8. I Can't Help Wondering
Whimsical, not weird. Whimsical.
And being young, what of it? Where does it stop being a factor of consideration? Is youth a relative measure? Yes, it is. To? To oneself, to groups, to mortality, to knowledge and wisdom. Now, really, what of it? In the context of gangs, or more realistically here, non-criminal gangs of school boys and company—a group of actual delinquents would be of greater concern. To maintain a social image? Whatever the case, there is no threat, and seems to be more of a passing phase of adolescence. Then when does it matter? He would not mind a young member, if all other criteria are satisfied. In child labour? Well, circumstances differ. Voluntary labour, admirable. The other, understandably scorned. Prodigal talents of young, uncommon, but not rare. Child criminals, also not so rare. Child murderers, circumstances again. And yes, Yes, that, he darts a passing glance at Hisoka, shuffling cards between his hands. Hisoka definitely would. Personally, I find it quite distasteful.
Pink hair disappears behind a pale face as Hisoka turns to catch his lingering gaze. Cards lost from masterful maneuvers, lay strewn across the pebbled dirt of the forgotten construction site. Hisoka's hands wander toward his chin, holding it up as a deliberate smile spreads before him. Those sharp talons tap, tap, tapping away at his thinning lips.
"Was that really alright?"
He inclines his head for Hisoka to elaborate.
"Letting those two leave just like that."
He hums, noticing the stares of the other members as they tune into their conversation.
"Do you feel threatened by two middle school boys, Hisoka?"
A flash of red tongue swiping along the bottom lip. "They do have a threatening charm about them, if you get me. Makes me want to bad things to them."
Phinks makes a disgruntled noise to his right, and Feitan scorns in effect.
"Keep your pedophilic comments to yourself, Hisoka," Nobunaga cautions, "I gotta say those kids got guts though. Could make fine members."
"Now, what kind of bad things are you implying I want to do?" Hisoka's smirk becomes feral.
"No, they're too much trouble." Machi bypasses Hisoka's retort, ceasing that branch of discussion.
"They're interesting, but I wouldn't go as far as to recruit them, no."
"But was it really ok to let them go?" Pakunoda questions, "What if they were to follow us on a mission."
"What the Spider does is no secret. Let them. If they decide to meddle, we'll deal with them then."
A snake wrapping its tail around prey, unrelenting and with a hiss that cuts beneath fur and hide. The golden eyes unblinking, waiting for a chance to sink its fangs into the first bite.
"Now, I can't help but wonder that perhaps this might be personal."
Fangs.
"Is there something you're trying to say, Hisoka?"
Flickering red forked tongue.
"No, I mean what I say; and I've said what I mean."