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

[armd]

I told you I didn't want to talk about it. (It's all she can think to say. She has a bad feeling that she's put Byerly right off of her, in a big way. It fucking sucks, but this is who she is.)

[bouchonne]

I'd thought I was changing the subject.

[ He rubs at his neck. ]

You are - at peace with one another here.

[armd]

Fair. (It is at least a nod to how well her and Ellie are handling it that he didn't expect anything like the answer he got.

Quietly,) ... Trying to be, yeah. We made a truce when I got here. (And it's going better than Abby had ever thought it would. Almost too good. Soup demands that she add,) I don't want to get into it with her any more, I'm done with that, but- it's hard.

(Like being drowned, while told to take deep breaths.) Makes me feel like I'm losing my mind sometimes.

[bouchonne]

Mm.

[ He nods in acknowledgment. ]

Hatred is a bitter thing, but the taste is addictive.

[armd]

Something like that. (Sigh.

Wryly,) You can take back what you said about liking me. I won't come after you or anything.

[bouchonne]

[ Evidently, the thought hadn't crossed his mind, because he asks - ]

Why would I take it back?

[ Then - Right, of course. ]

Ah. I see. No, I don't think that would make any sense.

[armd]

(A little hum,) Well, don't be hasty. Maybe think about it.

(But... she does feel a teeny weeny bit better.)

[bouchonne]

[ He shakes his head in response, though. ]

I know nothing about the circumstances that caused such violence between you. To judge you for that, based on incomplete information, based on no knowledge of where you came from - That's not my place. To say the least.

[ Then, a shrug, and a little more lightly: ]

Besides, we're all bastards here.

[armd]

That's fair of you. (More fair than Abby thinks she deserves- if he felt afraid of her or what he understands she's now capable of, she'd grant him that.

... They are in a war, though. Not like she's the only person around here who kills people!!

Or as Byerly eloquently put it instead-) Yeah. True.

Thanks.

[bouchonne]

Mm.

[ He pauses a moment, then draws in a breath. ]

I've known evil people. Plenty of them. You might be one - our acquaintance hasn't lasted long enough that I would claim to know you thoroughly - but I don't believe that you are. So, take that for what it's worth.

[armd]

I will.

(And on a far less serious note,) If you notice me starting to become evil, you should throw a bucket of water on me, or something.

[bouchonne]

Ha.

[ He gives a wry little grin. ]

And vice versa, eh? Can I count on you to keep an eye on me?

[armd]

Yeah. (Warmly,) You can.