He does take her hand and brings it to his lips. "Of course. I should have checked in on you after the breach, but, well, everyone else seemed to have thrown their little tantrums."
"I didn't find it nearly so terrible as everyone made it seem," she huffs, trying to hide the smile as he does as she's hoped. "I was just disappointed I didn't get closer to you."
"I am, and I actually have a proposition for you," she says sweetly. "I assume you're as perpetually bored as I am. Misty's thought of a little game we could play, and I wanted to ask if you'd like to be a part of it."
She pauses, looking at her nails. "Of course, I wouldn't ask you to join without some sort of payment. What is it that you desire?"
Oh well that's fucking interesting. John laughs, though, not showing his surprise.
"If it's a game, then I shouldn't need payment. I mean, assuming that it's not a dangerous game that's going to put my spotless reputation on the line?"
"Is your reputation spotless?" she smiles. "I'd heard otherwise. But yes, let me tell you. Misty wants to play detective to impress the wardens, just like in her stories."
Yes, she knows you're listening, Misty.
"She needs a victim - me, naturally - and a perpetrator. You, if you're willing. We'd act the parts, she'd solve the crime. But of course, we'd need to know what you'd want out of the deal."
He sucks air through his teeth, thinking it through. This is the stupidest goddamn thing he's ever heard, but - fuck if she doesn't have a pretty face. It's a difficult decision.
"I want it on record from you and Misty that this is a game. Either video or audio. That you were not coerced into this and that no one is actually harmed. Something I can give my warden so I don't face another truth curse after this - finishes." He just stops himself from saying 'after this crashes and fucking burns.' "And - " He steps back, taking both of her hands in his. "Maybe you and I continue where our breach selves left off?"
Ah, there are his terms. Well, she can't say she wouldn't enjoy paying him.
"I completely understand," she says, looking down at their joined hands. "After all, you're no fool to trust someone blindly. Let me speak with her, and I'll give you your answer."
She takes a step closer to him, taking her hands away from his and placing one onto his belt. "I'd be happy to provide as much."
"Take your time," he tells her. He's in no hurry to see this plan absolutely fail. Besides, there's something odd about these two working together, and he's not really sure he wants to dig too deeply into it. It spells stupid trouble.
He is absolutely going to Iris about this later.
"Well, like with most things," he says, glancing down to her hands. "I could be talked into a down payment."
He shakes his head, letting go of her hands and fishing out another cigarette. He's not sure what the fuck just happened, but if it means that he's going to get what he wants out of Petronilla, then he's happy enough.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: spam!
Date: 2022-05-05 12:25 am (UTC)She smiles happily and holds her hand out to him, assuming a little hand kiss at least. "A pleasure to see you, my friend."
Re: spam!
Date: 2022-05-05 12:29 am (UTC)Re: spam!
Date: 2022-05-05 12:34 am (UTC)Re: spam!
Date: 2022-05-05 12:37 am (UTC)Re: spam!
Date: 2022-05-05 12:40 am (UTC)"I am, and I actually have a proposition for you," she says sweetly. "I assume you're as perpetually bored as I am. Misty's thought of a little game we could play, and I wanted to ask if you'd like to be a part of it."
She pauses, looking at her nails. "Of course, I wouldn't ask you to join without some sort of payment. What is it that you desire?"
Re: spam!
Date: 2022-05-05 12:46 am (UTC)"If it's a game, then I shouldn't need payment. I mean, assuming that it's not a dangerous game that's going to put my spotless reputation on the line?"
Re: spam!
Date: 2022-05-05 12:57 am (UTC)Yes, she knows you're listening, Misty.
"She needs a victim - me, naturally - and a perpetrator. You, if you're willing. We'd act the parts, she'd solve the crime. But of course, we'd need to know what you'd want out of the deal."
Re: spam!
Date: 2022-05-05 01:04 am (UTC)"I want it on record from you and Misty that this is a game. Either video or audio. That you were not coerced into this and that no one is actually harmed. Something I can give my warden so I don't face another truth curse after this - finishes." He just stops himself from saying 'after this crashes and fucking burns.' "And - " He steps back, taking both of her hands in his. "Maybe you and I continue where our breach selves left off?"
Re: spam!
Date: 2022-05-05 01:08 am (UTC)"I completely understand," she says, looking down at their joined hands. "After all, you're no fool to trust someone blindly. Let me speak with her, and I'll give you your answer."
She takes a step closer to him, taking her hands away from his and placing one onto his belt. "I'd be happy to provide as much."
Re: spam!
Date: 2022-05-05 01:13 am (UTC)He is absolutely going to Iris about this later.
"Well, like with most things," he says, glancing down to her hands. "I could be talked into a down payment."
Re: spam!
Date: 2022-05-05 01:17 am (UTC)So she laughs quietly and gives a playful little tug.
"Not here, of course."
She'll have to cut the communication line.
Re: spam!
Date: 2022-05-05 01:19 am (UTC)Re: spam!
Date: 2022-05-05 01:22 am (UTC)"In that case, I'll see you very soon."
Re: spam!
Date: 2022-05-05 01:26 am (UTC)Re: spam!
Date: 2022-05-05 01:30 am (UTC)He didn't seem terribly excited, but it's all still a win for her!