[Lavi's grin turns thoughtful, and he turns to look around for a moment, brow creasing as he takes in the crowd around them, then he'll gesture for Bixing to follow him.
As they walk, he glances aside at the other man.]
...Do you want to win, Bixing? At the party. I realized I never asked when I was still over there.
[ yeah. it's nice to just kind of relax into the city crowd, as they're moving along. lu bixing clearly fits into this environment - he soaks it up like a sponge, the familiarity of the city itself, the cadence of a raucous, loud place full of questionable people. he's thinking about that as they're walking, and as lavi asks that question.
he's thoughtful, for a moment. and then... ]
I'm terrified of dying. [ almost bluntly. ] I always have been. [ for so many reasons. lu bixing is the eighth galaxy, after all. their lives rest on his shoulders, in more ways than one; his guiding arrow has long been shot from its bow, and there's no turning back when the hopes of his people rest with him. there was a time, here, where he considered the alternative, but with both him and lin jingheng surviving the entire countdown, and... frankly, after his own countdown of sorts reset, there's no other option.
lu bixing glances up, for a moment, like he might see the stars, and absently reaches to touch the inside of his own arm, fingers brushing up against something under his sleeve. ]
... So, I do. With my chip, I'll have an advantage I didn't have when we first got here, and one I wasn't expecting. It should make things a little easier. I don't have any intentions of losing.
[ there's a pause, and he glances back to lavi. ]
But, I don't like the idea of a half-won victory. I have every intention of negotiating with Satan to ensure all of us are given that ticket out. It doesn't sit well with me to run off and leave you all behind.
[but it's not a sound of frustration, more immeasurably fond? His eye tracks the way Bixing touches his arm, eyebrow going up at the mention of a chip, but the rest of his face turns into a smile.]
If it helps, I don't think Satan's the hardass type. Dedicated to his job, for sure, and in keeping the ratings up so he can implement what he wants later down the line. [a politician type. he thinks bixing could relate to that,] But more importantly, he wants to have fun at his party.
[there's no disdain or suspicion in his voice, lavi is of the opinion that Satan is just a guy, and he likes him too, despite the circumstances.]
He's definitely expecting us to try and sabotage him. But in a 'game on' kind of way? So you've got a chance.
[ listen sometimes when you decide to do something you have already begun an action plan and you are unstoppable in achieving it. this is how lu bixing has lived his entire life, and he returns the smile with one of his own. ]
I got that feeling, too. He's got a reputation to uphold. Don't we all? [ there was a little camaraderie there. he can relate to managing a group of a little bit unruly teens and an entirely unruly... galaxy... hell.... it's real similar. ]
Right now, we'll have to come up with a few ways to make things work - the more plans we all come in with, the better. We have to find a way to prove both that he's not too lenient, and that all of you get to get out of here. But, hey. If there's anything I'm good at, it's negotiating! And with all of our skills, I think we'll be just fine.
[Lavi tilts his head a little, like he's taking the time to think of the picture Bixing is painting. It feels a little strange to see one in broad, optimistic strokes after all this time.]
So first up, winning the contest. You think he'll let you guys tag in?
[he stops, thinks]
Well, not you guys -- since you'll be competing with each other, but maybe us? Call a friend, so that one of us gets your drink for you. The fun part could be that you don't tell us which one it is.
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As they walk, he glances aside at the other man.]
...Do you want to win, Bixing? At the party. I realized I never asked when I was still over there.
no subject
he's thoughtful, for a moment. and then... ]
I'm terrified of dying. [ almost bluntly. ] I always have been. [ for so many reasons. lu bixing is the eighth galaxy, after all. their lives rest on his shoulders, in more ways than one; his guiding arrow has long been shot from its bow, and there's no turning back when the hopes of his people rest with him. there was a time, here, where he considered the alternative, but with both him and lin jingheng surviving the entire countdown, and... frankly, after his own countdown of sorts reset, there's no other option.
lu bixing glances up, for a moment, like he might see the stars, and absently reaches to touch the inside of his own arm, fingers brushing up against something under his sleeve. ]
... So, I do. With my chip, I'll have an advantage I didn't have when we first got here, and one I wasn't expecting. It should make things a little easier. I don't have any intentions of losing.
[ there's a pause, and he glances back to lavi. ]
But, I don't like the idea of a half-won victory. I have every intention of negotiating with Satan to ensure all of us are given that ticket out. It doesn't sit well with me to run off and leave you all behind.
no subject
[but it's not a sound of frustration, more immeasurably fond? His eye tracks the way Bixing touches his arm, eyebrow going up at the mention of a chip, but the rest of his face turns into a smile.]
If it helps, I don't think Satan's the hardass type. Dedicated to his job, for sure, and in keeping the ratings up so he can implement what he wants later down the line. [a politician type. he thinks bixing could relate to that,] But more importantly, he wants to have fun at his party.
[there's no disdain or suspicion in his voice, lavi is of the opinion that Satan is just a guy, and he likes him too, despite the circumstances.]
He's definitely expecting us to try and sabotage him. But in a 'game on' kind of way? So you've got a chance.
no subject
I got that feeling, too. He's got a reputation to uphold. Don't we all? [ there was a little camaraderie there. he can relate to managing a group of a little bit unruly teens and an entirely unruly... galaxy... hell.... it's real similar. ]
Right now, we'll have to come up with a few ways to make things work - the more plans we all come in with, the better. We have to find a way to prove both that he's not too lenient, and that all of you get to get out of here. But, hey. If there's anything I'm good at, it's negotiating! And with all of our skills, I think we'll be just fine.
no subject
So first up, winning the contest. You think he'll let you guys tag in?
[he stops, thinks]
Well, not you guys -- since you'll be competing with each other, but maybe us? Call a friend, so that one of us gets your drink for you. The fun part could be that you don't tell us which one it is.