i am a cage in search of a bird

[crocodiline]

[ The figure inside the frosted glass snaps her fingers, and the glass falls away, sliding into grooves in the ground below. Inside, behind additional bulletproof glass, sits a woman, legs up on a transparent glass desk, absentmindedly petting a... whatever this thing is.

Say hello to your mastermind, everyone! ]

Hey there, everyone. Nice to talk to you in person - my name is Cipher, welcome to my city. Sorry I took so long to show up in person. No need to get up on my account - how about we talk business?

[ Let's drive. ]

Comments

[withagun]

[ ??? ???? ???

The boy looks so fucking baffled. Utterly so. But, after a moment, after he- tries to recover- ]

W-well- yes, that's... Not...great... But- I was the one who...jumped first, and... I-I'm not gonna call you a- horrible person, especially since I didn't really know the real you!

[ it seems like a conversation was had about this ]

[honeyedtea]

I think we're quite far beyond sparing my feelings on that matter. Though if I'm to be honest at last, it's been... quite refreshing to be so open about it.

[ she's a bitch now! and people are into it, for some reason??? mielle's decided not to question it. ]

If nothing else, not having to bite my tongue every time I open my mouth has done wonders for my mood.

[withagun]

W-well, I just- I don't want to- contribute to it, I think, if I can, I'd like to listen, when people...

[ He's trailing off. No. Be strong Hodaka!! Even though he is very intimidated!!! ]

I-in any case, I'm- glad, then, uh... [ ... ] I don't...think you should have to live in a place where you're...suffocating. Anyone should, I mean.

[honeyedtea]

[ She huffs out a hard breath through her nose in a way that sounds very much like giving up. ]

... Well. I can't say that being here hasn't been an... improvement on my circumstances before. And the company I've found myself with hasn't been... entirely devoid of merit.

[withagun]

[ And Hodaka, little guy as he is, just smiles. ]

That's...good. I'm very glad. It sounds like you've been through something horrible, and... I'm glad, that you don't have to go back to that.

[honeyedtea]

[ She barks a laugh. It's a little more unfiltered than you'd usually get from Mielle. ]

Oh, I couldn't agree with you more. One execution is quite enough for me, thank you very much.

[withagun]

[ Honestly and completely frankly if she wasn't a lesbian and he didn't already find the love of his life Hodaka WOULD frankly be thinking about how that laugh is actually cute. He has a thing for people Being Themselves. ]

Ah, Obi-san said, mm... [ Swallows. ] Sorry. Yeah. Twice, was...sort of...

[honeyedtea]

[ She waves a hand dismissively. ]

I won't say anything foolish like "it's fine" but... It's behind me now, if nothing else. I have a future I can take hold of with my own hands and whether I deserve it or not, I plan to make the most of it.