video; un: ushiromiya

[entreats]

[ Even as the image can be seen, it seems like there's still a moment of set up, tiny hands fiddling with the Omni like they're trying to get the perfect shot.. But then there are two faces visible. Two faces that are looking decidedly younger than usually - it's Ange and Ruby, looking like they definitely can't be much older than six years old.

And looking very excited. ]

Um, so, so..! We heard that there's some sort of reaaally scary snake monster out there! So.. we thought we'd help out everyone and get rid of it! Because Ruby.. She's a really, reaaally cool huntress! [ Ange may be Will-Smith-esque posing at Ruby for emphasis right as she says that. ]

[Ruby just stares at the camera briefly until she notices Ange's hands pointing her way. She blinks and quickly starts to flex her twiggy arms to the camera.]

Yeah! We're super strong and awesome and we've got tons of weapons! [Ruby gestures to a sack of potato's and a large collection of sticks that they've gathered up.]

That snack is going to be- a- -uh- a, a piece of snack!

[ While Ruby is saying that last part, it seems that Ange has already moved over to grab one of the sticks for a demonstration. As she's running back towards where Ruby and the Omni are, she's waving the stick wildly. ]

We'll get it just like thi--

[ Ange manages to smack the stick right against the device, turning the view sideways before it just cuts out entirely.

Oops. ]

Comments

[makingthetime]

Yeah. You two seem very experienced with this kind of thing, but it always helps to have someone else looking out for you, right?

[Also they are children and Leon doesn't want them to like, get themselves killed fighting monsters on their own with fucking sticks. Jesus fuck. Maybe this thing will go down to a good shotgun blast directly to the head, most things are stopped that way.]

A combat stick? Sounds very dangerous. I have a few weapons of my own, though, so don't worry too much about having to share with me.

[happymeal]

[ Ange happily nods. At least that's one upside for Leon here - these kids don't seem out to reject his help. Or at the very least, Ange doesn't. She's just glad to see someone else who's wanting to help a good cause like this..!

Though there's a hint of surprise in her eyes too when the man speaks on. ]

Oh, you have your own weapons..? Are you a huntress too, sir?

[makingthetime]

Not really, but—let's say the closest thing my world has to one and leave it at that.

[He is not going to unload over a decade's worth of biological weapons and the horrors they've wrought on this poor kid. He can keep that to himself.]

Nothing like your combat sticks, but I'm good at providing support fire. And I know how to keep an eye out for monsters.

[happymeal]

Wow.. Mister, you really sound like you know a lot about this!

[ Granted, he could just be bullshitting. But Ange is the sort of kid that immediately believes it the moment someone says something in a confident enough way.

Thankfully she's just right about it this time. ]

I think Ruby and I could learn a whooole lot from you! We could become even better huntresses!

[makingthetime]

I've had some experience with this type of thing before, yeah.

[It's not a lie, technically, he's just leaving out a lot of pertinent details. They're irrelevant to the conversation anyway, what's important is that yes, he knows how to fight, and these are small children. If they go out hunting on their own, they're gonna get killed.

Not gonna happen on Leon's watch.]

Yeah, sure, I can show you a few tricks, if you're both open to learning more. [Like how to hide and how to stay out of sight and how to manage your resources so you stay alive just a little bit longer.]

[happymeal]

[ Ange nods.

Wildly. Enthusiastically. ]

Yeah, I wanna learn more tricks! I wanna!

[ Oh no, what has Leon done. Now the kids are getting all excited. Ange is even throwing her hands up in the air now. ]

Mister, I want to learn all the tricks! [ He's going to be trapped into babysitting forever at this rate.. ]

[makingthetime]

[Well, he's not new to escort missions, at least. That's sort of like advanced baby-sitting, right?]

Okay! Good. I'll show you and your friend all the hunting tricks I know, but I need you both to promise me that you'll both be very, very careful, okay? A lot of the things I've learned are...

[Not to be tried at home by kids.]

They take quite a lot of practice. And if you're gonna be hunting this thing now there's not gonna be a whole lot of time for practice.

[happymeal]

.. mister, do you think we're not always careful..?

[ At least Ange, as young as she is, doesn't sound offended by that idea as much as she just sounds pouty.

You know, as small children do. ]

Ruby and me.. we're experts!

[ Ah yes, clearly.

Six year old experts.

Sorry, Leon, this is your day now, apparently. ]