⇋ 002 - Video (backdated slightly to before the new year)

[avartwice]

[Well that sure was a lizard Greed had just gotten. The suit he understood, even if technically it was meant for Ling (but hey, same body, same clothes). But a gecko? Well... he got why a gecko of all animals, but who in their right mind would give him a pet? Like hell he knew how to take care of one...

It took a few days, but eventually he decided that he should probably figure that bit out. Since even if it'd just come back, it seemed too mean even for him to let the critter starve to death. So he parked himself in front of a computer in the library.]

So, uh... does anyone know what these things eat? [Greed held up his gecko, who just stared blankly ahead.] Figured I shouldn't just ignore it, but I'm not exactly an expert when it comes to lizards. Or any animals.

Well... not normal animals anyway.

Comments

[happyends]

.. I don't think it's that wrong at all.. [ haven't you heard that she'll do if someone tells her it's wrong to hope, Greed, it's one of the most famous lines in the series!! ]

[avartwice]

Yeah, it is. You're still young and naive, that's all.

Trust me, kid. Everyone wants something, even if it's not obvious right away. That's how people work.

[happyends]

Then what could the people who were so kind to me here want?

[ Because it's not like she can offer anything interesting. In fact, she isn't even good at anything so it's not like she could do anything for them in return either-- so.. why? ]

[avartwice]

Who knows? I'm not psychic - I don't know what exactly people want, I just know it's always something.

I'm not named Greed for nothing, you know. I understand better than anyone that greed is what drives people.

And that's not always a bad thing, mind you.

[happyends]

[ Well, maybe it's not always a bad thing, she'll agree on that. Sometimes people make each other happy by doing favors in return for each other, after all. But to think it's the only thing that would drive people.. that's what is actually sort of sad. ]

Don't you have friends you'd just do anything for then, Greed-san..?

[avartwice]

[There's just the briefest moment of hesitation before Greed answers. In that moment, his eyes widen just slightly and he almost looks a little bit... uncomfortable.

But then he shrugs and it's back to his usual, casual, doesn't-give-a-crap-about-anything self.]

Nah, not really. I'm not big on the whole friendship thing.

[happyends]

[ She caught that, Greed..!! But Madoka is Madoka, so she doesn't think too much of it - she would never dare to. ]

.. Oh.. I'm sorry. That actually sounds a little sad, since it would probably make you lonely..

[avartwice]

Lonely? Me? Heh, nah. I had a crew back home, followed me everywhere. Had a different one before that one, too.

I'm never alone, trust me.

[Especially not with that damn annoying prince with him all the time.]

[happyends]

[ Huh? He doesn't do friendship, but he had a crew... ]

Then those crews weren't your friends? I thought people stuck together like that since they felt like they were friends, or maybe almost something like family..

[avartwice]

Well, it wasn't exactly like that. They were...

[...huh. He's... not really sure what to say here. Saying they were friends feels like a lie, but so does saying they weren't. And he hates lying.]

I was their boss. Simple as that.

[...avoiding the question isn't a lie, technically.]

[happyends]

[ ...

For a few moments Madoka is quiet. Like she's contemplating something or trying to find out the true meaning behind his words. He's been talking to her now and before too, so it's not like he can be entirely unfriendly, right? And even if he's their boss, it would be hard to keep others at a distance like that, she's sure..

But.. on the other hand, she doesn't want to be rude and intrude on other people's personal matters. ]

Well... G-Greed-san, in that case.. I'm really glad you weren't entirely alone. I mean it.

[avartwice]

...heh. Sure, whatever.

[happyends]

Please continue trying your best, okay? And.. um, if you ever want some company in this place after all, you can always call me. I don't mind talking to people at all.

[avartwice]

You should worry more about yourself, kid. Trust me, I'll be perfectly fine.

Hell, I wouldn't mind some peace and quiet for a change. Not that that'll ever happen.

[happyends]

[ Hey, at least she'll trust him when he says that.. who would ever seem more like a responsible adult than Greed, right. (The answer is literally everyone.) ]

.. Ah, this place is pretty quiet though! I think, at least.. unless those weird shadows pop up again.

[avartwice]

For most people, probably. Afraid I'm not that lucky, though. I can't even get one moment to myself around here.

[happyends]

Really..? Wow, I didn't know you were that popular here already..! A lot of people must like you.

[ Completely misunderstanding it. ]

[avartwice]

Uh... sure, let's go with that.

[And he shrugs, because oh well, that's as good an explanation as any.]