[Maybe if Guzma knew some of the things Nanu's been through, it would create a modicum of respect. Yeah, fat chance. Nanu knows better than to think that; and besides, there's a reason he doesn't offer that kind of information freely. Still...he can't help but think.]
[Nanu takes care not to scoff under his breath. Anything that might make Guzma think he's gotten to him—further than what he's already done, at least. Of course. Of course that's how he'd take it and where he'd go. It's no surprise, what with the bully's inexplicable desire to tease about their relationship like a five-year-old; it just makes getting the damn point harder to jam into his ridiculously thick skull.]
I don't expect you to understand on your own. What would you know? The worst moments of your life only apply to you.
[There's no counter to Guzma's implication of their relationship; no telling him off when he calls Anabel a "damsel in distress", or making a point that she's perfectly capable of taking care of her own business, and very well has already. No, nothing like that. This isn't their usual buttons-pushing run-around. This isn't because of Guzma's usual brand of buffoonery. He crossed a line, arguably one of the only lines Nanu has that can be crossed to begin with, and Guzma doesn't fucking get it.]
[Not yet.]
[Unfortunately for the older man, Guzma's power play works. While Nanu purposefully lets go of his arm as it's jerked back, there's no time to prepare for a full-on body tackle. He can only brace himself as best he can as the larger man hurls himself forward and slams Nanu to the ground. With his head tucked forward, it doesn't impact on the ground as hard as it could have—but his back? Yeah, that does more than just smarts. Despite carefully controlling his reactions, Nanu can't stop the pained grunt from the impact. Anabel's going to be pissed it got this far.]
[Stunned, he knows he has to think of his next move quickly; otherwise he's prime for a no-holds-barred beat-down with no way out. His reaction time takes a hit from the stun, but instincts from his years of training take over. After the moments it takes to recover, his eyes snap back open after closing from the initial brace, anger and determination like a fire behind them. And he keeps talking, as though the assault never happened; the only evidence in his voice of the attack is an audible strain.]
...Would it have been a different story if that Nihilego had the chance to infect someone you actually gave a crap about?
[Oh, he knows more than he let on. And though Guzma's now got the upper hand, Nanu's not just talking shit while lying helplessly supine; one arm snaps back to whichever of Guzma's arm is closest, just as a metaphorical foothold of sorts. His other hand aims for Guzma's face. Or rather, his chin—aiming to be able to hold his jaw at literal arm's length, bypassing what could have been an implication of intent to strangle the man. And Nanu keeps going.]
One of your ex-grunts? Hala? Plumeria? Would you have felt the same fear for their life? Or would you have just appreciated the opportunity to save your own damn hide and leave them to suffer instead?
[This is a dangerous game he's taunting, Nanu knows. Clearly not above playing dirty any more than Guzma, Nanu also bends one leg at the knee as much as he can under Guzma's weight, in prime position to strike the lowest of the low if the situation starts becoming unrecoverable.]
no subject
[Nanu takes care not to scoff under his breath. Anything that might make Guzma think he's gotten to him—further than what he's already done, at least. Of course. Of course that's how he'd take it and where he'd go. It's no surprise, what with the bully's inexplicable desire to tease about their relationship like a five-year-old; it just makes getting the damn point harder to jam into his ridiculously thick skull.]
I don't expect you to understand on your own. What would you know? The worst moments of your life only apply to you.
[There's no counter to Guzma's implication of their relationship; no telling him off when he calls Anabel a "damsel in distress", or making a point that she's perfectly capable of taking care of her own business, and very well has already. No, nothing like that. This isn't their usual buttons-pushing run-around. This isn't because of Guzma's usual brand of buffoonery. He crossed a line, arguably one of the only lines Nanu has that can be crossed to begin with, and Guzma doesn't fucking get it.]
[Not yet.]
[Unfortunately for the older man, Guzma's power play works. While Nanu purposefully lets go of his arm as it's jerked back, there's no time to prepare for a full-on body tackle. He can only brace himself as best he can as the larger man hurls himself forward and slams Nanu to the ground. With his head tucked forward, it doesn't impact on the ground as hard as it could have—but his back? Yeah, that does more than just smarts. Despite carefully controlling his reactions, Nanu can't stop the pained grunt from the impact. Anabel's going to be pissed it got this far.]
[Stunned, he knows he has to think of his next move quickly; otherwise he's prime for a no-holds-barred beat-down with no way out. His reaction time takes a hit from the stun, but instincts from his years of training take over. After the moments it takes to recover, his eyes snap back open after closing from the initial brace, anger and determination like a fire behind them. And he keeps talking, as though the assault never happened; the only evidence in his voice of the attack is an audible strain.]
...Would it have been a different story if that Nihilego had the chance to infect someone you actually gave a crap about?
[Oh, he knows more than he let on. And though Guzma's now got the upper hand, Nanu's not just talking shit while lying helplessly supine; one arm snaps back to whichever of Guzma's arm is closest, just as a metaphorical foothold of sorts. His other hand aims for Guzma's face. Or rather, his chin—aiming to be able to hold his jaw at literal arm's length, bypassing what could have been an implication of intent to strangle the man. And Nanu keeps going.]
One of your ex-grunts? Hala? Plumeria? Would you have felt the same fear for their life? Or would you have just appreciated the opportunity to save your own damn hide and leave them to suffer instead?
[This is a dangerous game he's taunting, Nanu knows. Clearly not above playing dirty any more than Guzma, Nanu also bends one leg at the knee as much as he can under Guzma's weight, in prime position to strike the lowest of the low if the situation starts becoming unrecoverable.]
You're the joke.