5th Metal / open video

[godsays]

[ The video turns on Zane, who is somewhat disheveled, but, to the discerning eye, different than usual. Something too intent and high-strung has been muted, and there is a dangerous hint in his eyes. ]

Cassel is... hurt.

Someone needs to collect him.

Level 4, Cabin 12.

[ And video off. ]



[ ACTION SPAM (edited to add) ]

[ And now Zane is in zero.

He sits alone, arms crossed over his chest, his face hard and blank.

Come and visit! ]

Comments

[an_abomination]

I know different people have different ways of showing they care, but usually hurting someone shows that you don't they are worth much.

[godsays]

[ He counters: ]

When I was successful, I knew it because my father tried to have me killed.

[ Then, it was a compliment. An indication, from his father, that his fear of Zane had progressed from the irrational to the rational. ]

[an_abomination]

What do you mean?

[godsays]

He sent assassins. When I was too good at carrying out my plans and his in the same schemes.

[an_abomination]

Okay, I guess logically that makes sense, since it sounds like he saw you as a threat. But there's more to caring than that and you wouldn't have too many people you cared about left if you sent assassins after all of them.

[godsays]

Wouldn't have too many people who could betray you, either.

[an_abomination]

There is that, but if you're afraid of someone betraying you, you might not want to invest so much in them. Kinda ease into it.

Anyway, here's the thing; I don't want to see Cassel get hurt again. I think the two of you could help each other out, so I don't want to be like "stay the hell away from him" or anything like that. What I'm asking is if he asks you to hurt him again in any shape or form, physically, mentally, emotionally, etc, then don't. Because if it happens again after we've had this talk, I'm going to have to take a hard and fast approach to dealing with the situation.

[godsays]

[ Meaning direct punishment.

Zane understands, at least, even if he doesn't completely like it. At least this man didn't dismiss what Zane said outright.

He nods, slowly. ]