't matter if people like you or not, you do what you think's best for them if you're on their side. That kind of guy. Job and safety first, everything else after.

[batricide]

[ ... ]

I don't do anything without their consent. [ It seems important to say - is important to say, considering how his old man does things. ]

[fessus]

Yeah? ... it's okay. You think I'm naive but I get it; I've dealt with that stuff a lot. You may end up pretty unpopular and act like an ass but the world needs those kinds of people.

[ Maybe that was harsh... but it's true, right? Just unfair, which he still struggles with occasionally. ]

You want a bite of this? It's good.

[batricide]

[ Wow Noct, don't pull any punches. He gives his head a shake at the offer of food. ]

You're right about one thing. I really don't give a damn about what people think of me. I haven't survived this long on dumb luck. They learn that soon enough.