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]

I'm like sunshine on a cool day.

[ But, seeing that the boy flinched, he forces himself to say - ]

It's not you.

[altusimperius]

[Some of the tension leaves the moment, and Bene nods. He moves back toward his desk, pulling a little ribbon out of his pocket to start tying his hair back.]

What happened?

[bouchonne]

I stepped in horse shit this morning.

[altusimperius]

[A sarcastic glance is cast over Bene's shoulder as he sits down, beginning to arrange his things for work.]

And it ruined your whole day.

[Some hours pass, work gets done, lunch is had. It's at a lull in the afternoon when Benedict, unused to the silence of Byerly's Mood, remembers something.]

How's everything? With the, um.
Division heads?

[Things got a little interesting over the crystals as he recalls.]

[bouchonne]

[ He narrows his eyes slightly. ]

Flint's an asshole and Yseult is too hands-off. Are you asking something in particular?

[altusimperius]

[Maybe that was the wrong question. Bene pauses to look over at Byerly, noting his expression.]

Well--

it just seemed. ... well things were a bit tense.

[He looks at his pen.]

...are a bit tense.

[bouchonne]

[ A shrug. ]

They always are. Flint's a pile of tinder, and I like juggling fire.

[altusimperius]

Do you really think that people's decisions in the dream will affect what they do going forward?

[He's actually curious, maybe a little stressed about it.]

[bouchonne]

[ A shrug. ]

I think that what people did in the dream reveals something about them.

[altusimperius]

[Intrigued,] like what?

[bouchonne]

Like, for example, fear. Betraying us does not mean that someone will turn traitor. But it means that they fear that they have that capacity.

[altusimperius]

Oh.

[Pausing to think on that, Bene falls silent for a moment.]

What do you think of the reverse?

[bouchonne]

Dear Artemaeus, are you fishing for compliments?

[altusimperius]

[He rolls his eyes.]

You came to rescue me.

[bouchonne]

[ Hrmph. ]

I did.

that's right bitch

[altusimperius]

[He could play around with him here, but in a game of wits with Byerly, Benedict is never going to win.
He's at peace with that.]

By your logic, that means, on some level... you thought it was worth the risk.

[He speaks slowly, treading carefully-- there's a real fear he'll be dismissed or mocked for suggesting as much.]

[bouchonne]

[ Grouchily, but not cruelly: ]

Yes, that would be the implication.

[altusimperius]

[Careful, careful. The conversation is full of tripwires, and one's way must be made slowly--]

Well.

[Pause,]

I'm glad.

[bouchonne]

Don't let it go to your head.

[altusimperius]

Never.

[A glint of amusement as a smirk twitches onto his face-- then immediately fades again.]

I hope you never meet my mother.

[bouchonne]

[ It's mean, but meanness is where he can find his amusement right now. ]

Why? Afraid I'd seduce her?

[altusimperius]

[Benedict shudders.]

No--

[A better reason doesn't present itself.]

...look, it's something I never imagined having to worry about.

[bouchonne]

What, facing down your mother?

[altusimperius]

[A sheepish smirk,]

no, you meeting her.

[He shakes his head.]

...facing her down, I worry about that all the time.

[bouchonne]

Ah. Well, I'll face her down for you. Use my masculine wiles to show her the error of her ways.