[superhell pcs] thancred

[voidshift]

Comments

[voidshift]

And then he'd have been here alone, with a few weeks to wait and only our personal demons for company.

...still, going after a few that way would have been a better idea than what actually happened.

[onlythans]

Ah, yes. Left alone with one's personal demons. Not a life I'd recommend to anyone — but for the span of a few weeks, it could be done.

[He's joking. Probably.]

[voidshift]

Maybe so. I don't know, he seems like he might snap in that situation.

[onlythans]

Ah, you don't like them. What's your grudge? Color me curious.

[voidshift]

Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with most of them in small doses. Blue braided my hair last week.

[but- he hums.]

They're still-- well, you know. Here to torment us. Talking to them can be just as infuriating as it is interesting.

[onlythans]

Well. We've been inconvenienced, certainly, but as torments go...

[Oh. Oh.]

The only one of us here I'd describe as tormented is — would have been, Barnes.

[voidshift]

...do you think that has something to do with why he'd be pushed so far?

[onlythans]

If it does, it certainly bodes ill for the rest of us.

It means any one of us might be targeted next. And potentially succumb.

[voidshift]

I haven't really seen any signs of it. Honestly, it's possible he was just too easy a target...

[don't be rude to the dead.]

But I do try to speak with all of them when I can. See if I can't figure them out a bit.

[onlythans]

Oh, have you? I wonder what you've figured out about me, then.

[He waits a beat, then laughs softly.]

I'm joking. Frankly, anyone in a situation like this who isn't taking the measure of those around him is a fool.

[voidshift]

I mean our demons, as well, but I am keeping an eye on the rest. Defeats the purpose if I just tell you what I think I know, though, doesn't it?

[he's also joking, judging by the lighter tone.]

[onlythans]

And to think, I've shared information with you so freely. How you wound me with your cutting recalcitrance.

[He says, gripping his chest dramatically before reaching for his beer.]

[voidshift]

To think you were that easily wounded! I wouldn't have thought so.

[he likes the dramatics-- this one, he thinks, is more entertaining than most, taking another drink from his own cup.]

[onlythans]

I've little armor to shield against an arrow straight to the heart. Or a knife to the back, whichever metaphor you prefer.

[But then he pauses a minute, as an uncertain flash of emotion flickers briefly through his gaze, before almost without meaning to he begins: ]

I m—

[And just as quickly, bites the thought off.]

[voidshift]

-Thancred?

[he glances back over to him when he cuts himself off, peering at him over the rims of his glasses. are you good?]

[onlythans]

...Mm. Passing strange, never mind.

[BETTER DRINK MORE BEER.]

[voidshift]

...I see.

[he wants to press, but-- there's enough he prefers not to be pressed on that he stops short of it.]

Well, if there's anything you do need to discuss, you're free to ask.

[onlythans]

No, it's nothing, just a— just—

[He frowns again, scowling a little as he looks down at himself like there are answers to be found in his coat and body armor.]

Nothing. The way you offered that jest. 'Twas...

[He winces.]

— nostalgic.

[voidshift]

-sorry to press on the wound, then.

[it is, at least, a feeling he's familiar with.]

Another drink?

[onlythans]

Something stronger than cheap beer, mayhap. Interested?

[voidshift]

Very. I've gotten tired of cheap beer by now.

[hmm. he observes their options, for a moment.]

Number Nine sounds more interesting, if you ask me.

[onlythans]

A lucky number, nine. All right, let's have at it. Why not.

[voidshift]

Let's hope it's lucky enough.

[he'll obtain two of them, then, sliding one to thancred and taking a quick sip from his own--

after which his ears both perk, glowing eyes widening behind his glasses.]

How-- I know this flavor.

[onlythans]

Really? Now I'm even more curious to try it — a flavor from your native star.

[He takes his glass easily, spins it once on the countertop to make the glass rattle aesthetically against the wood of the bar — just for the pleasure of the sound. And then, with smooth confidence, he takes a drink himself.

And likewise startles.]

...Uncanny. I could swear this was —

[voidshift]

Wait, it's familiar to you too?

[his ears flick, as he looks between their glasses.]

It tastes exactly like the Suntouched estate special reserve, to me, but I'd honestly be surprised if you'd ever had mana-infused wines.