duel 5. ( anon text. )

[puzzlingly]

You know what fucking sucks?
The Speakeasy
The owner is never around.
Just Who Does SHE Think She Is?!?!?!
She can't do shit right around here.
WE HAVE NEEDS!
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO STAND THIS HEAT WITHOUT MY BOOZE?!

「Hey, hey, Rey's friends... yeah, he's calling you out, come defend your friend, come show you care about her! He needs you... She needs you. Please.
The clock is ticking.

Yep, this is ruse. It WAS HARD, OK?! He feels terrible. It had to be done.」

Comments

[puzzlingly]

Why not?

「Firo wouldn't be entirely wrong. There is indeed an ulterior motive. But it's nothing but his onw guilt over past events acting on him. Something he will not discuss with anyone.

So, yes. It could be said it is just an act of kindness. Those exist.」

[foundafamily]

[A shrug.]

I don't see anything in it for you.

[But there is something. And Firo has to find it and make sure that it's not something that'll backfire on Rey.]

[puzzlingly]

Haven't you ever helped a stranger before?

「The tone might be leaning towards a judging one, but only because he cannot see why he's making it so difficult.

But he's not here to explain himself, he's here to explain what Rey is going through, which he just did.」

If there isn't anything else...

「He's a busy guy, dude.」

[foundafamily]

No.

[And to Firo's mind, that answers both questions. It isn't strictly true, but he doesn't tend to consider someone a stranger once he's helped them.

He sighs, frustrated with himself for being no nearer to figuring this guy out.]

Hey, you're the one who wanted to talk to me.

[puzzlingly]

I already told you what's going on.

「He stands from his seat. So, had he chosen wrong? One can't win them all.」

It's your turn now.

「The game isn't over yet.」