[He says it so simply, leaning forward a little and lifting a hand to touch at the bars.]
If I could manage to vanish and appear somewhere like that, do you really imagine that I'd still be trapped in this cell of yours? I'm quite cold and fall ill easily, so I'll die like this, you know.
If I wanted to sabotage whatever ceremony you were holding, I'd pretend to go along with it while changing one subtle part without your knowledge and watch the fallout as it occurred.
[Those red and silver eyes narrow again, staring Eichi over in clear skepticism.]
Or you could be lying about that and just trying to throw me off the trail. But whatever you did I have people looking into it, so you can just shiver in there until they're done.
[With that he straightens up again, clearly planning to leave.
Between his Courtiers he figures that at least one of them has to find something useful. Valdemar and Valerius most likely, but maybe one of the others will surprise him and be competent and less annoying than usual. As long as he gets results and can return to enjoying the remainder of the masquerade.]
[Mm, he needs to speak fast or this Count is never going to let him out. He'll die before he realizes his mistake, and he probably wouldn't even care. Eichi has to think quickly. Appeal to him, instead of sassing.
And so he speaks up.]
Ah, one moment! If it's only a matter of waiting, might I suggest being in your service?
[He hopes that draws his attention. He keeps speaking either way.]
A handsome and refined man like you must have so much to do. Isn't that right? I'm certain there must be some way that I can both help you and prove myself while under your watchful eye.
After all, I have reason to believe that your "people" may not all be on your side, so I'm a bit concerned about your methods. I'd rather prove myself, if possible.
[Eichi's assessment on how to approach the man does at least seem to earn his attention again, the flattery doing it's job. Of course Lucio isn't completely foolish enough to not see what the other is doing by appealing to his vanity, but that also doesn't stop him from listening. He comes to a halt and turns slowly, the gold of his arm glinting in the dim light as it crosses over the other.]
I don't really need the concern of some random kid who fell from who-knows-where. And the people all love me, so don't get the wrong idea either! [He snorts disdainfully, chin rising haughtily.]
Besides, I don't really see what use you could be when you're already keeling over from just sitting in here for a few hours. I don't have any use for weak people or brats, you know?
[Hmm. It's difficult to argue his use from a prison cell. He thinks trying to would only make him look worse...
And so, he'll take a gamble. Maybe Lucio will be paranoid. Maybe he'll take a weight to his words that isn't there. Maybe he won't, and Eichi will be left in his cell— but even if then, he'll experiment with whatever this force is that he can feel within himself.
Something is strange here. He just doesn't know what yet.]
I see... So you're refusing me? [He lets his hands slip away from the bars and folds them behind his back, instead.]
That's ultimately up to you, isn't it? But just so you know, I'll remember this, if you return changing your mind. I hope you're prepared.
[He waves a hand dismissively over his shoulder, seeming set in his decision as he moves towards the exit of the prison. But at those last last words the man actually does pause, coming to a halt before slowly turning on his heel to fix those striking eyes back onto Eichi.
While there's still arrogance and pride in his demeanor there is a hint of something else there as well, something that could almost be considered uncertainty. It seems that the seed took root, at least a little.]
What's that supposed to mean? Are you threatening me?
[He sees it. The slimmest chance, something that could snap away too easily. He has to be careful. And it's at times like these that he performs the best, he thinks. Smiling thinly, he meets the Count's gaze.]
Does it seem that way? [Light, too breezy.] But I'm only a boy... only someone useless. Isn't that right?
[Lucio is by no means sensitive enough to notice whatever odd magical changes have taken place in Eichi, but he is accustomed to dealing with manipulative people. Aside from being one himself others tend to be drawn to him, and they also tend to be the kinds who are most willing to go along with his whims since they can often benefit as well. He doesn't trust that light tone at all; it reminds him too much of Asra while at the same time there's a shrewdness that reminds him of Valerius.
Kid or not, maybe he could be useful. And if all else fails there's still always the execution option.]
I don't like it when brats jerk me around, so drop the snark. [There are certain people whose sass he'll tolerate and even enjoy, but a random boy locked in a cell is not one of those people.]
Since you seem so confident in yourself how about we make a deal? If you help me figure out who interrupted my ritual then I won't separate your pretty little head from your shoulders.
I mean no disrespect. You wouldn't trust words from a frail boy with a weak personality, would you? In order to cover up for my weakness, I must put my strengths forward and speak confidently to grab attention.
[Score. He slips his hand partway through the bars, as if for a shake.]
I can agree to that deal. Let's arrange a time period for a deadline as well as what resources will be at my disposal to assist me. Something realistic, but not too forgiving... It should be fair, right?
Pretty words don't mean anything if you can't back them up, no matter how confident you sound.
[Not that he has much right to talk given his own boastful nature and penchant for lying about his own achievements. But what Lucio lacks in honesty he can actually back up with brute force and threats, so he doesn't need to "grab attention" in quite the same manner. It's partially due to his upbringing as well, living in a world where only the brutal and ruthless survived.
He hums for a moment, tapping his chin with a metal finger before grinning.]
I'm planning another party for a month from now, so you can have until then. As far as resources go you're talking to the Count of Vesuvia, I can get whatever I want.
[And leaving no further room for question or argument he reaches out his real hand to shake Eichi's firmly.]
[Only a month. But complaints won't do for now, and if he's the Count and will provide him with anything, that should help matters just fine. All he needs is more time, originally, and then he can expand from there. So, he shakes back, confident even if his grip isn't the strongest.]
My head is on the line, so I can't be all talk. It's a deal, either way.
Um, but is it possible to ask for an actual room, then? In these conditions, I'll die before I run out of time.
You'd be surprised the sorts of things I've heard men they can claim to do when their head is on the line. [He's had plenty of men grovel at his feet, after all. But unless they have something very good to offer his mercy is rare and fleeting.]
You're really a demanding one, aren't you? [The Count snorts, although he does flash a crooked grin at Eichi a moment later.]
Although I guess it would be a shame to let a cute face like yours waste away down here. You could maybe give me something to look at when I'm bored.
[He snaps his fingers and one of the guards lingering just outside the door approaches and unlocks the cell, pulling open the bars with a wary look at Eichi before stepping aside to let him pass.]
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teaism2019-06-29 02:23 pm
no subject
[He says it so simply, leaning forward a little and lifting a hand to touch at the bars.]
If I could manage to vanish and appear somewhere like that, do you really imagine that I'd still be trapped in this cell of yours? I'm quite cold and fall ill easily, so I'll die like this, you know.
If I wanted to sabotage whatever ceremony you were holding, I'd pretend to go along with it while changing one subtle part without your knowledge and watch the fallout as it occurred.
[He'd Actually do the Asra method, really.]
no subject
Or you could be lying about that and just trying to throw me off the trail. But whatever you did I have people looking into it, so you can just shiver in there until they're done.
[With that he straightens up again, clearly planning to leave.
Between his Courtiers he figures that at least one of them has to find something useful. Valdemar and Valerius most likely, but maybe one of the others will surprise him and be competent and less annoying than usual. As long as he gets results and can return to enjoying the remainder of the masquerade.]
no subject
And so he speaks up.]
Ah, one moment! If it's only a matter of waiting, might I suggest being in your service?
[He hopes that draws his attention. He keeps speaking either way.]
A handsome and refined man like you must have so much to do. Isn't that right? I'm certain there must be some way that I can both help you and prove myself while under your watchful eye.
After all, I have reason to believe that your "people" may not all be on your side, so I'm a bit concerned about your methods. I'd rather prove myself, if possible.
no subject
I don't really need the concern of some random kid who fell from who-knows-where. And the people all love me, so don't get the wrong idea either! [He snorts disdainfully, chin rising haughtily.]
Besides, I don't really see what use you could be when you're already keeling over from just sitting in here for a few hours. I don't have any use for weak people or brats, you know?
no subject
And so, he'll take a gamble. Maybe Lucio will be paranoid. Maybe he'll take a weight to his words that isn't there. Maybe he won't, and Eichi will be left in his cell— but even if then, he'll experiment with whatever this force is that he can feel within himself.
Something is strange here. He just doesn't know what yet.]
I see... So you're refusing me? [He lets his hands slip away from the bars and folds them behind his back, instead.]
That's ultimately up to you, isn't it? But just so you know, I'll remember this, if you return changing your mind. I hope you're prepared.
no subject
[He waves a hand dismissively over his shoulder, seeming set in his decision as he moves towards the exit of the prison. But at those last last words the man actually does pause, coming to a halt before slowly turning on his heel to fix those striking eyes back onto Eichi.
While there's still arrogance and pride in his demeanor there is a hint of something else there as well, something that could almost be considered uncertainty. It seems that the seed took root, at least a little.]
What's that supposed to mean? Are you threatening me?
no subject
Does it seem that way? [Light, too breezy.] But I'm only a boy... only someone useless. Isn't that right?
It must be that you have nothing to worry over. ♪
no subject
Kid or not, maybe he could be useful. And if all else fails there's still always the execution option.]
I don't like it when brats jerk me around, so drop the snark. [There are certain people whose sass he'll tolerate and even enjoy, but a random boy locked in a cell is not one of those people.]
Since you seem so confident in yourself how about we make a deal? If you help me figure out who interrupted my ritual then I won't separate your pretty little head from your shoulders.
no subject
[Score. He slips his hand partway through the bars, as if for a shake.]
I can agree to that deal. Let's arrange a time period for a deadline as well as what resources will be at my disposal to assist me. Something realistic, but not too forgiving... It should be fair, right?
no subject
[Not that he has much right to talk given his own boastful nature and penchant for lying about his own achievements. But what Lucio lacks in honesty he can actually back up with brute force and threats, so he doesn't need to "grab attention" in quite the same manner. It's partially due to his upbringing as well, living in a world where only the brutal and ruthless survived.
He hums for a moment, tapping his chin with a metal finger before grinning.]
I'm planning another party for a month from now, so you can have until then. As far as resources go you're talking to the Count of Vesuvia, I can get whatever I want.
[And leaving no further room for question or argument he reaches out his real hand to shake Eichi's firmly.]
no subject
My head is on the line, so I can't be all talk. It's a deal, either way.
Um, but is it possible to ask for an actual room, then? In these conditions, I'll die before I run out of time.
no subject
You're really a demanding one, aren't you? [The Count snorts, although he does flash a crooked grin at Eichi a moment later.]
Although I guess it would be a shame to let a cute face like yours waste away down here. You could maybe give me something to look at when I'm bored.
[He snaps his fingers and one of the guards lingering just outside the door approaches and unlocks the cell, pulling open the bars with a wary look at Eichi before stepping aside to let him pass.]