[A beautiful, snowy, elegant day is the perfect kind of day off. Big flakes gently falling, the sound of children playing, tumbling over each other, the smell of vendors selling baked goods on cool, crisp air. It's a beautiful kind of day.]
[He's made little snow bunnies before. But this is his first adventure making a snowman. And he's got three children steadfastly helping him. The parents seem at ease, just watching their kids direct this giant stranger into adding stick arms, stones for eyes. They don't really question it when he adds leaves for ears, assuming he's being silly and pretending for the kids, not realizing this man genuinely doesn't understand the concept of making snowmen until this day. He does, indeed, need the direction.]
[He's stepping away from it to take a picture when one of the children helping him runs across the road to tell his mother that after all that work he wants a hot chocolate. It's mid picture that he sees the car barrel around the corner, and his reflexes activate before his brain.]
[He's not naturally a heroic person. At all. He's a helpful one, but not a heroic one. He doesn't even logic out this child just helped him build a snowman, he doesn't rationalize that it should enjoy every day it has before the eventual extermination of all Earthlings. He just acts, sprinting to shove the kid out of the way.]
[This child has the unfortunate core memory now of turning as he falls to the sidewalk, seeing the car hit the man they were just helping, and him go rolling as the car skids to a stop. His mother scoops him up and tries to shield his eyes.]
[He insists she looks! Because he might be hurt, but she's sure that brave soul must have died until another parent next to her gasps. When she looks? The tall guy is clumsily getting up, hobbles crankily over to the phone that was knocked from his hand, and despite people shouting for him to wait while they call for help he just yells for the driver to stay away from him (he's silently noting that car because he WILL destroy it while on duty), and just leaves the area.]
[He's not going to die, he doesn't even have a broken bone, but every part of him hurts after that.] Fucking Earth vehicles...
[ The difference between a hero and a helper is simply circumstance.
And the difference between an injured man and an uninjured one is... also circumstance. Perhaps genetics, in his case. If that's what we're calling it.
When Haruhi first received his call, her reaction was what you'd expect from any human doctor, really. Calm. Concerned. Quick to act. Maybe a little annoyed, having had to pause her show. This season of Terrace House was just starting to get good.
And yes, because she does have a vested interest in his wellbeing that goes beyond what she cares to admit: Haruhi was worried. Even now, she doesn't know how to make heads or tails of that heart sinking feeling. All she knows is that it's just awful.
But now? ]
When you say you were hit by a car...
[ It's risky, having him here. The clinic is her domain, and the patients who stumble in without knowing what's really going on around here are few and far in between. But in her brief moment of weakness—of alarm, fear, overreaction—she choses to direct him here anyway. So...
Here, he sits. On one bed of many lining the walls of an open room, painkillers already administered, holding a hot pack she gave him for his head. She prays to whatever god will listen that he does not comment on the apparent slipshod quality of this so-called clinic. This is about him, not her.
Haruhi is no longer worried—well, she is—but more than that, she's... confounded. Skeptical, maybe. For good measure, she shines her penlight in his eyes one more time. ]
[He's still cranky, but glad she'd at least give him space to sit for a bit. At least until he could check in with his own medical professional.]
[He looks around the clinic while he's here, though. He's used to Ur's. Crisp, sterile, with its high ceilings and incredible technology. This is... well, it's definitely not what he expected. But he doesn't say anything about it. He just thinks she's not getting adequate support.]
[He scrolls on his phone, ignoring the crack on the screen to find the accidental video. He holds it out, and for a moment there's just a snowman, and the view aims to the ground as warnings and gasps for the kid start.]
[But then the screen is filled with chaos. It lands, image askew as it's tilted against the sidewalk. And while him getting hit isn't seen, the sound of it, the reactions, and the last of the General's roll after being hit are seen. And that cranky, ungainly rise from the pavement he does before striding over and grabbing his phone.]
I hated that.
[He says that bluntly. He will destroy that car if he sees it again.]
...Do you have advice on spot cleaning clothing? My coat has some marks on it. [He'll heal, but he likes that coat and he doesn't want to replace it.]
[ Her face falls. The video brings her no comfort. Only questions, and the most indescribable sense of powerlessness.
There are, admittedly, several things in life that will cause Haruhi to deflate. It's the given cost of the optimism she has in spite of her expectations. Apparently today's discovery is one of them.
His fortitude and physical composition fall outside the parameters of what she knows, and therefore, he exists outside of the limits of what she can really do to help. He told her he was in pain, so she gave him something for the pain. That is where her contribution ends. She wonders whether he'll come out of this with even a single bruise to show for it tomorrow.
Call it ego, call it jealousy, but knowing that the care she provides is ineffectual when measured against what his doctor can give him... it sucks.
It just sucks. ]
Peroxide and cold water are best for blood stains. Everything else...
[ She trails off, pulling in close between his legs. Her palm suddenly rises to his face and smoothes a scuff on his cheek, thumb rolling over where the residual asphalt colors his skin, again and again, until it's finally wiped clean. If not her care, then at least she can give him her comfort. ]
You can just leave your coat with me. I'll have it looking good as new for you by tomorrow.
[He'll end up with a sizable bruise, for sure. He'll even be walking slowly as the whiplash kicks in and he might even take the rest of the day off. But right now, he's distracted as she moves closer, and as she reaches over to rub a smudge away from his skin.]
[Huh. He forgets, briefly, he has a car that he absolutely wants to destroy. He forgets that he wants to crush that human in a vice-like grip. He tips his head against her hand, like a dog seeking ear scritches. He doesn't even think about it. It's not quite as intense as the effect of baby pandas, but it does sooth a rage that's been simmering behind his eyes.]
Your clinic doesn't require the usual amount of paperwork... [He mutters absently, thoughtfully.]
If we could get you some more supplies, would you be willing to see more people like me? I'm the strongest, but other than a few of us, most are in line with- [Earthling?.... You know what? He'll say it. He'll go out on a limb and say it because of the size of the ask.] -Earthling fortitude. If they get hurt in the wild, they stand a chance of being dissected. [Or interrogated. Or imprisoned.] Would you consider letting some of us come here in an emergency?
[ Listen! He was hit by a CAR, for god's sake! By any reasonable triage metric, he lands indisputably in Level One, meaning paperwork can wait.
Or... be conveniently forgotten about. She can think of a few ways to keep his mind preoccupied on other matters. More questions, more examining him further for contusions (even if he insists it's his doctor who should clear his health), more touching—which he likes, she can tell. Plenty of options.
Even better, he brings the preoccupation upon himself, in that one word of the many he says smacks her right between the eyes.
Her warmth freezes over in disbelief. The hand resting against his cheek is all at once stiff. Still there, but stiff. As if trying to school her initial reaction, her eyes flicker wide before narrowing again. Right. She promised.
No matter what he shows her, no matter what he says, she promised herself she would steel, not startle. She won't shrink. Won't recoil. Quite the opposite, really, Haruhi draws herself a little further into his bubble. She's grown so accustomed to the comfort of his presence that she doesn't even realize when she's inadvertently seeking it out.
After what seems like hours of her silence, her lips finally move, soundlessly forming the word without before inevitably saying it aloud. Like it's something new that needs practicing. Because it is. ]
[The stiffening is a reaction he anticipated, and as he waits to see what she does, he expects worse. She moves in closer, doesn't balk away. She works over the sentiment, obviously, with how her mouth moves.]
...Convergent evolution.
[That's what he can come up with to that. This thing with sharp teeth and reflective eyes- it's not even derived from humans. Not a vampire. Not a demon in some human mythology. He's an alien. Which might make things easier or harder to deal with.]
You've been kind. So I thought you might treat us fairly.
[And if she's kind to more of them, maybe, just maybe, he can urge them to not destroy mankind and find some other solution. But he can't just unilaterally make that decision. He needs backing.]
[But she has to be able to make words, first, and he's a little concerned he just hit her with a fact the same way he was hit by a car.]
Haruhi was really committed to him being a demon. This will take some getting used to. ]
I see. [ Hopefully he won't take it too hard when her hand falls. She's just really going through the motions here. Helping a whole other species(or... more than one? plural???) would no doubt mean her taking on a whole new subset of knowledge. And that's a challenge in itself! ] How many of you are there?
[ Then there's learning new technology, and managing an even bigger workload, and—oh, god, how did they get here? When? Why? He isn't hostile, but are they?
She worries her bottom lip between her index finger and thumb, eyes darting all over the place, like the answers are plastered around the clinic.
It's a lot, okay? It's a lot! ]
I-I'm not saying no. Of course I'd help, just. Just... I don't want to promise you something and not be able to follow through.
Hundreds. But. You'd probably only ever see one or two if you agreed.
[Though there's some tension in him now as he's realizing what a big ask it is. What guilt it could lead to later if he can't talk the shareholders out of the plan.]
[This was stupid. This was a dumb request because he went and tried to make a human friend. He let himself fall into the trap of socializing. He could have returned home and nursed this on his own, but instead he went to her to sulk.]
[His fingers are tense at the edge of the table he's sitting on, and he keeps his eyes closed as he engages in some quiet mental self-flagellation for all of this. He's going to feel horrible when he returns to work. Thanks to his own stupidity he can't even concentrate on having built a snowman.]
Now that I think about it, it's better to say no. My apologies. I got comfortable and I spoke before I considered the weight of it.
[But...]
I can still get you some advanced equipment. No strings attached. [He won't make that offer and then pull back.]
Wait, no. Don't apologize. [ Fuck. She didn't mean to make it sound so heavy. He's not burdening her in the way that he might think he is.
She taps his knee to draw his attention. Look at her! She’s earnest! ]
Please. Let me help. I want to. [ One or two, in the grand scheme of things, isn't all that much. And having an opportunity like this fall into her lap? The chance to make an even bigger impact that goes well beyond this rotten planet?
The weight of it isn't a curse, it's a gift. ]
You said your physician would be here soon, right? Then let me talk to her. Maybe... we can work together.
[ ...So, admittedly, Haruhi does not work well with others, but swear on her soul, she's willing to try! ]
[He's made so many problems for future him in one day, acting impulsively. That shes's sweet enough to try and take the burden off says even more. He can't bring himself to say, 'You would regret it.']
She should be. [He looks at the text chain on his phone.]
[He takes a long, deep breath in through his nose and rolls his shoulders to both get rid of the ache and try to slip on the air of 'General' on this poor ruined day off. He doesn't really have enough time to cover his ass from his own offer when the phone chimes.]
She's outside.
[And out front there's a pixie-coded alien, a tiny woman that looks like she should be a space princess and not a doctor. She's got her hair held up over her arm to keep it from dragging the ground- she doesn't really leave Headquarters much, so she's been looking around owlishly the whole way from the warp gate.]
[She's been warned that there's a human who knows that they're not human and she has no other information about the mission but she's not hostile. Ur is doubtful, but also she understands that if the General so much as gets a sniffle, all of Headquarters becomes an anxious mess. It's no wonder he wouldn't want to be seen for a real injury on site.]
[ Warp gate. There's a warp gate... of course there is.
Ur has every right to be wary. This particular part of the city invites more trouble than it does comfort. And for one who looks so cute and conspicuous as she, it's only a matter of time before that trouble finds its way to her.
Said trouble happens to be closer than you'd think.
At first, when she steps outside, Haruhi doesn't register that the well-dressed man lagging only a few steps behind the woman isn't a part of an entourage meant to accompany her. He seems comfortable. In charge. Ready for a fight.
Ready to pick a fight.
Oh. Haruhi realizes: this man isn't here to protect.
He's here to collect. ]
Daisuke.
[ All the color drains from her face. She doesn't know why she calls him. What she wants him to do. He's injured. Shouldn't fight. No fighting needs to happen, actually. Wordlessly, her gaze drops to the tiny woman standing in front of her, but Haruhi's brain is too busy spinning its wheels for her to form a proper greeting.
Maybe, if he could just... just whisk his doctor away while she takes care of this—
From behind Ur, the man picks up his pace, grins, and waves a smarmy ol' wave. Like he's just here to meet up with an old pal. Haruhi's stomach knots up. She's never met him before in her life, but she knows she's right about what he's here for. She's been here before, too many times to count.
[Ur startles a little once she realizes the bigger human isn't supposed to be here. The only thing that keeps her from fainting and Ashe taking over is that the human doctor calls for a 'Daisuke', and she takes a solid few seconds to understand who she's meaning before she remembers a note among the messages.]
[He, at first, thinks that it's Ur. Until he hears the male voice, and he hops down off the table and walks to the doorway.]
[He glances to Haruhi, sees her color has drained.]
She's busy. [He says to the man simply. With his coat, he's a special sort of formless, shapeless ominous. But right now, without it, he's still imposing but in that way you can tell he's extremely fit. Then, eerie in its own right, he adds-] Ashe. No. [As if he knows something might happen if he doesn't pre-emptively direct him.] I'll take care of it. You stay with Dr. Iyasu.
Yes, sir. [Ur nods, but she's nodding for the brother lurking behind her eyes, waiting like he's ready to slam a switch and grab his scythe.]
[ Oh. Oh, no. While Haruhi wasn't entirely sure what she wanted from Daisuke, she definitely didn't want him to ENGAGE with the guy! What does he think he's doing?! That'll only make things worse!
No, he will not be taking care of it. This is her mess! Disengage! Disengage!
Unfortunately, it's too late; the man cocks his head in Daisuke's direction.
"Oh," he scoffs, "Busy? She don't look busy to me." Then, his chin swivels, hands comfortably tucked into his pockets.
"Are ya busy, Doc? 'Cause if you are, I won't overstay my welcome. You see, I'm just here to pick up somethin' to the tune of ¥130,000 for my boss. So just pay up and I'll be right out of your hair. How's that?" ]
W-Who... Who's your boss?
[ "Old pal of your dad's. The name Kamado ring any bells? You can just call me Ishikawa, by the way. Since we're gettin' to know each other."
Neither name registers as a known threat for her, but that's no surprise. Someone tells someone who tells someone that—Hey, you know that man you've been looking for? Well, his daughter's got a nice operation down that alley. Maybe she can help.
She says nothing. Only grabs Ur—who she now 'knows' to be called 'Ashe'—by the arm, gently pulling her through the doorway and into the safety of the clinic.
"So! Got what I'm lookin' for or what?" His sights are on Haruhi and Haruhi alone, like he couldn't care less about the other two. Like Daisuke's imposing presence doesn't faze him in the slightest. A grave miscalculation on his part, to be sure.
The doctor cringes, eyes flickering over to said Imposing Presence. Don't. ]
I... I don't. But look, if you give me a week, I swear—
[ "That's a reeeeal bummer, Doctor." Ishikawa cuts in, just one step closer. "Thing is, I promised my boys I'd take 'em out for drinks tonight after I get my cut. Do you know how bad it makes me look if I promise something to my boys and can't follow through? That makes me look like a fuckin' asshole. Is that what you want, Doctor? You want to make me look like a fuckin' asshole?"
God, she's gonna be sick. Not because she isn't used to this, but because Haruhi knows—knows!—that this time, it isn't going to end well.
The shark dips to her level, leaning in until his nose nearly brushes hers. His voice drops—slow, deliberate, and soft—so that his threat can settle in her bones like a dull vibration. An ache. Every word carries the god-awful bite of stale cigarette smoke.
"So either you give me my money, or my boys are gonna have a whooooole different kinda fun tonight." ]
[His hip is still aching, and this guy is being an asshole. Talking about some debt. Throwing around names he's wildly unfamiliar with. If he wanted to make a good impression of humans in this moment, he doubts that he just did.]
[It's that last line, though, that last bit- it does not matter what the General told Ashe. There's a metallic sound, like something unsheathing, and the way he's leaned in- the way Ashe-in-Ur's-body is so short -that the thug wouldn't even see the tip of the scythe before it's pressed against his neck. Now, to his credit, he doesn't chop his head off. He wouldn't do that without the General's say. But there's a hard limit to what sort of discussion he'll let happen around his sweet baby sister.]
We said that she's busy. [Says the tiny 'woman'. Tiny woman holding a scythe that's not fake, with a blade as big as she is, who managed to pull it without them noticing. Except she didn't pull it. It had materialized in her hand.]
[The General facepalms, but there was no possible way he can sit idly by and watch this. So he approaches, grabs the man by the back of the collar, and forcibly starts to drag him towards the door, giving him no room for disagreement in an unyielding grip. Even if he pulls a weapon, which he's watching for, ready to grab at it with his free hand. All it takes is brandishing his claws- he uses those for fending off a cosmic sword. A normal weapon means nothing.]
Let's speak outside. Kamado rings no bells for me and I have priority here.
[He glances back with a look at his comrade that says, 'Put it away!' Ashe is reluctant to, but finally, with a flash of black smoke, the scythe disappears.] Ugh. How disgusting... You're going to have to wait to talk to my sister. I'm not letting her back out until the General says he's gone.
[Ur can watch her mouth and what she says. Ashe cannot. No filter, only emotions. Internally, she's facepalming.]
[ Even Haruhi is baffled. As of a few minutes ago, she was pretty damn sure nothing else in this life could take her by surprise anymore.
But here she is, witnessing a sudden standoff between some punk-ass debt collector and an alien doctor who... wields a scythe, for some reason. She has long since given up trying to inject logic into anything involving Daisuke and his ilk.
Ishikawa lets loose a stray "The fuck?" in the midst of being yanked by his scruff, incredulity leaving him momentarily unable to push back or rip free.
Haruhi is unfortunately a little too stunlocked to be of much use. Too much going on, too many words that don't make much sense. (Sister? General... Daisuke? General?) She can't even manage to echo the words. So here she hangs, by the door frame. Committed to neither staying back nor drawing any closer. She might just lose her head if she gets caught in the crossfire.
Once he's dragged outside, the man yanks himself free from Daisuke's grip. Brushes the dirt from his suit. "I don't know what kinda magic freakshow bullshit y'all got goin' on around here, but let me make one thing clear."
His gaze scrapes up and down the length of his opponent. Thorough. Unflinching. Impressed. Not even trying to hide his appraisal, after a long silence, Ishikawa actually nods a few times. As if made proud by the General's gal. "Look. You're a pretty big guy. Could probably kick my ass from here to next Sunday, am I right?" Nerve of his man, he even goes so far as to poke his challenger in the chest. Once. Twice. Three times. "Bet a bullet don't even go through that."
Oh, dear god. Please don't put that to the test...
"But it's not me you should be afraid of. It's the army of people that're gonna be on your doorstep if I don't come back with my fucking money."
It's that threat that rouses Haruhi's mouth to function—finally. ]
Daisuke, please! Stop! [ No, she thinks, he won't listen to me. So she turns to Ur/Ashe, who maybe, hopefully, will have more luck getting through to him. Getting the... General to listen to reason.
Well... Ashe, being all emotion, might not be listening to reason either. Worth a shot, though. Haruhi doesn't know any better. ] Tell him to stop! That man's not playing around! More of them WILL come!
[ Another nod of approval, except Ishikawa directs this one at her. "See? Doc gets it. Now, if you wanna keep your girlfriends safe, you gotta do the right thing—aye, big guy? You might be able to stop me, but how many of me can you stop?
Hm?"
For good measure, he throws in a few hearty pats on the arm. Just so it's clear to everyone here that he ain't afraid of nothin'. ]
[It's been a while since he's encountered this level of disrespect. It's been a while- a long while. The General is very old. And he's hard to faze, usually. Insults don't do it as often as threats to people who he feels responsible for.]
[...Noisy.] Stop talking.
[He says flatly to the man, considering. It's true. He can't be here all the time to protect Haruhi, and he can't hear himself think with the incessant posturing. It's much more fun when the bravado matters. True, a bullet would hurt him, but that's assuming he'd be slower than the gun being drawn. Or that the human could see in the dark. But all that doesn't matter if he's not even here.]
I said she's busy. I have priority here. You can be patient. You've spoken, quite a bit, actually, and she has the necessary information.
[This man, he decides, is not worth a good show. So he gives him the bare minimum. No promise of retaliation. He resists the urge to tear claw marks in the brick beside his head, just to make the impression. The only impression he needs is as little information as possible. He resists interjecting more than he is. He doesn't know how these people work, outside of the idea he's pretty sure saddling up with Muller and Trigger, the few of them alone could easily take care of an 'army' of these guys. He could paperwork them into misery, too. But he's not in the spot to make such calls. This is Haruhi's safety. But he can still demand this one little bit of respect.]
[Leaving the thug outside, he steps back inside and closes the door behind him. He doesn't even slam it, he closes it politely.]
[Ashe, who has done absolutely nothing to discourage the General, just says-] I thought the rumors were exaggerated but wow, that's bad.
Ashe. Let Ur back out. I'll make sure she makes it home safely after. You can hang back now.
[Then, he supposes Haruhi needs multiple explanations. One of which-] Some people choose to travel together. Ashe is the brother, Ur is the sister and my doctor. It's less resource-intensive to share a body during interplanetary travel.
[Ur wavers in place, dizzily, immediately milder as she fumbles out some kind of datapad. Haruhi gets the patented Star Trek moment as a hologram comes up of the General's frame, with red highlights from his right leg down and a couple of 'caution' areas along his spine. As she's doing that, he's pulling out his wallet. He doesn't have the full amount, but he has quite a bit of it.] I'm going to pay for you letting us use your clinic today. Don't refuse me. [It's something to help her in case of an emergency, if that man is still waiting out there.]
[ Inundated as she is by the whole of it—the materializing weapons, the shared bodies, the tech, the being ALIENS??—Haruhi believes herself to be doing a decent(??) job of taking it all in stride. She's been rolling with the punches for her entire adult life, why should this be any different?
So. Fine. She'll take the General's money, but not with a smile. ]
This is his money. [ She points at the door. ] He won't leave until he takes something. That's how this works.
[ Yes, she's upset. It paints every part of her. The sharpness of her tone, her stance, her face. She's aware that this is a side of her he hasn't seen, but when frustration bubbles up like this, there is no dam nor levee that'll keep her anger contained.
More than anything, though? She's afraid. And the tears burning behind her eyes are hot. ]
That stunt you pulled out there? Dragging him around? [ Now she points at him, then sweeps her finger over to poor, not-involved Ur. In the absence of her brother, 'you' includes her. ] Threatening him with a weapon?
That is how you get a target on your back.
[ With long, exasperated sigh, she takes a minute to reign it in. More important than any of this is Daisuke's condition. The spot of red lighting the holographic version of him makes her uneasy.
This time, Haruhi approaches Ur with a softer, albiet still troubled, timbre. ] How is he? Is there anything I can do to help?
That's what we do, though? [Ur's voice, without Ashe's interference, sounds so much softer.] That's just how we live. With targets on our backs. But maybe not for a couple of days- you should take some time off and rest. Nothing's broken, but you have a lot of inflammation and deep bruising.
I'll take it easy, but I have to at least work from home. I've been hit harder. I'll take care of it. [He can't endure the disrespect from the unexpected bastard and the scolding from his friend. But he refuses to look bogged down by it in front of staff, even if that staff is another executive.]
[Funny thing about the low-detail model of him- it's his form but the shape of his hair is swept back, not hanging in his face.]
[As for the guy...]
Don't worry about him. [As it is, he is absolutely planning on walking out of that door and if he's still there? Having Ur anesthetize him and throw him out the warp gate into the Amazon rainforest. Let him learn to be polite by trying to communicate with people. Unless he activated his better judgment and went home. And how do you describe "aliens abducted me and dropped me on the other side of the planet".]
[Ur's gaze is fixed on the device.] If that's how human men act I don't know how you can stand living out in the city... [She's so appalled.]
I don't provide medical services in a dangerous area, so I have less pressure. Doctor, if you had one of these- would you be able to make enough money to get out of debt? [He indicates the scanner that Ur is holding. They have several- sparing one for a human is unheard of. It would be a red flag if Ur hadn't seen the vile example of humanity that had followed her up the alley.]
Edited (editted to clarify something) 2025-12-30 15:12 (UTC)
[ Given that her shabby clinic door isn't currently being beaten in, maybe the guy did leave. Haruhi would be surprised by this, if not for worry taking precedence.
If he leaves with nothing, that means he'll be coming back—and not without a crew, either. That's fine, she thinks. So long as these two aren't here when that happens, she'll be able to work something out. ]
Well, even outside of work, the human men [ Appending human as a modifier sure is something. ] I've come across haven’t exactly inspired my confidence in their kind.
[ She levels the device in Urs hand with a scrutinizing gaze that's borne not from her skepticism, but her utter fascination. Things like this—the things the General shows her—inspire a kind of reverence she thought lost on her.
Haruhi has faith in very little, so when she's left with no choice but to cast aside her pragmatism to make room for the fantasy, she does so delicately, as if forcing the two to marry too soon might cause something to break.
She reaches out, hoping to hold the scanner. Analyze it. ]
Do those work on anyone? [ Oh. To clarify her question, ] Er—any species?
[Would he be willing to scatter more than one guy to the four corners of the Earth? Yes. Yes he would. Give them to Muller? Maybe. Because the man's threat is haunting him. Because Haruhi is a lovely woman and no doubt gifted with a silver tongue, but he told not one lie about her being actress-pretty, and they seemed interested in whatever they can get out of her.]
[There's no convincing Ur now, he guesses, that human men aren't worthy of extermination. But he still notes that Ur doesn't fight him on the idea.] We have different species as a part of our population, so they're very adaptable. There's an immediate surface scan that takes things like blood pressure, oxygen-
[As she's explaining things, Ur walks over and shows her. It's still set to the General's baseline, but the whole process is explained to Haruhi- even scanning her, letting her look at the highlighted aches and pains at her own low-detail human shape, how to take the deeper image scans which would help replace some hard-to-get equipment.]
Your government already does have technology like this, as do several business competitors here on Earth. If it's taken from you, a thief won't immediately put the item into production. Even with the most moral organization, production bureaucracy would take ten years at least and they'd be ridiculously expensive.
[He's not sure humanity would last that long even if they weren't a factor.] I trust you would take care of it. [She's choosing to stay in this place and do what she does.]
[ Even as a foreign entity, he sure does have a good handle on the feet-dragging and unnecessary bureaucratic walls erected to keep innovation stagnated the way that it is. Humans are still collectively more concerned with lining their pockets than the betterment of the species as a whole.
Haruhi sighs. Curses capitalism. ]
I will. [ Not that a device like this will help her debt situation in any substantial way. Most of her monetary problems have long since been replaced by the value she brings to the family who subsidizes her. And, unfortunately, there's no "paying off" her purpose.
Pesky one-offs, like whoever this Kamado person is, though? Yeah, a device like this should help. ]
But I'm only taking it on one condition.
[ That's... not how gifts work, but okay... Whatever it is, the face she's making is very serious. ]
[He knows that the Rangers have similar tech- and his species has been on Earth for over a decade and a lot of their tech has been confiscated. But yet, it's not everywhere. Sometimes his logic is baffling but sometimes he can easily come to the right conclusion, except for a personal bureaucrat.]
Ur has to remain in authority over my condition. [He says before Ur can argue.] My staff panics if they suspect something might be wrong with me. But if you're that worried, I can come check in with you for the next couple of days.
[He doesn't want to say, 'I have a doctor, I wanted a friend.' Because saying that in front of the person next to him is far too compromising. This basically accomplishes the same ends.]
I can come by around 2:00 pm, tomorrow and the day after. You can see how I look now, and see how much its reduced each time. [He doesn't think he can take it totally easy, though. He thinks after he returns Lady Ur to the warp gate, he'll probably be stalking this alley to see who shows up. He wouldn't be able to sleep with the knowledge, he realizes, that he left her to fend for herself.]
[Ur has concerns- looks at the General like she's going to be burying him in questions later- which is fine. That gives him time to come up with a spin that doesn't make him look (and feel) like a dirty traitor.]
[ Haruhi, having no clue the jeopardy her words may put him in, nor how she'll inadvertently bungle any plans of his to stake out the alley, insists!!, ]
I'll come to you, then. If you're going to be working from home anyway, wouldn't that be easier?
[ Look how adamant she is! That is not the face of someone who'll take no for an answer. Besides, he wouldn't risk rejecting her yet again and potentially doing irreparable damage to their friendship, would he???
Between his duties and his kindness, the General may find himself between a rock and an exceptionally stubborn hard place. ]
[Ur can't stop herself this time-] Not even we know where he lives. [Though she's always assumed it's because Rooney's a pest and if he knew where the General lived, he'd be popping out of his closet to say hello.]
I'll come here. [He insists, because his tiny home is still his castle, his island. And he's taken a lot of risks for Haruhi... but he's just not ready for that one yet.]
It's not that bad. [It could be worse. He could have been hit by a truck. He's distracted, though, by Ur starting to laugh.]
...Nothing's funny.
Even the humans are worrying about you. [She beams up at him with adorable admiration. As far as she knows, Haruhi's acting like most of staff does. It seems sensible in her opinion. That's how most people feel about the General.] We should leave soon if you're going to walk me to the warp gate. I have appointments.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[He's made little snow bunnies before. But this is his first adventure making a snowman. And he's got three children steadfastly helping him. The parents seem at ease, just watching their kids direct this giant stranger into adding stick arms, stones for eyes. They don't really question it when he adds leaves for ears, assuming he's being silly and pretending for the kids, not realizing this man genuinely doesn't understand the concept of making snowmen until this day. He does, indeed, need the direction.]
[He's stepping away from it to take a picture when one of the children helping him runs across the road to tell his mother that after all that work he wants a hot chocolate. It's mid picture that he sees the car barrel around the corner, and his reflexes activate before his brain.]
[He's not naturally a heroic person. At all. He's a helpful one, but not a heroic one. He doesn't even logic out this child just helped him build a snowman, he doesn't rationalize that it should enjoy every day it has before the eventual extermination of all Earthlings. He just acts, sprinting to shove the kid out of the way.]
[This child has the unfortunate core memory now of turning as he falls to the sidewalk, seeing the car hit the man they were just helping, and him go rolling as the car skids to a stop. His mother scoops him up and tries to shield his eyes.]
[He insists she looks! Because he might be hurt, but she's sure that brave soul must have died until another parent next to her gasps. When she looks? The tall guy is clumsily getting up, hobbles crankily over to the phone that was knocked from his hand, and despite people shouting for him to wait while they call for help he just yells for the driver to stay away from him (he's silently noting that car because he WILL destroy it while on duty), and just leaves the area.]
[He's not going to die, he doesn't even have a broken bone, but every part of him hurts after that.] Fucking Earth vehicles...
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And the difference between an injured man and an uninjured one is... also circumstance. Perhaps genetics, in his case. If that's what we're calling it.
When Haruhi first received his call, her reaction was what you'd expect from any human doctor, really. Calm. Concerned. Quick to act. Maybe a little annoyed, having had to pause her show. This season of Terrace House was just starting to get good.
And yes, because she does have a vested interest in his wellbeing that goes beyond what she cares to admit: Haruhi was worried. Even now, she doesn't know how to make heads or tails of that heart sinking feeling. All she knows is that it's just awful.
But now? ]
When you say you were hit by a car...
[ It's risky, having him here. The clinic is her domain, and the patients who stumble in without knowing what's really going on around here are few and far in between. But in her brief moment of weakness—of alarm, fear, overreaction—she choses to direct him here anyway. So...
Here, he sits. On one bed of many lining the walls of an open room, painkillers already administered, holding a hot pack she gave him for his head. She prays to whatever god will listen that he does not comment on the apparent slipshod quality of this so-called clinic. This is about him, not her.
Haruhi is no longer worried—well, she is—but more than that, she's... confounded. Skeptical, maybe. For good measure, she shines her penlight in his eyes one more time. ]
Are you sure the car was actually in motion?
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[He looks around the clinic while he's here, though. He's used to Ur's. Crisp, sterile, with its high ceilings and incredible technology. This is... well, it's definitely not what he expected. But he doesn't say anything about it. He just thinks she's not getting adequate support.]
[He scrolls on his phone, ignoring the crack on the screen to find the accidental video. He holds it out, and for a moment there's just a snowman, and the view aims to the ground as warnings and gasps for the kid start.]
[But then the screen is filled with chaos. It lands, image askew as it's tilted against the sidewalk. And while him getting hit isn't seen, the sound of it, the reactions, and the last of the General's roll after being hit are seen. And that cranky, ungainly rise from the pavement he does before striding over and grabbing his phone.]
I hated that.
[He says that bluntly. He will destroy that car if he sees it again.]
...Do you have advice on spot cleaning clothing? My coat has some marks on it. [He'll heal, but he likes that coat and he doesn't want to replace it.]
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There are, admittedly, several things in life that will cause Haruhi to deflate. It's the given cost of the optimism she has in spite of her expectations. Apparently today's discovery is one of them.
His fortitude and physical composition fall outside the parameters of what she knows, and therefore, he exists outside of the limits of what she can really do to help. He told her he was in pain, so she gave him something for the pain. That is where her contribution ends. She wonders whether he'll come out of this with even a single bruise to show for it tomorrow.
Call it ego, call it jealousy, but knowing that the care she provides is ineffectual when measured against what his doctor can give him... it sucks.
It just sucks. ]
Peroxide and cold water are best for blood stains. Everything else...
[ She trails off, pulling in close between his legs. Her palm suddenly rises to his face and smoothes a scuff on his cheek, thumb rolling over where the residual asphalt colors his skin, again and again, until it's finally wiped clean. If not her care, then at least she can give him her comfort. ]
You can just leave your coat with me. I'll have it looking good as new for you by tomorrow.
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[Huh. He forgets, briefly, he has a car that he absolutely wants to destroy. He forgets that he wants to crush that human in a vice-like grip. He tips his head against her hand, like a dog seeking ear scritches. He doesn't even think about it. It's not quite as intense as the effect of baby pandas, but it does sooth a rage that's been simmering behind his eyes.]
Your clinic doesn't require the usual amount of paperwork... [He mutters absently, thoughtfully.]
If we could get you some more supplies, would you be willing to see more people like me? I'm the strongest, but other than a few of us, most are in line with- [Earthling?.... You know what? He'll say it. He'll go out on a limb and say it because of the size of the ask.] -Earthling fortitude. If they get hurt in the wild, they stand a chance of being dissected. [Or interrogated. Or imprisoned.] Would you consider letting some of us come here in an emergency?
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Or... be conveniently forgotten about. She can think of a few ways to keep his mind preoccupied on other matters. More questions, more examining him further for contusions (even if he insists it's his doctor who should clear his health), more touching—which he likes, she can tell. Plenty of options.
Even better, he brings the preoccupation upon himself, in that one word of the many he says smacks her right between the eyes.
Her warmth freezes over in disbelief. The hand resting against his cheek is all at once stiff. Still there, but stiff. As if trying to school her initial reaction, her eyes flicker wide before narrowing again. Right. She promised.
No matter what he shows her, no matter what he says, she promised herself she would steel, not startle. She won't shrink. Won't recoil. Quite the opposite, really, Haruhi draws herself a little further into his bubble. She's grown so accustomed to the comfort of his presence that she doesn't even realize when she's inadvertently seeking it out.
After what seems like hours of her silence, her lips finally move, soundlessly forming the word without before inevitably saying it aloud. Like it's something new that needs practicing. Because it is. ]
...
...
Earthling?
[ Don't even get her started on the 'us.' ]
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...Convergent evolution.
[That's what he can come up with to that. This thing with sharp teeth and reflective eyes- it's not even derived from humans. Not a vampire. Not a demon in some human mythology. He's an alien. Which might make things easier or harder to deal with.]
You've been kind. So I thought you might treat us fairly.
[And if she's kind to more of them, maybe, just maybe, he can urge them to not destroy mankind and find some other solution. But he can't just unilaterally make that decision. He needs backing.]
[But she has to be able to make words, first, and he's a little concerned he just hit her with a fact the same way he was hit by a car.]
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...
Haruhi was really committed to him being a demon. This will take some getting used to. ]
I see. [ Hopefully he won't take it too hard when her hand falls. She's just really going through the motions here. Helping a whole other species(or... more than one? plural???) would no doubt mean her taking on a whole new subset of knowledge. And that's a challenge in itself! ] How many of you are there?
[ Then there's learning new technology, and managing an even bigger workload, and—oh, god, how did they get here? When? Why? He isn't hostile, but are they?
She worries her bottom lip between her index finger and thumb, eyes darting all over the place, like the answers are plastered around the clinic.
It's a lot, okay? It's a lot! ]
I-I'm not saying no. Of course I'd help, just. Just... I don't want to promise you something and not be able to follow through.
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[Though there's some tension in him now as he's realizing what a big ask it is. What guilt it could lead to later if he can't talk the shareholders out of the plan.]
[This was stupid. This was a dumb request because he went and tried to make a human friend. He let himself fall into the trap of socializing. He could have returned home and nursed this on his own, but instead he went to her to sulk.]
[His fingers are tense at the edge of the table he's sitting on, and he keeps his eyes closed as he engages in some quiet mental self-flagellation for all of this. He's going to feel horrible when he returns to work. Thanks to his own stupidity he can't even concentrate on having built a snowman.]
Now that I think about it, it's better to say no. My apologies. I got comfortable and I spoke before I considered the weight of it.
[But...]
I can still get you some advanced equipment. No strings attached. [He won't make that offer and then pull back.]
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She taps his knee to draw his attention. Look at her! She’s earnest! ]
Please. Let me help. I want to. [ One or two, in the grand scheme of things, isn't all that much. And having an opportunity like this fall into her lap? The chance to make an even bigger impact that goes well beyond this rotten planet?
The weight of it isn't a curse, it's a gift. ]
You said your physician would be here soon, right? Then let me talk to her. Maybe... we can work together.
[ ...So, admittedly, Haruhi does not work well with others, but swear on her soul, she's willing to try! ]
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She should be. [He looks at the text chain on his phone.]
[He takes a long, deep breath in through his nose and rolls his shoulders to both get rid of the ache and try to slip on the air of 'General' on this poor ruined day off. He doesn't really have enough time to cover his ass from his own offer when the phone chimes.]
She's outside.
[And out front there's a pixie-coded alien, a tiny woman that looks like she should be a space princess and not a doctor. She's got her hair held up over her arm to keep it from dragging the ground- she doesn't really leave Headquarters much, so she's been looking around owlishly the whole way from the warp gate.]
[She's been warned that there's a human who knows that they're not human and she has no other information about the mission but she's not hostile. Ur is doubtful, but also she understands that if the General so much as gets a sniffle, all of Headquarters becomes an anxious mess. It's no wonder he wouldn't want to be seen for a real injury on site.]
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Ur has every right to be wary. This particular part of the city invites more trouble than it does comfort. And for one who looks so cute and conspicuous as she, it's only a matter of time before that trouble finds its way to her.
Said trouble happens to be closer than you'd think.
At first, when she steps outside, Haruhi doesn't register that the well-dressed man lagging only a few steps behind the woman isn't a part of an entourage meant to accompany her. He seems comfortable. In charge. Ready for a fight.
Ready to pick a fight.
Oh. Haruhi realizes: this man isn't here to protect.
He's here to collect. ]
Daisuke.
[ All the color drains from her face. She doesn't know why she calls him. What she wants him to do. He's injured. Shouldn't fight. No fighting needs to happen, actually. Wordlessly, her gaze drops to the tiny woman standing in front of her, but Haruhi's brain is too busy spinning its wheels for her to form a proper greeting.
Maybe, if he could just... just whisk his doctor away while she takes care of this—
From behind Ur, the man picks up his pace, grins, and waves a smarmy ol' wave. Like he's just here to meet up with an old pal. Haruhi's stomach knots up. She's never met him before in her life, but she knows she's right about what he's here for. She's been here before, too many times to count.
"Hey, Doc! How's it goin'?" ]
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[He, at first, thinks that it's Ur. Until he hears the male voice, and he hops down off the table and walks to the doorway.]
[He glances to Haruhi, sees her color has drained.]
She's busy. [He says to the man simply. With his coat, he's a special sort of formless, shapeless ominous. But right now, without it, he's still imposing but in that way you can tell he's extremely fit. Then, eerie in its own right, he adds-] Ashe. No. [As if he knows something might happen if he doesn't pre-emptively direct him.] I'll take care of it. You stay with Dr. Iyasu.
Yes, sir. [Ur nods, but she's nodding for the brother lurking behind her eyes, waiting like he's ready to slam a switch and grab his scythe.]
phew... didn't expect to make him a yapper
No, he will not be taking care of it. This is her mess! Disengage! Disengage!
Unfortunately, it's too late; the man cocks his head in Daisuke's direction.
"Oh," he scoffs, "Busy? She don't look busy to me." Then, his chin swivels, hands comfortably tucked into his pockets.
"Are ya busy, Doc? 'Cause if you are, I won't overstay my welcome. You see, I'm just here to pick up somethin' to the tune of ¥130,000 for my boss. So just pay up and I'll be right out of your hair. How's that?" ]
W-Who... Who's your boss?
[ "Old pal of your dad's. The name Kamado ring any bells? You can just call me Ishikawa, by the way. Since we're gettin' to know each other."
Neither name registers as a known threat for her, but that's no surprise. Someone tells someone who tells someone that—Hey, you know that man you've been looking for? Well, his daughter's got a nice operation down that alley. Maybe she can help.
She says nothing. Only grabs Ur—who she now 'knows' to be called 'Ashe'—by the arm, gently pulling her through the doorway and into the safety of the clinic.
"So! Got what I'm lookin' for or what?" His sights are on Haruhi and Haruhi alone, like he couldn't care less about the other two. Like Daisuke's imposing presence doesn't faze him in the slightest. A grave miscalculation on his part, to be sure.
The doctor cringes, eyes flickering over to said Imposing Presence. Don't. ]
I... I don't. But look, if you give me a week, I swear—
[ "That's a reeeeal bummer, Doctor." Ishikawa cuts in, just one step closer. "Thing is, I promised my boys I'd take 'em out for drinks tonight after I get my cut. Do you know how bad it makes me look if I promise something to my boys and can't follow through? That makes me look like a fuckin' asshole. Is that what you want, Doctor? You want to make me look like a fuckin' asshole?"
God, she's gonna be sick. Not because she isn't used to this, but because Haruhi knows—knows!—that this time, it isn't going to end well.
The shark dips to her level, leaning in until his nose nearly brushes hers. His voice drops—slow, deliberate, and soft—so that his threat can settle in her bones like a dull vibration. An ache. Every word carries the god-awful bite of stale cigarette smoke.
"So either you give me my money, or my boys are gonna have a whooooole different kinda fun tonight." ]
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[It's that last line, though, that last bit- it does not matter what the General told Ashe. There's a metallic sound, like something unsheathing, and the way he's leaned in- the way Ashe-in-Ur's-body is so short -that the thug wouldn't even see the tip of the scythe before it's pressed against his neck. Now, to his credit, he doesn't chop his head off. He wouldn't do that without the General's say. But there's a hard limit to what sort of discussion he'll let happen around his sweet baby sister.]
We said that she's busy. [Says the tiny 'woman'. Tiny woman holding a scythe that's not fake, with a blade as big as she is, who managed to pull it without them noticing. Except she didn't pull it. It had materialized in her hand.]
[The General facepalms, but there was no possible way he can sit idly by and watch this. So he approaches, grabs the man by the back of the collar, and forcibly starts to drag him towards the door, giving him no room for disagreement in an unyielding grip. Even if he pulls a weapon, which he's watching for, ready to grab at it with his free hand. All it takes is brandishing his claws- he uses those for fending off a cosmic sword. A normal weapon means nothing.]
Let's speak outside. Kamado rings no bells for me and I have priority here.
[He glances back with a look at his comrade that says, 'Put it away!' Ashe is reluctant to, but finally, with a flash of black smoke, the scythe disappears.] Ugh. How disgusting... You're going to have to wait to talk to my sister. I'm not letting her back out until the General says he's gone.
[Ur can watch her mouth and what she says. Ashe cannot. No filter, only emotions. Internally, she's facepalming.]
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But here she is, witnessing a sudden standoff between some punk-ass debt collector and an alien doctor who... wields a scythe, for some reason. She has long since given up trying to inject logic into anything involving Daisuke and his ilk.
Ishikawa lets loose a stray "The fuck?" in the midst of being yanked by his scruff, incredulity leaving him momentarily unable to push back or rip free.
Haruhi is unfortunately a little too stunlocked to be of much use. Too much going on, too many words that don't make much sense. (Sister? General... Daisuke? General?) She can't even manage to echo the words. So here she hangs, by the door frame. Committed to neither staying back nor drawing any closer. She might just lose her head if she gets caught in the crossfire.
Once he's dragged outside, the man yanks himself free from Daisuke's grip. Brushes the dirt from his suit. "I don't know what kinda magic freakshow bullshit y'all got goin' on around here, but let me make one thing clear."
His gaze scrapes up and down the length of his opponent. Thorough. Unflinching. Impressed. Not even trying to hide his appraisal, after a long silence, Ishikawa actually nods a few times. As if made proud by the General's gal. "Look. You're a pretty big guy. Could probably kick my ass from here to next Sunday, am I right?" Nerve of his man, he even goes so far as to poke his challenger in the chest. Once. Twice. Three times. "Bet a bullet don't even go through that."
Oh, dear god. Please don't put that to the test...
"But it's not me you should be afraid of. It's the army of people that're gonna be on your doorstep if I don't come back with my fucking money."
It's that threat that rouses Haruhi's mouth to function—finally. ]
Daisuke, please! Stop! [ No, she thinks, he won't listen to me. So she turns to Ur/Ashe, who maybe, hopefully, will have more luck getting through to him. Getting the... General to listen to reason.
Well... Ashe, being all emotion, might not be listening to reason either. Worth a shot, though. Haruhi doesn't know any better. ] Tell him to stop! That man's not playing around! More of them WILL come!
[ Another nod of approval, except Ishikawa directs this one at her. "See? Doc gets it. Now, if you wanna keep your girlfriends safe, you gotta do the right thing—aye, big guy? You might be able to stop me, but how many of me can you stop?
Hm?"
For good measure, he throws in a few hearty pats on the arm. Just so it's clear to everyone here that he ain't afraid of nothin'. ]
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[...Noisy.] Stop talking.
[He says flatly to the man, considering. It's true. He can't be here all the time to protect Haruhi, and he can't hear himself think with the incessant posturing. It's much more fun when the bravado matters. True, a bullet would hurt him, but that's assuming he'd be slower than the gun being drawn. Or that the human could see in the dark. But all that doesn't matter if he's not even here.]
I said she's busy. I have priority here. You can be patient. You've spoken, quite a bit, actually, and she has the necessary information.
[This man, he decides, is not worth a good show. So he gives him the bare minimum. No promise of retaliation. He resists the urge to tear claw marks in the brick beside his head, just to make the impression. The only impression he needs is as little information as possible. He resists interjecting more than he is. He doesn't know how these people work, outside of the idea he's pretty sure saddling up with Muller and Trigger, the few of them alone could easily take care of an 'army' of these guys. He could paperwork them into misery, too. But he's not in the spot to make such calls. This is Haruhi's safety. But he can still demand this one little bit of respect.]
[Leaving the thug outside, he steps back inside and closes the door behind him. He doesn't even slam it, he closes it politely.]
[Ashe, who has done absolutely nothing to discourage the General, just says-] I thought the rumors were exaggerated but wow, that's bad.
Ashe. Let Ur back out. I'll make sure she makes it home safely after. You can hang back now.
[Then, he supposes Haruhi needs multiple explanations. One of which-] Some people choose to travel together. Ashe is the brother, Ur is the sister and my doctor. It's less resource-intensive to share a body during interplanetary travel.
[Ur wavers in place, dizzily, immediately milder as she fumbles out some kind of datapad. Haruhi gets the patented Star Trek moment as a hologram comes up of the General's frame, with red highlights from his right leg down and a couple of 'caution' areas along his spine. As she's doing that, he's pulling out his wallet. He doesn't have the full amount, but he has quite a bit of it.] I'm going to pay for you letting us use your clinic today. Don't refuse me. [It's something to help her in case of an emergency, if that man is still waiting out there.]
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So. Fine. She'll take the General's money, but not with a smile. ]
This is his money. [ She points at the door. ] He won't leave until he takes something. That's how this works.
[ Yes, she's upset. It paints every part of her. The sharpness of her tone, her stance, her face. She's aware that this is a side of her he hasn't seen, but when frustration bubbles up like this, there is no dam nor levee that'll keep her anger contained.
More than anything, though? She's afraid. And the tears burning behind her eyes are hot. ]
That stunt you pulled out there? Dragging him around? [ Now she points at him, then sweeps her finger over to poor, not-involved Ur. In the absence of her brother, 'you' includes her. ] Threatening him with a weapon?
That is how you get a target on your back.
[ With long, exasperated sigh, she takes a minute to reign it in. More important than any of this is Daisuke's condition. The spot of red lighting the holographic version of him makes her uneasy.
This time, Haruhi approaches Ur with a softer, albiet still troubled, timbre. ] How is he? Is there anything I can do to help?
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I'll take it easy, but I have to at least work from home. I've been hit harder. I'll take care of it. [He can't endure the disrespect from the unexpected bastard and the scolding from his friend. But he refuses to look bogged down by it in front of staff, even if that staff is another executive.]
[Funny thing about the low-detail model of him- it's his form but the shape of his hair is swept back, not hanging in his face.]
[As for the guy...]
Don't worry about him. [As it is, he is absolutely planning on walking out of that door and if he's still there? Having Ur anesthetize him and throw him out the warp gate into the Amazon rainforest. Let him learn to be polite by trying to communicate with people. Unless he activated his better judgment and went home. And how do you describe "aliens abducted me and dropped me on the other side of the planet".]
[Ur's gaze is fixed on the device.] If that's how human men act I don't know how you can stand living out in the city... [She's so appalled.]
I don't provide medical services in a dangerous area, so I have less pressure. Doctor, if you had one of these- would you be able to make enough money to get out of debt? [He indicates the scanner that Ur is holding. They have several- sparing one for a human is unheard of. It would be a red flag if Ur hadn't seen the vile example of humanity that had followed her up the alley.]
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If he leaves with nothing, that means he'll be coming back—and not without a crew, either. That's fine, she thinks. So long as these two aren't here when that happens, she'll be able to work something out. ]
Well, even outside of work, the human men [ Appending human as a modifier sure is something. ] I've come across haven’t exactly inspired my confidence in their kind.
[ She levels the device in Urs hand with a scrutinizing gaze that's borne not from her skepticism, but her utter fascination. Things like this—the things the General shows her—inspire a kind of reverence she thought lost on her.
Haruhi has faith in very little, so when she's left with no choice but to cast aside her pragmatism to make room for the fantasy, she does so delicately, as if forcing the two to marry too soon might cause something to break.
She reaches out, hoping to hold the scanner. Analyze it. ]
Do those work on anyone? [ Oh. To clarify her question, ] Er—any species?
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[There's no convincing Ur now, he guesses, that human men aren't worthy of extermination. But he still notes that Ur doesn't fight him on the idea.] We have different species as a part of our population, so they're very adaptable. There's an immediate surface scan that takes things like blood pressure, oxygen-
[As she's explaining things, Ur walks over and shows her. It's still set to the General's baseline, but the whole process is explained to Haruhi- even scanning her, letting her look at the highlighted aches and pains at her own low-detail human shape, how to take the deeper image scans which would help replace some hard-to-get equipment.]
Your government already does have technology like this, as do several business competitors here on Earth. If it's taken from you, a thief won't immediately put the item into production. Even with the most moral organization, production bureaucracy would take ten years at least and they'd be ridiculously expensive.
[He's not sure humanity would last that long even if they weren't a factor.] I trust you would take care of it. [She's choosing to stay in this place and do what she does.]
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Haruhi sighs. Curses capitalism. ]
I will. [ Not that a device like this will help her debt situation in any substantial way. Most of her monetary problems have long since been replaced by the value she brings to the family who subsidizes her. And, unfortunately, there's no "paying off" her purpose.
Pesky one-offs, like whoever this Kamado person is, though? Yeah, a device like this should help. ]
But I'm only taking it on one condition.
[ That's... not how gifts work, but okay... Whatever it is, the face she's making is very serious. ]
I get to be the one supervising your recovery.
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Ur has to remain in authority over my condition. [He says before Ur can argue.] My staff panics if they suspect something might be wrong with me. But if you're that worried, I can come check in with you for the next couple of days.
[He doesn't want to say, 'I have a doctor, I wanted a friend.' Because saying that in front of the person next to him is far too compromising. This basically accomplishes the same ends.]
I can come by around 2:00 pm, tomorrow and the day after. You can see how I look now, and see how much its reduced each time. [He doesn't think he can take it totally easy, though. He thinks after he returns Lady Ur to the warp gate, he'll probably be stalking this alley to see who shows up. He wouldn't be able to sleep with the knowledge, he realizes, that he left her to fend for herself.]
[Ur has concerns- looks at the General like she's going to be burying him in questions later- which is fine. That gives him time to come up with a spin that doesn't make him look (and feel) like a dirty traitor.]
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I'll come to you, then. If you're going to be working from home anyway, wouldn't that be easier?
[ Look how adamant she is! That is not the face of someone who'll take no for an answer. Besides, he wouldn't risk rejecting her yet again and potentially doing irreparable damage to their friendship, would he???
Between his duties and his kindness, the General may find himself between a rock and an exceptionally stubborn hard place. ]
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I'll come here. [He insists, because his tiny home is still his castle, his island. And he's taken a lot of risks for Haruhi... but he's just not ready for that one yet.]
It's not that bad. [It could be worse. He could have been hit by a truck. He's distracted, though, by Ur starting to laugh.]
...Nothing's funny.
Even the humans are worrying about you. [She beams up at him with adorable admiration. As far as she knows, Haruhi's acting like most of staff does. It seems sensible in her opinion. That's how most people feel about the General.] We should leave soon if you're going to walk me to the warp gate. I have appointments.
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