Advice Like Clockwork
@blckjinx
The library isn’t necessary Hangman’s normal choice of places to hang out, but truthfully, that doesn’t say much. If he had his choice he wouldn’t really be ‘hanging out’ anywhere in particular- just staying at home and resting. But he does require some forms of social interaction, despite how robotic he plays himself off as, and that means that leaving his home is necessary from time to time. So he tends to choose locations near at random- simply heading out to people watch in order to keep his character analyst skills in form.
Sometimes he finds himself watching The Masked Ones- considering them a challenge due to being unable to see their expressions. Under there they are still human, though. They still have quirks and traits. He’s made it a silent goal to be able to tell them apart based on their actions alone... However, today, he’s at the library to watch Candidates instead. Sometimes he feels its a good idea to somewhat familiarize himself with these people before he actually interacts with them. Knowing a thing or two ahead of time, after all, might prove useful. So he’s sitting still- trying only minimally to make himself look like he’s reading (which is honestly too difficult for him, so he’d rather not) while he actually watches the various people inhabiting the library.
Watching people read isn’t exactly the most interesting thing in the world, but he’s done worse in the past. Following people in their daily lives to judge the content of their character can be tedious and miserable. Most people have awfully monotonous lives, after all. But being bored isn’t his concern. He can entertain himself if necessary. He can do whatever if necessary- it’s just how he is. He tilts the book he’s holding in his hands- turning a page more out of habit and compulsion than for any real reason. The person he was watching has left and that means he’s stuck needing to find someone new or head home.
He glances over the small amount of people with unnatural eyes- blank stare as prevalent as it always is. He only stops his scan once his eyes rest on a familiar figure. Jinx, if he recalls correctly, is this one’s name. The two of them have had to work together once or twice in the past. The other man has an emotionless quality to him as well, though Hangman has seen through the cracks in that mask maybe once or twice to understand more. Being emotionless isn’t exactly a badge of honor, after all. Turning yourself into a robot- into a blank slate- isn’t a positive. It isn’t cool despite the way they depict it on television... No, being this way is... oddly painful.
He stands slowly now- placing the book down on the table noiselessly. He only approaches Jinx after a slight pause- stopping to push some of his hair away from one of his eyes. He, at least, would like to be able to see. He stands beside the other man and glances down at him- empty as always. In a way, he feels bad for addressing someone he might call a friend or acquaintance without even a hint of friendliness or kindness, but he just... can’t. He can’t change what he is now, no matter if his mind sometimes wanders. So he doesn’t budge from that dead expression, even as his voice comes out in a monotonous drone.
“It’s been a while, Jinx.” He leans on the table just a little- hand holding onto the edge of the surface. “I see you’re still holding up an empty facade...”