#aluce

Aluce took a slow drag of his cigar, before rolling it to one corner of his mouth, smoke billowing as he spoke. "That is one hell of a mess."Cedar hummed as he straightened up, pulling a cloth from a compartment in his armor to dab at the circulatory fluids spattered on his face. "It was unavoidable, I'm afraid," he murmured. "He refused to cooperate."The old Reploid let out a wheezy chuckle and leaned on his cane. "And an example had to be made. Come, we'll leave what's left for his mechs to find. Perhaps his boss will get the message this time."The sniper chuckled quietly, falling into his customary place a few steps behind the old Reploid as he started walking. "Do you really believe he will take the message this time?""Perhaps, perhaps not. We'll see in the next few days. Here." Aluce handed a clean cloth to the taller Reploid. "You've still got some fluids on you. Better clean it up before someone gets the wrong idea.""What on Earth kind of bad idea could someone get that isn't the truth?" Cedar teased the older Reploid, grinning at his friend's back.Aluce took his cigar in one hand, looking back with an answering grin. "We're supposed to be respectable gentleman, remember? It's gauche to walk around with your victim's blood on you."The sniper laughed quietly. "I suppose you're right, Aluce. We must remain the height of fashion, after all." He lightly tugged the edges of his own coat, laughing at himself with the old Reploid.