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@emily-waldorf also, Basil’s reveal was after Klein spoke – he was mainly just reacting to Klein revealing himself as a super-soldier 🙂

Basil:

“That was extremely disappointing,” a dry, metallic chuckle echoed between the walls.  “You are all so kind; so trusting. So…forgiving!  This next one should cure you of that.”  A thin hush fell over the tunnel.

“Assassins, three–or should I say five? Klein and Basil surprised me by classing themselves with the other assassins.  I would have classed them as weapons…biologically enhanced, and all.”  A chill shot through Basil’s heart, a phantom reminder of the energy pulsing just beneath his ribs.  Not just biologically enhanced… “Anyway, moving on.

Assassins, three.

Weapons, two.

Murderers, two.”

Oh, same difference.  Aren’t assassins just glorified murderers anyways?

“Yila–the Shadow.”  Niarok’s sister…well how’s Niarok any different?  He’s an assassin –

“Quin Lieland Miller!”  Who?  Basil whipped around as someone choked behind him.  The boy with the crutches crumpled to the ground, knuckles bleached as his fingers gripped the rough stone.  A shudder racked his thin frame as he gasped.  Basil tilted his head.  Him?  He’s way too small and timid.  Liar.  Liar liar li – 

“Liar!” Basil stopped short, listening to the thin hiss of his breath in the dank air.  He stalked over to the boy and yanked back his shoulder.  “Stop it!” he yelled.  “You’re not going to listen to it, are you?  Don’t you know it’s lying?”  Quin choked, gazing up at him in terror.  A sharp pain suddenly shot through Basil’s chest, like an old wound tearing again in his scarred lungs.  His eyes shot open, his throat tightening with sudden panic.  What’s this? 

It’s been years since I last felt that. 

His breath caught as he slowly met Quin’s gaze, his eyes dilated with terror.

Fear.

For the first time, a person just as scared and utterly alone as himself.

Quin’s shirt was rough between his fingers, and yet soft – like old fabric.  Basil released his grip.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered.  He looked away, his shoulders suddenly dropping as the tension in his body finally broke.  “I am so, so sorry.”  His gaze flickered as he slowly risked another glance at Quin.  “But I don’t believe you’re a murderer.”  He sniffed.  “Yila?  That’s no surprise.  She always looks like she wants to kill someone.  But I don’t believe that you murdered anyone.”  Basil crossed his arms.  “You need actual malice to be a murderer.  Besides, you’re too timid.  You probably don’t even kill spiders, do you?”  He sighed, his breath escaping in ragged shreds.

That doesn’t feel right, either.  Something sounds…wrong.

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Well that got off to a rough start.  I’m sorry, Quin 🙁

Also, I don’t even think Basil kills spiders himself lol

This might be a little inconsistent, since I’m really messing around with Basil’s canon role in the story.  Also it’s kind of late when I’m writing this, so certain parts might not make much sense lol

@emily-waldorf I’m interested to see where this will go!