Guess Then...I Kinda Got Arrested

[assassinrue]

"If you plan on keeping us here, I'd like to be informed. Other wise this is too shady for me and I'd prefer taking the chance with my life."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Astrid gave Jonathan a pointed look, seconding that.

The young man gave a tired sigh. "I don't know." He paused, seeming to consider his next words carefully. "From what you two have told me, you don't really have anything to go back to."

Astrid narrowed her eyes. "Yeah, so?"

"So I could use some... partners." He'd been about to say friends, but, well, Jonathan didn't have friends. Not anymore.

[assassinrue]

"Partners for what?" Kendrick asked, honestly curious.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"To fight against them," Jonathan replied. "On my own I've probably been more of a nuisance than an actual force against them."

[assassinrue]

Kendrick didn't ease his stance but his voice was less accusatory. "Well being a nuisance is at least distracting them. If you've been a bother then more people could cause real problems."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Jonathan nodded. "Exactly. Which is why I need someone else on my side. Only... well, it's been hard to find more people willing to risk their lives."

"And we have no lives, is that it?" Astrid said. Then she narrowed her eyes. "Wait, more people?"

[assassinrue]

Kendrick looked between them, shaking his head. "This is crazy."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Jonathan looked away. "I'm not making you do this. It's your decision," he said, completely ignoring Astrid's second sentence.

[assassinrue]

"Who are the people?" Kendrick asked, shifting his weight uncomfortably.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Jonathan's jaw tightened. "That's not important. Not anymore, and certainly not to you."

[assassinrue]

Kendrick rolled his eyes. "Just when I think I might want to join you, you go all cryptic again. Nah."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Jonathan scowled, probably the strongest show of emotion he'd given yet. "Look, my past is my business. Nobody died, if that's what you were wondering."

[assassinrue]

Kendick leaned forward, eyes full of fire, "Death isn't what I'm worried about, I'm worried about whether or not you are a good guy and if you are fighting for the right cause."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Now full-on anger flashed in his eyes. Clearly Jonathan didn't appreciate anyone questioning his mission. "You think I'm wrong to want to bring down an organization that imprisons, enslaves, and kills people like us?"

[assassinrue]

Kendrick shrugged. "I See enough to know that sometimes the greater good creates it's own evils."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Jonathan shook his head. "Fine, whatever. I said it was your choice." He turned to look at Astrid. "How about you? Are you afraid of the so-called greater good?"

Astrid gave Kendrick and uncertain glance. It sounded dangerous, fighting some shady agency. But wasn't this what she wanted? To do something. Something worth-while, not rot away in a crappy foster home. Finally, she said, "I'm in."

[assassinrue]

Kendrick rolled his eyes, disguising the fact that this time her subtitles were clear and that he desperately felt the same, then sighed heavily. "Well, I might as well come along too"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Astrid glanced at him and her lips curled into a faint smile. "I guess we're all one big family now." It was mostly a joke, but it felt good to say it. For her to have a family, even if it was a bit unconventional.

[assassinrue]

Kendrick glanced at her and smiled a little. He couldn't remember the last time he belonged anywhere. No one wanted to hang out with a guy you could never lie to. Maybe joining this group wasn't such a bad idea.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Jonathan stood, not seeming happy so much, but... lighter. He'd spend most of his life alone, on and off, and the prospect of having someone--not really friends but perhaps allies--made life seem a little bit better. "Let's get started, then. If you two are going to help me, you have a lot to learn."