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[altusimperius]

tell him how pretty he is

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[altusimperius]

Well that’s where you’ve got it wrong.

[armd]

Oh, uh huh. Wanna enlighten me?

[altusimperius]

Not thinking of him like that.

But if you've lost your mind, I understand. It happens to people sometimes.

[armd]

Wow, okay.

I haven't, he- (how to explain this,) is obviously hot, I have eyes. He helped me out with some stuff, that's all. We're friends.

[altusimperius]

And?

[since when has being friends stopped anyone, geeze]

[armd]

(Ignoring him and changing the subject and being mean about it,) Gwenaëlle.

[altusimperius]

Nah.

[He pauses as he thinks. Then, because he needs revenge for Byerly (and they’re on girls now, apparently):]

Ellie.

[armd]

(Smoothly,) Nope.

(But nice try.) Yseult.

[altusimperius]

[Another pause that feels a bit fraught somehow, like with Flint; he endures it this time.]

You get that I’m not into women, right?

[armd]

... Yes, I know, but if I can think people are objectively hot so can you. Don't be a baby.

[altusimperius]

Don't tell me what to do. [or what not to be, in this case]

The Provost.

[armd]

Ha.

[altusimperius]

Ha?

[armd]

He doesn't like me.

[altusimperius]

Really?

[time to be a hypocrite,] why?

[armd]

He knows what happened between me and Ellie. Guess he picked a side.

[altusimperius]

What did happen between you and Ellie?

[He's trying not to sound too curious, but: dish, bitch]

[armd]

(Pause.)

I don't mind telling you, (this is honest,) but it's fucked up.

[altusimperius]

[Say what one will about Benedict, he can read a room (most of the time). Abby's sincerity inspires some from him in turn, perceptible in how all wryness is gone when he says:]

Go on.

[armd]

(Oh boy.

Okay:) I hunted down and killed somebody she loved. She didn't see... all of it, but she was there when I ended it.

[altusimperius]

...oh.

[Well that's a little more than the standard drama one expects from This Kind Of Woman.]

Shit.

[He's silent for a long moment, then:]

Why?

[armd]

(Tonelessly,) Because he murdered my dad.

(So. There you go.)

[altusimperius]

Oh.

[Another pause.]

There are worse reasons.
...I think.

[armd]

Probably.

(She feels weird now.

Impulsively,) D'you wish you didn't ask.

[altusimperius]

What?

[He hesitates, but:]

No.