Itsy Bitsy Spider

14. Tearful Lies

Killua knew what a liar looked like. For example, his parents were liars. Illumi was a liar. Hisoka was a liar. He himself lied for practical reasons. The opposite of a liar would probably be Gon, always speaking his mind and flashing the truth for everyone to see, not the best at covering up even if he earnestly tried. He was simple-minded and honest. On one side of the scale, there was Gon, on the other stood Hisoka.

If he could judge, Rein was somewhere in the middle, perhaps a bit closer to Gon in terms of quantity, but closer to Hisoka in terms of ability. Normally, she seemed like she would be the type who didn't lie if she could help it, but her behavior now had changed.

It was heartfelt acting, and really good. Killua didn't think anyone other than himself saw that she was preparing to trick them. She was really good at lying, but to him, who'd gotten through a grueling lie-detection training, it was apparent. Very subtle, the signs, but they could be seen. Too bad clues weren't the same as proof.

"It's a really sensitive topic," Rein said softly, blushing. She shook her head as if trying to clear her mind. "Could I go get some water?"

"It's okay,"Leorio said. Reaching for the table, he took a glass he and Zepile hadn't used and offered it to her. "Take as much time as you need. We want you mentally stable."

Rein seemed genuinely surprised at how the man was trying to care for her, almost like a therapist or a doctor. She took the cup. "Thank you," she said, squeezing it with both hands. She went to the hotel room kitchen to fill up her glass. She tried the tap water before dumping it out with an audibly nervous laugh. She then filled her cup with the water from the other tap, the one they were supposed to use for drinking.

1. When you are in the sudden need to come up with a convoluted lie, make an excuse to be alone to collect your thoughts and sort out a story. Buy time if possible, but not so much that it becomes suspicious.

Killua observed carefully as Rein returned from the hotel room kitchen with a glass of water. He was starting to recall the lying tips Illumi had given to him when he was still five or so. It was back when Illumi had tried to actually teach him through interaction, instead of his voice repeating over and over in Killua's head. Lying 101.

Her fingers ran up and down the glass as she approached, and she smiled weakly. Her steps seemed more tentative than before, and she was clearly more drawn into herself. Her head was tipped forward a bit, like she was trying to hide behind her muddy brown hair. "Hey," Rein said, quieter than Killua had heard her since they'd met. She lowered herself to the carpet and placed down her glass, water almost spilling over.

"Like I said, it's a long story that I'd rather not... um." She trailed off and brought her gaze to the ground for a sorrowful moment before glancing up at them all. Her lips were smiling but her eyes held a far-off loneliness to them. "It's okay," she chirped. "I know that you don't exactly trust me, and I get why, so I know I need to tell you my story, it can't be helped."

"Hurry up and just start."

Rein's sad eyes widened, taken aback. "O-Okay. I should, I've been rambling for so long now." She blew a raspberry.

2. Plan reasonable actions and reactions for whatever questions or circumstances might come beforehand. But always act as if you are on their side, and draw their sympathy.

"So why were you at the Spider's base?" Leorio asked.

"Well, I said so before, but I was with them for like a month." She paused. "Or two. I haven't exactly kept track of the days, I just looked at the clock and waited for the day to pass. So I can't help with how long I've been stuck there. I was never really good with time." She blew another raspberry and immediately winced. "That's a habit I picked up there, I'm sorry. Anyway," She fingered a strand of hair before shoving her hands into her pockets, grabbing at something Killua couldn't quite make out. Coins? Candy?