-20th Bullet-

[emperor_cowboy]

[Truth be told, Hol didn't know what was going on in his head. He had confessed to being a communist, when the thought never once crossed his mind. He was more or less locked inside the house, despite any efforts to leave, and again... he had no clue why.

Far as he could tell though, there was something going on around town that caused everyone to act out of the ordinary. He had heard multiple conversations about folks spilling out their best and well kept secrets. It bothered him.

So when he thought everyone was well asleep for the night, he snuck out. His drive for nicotine was strong that night. Maybe he was nervous, scared... but whatever it was... he was finding himself not comfortable at all around this town.]

Comments

[snipingmissy.livejournal.com]

[She had heard him up, and something about the way he moved about the house, she knew he was back to normal. Hawkeye got up and slid on a sweater, following the smell of the cigarette to the front porch.]

You're up late, Hol.

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[His frame stiffened as he heard her voice. Gradually, he relaxed.]

... Same goes for you.

[snipingmissy.livejournal.com]

I heard you head outside.

[She hesitates, not willing to say that she wanted to be sure with her own eyes that he wasn't about to turn himself in for being a communist.]

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[No one ever bothered to go and check on him before. He wasn't used to it.]

... Yeah? Well... I'm fine. Y' can go back inside.

[He almost wished she wouldn't, and stay with him. He wasn't about to admit he was lonely.]

[snipingmissy.livejournal.com]

[If she was put off by his comment, she didn't show it. Instead, she stepped onto the porch and quietly shut the door behind her.]

I couldn't sleep anyway, and it's a nice night.

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[That was a first. He turned to look to her.]

Look, if anything I said earlier this week I...

Well I didn't mean it.

[Admit outright to being something he wasn't... what was he thinking?]

[snipingmissy.livejournal.com]

[She nodded, looking on front of her.]

I know.

I apologize for being so difficult and standing on front of the door for the better part of five days, but I simply wasn't going to allow you to turn yourself in.

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

No one's ever been concerned for me before.

[Someone had, a long time ago. Though she wasn't here.]

Can I ask why? You hardly know me.

[snipingmissy.livejournal.com]

[She has to contemplate this for a moment.]

First, I rather owed it to you, seeing as I attacked you when we first met. Furthermore, those of us who are prisoners here...we are very much outnumbered by the drones.

[She sighs, shaking her head. Though what she'd said was true, there was more behind the actions than what she'd said.]

I would feel uncomfortable watching someone who has done nothing wrong putting themselves in such a position.

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[He pondered carefully on this, before going back to his cigarette. After a moment, he looked to her.]

Even if I admitted to working for someone who...

[He sighed and looked away. It was almost as if he regretted that decision.]

[snipingmissy.livejournal.com]

Even if.

[She looks out to the silent street in front of them, pointedly not meeting his gaze.]

You are not the only person with a past here, Hol. As a soldier, I've done things I'm not proud of. The only thing I can do from here is choose not to make those decisions again.

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[He looked at the ground for a moment, and his shoulders slumped.]

This town gets to ya. I'm not one who... people from home would consider trustworthy.

[He glanced up to her.]

I thought it the same of myself, and tried to convince myself of it. Though being here... has made me want to correct past decisions. Even if those who know me think I'm incapable of it.

[He looked back to the ground, convinced that he was a coward and worthless.]

[snipingmissy.livejournal.com]

[She continues to not look at him, drawing her sweater tighter around her shoulders.]

Those who know you from home wouldn't have seen changes that took place while you were here. They would have no other way to think, since they don't know what has changed.

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

... No, and I suppose if they should come back, they still wouldn't know.

[He was upset, and held his hand out in front of him, observing it carefully.]

What about your world? Suppose you could tell me something that yer folk find ordinary that others would find odd?

[snipingmissy.livejournal.com]

Something about myself, or about my world?

[She looks up at the stars, thinking.]

Alchemy is very common where I come from. It's a form of science, where matter is converted from one thing to something else.

About myself? [She laughs quietly to herself. She owed it to him.] I'm afraid of shadows.

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[He seemed to chuckle at the last bit.]

That doesn't sound too strange to me at all. I don't care much for the shadows myself... It's a long story.

[After all... Dio lurked in the shadows. His fingers flexed and he summoned his Stand.]

Back home, we got a force that most normal folk can't see...

[... and unless Riza was capable of seeing pure spiritual energy... then she would fail to see the gun he now possessed in his hand.]

They call them Stands. ... and the guy I worked for had one of his own. I couldn't even figure out its power but... I kinda wish I didn't have one.

[snipingmissy.livejournal.com]

A sniper afraid of shadows isn't particularly useful. We had an enemy who threatened to be watching from the shadows.

[She suppressed the shudder at the thought. Looking carefully, she could see his fingers flex, and she turned, looking at his palm. She couldn't see it.]

Consider me 'normal folk'; I wouldn't have had any idea had you not moved your fingers.

Can you get rid of it...or stop using it, perhaps?

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[He frowned.]

Only way to get rid of the Stand, is to get rid of its owner.

[snipingmissy.livejournal.com]

[She nods, looking back towards the street.]

That's..unfortunate, that there is no other way.

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

Few have tried though... gettin' rid of me. Though a Stand user can't be harmed by his own Stand. Doesn't seem t' work that way.

This Stand here's called The Emperor. I figure ya can't see it, but it looks like a gun.

[He hoped she figured it out from there, that he had been forced to shoot himself.]

I understand your username now! :3

[snipingmissy.livejournal.com]

[She nodded. The connection was made.]

I see.

\o/ YAY!

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[As his hand relaxed, the Stand had disappeared.]

... and yer right, a sniper afraid of the shadows is next to useless.

[He found himself to be that way.]

Though when Emperor never misses... no sense in hiding.

[If you can't see it, you won't know he's aiming to shoot you.]

I guess I never really bothered in tellin' anyone that it even exists.

XD This tag and then I go to bed! Will tag in the monring :3

[snipingmissy.livejournal.com]

[She chuckles.] Cast shadows are one thing. I didn't say I was afraid of the dark.

[That was something she understood. Hiding in a tower, aiming and shooting without a sound spare the gunshot--if you didn't see the glint of her scope, you had no idea she was there. It's possible that you might never, if her shot was well-placed enough.]

Regardless of your opinion on it...being unseen has its advantages. Though...I can understand why you never told anyone.

SLEEP IS OVERRATED! WHY BACK IN MY DAY-- /sleep

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[Hol stood and looked toward the street. Did he say "Scared"? What he meant was... okay so he had nothing. Looking back over his shoulder, he offered a small chuckle.]

I appreciate the company, but I... I need a walk.

[Inside, he was telling himself how much of a fool he was. Still refusing any manner of friendship, even in this town. Someone had seen through his act, but now that someone was gone.]

Good monring :3 (That may be my favorite typeo of morning ever now)

[snipingmissy.livejournal.com]

[She rocked on her heels, hesitating. From his posture and the way he said it, a part of her felt that he really did want company. On the other hand, she was not going to force company on him.]

Just be careful, then. Something still doesn't feel right.

[She leaned against the wall, looking up at the sky with a small smile. She wouldn't force company on him, but she'd made a sideways offer.]

I think I'm going to stay out here for a little while. It's a nice night, and I can't see stars like this at home.

:3 Why hello thar!

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[He hesitated for a moment, and then looked at the sky as well. Eventually he dropped his gaze and glanced over his shoulder.]

I'll catch ya later then. Make sure the others don't do anything. This town makes a person do crazy things.

Yo :3

[snipingmissy.livejournal.com]

[That might be an understatement, but she nods with a small smile. Something about keeping tabs on the children of the house felt very parent-like, and it was a strange feeling to her--to want to make sure that they were all right]

I will. Stay out of trouble yourself, Hol.