Wednesday 1.18

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

Crawford paused in Farfarello's door, leaning his shoulder into the doorway. It was never predictable what Farfarello would deign necessary for a mission and it was most fascinating watching him prepare for the possibilities that lie ahead. Only, this time, Crawford was a bit more concerned that his assassin actually go into this seemingly easy mission more heavily prepared than for the usual. 

" Don't assume that this is going to be basic recon." Crawford flatly observed as he watched the Irishman. He would never question the man's ability to do the job requested and he never double checked on his team after an order was given. It was not necessary. They all knew their jobs and knew damn well how to execute an order as specified. 

Crawford blinked heavily just once, the only indication that he was at all uncomfortable. Not only was he loathe to take a risk on an unknown but he was disgusted that this mission was actually making him question himself and his team. Even if it was only in a small way. 

"Just assume that there could be more to it..."

Comments

[bloodyfarfie.livejournal.com]

Farfarello had been just finishing sharpening the knives he'd planned on taking, only a few originally. When Crawford 'entered' his room he looked up though, and nodded when the precog spoke, listening to what the man was saying.

"Is that yer way of sayin' for me to bring a few extra knives an' to keep my eye on Schuldig?" He smirked, half-joking. He stood up from where he'd been sitting on the end of his bed and took out a couple more knives, starting then to place the knives on his person quickly, with practiced ease.

"Any more hints than that Crawford, or are ye jus' gettin' more of a 'feeling' than any vision?" He didn't pretend to know exactly how Crawford's power worked, so he was guessing more than anything else. It made sense in his mind, but of course, he could definitely be wrong. He was really curious, though, what exactly Crawford's concern was.

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

The comment earned the Irishman a glare. Crawford's visions were still off - unpredictable, unreliable and, in this particular case, nearly non exsistent.

In a way it was like a vacation - not his usual constant vigil against a flood of visions that threatened to take control. But, when it came to his team, it was unacceptable. He always knew with certainty what he was sending them into; what sort of trouble Schuldig would churn up, what situation might set Farfarello off on a rampage. This was the first time he was sending them in blind.

"I do not need a vision to know a setup when I see one. Whoever has gone to this trouble will not live to regret it." His voice went flat, all uncertainty that might have slipped past his lips long vanquished.

Crawford watched blankly as Farfarello immediately altered his original plans, slipping even more blades into concealment. It was simply amazing how many blades Farfarello could manage to conceal on his person. It would probably be prudent to invest in a set of ceramic blades because, at the moment, the man would set off a metal detector at fifty yards. Ceramic would deprive him of his favorite pasttime but Crawford was fairly certain Farfarello would find some novelty in them.

"Besides, you know how distracted Schuldig gets with Weiss involved. Weiss is simply the bait to keep us interested." Crawford did not need a vision to confirm that suspicion. A lifetime of Rosenkreuz conditioning and training served his instincts well. He shifted on his feet, crossing his arms hard across his chest.

"Too many people have reason to seek us out, none of them looking to shake our hands. Do not let yourself get so caught up in Schuldig's games that you forget that."

[bloodyfarfie.livejournal.com]

Farfarello finished arming himself and looked over at the other man with a slight chuckle. "I figured somethin' was up with that. We're not exactly listed in the phone book under 'Assassins for Hire'. The kid'll find out who he is though." There was no doubt there. He had absolute confidence in Nagi's abilities to find out almost anything and cover their asses if need be.

A snort and a half-glare was directed at the older man for his last comment. "It's very rare I let myself get so caught up in 'is games that I let my guard down. At least not entirely. I'll keep myself from gettin' too lost in things. I'll try an' keep an eye on 'im."

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

Crawford's arms noticeably relaxed with Farfarello's assurances.

Crawford never worried about his team. An assassin that somehow missteps and gets himself killed has earned his death with his negligence. It was the standard he held himself and his team to at all times. Schuldig was no exception but the sometimes flighty telepath needed an occasional grounding.

Somewhere, in the far recesses of his mind, Crawford could admit to himself he was invested in Schuldig's continuing existence for entirely selfish reasons. And now, with the elders gone, he could actually give himself the freedom the think such things. But it was going to take practice.

"Try may be the operative word." Crawford glanced over his shoulder in the direction of Schuldig's room, a small knowing smirk creasing his lips. He was well aware that a telepath on a self appointed mission was not the easiest to dissuade. He could understand Schuldig's fascination with Weiss but not the veracity he employed in tormenting them. "I doubt Weiss is aware they are pawns in this game as well. I would prefer they remain as neutral as possible until our employer tips his hand. I am not fond of fighting battles on two fronts."

[bloodyfarfie.livejournal.com]

Farfarello simply nodded, an amused little smirk playing on scarred lips as he looked over at his leader. "Well, at least I'll be entertained while tryin' to keep him controlled." And people always assumed that he was the one that always had to have an eye on him in Schwarz. Yes, he had his 'moments', but their telepath was far more likely to accidently get himself into trouble.

"So don't piss off the kittens too much if possible. Great, any more impossible tasks for me?" He lifted an eyebrow, only half joking, since it was going to be a bit of trouble to keep Schuldig from managing to piss the other assassins off somehow. Weiss were usually quite tempermental, and Schu had way too much fun with them sometimes.

Truthfully though, he'd probably be just as likely to piss them off accidentally as he would on purpose.

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

"I expect the sight of any one of us will set them off." And that was simply the truth of the matter. Being thought of as the devil incarnate worked in Crawford's favor after all. Weiss would always be on edge whenever Schwarz had need to cross paths with them and that made them predictable. Not that Crawford ever had trouble with that. Abbysinian always made it so easy to keep close tabs on his team.

"If they present you with an opportunity to retrieve the disks, do it. I do not need to remind you how vicious felines can be when cornered in their own den." Crawford just barely shook his head, a hazy vision confirming that Weiss would indeed hiss and spit and be generally disagreeable. "That just may be the hardest part of this mission... keeping Weiss from getting themselves killed."

Crawford was satisfied that he made himself clear. Approaching and using Farfarello and Schuldig as babysitters for each other had worked out much better than he had hoped when he initially brought the team together. They complimented each other well, especially in the field, and actually liked one another. It saved Crawford the headache of endless and useless speeches. Asking Schuldig to behave himself was as good as a neon sign pointing out Crawford's buttons, highlighting which ones to push and how hard.

Crawford silently turned and headed for his own room. He paused just outside Schuldig's door. As tempted as he was to stop, he refrained from it, continuing down the hallway. There was only one reason he wanted to see the redhead off and that could possibly distract Schuldig from his mission. With a quiet sigh, Crawford clear it from his mind and put himself back to task.

Breakfast and then answers.

[Crawford out]