video; un: cardmaster

[fateality]

[Despite what the username displays, the video very clearly seems to show Jin with his hair down. Who is grinning, as if smug.]

Good news, everyone. No one needs to worry about the hair tie problem anymore.

[He holds up a pair of scissors.]

I was thinking I could lighten the load anyway.

[After grabbing a handful of hair on the right side, he cuts off a giant chunk in one dramatic snip.]

Comments

[fateality]

Me. What I want. Been mostly alone for ten years, so I had no one else to worry about til 'bout now.

[respired]

[ Oh.

He murmurs. ]

You are not alone now.

private;

[fateality]

[Immediately a million times more uncomfortable how public this is.

But he wouldn't shoo off Koltira. Especially when he's right.]

I'm used to it.

Still, I'm-- pretty happy with it being you and me. I care 'bout what you want. I haven't had to consider that for a couple of years.

[respired]

[ Some part of him likes that notion. It wasn't dissimilar to what he had with Thassarian--just the two of them, bound by blood and honor. A loyalty that Koltira sacrificed everything to preserve.

He should not wish to be alone in Fate's heart. Fate deserves more than him, violent and ruined as he is. But he can't help the little, pleased frisson that runs up his spine, anyway.

Quietly. ]

I haven't, either.

[ On account of being imprisoned, mostly.

Still, he won't press the matter right now. ]

But I suppose that is a start.

[fateality]

Would you want it to be different?

[respired]

[ Called out.

Well, he never was a good liar. ]

No.

Not as such.

[ He would like Fate to care more for the right thing of his own volition, but that's not something Koltira can control. ]

[fateality]

But I get the feeling there's somethin' you aren't saying.

[respired]

I cannot tell you how to live, Fate. Your path in this world is your own.

[ He runs a hand through his hair, exhaling frost. ]

But I would like you to care for what we do because it is right, not simply because I'm asking you to do it. There is value in preservation. In service freely given.

[fateality]

...Yeah, this is why I think you're a better man than me. No matter what your curse urges you to do, you got those ideals I don't.

[respired]

[ A long, rumbling sigh. ]

An ideal is nothing if it cannot be followed through with action.

[fateality]

[He hesitates, then smiles faintly.]

...Look, let's not have a debate over this. I know what I know. [which is that you're GOOD and GREAT] If you think I ought to give it a shot, I'm listening.

[respired]

[ All right, all right.

Emphatically: ]

You should.

[ And he supposes they can go from there. ]

[fateality]

...I'll try.

A little out of practice with this morality thing.

[respired]

Fortunately, we have both time and opportunity.

[fateality]

Sounds like work.

[SIGHS.] All right, I'm in.

[respired]

Yes.

[ HIS FAVORITE THING. ]

I will see you soon.

[ and also, like, tonight. because of the room sharing thing. YOU KNOW WHAT HE MEANS. ]

[fateality]

Yes sir.