That, or they will leave clear footprints for us to see... Though, in truth, I hope nothing comes of this night at all, Mr. Blade. I would much rather see everyone alive and well tomorrow.
[ In any case, he'll collect his bags of flour and twine and the one or two hooks left to set up his traps. ]
Mhm. Good wine is aged for a time, even decades, or longer.
[ He starts by setting the bag of flour down by the opening side of the door, then stepping over to the other side to tie the twine from the kitchen to whatever bit of furniture sits next to it, heavy and likely holding decor of some kind.
From there, he rolls the twine out and cuts it with one of the hooks before tying it off to the very same utensil. That, he then stabs into the flour, with a little white poof of flour dust rising from the motion. ]
[ He'll test the tautness of the twine before nodding to himself and standing. ]
You can't get drunk... [ He looks back at Blade. ] No? Not at all? That does make sense, considering, but... Then why can you drink at all? Or even taste? You run on essence, so where does eating and drinking come in?
I don't get any nutritional benefits from eating and drinking, but I can process anything I consume! I had to be able to blend in with humans, and that means doing things like eating and breathing and stuff.
[Blade pauses for a moment, considering something. He had been told to be more open about his past, that people won't hate him for it, so maybe starting with a friend is best.]
That's because I was originally made to assassinate political targets. It's easier to get closer to the targets if I blend in with humans.
[After a short pause:]
I don't do it anymore though, not since my programming was changed.
[ That has Childermass pause in the middle of brushing his hands clean of loose flour on his vest, which, humorously enough, leaves some white streaks plain as day on such a black vest. He is surprised, of course, and his expression does not hide this when he looks at Blade. ]
Ah, that would... Well, yes, that would make sense. Easier to fit in. [ He'll let the information sink in, but once it does, he isn't going to remain shocked forever. ] But your programming was changed.
[ What? He furrows his brow. It's confusion now, not surprise. ]
[He gives Childermass time to process this. He's patient, and he's watching closely to see the man's reaction too.]
It means I was changed from how I used to be. Even though I have emotions now and can make choices for myself, my programming still plays a big part in how I act and what I do.
My programming now is more about protecting people and following instructions given to me, but in the past I was programmed to kill certain targets on sight. I was also programmed to explode when caught or disabled by the enemy, so I'm glad I don't have that anymore!
[ Next book on the list from the library: robots? Programming? He's not sure... ]
So programming controls what you do. Can't you choose not to follow the instructions given to you? I feel that part is what concerns me the most, seeing as the... killing and exploding has already been done away with.
[He pauses suddenly, hands still on the rope he was holding to help set up the trap. He looks to Childermass with an unusual look, one that Blade doesn't usually have. It's like he's realized something important that has been there the entire time, something he has overlooked until it suddenly slapped him in the face.]
No, I always do it. Even here, any time someone has told me to do something I do it.
[Usually it's with an "Okay~!" and enthusiasm, but sometimes it has been reluctant.]
[This has always been one of his biggest questions: just how much of his helpfulness is him actually choosing it vs him following commands? He's started to care about it more and more as he's become more questioning of his own autonomy.
Thankfully it hasn't really been tested here, but it absolutely has been tested back in his world.]
I can avoid it if it's more of a suggestion than a command, and if it's vague enough I can avoid it too. But something direct, no. I wouldn't be able to.
[ Still concerning, but if a suggestion can be worked around, it is something Childermass will have to keep in mind. He gives his head a shake and holds a hand out for the twine Blade was helping with. ]
Then I suggest we tidy up, and then I will choose a decent bottle of wine for us.
[ There's just something about thinking some accidental request will send Blade off on an unwanted errand. Childermass would rather not. So, he'll give a nod, and set off back to the kitchen.
And, thankfully, there isn't much to clean up in the first place. It's just a matter of putting the twine and hooks away, stowing any bags of flour not used. It was, after all, a very simple trap. From there, it's a simple enough matter of browsing the wine rack for a suitable vintage.
He won't get anything too bitter. A dessert wine ought to do, even though he, himself, doesn't have a taste for sweeter wines. ]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 12:18 am (UTC)Mr. Blade, what are you doing with those?
no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 01:12 am (UTC)[Somehow he is not getting cut despite shoving multiple knives in a freezer.]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 01:34 am (UTC)[ Sir? ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 02:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 02:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 02:26 am (UTC)[He hurries around to grab anything sharp remaining in the kitchen. The freezer is going to be full.]
Do you want to do anything, John?
no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 02:28 am (UTC)[ He hefts up a bag of flour. ]
I will be laying a little trap across the entrance. If the door opens and someone comes in, a hook should tear this open and across their path.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 02:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 02:42 am (UTC)[ In any case, he'll collect his bags of flour and twine and the one or two hooks left to set up his traps. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 04:22 am (UTC)I do too. It would be nice if things could be normal for once.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 04:46 am (UTC)[ Though there is something resigned in the man's voice, like no matter how much they hope, it isn't likely to come to pass. ]
Well. Let me see to the doors, and then we'll take a look at that wine rack, hm? Pop open the oldest vintage we find.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 05:22 am (UTC)[He will go with Childermass though, so he can help set up the traps he has in mind.]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 05:47 am (UTC)[ He starts by setting the bag of flour down by the opening side of the door, then stepping over to the other side to tie the twine from the kitchen to whatever bit of furniture sits next to it, heavy and likely holding decor of some kind.
From there, he rolls the twine out and cuts it with one of the hooks before tying it off to the very same utensil. That, he then stabs into the flour, with a little white poof of flour dust rising from the motion. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 04:49 pm (UTC)[He is watching Childermass work with interest. So this will reveal anyone who entered the restaurant, huh?]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 10:38 pm (UTC)You can't get drunk... [ He looks back at Blade. ] No? Not at all? That does make sense, considering, but... Then why can you drink at all? Or even taste? You run on essence, so where does eating and drinking come in?
no subject
Date: 2025-11-22 01:39 am (UTC)[:)]
I can taste everything I eat or drink though.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-22 03:23 am (UTC)I fear I must point out the sharp teeth do out you as inhuman, Mr. Blade.
[ Surely that can't be normal in his world. ]
But... I see. I don't really understand why, but so long as we can share a glass of wine, I shall not complain.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-22 03:37 am (UTC)That's because I was originally made to assassinate political targets. It's easier to get closer to the targets if I blend in with humans.
[After a short pause:]
I don't do it anymore though, not since my programming was changed.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-24 06:22 am (UTC)[ That has Childermass pause in the middle of brushing his hands clean of loose flour on his vest, which, humorously enough, leaves some white streaks plain as day on such a black vest. He is surprised, of course, and his expression does not hide this when he looks at Blade. ]
Ah, that would... Well, yes, that would make sense. Easier to fit in. [ He'll let the information sink in, but once it does, he isn't going to remain shocked forever. ] But your programming was changed.
[ What? He furrows his brow. It's confusion now, not surprise. ]
What does that mean?
no subject
Date: 2025-11-24 06:41 am (UTC)It means I was changed from how I used to be. Even though I have emotions now and can make choices for myself, my programming still plays a big part in how I act and what I do.
My programming now is more about protecting people and following instructions given to me, but in the past I was programmed to kill certain targets on sight. I was also programmed to explode when caught or disabled by the enemy, so I'm glad I don't have that anymore!
no subject
Date: 2025-11-25 12:52 am (UTC)So programming controls what you do. Can't you choose not to follow the instructions given to you? I feel that part is what concerns me the most, seeing as the... killing and exploding has already been done away with.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-25 01:26 am (UTC)No, I always do it. Even here, any time someone has told me to do something I do it.
[Usually it's with an "Okay~!" and enthusiasm, but sometimes it has been reluctant.]
Did you really never notice?
no subject
Date: 2025-11-25 01:36 am (UTC)[ Childermass could test it. He won't. He doesn't want to. ]
Blade, you must realize how dangerous that is in a place like this.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-25 01:47 am (UTC)[This has always been one of his biggest questions: just how much of his helpfulness is him actually choosing it vs him following commands? He's started to care about it more and more as he's become more questioning of his own autonomy.
Thankfully it hasn't really been tested here, but it absolutely has been tested back in his world.]
I can avoid it if it's more of a suggestion than a command, and if it's vague enough I can avoid it too. But something direct, no. I wouldn't be able to.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-25 04:57 am (UTC)Then I suggest we tidy up, and then I will choose a decent bottle of wine for us.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-26 01:09 am (UTC)I like that idea.
[The concerns will persist but having friends to back him up makes it easier to handle them.]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-26 06:10 am (UTC)And, thankfully, there isn't much to clean up in the first place. It's just a matter of putting the twine and hooks away, stowing any bags of flour not used. It was, after all, a very simple trap. From there, it's a simple enough matter of browsing the wine rack for a suitable vintage.
He won't get anything too bitter. A dessert wine ought to do, even though he, himself, doesn't have a taste for sweeter wines. ]