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[poisoninmypocket]

1086 Rocky Road

Comments

[devoutish]

I'm certainly not gonna kill you, Navarro; you've got nothing to worry about there.

[poisoninmypocket]

That did not cross my mind, Mr. Solomons. One need not kill to cause harm, though. I'll ask you again, will you be attempting to break my things or harm me in some manner?

[devoutish]

No. I will not.

[Shoving him up against a wall doesn't count as harming, right? Clearly.]

[poisoninmypocket]

I will hold you to your word, sir.

[Monty is dubious, but given that he doesn't want to have a shouting match out in the open, he supposes inside it is. He produces a key and approaches the door, gesturing for Alfie to move so that he can unlock it and step inside. The gentleman's abode is a humble one. Alfie may recognize it as something that would not be out of place in the poorer quarters of London. The only items of note and value appear to be a portrait of his mother hung on one wall, a Spanish guitar below it, and the Sword of Truth lying on his bed in the corner.]

[devoutish]

[It's interesting that he's willing to, Alfie thinks. He certainly wouldn't have, in his position - unless, of course, he was preparing an attack of his own. A hidden knife, maybe, like the pistol that Alfie himself usually keeps in his coat pocket? For that reason, Alfie heads for the couch instead of immediately trying something rougher - which is unfortunate, because getting rough was literally the only reason why he'd come. But that's okay, he thinks; he can work with this. He'll improvise. Try to get him off his guard first, and make him think he's only here to talk.]

Tell me, mate--

[He says, taking a seat.]

Have you always been a fuck-up, or is this a new development?

[poisoninmypocket]

[The swearing grates on Monty's nerves, but he doesn't respond immediately. He takes his sack to the table near the stove and sets that down before moving to seat himself in a chair across from Alfie. Only once he's settled does he reply.]

I accomplished my goal of temporarily transforming you into a fox. I would not call that a failure, Mr. Solomons. You really should mind your locks more closely.

[devoutish]

Temporarily? You weren't hoping that it would last?

[poisoninmypocket]

Not in the slightest. Mr. Gray's spells are designed to last for a maximum of three days. Less than that at times.

[devoutish]

That is the most bizarre fucking revenge I've ever heard of, Navarro.

[poisoninmypocket]

It inconvenienced you without harming you in any extended way, save perhaps your pride. I had hoped you might learn something of what it was to have a fox's instincts, as well. That is all.

[devoutish]

Yeah - yeah, I did. It taught me that a fox's instincts are far more difficult to overcome than I'd assumed, and that I had even more reason than I thought I did to be wary of people who've got them.

[He raises his eyebrows.]

You're not as stupid as you look, Navarro; surely you could have predicted that. Why didn't you?

[poisoninmypocket]

I fear I have a greater hope in the capacity for human empathy than I should, Mr. Solomons.

[devoutish]

No, I want you to work through the logic here. This isn't a question of empathy. Renart tells me she's dangerous, which causes me to worry about what danger she may pose to Emily, and in response you give me all the more reason to believe she might be dangerous. And you truly expected that to make me see her as less dangerous?

[poisoninmypocket]

Did you bite Ms. Emily, Mr. Solomons?

[devoutish]

I didn't see her. But if I had, I would have held myself accountable.

[poisoninmypocket]

And how would you hold yourself accountable?

[devoutish]

[He spreads his hands, palms up.]

I don't know what you're asking, mate. I'd take responsibility. Accept that I had done it.

[poisoninmypocket]

I am asking what you would do after that, sir. What would be your recourse? Had I, miraculously, been able to turn you into a fox forever, would you separate yourself from Ms. Emily permanently for such a transgression?

[devoutish]

I believe I've made it clear that I don't intend to lock Emily in the house away from danger.

[poisoninmypocket]

That is not what I asked, Mr. Solomons. You seem to be allergic to responding to the questions asked of you. Has redirection always been your favored defensive tactic?

[devoutish]

And this after I very nicely didn't point out when you ignored my question. That's not very charitable at all.

[poisoninmypocket]

Well, the rich and charity. You know how they are.

[He crosses his legs and reclines in his chair, exuding the air of a bored, well-to-do young fop.]

[devoutish]

Yeah. I, at least, answered the question behind your question, and it's a shame you--

[And then he lunges, very suddenly. His hands immediately go for Monty's wrist, trying to pin them and keep him from getting at that knife that he still thinks might be in one of his pockets.]

[poisoninmypocket]

[Alfie pins them easily, although, he's going to have to either let go pretty quickly, use his weight to steady things, or go down with Monty. The gentleman's surprised enough that he jolts back into his chair, eyes wide with alarm, and it tips backward.]

What are you doing!?

[devoutish]

[Oh fuck, he hadn't been expecting the chair to tip. But he's in this and he's going to stay in this. He makes a good attempt to balance things out weight-wise, but he only has a second or two and he doesn't have good leverage for it, so down they go. He's going to do his best to keep a tight grip on his wrists, though.]