expiationnet | voice;

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So, can the witch in charge come out yet?

[ It's a simple statement, and for a moment it does sound like the message might just cut off there. Just that one flat statement, seemingly devoid of any emotion aside from a vague hint of annoyance.

But then there's a sound that's faintly like a step, then a grumble, and then the message continues anyway. Still mostly deadpan, but a little more annoyed this time. ]

Sure, I get it. The whole crime and punishment theming? Very cute. Maybe start using that talent to build an amusement park or something more productive next time, if this sort of thing is your hobby. Either way, it's really not done to let yourself be heard on the way in, and then just act like you're not there.

[ A slight pause-- and then a sigh. ]

Just tell me someone can point me to the witch. I really don't have time to be beating around the bush.

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[ That reply gets an amused snort out of him. He even cracks a smile! It's not often that he comes across people who are willing to cooperate without trying to force their Power of Friendship bullshit down his throat; sure, he'd rather do everything by himself, but given the circumstances, this is the next best thing. ]

Much appreciated.

[ Ironically, that makes him act a whole lot more friendly than he usually does. Funny how that works, huh? ]

So far, the survival part ain't too hard... though I'm willing to bet that's subject to change somewhere down the line.

[ He doesn't sound particularly concerned about it, though? Mildly irritated is more like it. He figures it's probably safe to assume shit's gonna hit the fan eventually, and it'll be a pain in his ass, but that's for the future him to worry about. ]

It usually does in these situations.

[ Though, in Ange's experience, fighting back often isn't really an option. Not when your opponent outmatches you greatly - but then again, if whoever is in charge here is going to such lengths to continue to hide themselves, maybe they'll send them lesser threats to deal with eventually.

.. she maybe be overthinking things a little, but Ange likes to call it being careful, alright.

Besides, it also makes another thought enter her brain, especially with the tone Ragna is using. ]

It sounds like you can fight.

[ Either that, or he's really good at running away to sound that confident here. ]

Sure can. Hell, you could probably say it's my specialty.

[ This, too, is a simple statement of a fact rather than bragging. If he's got one thing going for him, it's exactly his ability to fight, no matter how dire the situation or how bleak the circumstances may be. In fact, some would argue that this stubbornness and instance to keep fighting even when faced with impossible odds are more of a weakness than anything, but who cares what other people say? That's how he wants to live his life, and it's no one's business if it's reckless or stupid. ]

If whoever's keeping us here decides to finally show their face, I'm gonna beat the crap outta them. The only problem's actually finding them, since it doesn't look like they'll be coming forward willingly.

[ Things would be so much easier if they could just solve everything with violence, gosh! ]

.. oh. Really?

[ That's not even at his claim about it being his speciality. Ange knows there's people who train to fight, after all, whether it's for personal reasons or just to make a living as a bodyguard or something along those lines.. It sure doesn't seem impossible, even if he seems strangely confident about it when he's saying it like this.

No, she can believe that part. What she's 'surprised' about - if you can call it that, considering Ange still sounds like her generally unflappable self - is-- ]

In that case.. it makes everything way easier. So you're saying all I have to do is draw out whoever is behind it, and then you'll take care of the rest? [ ANGE, DON'T DUMP IT ALL ON RAGNA'S PLATE...

On the other hand, it's also just some self-awareness, okay. Ange knows she can't win from a witch, after all. So she might as well try to find someone who thinks they can for that part. ]

[ When she says that, all casual like it's not a big deal at all, Ragna's brain comes to a screeching halt. That... is a lot to just dump on someone she's just met over the internet?? Yeah, he's pretty nonchalant about the whole thing too, but even he has his limits of things that shouldn't be handled so flippantly! ]

You're gonna drop that responsibility on me just like that?!

[ He raises his voice, almost comically so, to yell at her for that suggestion. Buuut, he's literally just stated it's something he is capable of doing... and he's not the kind of person to go back on their word. He lets out a sigh, and once he speaks again it's back to his usual tone, his previous outburst of outrage nowhere to be found. ]

... I guess I did say that, huh? And it works for me, anyway, so... What the hell. Sure, I can agree to that.

[ He doesn't love the idea of being used as someone else's muscle, but in this particular case they've already established their goals are aligned, so he wouldn't be working just for her sake, but his own as well... and everyone else who got dragged in here too, he supposes.

So much for not being a hero, huh... ]

Thanks.

[ Sorry, Ragna.. And double sorry for the way she just seems to glance over his outburst. Hey, if Ragna himself is already coming down from it, then there's clearly no need to address it. He's okay with it, so it's fine!

Hence Ange's rather simple answer. Like the guy didn't promise to fight an actual huge threat, but instead just.. grab some groceries for her or something.. ]

I mean, we're going to have to get rid of them one way or another. And if you're capable of fighting something like that, it might as well be you, right? [ NOT... that she'd say this if she thought he'd lose for sure.. But if he's got confidence in it, then who would Ange be to say anything else? ] I'd probably just get my ass kicked. It would be very embarrassing for everyone involved.

[ Story of his life... somehow, he always ends up fighting for other people?? But again, it's something all of them here might need, himself included, so he's not gonna complain too much. Being given a free rein to do his thing isn't the worst thing in the world, especially with how often people would try to tell him his way of doing things is wrong back in his world. ]

You can thank me once I've kicked their ass.

[ Whenever that might be. Ragna doesn't particularly care for gratitude, and it's not like he's done anything to earn it yet.

Honestly? He can kind of respect her being realistic about her own capabilities. It'd be a pain in the ass if some hot-headed self-proclaimed fighter tried facing an opponent they couldn't possibly beat and caused everyone else even more trouble. ~~That's his shtick.~~ ]

... I take it your experiences with witches aren't of the fighting kind, then?

[ She shakes her head. ]

Not usually.

[ After all, Ange has dealt with plenty of witches she knows she wouldn't be able to match, even if she'd try. Featherine, Lambdadelta, Bernkastel-- even Beatrice is out of her league, despite Ange technically being her successor. ]

It happened one time, but I feel like I got lucky there. The circumstances were just right. [ Another shake of her head, and she looks away from the pendant as she adds: ] I'm not that impressive.

[ It doesn't sound like she's putting herself down - not in tone, anyway. It sounds just as calm as anything else, like Ange is just stating a fact. ]

I'm pretty good at thinking things through, but I only have so much magic. I guess I'd be able to help more with actually dealing with whatever is in charge here if I could find a way to make my magic stronger in this place.

[ Sure, this is her being more forthcoming about a whole lot of things than she'd usually be.. but on the other hand, she doesn't feel like this is very important or delicate information. And since it's relevant enough to their discussion, she figures it can't hurt sharing it. ]

You say that, but being able to use magic alone already puts you pretty up there in the food chain. By my world's standards, at least.

[ It's not that he's trying to compliment her or anything... but magic users are extremely rare and incredibly powerful back where he's from, so even if she's not strong compared to the witches she's met, Ragna assumes it doesn't mean she's completely helpless. ]

Either way, figuring all this shit out would be pretty useful. I'm no detective myself, so I guess I'll do the fighting and leave the thinking to you.

[ Some people would just flat-out say he's dumb, but he begs to differ. He just prefers acting to pondering stuff for hours on end. Makes life a lot easier, if you ask him! ]

Works for me. Especially since I am a detective.

[ .. well, like.. technically.

It depends on your definition of the word. But Ange sounds confident enough about it all the same, no matter whether she's bullshitting or not. ]

I'll make sure to contact you then if I find out anything new worth knowing about this place. Or, you know, when I find out whoever in charge is hiding so I can send you in their direction.

Sounds like a plan.

[ He sees no reason not to take her word for it... or at the very least, he doesn't care even if she's lying about that being her profession. Even if he's begrudgingly agreeing to cooperating with others while here, he doesn't plan to rely on them completely, so it's not like he's getting his hopes up. If she really is good at investigating stuff, then great; if not, that's no skin off his nose. ]

I'll make sure to tell 'em you're sending your regards before I'm done with them.

[ Which actually reminds him about this tiny detail that names and introductions are a thing. Normally Ragna doesn't bother with those, and it's not necessarily that he cares this time, but if they intend to stay in touch (read: ever speak again), he might as well do this properly. ]

... Speaking of which, who are you again?

[ You would never guess he doesn't have any friends, huh? ]

[ Look at you, Ragna. Managing to find.. some social skills, let's say? Just a little bit of them. Just enough.

And it's not like Ange seems very offended by belated introductions, or him realising he doesn't even know her name. Ange isn't used to being treated kindly, and even this is still a huge step up from what she's used to.

At least he's not calling her names, after all. ]

Ange Ushiromiya.

[ There.

She'll even summon up enough social skills of her own to add: ]

You?

[ You know, rather than just cutting the communication short without even asking his name.. ]

[ What are they doing? Their best. ]

Ragna the Bloodedge.

[ Only time will tell if he actually manages to memorize her name, or if he ends up giving her some dumb nickname instead. ]

So.

[ Now that they've achieved this extremely complex level of communication, what comes next? No, it's not "nice to meet you" or some equally sappy shit, he's got standards. ]

... Yeah.

[ He's trying this thing where he's not a complete asshole that just hangs up on people, but it's a new experience for him. Someone should put him out of his misery already─ ]

I'll see you around, I guess?

[ Phew, that was a tough one. ]

[ Ragna, boy, you're trying so hard.. At least Ange will give him a present in return, which is the fact that she won't make fun of his name, despite it being.. very edgy. But surely that's his actual name, right. No one would give themselves an edgy nickname like 'the Bloodedge' unless they were fifteen or something.

She's giving you the benefit of the doubt here, dude.

There's less kindness - or rather, more directness - in the way she just says: ]

Sure.

[ And then hangs up.

Sorry, Ragna, surely your effort was.. appreciated.. ]

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