"Il bugiardo deve avere buona memoria."

[sharktrash]

Who: Squalo and YOU!
What: Squalo returns from surprise trip to Scary Lab Dungeon
When: evening of April 2nd (and later)
Where: Pride HQ, maybe the city later
Warnings: squalo language, drugs, craziness, will update if needed


-- A

[ Turns out trying (and (temporarily) succeeding) to trick Lesedi is a bad idea. He spends about thirty hours with the delightful brain probing team down in the labs, and then he's extensively warned and set free. Or, rather, just shoved out after making sure he got the message. ]

[ So, there he is, sort of staggering into Pride's lobby because he can still feel those unpleasant tingly things in his brain which might be aftereffects of the machine or cocaine withdrawal or an unholy mix of both. He takes a few shaky steps, rests a hand on the wall while leaning forward -- and throws up right there on the floor. ]

[ He stands there for a moment, and then starts laughing. It's loud, sharp, and frankly, somewhat unsettling. ]

[ There's probably a lot of people around and everything. The tabloids will sure love destroying his image further if anyone from the media is there to see him empty his stomach in a public area and have a manic hyena laughter fit over it. The famous alcoholic, cokehead and sex criminal of metal finally gone off his rocker etc etc. Does he care? Not right now, no. ]


-- B

[ Once he's done with that, he'll head "home". Which might be either MANTICORE's or Junkyard Carnival's suite at this rate. For what it's worth, he seems unharmed, but that weird aura of amusement and being close to a psychotic murder fit is still lingering. Did you even notice he was gone? ]

[ If you're anyone who has some reason to see him naked -- a bandmate, a bae, someone who helps him in the bathroom or just loves peeping on people in there -- you'll discover that pretty much his whole back seems to be bruised, as if he'd been thrown against something with incredible force. He doesn't seem bothered unless you ask, though. ]


-- C

[ The next day, he can be found doing the usual stuff. Recording, going outside to play with his bike, heading out into the city, most likely to drink. Possibly to meet Luce too, at some point. He might seem a little calmer than usual, though, as if the whole world around is somehow beneath him. The trademark smirk on his face almost looks knowing at times, but depending on who you are, he might just shrug if asked about it. ]


-- D

[ Wild card! Hit me up via PM or at jigglyballs and we'll make something else up! ]

Comments

[sharktrash]

[ LOOK he doesn't know why you're here but as far as his memory goes, you're supposed to be the enemy. He's not going to just spill his life's story, okay? ]

Fine. Why are you so insistent on talking to me? More importantly, why the fuck do you act like we're pals or some shit?

[avidita]

Well, you kind of aren't supposed to be here, you know!

[Seriously, you asshole. Why did you have to get kidnapped right before something important, by Mammon's timeline?]

Didn't you figure it out yet?

[sharktrash]

[ Glaaares. Are you insulting his intelligence, asshole. Also wow that's their timeline's problem, not his, he didn't have anything important in the near future aside from you know getting hitched with his boss probably. ]

Voooooi, stop patronizing me! There's no fucking puzzle game here, just things that feel wrong and things that don't even if they should. You can keep being a cryptic piece of dick skin or you can save everyone's time and actually tell me what I need to know. Where am I supposed to be, then?

[avidita]

Helping lead the Varia as its second in command!

[Said in that kind of 'duh, you asshole' tone, even as there's still a smile on the illusion's face and a complete dismissal of the insults.]

This is a pretty innocent life for a hired killer to have, you know.

[sharktrash]

[ OKAY SO HE ASKED FOR THIS ]

[ BUT DON'T YOU THINK IT'S A BIT OF A BOMB TO DROP ON HIM JUST LIKE THAT ]

[ he's just gonna stand there for a moment, gaping like Sharky, then step back/sideways to the nearest piece of equipment or furniture to lean a hand against it. ]

Hired... killer?

[ THAT'S... kind of a big leap from a cello player, but it fits right in with the things he's been remembering. Things he's been feeling. Disregarding of death and others' suffering that's been getting more and more intense -- ]

[ He manages a grin, albeit somewhat weak. ]

I want to say you're fucking crazy, but with that a lot of things actually make sense. Varia... [ he squints, as if trying to remember something from far, far away. ] Is that... the people I've been remembering?

[avidita]

[Squalo you've been hit in the head with concrete, you'll be fiiiiiine with a little bit of your-life-is-a-lie bomb.]

[Going to crouch over in front of him, "Yamamoto" grins up.]

Ha ha, well, it depends! I mean- I'm sure not Varia! Your guys' standards are way too strict.

[sharktrash]

[ LOOK THOSE ARE VERY DIFFERENT THINGS. ]

Not you, shithead.

[ how lovely. ]

Brat with knives, a tranny, a baby, Xanxus, this one guy I can't stand --

[avidita]

That's no way to talk to your student~.

[Because yeah you took this little shit in of your own accord, Squalo, you dipfuck.]

[His next question, well- Mammon quickly goes over it in their head. They'd have been honest, if they didn't have such a perfect in pretending to be Xanxus' child. So for this, well, they're going to have to lie a little.]

Well, family and Famiglia are pretty tightly intertwined!

[sharktrash]

[ DOUBLE-TAKES. ]

[ Did he. Did he really. Why. Clearly the brain damage from continuous cranial trauma had finally gotten to him in his old life... ]

If you don't like how I talk to you, you're free to leave.

[ And yet he didn't, what does that say? ]

[ He frowns and shakes his head. ]

So what, it's a fucking family business? All Godfather-y and shit?

[avidita]

It's kind of complicated!

[Because adoption, and shit, in the Varia's favorite boss' case.]

But you've had to remember some stuff, right? Besides everyone else.

[sharktrash]

[ LIES. ]

[ Squalo dead-eyes him for a moment, as if unsure whether he should talk or not. ]

Some, yeah.

[ Like slaying the Sword Emperor, mostly. And blue flames, and a motherfucking giant flying shark not to mention a bunch of embarrassing losses at least one of which he's pretty sure has ended in his death. ]

[avidita]

You know, I can't help you out if you don't open up a little, Squalo~.

[Seriously, talk, you fuck.]

[sharktrash]

[ fucking -- ]

[ He growls and points an accusing finger at "Yamamoto". ]

You made me into fish food. Fucking excuse me if I don't trust you.

[avidita]

[While "Yamamoto" laughs again, Mammon facepalms. Squalo. Squalo.]

Actually you kind of decided to do that yourself!

[sharktrash]

[ ??? ]

Why the fuck would I do something like that?!

[avidita]

[Because you're an idiot with weird ideas of pride and honor thinks Mammon. "Yamamoto" says, instead...]

Because you liked me, I guess! You're a funny guy~.

[sharktrash]

[ THE BLANKEST LOOK. ]

No, I really don't think that's it.

[avidita]

Ha ha, if you say so! But you don't remember, right? So maybe that is the reason.

[Standing upright again, "Yamamoto" tilts his head to the side.]

Trust your student already! I came aaall this way to help you out, after all.

[sharktrash]

[ He eyes him suspiciously for a moment longer, then sighs. It's not like things could get any fucking worse at this rate. ]

Fine. I remember killing the Sword Emperor. Cutting off my hand. I remember dying, shielding Xanxus. What I swore to him, and how I failed him. I called you because I tricked our CEO into meeting me, and she put me in a fucking dungeon. I'm not gonna be anyone's hostage.

[avidita]

[That’s the spirit, Squalo, you stubborn asshole. Mammon takes in everything quickly, committing it to memory, although they inwardly raise up an eyebrow at the dying part.]

[...Although, really, that could refer to any point in time for him, so they’ll save puzzling that out for a later date. ]

Well, you’ve remembered Xanxus, so that’s the important part done with, ha ha! Do you remember anything about Flames?

[sharktrash]

A bit. He's got real beautiful ones. [ He says it with a gay expression of adoration, which quickly shifts into a frown as he looks down at his hands. ] Mine was supposed to be blue, but I can't make them.

[avidita]

[Squalo, can you stop being a useless gay shark for like five minutes here? Jesus.]

[And emphasis on ‘useless’ here… Neither flames or sword abilities. If things don’t change, when the time comes to rescue him, they’ll have to take extra care in defending him…]

[Internally they sigh. Always causing trouble for them.]

[Externally, another Yamamoto laugh.]

Wow, then I could definitely beat you! But anyway- that’s all the important stuff. You’re an assassin, and I’m your favorite~ student~. Any other questions?

[sharktrash]

[ NO. IT'S WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE DOES. ]

[ Though, he does actually have the sword abilities back. He's just... unaware of it. He could really use someone attacking him or at least sparring with him, but good luck with that while he's under watch of those who insist he's supposed to be a musician. ]

[ Squalo gives "Yamamoto" the finger again. ]

If you can only beat me through magic tricks, it doesn't count. [ He scowls. Alright, so he's an assassin. Apparently. He supposes it explains how he didn't kill himself when taking his new bike out for a ride. Also you know, a bunch of other things including bloody memories. It'll still take some time to really sink in, though. It's one thing to hear it, another to understand it. ]

...how did I end up here, then?

[avidita]

It counts~.

[But it’s good that he’s thinking a bit more. That’s an easy question to answer, although who knows if he’ll believe it.]

You were kidnapped, obviously!

[sharktrash]

No it doesn't!

[ He's getting irritated. That's... good? ]

Why the fuck -- no, more importantly, how? Wasn't I supposed to be good?

[ He clearly doesn't think much of kidnapping ability. ]