New muses that move in and won't leave, sigh.

[parabatai]

You hardly need to look so unimpressed. We both knew it was a matter of time. What future do we have, I wonder?

'Death, if thou wilt, fain would I plead with thee:
Canst thou not spare, of all our hopes have built,
One shelter where our spirits fain would be,
Death, if thou wilt?'

[ He laughs, thereafter. The comparison to Death isn't a flattering one, he knows, but appropriate all the same. ]

Make up your mind or leave me, I've no fear of time alone.

Comments

[violinist]

And so you've taken to baiting her. [ strange how that comes out more fondly than the words might otherwise insinuate. he isn't surprised. ]

[parabatai]

Of course. [ He fixes Jem with a very serious look, or it would be if the other hadn't known him so well, hadn't seen the smirk curling at the corner of his lips. ] It only seems fair, considering. [ He doesn't feel he needs to say much more, simply gesturing around them offhandedly. ]

[violinist]

An eye for an eye, is it? [ jem needs no explanation, but his lips do curve into a vaguely amused smile. ] You do realize what they say about that, don't you?

[parabatai]

Something about blindness, I didn't care to pay attention. [ A lie, of course. Will paid attention to very much. ] Blindness isn't the issue here, though. I believe we were talking about bait. The hunter became the hunted. [ So he would like to think. ]

[violinist]

Do you truly believe that? [ his eyebrows climb. oddly enough, he's missed your ego. ] It's difficult to hunt that which houses you.

[parabatai]

And one cannot be housed unless one wishes to be there. I'd say I have at least a few cards here. [ He smiles easily. Let him think what he wants, Jem. Ego indeed. ]

[violinist]

There are many ways to house a man. You may find your cards the unhelpful sort. [ n o p e. ]

[parabatai]

Come now Jem, unhelpful or no when have you ever seen me without a backup plan. [ His smile splits into a grin. One that in other situations would most certainly be almost dangerous- the sort of expression one saw before charging headlong into only the deepest of trouble. ] One can turn even the weakest of cards into a fortune, if one knows the right bluff.

[likeboudica]

Why is it that she looks unimpressed?

[parabatai]

Ah. Tessa, it's my insufferable roguish charm. Wouldn't you know she's fallen for my razor sharp wit and dashing good looks. She can hardly compose herself. [ Yeah, right. ]

[likeboudica]

Of course. [ There's a hint of a smile, something that says she doesn't quite believe him or take him serious in this despite her apparent agreement. ]

[parabatai]

I am glad you are in agreement. [ His own smile is brighter than her own, but somewhat forced. ] I knew you'd see it all my way.

[likeboudica]

I hardly said that. [ That his smile is forced gives her pause — there is some uncertainty to it, she used to be more sure of how she is reading him. ]

[parabatai]

Then it would seem I have placed words in your mouth. I could certainly fetch them back if you'd like. [ That guarded dismissal was a carefully held mask on Will's face now. He seemed to be looking down on her- treating her as he had that night upon the roof.

Cruelly. Like an object, and not a woman, even though it tears him apart. ]

[likeboudica]

[ She doesn't recoil, exactly — but it hurts now as it did then. Perhaps a little less because while his tone is the same his words are less cruel, but she knows enough to understand where this is going.

Once, she would have been sure that he is only trying to push her away, that he does not mean it. Since the night of the roof, she no longer is, regardless of what she'd thought to have seen in his eyes when he'd thought her dead. ]

You know the answer to that.

[parabatai]

Do I? [ He flashes his teeth, and it's not quite a smile so much as a mockery of one. It hurts, more than he'll ever admit. It tears him apart to see her even consider recoiling, to see the confusion in her eyes and the way she becomes guarded. ] It matters little, a woman like you hardly holds my interest.

[likeboudica]

[ There'd been a moment when she'd been so sure that he cared for her — that if nothing else, then at least he cared. The night on the roof has taught her that he doesn't, or that if he does it is not enough because it does not keep him from being cruel.

There's hurt in her eyes, making them burn, but her jaw is clenched and her shoulders straight. She isn't going to cry over William Herondale again. ] Then there is nothing more to be said.

[ Those words were very definite. If she does not hold his interest, if he does not care for her either as a woman (he has made that perfectly clear) or as a friend, then what is there for her to add? ]

[highwarlock]

Being a bother again, are you, William?

[parabatai]

Magnus you wound me. I am the picture of delight and helpfulness. She should count herself among the lucky that I've come to her.

[highwarlock]

Really? Because I would definitely consider her one of the misfortunate, having to keep up with you.

[parabatai]

You know Magnus, if I didn't know any better I would say you don't have a very high opinion of me.

[highwarlock]

I wonder what would make you think that.

[parabatai]

Now there is the question of the day. Honestly I can think of no reason at all why you should feel anything but gratitude for my exceptional company.

[highwarlock]

'Exceptional' is definitely not the word I would have chosen.

Does your poor Mundane have plans for you, or does she have to deal with you loitering around and being a nuisance?

[parabatai]

You're right, 'exceptional' is a rather bland word when there are synonyms such as 'marvellous', 'phenomenal', 'thaumaturgic'. [ His smile widens just slightly, almost showing teeth. ]

I am a nuisance she brought upon herself, which hardly makes it 'nuisance' noteworthy. I prefer to call it... a self-inflicted stroke of fortune. But as for plans, there are sadly none for the moment.

[highwarlock]

Really? Because I was going to go with 'irritating'. [ But his lips may have twitched with a smile. ]

At least this way you're not tearing around and wrecking havoc.

[parabatai]

Ouch. [ He winces, but it's more for theatrics than because of honest harm. He's obviously mostly just amused. ]

I think you're seriously underestimating me if you think this will keep me out of trouble.

[highwarlock]

Need a band-aid for your wounded ego? We can get you one of those ones with all the little hearts printed on it. It'll be cute.

It'll keep you out of enough trouble.