aidreamofsenpai | IC Contact

It's a possibility. The thing is, if we think like that, there's really nothing anyone can do ever.

[ He hunches a shoulder, as if too lazy for a real shrug. ]

It's not like I organized it, so I don't know what the person who did things about those things. I really... I just wanted to learn. A friend of mine was kidnapped by someone trying to incite rebellion recently, and I wanted to see what I could find out about that, but also...

If I have to finish growing up here, if I have to spend my whole life here - and if I come back when I die like I did before, who knows how long that will be? - then I want to do what I can to make it a better place. But so far most of what I found out was just confirmations of what I already knew.

If the city wants to punish us for asking questions... I guess that's all the more reason we have to ask them, isn't it?

A friend...?

[Right, that strange video. All sound and an angry voice, eyes obviously blindfolded. Reno hadn't known it was a friend of Ai's, though the kid was friends with so many people... It didn't make him any less a rebel at heart, but even he disagreed with how that debacle was conducted.]

... Yer absolutely right. [He stroked Ai's temple with a brief sweep of his thumb. For some reason it hurt to hear that Ai had died. Maybe it was the fact he was so young and full of energy, and the thought of someone hurting him... Well, he wasn't sure he should ask.] I'm glad t' hear that didn't change yer mind, though. Yer a pretty strong kid when it comes down to it. Most people 'd be too scared.

I wish I coulda' been there. [And before Ai could start feeling guilty for being part of the reason Reno was unable to attend, he added:] But you got my help. Yer secret's safe with me.

Thank you. There's been a lot going on lately, it's just... one thing after another piling up. But I've been trying to think of ways to be useful, instead of just... lying down and rolling over.

[ He tilts his head so he can smile up at Reno properly. ]

I'll get it worked out eventually. But you know, if you really want to help... there is something I could use some advice on, from someone with more real-world experience with things than I have.

If you had access to a government official, what kinds of questions would you ask? I mean, for details about the city, not the whys or "how dare you"s... those are things I feel myself, but they don't get you anywhere saying them.

[Reno's eyebrows rose. That's right, Ai did have that one big-spender customer in particular, he must be a government official.]

Well...

[Sure, Reno was good at extracting information, but it was more along the lines of extraction that also included teeth and fingernails. The peaceful kind of weaseling that Ai was talking about was somewhat trickier.]

I'd say use flattery. Find out what he does, make 'im feel important, get 'im bragging. People love t' talk about themselves an' maybe he'll let some details slip that way. Get 'im drunk, fawn over 'im, hang on his every word even if it's really boring as hell.

... I can actually see you bein' pretty good at it.

Hmm, so basically just what I already do hosting, right?

[ Aiichiro smiles softly, rather cheered by Reno's faith in him. ]

I'm glad you think so. I feel really useless sometimes, so if I can... just doing that kind of thing, if I can learn something, it would be better.

[ He chews his lip a little. ]

Do you think... if I offered him things that aren't normally on my "menu", do you think that would be too obvious?

[Reno frowned, a bad feeling in his gut.]

Like what?

[Aiichiro shrugs his shoulders, relaxes a little more into the bed, and is basically oblivious to any concern. ]

I don't know, he did ask about penetrative sex. He really likes playing up how young I look too, and kind of... complete control things? I'm usually pretty in control of my scenes, so it'd be different.

I just thought he might open up even more if he thought he was getting something special.

[Reno shook his head. He didn't have many limits, but that was one of the few.]

Don't do anythin' you ain't comfortable with, Ai. If you really don't want 'im in you, then it ain't worth it -- doesn't matter what he wants or thinks or might give out. Because there's still a chance it won't do shit.

[Besides, it sounded like the guy was kind of a pedo creep to want to enact those kinds of scenes. Unconsciously, the Turk clenched his fists.]

Don't change you for what he might be. Trust me.

[ Aiichiro can't help but deflate at the words. He knows Reno means well, and he doesn't really disagree with him, but... it's not what he wanted to hear. ]

I just want so terribly to be... useful. Have you ever felt like that?

[ Somehow, he doubts it. After all, Reno - for all that he's not like Genesis or Sephiroth - is strong. ]

[For all that Ai doubts it...]

[Reno could sense it, and it was why he decided to tell the truth. He was silent for a moment, staring down at the carpet, before he admitted it.]

Yeah.

Mm. It's not very fun.

[ Aiichiro reaches for the ginger ale, takes a long drink of it, and then an equally long breath, in and out. ]

But I should get back to work. I can't lie here and worry about it all day, even though you're being so kind to me.

[No, it wasn't fun at all. It was partly why Reno became a Turk -- so he'd have the power that he hadn't had before. It meant everything to him.]

[He hesitated, then pet Ai's hair gently.]

Do what you wanna do. But lemme know if I can help.

Don't push yerself too hard, okay?

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