[video&action for orlea]

[smallskull]

[Assassin has been dutifully following her Master's orders, tracking one of the natives as part of the "game" he proposed to her. Sometimes, though, something else catches her eyes, and she finds herself distracted from the task at hand. This is one of those times.]

[Her target lives in Orlea, and from what she has gathered, music is one of his primary hobbies. So, it's no surprise when tailing him eventually leads to her following him into a store centered on as much. She has never really had the chance to listen to music before, much less any of the modern sort, so it isn't long before her attention falls away from him and onto the racks of CDs.]

[This is the backdrop when she decides ask a question of the populace at large. She wastes no time on an introduction or an explanation when she opens her mouth.]

What kinds of music are good?

[After this question is asked, if anyone is in the area and interested in stopping by the store, they may find Assassin inside, headphones held over her ears as she listens to whatever CD she happens to be sampling at the time. She has been picking what to listen to by how much she likes its name, which is maybe a little childish, but she is a child.]

Comments

[defaming]

There's a great deal to learn about music.

[Kristoph knows it, because it makes him look good.]

You have quite the adventure ahead of you, an entire world of sound to experience.

It's a pleasure to meet you, Rasha. I'm Kristoph.

[smallskull]

Uh-huh. Nice to meet you.

[Her reply is delivered a little clumsily, but she's still figuring this whole polite conversation thing out.]

Are you going to come?

video-->action!

[defaming]

[Assassin is fittingly surrounded by murderers.]

Of course. I'm almost there.

[And, not much later, Kristoph walks in, Golden Retriever at his heels, because he can bring his dog into the store if he wants to. She's better behaved than most people, in his opinion.]

Hello, Rasha.

[smallskull]

Hello.

[She looks at Kristoph only briefly, though. She doesn't actually comment, but it's obvious that the dog is what has most of her attention. She never had a pet, either...]

[defaming]

[Kristoph notices where her gaze is focused. Children love people with dogs, don't they?]

Would you like to pet Vongole? You needn't worry, she doesn't bite.

Vongole, sit. [The dog sits, on command.]

[smallskull]

[She looks back to him when he speaks again.]

Is it okay?

[She edges closer to Vongole, though, one of her hands half-raised. When the dog sits, Assassin reaches out to pet her, the action still a little bit hesitant. This, too, is something new for her.]

[defaming]

It's perfectly fine. She likes it.

[Kristoph continues to smile his usual sunny smile.]

She gets along well with everyone. She's a good dog.

[Vongole continues to sit still as Rasha pets her, seeming perfectly happy to do so.]

Do you like animals? [This odd, quiet girl reminds him somewhat of another little girl he was acquainted with.]

[smallskull]

[She strokes Vongole's fur a little more firmly as she gets more comfortable with the action. It feels nice.]

... I don't know. I wasn't allowed to have pets, either.

[defaming]

Vongole seems to like you, anyway.

No pets, no music. You must be very devoted to your studies, indeed.

And are you all alone here? [He is, of course, concerned about the welfare of this child.]

[smallskull]

[She doesn't respond to his comment on her dedication. Her eyes remain on his dog, and though her expression doesn't change much, she seems to enjoy petting her. When he asks if she's alone, she shakes her head.]

Uh-uh. I live with a priest.

[defaming]

[Vongole continues to sit, quite happily, enjoying the petting.]

Ah, a priest? I'm glad you have someone looking after you. Is he someone you knew back home, or someone you've met here?

[smallskull]

Oh. [Her hand stills, and she looks back to Kristoph now.] Someone I met here.

[defaming]

Then you're very fortunate, to have found someone suitable to look after you. If you should ever need any other help, however, I'd be glad to provide it.

[smallskull]

Okay. I think I'll be fine, though.

[This is the first time she's ever had to refuse this kind of offer. It's a little strange.]

[defaming]

As you like.

[Good, because he doesn't actually want to do anything.]

Let me see if I can't help you find a decent recording...

[He leaves Vongole where she is, and she continues to sit obediently, a very well-trained dog.]

Ah, here's an excellent recording of Bach's concerto for two violins. I've always wanted to perform it, myself... [But he would need at least another violinist for that. He frowns to himself, but he's smiling by the time he turns back to Rasha.] The interaction between the two instruments is complex and beautiful. So expressive! Like a conversation between two intimates.

[smallskull]

[Assassin is now torn between two new experiences: music, and a dog. She's leaning toward being more interested in the dog, if only because she doesn't need Kristoph to explore music; she does need him if she wants to continue to interact with Vongole.]

[She half-follows him when he moves to browse, but she still hovers near his pet.]

That sounds nice. [She tells him, genuinely enough. Though she doesn't quite understand his metaphor...] You can play the violin?

[defaming]

It's well-worth listening to. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. [He returns to the girl and Vongole, CD in hand.]

Yes, I've practiced since I was a child. Although it's only a hobby of mine. I'm an attorney.

Good girl, Vongole. [The dog turns toward her master, happily, as Kristoph leans down to rest a hand on her head.]

[smallskull]

[There's so much she wants to ask about that it's hard to know where to start. Eventually, she settles on keeping the topic related to music and asks about the violin.]

Why'd you decide to learn it?

[defaming]

I come from a very musical family. Both my parents played instruments. It was only natural for me to pick one up, and the violin appealed to me most. I suppose because it has the sensitivity and passion of the human voice, when well-played.

[smallskull]

Oh. So that's why you know so much about music? [And... Okay, she can't hold back any longer.] Do you have any other hobbies? And what's it like being an attorney? What made you decide you wanted to be one?

[defaming]

That's right. [He doesn't mention his brother, the musician. The less said about him, the better.]

As for other hobbies, I enjoy reading, the fine arts, and taking walks with Vongole. I'm fond of flowers, and I have a garden of my own.

[Or he did, before he was incarcerated. Not that he ever got himself dirty gardening. That was what gardeners are for.]

Where being an attorney is concerned, I find it quite intellectually stimulating. I work hard to defend my clients, to the fullest extent of the law.

[And then some.]

I've always liked order. For things to be in their proper place. The law is like that. There are rules. Regulations. When it all goes well, everything runs smoothly, like a beautiful machine. The innocent go free, and the guilty are punished.

[By "runs smoothly", he means "goes his way", of course.]

[smallskull]

What kind of flowers do you like best? [Not that she's ever had the chance to pay much attention to them, or knows many types.]

[She listens quietly as he talks about being an attorney, and when he has finished, she nods. Obviously, she's on the opposite side of the law, but she understands the need for order and rules governing the actions of people. There are rules among the Hashshashin, and rules governing of the Grail War. She always does her best to follow them.]

So you like your job? Because it lets you make sure things, um, run smoothly?

[She never had a choice about what kind of job she would have, so talking to someone who did is interesting.]

[defaming]

[Kristoph doesn't need to think before answering.] Roses. Such beautiful blooms with such cruel thorns. It's a study in contrasts, don't you think? Soft yet sharp.

[Kristoph doesn't see any need to speak to a child as if she doesn't understand things. Children like being spoken to like adults. They like ideas. They're curious. Like this girl here.]

Yes, to run smoothly. Everything should be elegant and orderly and run according to the rules...

[He trails off momentarily, his face losing its smile as he adjusts his glasses, but then he brightens again.]

That's why I enjoy my work.

[Work he's no longer able to do, having been convicted of two murders and one count of attempted murder.]

[smallskull]

[She doesn't get much of what he says. The way he describes music and roses go right over her head. His appreciation for order, however, is easy for her to grasp.]

Okay, I get it. [She nods to herself, the motion sure.] Rules are important. People can't exist together if they don't decide what's not allowed first.

[Even if they were existing together as a commune of killers-for-hire. Maybe especially then — they were already existing outside the bounds of normal law, so they needed to draw their lines that much more clearly. The Hashshashin weren't a pack of wild dogs, after all.]

So, your job is important, too.

[defaming]

I'm glad you understand. Rules are important. People shouldn't undermine them, or change them when there's nothing wrong with them.

[Kristoph's lip twitches, the movement barely perceptible. The law should be preserved. It should be dignified and regulated. It shouldn't be a matter for untutored juries to decide.]

Exactly right. We all have to agree on certain basic laws to make society possible. More advanced societies develop more advanced laws.

I would say it's very important. I am one of those who upholds the law and order. More than that, cases are often a matter of life or death.

You mentioned your studies. What is it you study? [She looks a bit young to have specialized.] Do you have a favorite subject in school?