( mostly closed )

[ettersberg]

Who: Thomas Nightingale (ettersberg) & various
What: dinner dates, accidentally stumbling about questers, a month in the life of one (1) thomas nightingale
When: january
Where: olympia
Warning(s): n/a (will warn in subject lines if anything comes up)

[ starters in comments. hit me up via pm or at abiosis if you'd like to do something! ]

Comments

[ettersberg]

[ the problem is, of course, that nightingale is quite certain of what he just said. ]

I thought my meaning was clear.

[ nightingale has fought fae and negotiated with gods and goddesses. local ones, admittedly, but nonetheless. he's interrogated a great many suspects, most of which had something to hide.

conversationally: ] Why don't you tell me what you're doing here, Byerly?

[vorrutyer]

[ And embarrassment creeps into his face. Byerly has been interrogated a great many times, and most of those times he had something to hide. But if you feed someone snacks, sometimes they won't seek out a meal. ]

Nothing. [ He shrugs a little jerkily. ] Just - exploring.

[ettersberg]

You could have asked for a tour.

[ nightingale is not sure he believes it, but - he's not looking for the meal. he wasn't even looking for a snack until he stumbled upon the breadcrumbs.

his tone remains mild, his expression neutral. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ He looks up, then, quite suddenly. ]

From you? Would you have given me one?

[ettersberg]

Depending on the reason why you'd have asked.

[ but of course, byerly hadn't asked. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ He lowers his eyelashes. A touch hesitantly: ]

Perhaps - to spend a bit of time with you?

[ettersberg]

[ it would be a convincing act - if not for the fact that byerly hadn't asked in advance, that he is reacting now instead of acting. ]

I wouldn't have been opposed.

[ but he doesn't appreciate being used or led on, and he is getting the impression that one of those two is the case. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ With a broader smile - ]

Well. Then how about a tour now?

[ettersberg]

You're not here to spend time with me.

[ it's not a no, precisely, but it's nightingale calmly pointing out a fact. ]

[vorrutyer]

Are you sure of that?

[ettersberg]

Given your surprise at seeing me and the fact that you haven't been seeking me out? Yes.

[ not to mention that byerly is dressed in all black, not to mention that for a moment, he'd been trying to convince nightingale that he was a guard, or at least seeing if he could get away with the impression. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ His smile hardly even falters. ]

It's been a pity, not having seen each other in all this time...

[ettersberg]

Hmhm.

[ nightingale's hum is non-committal, his gaze still steady, watching byerly. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ Shit. Well, shit. ]

Haven't you missed me? A bit?

[ettersberg]

As much, I'd venture, as you've missed me.

[ a fond thought, now and again. perhaps the desire to repeat the experience - but never quite enough to call. ]

[vorrutyer]

Which is why I'm here now.

[ettersberg]

I doubt that.

[ sorry, byerly. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ God. Why do bad things happen to...Well. Why do bad things happen to mediocre people? ]

What else would I be here for?

[ettersberg]

I was hoping you'd tell me.

[ go on, byerly. he hasn't ratted you out yet. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ By licks his lips - and then, decisively, flashes a smile at Nightingale. ]

Let's go somewhere a bit more private.

[ettersberg]

So you can tell me?

[ he'd like confirmation first, thank you very much. ]

[vorrutyer]

Worried I'll jump you?

[ettersberg]

Worried you'll not tell me.

[ he doesn't think he'd particularly mind being jumped, but - he's working. it would be entirely unprofessional to say as much. ]

[vorrutyer]

I think I'm hurt. Aren't you even a little bit scared of me?

[ettersberg]

[ at that, nightingale's gaze sharpens. ]

Should I be?