dumbshow | don't stand so close to me

Do him a favor without calling him slow, maybe- just a suggestion. Remember, Illumi's middle name is "egregious self-importance."

"It's a pain," he says, for both the eyes boring into his back and being aware of how people see him. He runs a finger around the rim of the wine glass idly, making it hum, then continues in a somewhat lighter tone. "Work aside, this party is a waste of time. I nearly felt bad for the other old man- coming with me was the most exciting part of his night."

He tilts his head slightly as if thoughtful, then shrugs. What Illumi thinks about the people he kills for money, if anything, is anyone's guess. He doesn't feel remorse - ever - and it's as if he forms no opinion at all until after he mentally classifies them as "dead," despite their actual state of life or death. Of course, his opinions are largely just detached pity, empathy-free— but it does explain why he gets so chatty about dead people.

Ah, is this what they call a hobby... A beat.

"I'm not going to drink this." The wine; holding it out. "Want it?"

Well, when it comes to other people, he is a bit slow, let's be honest. You gotta recognize your faults there too, buddy, Hisoka does. He just embraces it all.

"Probably, I'm used to being the life of the party anyway, hm~?

"I do." Takes the glass, finishing his own and then drinking down the second, having two empty glasses, one in each hand. A sigh, looking to them. "I guess we really should go, we're really just crashing now. And I wouldn't want you to bother that guy anymore, right?" A pout.

"Pity, this was all I had planned for the night then- ope!" Sets glasses on a passing tray aaand takes a third glass. "Let's go."

No way, Illumi is totally great and also right all the time. All the time. Who needs self-reflection when you are always correct? Not this guy.

He already has his eyes on the door the moment Hisoka agrees they should go; finally. Were he someone with a slightly different set of priorities, he might enjoy lingering around after the job is done- something like an ongoing game only the client is unfortunate enough to be playing with him. But. Well. He isn't; it's money, without thrill. Too bad, it might have been interesting to work an elaborate con over on a more difficult job...

"You're just crashing, you mean," he helpfully corrects. One of them actually had reason to be here, so— good job, party crasher. "How was the free food?" He glances at Hisoka grabbing the next glass before heading for the exit. The closer they are to getting out of a crowd, the heavier the pin stuck in his head seems to feel; that much nen strain was definitely unnecessary, in retrospect. This skill can be so tedious.

As they finally leave, "I'm going for a drink." A better drink, somewhere else. Sparkling wine isn't for him.

"Am I? But I'm a plus one!" Hey man, you asked him to come. "And it was all right, I've had better- same for the liquor." His eyes sparkle a little at that last comment. While Illumi was self centered, elitist, easy to read, and naive, he had good expensive tastes. All the Zoldycks seemed to. So he's sure that means quite a nice place. Usually when Illumi asks him to meet somewhere, it's always way above Hisoka's budget, not that the Hunter's license he has right now doesn't help. but he still can't be buying 60 year old scotch every time he goes out.

"You prefer to keep company then? Or should I leave you to celebrate you're never ending success alone?" Honestly, he's never sure about the answer to that question whenever he asks. He feels like he can read Illumi rather well but when it comes to illumi wanting his company? Well- the only time he knows it's a 'yes' is when he wants something from him.

That of Hisoka follows along anyway.

Crashing with permission is still crashing. Illumi didn't exactly have the authority to bring a plus one at all, but whatever- it went just fine. He waves a hand dismissively. "An assassin's plus one. Never mind, no one could tell you weren't supposed to be there." His gaze flicks to Hisoka briefly as they walk, appraising; he doesn't understand how Hisoka does it and likely never will, but he can't deny it's a talent that comes in handy. Not that he wants to replicate it for himself, no - he doesn't call Hisoka to meet him for his health. Definitely not.

But, ah, company... His mouth curves downward subtly, not quite a frown but a considering expression. This feels like a night where he can assume Hisoka will follow him even if he says no - the hair and the suit, and not nearly enough people have looked at him in it, Illumi guesses - but it also isn't a night where he needs to refuse in the first place. Sometimes he's busy, but well, that job took less than an hour.

Or, more succinctly: he sure is going to lay down the money for exorbitantly expensive liquor, so why not. He shrugs one shoulder, touching his hair where it covers the needle. "You can come. I need to get rid of this thing first, though."

"Need to? Hm? Can't handle it anymore?" He's testing him. He could just say try keeping it in, test yourself, train your endurance for keeping it in, something like that. But Illumi will most likely dismiss that as silly, why bother right? He doesn't need to, so better conserve his strength. So instead Hisoka words it differently, making it sound like he's questioning how weak the other man is.

"Should I change then, or are we going to head right there?" Yes, he looks dashing, he doesn't plan on changing either. He he does it, no one knows, how he manages to stay somehow........ charming, despite being as strange and eerie as he is- well, we can just never knows. Most of the time though, he keeps his urges inside, occasionally showing flashes of them. Otherwise?

Pretty cool as a cucumber. Confident. People like confidence, and really, he has the power to back it up, he is rather amazing.

"I hope no where too far, I really don't want to ruin this suit, I've barely gotten anything out of it." Grins, glancing down to himself and adjusting his cufflinks as he tosses his now third empty glass away as they step out. It falls to the ground behind him, breaking. "I dare say I could win over some further company tonight once you get rid of me."

Oh, okay. Be like that. Illumi's hand in his hair stills for a moment, but then he goes back to poking at the needle anyway. Hisoka might be making it sound degrading, but there's a sense to it. Objectively, he can still handle it just fine—having to is something else entirely. And expiring too much nen to prove a point is- well, silly, yeah. So, "It's just a drain on me now. And I don't like my hair short, anyway." Enjoy it while it lasts.

"Ah-" 'Too far,' about that- "Maybe I should have brought a car. It's a couple blocks..."

His attention is mostly on the needle, still, as they head up the sidewalk. The needle, and looking for a dark corner to duck into to yank it out. When he takes his hand away from his head his fingertips are clean, of course - the punctures from his needles don't bleed, as much as they are definitely needles and he definitely has a good inch and a half of one shoved into his head right now. Getting them in and out without bleeding all over or even leaving obvious marks is one element of the skill he's definitely mastered; assassin training helped.

Meanwhile, he's not interested in Hisoka's escapades, but, "You're welcome for the suit, by the way."

He should is what Hsioka is trying to say. Forcing himself to endure it so it becomes easier each time is the point. That's the only point to be proven but to an end, it'll help him hone the ability, not doing so will mean taking much longer to become good at it. But so be it, Illumi doesn't seem to enjoy listening to him for much.

"A drain? Will you be using your powers for anything else this evening?" His eyes slim, smiling wider. "Did you plan more to surprise me? Oh you scoundrel~" Chuckling to himself and swatting a hand lightly.

"MMnnn- a couple blocks." A sigh, frowning, but he shrugs up his hands. "Can't be helped, that's really not too far. And it's more time we can spend together~~~" Follows him, standing nearby and casually looking another direction.

"Hm-" Nods, closing his eyes. "Right a stickler for manners, thank you so much for the clothes and inviting me, Illumi. It's been a real treat." Tilts his head back, looking back at him and smirking. "You know how I value our time together."

Maybe when he's at home on murder mountain, but in the middle of the city he can't be bothered to stop somewhere to sleep if he overtaxes himself. They're never going to agree on his practice schedule.

To that end, a closed-off shop front provides the suitably deserted space he needs to sidestep into the alley next to it and drag the needle out of his head. He stashes it in an inside coat pocket as his hair moves of its own accord, lifting slightly before falling in a dark wave down his back.

"Much better," he says as he steps back out again. Now that that's done, he can stop blatantly ignoring... a lot of what Hisoka is going on about. He tunes back in around 'manners' and tilts his head. If asked if he actually enjoyed hanging around with Hisoka as much as he does—he would of course be obligated to say something about how he doesn't do anything that approaches enjoying being around people outside the family. However, given as much as he does, in fact, voluntarily do it...

Well, there are worse people to have this kind of arrangement with. Not that he'll say it. Assassin rule.

"You say so often enough. Sometimes it gets pretty repetitive." Y'know, because no one else talks to him- details.

Aww why not, they could get a hotel~

"Oohh-" A low whistle, brows up, eyes wide as he watches illumi's scalp twitch, his hair growing, able to hear the slight strain through the follicles in his skin should he listen close enough. Always fun to watch, always interesting. He offers a smile as Illumi steps back over to him.

"I like your hair long too, doesn't feel right without it." Aiming to try and sweep fingers through it should Illumi not pull away. But the gesture is very brief, won't linger, he'll stop at being given an inch...

"Maybe you should lead more interesting conversations then. For example, where'd and what did you have in mind for drinks?"

Okay, but he might actually draw a line at the inevitable room service and minibar bill when Hisoka takes thorough advantage of Illumi's wallet— maybe. Like, somewhere there's a line, it's just hard to find...

He does allow the touch to his hair though, in the sense that he allows it for about a second- it just so happens that he leans his head the other way around the same moment Hisoka takes back his hand. Yes, his hair is very nice, but behave.

"Scotch." Of course it's scotch- it'll be the best one, though. Speaking of repetitive. "We're going to Dark Moon, the one across from that Holden hotel. Do you know it?"

Hint: it's almost entirely purple inside.

Okay okay, they can stop at a liquor store beforehand and get some stuff so he doesn;t go overboard at the minibar and fridge, all right? He can cooperate.

Behave?

Wow, don't tell him what to do. He can behave perfectly, it was just a passing touch, he's not jumping your cock or anything. I mean- you're just a 95~ Though you really have potential, kid.

Scotch, always scotch. Scotch because Illumi's an expensive as shit date. Sushi? Fatty yellow tail and sea urchin, entre? Filet mignon. See a movie? Has to be IMAX. Sheesh. But- he'll drink scotch, sure. He'll drink whatever Illumi's buying.

"Dark- M-" A small laugh, almost scoffing. "I do." Wow.

Is 95 not great anymore? Because it still sounds great. Listen, his hair is a precious commodity and he just doesn't appreciate hands being all up in it without his permission. Explicit permission, that is - don't take a mile from that inch.

"What?" No really, this is a great place he's chosen. The black lights, the purple everything... What's not to love? "It's a nice place."

It was great for like, other people, other people great. But compared to his OWN score? He deserves to touch more hair too- but as said! He'll take the inch but he won't push for the mile, he can be patient- not that he ever thinks Illumi would let him take more than those moments.

"Sometimes you're just- amazingly transparent is all." A smirk, moving to head in that direction without another word. He really was, anything purple and- he's just won over it seems. Hisoka can't really say he's any better when it comes to certain things either.

"You've been there before then? You drinking alone- how sad."

His own score doesn't give him privilege when he's the one handing out the scores in the first place— just. Live and breathe that patience.

"Huh? Maybe I've known you for too long." He doesn't- go to pieces about purple things, how stupid would that be- look, Dark Moon has an incredible top shelf. It just happens to be fluorescent lavender.

"Still, I usually drink alone." He shrugs; what are his other options- his parents? Zoldycks do plenty of things together, but go to bars isn't one of them.

Ah huh.

Ah huh.

"Because you have no one else. What would you do without me?" Always be alone, that's what. Except for his family outings anyway, how cute.

Hisoka moves to step into the bar with ease and smirking at the insides, knowing it's right up Illumi's alley. Dark, purple, and rich rich rich. A snort as he shifts to set a hand on his hip, looking around before he moves to the light up bar sitting luxuriously under large, needle like hanging chandeliers.

"Don't tell me you shelled out money to this place?" Because seriously it's always been someone of your own wet dream, Illumi. he's been here once before and he remembers thinking it for a moment in passing. To have Illumi suggest it was just gold.

Well- Hisoka's not wrong. Still, Illumi isn't dependent on having having a social circle (any social circle at all), so he has that much going for him. "The same as I do without you now, probably."

That, and spend slightly less money. A drop in the bucket, truthfully, but less. He follows Hisoka to the bar and takes a seat, leaning an elbow on the glossy bar top. Whoever decorates this place is on the right wavelength - if he had to pick one bar to get his overpriced scotch in for the rest of his days, it would probably be this one. All the sharp angles of the furniture and deep purple color of- everything- it is more or less what he would choose, if it were up to him... Even his outfit matches right now, with the tie; not too much purple that he fades into the furniture, fortunately.

"What kind of question is that? We're nowhere near the Zoldyck estate." So like- if it were closer to murder mountain- he'll let that hang, unanswered, and order their drinks.

Hisoka would say the same if the words 'social circle' are used. Does he really have a social circle? Or is everyone treated in passing? He makes promises to himself, to others, yes, and he likes to keep them, but can anyone he keeps close be called a friend? It's hard to say- and he'd deny any attachment to those he bothers. Yet- a lack of social interactions would definitely do him in. He needs that attention, something to drive him, what is power if it's not constantly tested, if it's not put against the power of another? Losing the ability to play with others, speak to them, fight them- touch them?

He'd go insane.

But saying that is definitely a weakness. And he doesn't plan on confronting true loneliness any time soon..

"It's a joke, Illumi, this place bleeds the same blood as you." A laugh, looking out of place himself in red and white, but not so much, the colours he has one work all right with the colour palette here. But Illumi looks like he belongs here, like he either works here, or owns the place. It;s sad Illumi doesn't get how funny it is...

"Gin and tonic." Said with a smile once the tender notices them.

Well, that's Hisoka's problem. Not that Illumi is any better, but he only has a small handful of people he'd lose his mind without. And they don't exactly have to interact with him to keep him... happy. In the loosest sense. Why, he should just lock them all up in a basement-!

Or maybe not.

Also that is not a scotch, so help him, don't change the routine. He taps a finger on the bar idly, waiting. "Your jokes aren't that good." Ah, not that he's laughed more than a dozen times in his life.

"How would you know, do you have a sense of humour?" Smirks, tilting his head to look at him, chin set on a hand, elbow on the counter.

"I always hope a few drinks might help you."

"I don't think your jokes are funny." He says, like other things are funny to him. There was that one time he literally said "ha ha" to Killua, that has to count for something.

As their drinks are placed in front of them he curls his fingers around his, swirling it gently to clink the ice against the glass. A few drinks, really. "Huh, does that say more about me or you?"

A flat look, turning to look away now, his hand lowering. Hisoka's quite aware of how lacking Illumi is in the humour department, but for that to still be said so blatantly is annoying. he thinks he's funny, that's really all that matters. Illumi's idea of humour is as warped as the rest of him though-

But then again, so is Hisoka's, he did shove a card up into the stub of his arm once only to reveal it for some- magic trick. To be fair, that was gold, still proud he got away with both arms being severed. Ah- he never stops amazing himself~

"My jokes not being funny?" A bored look, sliding his glass closer. He smirks, sitting up and lifting it. "You." Drinks.

Okay- Illumi didn't get to see the cool card-in-the-arm gag, to be fair. Maybe he'd have liked that, who can say.

"Really?" Taking a sip. Doubt... "You're the one who tells jokes that only you think are funny."

You know what's really funny? Emotional manipulation. Can he get some stand-up about that?

"Only me? Since when did you pay attention to other people?" You'd have to to know how they take his jokes after all.

"No humour and lacking a little empathy, you could really use a lesson on social skills. Do you know how to smile unprompted?"

If he says they're not funny, they're just not... Kil probably doesn't like Hisoka's jokes, so there. Illumi blinks into his drink, not too sure about this unsolicited talk of lessons on- anything. No. No thank you.

"I smiled before." You know, when he looked halfway enthusiastic about coming to this place. "On the way here."

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