Page 1724

((Triple Wednesday -- Page 2 of 3))
Leo took a breath. “Well, I just figured, y’know, ah--what better way to prove myself trustworthy than through honest work? ‘Cuz you... you do have that type of work, right? I mean, I just kinda got the impression that you did.”

Hector had to stop and think about that. “...I might.”

“Yeah! Right!” Leo gave a laugh that sounded a little nervous. “‘Cuz you’re not like a, heh... a super drug lord ‘r anything... are you?”

“...No, I’m not.”

“I mean, don’t get me wrong--I’m ultra-supportive of recreational drug use, but only in a safe, controlled, and well-educated environment, know what I’m sayin’?”

Hector didn’t, really, but decided to just nod anyway.

“People who prey on and help propagate the misery of the less fortunate--I ain’t got much forgiveness in me for folks like that, man.”

This guy sure was chatty all of a sudden. “...What sort of ‘honest work’ are you looking for, exactly?” said Hector.

“Oh, ah, hmm, that’s, uh... that’s a good question, man. Just... ah... a-anything you need done, I s’pose. I mean, it’s been kind of a long time since I’ve had a proper job, y’know? Like a job-job. If I’m bein’ totally honest, I’m kinda blankin’ on examples at the moment... I guess it’s just been that long... egh...” Leo scratched his cheek. “Fact, maybe I never had a proper job... I musta, though, right?” He was looking at Hector as if it were somehow possible for Hector to know the answer to that question. “Be kinda embarrassing if I didn’t, man...”

Hmm. This was actually beginning to make a surprising amount of sense, Hector thought. Leo was a lost sheep, after all. He needed direction. He seemed to be craving it, even.

A sheep in need of a shepherd.

It sure would’ve been nice if Hector had any fucking idea how he was supposed be a goddamn shepherd or whatever. Because apparently, he’d managed to convince this guy that he was.

He only hoped that Garovel would be able to bail him out of this situation later, somehow. He’d have to survive it first, though.

“...Ah, well, I’ll figure something out for you,” said Hector, trying not to worry about the fact that he was tossing yet another log onto the roaring bonfire of problems and promises that were already waiting to be dealt with.

“Cool. It’s just, y’know, I’ve been feelin’ kinda worthless lately, so I’d really like to, uh, contribute. To a good cause, I mean.” Leo shook his head. “E’erbody makes that seem so easy, man. I dunno how they do it. Especially when we start gettin’ older, know what I mean? All the things we’ve seen? All the betrayals and broken promises?”

Hector didn’t like where this conversation was going.

“I ‘member, this one time, I was workin’ for a charity out in Steccat. Big business stuff. Real famous, very well-known and respected. I forget the name ‘cuz it folded up after the scandal, but yeah. Seemed totally legit and trustworthy at the time, man.” He clicked his tongue. “But nope. Embezzlin’ funds. Stealin’ from the poor. Buncha bastards.”

Page 1723

((Triple Wednesday -- Page 1 of 3))
Hector very much wanted to stand up and start moving toward the exit, but he refrained. Now that he had Roman in hand, his only real objective had been achieved, but the danger was still far from passed, Hector knew. If Leo got it into his head that Hector was scared or lying or anything other than everything he’d thus far claimed to be, then this could all come crumbling down in a matter of seconds.

“...In order to be sure that you won’t hurt anyone,” said Hector, “I’ll need you to bring your reaper to me.”

Leo opened his mouth, then shut it again and looked down at the floor.

It was a big ask. Would he refuse? Hector kind of hoped he would. If Leo decided that it was too much of a risk and they simply parted ways here on amicable terms with maybe the potential for a future working relationship... well, Hector couldn’t imagine a more ideal outcome to the current circumstances.

“...Is that really necessary, man?” said Leo.

“Yes,” said Hector firmly. C’mon. Refuse. Refuse, dammit.

“But how do I know you won’t just kill him?” said Leo.

“Well... You don’t. That’s what makes it a demonstration of trust.”

Leo sighed. “...Okay, I’ll bring him to you.”

Fuck, really?! Man, this guy must have been even more desperate than Hector thought. He’d thought that with all the initial hostility that Leo had shown, the guy would’ve been much less agreeable now.

But, okay. This was fine. He could still make this work.

Probably.

Shit.

“Will you at least give me your word that you won’t kill him?” said Leo.

Hector had to stop himself from sighing. “Of course.”

“What’ll you do with him? Besides, y’know, keep him prisoner.”

“Ah... I will... get to know him.”

“That it?”

“...Is that not enough?”

“No, it’s just--well, I thought you might try to persuade him to forgive me ‘r somethin’, y’know?”

Ah. Hmm. “I might do that. If it seems possible.”

“Don’t think it will be, just so you know. Ericoros is beyond stubborn. And to be honest, I dunno if I’ll ever be able to trust him again, either. Reapers tend to tell you what you wanna hear.”

“...Yeah, I know,” said Hector.

“Ah--course ya do. My bad. Didn’t mean any offense.”

An apology now? Geez, this guy was all over the place. “It’s fine.”

“So, uh... I, um... I got another question, if ya don’t mind answerin’.”

Hector wasn’t sure why he was bothering to preface it. “Then ask.”

“What sort of, um... aha... er... how do I put this...? Ah...”

Hector cocked an eyebrow inside his helmet as he waited.

“Y’see, I was just wondering what kind of... work you do. And, y’know, whether or not you might have any... for me to do.”

Hector blinked. Work? This guy wanted to work? “I... thought you just wanted my protection.”

“Yeah, I mean, I do, but, it’s just--I mean, you seem like you--ah--kinda know what you’re, uh--like, you’ve got your stuff ‘n whatnot--and, er, y’know what I’m sayin’?”

“...I don’t, actually. I don’t think that was a complete sentence, either.”

Page 1722 -- CLXXXIV.

Regardless, this was still an enormous problem. Hector couldn’t very well accept Leo’s proposal, because that would mean bringing the guy back to Warrenhold with him. And Hector could immediately think of about a dozen ways that could blow up in his and everyone’s faces.

But he couldn’t just outright refuse him, either. That wouldn’t project much power, and it would also completely go against what Hector had said earlier, asking if Leo was alright.

He had to strike a delicate balance here, Hector decided.

“...I’m afraid I don’t grant my protection quite that easily,” said Hector. He had to keep himself steady. Leo’s strategy had nearly thrown him off, just now.

“That so?” said Leo. “Why do the Rainlords qualify, while I don’t?”

“...Because they have my trust,” said Hector.

“Ah. And I don’t.”

“That’s right.”

Leo scratched his brow with his free hand. “Well, how do I gain your trust, then?”

Oh, geez. “Well... you could start by giving Roman back to me.”

Leo snorted. “Isn’t that the same deal I just offered you?”

“...No,” said Hector. “Give me Roman, and I’ll give you a chance to earn my trust.”

Leo pursed his lips together briefly. “Just a chance? Seems like kind of a raw deal from where I’m sittin’, daddy-o.”

Daddy-o? Who the hell says--? Whatever. “...It’s the best you’re gonna get,” said Hector. “I’m not gonna trust you until you prove yourself trustworthy.”

“Dude, you’re askin’ me to give up my only bargaining chip for just a promise. Less than a promise, even.”

“...Roman isn’t a bargaining chip,” said Hector. “I already told you... I can just wait this out and get Roman back from Sai-hee. You don’t actually have anything I want.”

Leo stared again, though his black eyes were much more hollow this time, as if he were looking past Hector instead of at him.

Slowly, Hector unfolded his arms. He held out a gauntleted hand, palm upward. “...Give me my friend back,” he said.

Leo took a breath through gritted teeth. He shut his eyes, rubbed his forehead hard enough to leave a fleeting red mark, and finally exhaled a long sigh. He lifted Roman’s head and placed it in Hector’s waiting hand.

It required all of Hector’s composure not to go wide-eyed and stare at what had just happened.

“Okay, now what?” said Leo.

That was a very good question, Hector thought.


Chapter One Hundred Eighty-Four: ‘Submit unto thee or begone...’
Click to display entire chapter at once -- (mobile link)

“...Earning my trust won’t be easy,” said Hector. He paused to let Leo say something, but the man just waited. “...Firstly, I will need assurance that... you won’t harm anyone else who is under my protection.”

Leo held out his fist and extended the little finger. “I pinky promise that I will not hurt anyone unless you say it’s okay.”

Hector couldn’t quite tell if the man was joking, but he exhaled half a laugh, anyway, and said, “That’s not enough.”

Leo smacked his lips. “Never is.”