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[And that answer tells him that he has to know.]
What's in the bag.
What's in the bag.
[Okay, but don't expect him not to take his time. He likes the slight tension in the air, what it makes Cole look like.]
A life for a life. That's why I keep coming back. That's why I'm alive at all.
[a beat.]
If you'd killed me, this is the one thing that would've stopped me from killing you.
[He lifts the bag, hands it over in case Cole really wants to see.]
It doesn't look human. It's not even real. Synthesized. But it does the job.
A life for a life. That's why I keep coming back. That's why I'm alive at all.
[a beat.]
If you'd killed me, this is the one thing that would've stopped me from killing you.
[He lifts the bag, hands it over in case Cole really wants to see.]
It doesn't look human. It's not even real. Synthesized. But it does the job.
[Cole has Seen Some Shit, let's be clear about that. He's watched so many people die horrifically, and then killed so many, that there's not much that can faze him. The Kalavirus wasn't pretty at all, nor was life as a scav.
But when he sees that fake human flesh, still so plainly meant to be flesh, and he puts everything together, his gorge rises and he has to drop the bag and turn away. Nothing comes out, he doesn't even retch, but it's a very close thing. He's pale and shaky when he turns back.]
Jesus fucking Christ.
But when he sees that fake human flesh, still so plainly meant to be flesh, and he puts everything together, his gorge rises and he has to drop the bag and turn away. Nothing comes out, he doesn't even retch, but it's a very close thing. He's pale and shaky when he turns back.]
Jesus fucking Christ.
[COME On. Ruin the post-orgasm relaxation with your stupid Jesus Christ, will you. He almost chokes on smoke, then comes back a little annoyed.]
You're going to throw up on me now?
[Really, Cole? But at least Petre's disbelief beats just laughing in his face.]
It came out of a lab. No babies were harmed. Relax.
You're going to throw up on me now?
[Really, Cole? But at least Petre's disbelief beats just laughing in his face.]
It came out of a lab. No babies were harmed. Relax.
You eat people.
[Is he really supposed to be comforted that they're fake here? He still eats people. Cole came from the land of intense starvation and even the West VII never considered going that far.]
[Is he really supposed to be comforted that they're fake here? He still eats people. Cole came from the land of intense starvation and even the West VII never considered going that far.]
[The impact of that shows all over his face, his posture, everything. There's no argument he can make. Even if it was all (all? really?) survival, Petre's clearly in the same situation if the city is giving him something so grotesque. He needs human flesh like Cole needed the shelter and clothing and food he killed for.
His lips twitch and contort, eyes blinking heavily, somewhere between disgust (at himself) and fury (at Petre for hitting the nail so much on the head. Then he just shrugs on his jacket, pockets his phone, and starts to walk away.]
His lips twitch and contort, eyes blinking heavily, somewhere between disgust (at himself) and fury (at Petre for hitting the nail so much on the head. Then he just shrugs on his jacket, pockets his phone, and starts to walk away.]
Petre. Time for you to make good on your promise not to hurt my friends. In any way.
I'm not telling this time, or threatening. I'm asking.
I'm not telling this time, or threatening. I'm asking.
You didn't do anything yet. That's why I'm asking. Just - keep your word.
Never mind that. This is the one time you'll get this from me. Please, don't hurt any of them.
They won't. I know you already met Ramse, and he knows we're cool. No reason for anyone to come after you.
Yeah, he is. [Heavy sigh. Petre, honestly.] I just - had to make sure. One more time.
That's not what I mean and you know it.
[He's the one making this difficult by tapdancing around his real meaning, and he knows that. Fine.]
Someone else is here. Someone really important. Nothing - is gonna hurt her. [His voice is at that odd place where it's so firm it's almost trembling. Brittle.]
[He's the one making this difficult by tapdancing around his real meaning, and he knows that. Fine.]
Someone else is here. Someone really important. Nothing - is gonna hurt her. [His voice is at that odd place where it's so firm it's almost trembling. Brittle.]
[Good thing this is voice, because Petre actually interrupts the cigarette he's smoking to look at the device and adjust his position. Like he's finally interested.
He's looking to the sides without focusing on a single thing, thoughtful and quick. Someone important. Yes, this is interesting. Important enough that Cole came to him preemptively. Maybe because he figured out he couldn't hide it (her) if he tried. And then it hits him, and he smiles, unseen.]
... The girl you love.
He's looking to the sides without focusing on a single thing, thoughtful and quick. Someone important. Yes, this is interesting. Important enough that Cole came to him preemptively. Maybe because he figured out he couldn't hide it (her) if he tried. And then it hits him, and he smiles, unseen.]
... The girl you love.
Yeah. [Still too stiff.] Go ahead, find her. Talk to her. Do what you want, but don't -
[- tell Petre what to do.]
- please. It can't happen here too.
[- tell Petre what to do.]
- please. It can't happen here too.
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