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[scythegun]

GUNTHER SCHWARZ

Jaeger. Leviathan's Claw owner. Not particularly pleased to be here.

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[scythegun]

I appreciate it. I think I know enough to be satisfied, for now at least.

[He's honestly not sure if he wants to know more or not. It's probably for the best if he doesn't.]

[manufactured]

Of course.

[He understands, honestly...]

I remembered a bit more about what happened with Birkin, back at the training facility, but I think I've told you the basic gist of everything else.

[scythegun]

Oh? What else did you remember about it?

[manufactured]

The people in charge of the center decided that they would encourage us to fight - they wanted us to form a "rivalry", to see how we would perform under pressure and supposedly increase our productivity. I suspect it was an exercise to see which of us they were going to keep.

It didn't work; Birkin and I decided to collaborate rather than compete, and we finished what they set us to do well enough. But it was...stressful.

[...They very stupidly Power Of Friendship-ed their way through their superiors pushing them to fight, it was dumb but it worked.]

[scythegun]

I can imagine! Being forced to compete to see which of you they'd keep... they really were very cruel, weren't they? At least you managed to see it through together.

[manufactured]

...I'm fairly sure we were like that, just in general. He was far smarter than I was, actually, far more competent with regards to research. At least, that's the feeling I get, given how much I seemed to respect him.

[scythegun]

[Well, at least he had something going for him, because it sure wasn't his looks.

...Is that too mean?]

You certainly did seem to care a lot about him, at least until you left.

[manufactured]

[Oh my god, be nice...]

Of course I did.

[...Like it's really obvious? Why wouldn't he.]

[scythegun]

[never]

It's good that you had someone like that!

[...don't be a jealous bitch, don't be a jealous bitch...]

[manufactured]

...Are you all right?

[...You're kind of doing the flippant thing again. You tell him this sort of thing a lot with regards to people like Krauser, granted, but not usually this. cheerfully. um.]

[scythegun]

[goddammit, why is he so easy to read...]

Ja, I'm fine! Why, does it seem like I'm not?

[manufactured]

You're being a little...enthusiastic.

[scythegun]

[...sigh...]

It's really nothing bad. I'm just a bit jealous, I suppose! Even though there's nothing to be jealous of. It's really stupid.

[manufactured]

Jealous...?

[...]

What, of Birkin?

[scythegun]

...When you say it like that you make it sound even stupider...

[manufactured]

That isn't what I meant - I just didn't expect it for some reason.

[scythegun]

I didn't expect it either... I'm not usually the sort to get jealous!

[manufactured]

...You know I don't have any interest in him now, don't you?

[He feels the need to verify that, first and foremost, because goodness.]

If he were to be on the network I would want to talk to him, of course, but it wouldn't be due to any sort of latent interest.

[scythegun]

Well, yes, I figured as much!

[It's still good to hear though, and his gaze darts away.]

You always talk so highly of him, and I know it's because the two of you were close, but I suppose that's why I've been feeling like this.

[It's so embarrassing to admit??]

[manufactured]

[This really is awkward, for what it's worth...]

...He meant a lot to me. For several reasons, really - he was the first and only person I really remember feeling close to like that.

[Yeah, eye contact is hard, give him a moment.]

He was never interested in me in that sort of way, anyway. A lot of our interactions with others were orchestrated, but I don't doubt he loved Annette. I was...very angry with him for it, for a while.

[scythegun]

[...]

Sorry, I didn't mean to make this awkward. I know there's no reason to be worked up about it. I'm sure you talk just as highly of me, ja?

[He's. trying really hard to lighten the mood. It's difficult, okay...]

[manufactured]

Don't worry about making it awkward - if it's bothering you, I'd like to know.

[He shrugs a little.]

It doesn't particularly matter now; if he ends up on the network, I'll be glad to see him, but all of that was a long time ago. And of course I speak just as highly of you - why wouldn't I?

[It's gentle, okay.]

[scythegun]

Well, it's not like it's something that's constantly been on my mind or anything! It just bothers me a bit occasionally, that's all.

[It's still stupid, but it feels kind of nice to have it out in the open.]

You could stand to compliment me a bit more often, you know~!

[manufactured]

Every time I do, you look a little like you want to die.

[scythegun]

Not every time...!

[yes, every time.]