[Private to Corbin]

[asher_embry]

So... how about convincing Hector to visit you for the night sometime? So I can talk to Lacroix without him worrying that Hector's going to walk in on him.

It's a win-win for everyone, right? No harm done. But Lacroix seems to think that Hector lacks... initiative? sometimes, so maybe it'd be a good idea for you to ask him.

Comments

[pallor_m0rtis]

Hector comes over when he wants to, or goes out when he wants to; so I do see him from time to time.

Exactly why are we having a discussion about this in the first place?
I told you that kid lacks any ability to shut up.

Either way, you do realize that it makes me an accomplice to the situation if I ask Hector to do anything with the motive of knowing you just want a chance to call the kid without him being there to catch him talking to you.

[pallor_m0rtis]

We have rather difficult to mesh personalities, it likely won't ever be pleasant between us but I don't go out of my way to annoy the kid either.
He annoys me almost endlessly at times; but I think that's just his painfully cheerful personality.

I agree, he is more, but the fact that Hector himself doesn't see it that way is in fact the problem; and I'm afraid there's likely no changing that fact.
I can't say I know what to think about it; he's been that way as long as I've known him, but with the kid now there's another layer to it that makes him even more distant and focused on the 'family'.

Really this seems about up to my normal standard of how life goes, so it's no resounding surprise.

[asher_embry]

Heh. I think that cheerful personality is really cute. But... I'm probably biased.

Hm, I wonder if there's a way to make him think more about himself apart from their cult. What were the kinds of things he liked to do before Lacroix was around? Maybe you could try to find out those things if you don't know, and maybe do those things more with him.

[pallor_m0rtis]

Cheerful doesn't appeal to me, plus he talks a lot, in circles, and nonsense. I found intellect and focus more appealing. So you are biased, but so am I.
And since I have no interest in the kid, you feel free to be biased and think he's cute as much as you want; as I don't care.

Hector's habits are much the same now as they were before, he just spends less time with them, or takes the kid along with him.
And on some level I dislike making suggestions as he is often busy and it puts him in the awkward position of saying no and me in the equally awkward position of having to accept that.

[asher_embry]

He feels awkward telling you no? See, that just proves he wants to be around you. I mean, if he really want to be around you, he'd just tell you 'no' and not care. How about I tell Lacroix to keep real busy with reading some nights -- that way Hector won't feel like he has to stay at home to look after him. So you can have more time with him instead.

[pallor_m0rtis]

Well, I can't say actually, that was an assumption as for most people it is an awkward situation.
I'm not sure if Hector ever feels awkward; he doesn't seem like the sort to.

I'm under the impression he already does that, and it leaves Hector to tend to his own hobbies and affairs in the apartment; his obligations are priority from what I've noticed.
I can respect that, when it's at the point of respecting it or else demanding I don't want him to feel obligated to keep me company.
Frankly I don't was the company of people who feel obligated to do that.

Hector makes an effort to talk to me when he's not busy, or do things when he's not otherwise engaged in his own affairs; in simple terms that more than most people do.

[asher_embry]

I doubt he ever feels obligated to see you. Lacroix said you're the only one he invites over again and again; obviously you must be something special.

...I understand that you don't want to overstep boundaries, but maybe that's what it'll take to make him less... you know, how he is. Not that it's any of my business, I guess.

[pallor_m0rtis]

I'm the only one that respects his rules and obligations; Hector knows very few people other than in passing.

He's also a very serious person, so there's the obvious risk that he'll find my presence a distraction or issue if I put him in some uncomfortable spot.
He's basically the only friend I have, I'm rather guarded about disrupting that.

It's not all negative, don't think that, very often I am content.
But there's a frustrating edge to it as well that I have a difficult time sorting my way through.

[asher_embry]

Could you try talking to him about it? If he's as mature as people say he is, then he'd not going to tell you to shut up or anything. He'll hear you out. Maybe he feels the same way but doesn't know how to tell you.

[pallor_m0rtis]

No, I haven't, and I have little intention to as I'm certain I would be the one coming off as looking stupid by the end of the conversation.
Dealing with Hector isn't the same as dealing with a normal person; while at times I find that a positive I'm also very aware there are downsides to it; one being his intense loyalty to his 'family' and little else.
Case in point; if he considered me a threat to that family he would get rid of me; and I can't let that bother me too much because I can't expect that to change.
In some ways I'm practically required to stay part of the background.

You should keep that in mind yourself, by the way.

[asher_embry]

How do you know he isn't loyal to you, too? I really doubt it would make him happy not to see you anymore. I don't think he'd just push you out of his life that easy. I know that he cares for Lacroix; he's not heartless or anything. He probably cares about you, too.

[pallor_m0rtis]

I don't want to test the theory, once you test it you can't go back, you just have to live with the end results. And sometimes that can be worse.
I'm not entirely pessimistic, I'm just realistic; weighing now against what I could lose...it's better to keep what I have than risk it.
With any luck Hector and I could know each other a very, very long time, there's still chance, but maybe not yet.
I don't know honestly.

[asher_embry]

All right. Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. If there's something I can do to help too, let me know.