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

Comments

[altusimperius]

I believe it.

[bouchonne]

Still, even if you believe something, you must take care not to spread rumors that won't be believed by others. Even gossip-mongers can lose credibility.

[altusimperius]

...fine.

[This feels like a life lesson disguised as a joke, and he makes a mental note accordingly.]

Terrible taste in company.

[bouchonne]

Case in point.

[ A nod to Benedict. ]

[altusimperius]

Case in point.

[bouchonne]

[ A cluck of his tongue. ]

No, no. You can't be rude to yourself. That takes the joy out of it for me.

[altusimperius]

You like that sandcastle to be built before you kick it down.

[bouchonne]

Just so. It's no fun to wreck something if it's not beautiful.

[altusimperius]

You think I'm beautiful?

[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?