ʜᴏᴍᴇʟᴇss.

[feigns]

I'd be flattered, mundane, if I weren't entirely aware that a change of locations didn't mean a change of interests. Your concept of fun and my own will not, nor shall they ever, align — for reasons I'm yet to understand, I admit — and I've no interest in indulging in futility when it reaps no rewards for me.

—You're aware, though, that in this time of giving and goodwill, you ought to be sprawled on a settee, mumbling incoherent nonsense at anyone who dares to approach, aren't you? I'm wholly disappointed in the extent of your sobriety.

Comments

[feigns]

[ his lips quirk into a small smirk at her smile. ] And what is it you enjoy, Miss Martin?

[tempering]

[she hesitates. how to answer that? "pretending marco actually cares about me?" how about no.]

My cards, of course. And time away from the circus, though I shouldn't say.

[feigns]

[ honesty is for uncool people. ]

Shouldn't say or oughtn't say? I've found that when one says the former, they often mean the latter, and when they mean the latter, it's something that should be said.

[tempering]

[precisely.]

A bit of both, then. Not that it does me much good either way; I'm bound to it. Leaving for good is impossible.

[feigns]

[ he laughs at that — the sentiment isn't entirely unfamiliar. ] Therefore what God has joined together, let no man put asunder. How quaint — for a circus.

[tempering]

"Quaint" is one word for it, I suppose. [is that scorn she detects? just keep your mouth shut, isobel.]

[feigns]

And not the one you'd use, I gather.

[tempering]

I would hesitate to say that, seeing as I'm not quite sure of the one I'd use.

[feigns]

Then use several. [ a beat. ] Jessamine once stated that had she not known better, she'd have imagined I was born in a circus. I dare say the remark was more insulting to those who make their livelihoods from the circus than it was to me.

[tempering]

[she laughs.] Given the knowledge I do have, it would not be surprising if, in fact, you did come from one similar to mine. Though, what possessed this woman to say something of that sort?

[feigns]

Simply the fact that she's of a dreadful disposition — and that she dislikes both me and my manners.

[tempering]

The night we opened, actually, twins were born to our lion tamers. They've perfectly fine manners; perhaps she might change her mind were she to meet them. [she'll leave out the whole bit about their fantastic storytelling and visions - the former of which was why she mentioned agreeing in the first place.]

[feigns]

[ airily: ] I doubt it. A circus, Miss Martin, is no place for a lady. [ enunciated carefully. ]

[tempering]

[oh, she is about to protest rather vehemently before she actually realizes what she's saying. instead, she laughs and rolls her eyes.] Yes, I see. And if she wouldn't enjoy herself, it wouldn't do well to have her business.

[feigns]

Unless she's complaining, I'm not convinced that Jessamine ever truly enjoys herself &mdahs; not that I've ever paid much attention to her likes. Even the dullest of pursuits would be more preferable.

[tempering]

Then hopefully, you don't have to be submitted to her presence often.

[feigns]

No more than when it's utterly unavoidable. Whatever the case, I'm sure there are more pleasant topics of conversation.

[tempering]

Of course. Merely offering my sympathies, Mister Herondale.

[feigns]

Then I'll take it in good spirits, for you can only imagine the misery her company creates.

[tempering]

Set her on a pirate ship, perhaps, and see how she fares. [even though they're not supposed to be talking about her due to unpleasantness oops. cool, isobel.]

[feigns]

Why, Miss Martin, do I seem the sort of gentleman that would indulge in such pettiness? [ yes. ]

[tempering]

I've found that everyone is that sort, from time to time.

[feigns]

I think you'll find that I'm not everyone.

[tempering]

Oh, I didn't mean to imply that you were. I had only meant it in jest, after all.

[feigns]

I think I'd be quite insulted if you had meant it.