bakerstreet | (no subject)

No, I guess you're not.

[Martin make a point to stare directly at Billie's tattoo. As if there was any doubt in his meaning. The use of his name elicits a slight laugh.]

I'm not in the habit of lectures, but on account of our familiarity, I'll make an exception. Thalia, wasn't it?

[He can use names as well.]

Well, I think we'd better let your brother know you won't be home tonight. Where exactly does he live?

[NOT OBVIOUS AT ALL, MARTIN.]

[Oh, she saw that. The only part of her tattoos that weren't already exposed hid behind the strap of the equivalent of an ~~1800s steam punk-ish~~ sports bra (if she could give Overseers any credit, they weren't that kind of crude--just cautious). Along with the tattoos, a fair share of scars of varying age littered a well-toned body. Billie was no aristocrat, even though she was borrowing one's name.]

Thalia. [A beat. She gives a weak, one-armed shrug.] Sure.

[He probably knew already. By the way WOW MARTIN. Okay, congratulations. Martin actually gets her to genuinely laugh this time. And then cough, because shit. She forgot, breathing still hurt. Overseers hit you harder when you can't fight back. Bastards and cowards. She looks back up at him, slightly breathless--]

You know? [She clears her throat.] I forgot.

That's unfortunate.

[He moved to the musical device and ever so inconspicuously turned the volume up. He gave the Whaler a pointed look as he did so.]

Maybe I should ask you again in a few minutes. You might remember then.

[He chuckled, as if amused by himself.]

[What is he do--shit. Billie's body locks up as another wave of droning metal sounds rip through her brain. She shuts her eyes and clenches her teeth, riding out the pain as soundlessly as she can.

Now she's really going to be sick. Forcing back the bile she can feel in her throat, she lets out a few shakier breaths and opens her eyes. She stares evenly back at him.]

All in the name of fighting heresy, huh.

[Martin folds his arms.]

You're not in any position to complain.

[Still, he lowers the volume. Granted, it's to interrogate Billie once more.]

Have you remembered your brother's address?

[Again, she clears her throat. Weakly:] I bet to differ.

[And AGAIN she hated this. She hated being this weak, this powerless. It was hard to be unreadable like this, so Martin could probably see the burning behind her dark eyes. Even more shameful was that she was under the power of a man she could easily run her blade through, which she would gladly do, if it wasn't for that box. That's the only thing that chained her back. A damned box.

Drowning her in metal sounds.

With someone to focus on, she could hang on a little. The ache burned in her brain, but she wasn't dead yet. She didn't say anything for a while. She was trying to get her thoughts together, as much as she could.

Delilah wouldn't tell her about the Overseer Hume until tomorrow. So she didn't have that on her side. Then where had Daud been? He was trailing behind her when it happened. He wouldn't have left her behind. Or maybe...

Maybe he really was slipping.]

No.

[Martin says nothing, only increases the volume once more on the music box. He peers over at Billie with mild amusement, as if her stubbornness is an entertaining departure from the usual Overseer interrogation.]

[gdit fuck you martin

More pain tears through her and--oh fuck it, she's throwing up. She spreads her legs apart and leans forward as much as she can and out it comes between her bare feet with the usual vile sounds people make when they puke. Her aim was still good, at least.

Well, that's out. She pants. Still leaned over, she looks back up at him. Staring, even. Happy? Because she could do this all day if you wanted to, Martin.

Still catching her breath, she makes a mental note to mention the Outsider at least once, later. Just to see what he would say.]

Edited 2013-05-24 06:59 (UTC)

[Martin lowers the volume again, but lingers before addressing Billie again. There's nothing in particular he's doing; it's more to unbalance the Whaler than anything else. When he does return to her, it's with a most sincere tone.]

Feel better now?

[Billie's caught her breath. She sighs faintly and leans back in the chair.]

Not really. But I wouldn't have 'gone down that path' if I couldn't handle it.

[She airquotes him as much as the chair-bound cuffs will let her.]

And how long do you think you can handle it?

[Martin snorts and turns away.]

The last person in that chair killed himself within a matter of minutes. I'm a bit surprised you haven't tried yet.

I can handle plenty.

[Billie stares at his back, wondering if he can feel it. She wasn't afraid of death, but she didn't want it come this soon. She wouldn't let it.]

Minutes? If he had to look at you, I'm suprised he didn't do it sooner. [HARHARHARHARokay.] Besides, I couldn't if I wanted to. Maybe the Outsider wants me around to piss you off.

Edited 2013-05-24 19:09 (UTC)

You can't, can you?

[He offers a bemused look.]

No, your continued existence doesn't bother me in the slightest. You don't seem in any position to cause me any undue stress and having you alive is the idea.

[Beat.]

For now, anyhow.

Something like that. [Close enough.]

For now. [She repeats it matter-of-factly despite her weariness. As for her continued existence, she shrugs in the chair.] Depends on my luck. Why did you choose to associate with 'such people'?

[She's partly trying to keep the questions off herself, partly being her usual, overly curious self.]

Edited 2013-05-26 22:26 (UTC)

Ah.

[The Overseer shakes his head.]

You don't get to ask the questions here. I do.

[He stares the assassin in the eyes.]

The man you work for-- where is he now?

I think it's only fair I get to ask some questions too.

[There's a faint smile through her exhaustion. She doesn't answer him.]

Fair?

[Hohoho there's that amusement again.]

You practice the dark arts and dabble in black magics. You gave up any right to "fair" when you took his mark.

Edited 2013-05-27 02:58 (UTC)

And you're a snake. I think that makes us even. [Snorts.] By 'him' you mean the Outsider? If I ever meet him, I'll run my rights by him.

[Normally, Billie wouldn't give an Overseer the satisfaction of knowing anything about her, like the pieces she's feeding Martin. But she knows this Overseer. And it's almost fun to quip back at him. It's almost a game. It gives her something to focus on besides the pain, besides ignoring his questions. She's picking what she tells him carefully. It shouldn't be incriminating, but it's enough to keep the conversation interesting.]

Besides. You don't give up anything when you're born into nothing.

Edited 2013-05-27 07:41 (UTC)

[Snake? He's heard that before, but he hasn't gotten this far by being bothered by names like that.]

Yes, I meant him. I'm surprised you haven't met him already-- here I thought those he favored had a direct line. Perhaps you're not as popular as you think.

[Martin folds his arms.]

I wonder if he's watching right now.

[Not that Martin thinks the Outsider has any power here. The music box sees to that. And on some level, he'd like to see the entity try and challenge the Overseers head-on. Billie's last comment, however, strikes a chord in Martin and throws him a bit for a loop.]

...No, I suppose you don't.

[He doesn't have a quip for that, just a look.]

[Martin was halfway right. There was a 'direct line' of sorts. Depends on who you were talking about, someone who had his REAL mark. But that was a piece of information she wasn't going to give away.]

Maybe it's just me. You have the wrong woman if you want to know about the Outsider. [Billie shrugged.] But he seems like the easily entertained kind. Maybe he is watching.

[But Billie notices that her last words did something. She looks at him with her usual, intense curiousities. Watching him, studying him. Hm.]

You must know. [She's guessing.]

Let him try his worst; I think you'll find your dark God is not going to save you this time.

["You must know"? Oh, he did. Martin knew very well, but by the Void was he going to tell the Whaler that. He returns her comment with a guarded comment of his own.]

I know that you've made a series of unfortunate choices that have led you to this point.

[Billie laughs weakly at that. Sheesh, this guy was overdramatic. She leans back in the chair again and lulls her head to the side, fixing her gaze to the wall.]

Unfortunate to you, maybe. [Because she didn't regret any of it.]

Edited 2013-05-27 17:44 (UTC)

[Martin waits to see if Billie has anything else to say before speaking up himself.]

You were about to tell me where I might find the man you serve, I believe.

[She's quiet for a moment. For a few seconds, her gaze doesn't waver. Finally, without turning her head, she sideeyes him.]

Was I? You really want to do this again?

Edited 2013-05-27 19:05 (UTC)

I still haven't gotten the answer I asked for, so yes. I do.

[He frowns.]

This could all be over quickly if you tell me what I want to know.

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editing just to say i love these two

Even when they're horrible to each other :P

exactly. also would you want daud to come in any time or wait a little longer?

Whenever. I'm not picky. Que sera, sera, as it were.

ok! i let her know she can come in any time (last edit I swear)

\o/

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man, I always come up with better ideas WAY after I tag back

Ha ha, I know how that goes

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