He's quiet for a little while, as if deciding what to say. Eventually, he leans forward, resting his arms on his legs.]
...I don't want people to feel like they don't have a choice. [He's not naive enough to say something like "you always have a choice"--he's seen too much of the world's darkness for that, but.] There are always ways to appeal to them, so that as few people as possible can be involved in this. It's just a matter of finding out how to play their game.
[Whether that means working doubly hard to get their attention, speaking their language and pretending not to care--anything that can take the heat off of others.]
You're trying to be a hero. [she doesn't mean in any sort of like... superhero way or anything like that, but her impression is that he's trying his best to be selfless.]
[He shifts, gaze flicking away for a moment before it returns to her.]
I wouldn't put it that way. It's just my job to help people. If I can't get in touch with my team and get us out of here quickly, then the next best thing is to minimize harm. [And if that means doing a little extra dirty work, then, well. It wouldn't be the first time.] No one asked to be here--but even if they had, they shouldn't have to do bad things because they feel like they have no other options.
[As if to combat the sadness in her voice, he straightens up, putting his hands to his hips and smiling brightly.]
I'm tougher than you'd think! I've never failed a mission, you know. I don't plan to start now.
[Pixi? Playing a character who will take every murder as a personal failing? Say it ain't so]
All that goes for you too, okay? Things at home might be... [Well. Maybe he shouldn't make assumptions.] however they are for you, but as long as I'm here, I'll do what I can to make sure you don't have to do anything you don't want to. We can figure something out.
there's a little calculating look, almost, as she watches him. like she's forming some opinions in real time.]
I told you I don't need to be rescued. [she says, eyebrow raised, but it's less mean this time. a little. like a centimeter.] If you're going to be like this, then I'd rather work with you than hand you the reins.
[well, and - the part she's not saying, which is there's something so... there's something about the way that he sees her putting her flame out, and throws a little bit of himself on the fire to stop it from happening. she doesn't want that.]
Technically, they all need to be rescued--but he doesn't point that out, even jokingly. Instead--]
I'm not opposed to that. [He says, which is definitely the truth coming from someone who literally just said he'd do other people's work.] I don't mean to act like a commander, or anything. I don't mind working as a team.
[It just... doesn't sit right, leaving other people to take on the role that's usually his. There isn't much he can do here, so far out of his element--it makes him want to go harder in the few ways he can.]
I'm not opposed to it either. [she says dryly.] I typically work alone. But there's no point in working on the same thing separately in this sort of situation.
Okay. I'll do the same. [He reaches into his pocket, then, pulling out the multi-tool they were given with a wink.] And in the meantime, I'll see what I can do with this.
[He will fight these nerfs EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. HE CAN STILL BE INSPECTOR GADGET EVEN IF THE GADGET IS A SHIV]
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no subject
He's quiet for a little while, as if deciding what to say. Eventually, he leans forward, resting his arms on his legs.]
...I don't want people to feel like they don't have a choice. [He's not naive enough to say something like "you always have a choice"--he's seen too much of the world's darkness for that, but.] There are always ways to appeal to them, so that as few people as possible can be involved in this. It's just a matter of finding out how to play their game.
[Whether that means working doubly hard to get their attention, speaking their language and pretending not to care--anything that can take the heat off of others.]
no subject
You're trying to be a hero. [she doesn't mean in any sort of like... superhero way or anything like that, but her impression is that he's trying his best to be selfless.]
no subject
I wouldn't put it that way. It's just my job to help people. If I can't get in touch with my team and get us out of here quickly, then the next best thing is to minimize harm. [And if that means doing a little extra dirty work, then, well. It wouldn't be the first time.] No one asked to be here--but even if they had, they shouldn't have to do bad things because they feel like they have no other options.
no subject
You're asking to be chewed and spat out. [she says, simply, but there's this sort of sadness to her voice, now.] That isn't... how the world works.
But that's admirable. [genuinely.] It is.
no subject
I'm tougher than you'd think! I've never failed a mission, you know. I don't plan to start now.
[Pixi? Playing a character who will take every murder as a personal failing? Say it ain't so]
All that goes for you too, okay? Things at home might be... [Well. Maybe he shouldn't make assumptions.] however they are for you, but as long as I'm here, I'll do what I can to make sure you don't have to do anything you don't want to. We can figure something out.
no subject
there's a little calculating look, almost, as she watches him. like she's forming some opinions in real time.]
I told you I don't need to be rescued. [she says, eyebrow raised, but it's less mean this time. a little. like a centimeter.] If you're going to be like this, then I'd rather work with you than hand you the reins.
[well, and - the part she's not saying, which is there's something so... there's something about the way that he sees her putting her flame out, and throws a little bit of himself on the fire to stop it from happening. she doesn't want that.]
no subject
Technically, they all need to be rescued--but he doesn't point that out, even jokingly. Instead--]
I'm not opposed to that. [He says, which is definitely the truth coming from someone who literally just said he'd do other people's work.] I don't mean to act like a commander, or anything. I don't mind working as a team.
[It just... doesn't sit right, leaving other people to take on the role that's usually his. There isn't much he can do here, so far out of his element--it makes him want to go harder in the few ways he can.]
no subject
I'm not opposed to it either. [she says dryly.] I typically work alone. But there's no point in working on the same thing separately in this sort of situation.
[so there.]
If I have information to trade you, I will.
no subject
Okay. I'll do the same. [He reaches into his pocket, then, pulling out the multi-tool they were given with a wink.] And in the meantime, I'll see what I can do with this.
[He will fight these nerfs EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. HE CAN STILL BE INSPECTOR GADGET EVEN IF THE GADGET IS A SHIV]