[ why would Ocelot give him a gift? well, isn't that a mystery for the years. maybe it was because he genuinely respected the other man. maybe it was because there was something about 76 that couldn't help but entertain him. and maybe it was because he just couldn't stop being reminded of an old friend.
no matter what it was, he was fond enough of him, in his own strange way. and since he'd learned the man's name in such an unsatisfying way, he really couldn't help but feel like somehow he owed him.
so instead of his usual dancing around questions, he actually gives Jack a straight answer. ]
Adam.
Don't go spreading it around. It's a little too biblical for my tastes.
[ 76 honestly hadn't been expecting such a straightforward answer. He'd figured that Ocelot would dance around the question, dangling the truth of his real name out of reach. When 76 thinks on it, though, for all that Ocelot seems to like his secrets, he's been straightforward with him when he asks a direct question.
Adam. It's simple, unremarkable. Just like Jack, if more biblical.
Why Ocelot has told him this now, 76 doesn't comprehend. But it feels like an olive branch of sorts (speaking of biblical). ]
I'll stick to Ocelot, don't worry. So, why the gift?
[ He understands the purpose of it; he doesn't understand why Ocelot went out of his way to give it to him. ]
[ funny how this seemed to go. he supposes that eventually he'll have to mention to 76 that he should make sure his friends are a little more careful with who they tell his name to, but for the time being, that could wait
as to why he gave him a gift? ]
Why not?
[ and see, there is the Ocelot that Jack has come to know and love (?). the truth? it was new year's, after all. why not give a "friend" in need a present? ]
[ 76 can't say that they've ever established themselves as "friends." Allies, maybe, but even that might be too generous. They've shared information with each other as their time on El Nysa has grown, and they have an understanding, but the gift seems to cross a different sort of line. ]
That money could have been used for something else, I'm sure.
[ Always the practical one, but there's an implication there too. Did Ocelot do this so that 76 will feel like he owes him one, in the future? It feels like there must be strings attached. ]
[ of course 76 is suspicious. was the situation reversed, Ocelot would probably be too. but, there was just something about him that he couldn't help but admire. and sure, maybe he'd want a favour in the future, but he didn't expect to get one for a gift of all things.
but of course, he wasn't going to say that. ]
I make plenty. Never cared all that much about money.
[ something else that was the truth. ]
I figured you could use something that keeps you blended in with the Wyver jungle.
[ since he's definitely been there a few times. and besides, he knows that the man will have use for it, whether he tells him or not. ]
[ The problem isn't knowing how to put the gift to use. 76 can already think of ways that it would come in handy, and he'll be holding onto it in case such an occasion comes up. Does he trust Ocelot when he insists that this is a gift simply for the sake of being a gift, with nothing more to it?
Well, it doesn't seem to matter. The gift has already been given. He'll have to wait and see if it ends up biting him in the ass later. ]
I'm sure I can make use of it, yeah. So how are you making your silver these days?
[ To some extent, Ocelot will always be a bit of an enigma, not that 76 can talk. ]
[ so suspicious, Jack. if Ocelot really wanted something from the other man, he certainly wouldn't need the excuse of a gift.
but as for jobs... ]
Oh, this and that.
[ this really was becoming a routine between the two of them, wasn't it? ]
Still with the Guard up in Olympia. Picked up another small job on the side, with our mutual "friend". I figured I'd keep an eye on him, get into his good books, so to speak. He knows a lot more than he's letting on.
[ So Ocelot is double-dipping. Not that 76 is surprised. He's made it clear that he wants to keep track of everything that goes on, whether in Olympia or Wyver, and taking work from Cree would be a good way to do that. ]
It's not a bad idea. Just keep your wits about you. He probably won't hesitate to use you, too.
[ 76 hasn't made any secret of the fact that he's no fan of Cree. He won't mind having an ally who's trying to figure him out from the inside, though. ]
I assume if you learn anything, you'll pass it along.
[ Never in this relationship had 76 expected to get anything for free. He has no problem with an equal exchange of information, that's always been how it worked. Which is why the New Year's gift had felt so random. ]
I'm planning to keep an eye on him from more of a distance, but I'll make sure to let you know if I come across anything interesting.
[ This is probably the part where he should thank Ocelot for the gift, so... ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
no matter what it was, he was fond enough of him, in his own strange way. and since he'd learned the man's name in such an unsatisfying way, he really couldn't help but feel like somehow he owed him.
so instead of his usual dancing around questions, he actually gives Jack a straight answer. ]
Adam.
Don't go spreading it around. It's a little too biblical for my tastes.
[ mostly. ]
no subject
Adam. It's simple, unremarkable. Just like Jack, if more biblical.
Why Ocelot has told him this now, 76 doesn't comprehend. But it feels like an olive branch of sorts (speaking of biblical). ]
I'll stick to Ocelot, don't worry. So, why the gift?
[ He understands the purpose of it; he doesn't understand why Ocelot went out of his way to give it to him. ]
no subject
as to why he gave him a gift? ]
Why not?
[ and see, there is the Ocelot that Jack has come to know and love (?). the truth? it was new year's, after all. why not give a "friend" in need a present? ]
no subject
That money could have been used for something else, I'm sure.
[ Always the practical one, but there's an implication there too. Did Ocelot do this so that 76 will feel like he owes him one, in the future? It feels like there must be strings attached. ]
no subject
but of course, he wasn't going to say that. ]
I make plenty. Never cared all that much about money.
[ something else that was the truth. ]
I figured you could use something that keeps you blended in with the Wyver jungle.
[ since he's definitely been there a few times. and besides, he knows that the man will have use for it, whether he tells him or not. ]
no subject
Well, it doesn't seem to matter. The gift has already been given. He'll have to wait and see if it ends up biting him in the ass later. ]
I'm sure I can make use of it, yeah. So how are you making your silver these days?
[ To some extent, Ocelot will always be a bit of an enigma, not that 76 can talk. ]
no subject
but as for jobs... ]
Oh, this and that.
[ this really was becoming a routine between the two of them, wasn't it? ]
Still with the Guard up in Olympia. Picked up another small job on the side, with our mutual "friend". I figured I'd keep an eye on him, get into his good books, so to speak. He knows a lot more than he's letting on.
[ you know who he's talking about. ]
no subject
It's not a bad idea. Just keep your wits about you. He probably won't hesitate to use you, too.
[ 76 hasn't made any secret of the fact that he's no fan of Cree. He won't mind having an ally who's trying to figure him out from the inside, though. ]
I assume if you learn anything, you'll pass it along.
no subject
Concerned about me? I'm flattered. But, don't worry. I'd be disappointed if he didn't try to.
[ 76 knows one of his hobbies is "international espionage". this was definitely right up that alley, after all. ]
And when I find out something, you'll be at the top of my list, so long as you do the same.
[ while he likes Jack, turnabout is fair play. ]
no subject
I'm planning to keep an eye on him from more of a distance, but I'll make sure to let you know if I come across anything interesting.
[ This is probably the part where he should thank Ocelot for the gift, so... ]
Your gift will be put to good use.
no subject
That's all I wanted to hear.
[ make good use of the gift,
senpai Jack. ]