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"I'm not interested in what you think I should know." There's a warning edge to his voice, though it's restrained, only the slightest ripple against nonchalance. It goes without saying that he understands those risks. (Understands, yes, but has he moved past bare understanding in this case? Has he listened to any of the warning bells this boy sets off? He shouldn't be standing here, but never mind that. He knows what he's doing. He knows.) He tells himself they don't weigh so heavily in this case. Tells himself the boy could be a Whaler worth the risk. (Only that's wrong, too. Daud's never been a man to take unnecessary risks. There's nothing that can justify this. Maybe. Maybe.)
"Every one of my assassins carries their past like a wound. Don't think you're the only risk I've taken."
It's so easy to say (never mind the warning twinge at the back of his neck). He speaks and holds himself with confidence. Never mind that there's a difference between a carefully calculated risk and a knowingly dangerous leap. Never mind that he has plenty of assassins as it is, that this new recruit is perhaps uncalled-for as well as potentially perilous.
"You'll be watched around the clock. Your actions monitored and reported to me. I don't intend to let you roam free until you've proven yourself."
The man is very matter of fact about the fact he wants him to join. Almost too much, as if he's somewhat trying to tell himself this is a good risk to take. But Oscar holds his tongue in front of the leader.
After explaining he'll be watched, Oscar sees it even more as a sign he could be unsure. After all, why keep such a close watch on him?
"I assume you do that to everyone that recently joins the fold?" The unspoken part hangs in the air: "Or is it because I'm a risk?"
What Daud knows is that this boy ought to be a Whaler. That he has talent and nowhere else to take it. That whether or not a new recruit is necessary, he'll be a sign that Daud's still planning for the future of the gang. That everything isn't falling to pieces.
He also knows - is finding out all too well - that this boy's audacious, challenge after challenge written clearly in his voice. He appears to have no qualms against questioning the man who's offering work, the man whose name is known throughout the city, the man who could cut the boy's throat in an instant.
There's something admirable in that brazenness. (Something worrisome, as well. But Daud's gathered recruits with similar attitudes. But Oscar isn't the first to pose questions. And Daud would rather gather assassins-to-be who bear a mind of their own, who can think - but not act without need - beyond the bare instructions.)
"You assume correctly." There's a hint of a sneer, though his gaze remains unmoved. "And you're no unique case. We could use your talent, but we can also do without it.
"Your options are more limited." His voice is back to its level tone, the final statement more an observation than anything else.
Admittedly he feels a bit (if foolishly) bold. Maybe dying in an alley with his throat slit by the assassin of Dunwall isn't a bad way to die. But he's not doing to go out merely accepting whatever he gives him. (Or maybe he's just feeling reckless. Thieves speak about him like a faceless destructive force of nature. He is not afraid of talking back to the Wolf of Dunwall. He's afraid of few things anymore.)
But then he has to remind him of an obvious thing: he can't do what he's doing forever. And Oscar becomes a bit sheepish. "I know."
There. There, at last, the boy's admitting to reason. Which suggests he isn't so foolhardy or frenzied as rumors - and as some of Daud's Whalers - would imply. (It doesn't suggest anything of the sort, really. It'd taken too long to coax the boy to this point. Had taken the unrelenting words of a master assassin to draw out a simple 'I know.' Well, so the boy's prideful. Fearless. It might not be ideal, but Daud can work with it. He tells himself.) Daud continues to watch Oscar for several long moments, letting the boy's admission hang in the air.
You just caught him at the right (and lucid) time, Daud. Honestly he's just trapped in a corner with nowhere to go and nothing to protect himself. So of course, he will agree to whatever Daud asks for.
Shh shh shh... Let Daud pretend that there's solid reasoning behind what he's doing here. Let him pretend this isn't another in a line of ill-advised decisions, a sign of just how far the world is shaking beneath his feet.
"It isn't a pleasant one." Meaning that the choice is almost exclusively between agreeing to join and ending this conversation with a gaped wound to the throat. Meaning that there may be a chance the boy can escape without joining, but the choice is razor-thin, dependent on Daud's mood. "But you do.
"Are you opposed to the idea." Driven with a slight note of acridity, meaning 'does it disagree with your scruples.'
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no subject
"Every one of my assassins carries their past like a wound. Don't think you're the only risk I've taken."
It's so easy to say (never mind the warning twinge at the back of his neck). He speaks and holds himself with confidence. Never mind that there's a difference between a carefully calculated risk and a knowingly dangerous leap. Never mind that he has plenty of assassins as it is, that this new recruit is perhaps uncalled-for as well as potentially perilous.
"You'll be watched around the clock. Your actions monitored and reported to me. I don't intend to let you roam free until you've proven yourself."
no subject
After explaining he'll be watched, Oscar sees it even more as a sign he could be unsure. After all, why keep such a close watch on him?
"I assume you do that to everyone that recently joins the fold?" The unspoken part hangs in the air: "Or is it because I'm a risk?"
no subject
He also knows - is finding out all too well - that this boy's audacious, challenge after challenge written clearly in his voice. He appears to have no qualms against questioning the man who's offering work, the man whose name is known throughout the city, the man who could cut the boy's throat in an instant.
There's something admirable in that brazenness. (Something worrisome, as well. But Daud's gathered recruits with similar attitudes. But Oscar isn't the first to pose questions. And Daud would rather gather assassins-to-be who bear a mind of their own, who can think - but not act without need - beyond the bare instructions.)
"You assume correctly." There's a hint of a sneer, though his gaze remains unmoved. "And you're no unique case. We could use your talent, but we can also do without it.
"Your options are more limited." His voice is back to its level tone, the final statement more an observation than anything else.
no subject
But then he has to remind him of an obvious thing: he can't do what he's doing forever. And Oscar becomes a bit sheepish. "I know."
How did he manage to get himself into this?
no subject
"Well."
What'll it be, boy?
no subject
"Do I even have a choice?"
no subject
"It isn't a pleasant one." Meaning that the choice is almost exclusively between agreeing to join and ending this conversation with a gaped wound to the throat. Meaning that there may be a chance the boy can escape without joining, but the choice is razor-thin, dependent on Daud's mood. "But you do.
"Are you opposed to the idea." Driven with a slight note of acridity, meaning 'does it disagree with your scruples.'