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Post by WR Harthe on Dec 11, 2020 6:34:16 GMT
WR wasn't originally supposed to see Leon today, but after the dilemma that was last night they sent a message to him simply saying "Need to talk.", to which he replied with something along the lines of "Meet me tomorrow.".
To be honest, they didn't really know what to expect to come out of this meeting, but they did know what to say going into it. Sort of.
They had been waiting outside of his office for a few minutes, passing the time on their phone. Leon was a hell of a busy guy...
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Post by Leon on Dec 11, 2020 19:02:35 GMT
Leon moved some things around and finished some work early to make some free time to talk to WR today, so when he finished up on the last of some paperwork, he went and opened the door to his office.
"Come on in."
Leon would walk back to his desk and take a seat.
"Would you prefer small talk to brake the ice, or are you good to jump right in to what you need to talk about?"
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Post by WR Harthe on Dec 11, 2020 19:58:44 GMT
WR hastily took a seat in front of Leon and leaned forward, staring him dead in his eyes.
"I got a taste of failure yesterday. Not a good flavor," They'd shake their head repulsively. "Things still worked out, but something in me clicked. Something that had me doin' a lot of thinking..."
They'd pause briefly.
"Then I realized there's a lot that needs to be embraced before I can reach my full potential. Not just for the sake of getting stronger, but for the sake of taking on the world's problems, which will in turn, give me strength for everything I face in the future."
They'd chuckle lightly.
"I'm not a good analogy person, but you get what I'm sayin' right? I found my purpose." They'd say, rubbing the back of their neck.
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Post by Leon on Dec 12, 2020 4:00:28 GMT
"Purpose."
Leon smiled and repeated the word as he leaned back in his chair.
"That's what you were missing when I said you weren't ready... Now that you have found purpose your limits will expand to unbelievable heights."
Leon spoke with pride in WR and their personal growth.
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Post by WR Harthe on Dec 12, 2020 4:12:29 GMT
WR would just smile awkwardly and sit back in their chair as well.
"So that leaves me with a question," They'd place a finger on their chin and squint their eyes. "I didn't do this on my own, obviously. You, Stevie, and Rai have been a lot of help to guide me in this direction..."
They'd pause briefly, ensuring they had his attention.
"It's a broad question, and a bit random. But I want you to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and open them again. Can you tell me what you see?"
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Post by Leon on Dec 12, 2020 4:17:51 GMT
Leon would watch WR for a few moments while they spoke taking in what they were asking. So he did, he closed his eyes and re-centered his mind taking in a deep breath and releasing it calmly before opening his eyes and focusing, taking in all of his vision.
"I see drive... There is passion, but it is tinged with fear, or maybe the passion over laps it. I see anger and confusion which might come from the same source and I see a hidden shadow behind a locked door. The door is old, rusted, cracked, but still locked. I see a mountain before you and the determination to climb it, but the willingness to not do so alone."
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Post by WR Harthe on Dec 12, 2020 5:37:45 GMT
"Hmm," WR would stare at him for a second. They weren't surprised by his answer based on what Rai had told them about him and his previous apprentices.
"Right, fair 'nuff." They'd say with a shrug, looking as if they had more they wanted to say but was holding their tongue.
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Post by Leon on Dec 12, 2020 6:13:17 GMT
Since WR had made their voice known and accomplices in coming to this conclusion he had a question of his own.
"Made friends with my nephew then? How's that going? Sudeki from the main family aren't generally known for their... Acceptance."
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Post by WR Harthe on Dec 12, 2020 6:22:04 GMT
WR would shrug, laying their head in their palm while staring at Leon. They'd made a few spins in the chair while they spoke.
"It's kinda funny actually. I met him a few days before you. Was doin' my thing in Old Town when he strolled up, started askin' about my life before walking me home. Next thing you know I have a job. Well, more of an freelance-internship thing, but a job nonetheless. Gave me a chance to make some money while doin' what I enjoy." They'd stop briefly when they remembered what came next.
...did Leon know about their mark?
That was when they stood up and faced away from him, pulling their shirt and bomber down so he could see the back of their neck. "Then this happened. He saved me from who knows what, but not before those dipshits could do this." They figured he'd stop them there, but would continue to answer the question anyway.
"Since then, we've been real close. Well, 'bout as close as you can get to an apathetic person. You can probably imagine his surprise when I told him I was comin' here. And about your offer."
They'd shrug again and turn back to face him. That was the truth.
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Post by Leon on Dec 12, 2020 6:31:15 GMT
Leon would watch and his face would darken when he saw the mark. That was trouble for sure and he did not know about it. He had no intention of stopping WR from speaking at any point until they were done expressing what they felt they needed to. He was surprised that Rai offered WR a job of sorts working for him, mostly because he didn't see WR as a person who would be willing to napalm a village of innocent people to make room for a forward operating base simply because there was a money reward. Though he also didn't know the nature of the job.
"I see, I did not know you had a run in with Nocturne."
He'd fold his hands on his desk as he thought things over so as to not respond out of instinct.
"Stevie also ended up with a mark because of them... I wish I could get involved further, but I have to trust that Rai can handle his end of things, the best I can do is help with resources."
He'd sigh and scratch at his cheek.
"So you have experienced events with Rai already, and my wife talks about you sometimes. You have made interesting friends so far. I take it Rai's reaction to hearing I offered to help you reach your potential was not a calm conversation."
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Post by WR Harthe on Dec 12, 2020 6:40:21 GMT
WR would just remain silent as Leon spoke, their face flushed as he seemed somewhat irritated. Nevertheless, he was right as usual, which would provoke another shrug from them.
"I thought I told you, but I'm not gonna make any excuses. I was at the wrong place at the wrong time and Rai bailed me out. Kinda. I feel like if I just ran away in the first place none of this would have happened. But whatever. Can't do shit about it now." They'd grumble the last part as they sat back down.
"We... fought a bit. Well, I did. His initial reaction provoked both our marks I think, but he managed to calm us down... still dunno how that works..." They'd spin around the chair as they thought about it, then stop themself when they were facing him again.
"I get that Rai doesn't like you, don't know what you're feeling. Kinda hard to tell. Regardless, you both helped me out a lot and I'm grateful. Don't want to get in the middle of some family drama though."
They'd blush a bit then add. "As for Stevie, I feel like the next time I visit her she won't let me leave." They'd say with a light chuckle.
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Post by Leon on Dec 12, 2020 6:46:06 GMT
Leon would shrug when it came to the comment about the relationship between the family.
"I have no ill will towards Rai or Trinity. I simply know their threat level, and willingness to complete a task."
Leon would leave it at that as he chuckled at WR's comment about not being able to leave.
"Beware of traps young one."
Leon would wait again. He wondered if this was what the sudden message was about, revealing their mark and that they have some sort of side hustle with T.S.I. WR had made mention of coming here to take Leon up on his offer, but it was mentioned in passing. Leon ignored it for the time being to see if there was more to the story.
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Post by WR Harthe on Dec 12, 2020 6:52:29 GMT
"Well, I've only been researching the marks with them. I know fuck all about anything else they do there. Probably for the best though. I've heard some insane stories from Trinity. Well, one, which was enough to remind me to hold on to my humanity no matter what." They'd shrug. Leon was right about their willingness to complete a task. They pondered for a moment what would happen if they got in the way of one...
They'd shake their head.
"That's it. Just wanted to know what you saw in me before I continued is all, didn't mean to get them involved."
They'd adjust their bomber to cover up the mark again as they waited for Leon to speak.
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Post by Leon on Dec 12, 2020 7:01:44 GMT
Leon would grin with a half smile before shrugging.
"It's what happens when you stumble into family and know the two sides of a minor feud. Though if it puts you at peace I was the one who hired them to help get this city back in order. So, at the very least we aren't working against each other."
He'd think once more about what WR said about what he saw in them so he figured he would speak a bit more.
"When I first saw you, drifting through the clouds in the sky you were watching, I caught sight of things. The bag that looked like it had all of your known possessions in it, a blank way about yourself, yet a form of vigilance that could only come from someone used to being suspicious of others. Your eyes however, betrayed the persona you were carrying that day. Curious jewels sparked and a survival instinct ran in the back of your vision. You were ready to fight and run to whatever conclusion may come, but you also wanted to know what a guy like me had to say. You took the time to fish with me and talk, and trusted me enough after that to get some food. That was enough for me to know that you had a heart, but the awareness to know when to trust it. More importantly it was enough for me to want to help you right the wrongs of a terrible life you must have experienced... Reminded me of how I was. At seventeen I got a job as a taxi driver, so that I had a place to sleep. Guess that's why my Taxi was so clean, it was also my apartment."
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Post by WR Harthe on Dec 12, 2020 7:11:12 GMT
"Is there anything you don't know?" They'd hastily query out of half amazement, half annoyance. "Damn, it's like talking to a fucking genie." They'd stop to question their comparison, then shrug. As usual, Leon was right, and his continuation was almost enough to make them want to jump into his arms. Almost.
"Well, like you said. Best way to stop a tragedy is to prevent it entirely. Or something like that." They'd smile under their embarrassment before eagerly throwing their hands on his desk. They were done with sappy stories for now.
"I'm pretty confident you won't just leave me for dead if I fuck up somehow, so I'm good now. I want your help." The first part was accompanied by a laugh that fell dead serious by the latter half.
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