(Untitled)

[kokanshu]

Comments

[deathforsome]

[Calmly.]

It makes them what they are.

[easternblue]

Who?

[deathforsome]

[His voice is slightly hoarse, but soft. He rarely, if ever, finds the need to raise his voice. The tone suggests there is further meaning beneath what he said.]

Animals.

[easternblue]

And you hold yourself above?

[deathforsome]

[His eyes focus on Josias's for a prolonged, silent pause. There isn't anything necessarily threatening or hostile about them, but many would consider eye contact with him intimidating.

He averts his eyes, calmly, rubbing his hands together once.]

I am aware of my place.

[easternblue]

[He tips his head. Something smells off about the man, and he acknowledges that perhaps he's meant to respect that, but he's never been particularly respectful. Polite, always, but he has no patience to hold conversations on ceremony.]

Are you going to tell me what place that is? Or do you enjoy this atmosphere of mystery?

[deathforsome]

[His look returns to the boy. He takes another moment to answer, his speech very articulate and slow, embedded with quiet severity.]

You should acknowledge your own, before making impertinent questions.

[easternblue]

[He glances away this time, as much as it annoys him. He's hardly looking to start another fight.]

My apologies, but I can't know if I'm being impertinent or not without some idea of who I'm speaking to.

[deathforsome]

[He doesn't look away.]

That does not excuse your attempt to test me with assumptions. [A pause.] It earns you no respectability.

[easternblue]

[His lips peel back from his teeth a little, briefly, but he keeps his gaze averted.]

I made no assumptions. I asked questions.

[deathforsome]

[He remains silent for yet another few seconds - as if to make his gaze very present in the boy's mind. He, too, has no reason to begin a conflict, but he isn't one to tolerate disrespect.]

One does not rule out the other.

[He scratches his jaw, calmly. Then, he repeats Josias's questions, practically word by word, to emphasize his point.]

Will I tell you what 'place' I am in? [A short pause.]

No, I will not.

Does this mean that I enjoy an... apparent atmosphere of mystery?

No. It does not.

[easternblue]

[He makes an annoyed noise of dismissal.] Phrasing. I meant no harm by it, I was simply trying to have a conversation.

[He turns back, gave the man a chance to prove the need for respect, and he declined to use it.] If you'll give me no reason why not, then I will respect you as much as any other, which means 'impertinence'. [A smile that's sharper at the corners than it should be.] It's part of my charm.

[deathforsome]

[The only reaction Josias's defiance gets is a slightly stronger austereness, though the remainder of his expression is mostly unaltered.]

There are wiser ways to have a conversation, Josias.

[His head, and eyes, finally turn away. He exhales softly, through his lips.] May you keep this in mind. For your own spiritual growth.

((ooc: hope it's alright that Raphael knew his name fhdfg.))

it's absolutely fine :)

[easternblue]

[His eyes narrow a little at the use of his name, but, frustratingly, he still can't scent out more about the man.]

I find this way usually works perfectly fine for me. But then, I think my spirit's grown as much as it's ever going to. You probably know all about that though, seeing as you obviously have the advantage of me. [He tips his head, acknowledgement.] Or perhaps I'm making more assumptions.

thank you!

[deathforsome]

[Still looking away, downwards.] You're wrong. [A beat, as his voice becomes softer, almost a whisper, but still heard.]

The most valuable gift that could be bestowed upon you, and you make a mockery of it.

[easternblue]

[He snarls, a deep noise in his throat that he cuts off abruptly before it can really turn into the growl it wants to be.]

How is the way I talk to people a mockery of anything?