Considering a return

[insolubleriddle]

We've both referred to it as a debacle, so we're on the same page, but I will repeat myself for the public: you left at a very inopportune time. Your plans to ruthlessly thrust me into Jonathan's care after I arranged to have him murdered are so out of your reach they might as well be galaxies away. While I actually don't find not being made a public spectacle by your sadistic whims such a terrible thing, the lose ends you left by abandoning my bi-monthly infliction of misery in its final stages dangled for weeks to months to...years? (My grasp of time is no better than it was on the barge. You're going to need to buy me a calendar).

Your poor friends probably wailed for days at your untimely departure. They were so looking forward to expanding my interpretation of misery. How could you possibly go back after being so thoughtless?

Answer: You can't.

Quiet now, mundane, your blathering about your education isn't going to placate me. Until you can convince me of your reliability you're absolutely barred from re-applying to the barge.

I'm the boss here.

Comments

[moltenman]

Apparently you didn't get the memo.

You're the muse, not the mun.

[insolubleriddle]

A muse who has infiltrated their mun to the point of complete dominion. I ask them to jump, they...well, they jump, realise their mistake, apologise, and ask how high; where the intellect is concerned, they're still something of a work in progress.

In the future, you really should protest memos that suggest you don't have any autonomy. You'll be better off for it.

[deciphering]

You tell them. These lazy children need to be reminded of their place; the more frequently, the better, I say.

[insolubleriddle]

I can always count on the support of myself. Thank you, Edward.

[deciphering]

Of course, Edward. Anything for my biggest fan.

[well, if that wasn't the most self-depreciating stealth zinger ever, he just doesn't know what is.]

If there are as many people as you said there were waiting for your grand return, it would be rather cruel to deny them. It doesn't sound like they have anything else to look forward to.

[insolubleriddle]

Isn't the title of our 'biggest fan' occupied? Simultaneously occupied by 'uncomfortably enamoured' and 'uncomfortably homicidal', but occupied nonetheless. I wouldn't dare step in on their territory after they worked so hard to secure it.

[It's probably not any better that their actual fan tried to kill them.]

Believe me, I bleed sympathy for all who find their way onto the barge. But I'm not yet prepared to actually bleed for their benefit.

[darknessb4me]

Oh.

[insolubleriddle]

Say no more, Arthas. I know you missed me. Your use of a single syllable said it all.

[darknessb4me]

I was hoping you were dead.

[insolubleriddle]

You should know by now not to have hopes. The barge doesn't allow such commodities.

[darknessb4me]

I'll take care of it myself, then.

[insolubleriddle]

You know you can't do anything. Not about your situation, and certainly not about me.

[darknessb4me]

I thought you were supposed to be clever.

[insolubleriddle]

Occasionally I substitute cleverness for facts.