Sixth little lie ♰ 'Cause the devil works quick, you know it don't take long

[beingdifferent]

(CW: gore)

Who did this?

[Today you don't get charm, Barge, you're in for something completely different. Esther's standing on the deck, eyebrows knit, mouth a thin line, looking troubled. The reason why becomes apparent when she swings her communicator around and captures an image of something becoming increasingly common on the Barge: a bloodied corpse, this one of one Hannibal Lecter. That in and of itself isn't so strange, and even a young murderess is clever enough to pick up on that. The strange part is that this death was obviously not due to a human attack; the claw and bite marks attest to that.]

This is the man everyone is angry with. Someone set a dog upon him, right? [She doesn't sound disturbed so much as disapproving, and the feed swings back to capture her face still wearing that frown.]

…A warden will need to bring him to the hospital. [By which she means infirmary.] I'm not going to stay here alone.

Comments

spam;

[lastrat]

[It could be anything, from OCD to PTSD - but Bond sees less than an inch under the ribbon. He sees the edge of a scar, and he knows. She was aged down during that flood. She's not what she presents herself as.

She's absolutely the girl who tried to gut him.

His hand tightens, briefly, squeezes hard because she's no little girl and she knows what she's done--

But the hears another voice, and abruptly lets her go, looking toward the stairs as Harvey comes running. He never fully takes his eyes off Esther.

He doesn't apologize, either, just levels a look on her, however brief, before the other man arrives. He knows.]

spam; (cw: implication of child abuse)

[beingdifferent]

[He grips her hand tighter and she begins to claw her nails into his hand, stopping cold as soon as Harvey shouts her name. For one brief hate-filled moment she glares into Bond's eyes, then bursts into angry tears and runs to Harvey's side, grabbing for his hand.]

I don't like it!

spam;

[halftheman]

[ Harvey is quick to catch catch her hands, before she impacts with him as he comes quick, grinding to a halt with her before him. ]

The hell is going on?

[ Gloved hand in Esther's, he holds tight to her, giving a look down to her and then up to Bond. Well, Warden: he's waiting for an explanation there, and he's bristling to beat one out of him. Kids aren't off limits to Two-Face, but Harvey has issues where Boy Hostages and others like them are concerned. ]

spam;

[lastrat]

[His eyes narrow fractionally at her, annoyance with the facade coming through. Harvey earns a sharp glance, and James shifts subtly to roll out his shoulder, just in case. He's not looking for another fight, but given Two-Face's penchant for violence, it can't hurt to be ready.

It never hurts to be ready.]

I was going to take her to the mess, for a drink. [He lies easily. Always does.] I suppose she doesn't like cocoa. [He owes Harvey nothing. There are others more in need of a warning.]

spam;

[beingdifferent]

[The facade was real enough to make Bond doubt his own suspicions and it's back up now, Esther every inch the injured little girl. She shuffles half-behind Harvey, holding his hand tight, and sniffles pathetically.]

Don't touch me.

spam;

[halftheman]

Sure you were.

[ Harvey's had his own thoughts on Esther-- but for the moment, solidarity with another inmate before a warden he doesn't like is the foremost concern. If she is a child, then they'll handle it. If she's not -- well, he's not going to cry too hard about it. ]

I got it from here, I think.

spam;

[lastrat]

[It's all he can do to keep his lip from curling in a sneer, disgust rising. He sees the game she's playing, knows this could look very ugly for him if she played it harder.

Instead, he lifts both his shoulders in a nonchalant shrug.]

By all means.

[It's a drawl, arrogant, a little angry, a little satisfied. He has proof enough for himself.]

spam;

[beingdifferent]

[It's a trump card, one she's very good at playing, and she's looking for his disgust with hateful eyes. She grips Harvey's hand tighter, staring at Bond through tears.

She's already scheming how to best rid herself of him.]

spam;

[halftheman]

I think we can take it from here, Bond.

[ He puts a hand to her shoulder to nudge her, gentle. ]

Come, Esther. I still have some of the cookies Anya made. You can have one.

spam;

[lastrat]

[He gestures for them to go on ahead of him, more emphatically than he would normally. It feels a little absurd, that he has to be so careful not to glare at this girl. She's what, eight? Nine? No - she says she is. But it's not so difficult to act like a little girl, is it, no - not when there are people ready to run to the rescue.

He's disgusted, but willing to wait. If she gutted him at - Christ, how is he supposed to sort out how old she is? - as a child, maybe she's more restrained, now. He can wait it out.

He's certainly not concerned for Dent's safety.]