[There was a knock on Zichen's door a few days, or a week, or whenever later after the Port had ended and outer space once again surrounded the ship. When Zichen came about, Collins was leaned against the wall next to the door to Zichen's room. There was a bottle of alcohol in one of his hands and his demeanor was that of lackadaisical nonchalance.
Collins glanced towards Zichen when the other man eventually appeared. He held up the bottle.]
[He had been planning on checking on Dennis and this... This makes things both easier and more complicated. Something had happened. He has been perusing the other man's file and trying to work out a good plan of attack. Of course anything he tries will be met with suspicion and, really, he can't blame Dennis for feeling that way. It doesn't seem like he has had many - if any - bright points in his life.]
Of course. [Zichen pretends like this is normal and steps out, motioning for Dennis to enter his cabin. His decor and furniture are humble and tidy, reminiscent of the room he had when he stayed with his Master. But there are a pair of cats, a bird and a black snake too. Of course the only free animals are the cats.]
[Collins pushed off against the wall and stepped inside without a word. He looked around the room but there wasn't much to look at besides the animals. He whistled at the little bird and, walking over close but not invading their space entirely, Collins let the felines sniff his fingers if they felt so inclined to check him out.]
Consider it gratitude fer leavin' me tha hell alone fer a week. Got this while out there at port.
[He indicated the bottle with a little gesture with the hand that held it.]
[The little bird peeps at the new visitor curiously, whistling a soft tune. Owl finches are talkative by nature and this baby is accustomed to being entertained by humans. Additionally, the cats are very friendly, rubbing against Dennis in greeting. Zichen smiles and motions to the table, grabbing two cups.]
I take it you enjoyed yourself...safely? [He hopes? He hadn't gotten any other notifications, but he is aware that his inmate is clever.]
[Collins watched with amusement as the felines circled around him to rub any inch that they could touch, pausing briefly only when he offered a few scratches around their whiskered faces. He extracted himself from them after a few seconds and whistled a return call to the bird as he sat at the table. He opened the bottle as Zichen set down the cups.]
Oh, I certainly had my share of fun.
[Although "safe" might not have been fully applicable for half of it, at least he did manage to stay out of further trouble as promised. Despite all sneaky bastardly things performed.]
[Someone is in a good mood. Though Zichen has a feeling Collins doesn't mind animals as much as people. Sitting at the table, he coaxes one of the cats - a little female - into his lap and rubs behind her ears.]
I wish that gave me comfort.
[But he won't intrude because, frankly, as long as no one was hurt or died, that's progress.]
It was nice to go somewhere else. I haven't been to a market in years.
[Collins's laugh was more like an airy giggle, amused and light-hearted. It belied the unethical deeds he had performed during the Port time despite his restrictions.]
That's tha way of thinkin'. Smarter than yer usual.
[Not at all offended. It was smart not to underestimate him. He liked that better than the pandering.]
Oh, anything is better'n this place. That makes 'nice' an understatement. It was a welcome distraction. Too short of one. [He cocked his head.] That's a long time to miss out on something so common. Unless it's all due to this place.
[Which accounted for all his time away from passing through such places. Which, when he thought about it, was longer than ever before at more than six months. God damn this place.]
[He tried to reach Collins through kindness, but that isn't quite the other man's style. So he is trying something new. He accepts he can't stop all of the man's wickedness - thus he will start with the worst of it and work his way down the list. For now as long as the other man doesn't murder anyone, he will be satisfied.]
I think it was just long enough. [The Barge keeps Collins sequestered and away from temptation.] If you were allowed endless days in a place like that, you would fall back on old habits. Frankly I think your old habits would frighten me.
[Enough to drink some of the whiskey.]
It feels like I've spent a lifetime here. The Barge has that effect on everyone.
Certainly. A nice, good contract would have been on tha table if it could have been doable. [He clicked his tongue to the roof of his mouth.] Perhaps next time I'll just have ta find a bit of stealin' or kidnappin' ta to instead of a good ol' fashioned murder. Used ta dabble a bit in those, too.
[Usually with a side of killing along with such jobs. His head was cocked slightly as he watched the reaction such words would have on Zichen. Surely he said them for his own amusement--though the idea was not untrue and he would be happy to do such jobs again.
The only way to keep him from murder was to keep him defenseless as it turned out.]
It's a hellhole. Tha name's perfect fer a reason. Stuck in a hole at tha end of a good life. Pointless and never ending.
Theft and kidnapping? [Goodness gracious. Zichen grimaces and watches Collins, trying to read him. What makes him so rebellious against morality, rules and laws? It's obvious he doesn't think much of them, but why.] Who would you kidnap and why?
[The theft concerns him less all things considered.]
A good life, you say. [Nope, he disagrees.] I think you and I have earned this maze.
[Collins smiled at his drink as he tilted the glass from one side to the other.]
Whoever I was hired ta kidnap. Tha employer would have their reasons, I'm sure, but it never mattered ta me. Once it was a teenage girl. Sometimes it'd be men that had information that someone wanted. I would extract it. Those didn't make it out alive, of course.
[His smile turned upwards to Zichen. He took a sip of his drink, eyes not leaving the other man as he did so, before continuing.]
It was a very productive life, full of well performed jobs if I do say so myself. I'm very good at my callin'. Other prisons couldn't hold me. I did get inside a few ta kill a time or two. Always fun gettin' ta play tha warden. Ain't it?
[He is disappointed in humanity. His mind just...doesn't think like that. He could never.]
How were you repaid? With money? [He needs more whiskey, so down the hatch it goes. It won't have any effect - other than giving him some warmth - which is a shame.]
I wouldn't say I've had fun as a warden. I end up worrying about everyone I try to help and then I realize there isn't much I can do for them.
Certainly. Hence tha term 'killer fer hire' and 'contract killer'. I perform tha contracted deed, I get paid fer it. Easy way ta make money.
I had many very satisfied employers over tha years.
[None of which he ever showed any true loyalty to. He usually did one job, maybe two related jobs, and then left. It helped that he liked to travel and word of his reputation spread. He could go uncaught and find work just about anywhere.]
Well, yer problem is carin' in tha first place. Don't. Wardens out in tha real world never do. Why should they? They're around just ta watch over prisoners that no one wants in society anyway.
Jobs of that nature shouldn't exist. It disgusts me that they do. [He grits his teeth and closes his eyes, calming himself.] Couldn't your customers sign a contract for your death too?
[How could Collins ever feel safe?]
I won't stop caring. [His eyes open and something about his expression softens.] I want you around, Dennis.
Yes. [He seemed amused by Zichen's disgust as well as the question. His answer was calm and matter of fact.] They would have ta find someone better than me ta have any hope of it succeedin'.
[His tone implied that he thought that nearly an impossible task.]
Well, whether I like it or not, I am around. Which is a pity, I could be off in tha proper afterlife doin' somethin' I like or nothin' at all. That would be grand.
[He paused, and then added:]
You have ill manners, Mr. Zichen. I hate it when you call me that without permission.
[He responded coldly. He then chuckled, a dark sound.]
Maybe I'd like that. Vengeful spirit. That could be fun.
[But at the last part he actually blinked in surprise himself and cocked his head at Zichen.]
Are you tellin' me you put yer last name first? Tha fuck is wrong with you... [He sighed and rolled his eyes.] No, Mr. Song, you should use my family name in proper fashion.
The first. [Start at the beginning.] Believe me, it's not. Then you'll meet someone like me who will destroy your spirit for good.
[He smirks, helplessly amused.]
Everyone from my time and my world would do likewise. My name is Song Lan. Song Zichen is my courtesy name; it is the name I was given once I became an adult.
[He nods, accepting the logic.] Understood. Mr. Collins.
[He frowned, trying to remember that far back. He remembered how much he hated being brought here against his will--no change in that feeling--and how ridiculous it was to be here based on only the word of a being that never even spoke to him. The wardens telling him what people knew of this place. The utter bullshite of it all.
Nope, none of that had changed. He huffed in annoyance. He hated this place and it reflected in his tone.]
Tha first time I was brought here there was no reason. I was fine and healthy and yet everyone told me otherwise. Do you understand how much bullshite that is? Ta be told that yer dead when no such thing happened?
I had just agreed to a new deal and was headed ta get started. Far as I was concerned it was just another day with tha promise of a good time.
Then your death happened quickly; before you noticed, perhaps? [Zichen can understand being unnerved. Anyone would be. He looks over Collins quietly and then asks:] Did you arrive with any injuries or marks? I know some of the best assassins leave little proof behind. I have worked on cases where demons barely leave a mark on the body, so following their trail is almost impossible.
It didn't happen at all before tha first time I arrived here!
[He said with a huff. A moment passed, then:]
Oh, don't preach to an assassin how easy it is ta make a death look natural or like an accident, lad. I am tha expert on such deaths!
I hadn't died yet at all. I was perfectly healthy and no one was vyin' fer me at tha time. And don't say I didn't know it, because I damn well do. It all went without a hitch--when I got back and finished tha day.
I'm beginning to think having someone with your expertise would help Cultivators everywhere.
[Not that Collins would want to be involved with "witches".]
Heart attacks can happen suddenly too. [A person can think they are perfectly fine and then...] I believe you. I'm just looking at all of the possibilities. I'm not sure if everyone arrives here on their death. There might be other factors at play.
[He would not want to be involved with witches, real or imagined, but he did take a compliment when he heard one. Though with some hesitance as he tried to suss out the hidden agenda behind it. He just couldn't believe a nice thing being said about his profession by anyone who gave a damn about people.
Collins then rolled his eyes.] Heart attacks can be forced as well. [Huff.] Not tha point. I didn't die from any natural causes.
You've failed ta ask about tha second time. I finished me last day that time. I know how I died. It wasn't natural. It weren't no human cause either.
[It's not the profession itself that he is complimenting, but what Collins learned from it. Of course one can't come without the other - or can it? Zichen doesn't rightly know.]
Through fear or - [Through spells.] I believe you.
[He arches a dark brow.]
Does it have to do with the witches you mentioned?
Poison. [Come on, like he would use magic. The easiest way to fake a heart attack was through poison.
He shook his head.]
No. I killed tha whole coven in me younger years.
[Not that there weren't more out there, but this had nothing to do with that story.]
And I killed all tha monsters that tha cultist brought out ta play that night, too. Had tha time of me life. [He took a breath and his features managed to turn even darker in his anger.] It was an alien entity. Some foul creature that don't belong in tha world. Unnatural and malevolent.
Like yer "admiral" that wields power beyond imagination, awful entities that have no right playin' with tha rules of nature fer their own whims.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action;
Collins glanced towards Zichen when the other man eventually appeared. He held up the bottle.]
Care fer a drink?
action;
Of course. [Zichen pretends like this is normal and steps out, motioning for Dennis to enter his cabin. His decor and furniture are humble and tidy, reminiscent of the room he had when he stayed with his Master. But there are a pair of cats, a bird and a black snake too. Of course the only free animals are the cats.]
What brings you by?
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Consider it gratitude fer leavin' me tha hell alone fer a week. Got this while out there at port.
[He indicated the bottle with a little gesture with the hand that held it.]
action;
I take it you enjoyed yourself...safely? [He hopes? He hadn't gotten any other notifications, but he is aware that his inmate is clever.]
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Oh, I certainly had my share of fun.
[Although "safe" might not have been fully applicable for half of it, at least he did manage to stay out of further trouble as promised. Despite all sneaky bastardly things performed.]
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I wish that gave me comfort.
[But he won't intrude because, frankly, as long as no one was hurt or died, that's progress.]
It was nice to go somewhere else. I haven't been to a market in years.
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That's tha way of thinkin'. Smarter than yer usual.
[Not at all offended. It was smart not to underestimate him. He liked that better than the pandering.]
Oh, anything is better'n this place. That makes 'nice' an understatement. It was a welcome distraction. Too short of one. [He cocked his head.] That's a long time to miss out on something so common. Unless it's all due to this place.
[Which accounted for all his time away from passing through such places. Which, when he thought about it, was longer than ever before at more than six months. God damn this place.]
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I think it was just long enough. [The Barge keeps Collins sequestered and away from temptation.] If you were allowed endless days in a place like that, you would fall back on old habits. Frankly I think your old habits would frighten me.
[Enough to drink some of the whiskey.]
It feels like I've spent a lifetime here. The Barge has that effect on everyone.
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[Usually with a side of killing along with such jobs. His head was cocked slightly as he watched the reaction such words would have on Zichen. Surely he said them for his own amusement--though the idea was not untrue and he would be happy to do such jobs again.
The only way to keep him from murder was to keep him defenseless as it turned out.]
It's a hellhole. Tha name's perfect fer a reason. Stuck in a hole at tha end of a good life. Pointless and never ending.
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[The theft concerns him less all things considered.]
A good life, you say. [Nope, he disagrees.] I think you and I have earned this maze.
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Whoever I was hired ta kidnap. Tha employer would have their reasons, I'm sure, but it never mattered ta me. Once it was a teenage girl. Sometimes it'd be men that had information that someone wanted. I would extract it. Those didn't make it out alive, of course.
[His smile turned upwards to Zichen. He took a sip of his drink, eyes not leaving the other man as he did so, before continuing.]
It was a very productive life, full of well performed jobs if I do say so myself. I'm very good at my callin'. Other prisons couldn't hold me. I did get inside a few ta kill a time or two. Always fun gettin' ta play tha warden. Ain't it?
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How were you repaid? With money? [He needs more whiskey, so down the hatch it goes. It won't have any effect - other than giving him some warmth - which is a shame.]
I wouldn't say I've had fun as a warden. I end up worrying about everyone I try to help and then I realize there isn't much I can do for them.
[...oops. Was that too truthful?]
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I had many very satisfied employers over tha years.
[None of which he ever showed any true loyalty to. He usually did one job, maybe two related jobs, and then left. It helped that he liked to travel and word of his reputation spread. He could go uncaught and find work just about anywhere.]
Well, yer problem is carin' in tha first place. Don't. Wardens out in tha real world never do. Why should they? They're around just ta watch over prisoners that no one wants in society anyway.
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[How could Collins ever feel safe?]
I won't stop caring. [His eyes open and something about his expression softens.] I want you around, Dennis.
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[His tone implied that he thought that nearly an impossible task.]
Well, whether I like it or not, I am around. Which is a pity, I could be off in tha proper afterlife doin' somethin' I like or nothin' at all. That would be grand.
[He paused, and then added:]
You have ill manners, Mr. Zichen. I hate it when you call me that without permission.
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What happened before you came to the Barge? What are your last memories?
[In his own words, that is.]
The afterlife wouldn't allow you to do as you like. Not unless you became a vengeful spirit.
[His eyes widen and he looks perplexed.]
Yet you call me Zichen. Should I say Mr. Dennis instead?
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[He responded coldly. He then chuckled, a dark sound.]
Maybe I'd like that. Vengeful spirit. That could be fun.
[But at the last part he actually blinked in surprise himself and cocked his head at Zichen.]
Are you tellin' me you put yer last name first? Tha fuck is wrong with you... [He sighed and rolled his eyes.] No, Mr. Song, you should use my family name in proper fashion.
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[He smirks, helplessly amused.]
Everyone from my time and my world would do likewise. My name is Song Lan. Song Zichen is my courtesy name; it is the name I was given once I became an adult.
[He nods, accepting the logic.] Understood. Mr. Collins.
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Nope, none of that had changed. He huffed in annoyance. He hated this place and it reflected in his tone.]
Tha first time I was brought here there was no reason. I was fine and healthy and yet everyone told me otherwise. Do you understand how much bullshite that is? Ta be told that yer dead when no such thing happened?
I had just agreed to a new deal and was headed ta get started. Far as I was concerned it was just another day with tha promise of a good time.
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[He said with a huff. A moment passed, then:]
Oh, don't preach to an assassin how easy it is ta make a death look natural or like an accident, lad. I am tha expert on such deaths!
I hadn't died yet at all. I was perfectly healthy and no one was vyin' fer me at tha time. And don't say I didn't know it, because I damn well do. It all went without a hitch--when I got back and finished tha day.
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[Not that Collins would want to be involved with "witches".]
Heart attacks can happen suddenly too. [A person can think they are perfectly fine and then...] I believe you. I'm just looking at all of the possibilities. I'm not sure if everyone arrives here on their death. There might be other factors at play.
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Collins then rolled his eyes.] Heart attacks can be forced as well. [Huff.] Not tha point. I didn't die from any natural causes.
You've failed ta ask about tha second time. I finished me last day that time. I know how I died. It wasn't natural. It weren't no human cause either.
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Through fear or - [Through spells.] I believe you.
[He arches a dark brow.]
Does it have to do with the witches you mentioned?
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He shook his head.]
No. I killed tha whole coven in me younger years.
[Not that there weren't more out there, but this had nothing to do with that story.]
And I killed all tha monsters that tha cultist brought out ta play that night, too. Had tha time of me life. [He took a breath and his features managed to turn even darker in his anger.] It was an alien entity. Some foul creature that don't belong in tha world. Unnatural and malevolent.
Like yer "admiral" that wields power beyond imagination, awful entities that have no right playin' with tha rules of nature fer their own whims.
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