Oh, is that his name? [sharply peevish, hands firmly deposited on the jut of each hip bone] I can't quite recall whether he bothered to introduce himself during his game of twenty questions, or while questioning my professional competency.
[scowling, he drops himself down into the chair across from Benedict and glares down at his fingers; looks like he's been picking at his nails again.]
[weird how having someone laugh at him lifts his spirits a little. Tavi cracks a wry smile of his own, still self-conscious, but glances back at Benedict anyway.]
[his smile deepens enough to put dimples in his cheeks. he considers Benedict for a moment more, head tilting a fraction to one side.] You like it here, don't you? I don't mean Kirkwall, I mean, [a gesture around them,] with Riftwatch.
[He doesn’t like to be caught out having actual feelings, least of all by Octavius, so Benedict’s smile is skittish and evasive as he looks past his guest at one of the wall hangings they put up together.]
I do, [he says with a sincerity that’s almost shy. Other Vints don’t have a great track record for understanding, least of all Alti.]
[how terrible for him that he's been caught having a feeling in front of this particular Vint, whose empathy power level is well over 9000. Octavius seems to have all but forgotten his earlier irritation with Isaac.]
It suits you. [and, as though anticipating Benedict might think he's being a disingenuous shit, he leans forward a little bit and adds sincerely,] I mean it, it really does.
[The sincerity in itself is what spooks Benedict, who gives a little anxious flip of his hair as an excuse to look away.]
What does that mean, [he mutters, both a bit sardonic and genuinely curious, as much as he'd hate to admit it.
Strange how existing for so long outside the vipers' pit has allowed him to grow a personality that no longer revolves (as much) around hedonism and substance-induced dissociation.
[that, or perhaps someone had seen glimpses of this depth to his personality before, and is simply pleased that the right environment has allowed it space to flourish.] It means you look happy.
[self-conscious of his own sincerity, Octavius looks down at his hands and interlaces his fingers together to stop them from fidgeting.] Certainly happier than you were in Minrathous.
[he's still a touch too self-conscious to grin about his victory, but there's a pleased little gleam in his eye when he looks up again.] My condolences, [he adds, transparently teasing now. then he sighs and gets up from his seat, straightening his waistcoat as he does so.] Anyway, I can see I caught you in the middle of, [a gesture at whatever is on Benedict's desk,] something important, so I'll get out of your hair before you have to tell me off.
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[Benedict was not expecting such an immediate entry, and stares at him blankly, quill half-raised.]
Isaac?
[He doesn’t sound surprised, but neither is he offended.]
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[scowling, he drops himself down into the chair across from Benedict and glares down at his fingers; looks like he's been picking at his nails again.]
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Isaac, [he confirms,]
he’s probably just trying to get a rise out of you.
[The man is not known for his tact.]
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[embarrassingly well.]
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There are plenty here who’ll do that, [he explains,] sometimes you just have to play dead and they’ll lose interest.
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Is that how you've managed all this time?
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—then twists his mouth to one side with a commiserating nod.
It’s the secret to survival.]
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I do, [he says with a sincerity that’s almost shy. Other Vints don’t have a great track record for understanding, least of all Alti.]
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It suits you. [and, as though anticipating Benedict might think he's being a disingenuous shit, he leans forward a little bit and adds sincerely,] I mean it, it really does.
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What does that mean, [he mutters, both a bit sardonic and genuinely curious, as much as he'd hate to admit it.
Strange how existing for so long outside the vipers' pit has allowed him to grow a personality that no longer revolves (as much) around hedonism and substance-induced dissociation.
But that was his whole charm, wasn't it?]
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[self-conscious of his own sincerity, Octavius looks down at his hands and interlaces his fingers together to stop them from fidgeting.] Certainly happier than you were in Minrathous.
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Well, [Benedict attempts to counter, or evade, and instead just sits there silently for a moment, trying not to let the words sink in.]
...yes. [ugh fine]
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Don't let Isaac bully you, [he advises in parting, offering a little smirk as he looks back down at what he was doing.]