capeandcowl | voice;

Entry tags:

eridan ampora | prince of hope

voice;

So.

Any a you ewer had a nemesis before? Like fated fuckin' contentiousness, always gettin' up each others' gills doin' shit just to irritate 'em, duelin' to practically the death, maybe makin' out a little, that kinda thing.

See, I'm in the market for just that particular arrangement, and while I'm personally a master of the bellicose arts and don't need any adwice or nothin', I obwiously got a wested interest in how humans go about poorly imitatin' the quadrant. What with my bein' the main troll-human confidante in these parts and such.

[he pronounces it "con-fee-dawn-tay". also he means intermediary.]

Despite most of you bein' from a society bearin' a sewerely inferior romance system and therefore gettin' your emotions all scrambled up wrong from the get-go 'cos of it, I'd appreciate hearin' some personal tales.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Absolutely. I have, on more than one occasion, tangled words with the best wordsmiths and word-spinners there are. I have taken on giants twice my size and exchanged back and forth with beings beyond normal human comprehension. And do you know what it taught me, Mr. Nygma? It taught me that bullies are a sad lot and even when the rebuttal is up to par, grown men should pick on those who are their own size.

[YOU REMIND HER OF VANILLA MILKSHAKES. ROSE HATES VANILLA MILKSHAKES.

a pause.]

Back home, I saw him hide behind large objects just to catch a glimpse of the object of his affections. Do you want to be the person he hides behind tree-trunks for, Mr. Nygma? Karkat is very impressionable, as I'm sure you know. He is also very tender, not unlike a very fuzzy and angry little marshmallow under the heel of a finely tailored Italian boot. Flirting with him will get you nothing except for a very sore head and reason for me to take a keen interest in your affairs.

[ ROSE YOU ARE EMBARRASSING HIM ]

[STOP TALKING TO EGOCENTRIC OLD MEN, SHE IS GOING TO HAVE WORDS WITH KANAYA ABOUT THIS. ]

I'm aware -- we have talked before. And while I've no doubt of your highly impressive resume relevant to your own universe, it seems a little trite to resort to definition by our pasts, don't you think?

[After all, Eddie's own past is absolutely criminal.

AND YES THE COMPARISON HAS BEEN MADE I guess the green suits don't help either...]

As for your deft use of reverse psychology in return, it's quite a lovely thing to observe in action. I mean that sincerely. But I don't suppose the fact that my interest in your incredibly flustered friend cannot possibly exist past the platonic sphere makes no difference? You'll defend his honor -- and I'm sure he is oh so grateful -- against even imaginary threats? Because your last point, well, there's little doubt that you'll find reason to inspire headaches regardless, if it so intrigues you.

[Just a bit dry. Eddie may have been a prior victim of epic shipping with a certain CEO of Oscorp. And he may be. Bitter..........]

On the contrary, I'm quite sure he is holding back the urge to either vomit with embarrassment or to "tear me a new one" for trying to mediate. He is sometimes over dramatic, but I think he is also well aware of this fact. Would I be correct to presume that this is a trait that you share with him? It is certainly a trait he shares with other less savory sorts, but they are far closer to his age range and more than likely more genuinely receptive to his frivolous obsidian advances. But back to your point - you caught me. You are already intriguing, Mr. Nygma. Your mistake was to imply that you thought I haven't been incredibly nosy and already listened in to your public conversations already, in the past.

[Lucky for Eddie, he rings as human. He has flaws. He makes mistakes.

Rose takes a quiet, deep breath. She is trying to forget about white text and bad decisions. ]

Your original point, however, is one I find moot. If my past were not riddled with mistakes then I would have no basis to better myself for the future.

[A beat. ]

Do you think reputation is important, Mr. Nygma? Do you value yours?

I would never deny my appreciation and, yes, tendency towards theatrics, you're right to include that singular parallel between Mr. Vantas and myself. Though I'll admit there is a time an place for artful indulging. The question of my savoriness suspended for the moment -- I can't help but suspect there is a much larger concern at hand. You already know my mocking engagement was merely that, and yet here we are.

[Though he does resist preening over being deemed intriguing; a man who changes his name to reference "enigma" loves that sort of talk. So deeply, in fact, that perhaps his restraint would have been tempted more if not for Rose's oncoming and highly distracting words.]

Riddled. With mistakes. [His emphasis is acidic.] What an interesting choice of words, it really begs another set of questions, and those are most certainly the sort designed to catch that larger concern, aren't they? [Spoken now between his teeth.] Reputation, I've found, can be forgiving in the right hands. And I value that.

Edited 2012-09-25 02:42 (UTC)

[There is a pen mysteriously in Rose's hand, not that Eddie can see it. She is also writing notes down. Rapid change in tone and riddles, period. There is a small pause. Rose circles them both. ]

You should be careful then, Mr. Nygma. Do you want you reputation to be that you mock teenagers by flirting with them? That is my larger concern.

[Another pause. She writes down narcissistic?]

... When I referred to other unsavory sorts, however, I was not referring to you. But you know him. He thinks he owns the ocean. He has absolutely no table manners. Very soon I suspect he will fashion himself a cape made out of gaudy satin and proclaim himself as King. Perhaps you should channel your flirtations into helping him woo Karkat correctly.

Theatrics, however -- I do like talking about theatrics. I think you and Karkat would make marvelous actors.

Your larger concern revolves around how my actions are interpreted? My, my, Ms. Lalonde, you sure know how to flatter, insinuating such an importance and what not. [The slight smirk is evident in his voice.] But I daresay the other variables within my reputable equation will have greater sway. Those seem to affect more people.

[Oh if only he knew she was taking notes :c]

Eridan is fairly notoriously all on his own, yes. I know of him, I know him. [He doesn't dwell on the point.] I'm sure he'll engage his peers in the continual manner that he's so evidently wont to do. But -- there you go again, with the flattery. Very apt flattery too: I can't say I haven't taken an interest in performance art, when I was a younger man.

You are mistaking my politeness for a person investment in your well-being, Mr. Nygma. Using your reputation as an incentive was perhaps too school-yard for a man like yourself. But I will say that once one has a reputation such as flirts with teenagers, it becomes quite astonishing which traits stick in people's mind.

[So many notes. Welcome to Rose Lalonde's therapy session, Mr. Nygma. ]

Notorious-- [TRYING VERY HARD NOT TO LAUGH] -- well, I suppose we all have our opinions. You should pursue it, I think. Acting, I mean. A natural talent shouldn't be wasted. [A short pause, and then: ] It's often a family trait. Does it run in yours?

Oh no, my dear, that was no mistake. Merely wry sarcasm. And your continual threats are impotent, since I don't really care about teenagers. [Except his protege, but he'd never make mention of that, as he isn't supposed to have a criminal protege.] Though I will say the demographic is amusing, if only because of arguments made apparent right now. I'm used to a very similar demographic population, you see, as I'm a government official.

[OH NO SNEAK THERAPY SESSION. Simply diabolical.]

Mm. [Tension in his voice, which soon turns cold.] It does not run in mine, no.

Your continued presence would suggest otherwise, Mr. Nygma. I tend not to involve myself with things which give me little personal interest, for example. Nor do I seek out things which do not provide entertainment -- ah, politics. Adults who act like children while trying to run a city or a country. Comedy at it's best.

[Family issues goes down. As does seeks control. If only ~~Dave~~ everyone was so forthcoming. ]

Then you are unique.

If suggestive is what you desire, then suggestion is what you'll find. [Primly enigmatic, of course, but Eddie has had a history of getting away with acting up. There's no remark on the acting like a child line -- what's there to deny?]

I would have to agree that yes, I am. But goodness, my dear, what of yourself? Surely such an incisive young person can sympathize with the plight of the unique.

Edited 2012-09-26 21:24 (UTC)

You must be the life of parties, Mr. Nygma.

[Rose thinks about it. Jade is here. Feferi is here; Vriska, is here too. She pauses, before: ]

Who said I was unique?

It rather goes without saying. You seem aware enough, which is more than I can say for much of this populace. [A beat. When he speaks, it's delicately:] And as I used to have rapport with Eridan, a particular man of interest used to mentor you.

[He's referring to Norman Osborn, of course, the object of his rivalry.]

I would say that I am more than aware. I observe. I have to.

[She's frowning. Sometimes, it feels as though she has lived two separate lives in this city. It feels like a hindrance, sometimes. ] If I did, I have no recollection of it.

I imagine you don't, but that's all very systematic of this universe, isn't it? Needless to say, he thought you had some merit.

[So obviously his kismesis is going to, as well wink wink wink.]

It's a compliment.

It keeps me on my toes.

[She's going to need a whole entire wall for shipping. The last gentleman who thought she had merit also duped her into dying and ensuring his on-going existence within the past.

She draws a cueball on her page and stabs her pen through the middle. ]

Thank you. I won't deny that I have my moments.

He's spoken to you. [It's rushed, compared to his more drawled conversation. Eager.] Once. [Creepy stalking?] But he's always been one to bide his time.

He and I share that.

[Ah. Rose is very glad she started this conversation, suddenly. ] Has he? If he has an interest, then perhaps he should speak up. I might find myself suddenly very unavailable doing things like living a fairly normal life. For once.

I have to confess to impatience, myself.

Impatience can be unlearned. [Opting for the Big Brother technique here, implicitly.] If he maintains an interest, he won't be one to surrender it, regardless of your own agenda. But, I do wonder -- have you now an interest in return?

It's a slow unlearning process. Just yesterday I got so impatient that I ate cookie dough from the oven rather than waiting for them to bake. [She underlines theatrics once more. There's the audible sound of her tapping her pen against the paper. ]

I have an interest in anyone who has an interest in me.

There appears to be an easier solution. A straighter line, if your will, to your cookie conundrum. [Ignoring the fact he just said 'cooking conundrum'.] Just buy them already made, next time.

What an interesting perspective on particularly literal self-serving interests. Perhaps I should've kept mum on the subject. [Nope.]

They taste better home-made. [That's a lie; but perservereance, Rose is sure, will make that a truth one day. Probably. ]

Do you want me to seek him out, Mr. Nygma? That is the impression that you are giving me.

Really. [Said in such a smug tone, knowing that falsehood rang.]

Well, I'm only invested in the degree of an observer, aren't I? You're naturally free to engage as you will -- I'm sure, in any case, you'll make peace with that blossoming curiosity somehow.

Really. [You don't know her life, Eddie. ]

Observer; instigator. I think you are both. Why are you so invested, Mr. Nygma?

voice; c r y i n g

comment not here; i take no responsibility for this

comment not here; you should

voice; such a glorious thing deserves tears is why

voice; i'm going to frame this

voice; put it in the hall of frame

voice; the frame will be the gaudiest shade of gold available

voice; you've framed this mental image beautifully

voice; i do try my best

voice; 8')

voice; Bo)

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