Not looking for anything, no worries. I just wanted to talk.
[being surrounded by Enormous Boxes means that finding a place to tuck away and get seated is easy enough. He'll let Nie Huaisang sit first before pulling up the cup and pouring out a glass, the tea still warm enough to be steadily steaming. Thank you, hell!costco, for having hot water by the coffee machine to make this easier.]
I consider Beau a friend. Regardless of what happened, it would be wrong of me not to extend a hand.
I know. But I also know she's had a hard enough time that keeping everyone at a distance is kind of easier for her. If she's chosen to defend you with every breath, then I trust she has a good enough reason.
[He'll flip the thermos lid over and pour out a serving for himself - not quite as fancy, but it's mostly to show that he hasn't gone and done something stupid with the tea.]
Call it blind faith if you want. She just reminds me of someone I know pretty well.
[he just kind of hums to himself, still holding the cup instead of drinking from it-- even with guy pouring his own, he's still cautious in death, it seems.]
Well, if you've decided what you know of her, then I don't suppose there's any point saying more.
[a slight pause, a little tilt of his head.]
If you just wanted casual conversation, you really could have chosen better.
[local recently dead asshole not in very friendly mood, news at 11.]
[we are all assholes here in costco hell, just different convenient flavors]
Hahah... I wouldn't call this casual conversation. Wasn't really wanting to make this about Beau, anyway. [Taking a taste of his own cup, thinking over his wording.]
How you acted at the end of trial just reminds me of how one of the temple trials ended. Kind of alarmingly so. I assume you know that it didn't get a great reaction over here.
But I've been in your shoes, more or less. I'm not about to ask you for your reasoning. But I figured you deserved someone on your side.
Doesn't change what I said. [He keeps his tone even and casual, trying to combat that standoff, biting response, like a cornered cat. It reminds him of Asch, in a way.] If you plan on staying to yourself, then you can. There's a lot of space and ways to waste your time if that's all you care to do. But we're not going to get out of here by individual merit. And I'm not about to stop treating you with dignity, whether you believe you need it or not. I'd be kind of pathetic otherwise.
[He'll lean back against the stacked boxes he's tucked himself against, toying with the faux cup in his hands.]
Huaisang, I have three lives on my hands in exchange for the life someone I care about from the temple, because I considered it the best choice. I refused to tell anyone until I was forced, because I wanted to keep the fire on myself. It wasn't anyone's business but my own.
[His voice detaches a bit, exhaling. It's little more than loose words, and he doesn't know if any will hit. But he has a feeling if he doesn't say anything, then this man may close off for good.]
You do what you have to, even if it turns you into little more than a hypocrite in the eyes of those around you. That doesn't always deserve a rational explaination, or someone telling you it's right or wrong. It just is. Some people would call it desperation. I just think of it more like faith.
I don't know if that's anywhere close to why you made the choice you did. I'm not here to force it out of you. I'm just not about to let others here push you around for something they refuse to understand.
Not by individual merit when it's based off of our teams, no-- but I already know how I'm getting out of here.
[a light, one-shouldered shrug, there.]
What everyone else does now isn't my concern, and what others think of me isn't any of yours either, young master Cecil. I'm not so easily affected by it as you seem to think.
[There's a polite incline of his head at the title.]
Guy is fine, please. I'm a master to no one. Only a servant.
I don't intend to speak for you, and I apologize if that's how I've come across. But it becomes my concern if it's going to turn into a problem. Not with you... just with the others.
I made a promise to Beau, as well as to several others, that I'd do what I could to get us all out of here in one piece. Damn the rules and the teams. Right now, that means making sure angry people don't go running to you to get their kicks, and making sure you know that I'm willing to work with you, so that we can actually focus and take what actions we can without getting distracted.
Forgive this humble servant his whims, but it's the best I can offer.
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no subject
[being surrounded by Enormous Boxes means that finding a place to tuck away and get seated is easy enough. He'll let Nie Huaisang sit first before pulling up the cup and pouring out a glass, the tea still warm enough to be steadily steaming. Thank you, hell!costco, for having hot water by the coffee machine to make this easier.]
I consider Beau a friend. Regardless of what happened, it would be wrong of me not to extend a hand.
[And he'll extend that cup out for Nie to take.]
no subject
Just being a friend of hers doesn't do as many favors as some people think.
[he's not that easy. case in point: asch... also a couple of others, honestly, he definitely dislikes some of beau's friends.
huaisang does take the cup, but he doesn't drink from it. death doesn't kill habits that easily.]
no subject
[He'll flip the thermos lid over and pour out a serving for himself - not quite as fancy, but it's mostly to show that he hasn't gone and done something stupid with the tea.]
Call it blind faith if you want. She just reminds me of someone I know pretty well.
no subject
Well, if you've decided what you know of her, then I don't suppose there's any point saying more.
[a slight pause, a little tilt of his head.]
If you just wanted casual conversation, you really could have chosen better.
[local recently dead asshole not in very friendly mood, news at 11.]
no subject
Hahah... I wouldn't call this casual conversation. Wasn't really wanting to make this about Beau, anyway. [Taking a taste of his own cup, thinking over his wording.]
How you acted at the end of trial just reminds me of how one of the temple trials ended. Kind of alarmingly so. I assume you know that it didn't get a great reaction over here.
But I've been in your shoes, more or less. I'm not about to ask you for your reasoning. But I figured you deserved someone on your side.
no subject
[he does his best work alone, he thinks-- he's never really needed company, or even understanding.]
rip teej having to read my long tags because guy doesnt shut up
[He'll lean back against the stacked boxes he's tucked himself against, toying with the faux cup in his hands.]
Huaisang, I have three lives on my hands in exchange for the life someone I care about from the temple, because I considered it the best choice. I refused to tell anyone until I was forced, because I wanted to keep the fire on myself. It wasn't anyone's business but my own.
[His voice detaches a bit, exhaling. It's little more than loose words, and he doesn't know if any will hit. But he has a feeling if he doesn't say anything, then this man may close off for good.]
You do what you have to, even if it turns you into little more than a hypocrite in the eyes of those around you. That doesn't always deserve a rational explaination, or someone telling you it's right or wrong. It just is. Some people would call it desperation. I just think of it more like faith.
I don't know if that's anywhere close to why you made the choice you did. I'm not here to force it out of you. I'm just not about to let others here push you around for something they refuse to understand.
no subject
[a light, one-shouldered shrug, there.]
What everyone else does now isn't my concern, and what others think of me isn't any of yours either, young master Cecil. I'm not so easily affected by it as you seem to think.
no subject
Guy is fine, please. I'm a master to no one. Only a servant.
I don't intend to speak for you, and I apologize if that's how I've come across. But it becomes my concern if it's going to turn into a problem. Not with you... just with the others.
I made a promise to Beau, as well as to several others, that I'd do what I could to get us all out of here in one piece. Damn the rules and the teams. Right now, that means making sure angry people don't go running to you to get their kicks, and making sure you know that I'm willing to work with you, so that we can actually focus and take what actions we can without getting distracted.
Forgive this humble servant his whims, but it's the best I can offer.