[Kouha's a pushy, violent, tunnel-visioned jerk a lot of the time, but he's empathetic to almost a fault. Everybody's got something important to them, and that's what Kouha finds interesting.
Honestly, though, he wasn't expecting that for an answer. He plays it cautiously, not wanting to upset Alex. That was a surprisingly honest answer, and it deserves some consideration.]
FROM: ren.kouha@cdc.org
Same here. Guess we've got more in common than I thought.
[Kouha recognizes a topic-change when he sees it, even if he's not all that pleased to get derailed right now. Still, he's moved a step forward, so that'll have to be good enough for now.]
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Talk about pressure... Gimme a minute to figure out what I'll ask.
[A few minutes later, a second message is sent.]
FROM: ren.kouha@cdc.org
Okay, so I wanna know you better, so here's my question. What's most important to you?
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It probably wasn't what most people thought either.]
FROM: mercer.alex@cdc.org
someone who's not here.
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Honestly, though, he wasn't expecting that for an answer. He plays it cautiously, not wanting to upset Alex. That was a surprisingly honest answer, and it deserves some consideration.]
FROM: ren.kouha@cdc.org
Same here. Guess we've got more in common than I thought.
no subject
Still he answered the question and would much rather move on.]
FROM: mercer.alex@cdc.org
don't expect me to grow hair like yours anytime soon.
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FROM: ren.kouha@cdc.org
You couldn't pull it off, even if you wanted to!
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sure i could.
02
but it's not my style.
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No way, no how. You'd be hiding it under that hood of yours, as soon as you noticed it.
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want to bet on it?
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On which part? That you can make it happen, or that you can work it?
[But that's a tentative yes.]
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the first one.
02
i don't know what qualifies as 'fashionable' for you. [Or for anyone for that matter...]
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Fine! We'll see if you can do it, then.
02
But it doesn't count if you wear a wig.
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deal.
what are we going to bet?
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What do you want? 'Cause eating me's noooot gonna happen.
[That is at least 70% joking.]
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everything about your 'magical' sword.
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What, like information about it? 'Cause you can't have the sword to keep, but I'll tell you about it.
[He might be careless with it, but it's still his.]
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information. i don't need the actual thing.
[ He can grow his own swords!]
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...Fine. But the hair's gotta look natural!
[He's going to be entertained, if he's giving away some serious information.]
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it will.
02
what do you want if you win?
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I wanna know how your powers work. Fair's fair, right?
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right.
02
next time there's downtime, i'll show you.
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FROM: ren.kouha@cdc.org
It's a deal!