open

[bouchonne]

WHO: Byerly and Kitty and thou or even you
WHAT: Open post!! open post
WHEN: The month of KINGSWAY
WHERE: EVERYWHERE but mostly in Kirkwall and in the Gallows
NOTES: Warning: chatterboxes

[ Starters in comments!! Feel free to tag in or start your own thread it's groovy ]

Comments

[bouchonne]

How lightly he values his life.

[ Byerly, flat in the bottom of the boat, sprawled broadly out, reaches out to touch the toe of Benedict's boot. Mournfully, he traces his fingers along the leather, crooning: ]

Dear fellow. You have value. I know it doesn't seem it, I know it seems you're worthless, but you should live.

[altusimperius]

[Benedict quickly yanks his boot back out of the man's reach. There is a crazy person in the boat with him, and he needs to just keep it together until they reach the Gallows.]

I beg your pardon? [he snaps, unable to keep from taking offense. Come to think of it, there's something familiar about this man's voice, though he can't place it.]

[bouchonne]

I said -

[ Byerly reaches out a little further to hook his hand around Benedict's ankle. ]

You are worth something, dear man.

[altusimperius]

Stop--

[He tugs his leg away and curls it up against his chest, the boat rocking dangerously with the sudden movement.]

Don't touch me, scum! [Bene yelps, anxiety spiking. He doesn't know this man from Corypheus, and it was only all too recently that he was overwhelmed by peasants picking a bone with the upper class. He didn't get out of it unscathed, to say the least.]

I'll have you out of this boat! [His voice has gone a bit shrill, and he's as far to the edge as he can get without falling out or upending their ride.]

[bouchonne]

My, my.

[ By sits up in the boat, placing his weight precisely to ensure that it doesn't tip over. And then he flings his arm over the edge of the boat, just to ensure he looks appropriately causal and unconcerned. ]

How jumpy you are. What's your name, my boy?

[altusimperius]

That's none of your busin--

[Wait. Now he knows. It clicks in Bene's mind, and his expression becomes one of disgust.]

...you're the man from the sending crystal.

[bouchonne]

Am I?

[ By blinks innocently up at Benedict. ]

What are you speaking of?

[altusimperius]

The new--

[Oh what's the use. He stops and folds his arms with a sneer.]

There's no point telling you my name, you can't pronounce it anyway.

[bouchonne]

[ He frowns, shakes his head. He looks completely confused. ]

[altusimperius]

[ssssiiIIIGGGGGGHHHH]

...Benedict. Artemaeus.

[bouchonne]

Doesn't ring a bell. What's this...sending crystal...?

[altusimperius]

[He's not falling for this again-- and even if it's not a joke, and is an honest mistake, then this is the appropriate response either way.]

Never mind. [He looks out at the water, willing the Gallows to come closer.]

[bouchonne]

Do you like yourself, my boy?

[ The question is perfectly cheerful. ]

[altusimperius]

[Bene senses the trap, but isn't sure where or what it is. He hesitates before answering.]

Well enough.

[bouchonne]

You hesitated.

[altusimperius]

[for fuck's sake]

Yes, I like myself.

[bouchonne]

Why?

[altusimperius]

I— what do you care?

[bouchonne]

That's not an answer.

[altusimperius]

I don’t have to answer. It’s none of your concern.

[bouchonne]

Why isn't it? Doesn't man owe a debt of care to his fellow man?

[altusimperius]

Because you're toying with me and I don't care if you know or not. [He tips his nose up, irritably.]

[bouchonne]

Do you want people to worry about you, dear soul?

[altusimperius]

No.

[bouchonne]

Ahh. Are you so shy?