[Sometime after investigations, he sneaks out of the group and will try to return to the farm if he can. If not, he'll be somewhere open and visible, but his hoodie is back up and blocking the sun and his face.
[ Kurapika is outside, standing around near the Jojamart when he spots Nikaidou. It's unusual to see him with his hoodie up like that, so he immediately calls out: ]
[Squints. Actually no, he'll look at him at that because Kurapika doesn't look any older than he is. He doesn't think he's one of the ancient ones either.]
Just what do you do back home to be skilled in that?
[ He just slightly tilts his head. The question isn't unsurprising, since people are surprised at what he does and where he is at only nineteen, so there's no real confusion in his voice as he answers. ]
I'm the Nostrade family boss.
[ He already knows Nikaidou is going to have questions, so he doesn't wait before adding: ]
The Nostrade family is one of the more recent prolific mafia organizations, and I was hired on as a bodyguard two years ago. I took over when the original family head was no longer able to lead.
Even I didn't know and I'm good at detecting liars.
[ He crosses his arms. ]
If you think that we won't make it through this, then you've already lost. You need to believe you'll keep pushing forward. The mind is powerful like that.
[ Don't get him wrong, though. This isn't a shounen protag speech. ]
[ It seems like Nikaidou lives a relatively peaceful life, and for that, Kurapika is grateful. ]
Your life is probably different to most of the people here. [ You know, just going off of the real winning personalities this group is filled with. ] I'm almost jealous.
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He's just getting his bearings.]
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Feeling alright?
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[He's pouting. The sourness he feels masking his actual feelings.]
Two people just died and the culprit's a psychopath. Who knows if the rest of them are any better.
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Honestly, Kurapika likes this side of him better. ]
It's impossible to know. If you haven't started carrying a knife on you already, I suggest you start now.
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[He asks, and maybe just feeling a little vulnerable asking so he looks away.]
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I do. I'm trained in a variety of weapons, and a knife is one of them.
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Just what do you do back home to be skilled in that?
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I'm the Nostrade family boss.
[ He already knows Nikaidou is going to have questions, so he doesn't wait before adding: ]
The Nostrade family is one of the more recent prolific mafia organizations, and I was hired on as a bodyguard two years ago. I took over when the original family head was no longer able to lead.
[ ...Yeah. ]
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Mafia.
[...]
I really am in a manga, aren't I?
[He's not even surprised anymore.]
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[ That's really the only way he's been able to reconcile with all the differences between his world and the rest. ]
Which is a good thing, in my opinion.
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[He drawls, looking away again.]
All I had to worry about is winning a tournament and graduating.
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[ At least, that's what Kurapika thinks. ]
You can't compare your problems and experiences to someone else's, not if they're entirely different.
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[Grumbling so much right now.]
I wouldn't have known that kid was suspicious at all.
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[ He crosses his arms. ]
If you think that we won't make it through this, then you've already lost. You need to believe you'll keep pushing forward. The mind is powerful like that.
[ Don't get him wrong, though. This isn't a shounen protag speech. ]
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I know that.
[Grumble grumble]
I won't die so easily. It's just another setback to get over.
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[ Nikaidou is a bit prickly underneath that smile, so Kurapika is hopeful that he’s good at it. ]
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[He says more firmly, not quite answering that. Well, he's stubborn at least.]
And you?
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[ No matter what he has to step over. ]
Setbacks are only a minor inconvenience.
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[He says but he hated another guy for the same reason. His feelings are complicated.]
All we have to do is survive, so don't try something crazy too.
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[ So he can be stupid about his life there instead! ]
I hope you know the same goes for you. Don't get in over your head here.
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[Lore that is now late to the come but oh well.]
I'm sure I worried him enough staying here. Anyone special waiting for you?
[Aside from his mafia group thing.]
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Like a significant other?
[ He shakes his head. ]
There’s a friend on the boat I was on, but…
[ Calling him “someone special” would be pushing it. ]
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[Because Nikaidou himself doesn't have one of those.]
Like a cruise ship, or a regular boat?
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[ Even if he still feels odd about admitting he has friends… it’s fine. ]
It was a ship destined for the Dark Continent carrying two hundred and fifty thousand people. I was security detail for a prince aboard the ship.
[ Yeah. More bullshit, sorry Nikaidou. ]
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[He didn't really know they did security detail? But then again, he might have the stereotypical mafia in his head.]
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[ Because surely this doesn’t cause more confusion. ]
It’s easier to use legal means. You keep people around longer that way. [ … ] I’m not above threatening and extortion, however.
[ Don't get him wrong. ]
please dw let me get this tag through already
[But from his tone, that doesn't matter.]
You really live a different life, huh?
prays
[ It seems like Nikaidou lives a relatively peaceful life, and for that, Kurapika is grateful. ]
Your life is probably different to most of the people here. [ You know, just going off of the real winning personalities this group is filled with. ] I'm almost jealous.