voice;

[amoray]

[he doesn't start speaking right as the feed starts! there's a solid second or two of eridan trying to find his train of thought, the occasional heavy, expectant breath or two the only signs of his false starts.]

Well, Mexico was a shipload a fun. Don't know about anybody else's impromptu as fuck abscondin'.

Not my point of makin' this point though, so listen up, landlubbers.

[there is a decided lack of flair in eridan's voice, despite the (sharp, direct) pun/nautical reference or two. he's purposeful.]

They say they're cuttin' me loose soon, probably on account a my bein' such a charminly well-behawed prisoner and all. Due to personal circumstances, I'll be needin' to get a few affairs in order before my date a release.

I need a place to liwe, a tutor for the upcomin' schoolfeedin' year, and hopefully enough, some manner a profession. If you're willin' to hire a sewen solar sweep year old like myself, a course, don't want to go about misleadin' folk. Lyin' to 'em. Suchlike.

[a stale beat.]

No nosy hiwemates. Roommates, whatewer. I don't fuckin' like most a you and I probably won't giwe a shit about your problems, so keep your cartilage nubs outta mine. I got more than enough beetles in my coffers to keep me afloat for a while, so rent ain't gonna be an issue. Probably.

[a beat. he sounds like he means to say something dramatic or heartfelt to top off his posts like usual, and then:]

Preferably cat friendly. But I'm flexible.

Comments

[amoray]

[AND ERIDAN DIDN'T EVEN GET TO HENCH FOR IT

GOD]

Spiteful, wicious little Ed.

[he remembers hearing eddie's father call him ed; can recall bits and pieces of his low, salty baritone. if he feels any guilt at all for trying to invoke childhood trauma in his former father figure, he doesn't recognize it. eddie's words have him seeing red - well, purple.

maybe green.]

You sad, little piece a shit.

[enigmaestro]

Falsehood.

[The word lit up his smirk, like the lights stowed in a city. It covers the bitterness well for the sake of any nonchalant passerby -- but for Eridan? For Eddie's former moirail? The deceit hid a bitterness detectable. A hurt all too palpable.

It was in the corners of his mouth, collected. Like salt in the edges of a gaping, bloodied wound.]

What a fascinating parallel you draw.

[amoray]

Isn't it?

[eridan was never quite so good at hiding his sleeves - he doesn't have video on, of course, he never does these days, so fortunately enough the stiffness of his jaw and the steadily set stare at the opposite wall of his cell aren't visible. his tone is cavalier, but he can't mask just how taut, how deliberately nonchalant he wants it to be.

it's really very unfortunate.]

I figured you'd appreciate it more than anybody else. On different lewels, I mean, not just on account a subject matter. You were always so smart.

[enigmaestro]

Still am.

[He is, in turn, gently spoken in his tone. Civil, a society man, the facade of friendliness and small talk with the pointed purpose of pissing Eridan off. This was such treacherous ground for him, so close and so exposed a target, his greatest offense was simply reacting kindly.

If that tautness in Eridan's voice was any indication, he had equal room to move still.]

And really, who better to deliver than you? We've discussed other parallels, how suitable for you to adopt the unintended ones.

[amoray]

Let's just hope those similarities don't go all the way down to gettin' locked up in the fuckin' nuthouse, huh?

[enigmaestro]

Hah. So cute, your usual material.

So what need I do to get you to stop talking to Mitchell?

[amoray]

How about you start eatin' shit. We'll go from there.

[enigmaestro]

That isn't what you really want, Eridan, please.

[amoray]

[he legitimately pauses.]

You're soundin' kinda desperate. What, you afraid I'm goin' to do somethin' spiteful and wigglerish like try and kill this new pale arrangement you got into?

Not that I wouldn't be if I was you.

[enigmaestro]

Perhaps I am merely reacting to your obvious fixation with the mayor.

[amoray]

Fixation?

[PSHHHHHHHH.]

He can't ewen break some goddamn deserwin' kneecaps for the greater good or whatewer when the situation calls for it. He's worthless.

Hardly worth your time or mine.

[enigmaestro]

Hardly worth my time, you say.

[A light tone. Coaxing.]

[amoray]

You're greater than he is. Both a us know that. You got the capability to do so much more than he ewer could.

[equally coercive. he tells himself he just wants to see eddie as alone as he is, but he can't completely ignore the jealousy burning in his stomach either.]

And don't tell me you didn't enjoy yourself when he was away.

[enigmaestro]

Ah. But even god need to be grounded sometimes. Mitchell has always been a... Persuasive man, actually, I won't deny his utility.

And I feel, in consequence, I am duty-bound to defend his name. Perhaps even duty-bound to regret his absence for long periods of time.

[amoray]

You're attached.

[his tone of voice screams... well, lots of things. for the most part, it's revulsion and bitterness. but then again, eddie never praised him so openly.]

Cute. It's gonna drag you down in the end, but it's cute.

[enigmaestro]

[He's hoping it hurts, he's hoping it makes an impact. This is his own form of grief, in this twisted and obsessive expression.

Sometimes, just sometimes, he destroys to create.]

Your concern is endearing, Eridan, but I wouldn't call you a prophet.

[amoray]

No, I'm not.

[it's dull, bordering on apathetic. listless.

suddenly he doesn't feel like talking so much anymore.]

Was that it?

[enigmaestro]

Yes, I do believe it was.



Oh. Except for the matter of the cat.

[amoray]

I'm done talkin' to you.

[enigmaestro]

Then I will send you the relevant information at a later date, how's that?

[amoray]

Sure. Great.

[nope he's pretty much settling into another one of his dark ruminating moods.]

[enigmaestro]

I hope you're been studying logic, in the meanwhile.

[Which means, he's stowed Ninnian away and he'll give Eridan a riddle to figure it out.

Like any psychotic ex-dad would, you know.]

Until then, keep up the good behavior.

[amoray]

[holy shit eddie.]

I plan on it.