002. [Text / Filtered from Ankh]

[dreiwuensche]

Can anybody tell me more about these "Deadman" people? I already know a little bit, that they're people who have special things they can do with their blood, but I want to know more. What causes it? What all can Deadmen do? That kind of thing.

Comments

[dreiwuensche]

[ She's pretty sure people aren't supposed to put their feet on the tables, but... Shotaro doesn't have a foot there anyway, so! She's not going to say anything. She just walks up to his table awkwardly. ]

Hi, Hidari-san. How are you feeling?

[tanteiotaku]

[He will happily accept that loophole.]

Better now that I've seen your smiling face.

[dreiwuensche]

[ She giggles. Wow, smooth.

She takes a seat next to him. ]

So, uh... You're really a Deadman?

[tanteiotaku]

In the flesh. [He leans forward and sets his book on the table.]

Was there something specific you wanted to know? [Sure, she's cute, and seems nice, but he doesn't know if he can trust her yet.]

[dreiwuensche]

I guess... what can you do?

[tanteiotaku]

All Deadmen control their own blood, and use it as a weapon outside of their body. There's lots of different kinds, but mine makes a shell on the outside so that when I punch, it's much harder than your average fist.

[dreiwuensche]

Wow, that's amazing. But isn't that dangerous?

[tanteiotaku]

It can be. As long as you put it back in when you're done, you're fine. [He's so casual about it.]

[dreiwuensche]

That... sounds kind of gross.

[tanteiotaku]

[A little bit of a chuckle.] It's something you get used to, I guess. I'd be a liar if I said I didn't pass out a few times.

[dreiwuensche]

[ So reckless... She frowns. ]

Is there something about being a Deadman that makes people... change?

[tanteiotaku]

[He considers this for a bit.] It can. Especially if you have to figure it out alone, like most people do. It's scary at first. But for some people, it's the opportunity they've been waiting for, and they can cause a lot of trouble.

[dreiwuensche]

...I see.

[ Could that be what happened with Shingo, then? She rubs the back of her neck worriedly. ]

[tanteiotaku]

These aren't questions that just pop up out of the blue. Is someone in G-block making trouble for you?

[dreiwuensche]

No! It's not like that. I...

...I know a Deadman. That's all.

[tanteiotaku]

You probably know more than you think.

[dreiwuensche]

...probably, around here. There's one person in particular, though.

[tanteiotaku]

They must be pretty important to you if you're sticking your neck out like this.

[dreiwuensche]

[ She just looks down, unable to answer that. ]

I'm worried about them.

[tanteiotaku]

I'm a detective, and I'm here to help people if they need it. This is my new territory and I'm not going to let anyone make anyone cry and get away with it. So if you need something, let me know.

[dreiwuensche]

That's... really sweet of you, Hidari-san. [ She smiles a little. ]

There is one thing, I guess. Can you tell me where G-Block is?

[tanteiotaku]

[And he kind of flinches a bit.] I'm afraid not. I've got someone of my own to watch out for. And that's not someplace you should just wander down into.

[dreiwuensche]

I'm not planning on hurting anyone! I just need to-- to see them.

[tanteiotaku]

I know you're a good girl, Hina-chan. Most of us leave well enough alone, but there's a few troublemakers down there that are bad enough to make up for the rest. And between my partner and I, neither of us are in any state to escort anyone.

[dreiwuensche]

There are troublemakers up here, too, Hidari-san. This is... it's really important to me.