un: phoenixevolution

[manufactured]

I have no desire to go on at length today, nor do I have a particular point to make. Merely a question.

Tell me about something fundamental to your world. Not something that's merely different to this place, but something that you wouldn't have been able to conceive of a world being without until you were brought here. Whether it's mundane or not matters very little to me; every world has something.

[That's surprisingly brief for him, but at least it's less...everything he usually is over the network. Small mercies, maybe.]

Comments

[manufactured]

If I really felt like being unproductive, I'd ask you what it is you think I'm doing. As it stands, I'd think it's obvious.

[torsion]

Glad you've figured out I've no inclination to have a conversation with you.

It's not like you to be interested in people unless you have a reason.

[manufactured]

And yet here we are, having one anyway. This place really does bring people together whether they want it to or not.

Though I'll grant that that's a reasonable observation. It doesn't mean that it's completely beneath me, simply that it's unusual.

[torsion]

Small-talk isn't a conversation.

I didn't say anything about it being "beneath" you. Thinking you're superior doesn't make it so.

[manufactured]

It's the implication that you think I believe it would be that matters. Either way, occasionally people surprise me and have something worthwhile to say. Oftentimes they don't, but I wouldn't say that I get nothing out of the conversation.

Although I really am wondering what you think I'm after. I can only get so much out of asking others about their worlds, after all, and doing it over the network is a highly inefficient way to accomplish most of what you likely believe I'm trying to do.

[torsion]

It's almost like I don't trust you for some reason. Funny.

There are a number of ways this could benefit you. Information is a type of power and I don't need to tell you that.

I'm keeping an eye on you.

[ He probably doesn't consider it any kind of threat and welcomes it. He's always ten steps ahead -- hell, a whole floor or three above -- of the BSAA. ]

[manufactured]

I've never doubted that you are; you've always been good at that much. Obnoxiously so, even. I'm almost proud of you.

[torsion]

A compliment? How sweet.
Always knew you had a soft spot for me. Too bad it's not mutual.

[manufactured]

They do happen from time to time. But by all means, continue to think you're special, it's entertaining to watch.

[torsion]

You say that like I dwell on the thought.
Hate to break it to you, but I've moved on.

I might care about ensuring you don't cause any harm here, but when you pop into my head it's thinking about how you're going to die a miserable and lonely death. Rocket launcher to the face.

[manufactured]

You seem to be dwelling more than you think you are, given that you continue to insist on showing up to assert yourself and shout about how I'm certainly up to something and you intend to figure out what. Be a good girl and stay out of things if you're really so above it all, or at least wait until you have a concrete accusation to make against me rather than demanding that I tell you what I'm doing at any given point. Because you aren't doing yourself any favors.

[torsion]

We both know I'm dedicated to my job and goals. That's not going to change.

However, that doesn't mean I sit on my bed, kicking my feet, thinking about what you're doing.
Even if I had a concrete accusation and you were doing something specific that was a problem, we both know how it would go.

[manufactured]

I don't recall saying that you did. I suppose I appreciate the confirmation that you're simply here to instigate, though.

[torsion]

I didn't say that you did, either.
If I'm instigating, then you're treating it that way.

I'm just reminding you that I'm watching you.

[manufactured]

It has nothing to do with how I'm treating it and everything to do with your insistence on pointlessly asserting yourself.

Do us both a favor, dear heart, and come back when you've something of value to say.

[torsion]

What's pointless is you playing normal.

You know what I really want to say.

[manufactured]

[That actually entertains him in some morbid way; it's not an entirely unfair point.]

Oh, that much has never been anything but pointless. However, my arguments with this world itself are relatively few, and currently nothing worth acting on. I can get along well enough without laboring under any delusion that anything I'm being offered here is actually mine.

I've operated that way for years. The difference is in the eventual payoff.

[torsion]

[ At least he's unable to hide his true personality, it seems. Or maybe he doesn't see the point in it, knowing that no one here can stand up to him properly. That there's nowhere to drag him to where he'll answer for his actions. ]

I'm aware of that. You're nothing if not patient.

But so am I.

[ She doesn't need to say she wants him dead or she plans to kill him. He already knows that much. ]

Hope you're still good at covering your tracks.

Even then, I'll still be right behind you.