animus_network | Second Duel (Forward dated to late Saturday morning)

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[au3] margulis

Second Duel (Forward dated to late Saturday morning)

*It's Margulis' first appearance on the network, and...well, he looks horrible. He looks like he's barely slept in days and he looks almost sickly pale, except for where he skin is inflamed red from the cold. His scar is an angry red line down the side of his face and it doesn't take a doctor to figure out that it has to be causing him pain. It's no wonder he looks somewhat annoyed, right?*

I hadn't thought you the sort of coward who would leave a message and then refuse to show his face, Jin Uzuki. Or have your scant manners finally failed you completely?

More generally, I've been indisposed for the past two days. If anything of note has happened in that time, I'm interested in hearing about it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You don't have to explain that to me. I'm beginning to learn what to expect, but it's still no less unusual.

This entire situation is unusual.

I would think that that much goes without saying.

It does yes.

But the multiple universes aspect adds an extra level of uncertainty. If you're not connected to U-TIC, are you affiliated with the Foundation instead?

I'm not affiliated with anyone these days. I have a very minor connection with Vector but nothing worth mentioning.

I find it hard to believe you're keeping your nose entirely out of things, Uzuki.

Only if I'm ordered to be nosy, colonel. Otherwise, I stay as far away from most events as possible.

After that quiet life you used to go on about? As if you wouldn't be drawn back into the center of things.

[Oh Margulis, you have no idea.]

Is something wrong with peace and quiet?

[Which he gets none of lately.]

It doesn't suit people like us. Or would you really allow your skills to go to rust?

My skills have hardly rusted over the years, colonel. I can assure you of that.

I would invite you to prove it, but even I can't deny that I'm not at my best at present.

*He idly reaches up and rubs at his scar, trying to warm it up as well as he can without burning energy in an Ether. He's definitely been in worse pain before, but he is getting fed up with it.*

I imagine the current circumstances make it uncomfortable for you.

[Maybe he'd leave a ski mask or something in Margulis' room later. Or not. He really doesn't know if he wants to be that helpful yet.]

Regardless, I'm not sure I would accept the invitation.

*What. That's...more than unusual.*

It isn't like you to refuse a challenge.

[How to say this without sounding conceited or sounding like an asshole... Actually, he's not sure there is a way. Well, he could dull it. A bit.]

I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to cause me much harm.

*Oh no you did not.*

I don't know what the version of me in your universe is like, but you shouldn't underestimate me. I've always been more than your match.

[Yes he did.]

He is a competent swordsman, as I'm sure you are. Unfortunately, this is one Uzuki that you will be incapable of defeating.

[Except that one time that this other Margulis did.]

And yet you would refuse to prove it. That doesn't improve your credibility.

I have my reasons for that, colonel. None of which I feel like explaining.

*He narrows his eyes at that.*

You're doing a poor job of hiding something, Uzuki.

And yet you still don't know what it may or may not be. And I won't be explaining anytime soon.

*He glares for a moment longer, then actually backs of.*

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you're unwilling to trust me, given the circumstances. After all, our relationship was probably even more adversarial in your universe than it was in mine.

It may have been. It's been years since I've seen my version of you.

Another time discrepancy?

Second Duel (Forward dated to late Saturday morning)

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