[Abbacchio sighs and takes a drink again, closing his eyes as he considers.]
I have an ability that'll let me repeat the actions of a person from the past. Think of it as like a security camera, I guess. Only, not everyone can see it.
Would've been easier if you saw it, but no big deal that you can't. What I'm saying is that it lets me determine if someone really did commit a crime or not. Since that's so important to you.
That... really was too bad. An ability like that would have come in great handy, for a lot of reasons, not just to weed out the truly innocent from the truly wicked.
Lio met Abbacchio's eyes with determination, though, a fire behind them.]
It isn't just innocence I'm worried about. I'm not an innocent person. It's righteousness, as well. Who gets to decide what's legal or criminal? What are people willing to do to fight back against a system that sets them up to suffer? If I were simply worried about whether or not a crime had been committed, I would have sought to join the Moon Knights.
I imagine you must see that to some degree, if you're also willing to work outside the scope of the law.
[Abbacchio stares back, his expression more exhausted than inspired. It was people like Lio that people would follow, wasn't it? Not unlike Giorno. Them and their fucking dreams. It must be nice to accomplish something, anything. Not fuck it up halfway through.]
Who's to say anyone's suffering needlessly?
I'll give you some homework if you're so damned worried. Study the law of this place. The Moon Knights aren't perfect, but they're cleaner than most law enforcement I've witnessed in my life.
Frankly, I don't know if you're cut out to be an investigator or if you should just be a lawyer, though.
[Lio wasn't a fan of that answer, and it was written plain as day on his face. That was it, then? His own convictions, his wariness of law enforcement, had screwed him out of his chances?
Fuck that.
Lio knew getting angry wasn't going to help him, but he wasn't going to back down that easily. He stood his ground, fiercely.]
I'm not ignorant. I know there are systems in place for people to crawl their way back out of The Lightless, but what exactly do you think the success rates for rehabilitation are? If the Moon Knights aren't corrupt, or if I'm being generous and assuming they aren't incompetent, then that only leaves the option that they're not doing enough.
And the rumors are pretty clear about what's happening to the people failing to be rehabilitated.
[Lio stepped up to Abbacchio, rising to his full height. It wasn't impressive, not by a long shot, but he was used to putting on a commandeering air, regardless of his size.]
So let's look at this another way. I know what it's like, to do dealings with criminals, and I know what it's like, to see vulnerable people be swayed by forces that want nothing more than to exploit them. And I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty if it means keeping others from walking down that road. You want an investigator who can get dirt on mobsters and terrorists? You aren't going to find much better than the leader of Mad Burnish.
[The kid is short, that's for sure, but he carries a weight to himself. A determination that he respects and despises. He wishes this wasn't happening right now.
The ring on his finger feels too tight.]
Mad Burnish, huh. That's fucking stupid.
[But anyway:] I was part of the mafia for awhile. I'm pretty familiar with both sides of the law. The police, and the underbelly.
You got ideals, and you're stubborn as hell. That can get you far, or you can just keep hitting a stone wall and never get anywhere. But this job isn't going to be all glamour, or even accomplish all that you want. You might even get shit jobs like fetching a dog out of a well. Can you live with that?
[Lio bristled at the insult to his group - to his family. But he wasn't going to let it show any more than a trembling of his fingers, and a slight clench in his jaw. He knew that the name didn't mean anything outside of his own world, and he knew that accepting this job meant, painfully, that he wasn't going to be the 'boss' of anyone again any time soon.
But stubborn was his middle name.]
Back home, I was in charge of a settlement for refugees. It took me nearly a decade to establish it, along with near endless blood, sweat, and tears. You really think I care about glamour, or quick results, especially after I offered to work for free? You can send me digging through literal shit, and I won't bat an eye. All I care about is the chance to make a difference. If I fuck up after that point, that's entirely on me.
I... thanks. This probably isn't a great time to mention I've never had a real job before, is it? But I'm not about to lie, either. Whatever you need me to do, I'll learn, even if it's just tedious busy work.
Don't worry about it. You look on the young side, so I assumed this was a first go for you anyway.
I don't have any cases right now, but next one I go on, you come with me so you get an idea of what I want to do. After we establish ourselves, we can maybe get with the Moon Knights to get to where you want to go.
Just remember something, Lio. Not everyone deserves forgiveness, or a chance at rehabilitation. There are some evil fuckers out there, and they'd take someone's generosity for granted.
... I'm at least 21. [His expression was a little annoyed, but mostly just tired. He was used to being called a kid, and sure, he was pretty young for a so-called terrorist, but the condescending attitude he got from people just cause he looked on the young side was frustrating sometimes.] Lost track of my age, when some years in my teens blurred together, but I'm not lacking in experience because I'm young. I was just on the run for a long time.
So believe me when I say I'm not naive. I won't kill without reason, but there's at least one man from my world that, were he to ever show his face here, would be the exception to my rule. For all that he's done, he does not deserve forgiveness.
[A bit stiff, but still wanting to show respect to his new boss, Lio held out his hand to shake Abbacchio's.]
Are you fucking serious. [Because Abbacchio is only a year older than Lio. Why does he have such a babyface why is so short oh my god help] I'd normally ask about that, but this isn't the time or place. [Mostly because he's too drunk and sad.]
Nah. I get that. There's a short list of people I have that I'd say the same for. So long as we're on the same page, then I get it.
[Despite everything, Abbacchio does take Lio's hand, giving it a firm shake.]
Hopefully you won't be a pain in the ass. [That, at least, is said more wryly now.]
[Malnutrition in his developing years? Genetics? Probably something like that. He let out a subtle sigh.] I get that a lot. And don't worry, I'll tell you about it in due time. I don't have anything to hide.
[And, yeah, despite everything, Lio does smile at that wry comment.]
I won't make any promises, but I'll at least make a considerable effort. Don't forget to introduce me to your partner - Valentine, was it? I hope she doesn't think I'm a pain in the ass, too.
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no subject
[Abbacchio sighs and takes a drink again, closing his eyes as he considers.]
I have an ability that'll let me repeat the actions of a person from the past. Think of it as like a security camera, I guess. Only, not everyone can see it.
Would've been easier if you saw it, but no big deal that you can't. What I'm saying is that it lets me determine if someone really did commit a crime or not. Since that's so important to you.
no subject
That... really was too bad. An ability like that would have come in great handy, for a lot of reasons, not just to weed out the truly innocent from the truly wicked.
Lio met Abbacchio's eyes with determination, though, a fire behind them.]
It isn't just innocence I'm worried about. I'm not an innocent person. It's righteousness, as well. Who gets to decide what's legal or criminal? What are people willing to do to fight back against a system that sets them up to suffer? If I were simply worried about whether or not a crime had been committed, I would have sought to join the Moon Knights.
I imagine you must see that to some degree, if you're also willing to work outside the scope of the law.
no subject
Who's to say anyone's suffering needlessly?
I'll give you some homework if you're so damned worried. Study the law of this place. The Moon Knights aren't perfect, but they're cleaner than most law enforcement I've witnessed in my life.
Frankly, I don't know if you're cut out to be an investigator or if you should just be a lawyer, though.
no subject
Fuck that.
Lio knew getting angry wasn't going to help him, but he wasn't going to back down that easily. He stood his ground, fiercely.]
I'm not ignorant. I know there are systems in place for people to crawl their way back out of The Lightless, but what exactly do you think the success rates for rehabilitation are? If the Moon Knights aren't corrupt, or if I'm being generous and assuming they aren't incompetent, then that only leaves the option that they're not doing enough.
And the rumors are pretty clear about what's happening to the people failing to be rehabilitated.
[Lio stepped up to Abbacchio, rising to his full height. It wasn't impressive, not by a long shot, but he was used to putting on a commandeering air, regardless of his size.]
So let's look at this another way. I know what it's like, to do dealings with criminals, and I know what it's like, to see vulnerable people be swayed by forces that want nothing more than to exploit them. And I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty if it means keeping others from walking down that road. You want an investigator who can get dirt on mobsters and terrorists? You aren't going to find much better than the leader of Mad Burnish.
no subject
[The kid is short, that's for sure, but he carries a weight to himself. A determination that he respects and despises. He wishes this wasn't happening right now.
The ring on his finger feels too tight.]
Mad Burnish, huh. That's fucking stupid.
[But anyway:] I was part of the mafia for awhile. I'm pretty familiar with both sides of the law. The police, and the underbelly.
You got ideals, and you're stubborn as hell. That can get you far, or you can just keep hitting a stone wall and never get anywhere. But this job isn't going to be all glamour, or even accomplish all that you want. You might even get shit jobs like fetching a dog out of a well. Can you live with that?
no subject
But stubborn was his middle name.]
Back home, I was in charge of a settlement for refugees. It took me nearly a decade to establish it, along with near endless blood, sweat, and tears. You really think I care about glamour, or quick results, especially after I offered to work for free? You can send me digging through literal shit, and I won't bat an eye. All I care about is the chance to make a difference. If I fuck up after that point, that's entirely on me.
no subject
[The wine bottle, now mostly empty, is placed onto the desk.]
Just don't expect to get the results you want right off, that's all. I'll pay you what I can, and it's gonna be a fair wage, got it?
no subject
You're hiring me?
no subject
...And I guess that should be good enough for me, too.
no subject
[God at least he hoped he wouldn't.]
I... thanks. This probably isn't a great time to mention I've never had a real job before, is it? But I'm not about to lie, either. Whatever you need me to do, I'll learn, even if it's just tedious busy work.
no subject
I don't have any cases right now, but next one I go on, you come with me so you get an idea of what I want to do. After we establish ourselves, we can maybe get with the Moon Knights to get to where you want to go.
Just remember something, Lio. Not everyone deserves forgiveness, or a chance at rehabilitation. There are some evil fuckers out there, and they'd take someone's generosity for granted.
no subject
So believe me when I say I'm not naive. I won't kill without reason, but there's at least one man from my world that, were he to ever show his face here, would be the exception to my rule. For all that he's done, he does not deserve forgiveness.
[A bit stiff, but still wanting to show respect to his new boss, Lio held out his hand to shake Abbacchio's.]
I look forward to working with you, genuinely.
no subject
Nah. I get that. There's a short list of people I have that I'd say the same for. So long as we're on the same page, then I get it.
[Despite everything, Abbacchio does take Lio's hand, giving it a firm shake.]
Hopefully you won't be a pain in the ass. [That, at least, is said more wryly now.]
no subject
[And, yeah, despite everything, Lio does smile at that wry comment.]
I won't make any promises, but I'll at least make a considerable effort. Don't forget to introduce me to your partner - Valentine, was it? I hope she doesn't think I'm a pain in the ass, too.
no subject
I'll give her a heads up about you.