PC: HARROW

[headmt]

Comments

[headmt]

Oh.

[Well that's fine then.]

... Yes. Seems like.

[Making a face.]

Bit embarrassing, the whole thing. A fucking week? Gods.

[bonetiddies]

[Bit embarrassing, huh. Well. That's fine.]

I hated every minute of it. The worst. Impossible to tolerate with the senses. Anyway, between preventing murders and all of my other pressing obligations, I interrogated everyone who could have had the power and found the culprit.

[headmt]

[yes, listen, we're going with "bit embarrassing" to avoid having to talk about any of the other fucked-up-ness of it such as having your feelings manipulated for a week while you're also trying to figure out about a million other feelings problems at the same time because no one wants to hear him complain about his very stupid head problems.]

... Oh yes?

[bonetiddies]

[Molly. If there is anyone you're allowed to complain about your stupid head problems to, it's her. She has so many feelings. She has made so many complaints.]

Yes. And I will tell you who it was, and there are no conditions upon my telling you. You can do whatever you wish about it.

[Because she's bringing this to him like a cat with a mouse; whether or not he wants it, it's a gift to him. A way of saying, without having to form the excruciating thought with her mouth, No one is allowed to hurt you and get away with it. If he reacts badly, it may ruin her relationship with Yuel, but she won't ask him not to because it's a gift and doesn't come with strings attached.]

It was Yuel. Let me just say that I don't think she intended any harm in it. She just. . . never considered the many very obvious reasons it was a harmful idea.

[headmt]

[Oh. His gaze flicks up at that, looking ... well, more than a little touched, because he recognizes the kind of gift-giving that is? It's one he's familiar with, if not necessarily the recipient of often.

But he scowls when he hears the name, flat out. Look, he's got a kind heart, but he isn't totally above petty anger and hurt feelings.]

Can't say I'm not tempted to march over there and sock her one.

[bonetiddies]

I'm not going to tell you not to - well, actually, are you sure you'd win? [Wow?] She's actually fairly strong. But you've a right to be angry.

[headmt]

Firstly, rude. Secondly, I don't care about winning, the point is the suckerpunch. If she beats me after, I've still gotten the one good hit in.

Then again, a week of being out of my mind in exchange for one punch seems like it's getting off easy, doesn't it?

[bonetiddies]

So what would you prefer to do?

[headmt]

I'm not so fucking soft-hearted I'm thinking of just ... forgiving and forgetting. Made me look like a godsdamned fool, made it so White will certainly never look me in the eye again, and made it so- ... Well it made certain conversations with certain people who might not be able to have conversation this week because of bad ears very difficult. Something was stolen from me.

[bonetiddies]

Agree. It was cruel.

[You are pretty soft hearted, though.]

I told her as much myself. So I'll reiterate, what would you like to do? Shall we find a way to punish her?

[headmt]

[shrugging.]

I don't know? I'd make her buy me drinks for a month if you had to pay any gold for them, or curse her so she has to wear a sweater for a week or something. But I don't have any good curses and I'm too tired to plan anything intricate.

[bonetiddies]

Hmm.

[She's just a little. . . so it did hurt him, then. Of course it did, but he's acting like a person who feels very hurt.]

If you're tired, don't dwell on it. I will come up with some options.

[headmt]

I-- No, don't.

[Just. Sighing out, putting his face in his hands for a second. And then he sits back up.]

It's Yuel. She didn't mean any harm. Probably punishment enough to have to live with me knowing and getting to act smugly about knowing. [...] I just. Don't like the idea of feeling something that isn't mine. I want to be in charge of my own damned feelings.

[bonetiddies]

[Oh, good. She didn't really want to do anything to hurt Yuel.]

You don't have to tell me. [She sighs, walks over to come and sit near him.] A particularly nasty one, in my opinion. You are justified in feeling wronged, and angry. Whatever she intended doesn't change that certain transgressions demand a response.

But. . . I expected her to have carelessly done it as a joke, but it wasn't even that. She seemed to think it would be a nice effect to have, and then waking up from it would be like waking up with a hangover, nothing more.

Talk to her, is what I suggest. I had to deploy somewhat drastic measures to get the information from her. That I got her to tell me and then told you right away will likely be suitable, in terms of a response.

[headmt]

Well it's a terrible effect to have. You have to care about who texts you, and if he's off talking to some other boy. Who gives a flying shit about any of that? I will say it is a bit like waking up with a hangover. Just one where you've woken up and really lost your trousers somewhere.

[Huffing a bit of a laugh.]

Yeah yeah. I'll talk to her. Fine.

[bonetiddies]

[She groans a little, which sort of undoes the effect of how serious she's being.]

What a misstep it was, that detail about Mineo. Ridiculous to think that would have helped. I simply didn't expect that demanding the two of you avoid one another would work, because why by the rock did either of you think I had any say in it?

[headmt]

You said it was important! You were very clear on the importance! If you pull that card, I'm going to try and listen at least, even if I'm cursed with feelings or whatever.

I suppose you saved him from the best lay he's ever likely to get in his life, but maybe that's for the best. Sex mistakes would have made the "hangover" worse I suppose. Though I don't know if he'd have managed regardless, I terrify the absolute pants off of him whether he's cursed or not.

[bonetiddies]

[Just giving him an ugh look, but. Okay. TMI aside, she is sort of relieved by that.]

It's definitely for the best. What a mess. [. . .] I only thought that. . . there was more potential for damage in a few different ways, the more time you spent together. It wasn't just "sex mistakes."

For the record, I'm glad you listened. It just surprised me.

[headmt]

Are you that surprised?

[he does't seem offended just. she can't be that shocked he'd just listen if she pulled a card like "IT'S IMPORTANT."]

[bonetiddies]

Yes.

[Hmm.]

Don't pout. I'm new to all of this. Having friends business.

[Like. It was like two weeks ago that he had to explain to her she could just ask White not to spread her personal stuff around instead of threaten to kill him?]

[headmt]

[wow she said outloud they were friends]

I'm not pouting! If I were entering a full-on sulk, you'd know it. It's what I was trying to do earlier.

[bonetiddies]

[She did! She did. It's just become impossible not to acknowledge that there are a lot of people here who seem to like her. It's bizarre.]

I know. Don't think I've forgotten. Priorities.

[headmt]

Right.

[...]

Well go on then.

[bonetiddies]

I spent some time thinking of the appropriate approach. On the one hand, I know you did not intend anything malicious, and your intercession at trial was precisely what I had been hoping our arrangement would allow for. On the other hand. . . [Her eyes glitter a little in that malicious way she has sometimes.]

No, I cannot simply forgive the transgression. Unburdened by kindness, I am free to punish you in an appropriately nasty way. And it struck me that this is the exact circumstance the type of drastic measures I began to put into practice last week were created for.

[headmt]

[look, all today has been harrow bringing him gifts of knowing who curse culprits are and calling him 'a friend' outloud, he suspects strongly that he is being fucked with at least a little right now, but also as a friend he would like to give harrow this little show of being Very Scary so he acts appropriately

also he does actually think she kind of deserves to rip into him for it? he fucked up. he put her in danger. whatever she thinks is fair probably is.]

You're toying with your prey now, Harrowhark.