[ Lots of people didn't like hurting others. Squalo didn't mind it. Even enjoyed it, sometimes. Of course, his family and friends were an exception. Everyone else? Fair game, for what it's worth. ]
You became a dancer out of spite? [ He looks seriously amused. ] That's some dedication.
[ For the rest, he makes a slight face. He sort of wishes he had thought of this when it came to Hell's punishments. With how long he had been here, it may not have been feasible either way though. His upper body was basically a map of "murder" at this point. ]
It's strange, but it was similar to muscle memory. Like my body already knew what to do, because in my mind, that was what I was doing, except in reality, I was brainwashed and killing someone. Not realizing it until after being deactivated and seeing the blood or brain matter or whatever.
[ Natalia lays her head back against the sofa and stares up at the room's ceiling. ]
Are you planning on staying here or getting redeemed? Assuming that part wasn't a lie and that the experiment is one without an end date.
[ He frowns slightly as he listens. Does that mean that she did not take lives of her own free will? Or perhaps it only started this way? ]
[ The question snaps him back to reality, but he considers for a few moments before speaking. ]
Neither. I plan to find a way to get out of here, but I'm not going to betray everything I am to do so.
[ He's a creature of darkness, he can not live within the light, blah blah. Or something like that. He does not regret what he did, for the most part, and that kind of puts a hamper in most redemption efforts. ]
And if this really is Hell... I expect my family to show up sooner or later. [ Family or family? Yes. ] Might as well stay, then. Carve a piece of Hell out for ourselves.
[ Maybe even take over Lucifer's domain. He seems to have a penchant for getting kidnapped. ]
Huh. Haven't heard that one yet. Escaping, yes, from (lo and behold) Dodger, but the making your own camp thing, that's interesting.
I realize this is a personal question, and you don't owe me an answer; how many alterations have you taken on?
[ How Squalo received said changes doesn't much matter, she won't pursue that part of the package. And because they've touched on lying and curiosity before, Nat clarifies -- ] Asking for research purposes, spy's honor. I've been seeing if there's any rhyme or reason to our transformations.
[ He shrugs, not looking too bothered by it. He'd rather go home, but if he was actually dead... well, being a King of Hell did have a nice ring to it, didn't it? ]
[ His eyebrows rise slightly at the questions. ]
Define "alterations".
[ He hasn't had a lot of demonic changes yet, but the routine torture and just generally getting into trouble has certainly left a lot new marks on him. ]
[ She nods, but it's more to acknowledge having heard Squalo than to agree. ] I still think some of us don't belong, though. But I must be content enough to have moved into a house with Pearce and Kenney.
[ Natalia raises her hand top chest-level and has the palm facing herself. With eyes on him, she extends the claws received back in February. The blood within wans and waxes like a tiny tide. ] Fairly certain this was my punishment for being possessive over someone. Even though it was brought on by that stupid fucking club, some shit in the air. Serum failed me that night as well.
[ The bitterness isn't directed at her fellow assassin. Talia's just perennially perturbed by being unable to rely on someone that was forever reliable previously. ]
[ His family, though? It's like Hell is tailor-made for them. He agrees that there's a bunch of people who don't belong here. They're just... not really his concern. At least while he's not trying to encourage them to sin. ]
[ He nods, filing the information and names away for later just in case. The claws have his interest again and he leans in a bit closer. That looks like some strange accessory more than claws in his opinion, but they look like they're quite functional, as well. ]
That's too bad. At least they look cool, right?
[ He flashes a grin, just a bit wider to show off his shark-like teeth, then opens his mouth. The back part of his palate as well as what's visible of his throat appears to be covered in nightmarish spikes, like something you'd expect to see on a nightmarish deep-sea creature. He closes it, raises an eyebrow and brushes back his bangs, revealing what's left of his horns; he got one broken in battle and must've filed the other off to match, but they seem to be growing back. ]
[ Talia rolls her eyes at him, albeit lightly. ] And I was supplying my own stance. Conversations are a back and forth thing sometimes, in case you weren't aware.
[ While Squalo displays his own alterations, it's Natalia's turn to draw ever closer, examining with a calculated intrigue, like she's filing it all away - which she is, meaning to add it to the list pilfered off of Fitz (& Simmons). To see if it reveals anything, though there's been no correlation as of yet.
Natalia extracts the claws and reaches up with intentions of touching one of his horns, eyes silently asking permission while mouth audibly asks -- ] Did any of it hurt? The claws did, because...are you playing Widow Bingo? The serum didn't staunch the pain.
[ Squalo raises an eyebrow. He's not actually annoyed, but he's not going to miss a chance to be a bitch. He finds it fun. Bit of namecalling and it'd almost feel like home. ] And I reiterated mine. It doesn't always end after one back an forth, if you were wondering.
[ He nods, barely noticeably, allowing her to touch him, a huge show of trust between people like them, but he's willing to take that risk. He gives her a crooked smile. ]
Of course. Like hell. My -- [ he twists his mouth a bit, uncomfortable with whatever he's recalling, but then goes on, ] -- my normal teeth fell out, all in the span of a few minutes, then these grew in. Ripped through everything. I had to bite on a belt. Still need chew toys sometimes. [ He shakes his head, and gestures at the horns. ] And this was one hell of a migraine. Literally felt them coming out of my skull.
[ And he never had a serum of any sort. His own Flames, unfortunately, did not work on himself, just like a scorpion wouldn't get poisoned by its own venom. ]
[ Natalia commits their feel to memory out of habit as well as preparation should she adopt some in the course of her stay. It could also be of use in any future scuffles, with or against her. ]
I'd be concerned if any of these morphs didn't hurt, and yet I'll keep asking on the chance that I find someone who did experience a flawless alteration.
[ She gives Squalo's cheek a caress when returning hands to her lap, purposely against the gums in a show of empathy for the mentioned agony and trauma. ]
I have to ask - [ she doesn't, but it will certainly lighten the mood ] - how the hell does sex and kissing work?
[ Oh, definitely. Squalo wouldn't be Squalo if he didn't intend to use all of it as a weapon. ]
Why?
[ He's not sure what that would prove, aside from being unusual. He grimaces a little at her soft touch -- not pain, just being grumpy that she's being gentle with him, as if he needs that! -- ]
[ -- and then he's snorting a laugh. Looks like it did lighten the mood, even if he merely shrugs. ]
I don't normally do either with someone who's afraid of getting bitten.
[ Is he missing or purposefully ignoring the part where his throat is a literal shredder for anyone daring to even think about oral? Yes. ]
[ (He can actually suck those spikes in, sort of, when he wants to. But it's funnier to keep it to himself for now.) ]
[ If she's letting him know that she's gathering information, she should also be willing to share it. Perhaps for a price. But often, it's worth it. ]
[ Of course, he immediately perks up at the sparring offer. She may not be a swordswoman, precisely, but she's still a strong opponent, which is better than what he's had until they started having some fight dates. Which was growing rusty, pretty much. ]
I'm always willing. Feel free to wake me up with an attack.
[ Another thing he should brush up on, sensing danger and waking up at a moment's notice. ]
[ Oh no. It's going to be a crotch punch, isn't it. ]
[ Squalo probably stays up a while longer - maybe offers her a card game, or goes for a walk while she sleeps, but eventually he'll end up half-asleep on his bunk, refusing to properly close his eyes and relax while someone else is in the room with him. At least he's faking it pretty well, though. ]
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no subject
[ Lots of people didn't like hurting others. Squalo didn't mind it. Even enjoyed it, sometimes. Of course, his family and friends were an exception. Everyone else? Fair game, for what it's worth. ]
You became a dancer out of spite? [ He looks seriously amused. ] That's some dedication.
[ For the rest, he makes a slight face. He sort of wishes he had thought of this when it came to Hell's punishments. With how long he had been here, it may not have been feasible either way though. His upper body was basically a map of "murder" at this point. ]
no subject
[ Natalia lays her head back against the sofa and stares up at the room's ceiling. ]
Are you planning on staying here or getting redeemed? Assuming that part wasn't a lie and that the experiment is one without an end date.
no subject
[ The question snaps him back to reality, but he considers for a few moments before speaking. ]
Neither. I plan to find a way to get out of here, but I'm not going to betray everything I am to do so.
[ He's a creature of darkness, he can not live within the light, blah blah. Or something like that. He does not regret what he did, for the most part, and that kind of puts a hamper in most redemption efforts. ]
And if this really is Hell... I expect my family to show up sooner or later. [ Family or family? Yes. ] Might as well stay, then. Carve a piece of Hell out for ourselves.
[ Maybe even take over Lucifer's domain. He seems to have a penchant for getting kidnapped. ]
no subject
I realize this is a personal question, and you don't owe me an answer; how many alterations have you taken on?
[ How Squalo received said changes doesn't much matter, she won't pursue that part of the package. And because they've touched on lying and curiosity before, Nat clarifies -- ] Asking for research purposes, spy's honor. I've been seeing if there's any rhyme or reason to our transformations.
no subject
[ He shrugs, not looking too bothered by it. He'd rather go home, but if he was actually dead... well, being a King of Hell did have a nice ring to it, didn't it? ]
[ His eyebrows rise slightly at the questions. ]
Define "alterations".
[ He hasn't had a lot of demonic changes yet, but the routine torture and just generally getting into trouble has certainly left a lot new marks on him. ]
no subject
[ Natalia raises her hand top chest-level and has the palm facing herself. With eyes on him, she extends the claws received back in February. The blood within wans and waxes like a tiny tide. ] Fairly certain this was my punishment for being possessive over someone. Even though it was brought on by that stupid fucking club, some shit in the air. Serum failed me that night as well.
[ The bitterness isn't directed at her fellow assassin. Talia's just perennially perturbed by being unable to rely on someone that was forever reliable previously. ]
no subject
[ His family, though? It's like Hell is tailor-made for them. He agrees that there's a bunch of people who don't belong here. They're just... not really his concern. At least while he's not trying to encourage them to sin. ]
[ He nods, filing the information and names away for later just in case. The claws have his interest again and he leans in a bit closer. That looks like some strange accessory more than claws in his opinion, but they look like they're quite functional, as well. ]
That's too bad. At least they look cool, right?
[ He flashes a grin, just a bit wider to show off his shark-like teeth, then opens his mouth. The back part of his palate as well as what's visible of his throat appears to be covered in nightmarish spikes, like something you'd expect to see on a nightmarish deep-sea creature. He closes it, raises an eyebrow and brushes back his bangs, revealing what's left of his horns; he got one broken in battle and must've filed the other off to match, but they seem to be growing back. ]
That's all that I know of.
no subject
[ While Squalo displays his own alterations, it's Natalia's turn to draw ever closer, examining with a calculated intrigue, like she's filing it all away - which she is, meaning to add it to the list pilfered off of Fitz (& Simmons). To see if it reveals anything, though there's been no correlation as of yet.
Natalia extracts the claws and reaches up with intentions of touching one of his horns, eyes silently asking permission while mouth audibly asks -- ] Did any of it hurt? The claws did, because...are you playing Widow Bingo? The serum didn't staunch the pain.
no subject
[ He nods, barely noticeably, allowing her to touch him, a huge show of trust between people like them, but he's willing to take that risk. He gives her a crooked smile. ]
Of course. Like hell. My -- [ he twists his mouth a bit, uncomfortable with whatever he's recalling, but then goes on, ] -- my normal teeth fell out, all in the span of a few minutes, then these grew in. Ripped through everything. I had to bite on a belt. Still need chew toys sometimes. [ He shakes his head, and gestures at the horns. ] And this was one hell of a migraine. Literally felt them coming out of my skull.
[ And he never had a serum of any sort. His own Flames, unfortunately, did not work on himself, just like a scorpion wouldn't get poisoned by its own venom. ]
no subject
I'd be concerned if any of these morphs didn't hurt, and yet I'll keep asking on the chance that I find someone who did experience a flawless alteration.
[ She gives Squalo's cheek a caress when returning hands to her lap, purposely against the gums in a show of empathy for the mentioned agony and trauma. ]
I have to ask - [ she doesn't, but it will certainly lighten the mood ] - how the hell does sex and kissing work?
no subject
Why?
[ He's not sure what that would prove, aside from being unusual. He grimaces a little at her soft touch -- not pain, just being grumpy that she's being gentle with him, as if he needs that! -- ]
[ -- and then he's snorting a laugh. Looks like it did lighten the mood, even if he merely shrugs. ]
I don't normally do either with someone who's afraid of getting bitten.
[ Is he missing or purposefully ignoring the part where his throat is a literal shredder for anyone daring to even think about oral? Yes. ]
[ (He can actually suck those spikes in, sort of, when he wants to. But it's funnier to keep it to himself for now.) ]
no subject
[ Information is power, Squalo, geez. ]
[ Talia snorts at that, eyes flicking upwards in a half-hearted roll. ]
I see.
[ She retreats back to her space on the sofa and stretches, the sigh somewhat less tense than from her arrival. ]
Snarky response aside, don't worry about altering your schedule for me, but we could wake up together and spar in the morning, if you're willing.
no subject
[ If she's letting him know that she's gathering information, she should also be willing to share it. Perhaps for a price. But often, it's worth it. ]
[ Of course, he immediately perks up at the sparring offer. She may not be a swordswoman, precisely, but she's still a strong opponent, which is better than what he's had until they started having some fight dates. Which was growing rusty, pretty much. ]
I'm always willing. Feel free to wake me up with an attack.
[ Another thing he should brush up on, sensing danger and waking up at a moment's notice. ]
no subject
[ Raising brows to the challenge, Talia quips with delight -- ] Deal.
[ And then she readies herself for bed, looking more forward to this two day slumber party. ]
no subject
[ Oh no. It's going to be a crotch punch, isn't it. ]
[ Squalo probably stays up a while longer - maybe offers her a card game, or goes for a walk while she sleeps, but eventually he'll end up half-asleep on his bunk, refusing to properly close his eyes and relax while someone else is in the room with him. At least he's faking it pretty well, though. ]