Heroes in the Dark chapter 34
They were both obviously hesitant to leave him with the masked man, but in the end it wasn't their choice to make. Toga provided the smallest of waves before she and Twice were escorted outside the room, but not before taking notice of the skeptical glances that were cast his way. He had no doubt that this wouldn't be the last he saw of her today. Her curiosity was obviously piqued, and she was the kind of person that refused to be left in the dark regarding such things. If that was to be the case, then it was yet another thing that he wasn't looking forward to.
Overhaul turned to the remaining precepts as the others vanished into the hallway. "You, also, no longer have any reason to be here. You may go now."
Hojo fiddled with the muddied cloth he'd used to clean the aftereffect of Toga's quirk. "Er, so you've got a good handle of the situation here, then? Are you sure there's nothing else you'd want us here for…?"
Sakaki stood and stretched. "It doesn't hurt to have an audience for whatever it is you're about to do!" he snickered, a premonition for what could happen after they leave in mind.
"None of that. You all are dismissed for the moment," Overhaul stated simply, giving nothing to their thoughts that might confirm any suspicions. And yet he carried himself with authority, making it abundantly clear that he wouldn't tolerate having them linger around needlessly.
Although there was a fair amount of dubious looks being shared amongst the Expendables, they knew better than to ask questions. Just as with everyone else, they also took their leave of the room, until the only ones standing within the immediate vicinity was Tokoyami, Overhaul, and the Rappa clone. The silence that followed went on until Tokoyami couldn't stand it any longer and was forced to break it.
"You never answered my question," Tokoyami began warily, very much aware of the way that the yakuza turned to acknowledge him. "Given the situation you've placed me in… what would you have me do?"
Overhaul hummed in contemplation. "I must preface this by saying that, on top of everything else, you're not stupid. Is that a fair assumption to make? Because I would hope so. At the very least, I trust you have the sense to not refuse me. Everyone else with enough logical reasoning knows that I shouldn't be questioned. Isn't that right, Rappa clone?"
The clone laughed bitterly. "Yeah, speaking up against you hurts like hell. I'm getting used to it, though!"
"In any case, Tokoyami, I find your presence to be a very exciting occurrence. Here is something that I never would've been able to do if not for Shigaraki's poor planning. That being said, the best thing to come from his schemes is you. You're invaluable. It makes me incredulous that Shigaraki would actually hand you over so willingly, but I suppose I always get my way. Which is why I have you here now, even while everyone else is gone. It would be a waste if I had you here and nothing ever happened. Sure, you were but a bonus in all this, and by all rights your being here won't influence my plans too strongly in one way or another."
Tokoyami steeled himself to ask another question. It might be foolish of him to press the yakuza for more information, but at the moment it didn't seem like he was showing any signs of irritation with him. "Then why have me here?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Overhaul shot back, his tone bordering on amusement. "It's your quirk. It's always been your quirk. Something so rare and fascinating that I can decide if it's something I want to see used to the best of its ability or if it would be better to have it not exist at all. All the people in the world flaunting their abilities makes me sick, but you're a different thing entirely. Just looking at you makes my blood curdle. With excitement? Repulsion? That's what I want to know."
"This sounds more like a personal vendetta than anything," Tokoyami said, grimacing as he felt concern worm its way into the pit of his stomach. "I shouldn't be here. I can already tell that you plan on breaking the conditions of the agreement. And… I don't…"
Overhaul looked down it him with such a cold disposition that Tokoyami was forced to shut his beak. No attempts were made to sooth his concerns. Instead, the words that came forth from Overhaul's mask only served to exasperate them. "The "agreement?" Now, why would that matter? We're the only ones here. So long as you don't say anything, then I don't see what the problem is. Unless you're actually putting trust in those filthy League members? What a troublesome thought. I expect more from you than that. So prove your worth to me here so that I can reach a proper conclusion about your abilities. Contracts or not, we made a deal yesterday, and I expect you to uphold it. Or do you care so little about those around you that you'd turn a blind eye?"
He's talking about the little girl.
Fumikage… I don't like this.
Tokoyami mulled in silence, cautiously eying the two obstacles that stood in his way. His disappointing lack of a response was enough for Overhaul to persist in his expectations.
"Honestly, I didn't think I was asking for much," Overhaul hummed impatiently. "So perhaps I should preface this by saying that this won't be your choice to make. Tokoyami, I will see more of what your quirk is capable of. It's my right, after all. We're not leaving this room until I witness first-hand the power you possess." And just like that Overhaul began to step away from the center of the room, leaving him alone with the battle-ready clone that Twice had made. It was in moments like these that he silently cursed the man for following orders so easily. It had been clear for some time now what was supposed to happen, or rather what Overhaul wanted to see happen. The thought of it made his hands cold and he found it difficult to move, petrified to the spot in dreaded anticipation.
"Tokoyami. Bring out Dark Shadow," Overhaul demanded.
The utterance of his quirk's name coming from his mouth felt wrong, as though it were something foreign he had no control of. Tokoyami obliged by his desires.
Dark Shadow rose before him, looming as a hazy apparition that blotted out the lights hanging from the ceiling. His claws flashed menacingly, as though looking for a fight, but they both knew that they were filled with apprehension. And yet, when it came down to it, Dark Shadow would protect him. But only for as long as Tokoyami was willing to do the same in turn.
"Now, you're going to fight the opponent I've set before you. The results of your battle will determine if I want to reward you for good behavior or not. So keep that in mind if you're planning on hiding what your power is capable of from me." Overhaul turned intentionally to the clone. "Rappa. Attack."
The clone readied his fists excitedly and charged forward without hesitation.
It was an unstoppable force barreling in his direction, and there was no choice but to act or get trampled upon. Like I would let that happen to me. Sorry, Dabi, I'll be using my quirk here in this place after all.
Tokoyami quickly donned his quirk like armor, using his Black Ankh ability to form the shadowy tendrils around him. When the charging opponent came close, he swerved out of the way like a matador dancing around a frenzied bull. With a quick turn of the heel, he was poised facing the clone's back, and delivered an experimental blow to the vulnerable spine with a dark fist. The clone stopped with a grunt, but didn't stumble, ramming his hand into the ground to steady himself. Careless as he was to charge in so brashly, it was clear that he had the stamina and stability to take these risks. But no matter. Tokoyami would do well to deal with him swiftly.
Tokoyami lashed out again, raking his black claws against the clone's chest. It didn't even flinch, and a clenched fist covered in metal bands came crashing down. He dodged to the side, pushing off the ground with his quirk's hands to give an extra boost. The ground where he had been standing just moments before crumpled under the impact of the weaponized fist. Chunks of cement scattered from the newly formed crater in the ground, pelting his cloak.
Rappa rose slowly, contemplating his target in advance before another move could be made. He took a step forward, shaking out his hand, and Tokoyami retreated a step back.
"What, ya mean you're not gonna face me head-on? That's cowards play. Face me like you plan on fighting for real!" the clone growled.
Be patient and you'll be rewarded. There's no reason to go overboard.
He charged again, and Tokoyami moved to evade him. But he had expected as much, and instead aimed a blow at the spot where he'd been dodging to, following his movement. Tokoyami had only a moment to consider how fast and well calculated this attack was to be following him so closely before metal knuckles grazed his side. The blunt force ripped at his cloak and sent a wave of sudden pain through him. Tokoyami took a sharp intake of breath, and his eyes went wide in shock. Despite his training and how well equipped he could pretend to be, even this much contact was enough to catch him off guard.
Why do we have to fight something like this?!
The clone followed that attack up with another punch. Not prepared to dodge, Tokoyami crossed his shadow-covered arms protectively in front of him and received the hit head-on. It was only in hindsight that he considered how poor a decision that might've been.
The impact swept through him, sending him skidding back across the ground. He could feel his bones creaking as the hit rang true, and the blow eradicated Dark Shadow's armor that had been protecting his arms as though it were merely smoke. When he finally reached a stop, he uncurled his useless defensive position with a gasp of pain. His sleeves had been torn and he could already feel bruises beginning to form. His arms were shaking from taking the blow, and he cradled them close to his body. It shouldn't be this difficult. He'd dealt with the real guy before. so then why was this so hard?!
"Come onnnn!" the clone goaded, a smile in his voice. "Can't you do any better? Stop being so weak!"
Those words resonated inside recalled them like a distant memory, one that made his blood boil with disdain. But he couldn't remember who it was that had said them last, only the feelings associated with them. He didn't come all this way, fighting against villains and himself while being put through all this, just to be called weak again after everything he'd gone through. That wasn't what he'd been striving to achieve. Wasn't he supposed to be strong enough to defend others? That's what heroes did, right? Heroes get rid of anyone who stands in their way.
Tokoyami cradled his arms to his chest as the brutish figure rushed forward to close the distance that had opened between them after the last blow. His stance was wide, fists poised on either side ready for a pummeling. And the damn fool had his broad chest exposed, completely susceptible to attacks as though he couldn't care less if he tried to get a hit off on him. Tokoyami looked up at the oncoming adversary, feeling no sense of urgency to move. His eyes narrowed into thin slits of hatred, and a desire to be done with all this burned through him hotter than whatever pain he'd been dealt. As the figure loomed over him, fast approaching, he could feel the darkness of his quirk swirling around him. Dark Shadow still adorned his head like a helmet, a show of their combined efforts coming together, but the attack that came forth was entirely the quirk acting upon his demands without his hand to physically guide him.
Just like the first time he'd faced this foe. Just like it should be. A large shadowy claw erupted from him. It hovered in the air, quivering in anticipation, before it shot out to sink itself into its target. It slammed into the opponent, who stopped dead in his tracks to grapple with it. He'd been ready for this one, in spite of everything, and even though the clone wasn't as strong as the real deal, the playing field was different without the cover of night while the fluorescent lights beat down on them. But Tokoyami wasn't about to let that hinder him.
Just. Do away with it. We're better than this.
The Rappa clone was trying to keep the claw at bay, at times delivering punches directly to it that Tokoyami could feel resonate in him. But he wasn't about to let that bother him.
Grapple as he might, the shadowy claw had a firm grip on him. With just a bit of straining, it lifted him completely off the ground. Punches that had been aimed at the claw squeezing around him now became a frenzied attack on anything within range. Something about this change in positions seemed ironic. Tokoyami gingerly touched his ribs, where bruises had formed after the brutish man had picked him up like it was nothing during that fateful night. It angered him just thinking about the way that he'd been dealt with. So easily. As though nothing he did had mattered. Well, I'm not about to let that happen again.
While the Rappa clone struggled against his grip, Tokoyami unraveled his aching arms from his chest. Taking whatever excess power Dark Shadow had left over, he covered his arm in shadows and had it join with the other clawed visage. Both hands of darkness wrapped tightly around the struggling opponent. Tokoyami walked forward, appraising his work. It felt good to be in the offensive position, not having to worry about whatever might come to hurt him. This was the kind of power he'd been hoping to attain all along. And now he could use it as he saw fit, without judgment for how he handled these kinds of situations. And just this time, knowing that the life he held was nothing but a clone, he could take it just a step further.
Tokoyami squeezed his hands.
The bulky form struggled avidly against him. Uselessly. He squeezed harder, taking great satisfaction from seeing an image of the enemy that wronged him being put in his place. Even if it wasn't the real one. He squeezed again, against all futile resistance.
A snapping sound echoed through the room, loud and brittle, and Tokoyami watched as the figure turned to sludge that squelched between his claws like putty. He smirked, but even this feeling of satisfaction was short-lived.
"What a disgustingly messy way of dispatching your enemies," Overhaul stated simply, walking over to the center of where the fight had taken place. "But I suppose results are the most important thing to keep in mind here. Well, Tokoyami, do you take pride in your victory?"
Tokoyami took a hasty step away from the scene, dispelling his quirk and letting the remaining sludge splash onto the ground. Overhaul watched unamused as some of the filth splashed awfully close to his shoe, but he made no move to step away. His focus would be better spent on more important things. "You're retreating? Why not revel in your well-earned victory? It was quite a sight to behold after all."
"I…" I actually forgot for a moment that you were watching. "I was only doing what needed to be done. There was nothing else to it," Tokoyami mumbled, casting his gaze awkwardly to the side.
"Oh really? Because for a second there I could have sworn you were enjoying your use of power. I can only imagine how exhilarating it must have felt. You should indulge in that feeling more often. It might do you some good if you plan on using it to right whatever injustices face you."
Tokoyami tried to read into the true meaning behind those words, but in the end there was nothing but a hard truth to face. Underneath his tattered cloak, he cradled his dully aching arms again, contemplating his actions.
"You've done well here today, Tokoyami. You'll be a valuable asset to me yet," Overhaul reassured in a way that offered no comfort.
Tokoyami glared spitefully at him. "I don't fight for you," he growled.
"You don't have to," he responded simply. "So long as you fight for yourself, that's all I need."
"Tch. You make it sound so easy. How can you be so sure?"
Overhaul gave the pile of sludge a wide berth and came to stand mere feet away from the student. "I'm aware of everything that goes on in my facility. I know every piece that I possess and what they're capable of. The only thing I can't control are emotions, but even those can be manipulated with the right words. I have no use in understanding people and their actions until it becomes something that's exploitable."
"And why would you tell me this?"
"Because I already know what drives you, and that won't stop even if it's something I can use against you. Something so certain as the human mind can't change such a thing, even if it only ever ends in hardship. So you'll keep doing whatever it takes so long as it takes you closer to your goal. And maybe you'll never even reach that goal, but anything is better than regression. Nobody wants to see all their efforts be for naught." He turned his amber eyes downwards at the bird-headed boy. "And that's why you'll be no different."
Tokoyami couldn't bring himself to meet the man's gaze. Those words stung him in a way he hadn't expected, and in the end there was nothing he could say to refute it. But a burning question persisted, one that had been heavy on his mind for a while now.
"So then, what do you really think of my quirk?"
"Isn't it obvious? It's disgusting." So I hadn't misheard.
"But I don't understand. Why would you choose to have something detestable by your side. And furthermore, why do you see me this way?" Asking these questions felt like he was playing with fire, just waiting to be burned. But that was nothing he wasn't already used to. At this point it was an inevitability that he accepted.
Overhaul began walking away, heading towards the door. Tokoyami didn't need a sign to know that he was meant to follow, and decisively fell into his wake. "Someone else will clean up the mess you made. Why don't we continue this discussion in a place that's more free of filth. Although, given my company, that might not be possible."
"You hold contempt for me," Tokoyami noted, not for the first time. By this point he was dying to know what made this yakuza think the way he did.
"…Yes," Overhaul decided after some thought. "But don't take it to heart. It's not your fault."
"Then whose is it?"
Overhaul opened the door and ushered him out of the room. Tokoyami ducked cautiously away from the hand that neared him.
"It's the very nature of quirks, you see," Overhaul explained, as though it were the one thing that truly made sense in this hellish world. "Quirks are a disease that plague this world. They've left their mark of damnation on this cursed society like nothing else. The destruction caused, the dilapidation of the very foundation we build ourselves on, can all be traced back to quirks as the root of this problem."
"But you seem to have no problem using your own quirk to meet your means. What does that make you?" Tokoyami asked. The yakuza's viewpoint was concerning to say the least, but something about this man and how he wasn't in his right mind was downright fascinating.
"That's different. The purpose my quirk fulfills makes it integral to the outcome of my plan. When I can see a world that's balanced and cleansed from the deformities that infest it, then I'll know for sure that it all had been worth it. But only I can do it. And to those ends, I have been blessed while others are merely cursed. As for you, Tokoyami, you must surely be the most cursed of them all. Tell me, how can one bear to be so close to their quirk? How do you tolerate such an intimate relationship with a parasite that infects your body? You house such a monstrous being, one who talks and taunts, one that keeps you up night. Living things are already so contemptuous, and yet you harbor one inside you, a being that feeds off your insecurities in exchange for power. It's sickening. It's fascinating. That's the only way I can describe it. So tell me. How does something like you exist?"
Tokoyami gave pause. His mouth was dry, and he was struck by how difficult a question that was to answer. What excuse could he provide for his very existence? His quirk, certainly, was an oddity, but was it truly so abnormal as to put a wrench in this man's idealistic, convoluted interpretation of the world? This all felt so wrong. In the past, Dark Shadow had been a lot of things. Admired. Feared. But not here. This was an opposition he had never faced before, and it left him deeply unsettled. It was bad enough that he had to show off his power to this unmindful individual, but now it was abundantly clear how set he was on picking him apart feather by feather. And quite frankly, he had to admit that it terrified him. But that was no excuse to stay silent.
"I… can't help being the person that I am," Tokoyami began hesitantly. "Nobody gets to decide what quirk they get, if they're given one at all. In the end, all you can do is embrace it, even if it places a target on you and leads to rejection."
"Rejection? That sounds like something a villain would say to pardon their actions. After all, a lot of people want to use their quirks wherever applicable, all while being suppressed. Some people spend their entire lives striving to become heroes just so that they can freely use their quirk, but are never given that chance. That's why so many villains exist. That's why heroes are necessary. People who use it to further their own narcissistic ideals and flaunt the power that was forced upon them at random don't deserve to hold positions of authority. So with that in mind, wouldn't it just be better to be rid of it all?"
"I don't think I can imagine a world without my Dark Shadow. That doesn't sound right. It doesn't seem fair."
Overhaul looked down at him with a pitiful kind of sadness. "No. I suppose that wouldn't be very fair, now would it? But existence is already such a cruel thing. Everything hurts and nothing will ever truly make sense. Life already has not been very fair to me, not that I expect you to understand my plight. We care only about what's convenient to us. We're selfish beings, without a doubt. Even the people you try to help is a means to an end, a way to prove to oneself their capabilities. I have my reasons for the things I do. And I have every intention of seeing my goals through to the end. I'm the only one who can recreate this failing world to fit the mold of a desired society."
Tokoyami felt nausea rise in him. He thought he knew what to expect from other villains after spending so much time with the League, but all of this was unprecedented. There was no rational here, only the drive to accomplish a goal. It was plain to see that this was the kind of person so set in his ways that he would not stop to consider the lives of those around him or who he influenced, so long as he believed that what he did was right in his mind. It was a blind ideal, one where he guided his followers through darkness and didn't look back to see who was left struggling, because only he could see the light so clearly. And that's where Tokoyami was left, crawling through the abyss that Overhaul had carved with no concept of direction. "Then why would you have me be here, if my quirk revolts you so much?"
"Unlike those detestable heroes, I accept anyone to my side. Regardless of what hardships they endured and the person they are, I will make them into a usable tool. I can reshape anything given to me to be better than before. I've done it before with countless people, and that's exactly what I plan to doing with this world." Tokoyami noticed the way his fingers twitched at those lines. As they walked through the halls, his attention seemed to be elsewhere, and he had a far-away look in his eyes like he was already envisioning the perfect world that would be made in his ideal image.
"You're going to reshape the world and its people," Tokoyami repeated slowly. "How exactly do you plan on doing that?"
Overhaul blinked back into reality and tilted his head to the side, much like a bemused crow. He stopped in the hallway and leaned his back against the wall, giving the student a curious look. He tapped his plague doctor mask in consideration, and the light sound of him striking the mask reverberated through the underground catacombs. "How smart of you to finally be taking such an interest in my plans. There's very few who would listen to me so earnestly. Those two friends of yours… I would never expect them to understand. Even Shigaraki, for as much as I tried to explain it, didn't seem entirely convinced by my convictions. So allow me the chance to elaborate, if it means elucidating you just that little bit more."
Overhaul removed one of his pristine white gloves, making Tokoyami tense nervously out of instinct. Such thin, elegant fingers that looked like they'd never had to work a day in his life were now free in the open air. Without prompting, he touched his hand to the wall behind him. Tokoyami expected to see it collapse or explode in a burst of rock, much like what might happen if Shigaraki were to use his own quirk on something. Instead, the wall rippled, and a small concrete spire, only a foot in length, emerged from the wall beside Overhaul's head. Tokoyami's beak hung open in surprise, confused by this result. He couldn't quite understand what his destructive quirk was meant to be. But he didn't have to wait long.
"My quirk is Overhaul. I can disassemble and reassemble things at will. I have the power to destroy, reform, and perfect whatever entity is within my grasp. The absolute shaping of matter. To me, injury means nothing. Death is just a concept. Pain is fleeting. Because all of that can be undone by my quirk if I deem it to be so. And as a counter to that, I can rain destruction on whatever I want. Or perhaps something need only be deconstructed to have meaning and purpose again. I was given this godly power for a reason, to reshape the world into something better than it is now. Whoever ends up suffering in the meantime is just a necessary sacrifice to make ends meet. As for those who are absolute in their loyalty to me, well, they don't need to die, but in the end even that is my choice to make, and I take comfort in knowing that they don't seem to mind it very much. So now do you understand why I do the things I do?"
Tokoyami took a cautious step forward to inspect the spike that had sprouted from the wall. Overhaul walked away from it so that he could view it better for himself, knowing full well that the bird-headed kid would not come closer otherwise. Sure enough, it was the very same material as the rest of the wall, just reformed in Overhaul's image. It was sharp at the tip, the sides rugged, but there was something oddly perfect about it, as though this sort of thing were only natural. Like it was meant to be. And it was that sensation that instilled a much more foreboding sense of understanding than Tokoyami could have ever pieced together on his own. This was the power of Overhaul.
Tokoyami's head jerked up as he realized that Overhaul was approaching him. He retreated quickly from the spike, careful to avoid its pointy tip, and watched to see what the yakuza would do next. "Don't worry about such things too much. It does me no good to have such a special playing piece be so cautious. You'd be better off embracing what I have to offer." He touched the wall and the spike receded back into solid concrete. No imperfections were left, as though it had never been there in the first place.
But then he beckoned Tokoyami to come closer with his ungloved hand. Tokoyami stared him down warily, but that didn't seem to do him any good. Overhaul's uncaring gaze shifted to one of impatient annoyance, and there was likely a frown hidden under his mask. "Don't keep me waiting. I want you to step forward – it won't hurt or anything. My word is final."
Tokoyami came to stand in front of the imposing yakuza boss, poised to run if the need emerged. His body was so tense it was almost trembling, but Overhaul didn't seem to care very much.
His hand reached out, and time slowed down. Tokoyami was probably even more afraid of what would happen if he decided to bat the hand away, so against his best interest he made no action to move from his spot. But the hand was never meant for him. Not directly, in any case. Overhaul gingerly took the cloak that Tokoyami adorned in his hand, appraising the damage that had been dealt to it over the course of a single fight. "You should try harder to take better care of your things. This was brought to your room with you in mind, after all. Be more appreciative. Only I'm allowed to damage the things in this underground facility." And just like that the tears that had opened up while facing off against the Rappa clone became mended, the fabric stitching itself back together like the work of a miracle. Tokoyami watched in awe as his cloak healed before his very eyes. "What an incredible power. You say that you can also mend pain and even death?"
"If I so desire, then yes. But the human body is complicated, and it can get awfully… messy… so I would prefer to avoid it if possible. The matter of death is interesting, though. An entire person can be rebuilt within a certain time frame after meeting their demise. Rappa is a good example of that. Sometimes when his ceaseless challenges annoy me too much I'll leave him dead for longer than I probably should, but he doesn't seem to mind it much," Overhaul said easily, as though he were discussing something much less significant than the literal complexities of life and death.
"And that's how you're able to bring everything together so that your plans fall into place. The manipulation of everything around you comes naturally to you, so there's nothing to stop from achieving your ambitions," Tokoyami mused, realizing the full gravity of the situation. "You were being absolutely serious when you said that your plan was to reform the world, because that's something that is actually a part of your power. It's no wonder that you're in this kind of position."
Overhaul was pleased to hear all this coming from the outsider. Validation from his followers was easy to come by – they agreed to anything of his. But this was something that he was happy to have justified, lending more purpose to his actions from the belief of others. "Everything is as it should be, and I have much of the credit to take for that. But perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself. I can only do so much on my own. Everyone here has a role to play that will suit into my needs. I orchestrate everything that happens down here with a purpose in mind, no exceptions. And you've just made everything so much more interesting, I must admit." Overhaul went on the move again, and Tokoyami followed diligently, a single step behind. "You've certainly treated me to something special by showing me your power today. As much as I can't stand to look at something so detestable, even I know the worth of such a thing. I think I'm growing used to this feeling. It's one I've felt many times before. But enough about that. I'm sure you want a reward for your efforts, yes? I suppose I promised you such a thing, and I intend on making good on my end of the bargain. Who knows, maybe it will be good for all of us. After all, she's been a bit more glum than usual since you left, and it hasn't done my research any good."
Tokoyami was put instantly on alert, and he quickened his pace to walk directly alongside the yakuza boss, regardless of the consequences. After all, if he wanted him dead, it would've already happened. And if it ever did lead to that result… well, he hoped he was valuable enough to keep around. "She? You mean Eri? You intend to keep your word and let me see her again?"
Overhaul smirked quietly at that, but his flat expression didn't change. "You sure seem awfully excited about that, don't you? You wanted to see her that badly? That seems a bit short-sighted, if you ask me. If you insist, then I'll allow it, but you really don't know what you're getting into. Just try not to be too disappointed if she's not as energetic today."