Homeless... for the first time in three years.

[emptynight]

Oh stop moping, sweetheart.

I couldn't be happier that you decided to pull me out of that string place. Oh don't give me that look. You didn't think I'd get all weepy over getting away from throat-slicey angel of doom, did you? I like being in one piece, darling, despite your attempts to get me killed. And Satan. Don't forget that part, which by the way you never did let me find out that I'd been mouthing off to the Prince of Lies. Good job with that.

Molly's going to be just fine. You saw her at Chichen Itza, she can hold her own. She doesn't need me around.

I like this decision, darling. Don't try to pretend your guilty conscience is mine. I'm too pretty for a guilty conscience, remember?

Comments

[emptynight]

Just be careful what you ask for, Tink. [Smirk.]

And if you lived your entire life around things who could manipulate emotion, who feed off of it, you'd know it's a lot safer not to have any at all. It's a liability.

[imperioartist]

That one's going to stick, isn't it. [AKML.]





...I should really introduce you to some of the people I know; you might be surprised by the sort of manipulation I'm accustomed to. And I do agree that it's safer not to have any emotion-- but it's almost impossible to achieve on a practical level. I find it's easier to just. Limit it. Them.

[emptynight]

It suits you.

[He laughs again. He knows just how well 'limiting' works, how it ended up with the woman he loves held hostage as insurance against his continued good behavior. How her very touch burns him because true, honest, selfless love is anathema to everything he is.

It's easier, to pretend there's nothing there at all. On his worse days he might even believe it himself. And he ignores the rest of what Marcus says, about how it's almost impossible. Because living in denial is what he does.]

[imperioartist]

It does not...! You realise that would mean it suits you equally, don't you?

[Marcus is, for reasons which are not entirely dissimilar, fond of his pretence and denials as well. It's only as he's gotten a little older that he's prepared to admit to any sort of feeling at all.]

[emptynight]

Maybe I meant it fit your personality, darling. In which case it doesn't have to suit me at all.

[imperioartist]

'Maybe' indeed.

[He will be just kind enough to refrain from pointing out that there are similarities beyond the skin-deep level. Well, kind-- or self-preserving.]

[emptynight]

[He never said he wasn't a hypocrite either.]

Be careful, might cut yourself on all that razor wit.

[imperioartist]

Well, there's only so much one can do when communicating with bells.

[emptynight]

[That makes Thomas laugh, warm and amused full of life.]

Glad you've warmed up to the idea, Tink.

[imperioartist]

[PEOPLE WITH NO FEELINGS DON'T LAUGH, DAMN IT. ...Wait, what, what, how did Marcus become Ambassador for the Land Of Feelings? ...Something is very wrong here; he's quite disconcerted despite his amusement.]

I find in life that swimming against the current only leads to exhaustion. Better to save your energies for more pleasant things, and if they might be needed later.

[emptynight]

[Causing disorientation is one of Thomas' many talents. Along with causing severe annoyance and questioning one's sexuality in his presence.]

Bottom now until you have a chance to top? Interesting way of going about things.

[imperioartist]

[Marcus tries to be rather difficult to annoy, and as for his sexuality... He gave up bothering to question years ago. He's an equal opportunity manwhore who's sort-of-maybe-never-admitting-to-being in love with his male best friend.]

I'm sure I should be offended by that, but suffice to say I always get my way in the end-- although on that particular front, it's usually sooner rather than later.

[emptynight]

[Aaaaaaaaaaaand he's just going to laugh at that for a while, Marcus. Sorry. He's annoying that way.]

[imperioartist]

That better not be disbelief.

[emptynight]

And what are you going to do if it is?

[imperioartist]

I'm sure I could chase up some references if you're really so curious.

[emptynight]

That depends on how desperate you are to prove yourself to someone you barely know, sweetheart.

[imperioartist]

It's just that there are some things I take as a matter of pride.

[emptynight]

Interesting thing to take pride in. Someone less generous might think you were overcompensating for something.

[Pot. Kettle. Thomas.]

[imperioartist]

I'm probably over-compensating for a lot of things, but that isn't one of them.

[emptynight]

Keep talking big, Tink, and you'll have to prove it.

[imperioartist]

Well, I'm sure that could--






Ah.

[This is Marcus, having an epiphany. He isn't sure he likes it.]