on getting dusted off, and how.

[condign]

It's... an ugly habit, I'm told - failing to explain yourself. It suggests condescension. Unkindness. A lack of the capacity to learn.

Or should I be taking hope? From you. From this. From... little talking bees, no, of all the curses to bear, I won't have that one. Even I - refuse.

... Learn me this, at the least: stray bees deserve nothing but swatting.

Comments

[medeina]

Don't belittle little bees!

go to bed, Tale.

[condign]

... They're bees. They can't get much littler.

I did!!

[medeina]

Haven't you heard~? It's the little ones that fight back!

[condign]

... Doesn't everything?

[medeina]

It isn't fighting back when you're expecting it!

[condign]

[ ... ]

I'm less sure now if this is a moral about little ... bee-ings, or a lesson on defenses.

[medeina]

It'll bee what you want it to bee!

[condign]

I can't bee-lieve that at all. [ a beat. ] If you'll forgive me.

[medeina]

You're forgiven, beeling!

[faeth]

... Oh! Ah - well, then, what do kept ones deserve?

why you too.

[condign]

[ ... ]

Is there a hive? Here. That I've disturbed.

because everyone will be dissatisfied if your life isn't absolutely abysmal

[faeth]

[ . . . ]

Eh-heh, I'd hope not. But if there is, then you must be pretty... brave! I've never seen anyone try swatting the whole nest before...

but how could I be when you're in it. ////

[condign]

I can't see that you would have. Not, at the least, for long.

i will find ways, my sweet saccharine sugar substitute /////

[faeth]

... Not without wearing a hazmat suit.

as long as you're thinking of me...!

[condign]

Would you be watching, then, in this scene with the suit? Or swatting?

oh grandmama, what low standards you have

[faeth]

... N-neither? --Oh, unless the honey's even sweeter when you work for it, I guess, bee keeping looks like it'd be a lot of effort. But if the demand is there in the first place for the job to exist, it must be worth it...?

well, they are for you to step over.

[condign]

Safer to buy your honey, I'd think. Unless you've suits and skin to spare. Or if you loved the bees particularly.