Electronic Foils (Valo)

She was cornered. It was easy to see in her hesitance. That false naivety and fake happy-go-luckiness was replaced with what he assumed was her true face. It was time to see who Siobhan really was, maybe all he needed was one more push. But he was being careful not to push her too far...

But if there was one thing Valo was, it was impressed. She knew he wasn't an ordinary student if she knew about things as far back as the Pillar fight with Vivi, and she was still being honest about how she felt. Valo admired ambition. He admired resolve. And that's what she was showing here. He only hoped it wasn't for something malicious. But the more she talked, the more she reminded him of himself, how he felt most of his life. He could relate, to an extent.

"... And what would you say if I offered to help with whatever your cause is?"

He wanted to find out what it was, and it wasn't a false offer. It all depended on what it was. And he understood people had their own personal battles. But she was doing something in that PA room that involved this school. If it aligned with interests of his own, or it was something he could agree with, him aiding her wasn't out of the question.

"All you need to do is tell me what it is. What you're trying to do. If it's something I can see eye to eye with, I'm willing to help. And if it's not, then I'll drop it and you're free to walk away without any problems." He looked right at her. "You have my word."

Might as well drop all the pretenses and be open with it.

It seemed that he managed to get through to her. Valo was honestly surprised, feeling as though Siobhan would continue to keep her guard up. But despite this, he didn't view her as weak. On the contrary, opening up like that took a semblance of courage. Especially when she seemed to have a heavy past that made it difficult to do so, at least from what he inferred from her previous words about having no allies.

"Unconditional allies huh? I haven't heard of that one. I'm kind of jealous, Valo, that all of your friends were able to treasure someone like you."

Was it something to be jealous of? What he was, it was someone who was so weak-willed that he couldn't control the monster raging inside that nearly killed his friends and remaining family. Siobhan wasn't there that day at the docks, but in a way, he was afraid she could look at him and see what was still lingering inside. It didn't die. It just receded, but he didn't know for how long. Her words pained him, although he did his best not to show it.

"If I'm not too much trouble, I too, would like to join.. with you.. and maybe others as well. It's not like my objective was anything crazy or reckless. I just wanted to be at the top. My father's approval or mother's love, they both are the same desire. I want to be acknowledged as a human too."

Those words surprised him even further. Maybe she, like him, often kept up a tough front in an effort to appear stronger than they really were. His parents' love, and wanting to feel like a human... they were something he could relate to all too well. His own father left him for dead, despite Valo searching for him for years, only to end up with that result. He only hoped Siobhan's father wasn't as cruel, and his own recent experiences made him feel like he wanted to help however he could, although it was a family matter and many did not want others butting in.

"I understand all too well... And it's not too much trouble. You were honest with me, and I appreciate it. We can be allies from this point on, if we can keep this honesty between us." He spoke a bit quietly, but not nearly as harsh sounding as he was previously. He could be a lot friendlier now, and that was a huge relief. "But... if you don't mind me asking, what did that stunt in the PA room have to do with you making it to the top? You surrendered to the Pillars easily, so you must have had another reasoning for everything, correct?"

(OOC: Liking the new images.)

Valo listened to her speak, giving her his undivided attention. It sounded as though she had a lot of pressure on her shoulders. So much that he was surprised she wasn't breaking down over it. To do as she did, to go through all of this, all for the sake of her father's approval... he couldn't really fault her for anything she did. It wasn't like she did anything out of some incredibly dark motive, but all to be acknowledged. She was not his enemy by any stretch.

He took a look at the paper she slid to him, reading over it carefully. There were names he recognized on there, definitely, as well as names he didn't. This was truly something that being a 'ghost' aided with. She could sit back and observe unknowing to anyone else. If he had seen this list before he discovered her true motivations, he might have seen her as a potential threat. But right now, she had immunity and he'd make sure of it.

It wasn't an easy task by any means, and even if Siobhan had the title of School Captain itself, it'd be very difficult to get tabs on every single student here. New ones showed up every day, sometimes powerful ones. He could only wonder what the intel was for, but the word 'conquer' stood out to him. What were these punishments he gave to her?

"I guess I'd call you lucky for confiding in me about this over any of the Pillars. I can't say any of them would have been inclined to let you off, much less try to help you."

He slid the paper back over to her, crossing his arms as he leaned on the table slightly. He was lost in thought, trying to figure out the best course of action. Getting involved wasn't the wisest deal, but he had his reasons for wanting to. She was trapped, and if he could help give her a way out, he would. Additionally, he could get more information on what was a possible threat, and perhaps prepare accordingly.

"Now, Siobhan, there's a couple of things we could try to do about this. If you're willing, that is." He paused for a moment, still contemplating on what the best course of action was. "I could do everything in my ability to get you out of the everwatching eye of your father, to give you a chance to live for yourself for a bit and give us some time to think of something better. Or if you're set on your course... You could report to him that you either beat or coerced a 'powerful' opponent into being on your side to win some favor with him, which would be me. Perhaps it'd give you some reprieve as well."

Now, a powerful rich family wasn't on his usual list of opponents, but seeing as his targets were usually more high profile, he could figure something out. The difference this time is he wouldn't go in guns blazing with the intent of terminating.

After dropping their pretenses, her panicking was no longer a sign of victory, but rather, it made him worry instead. She wasn't an enemy anymore, but an ally. But perhaps his words just weren't something she was used to hearing, not if she lived her whole life thus far not believing she could trust anybody. Enemies were so easy to make, especially in this school. Making enemies with the wrong people could lead to your head on a stake. He hoped that through the confidence they now started to share that she would feel more secure in this place, even a little bit.

"No, there wouldn't be any reprieve. It would only serve to make him more demanding. You know the saying, "give an inch and they take a mile"? That's him. He always wants more..."

...Well, scratch that idea. If it wouldn't lighten the load on Siobhan's shoulders, even a little, then it wasn't the best course of action. Still, he was a man who was willing to send his own daughter into danger like this to fulfill a task that could get her killed in the process. And she only longed for his approval, which is why she went through with it. If he was anyone else, he would find it hard to believe someone's parent could be that way... but then the words of his own father flashed through his mind, while he was laying there, bleeding on the ground just weeks ago. "Once you die, it won't hurt anymore.".. Tch.

"PHS #552 has housing units don't they? The security here is pretty decent, it would give my father enough trouble to not pursue me for a while. Although, Valo, thank you."

That's right. The school's dorm building. And the small army of Regulators that roamed this place would make it difficult for most to get in without bringing a small force of their own. Of course, it has happened within the last couple of months, several times even.

"Correct. PHS #552 consists of three large buildings. The school itself, the old, abandoned building on the far end of the school, and the remaining building would be the school dorms. They're not the best, but... it's a nice start."

Her thanking him, and that genuine smile of hers just now. It wasn't something he expected. It carried a different weight to it than all of her previous, false looks she gave before. She was pretty, and he only hoped days would come where she could smile for real like that a lot more often.

"You're welcome, Siobhan." He smiled back in response. "There's... one thing I'd like to give you."

He rummaged around in his backpack for a few seconds, pulling something out of it and placing it on the table in front of Siobhan. It was a small device with a single switch on it, no larger than a small pen.

"I can only imagine the fears you must have with the kind of burden you're carrying, or who could possibly be after you... but hopefully this helps. It's a device that, once you activate it, transmits your location to me from pretty much anywhere in the city. Only when it's activated, so don't worry. Just... in case you're in a bind and you need bailing out. A lot more discreet than trying to reach me by phone, if anything. Call for me, and I'll be there as fast as I can."

He wasn't sure what kind of questions she'd ask, namely about why he had these kinds of devices on him. Perhaps the day would come where she'd find out all about his little vigilante escapades, but it wasn't what mattered right now. He just wanted to give her some extra insurance when it came to her safety. He was afraid of the backlash she'd receive from her father, as well as whatever other enemies she had made in her time here or any previous schools.

"Thank you, Valo, but can you do me a favor? My father has assumed these recent years that I would one day leave him. As a precaution, he also put a tracker on me."

...Well, that complicated matters. So if he never knew about it, or she neglected to mention something, then in the event she did accept his first offer, there wasn't a safe haven where she could hide away as long as that thing was on her. However, it was something she pointed out, and thus, they could do something about it. But... she had pulled out a knife. Watching it closely, seeing the blade drawn, he noticed she turned it towards herself and offered it to him. Where was this going...?

"Here. The implants located back behind my ear, and I need you to cut it out for me."

Holy shit. What? A look of surprise washed across his face, something that not even he could hide. Her father placed the tracker inside of her? He was nothing if not thorough, but as Valo stared down at the knife, he tried to figure out other possible solutions. If he tried to extricate her from the school and taking her back to his lab where he could easily pull it out with little complication, then that meant her father would see her location shifting to some place unusual, as well as jeopardize his own safehouse. It had to be done as soon as possible to get rid of that everwatching pair of eyes following her everywhere, knowing her every move.

Valo steeled himself, taking the blade from her. He wasn't going to ask how she got it past the Regulators, but she was very crafty and figured she found her own means. It looked like it'd be sharp enough to do what she asked of him, and yet... he was hesitant. Whenever he hurt someone, it was usually because they were an enemy. He had crushed foes for many reasons, whether it was self-defense or protecting a friend. He had beaten information out of people, or sometimes resorted to cruel means to obtain it. But never had he taken a blade to someone who was on his side. Even if he just now got to know her, the very prospect left him with an unfamiliar feeling of unease and discomfort.

"...If that is your request."

He finally spoke, standing up from his seat, knife in hand. He made his way around to stand behind Siobhan, making sure to keep any prying eyes in the room from seeing what the two of them were doing. As long as they didn't see the knife, it was easy enough to come up with an excuse should they be questioned.

"Which ear, and where exactly? And how deep would I need to go?"

Doing what needed to be done was never easy.

Left ear...

Valo would move her hair aside, seeing the scar that she had mentioned. So she was serious about the implant deal. Though she had no reason to fabricate such a story, he only wished he wouldn't have had to cut into her skin like this. When he approached her, he only planned to get under her skin metaphorically, not literally. He wished they had lived in a world where such cruelties were not imposed on them, but it took someone to fight to make a better world. It was always the pioneers who had to endure the toughest fight, and right now, he had to see this as a stepping stone for the both of them.

Steeling himself and calming his nerves down, he placed the tip of the knife against the scar. This isn't anything different than what you've done before, Adrian... just like removing a bullet. He told himself, trying to remind himself that this was necessary. He sought to help those around him, even if the means degraded his own humanity. But this felt different, and it was hard for him to understand why that was.

"If you're sure... hold still. It'll be over before you know it."

If Siobhan didn't change her mind, Valo would take a deep breath before pressing the knife to her skin, cutting into the scar. He would ignore the blood that surfaced, hoping she wasn't in too much pain, but this wasn't the painful part. Fighting the feeling of unease, he'd see the implant through it all, just as she had mentioned. I wonder if that's what the implant in my chest looks like... He thought. Memories of Strakh began to overtake him, threatening to choke the life from him once more. That damned harbinger of Fear... He took a deep breath, pushing the memories of that day from his mind and placed the knife at the corner of the implant.

"Bite down on something. This looks like it's going to hurt."

He'd speak to her, waiting for her to brace herself. If left to continue, he'd fight back the discomforting feelings welling up, and would start to pry and cut the implant out of her. It'd agitate the wound he left on her, but after enough effort, he'd pull it right out of her. Tearing implant from her skin, he'd quickly place the knife on the seat next to her, hidden between them, and reach into his bag and pull out a handkerchief, holding it to the wound to keep her from bleeding too much as he held the blood-stained implant out in front of her. He leaned in a bit close, just in case she needed the support after that. Something that was wired into her like this was bound to have some repercussions, at least that's what his concern was.

"Are you alright...? And... I'll let you do the honors."