(Not that Bastien is unaware that Byerly’s face begs for a sly, haughty portrait that will make future generations imagine him cruel. But that’s only how he would look posing, his hair neat and his shoulders straight, with all the self-awareness that comes with being scrutinized for hours by a stranger. If the portraitist ever saw him mussed and sleepy and affectionate, the image would come out differently, Bastien is sure.)
As for why he asked: some of A, some of B. He doesn't have point planned out; he's learning not to shy away from Byerly's attention. But it's easier to have things feel like an exchange, and Bastien sorts his own thoughts about himself best through the prism of other people, and he also just wants to know. ]
I like that—that maybe if I ever saw her, I would know right away who she was. Not that I will go looking for her without you, [ in case he sounds like a man planning to meddle. He isn't. ] Not unless it's an emergency or something.
I don't know if I would know them, if I saw them. Maybe Amani. She was old enough, her face might not have changed much.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2021-09-25 05:06 pm (UTC)(Not that Bastien is unaware that Byerly’s face begs for a sly, haughty portrait that will make future generations imagine him cruel. But that’s only how he would look posing, his hair neat and his shoulders straight, with all the self-awareness that comes with being scrutinized for hours by a stranger. If the portraitist ever saw him mussed and sleepy and affectionate, the image would come out differently, Bastien is sure.)
As for why he asked: some of A, some of B. He doesn't have point planned out; he's learning not to shy away from Byerly's attention. But it's easier to have things feel like an exchange, and Bastien sorts his own thoughts about himself best through the prism of other people, and he also just wants to know. ]
I like that—that maybe if I ever saw her, I would know right away who she was. Not that I will go looking for her without you, [ in case he sounds like a man planning to meddle. He isn't. ] Not unless it's an emergency or something.
I don't know if I would know them, if I saw them. Maybe Amani. She was old enough, her face might not have changed much.