fatespoken | [ fourty-six ]

[Even Adrian knows how bad this sounds but it's a necessary question.]

Your place or mine?

[ Does he really care about how bad it sounds? ]

I just have an apartment.

[ You know, in case Adrian's ~~a billionare~~ picky. He knows that Adrian's suit is no Men's Warehouse special, and not because it's bright purple. Once upon a time in San Francisco, he had been a spoiled brat, and he knows quality fabric when he sees it. ]

Two cats, also.

[If only Amory were more forthcoming about his background, they might actually find something in common. Maybe.]

I have the Palace.

[It's big. No one will harass them there.]

[ Maybe. They had both given up a large sum of money in one way or another, possessed an inclination toward very old shit. But those are only a few points of similarity, really.

He should at least be more forthcoming to the point of offering Adrian a thank you. ]

You do realize this will take forever?

[ Of course he had the palace. ]

Let's go then.

[MUCH MUCH MUCH LATER.]

We don't have too long to go. Minutes at the most.

[The study is empty, private, and furnished with tasteful furniture, one of which is a long couch they could have used if they'd wanted to. Right now though they're probably standing. Probably.]

[ There's no angry retort, none of the sarcastic jabs that had only earlier been the extent of their conversation-- it's just a nod and a single word. But perhaps the reaction is not so much of a surprise now. As the day dragged on, Amory had put aside much of his venom for a more sedate disposition, meaning levelheaded responses and intervals of spacing out. It wasn't like he'd stop bitching at Adrian, but it was a start. ]

Finally.

[ His eyes are focused down and away from Adrian's face. The sort of look that makes a person seem half asleep.]

You can't sleep here.

[Adrian quips, having noticed the gradual loss of venom but far be it for him to actually remark on the change lest it come back at the drop of a hat.]

I wasn't planning on sleeping.

[ He was actually thinking, as surprising as that might sound. Thinking about the fact that Adrian did save him from either a serious head injury or even death. There wasn't any reason to do it, not after the way Amory treated him.

Even with his odd behavior during that curse, perhaps Amory was being overly judgmental. Or rather, just because Adrian couldn't trusted (not that Amory trusted many) didn't mean he couldn't thank him. He at least deserved that after today's curse. ]

...

[ No, he hasn't said anything yet- but his eyes are now looking at Adrian now. ]

[A curse was a curse was a curse and little can be done to prove if the curse itself was one-sided or not, right? In addition to that, not once has Adrian tried to repeat history so to speak. How fortunate of them. But when he sees Amory looking at him directly it's only in the blond's nature to look right back. He doesn't speak a word, however the slightest tilt of his head acts the same as an inquiry: What?]

[ It wasn't the kiss that was an issue, as awkward as it may have been, but his word choice following their intimate encounter. The whole decision to slip let in that single sentence. ]

...

Thanks.

[ There's a long pause leading up to it, the word itself spoken softy. It's not the gentle sort of softly, mind you, but the sort caused by hesitation. ]

Edited 2010-01-22 09:53 (UTC)

[It figures with Amory, but then again Adrian can't say he didn't see it coming at the time. It's just the fact that Adrian cared not to correct himself. Based on having seen the younger man around the network before, he has long since determined complying or pandering to Amory Felix is even worse than 'letting' him do anything.]

You're welcome

[His voice is neither soft nor an expression of charming reciprocated gratitude. It is matter of fact, an answer from Ozymandias and not Adrian Veidt.]

[ He had intended to stop there, but curiosity over intention draws the question out. ]

Why? I'm sure you can tell I don't like you.

[ He didn't have to save him. ]

I could tell that before I did anything at all.

[This, Adrian feels, is more telling than any expression of like or dislike. If Amory's dislike of him mattered, perhaps he wouldn't have been saved.]

Nevertheless, you decided to be a good Samaritan. A hero.

[ If dreams can project the subconscious, then perhaps the suit he had worn in his dream had said something toward a liking of heroics. I mean, he did save Amory freaking Felix.

Or maybe he liked to collect superhero action figures as kid. ]

Enjoy the self-gratification?

I enjoy exercising my principles. The fact that I can do so is a freedom and I also enjoy my freedom.

[Does producing action figures count? The clock continues ticking towards midnight. Perhaps it's thirty-five seconds till, perhaps it's ten.]

Why do you enjoy exercising them, other than for the freedom in doing so? Is it for esteem?

[ Good thing the time's ticking down to bare seconds because Amory's edging back to venom. It's not for the sake of just arguing with Adrian, nor is it out of a desire to insult him. This subject hits a sore spot, and it's instinctive to counter with a return to being defensive. ]

Enjoyment seems to be the theme, if not the base of your reason. And isn't there self-gratification in enjoying it?

Edited 2010-01-22 13:05 (UTC)

[What perfect timing, City. As soon as Adrian's thought of an answer for Amory he finds his arms loosening. Hands lift from the younger man and he takes a step back, letting his limbs fall to his sides to regain some circulation.]

I didn't say there isn't, but things aren't so simple.

Is it that hard to admit your main motive?

[ Amory bends his own arms to the side, stretching out the cramps and kinks. His subsequent movement is not toward the door, but of feet planted firmly on the ground. He's curious, Adrian. ]

[The answer he gives is honest but veiled, not willing to satiate that curiosity with the entire truth, not even for Amory who Adrian believes has other things he could offer.]

There's never only one.

It's like talking with my father.

[ Adrian's shrouded responses, his answers that lead only further away from the end, really do hit the wrong nerve. ]

Never a straight answer with you, is there? Only ambiguity heading nowhere.

You aren't so forthcoming yourself, Amory.

[Is this the first time he's actually used the other man's name? Maybe.]

[ The use of his name hasn't escaped Amory's notice, and he finds himself raising his line of sight to meet Adrian's face. He's certainly hit the hypocrite right on the nose. ]

There is nothing to be said.

[ Or rather, there is nothing be that needs to be said. ]

Then this is where we part ways.

[Green eyes return the direct eye contact, and just as he did in the dreamworld, he gestures for Amory to take his leave if he wants to.]

[ fourty-six ]

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knocked down | sob sorry for typos 8 am weep

knocked down | s'okaaaay

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