pawnstorm | (semi-closed) let me tell you about a little situation

[ Capablanca is certainly the city. Its surface is gilded in the promise of every wholesome, deserving vice a person could want — hot sun, soft sand, money, company, food and drink in scores. As far as an escape goes, it's trussed up well. Comfort sold in an exotic shroud. But Hallelujah is better acquainted with the pulse of a place than he is with its unbroken skin. There's a violent thrum beneath the streets, the metaphorical jugular. Hallelujah wants to take a shot at it in his own way.

So, really, the fact that he's somehow accrued all these fucking people is really mysterious to him. ]

Just look at this mess, huh. Get in the right mindset for this, or I'll leave you behind.

[ It's not some nature walk, and he has the kid, Allelujah's roommate... he swears he knows this other guy too, a waking kind of familiarity. ]

Well, either way.

[ Charming. It's probably the word Kavi would pick to describe Hallelujah's attitude if someone were to ask him and it would be laced heavily with dry amusement. He can't bring himself to be angry at the brisk words, at the frank statement. Probably because something about the man makes Kavi remember a rush of excitement, wind in his hair and harsh words drenched in reality.

A much appreciated slap to the face.

Rather than get offended, Kavi pats his pocket to make sure he has his weapon before he nods to Hallelujah. ]

Are you always this pleasant or is today a special day?

[ Is Kavi angry? No. Entertained by the level of Hallelujah's intensity? Yes. His lips quirk up into a brief smile as he turns to Setsuna and Lapis. ]

You guys ready?

[Meanwhile, Lapis is a calm and lineface as ever, her eyes glancing around at their surrounding before glancing over at her... kinda roommate at his remark. Her expression completely unchanging at the bluntness - instead responding bluntly in response to Kavi's remark.]

... Maybe it's a bit of both.

[Luckily she's already prepared, with her ribbons handle attached to the belt of her uniform and her stockings already on. Her powers as a Queen haven't gone too out of control yet, but she still has to be careful.

And in response to Kavi's question, he gets a silent thumbs up from Lapis. Really, places like this aren't too bad... But mostly anything is better when compared to abandoned and creepy hospitals that her jobs used to take her to.]

[ Setsuna didn't need to respond. Hallelujah knew well of his capabilities. They both underwent the same training. So instead of acknowledging his statement, he merely gazes out with a serious pair of eyes. Words aren't necessary to know that he's always been ready. He only turns his head after Kavi and Lapis started speaking, worried for their sake though he doesn't say it out loud.

Unlike Hallelujah, who Setsuna fully trusts to be able to take care of himself, Kavi and Lapis aren't on the same wavelength. These two may have combat experience, but they're not as professional as two terrorists who only knew the life of fighting. So he gazes at them in silence, making an said promise to watch over them and ensure that they both remain safe.

He quickly averts his gaze back to Hallelujah afterwards, expecting him to lead on. ]

[ That was that, then! Hallelujah allows his shoulders to rise and fall with a more wayward looking grin, turning on his heel to lead the way. Their path is a well-lit one for now. Treading in to the entertainment district is a mostly innocuous affair. On the surface, it's simply selling the best it has to offer — expensive restaurants serving local Capablancan fare, bars with beautiful singers making sure men stay until the last call, a splash of gold in the casinos here and there.

Beyond that, however... ]

Being pleasant helps when you're dealing with traitors. Isn't that right?

[ Mercy isn't on the menu for those who like to betray. It's funny, coming from him, someone who is all bone-breaking force. But Hallelujah is nothing if not loyal to the mission.

Violently so. ]

[ And it looks like they have a fearless (violent) leader to follow, too. Here is to hoping Hallelujah won't lead them straight into their demise. He seems confident enough but confidence doesn't necessarily guarantee positive results.

Kavi tucks his hands into his pockets, the picture of someone taking a casual stroll but the small, fierce grin on his face shows that he agrees with Hallelujah. ]

It would only be right to be polite.

[ He slows his pace a little to fall behind the others, a subtle shift. Setsuna works at close range and while Kavi has no idea what Hallelujah works with, he knows that Lapis is also a caster. Meaning that it doesn't matter if an enemy approaches from the front or the back. There will always be enough space for someone to start casting. ]

[Even of their fearless leader is a bit... violent and crazy, she trusts Halle enough to not lead them directly into a super bad situation. Though at least now it would be easier for Lapis to get out of one, thanks to her new illusion ability.

So she quietly follows behind, hands clasped behind her back as she walks, humming softly in agreement with Halle's and Kavi's words. Traitors only deserved the greatest hospitality, after all.

Though she glances over as Kavi falls a little behind, before she turns her eyes ahead once more. She keeps her guard up as they walk, listening and watching closely for anything unusual - ready to cast an illusion if she needs to. Her illusions aren't perfect, but that only just makes them more terrifying anyway.]

[ Lapis and Kavi are both worried about Hallelujah, but Setsuna hasn't shown any sign of concern at all. If either of them pays enough attention, he in fact is not even looking at the directions that Hallelujah is already covering. He instead focuses on the areas that his fellow Meister hasn't been observing, which is very likely returned mutually, indication their perfect synchronization.

As their so-called stroll continues into the depths, the worse the scenes are becoming. While the outer streets look stunning and respectable, the backstreets are not the same way. Further and further in, more undesirable kinds of people can be seen roaming about. And if there are any decent people around, they're noticeably keeping their personal belongings as close as possible with their wary gazes most guarded.

Welcome to Sciocchezza Street, a sign indicates. ]

"Chezza", as the locals so affectionately call it. [ Someone's done his homework. Hallelujah breezes past the sign with an aura that can be called threatening, at best. He'd suggested they dressed down, but the fact of the matter is that they stand out here. Streets are lined with trash and shifting shadows. Drunks and degenerates populate every nook and cranny. They practically glow in comparison. Hallelujah just has to make sure he sets the bar high as far as intimidation goes. ] Pathetic, isn't it? All this shine on the surface, and look what you get when you dig it up!

[ Home sweet home. How many times had he walked Allelujah through places like this? ]

Still, you can find little birds.

[ Ones that chirp well, saying things like mafia. ]

[ Hallelujah does a fine job of acting as a beacon and a warning at the same time. His aggressive, threatening stance, the way he breezes past the sign without a care in the world and all the disregard for safety he can manage... All of that will draw attention to him.

And, hopefully, away from the others.

Kavi would tip his hat at that is he wasn't so busy keeping up with Hallelujah's long strides and still appearing nonchalant.

He hums a low tone of agreement, eyes focusing on the slumped over form of some bozo before checking on Lapis and Setsuna, just to make sure. ]

Birds will always sing if you encourage them.

[Lapis glances around curiously as she keeps following along, tugging at the fabric of the sweater she's decided to wear. She's certainly dressed down, but considering how Lapis normally dresses, that still sticks out a bit.]

... Most sparkly cities are like that. They have to find some way to cover up the dark parts.

[Is all she says in response to Hallelujah's words, folding her hands behind her back as she keeps walking. Ducking her head down slightly so she doesn't catch any random strangers eye by mistake, even as she keeps glancing around.]

[ Birds? Sparkles? Setsuna can appreciate poetry, but in a situation like this he would rather not deal with them. He doesn't even need to say anything to get the point across. The sights and sounds around them is more than enough to inform them of what they're about to get into. It's not going to be a nice stroll, an obvious fact ever since accepting this job in the first place. It's a job directly telling them to either capture or kill people.

This is exactly why Setsuna isn't responsive. He just wants to get this job done as quickly as possible, with the least bloodshed, with the least lingering. While this is natural for him and Hallelujah however, it isn't the same for Kavi and Lapis who aren't used to such dirty jobs. That's why he's remaining sharp, glaring with those soulless-seeming eyes of his whenever any of the possible cutthroats would look at them more than necessary. Two experienced terrorists are enough to keep lesser troublemakers away from their group.

Not long from now, the group eventually encounters an area that is surrounded by men and women in suits. From their stature alone, it's obvious that they're also playing the same intimidation game. Enter their dominion, and there will be problems. ]

[ Oh, Setsuna didn't like that, huh? Hallelujah can immediately tell, breathing out a harsh laugh that only he may get. Those eyes of his have seen streets worse than the likes of this warred over, gone up in smoke and flame. Talk of lovely things, sparkle and shine, the freedom of birds, that must get to him. By comparison, Hallelujah's needs are simple, as is his understanding of the situation. ]

That's right, girlie.

[ Hallelujah's voice has dropped as he addresses Lapis, and by association, Kavi. Like a rumble, a warning. ]

It's all bad for tourism, otherwise. You'd have guys like that looking uptight on every corner. How fucked up would that be?

[ "Guys like that" being the first of the suits to appear. Hallelujah sees them in the distance, knowing that their presence alone must mean something worth protecting is nearby. While he'd like to just dive into a pile of them to see what they've got, he instead takes a sudden veer into an alley to their left, well before their group is within sight. It's darker, and cramped as hell. But it's not crawling with lackeys, so they've got that going for them. ]

[ Despite the entire situation, the corners of Kavi's mouth lift. He can't help it, this is a dangerous situation and he should be nervous and he is, it's been ages since he has done anything remotely like this and yet - He trusts those around him to have his back.

It's why he follows the others into the alley, focused on not looking back over his shoulder at the approaching group. It would likely set them off. Instead, he inwardly mulls over their numbers and how to deal with them.

Low under his breath, Kavi speaks and there is an odd, chipper undertone to it all. Perhaps it is the imminent fight, maybe it's to cover the old, familiar tension settling his his stomach. ]

Not fucked up enough, apparently.

[ With day one's exploration closing on an important, ahem, lead, Hallelujah is none too slow in getting a move on to tail it. Boy, did he hit the jackpot in delivering him from the abject boredom of tiptoeing around a brewing war. Alessandra Rambaldi... Hallelujah hasn't even had to get in there and dirty up his hands yet to find out a little bit about that name. Seems her tongue gets away from her after a few drinks, in more ways than one. With back door deals in contraband that sent the Narcissa Expo up in smoke and information on a murder waiting in the wings, her little rendezvouses might just yield something important.

Evening is falling on Capablanca when he arrives at the heart of the seaswept city. Gaslights and torches have sprung up along the contours of the streets, the air alive with the smell of salt and ozone, the sounds of people, and singing by the water. Hallelujah is used to a more sterile environment, even if he'd carved up Earth's slums pretty well. People of his time liked to hide their garbage and pretend it didn't exist, so long as they weren't affected by it.

That they don't here, at least not so quickly, is a thrill. Approaching the entrance to the entertainment district, he finds a familiar figure looking about as dark, somber, and uptight as he remembers. ]

Yo. [ Hallelujah stops short of Hux, squaring himself and putting a hand on his hip. ] You sure you should be running around out here by yourself?

[ CLASS ACT GREETING. ]

[well, he'd be hardly recognizeable if he wasn't as dark, somber and uptight as ever, right??? Anyway, he didn't really expect to see Allelujah here. The greeting has him turning his head, but the tone of it has his eyes narrowing, gaze flicking over Hallelujah until he seems to come to a conclusion. Then his expression falls back into impassivity.]

Do you have reason to believe I shouldn't? [raising an eyebrow. It could be an honest question or it could be sarcastic; it's hard to tell with Hux sometimes. Either way, his expression isn't giving anything away one way or another.]

[ Hallelujah simply smiles. Not the one he was expecting — that's always a nice edge to have. ]

You just didn't seem like the type.

[ Which is really a question as much as it is a statement, though Hallelujah honestly doesn't care one way or another. Curiosity just tends to snare at him now and again, especially when he accidentally stumbles upon something worth thinking of as interesting. He's not the first Hero to come sniffing around the darker parts of this district, but a bookworm like this guy? Hallelujah studies him, expression chillingly even. ]

Well. Neither do you, at first glance. [light, casual, and his gaze moves quickly over Hallelujah again, briefly assessing, this time with a bit more curious interest] However, it can certainly be advantageous to be underestimated. Particularly when one is seeking...information.

Yeah. I'm aware. [ Hallelujah won't deny the obvious. He's never had much stake in being secretive about his existence, nevermind his motives. There's a reason that for all of his blunt force, Allelujah remains the dominant one. He shifts; from beneath his jacket, the hilt of the Alfersan dagger taken from Salamanca shines. ] So, just going where the wind takes you? Or is it something else?

[ Depending on what he has to say, Hallelujah has a trail of his own to offer, should he want to tread it. ]

[the handle of the dagger glints and the corner of Hux's mouth twitches upward in what, if continued, might have been a smirk, brief and sharp. However, it's quickly schooled back into casual neutrality.]

I never allow the wind to take me anywhere. [or, every action serves a purpose. He would hardly be here if it was not for a specific, important reason. So now may be a moment to temporarily stop beating around the bush.] I'm here to follow a lead.

[ Parsing people is something of an interest for Hallelujah. It's easier to take something apart if you know how it ticks, after all. This man knows war, or at least the brutal technicality of it. That's what allows him to be so concise, a little too rigid. He seems to finish out the smirk that Hux wisely forgoes. ]

That's too bad, in a place like this. [ Something that seems to feed off of the raw energy here claws at him. But he is entirely instinctual, trusting wind about as much as anything else. ] Still. It sounds like you've sniffed out something worth chasing, as far as our little traitors go.

[ Worth sinking teeth into. ]

I would hardly bother coming here if it wasn't worth chasing. [Halle pls. Hux turns his attention to the alley he was about to head down and moves to complete the action, starting off into the dark]

[ He's so like Tieria that it brings a sharp smile to his face, flickering through the more mild expression. All work and no play. ]

I'd be careful. That way's a regular rabbit hole.

[that causes Hux to pause for a moment, before turning back, slightly, and looking at Hallelujah over his shoulder. He arches an eyebrow, briefly]

Then you'd best follow me down it. [that's as much an invitation as Halle's gonna get before Hux turns, continuing to move down the alley.]

Roger that.

[ Despite the lick of condescension in his tone, it's a practiced saying, with no foreign implications. Back in the dungeon, this man had made it clear he was among the few who were acquainted with the level of technology he is. Spacefaring, implied war. It's interesting, and Hallelujah likes to stay occupied. ]

The farther down you go, the less these Othellian guys like to play nice. Word has it, anyway!

[the condescension is noted but not responded to. After all, he is following the order. Besides, he's worked with others far more...obstinate than Hallelujah has been, insofar.]

Well. Playing nice only gets one so far.

[Hux casually straightens his cuffs on his jacket as he continues down the corridor]

In every well-ordered society, there has to be one willing to make the...difficult decisions for the sake of the whole.

Difficult? [ Hallelujah snorts, all loose movement by comparison. ] Sure, if you like the sound of pretty words. They gloss over bad shit real nicely.

[ But that's none of his business. ]

Either way, about the only order the mafiosos down here understand is the one where they come out on top.

Do not underestimate the value of, how did you put it? [Hux pauses, briefly] "Pretty words?" They may not have their merit down here, but they can certainly be a useful tool.

[anyway]

As for the mafiosos, that does not come as a surprise to me. Any back-water, low-brow crime organization such as this only care for their personal goals, rather than the good of the whole. It is simply a matter of...readjusting their priorities.

[About halfway down the alley, Hux stops at what seems to be a blank wall. He turns to it, studying it for a moment.]

Sure as shit, they can. [ Hallelujah's shoulders arch pointedly. ] They're weapons of war.

[ A well-timed word can do as much damaged as a well-timed shot. Despite himself, Hallelujah swivels opposite of Hux, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. He works best as the converse to a cause, and falls into it naturally. A brief flicker of a glance tells him they're not exactly alone, but not exactly in real danger.

As of now. ]

Effective ones. [the words, that is, as weapons. But he's reaching a hand up, gloved fingers trailing over the wall until they search out a groove. It's at that point he's slipping two fingers in to press a switch, and the wall shifts and shimmers like an illusion before disappearing, revealing stairs down. The stairs are unlit, and that whole 'not exactly in real danger' thing might about to be upgraded to 'actual dangerous danger' status]

A rare thing, when people like to hear themselves talk so much.

[ Wartime rhetoric is his favorite, can't you tell. But that's for another time. Hearing the pointed shift and shimmer behind him, Hallelujah is quick to notice a suit on his peripherals, lingering in the alleyway behind them. His hand strays to his hip, a gesture that could be as innocuous as it is pointed. An instant is all it takes for his demeanor to shift from languid to threatening, running on a thin wire of anticipation. ]

Cute. Gonna take the plunge? Because we have company.

I'm considering it. [He briefly glances back at Hallelujah] I am rather curious to see how deep this rabbit hole goes. [and with that, he's turning and stepping down into the darkness.]

[ Heel scuffing backwards, he flashes the most shit-eating of grins at the shadows in the distance. ]

That's how it is, then.

[ Hallelujah steps backwards, eyes aglow like a predator. He doesn't take his attention off the outside surroundings until he's down the first step after Hux. Just like that, the barrier reconstitutes in a flicker of light. He hums. ]

Interesting trick. You didn't seem like the type to flush out rabbits.

[ Usually that's his job. ]

[his boots click on the stone as they descend--it gets darker the further they get away from the street, and Hux lifts a hand, snapping his fingers, causing a small flicker of flame to appear, hovering at the tip of his index finger. It doesn't give much light, but perhaps it gives enough.]

Oh? Well, now I'm curious. What type did I seem to be, then?

Straitlaced military. A real stickler for the law. Likes having the power to make others get their hands dirty for you.

[ Hallelujah shrugs, descending the steps after him. ]

Not everyone gets there the same way, huh.

[ Some get the silver spoon, others get a shovel to start digging. Whatever the reason, Hallelujah suddenly stills, his mana curving violently in the dark. ]

Hey, do me a favor. Duck.

[ Because there's a sudden pounding of footsteps up the stairs at them, accompanied by a battle cry, magic and weapons flaring. ]

[Hux is about to respond to that--but he doesn't pause to comment or to ask why he needs to duck; years of military academy and a month here have made him react automatically, doing so just as footsteps start coming towards them. Hux's free hand goes immediately towards his gun, the flame on his index finger flickering wildly. It takes enough concentration for him to hold it in the first place, and it's certainly not a focus now as he starts to swing his gun up and aim down the stairs. He'll shoot off into the dark if he has to, make no mistake. Hopefully Hallelujah won't get in his way.

He can hear them coming closer and so, without another thought, aims down the darkened stairs and pulls the trigger. The gun fires with a slight recoil, three bullets bursting from the barrel at once. A moment later, there are reactive cries of pain, surprise--Hux has no idea how successful his hits were; only that they made contact. Which, he supposes, is a start]

[ A start that Hallelujah intends to finish. Hux's shots ring out and he's off right after them, sleek kinetics illuminated by the bursts of muzzle fire in the dark. As soon as the echo of gunfire ceases, physical violence rushes in to take its place — the sickening sound of a fist impacting flesh, the crack of bone, a quick whisper of steel through muscle and the resulting gurgle of a man bleeding out. Hallelujah is indulgent but quick in his work of the men who'd been so kind as to come and greet them. There is nothing else in him but the swift, coursing instinct to survive and thereby destroy anything that stands in his way to do so. Bodies crumple, one after the other, and there's a brief laugh, the scuff of a boot on stone. ]

Sorry, there. [ Hallelujah drawls pointedly. ] But I'm only gonna need one of you from here on out.

[ A guide might be useful, after all. Even if Hallelujah's driven his dagger through the lucky contestant's shoulder to pin him for the time being. ]

[Hux keeps crouched as Hallelujah goes past him, listening to the sounds of what is perhaps a quick and effective silencing. He pushes to stand, the flame on the end of his finger regaining some of its strength as he takes in a slow breath through his nose; an attempt to calm the racing of his heart. Even now, being in such proximity to this sort of fighting makes him twitch. It is irritating.

Despite this, he effects a calm cover, moving down the stairs to join Hallelujah just as he drives the dagger further into his captive's shoulder.]

Ah, good. You've kept one.

[It's said idly, looking at the man. Hux tilts his head just slightly, taking a step closer.] Good evening. We would very much appreciate it if you would show us around your, ah...charming den. [as expected, the response he gets is less than kind; a snarled retort with some...rather colorful language. Hux's expression of mild disinterest doesn't change through it. At the end of an almost impressive and imaginative description of what they could shove and where, he simply just hums a little.]

Well. That's rather disappointing. [he turns to walk a couple steps down the corridor, then, but doesn't go too far] Hallelujah, perhaps you can...convince him. I am going to check these walls for any possible passages we might otherwise miss.

[a pretense, mostly--he's more interested in seeing what Hallelujah can do.]

[ Interesting, interesting. Despite the fact that Hallelujah laughed raucously through their enemy's tirade, and Hux's lofty demeanor, that his delightful little follow-up comes as a suggestion and rather than an order makes a world of difference. Hallelujah's grin is nearly tangible in the dark, and from his kneeling position, poised like a beast over prey, he drives his knee into the man's ribcage. ]

Hahah! I'm very persuasive. [ He reaches to take hold of the dagger from where it's embedded in flesh and bone. ] Educational, too. Humans are great...

[ He gives the hilt a borderline playful tap, watching the ripple of shock it sends through the body. ]

Two of mostly everything! Ears, eyes, nostrils, hands, kneecaps. They learn real quick what's possible to live with.

[ Hux's footsteps still register in his ears when he rips the dagger out sideways, tearing the flesh ragged and making him scream. ]

...and what they just can't do without. What'll be first?

Look, girlie. You said you wanted to know, so don't make that face. [ Heh. ] It's unbecoming.

[ Hallelujah Haptism is actually not unused to working with Soma Peries. Gundam Harute had actually banked on that ability to be fully operational. Gundam Harute was also 77 metric tons of firepower and composite armor to helm, and there was a little less time to be personal about it, what with fucking aliens coming out of the woodwork. So while he may trust her, in a manner of speaking, dealing with her... well, it could go either way.

Especially now that he's waltzed the two of them into a building where "decrepit" would be a kind adjective. Dented film canisters dot the dusty floors. Pieces of the roof and walling have broken, allowing the Capablanca's humid, starlit air to seep in. Whoever left this place to the elements cleared out in a hurry.

Shrugging, Hallelujah plans his boot heel into an old crate of lighting equipment and shoves it forward, creating a godawful screeching noise. ]

Cozy, isn't it?

[ Pieces of the puzzle have been falling into place. Players in this game have all been messy and loose with their information and their revenge; he ought to be thankful to the Brunellos and the Rambaldis. What should have been a careful orchestra has devolved into a frantic song and dance of comeuppance. Well, whatever. A shitshow suits him just fine too, when wanting to be on the winning side of this war. If he ever needed proof that people were the same narcissistic, violent animals anywhere in the universe, it's all rolled out here like a red carpet at his feet. Or, you know, a seedy Capablancan alleyway.

One that he doesn't tread alone.

Hallelujah knows this guy, Levi — one of his more skilled match-ups, as far as fighting went. He's not all that invested in the concept of playing nice with others, but in an alliance, he recognizes someone who has a leg up. And information for information isn't a bad deal, either. ]

So, you wanna know about the Rambaldis?

[ The path he takes leads them farther and farther from the gleam of tourism. He knows it well, having tailed the Rambaldi woman for a few days now. ]

[ A shitshow's about right, and Levi would really prefer if he had no part in this mess. But there's no use dwelling on it, especially not for someone already knee-deep in flung shit. He'd realized it needed to be done long ago.

Though if he had his way, they'd all follow along in the efforts of their own interest, and they'd be better off for it. Just as he'd come to peace with getting his hands dirty, they should be digging out only the useful kernels and discarding the rest. Better than getting emotional over the love stories and murders of people they have no affiliation to. Then again, he won't hold anyone else to his own priorities.

The same goes for Rambaldis and Corsis and Brunellos who've already chosen their fate. He can't judge them, but their interests simply don't align.

It doesn't matter if his interests now align with Hallelujah's though. Their trail clearly aligns, and he's not upset to run into him in this alleyway. He's got the story on the Corsis by now, and he'd like to fill that out with the respective story of the Rambaldis if he can. ]

What happened back in Palamede's not the work of one luxury liner. We should consolidate our facts for Verdoni.

[ Where that means he's being led, he's not sure, but "consolidate our facts" is not necessarily meant as just conversation. ]

[ Palaméde. Through Allelujah's vibrant lens, he'd seen that city at what must have been its finest, only for it to collapse under the weight of its own pretty vulnerability. Hallelujah would not call that attack well thought-out, but he would call it informed. And that information had to come from somewhere. Had Verdoni not sent them out to hunt, Hallelujah wouldn't have given two fucks, but the trail is an interesting one, if anything.

And his tolerance for traitors is abysmally low, for as entertaining as he finds them caught with their pants down. In more ways than one. ]

Those ships are the work of these Corsi guys, yeah? [ He laughs, brief and low. ] Seems the Rambaldis like their shipments exotic, in more than a few ways. Noir just happened to deliver.

[ Taking a corner sees them through an alleyway that leads to an abandoned outcrop of buildings. Most of Capablanca's glow has faded from this place, leaving only broken and dirty reminders of what these parts used to be. ]

[ He wouldn't say he completely concurs with that, but it's true that Levi as well, wouldn't have gone to these efforts if not for the interests of Blanc. That the behavior of their superiors didn't sit right with him, that Palamede should see their city restored... neither made a difference in light of staying to task. It just so happens that staying to task includes investigating the plan's trail, after all.

And here they are. While he doesn't laugh, he's also not above dark humor at the expense of idiots. ]

They've got a lot in common. [ Especially for two feuding bloodlines.

All casual talk of that aside, however, he does see to it that he's prepared for some potentially unwanted surprise. He's been in plenty of ugly Capablanca alleyways by now, but this particular outcropping isn't ringing any bells beyond those that signal the atmosphere of beggars and thieves. Surely this man wouldn't willingly lead him into some mafioso wolves' den...? For now, Levi continues the line of conversation. ]

Any connection to them wanting Francesco Corsi dead?

Oh, is that the word, now? Someone's after the Corsi kid?

[ Well, that wouldn't surprise him. Rumors spread like wildfire, especially with actual evidence acting as kindling. Hallelujah strides with a destination in mind, on course to a building that lies dead ahead. It's a grand thing, or it used to be, in its prime. It sits in a prominent location on the street, a large sign suspended above now blown out of all its lights and lettering. Debris lines its outside perimeters, and a chilly silence has befallen it, like a veil of discolor.

If the building appears to be even more still than it ought to be from the outside, that impression would be correct. Someone takes very good care to make sure the area is cleared out for certain visitors. ]

Maybe he knew just who to come calling on for dating advice.

(semi-closed) let me tell you about a little situation

01 | setsuna, kavi, lapis.

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02 | hux.

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03 | soma.

04 | levi.

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