[Rafael says so simply, without insult, taking a cautious sip of his own. Wine isn't to his preference to begin with, but he's had enough of it to know when something is wine and when it isn't.
And then he blinks at her, genuine confusion flitting over his features.]
He's not my prisoner, I don't have the authority to release him, and he's a criminal. I'm not dropping the charges, he deserves to pay for his crimes. And if you're confessing to multiple counts of murder to a US prosecutor, then so do you.
[Witch smitch, she seems to have pressed a button. Rafael glares at her, setting the glass down so he can resume plan A: call the cops. He is very dedicated to justice. Isn't it cute? It's so cute.]
But also extremely foolish. Her chair scrapes on the floor and clatters before it settles as she jumps up to snatch up his wrist the moment he goes for the phone. But although it might seem she's worried, she laughs.]
I don't think you really understand, Mr. Barba! First of all, he will certainly pay. But more importantly for you right now, you can't bring me in even if I confess to a thousand crimes.
[He doesn't trust easily, and he doesn't like being touched by those he doesn't trust. Rafael immediately tries to snatch his hand away as though her touch is like a hot stove, but when he finds her grip far stronger than expected, he immediately ceases to struggle.
Some behaviors are so deeply ingrained that he can't shake them no matter how much he distances himself from an abusive childhood.]
I said you deserve to, not that I expect you're going to.
[He hates her a little for it, but on some level he understands that she's an entity that can't be held in a steel box to account for her crimes.]
[It's amazing what a little politeness can achieve, he supposes, though the thought is sarcastic. Still, he has taken the hint, and doesn't reach for his phone again. Fast learner.]
Then let me do my job instead of hindering me. Thanks to you, this is significantly more difficult than it would have been otherwise.
[And obviously hers matter more. But he would be right in thinking his witnesses aren't all that meets the eye.]
But I think you know the reason I killed those four. Didn't you hear about how he summoned a witch...? He wanted them gone, he needed someone to do it.
[This is getting into territory he isn't comfortable with, and whether or not Rafael believes in witches, or did before this evening, he's still perfectly well aware that she's dangerous in a way as of yet impossible to explain. So he doesn't tell her to her face that witches don't exist. He doesn't deny what's right in front of him.
So he turns the conversation back to what is familiar and safe instead.]
Okay, setting all of that aside, I still don't understand why you're involving me. I've already told you, I can't drop the case. If I let it go, the feds will pick it up. It's not my call. So what do you want from me?
I want your help. I need for you not to drop the case, but to release him. No, it doesn't even need to be a release, just away from all those prying eyes with guns.
Or maybe you could just give me a name of a crooked cop who will cooperate. Someone a little trigger-happy?
[Okay she didn't really think that would work but, you know, gotta check anyway.]
I see, I see. Do you think you can prosecute that man properly, without your witnesses? It's going to become an awfully circumstantial case. And yet, there's no doubt he's committed audacious, disturbing crimes.
[He doesn't trust her face, or her heart either. You know what he does trust? HIS PHONE. It doesn't matter if she grabs his hand before he touches it if he uses the voice command feature. Lucky for him he's such a fast and concise speaker.]
Okay, Google. Text Liv. Put remaining witnesses under 24-7 surveillance.
W-well. I am still perfectly capable of having you killed. Will you be mocking me then? You forget we're perfectly alone here.
[Ugh this is awful. But she still needs to be the tough, cool witch. Yeah... Ugh but she just can't help herself, she gets so riled up, all she wants is to have a downright tantrum over things not going her way.]
[What did she set all this creepy stuff up for if he's just going to be a total jerk like this, huh?! Humans are so annoying, so annoying. Unable to deal with her annoyance, she stands and turns her back to him, pacing the room with her heels clicking on the floor. Of course, that also isn't an easy thing to do in a ballgown in an apartment. So her dress catches on a chair and starts dragging it with her, which frustrates her all the more until all she can do is stamp her foot and push it over.
Your human world, American law. This man needs to be brought to justice in the world of witches too. "What is truth", do you blindly believe only in your own justice system? Isn't that awfully pedantic?
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[After a sip of wine, she leans an elbow on the table, chin in her hand.]
To be entirely blunt, I want you to give him to me.
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[Rafael says so simply, without insult, taking a cautious sip of his own. Wine isn't to his preference to begin with, but he's had enough of it to know when something is wine and when it isn't.
And then he blinks at her, genuine confusion flitting over his features.]
Excuse me?
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I want your prisoner. Until you give him up to me, your witnesses are going to keep dying. It's quite simple, really.
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[Witch smitch, she seems to have pressed a button. Rafael glares at her, setting the glass down so he can resume plan A: call the cops. He is very dedicated to justice. Isn't it cute? It's so cute.]
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But also extremely foolish. Her chair scrapes on the floor and clatters before it settles as she jumps up to snatch up his wrist the moment he goes for the phone. But although it might seem she's worried, she laughs.]
I don't think you really understand, Mr. Barba! First of all, he will certainly pay. But more importantly for you right now, you can't bring me in even if I confess to a thousand crimes.
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Some behaviors are so deeply ingrained that he can't shake them no matter how much he distances himself from an abusive childhood.]
I said you deserve to, not that I expect you're going to.
[He hates her a little for it, but on some level he understands that she's an entity that can't be held in a steel box to account for her crimes.]
Let go of me, please.
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[She releases him without a smile, hopping up onto the table to sit sideways, feet and skirts dangling.]
You see, I think criminals deserve to be punished too.
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Then let me do my job instead of hindering me. Thanks to you, this is significantly more difficult than it would have been otherwise.
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[Still she smiles, but the witch's tone is firm.]
No, it would be better to say I hold the rights to that man's body and soul. It's my legal right to perform his punishment.
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[He sounds nonplussed. Almost bored.]
And in any case, if that's all you want I don't understand why you haven't just murdered him instead of four innocent people.
[Obviously she has the means. It makes Rafael wonder how innocent his lost witnesses truly were.]
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[And obviously hers matter more. But he would be right in thinking his witnesses aren't all that meets the eye.]
But I think you know the reason I killed those four. Didn't you hear about how he summoned a witch...? He wanted them gone, he needed someone to do it.
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So he turns the conversation back to what is familiar and safe instead.]
Okay, setting all of that aside, I still don't understand why you're involving me. I've already told you, I can't drop the case. If I let it go, the feds will pick it up. It's not my call. So what do you want from me?
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Or maybe you could just give me a name of a crooked cop who will cooperate. Someone a little trigger-happy?
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[He's almost stunned she has the audacity to ask.]
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I see, I see. Do you think you can prosecute that man properly, without your witnesses? It's going to become an awfully circumstantial case. And yet, there's no doubt he's committed audacious, disturbing crimes.
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Except that you've shown your hand and now I know what to do to keep you from killing them. Thank you.
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ahaha.wav, her heart says]
Whaaa-at? That isn't fair! That was off the record!
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Okay, Google. Text Liv. Put remaining witnesses under 24-7 surveillance.
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Wh-- no, you're not allowed to do that!! I-if you do, I'll just kill you too! And the guards, and this Liv!
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And if it were all that simple you'd have killed the one man you claim you want to and have been done with it. Are we done?
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W-well. I am still perfectly capable of having you killed. Will you be mocking me then? You forget we're perfectly alone here.
[Ugh this is awful. But she still needs to be the tough, cool witch. Yeah... Ugh but she just can't help herself, she gets so riled up, all she wants is to have a downright tantrum over things not going her way.]
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[If he's murdered right after sending a text like that? The man she's after won't even be able to take a piss with some privacy.]
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[What did she set all this creepy stuff up for if he's just going to be a total jerk like this, huh?! Humans are so annoying, so annoying. Unable to deal with her annoyance, she stands and turns her back to him, pacing the room with her heels clicking on the floor. Of course, that also isn't an easy thing to do in a ballgown in an apartment. So her dress catches on a chair and starts dragging it with her, which frustrates her all the more until all she can do is stamp her foot and push it over.
Elegant, scary witch, big titty baby, whatever]
But you recognise that I am not of this world!
[That counts for something...!!]
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So? I don't care what world you're from, I'm not helping you break the law.
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