Chapter Text
Loveshot had been wandering in the forest behind Grandma's Backyard, after having been in a round with Pursuer. She walks quietly, gun in hand, just in case she were to run into something (or someone) dangerous. Nothing but trees, Loveshot would think.
Stopping suddenly, Loveshot raises her gun. She'd heard movement, not knowing if it was a Civilian like herself or a Killer. And who she would find, she doesn't know what they are anymore. A man, for sure, leaning against a tree seemingly injured. Black waistcoat, white shirt, that long brimmed hat..
That got had to be Artful.
Loveshot was unsure wether to let herself be known, he might attack her, though judging by how he's leaning against the tree, it seems he doesn't have the strength for that. And if someone is injured, it's Loveshot's job to help them. Though still cautious, she isn't taking chances.
"You, over there." Loveshot called out, gun pointed out to Artful, finger off the trigger.
"Hands where I can—... oh. Oh dear."
Loveshot found the man severely injured, blood on his arms, gashes on the skin seemingly intentional. Artful was bleeding quite badly, and he didn't want her to be here. He didn't want anyone to see him in such a state.
".. I don't want your help—" Artful tries to back away from Loveshot, but she's more than in the advantage in this situation. She noticed that his wand is basically broken, worn and bloodstained.
"I don't care what you want. You're not just going to bleed out without any consequence on what you've been doing."
Loveshot holds Artful still, grabbing her Heal Potion from her pocket with her free hand.
"Let go of me, let go right now or I-I'll.." Artful's protests stopped, not because he felt comfortable, no, but knowing that he can't get out of this.
Loveshot stopped holding him, trusting that Artful can't run away, and he can't. She bandaged him up, quickly but carefully. He'd like to think that she'd just leave him alone after this, but no.
"... Why aren't you leaving."
"So you can go off and kill more people again? I don't think so, Artful." Loveshot replied to his rather rude question.
"..."
The silence stretched between the two of them, it was clear something was up with Artful, but Loveshot didn't know what. It was weird seeing him so defeated. Seeing a Killer like this was more than odd. She thinks about what to do next, wether to bring the magician back to the bunker with her. Loveshot didn't have any better idea.
So as she thought, it wouldn't hurt to ask Artful some questions, right? Interviewing a Killer is something that Loveshot's investigation had needed. If he could tell her things about why all of his group does what they do, than something could be done about it. Or at least try.
"... Why do you kill people?"
Artful flinches at the question, not expecting Loveshot to ask him something like that.
"Well.." He was about to awnser, but he's letting his guard down too much.
"Why do you want to know, huh?" Artful was obviously upset about something, definitely, why else would he be out here bleeding out?
"If you talk I'll let you go." Loveshot offered, not generous but an offer.
"..."
Loveshot clearly wasn't getting anywhere, and Artful was probably under the assumption she would hurt him. She didn't really have a reason to, and she didn't find killing people pleasant.
"... I won't hurt you. Just talk, and you can go if you promise to stop hurting people." Loveshot offered once again, and the temptation got to Artful.
"... Fine. What do you want to know." He wasn't willing to do this, but basically held hostage, no choice or option.
"Why do you kill people?" Loveshot asked, still guarded but seemingly a bit softer.
"... Well.. I originally worked in construction, with my family. Got in an accident, picked up my old hobby of magic, and started doing shows after I got better. One thing led to another, and.. my emotions got the best of me. I didn't want to do anything to anyone." Artful reluctantly talked, though his voice shook slightly from having to recall it all.
".. There was this one person, I don't remember her name, but.. she was a big fan of mine, but she was just kid, the show that I.." Artful couldn't keep talking, starting to cry.
Loveshot looked at Artful with concern, unsure to comfort someone like him, but she's not a monster, (unlike Artful).
"... I'm sca- scared to face my actions, I'm not a good person. I-I know that. I'm a monster, I- *sniffle* I killed the only person that cared about me. She had so much to life for.."
Artful sobbed, trembling.
Loveshot sat closer to Artful, patting his back sympathetically. Nothing that he'll say will excuse his actions. But if he really didn't mean to do any of it, and he is scared, and if it affects him this much?.. then maybe he can have a second chance. Just maybe.
"... Look. I won't ask any more about you. If you can tell me about the other ones, I'll hold up my end of the offer, alright?" Loveshot says, her voice softer than usual.
".. F-Fine. What do you want to know?" Artful questioned.
"Harken, is that her name? Can you tell me why she kills people too? If I know about why each of them do what they do, I can help. Nobody is made or born to be violent without a reason." Loveshot told Artful.
"O-okay. Harken, from what I've gathered, she's scared of you guys. They aren't naturally dangerous. You guys make too much noise, it scares her. To Harken, noise means danger. I don't know why." Artful seems to be more willing to help now.
"Right." Loveshot pulls out a small brown notebook, writing down what she can remember about what Artful said about both himself and about Harken.
"Can you tell me about Pursuer?"
"He's just hungry." Artful replied, simple.
"Uh-huh.." Loveshot nods, shaking her pen to get the ink flowing more.
"Killdroid?" She asks Artful.
He thinks for a moment, not knowing much about Killdroid.
"He was made to protect you all, I think. Though, his systems are corrupted, I don't know how, but that's all I know." Artful awnsered after a long pause.
Loveshot waited a few minutes to finish writing about all of them so far.
"Now, Badware?"
"A virus? Maybe." Artful seems to know less and less about his colleagues as Loveshot asks him.
"... Right. Paranoy?"
Artful freezes when it was mentioned.
"I don't know anything about them. But them killing you is.. mercy. From what they've told me. It isn't something I talk to."
Loveshot raises an eyebrow at Artful's response, but doesn't question him anymore. She is quite thankful for his co-operation. This wasn't how Loveshot expected her Saturday to go.
"Oh, and one more thing, What's your real name?" Loveshot asks.
"... Jean. Jean Degaré Fromage. 'Artful' is my stage name from back when I—... Jean. Call me whatever you want." Artful says, only now realising he'd let his guard down.
"Thank you, Jean. Would you mind coming back to the bunker with me, as even though you've proven yourself to be maybe truthful, being alone isn't an option." Loveshot tells him, Artful looks upset.
"What—? You said that—"
"How did you get those injuries from earlier?" Loveshot's question makes him go quiet.
"... come on, we're going."
Artful didn't argue, standing up. He looked worried, as if the other Civilians would hate him. Loveshot picks up on this.
"It doesnt matter if they hate you, you're staying."