dial h for hire [video]

[unweave]

[ The feed picks up with a slight buzz of static. The visuals over the network focus on a waist-up shot of Aranea who isn't looking too hot. Not only is her face bruised (healing black eye, slightly swollen nose and busted lip), but there is a bandage pack poking out from under her top. ]

Don't want to waste anyone's time — there's enough stupid messages coming across this every day and I don't want to add to it.

My names Aranea Highwind and I'm recruiting for a mercenary group — odd jobs, monster hunts, personal protection, and the like. I'm willing to give a large cut on jobs I get in, bordering 65%. Tough sons of a bitches please apply and those looking for their problems to be solved? I'm your gal.

[ I mean, even now she's confident with a sly smirk plastered on her face. This is the most blunt ass sales pitch ever? But — ]

You can't trust everyone you meet here, some people will literally stab you. [ She nudges the view to her hip, but rolls her eyes as the camera gets back to her. ] But, there's still people wanting to help out. Why waste your time at that shitty fight club when you can make a difference and get paid for it? Think about it.

Comments

[daemonized]

Some other time, maybe.

[And certainly not over a public feed, Aranea.]

Remind me when you're interested in an extended story time. I may even be in a mood to share.

[unweave]

As long as you don't stab me and go all dark soul on me. And, you know, be a smug dick.

[ NOT LITERALLY. :') ]

[daemonized]

Don't attack me this time, Aranea, and the outcome will be far more peaceful than the last. I give you my word on that.

[unweave]

Don't be smug and leave certain people and concepts out of your mouth. [ There's no teasing there: that's firm. ] And I won't drink enough to make bad choices.

[daemonized]

Nothing I had said was untrue.

[LET'S JUST DANCE AROUND THE ACTUAL SUBJECT IN THE PUBLIC NBD]

[unweave]

[ Pictured here: them being coy. ]

Ah, ah, ah. You're being petty.

[daemonized]

[accurate]

No, you're just biased. Whether or not you possess any modicum of affection for him does not change what he is.

[unweave]

And what are you?

[daemonized]

[Tch.]

Why don't you take a guess?

[unweave]

You could stop wasting both of our times and just be forward.

Just this once.

[daemonized]

[Do you hear that facetious smile in his tone? It should be clear by now.]

Not in public. Next time, Commodore.

- private channel

[unweave]

[ APPARENTLY THIS IS A THING WE CAN DO. LAUGHS. ]

This work for you? If not, I think you're looking for an excuse for human contact. Must be a rarity.

- private channel

[daemonized]

[WELL THEN

There's a brief hesitation, barely there, barely noticeable, and only if Aranea is paying close attention. As if he wasn't expecting her to immediately make the feed private. He's back on point with the conversation but a second later.]

I don't go looking for excuses. I've always been a straightforward man when it comes to that sort of thing. [Ardyn? Straightforward? Yeah right.]

Your question, then, is what I am? The easiest answer is this: immortal.

permaprivate

[unweave]

[ HM. She does have a hint that it's something to do with daemons and something to do with the laboratories she tried to break into but — daemons can be killed so she doesn't quite connect the dots just yet. ]

I'm assuming there's a cautionary tale involved with that immortality.

[daemonized]

[How did they suddenly tread onto territory that he's not quite so willing to talk about? Ardyn will default into dancing in circles, into giving only half-answers if need be. He and Aranea are nowhere near close enough for him to give the entirety of his Tragic Backstory.]

There is. No good deed goes unpunished.

pretend she whispered that last line

[unweave]

So sad. [ She sounds almost sympathetic. ] So you take that event, bundle it up tight, sit on it for who knows how many years... let it stew...

[ PAUSE ]

And turn into an absolute asshole. Got it.

a quiet private convo

[daemonized]

[He would be more stung by her remark if not for the fact that it's Ardyn. As if he expects for anyone to understand, to relate to his long and tiring existence. As if they knew exactly what manner of betrayal by family and gods alike he had to suffer through. Back when he still was something more human than he his now.]

Think what you like. I'll not say you're wrong, at any rate.

[And that's the hilarious thing, isn't it? She's not wrong. Even Ardyn knows it. He's not the same man he used to be -- that was a lifetime ago. A different person altogether.]

[unweave]

[ It's lost on her how much suffering he's gone through. She won't pity him — even if your life is shit, you can move on for it to reclaim a purpose. His reality was a road to hell paved with good intentions he can never stop traveling on. Unfortunately, Aranea has no sympathy for that. ]

At least we're on the same page about something.

[daemonized]

[At least she didn't presume to know what he's been through. That would have been an unforgivable remark, one that is the quickest route to inciting anger. Agreeing with him, however, doesn't do anything close to this.]

Indeed. And you have your answer. Satisfied?

[unweave]

I guess so.

[ She doesn't care deeper. A part of her would before he stabbed her, but now? Aranea knows his actions were deep-rooted. She doesn't know his history, or how far his connection goes with the royal family. His story is lost in history, even here.

There's no goodbyes, she simply disconnects the call. ]