contact part deux

[bouchonne]

if this were modern times byerly would probably make you listen to total eclipse of the heart before you were able to leave a message

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[bouchonne]

Do you think you aren't?

[altusimperius]

...no,

[bouchonne]

Oooh, how confident you are!

[ A grin - not of a hungry predator. But perhaps of a well-fed predator. ]

Do other people know how egotistical you are?

[altusimperius]

[This got turned back on him in a way he wasn’t prepared for.
And really should have been, by now.]

Well—

I mean— I think so, some of them?

[bouchonne]

Like who?

[altusimperius]

...Colin. Athessa. Edgard.

[He quirks his lips to one side.]

I don’t hide it, really.

[bouchonne]

Edgard?

[altusimperius]

We’re roommates.

[And because Edgard is on his shit list at the moment,]

...and he’s nosy.

[bouchonne]

You're not angry with him?

[altusimperius]

Well. Yes, a little bit.

[Byerly's meaning is, at present, eclipsed by petty disagreements.]

I wish he'd mind his own business.

[bouchonne]

You don't like having someone pay attention to you?

[altusimperius]

[That question, phrased as it is, is briefly enough to break Benedict's brain, if his silence is any indication.

After a few moments:]

...depends?

[bouchonne]

On?

[altusimperius]

What kind of attention it is.

[bouchonne]

So what do you like?

[altusimperius]

[It's one of these moments where it's impossible to tell if Byerly is fucking with him or not. Or rather, it's obvious that he is, but it's impossible to tell from exactly what angle.]

...um,

[hesitantly, as though there's a wrong answer,]

...compl..iments?

[bouchonne]

From anyone? Even Edgard?

[altusimperius]

When he's not being a piece of shit, sure?

[bouchonne]

Hm.

[ A bit of judgment. ]

[altusimperius]

What?

[bouchonne]

Nothing. Just seems a bit incautious.

[altusimperius]

How so?

[That actually stops him in his tracks.]

...Edgard's not a bad person.

[bouchonne]

[ A Look. Isn't he? ]

[altusimperius]

[A Look right back, eyebrows raised, requesting elaboration.]

[bouchonne]

[ A shrug. ]

Fine. As you will.