( Really, the object of Mishka's little gambit was to see how Adelis would react. He expected, of course, some style of refusal as the baseline - this is Adelis, after all - but the means of refusal would be telling. If Adelis's quarrel is that it's Mishka offering and not any other person, that's very different than if Adelis refuses because he prefers to do it only with this one person.
(In short, he had his insight dice at the ready to roll.)
Adelis, however, does not refuse him - he does not refuse him at all, even in that halfway manner Mishka would have expected on Adelis's best day. There is an immediate quip, yes, and yet within the space of this exchange Adelis has already agreed.
Mishka pauses at the rapacity of it (for Adelis).
It's not as if he really took it to heart, or even took it personally, when Adelis called his bugs and his body disgusting - Adelis was not the first, would not be the last, and, if anything, has more license than others to say it to Mishka freely; most are wiser not to make a point of it, lest Mishka excise their tongues. Only Adelis is allowed to needle him so.
Still, one doesn't need to be hurt to understand someone might not want to go to bed with someone comprised tangibly of insects and disease. Never mind his mentor - a scoundrel who has no qualms using anyone, even his own protégé, and expects as much in return. Their relationship had never mutually erred on intimate in that way - or so Mishka believes.
And yet, all the same, Adelis's hesitation did not last nearly as long as he expected, and it concludes with so little vitriol it is, perhaps, one of the only things that has caught Mishka off guard in some time.
Still, his recovery is quick. The smile returns to his face with a flicker, and his composure is secure - maybe too pointedly secure. )
Now I find myself concerned you intend to do me in in the midst of it.
( He injects a bit of levity before he starts to over think it - and recalls his objective. So Adelis isn't emotionally committed to one person alone. Very well. Perhaps Adelis's objective really is his dogged dedication to luxury, at any cost.
Though, Mishka still finds himself curious to know who had made Adelis so comfortable within only a short time since first meeting. )
But, if you're agreeable, I don't see why not, either - I wouldn't call myself picky, but I certainly wouldn't mind a few fewer holes in my home. ( Gradually he pushes himself up, back onto his feet, feeling much more alive after a bit of sitting in the shade and some water. ) Now, where is this spindly monstrosity of wires? I'd like to see the selection of plays you have at your disposal.
( A beat, and then: )
We could also find ourselves a bit of alcohol, if you have any around. Consider it a celebration of our reunion.
( And, you know, if you don't want to sleep with bugman sober.
Though, in Mishka's case, it genuinely is a celebration of a reunion - with a friend he thought he'd not see again, after he'd been shuttled off into the endless desolation of the dark. )
no subject
(In short, he had his insight dice at the ready to roll.)
Adelis, however, does not refuse him - he does not refuse him at all, even in that halfway manner Mishka would have expected on Adelis's best day. There is an immediate quip, yes, and yet within the space of this exchange Adelis has already agreed.
Mishka pauses at the rapacity of it (for Adelis).
It's not as if he really took it to heart, or even took it personally, when Adelis called his bugs and his body disgusting - Adelis was not the first, would not be the last, and, if anything, has more license than others to say it to Mishka freely; most are wiser not to make a point of it, lest Mishka excise their tongues. Only Adelis is allowed to needle him so.
Still, one doesn't need to be hurt to understand someone might not want to go to bed with someone comprised tangibly of insects and disease. Never mind his mentor - a scoundrel who has no qualms using anyone, even his own protégé, and expects as much in return. Their relationship had never mutually erred on intimate in that way - or so Mishka believes.
And yet, all the same, Adelis's hesitation did not last nearly as long as he expected, and it concludes with so little vitriol it is, perhaps, one of the only things that has caught Mishka off guard in some time.
Still, his recovery is quick. The smile returns to his face with a flicker, and his composure is secure - maybe too pointedly secure. )
Now I find myself concerned you intend to do me in in the midst of it.
( He injects a bit of levity before he starts to over think it - and recalls his objective. So Adelis isn't emotionally committed to one person alone. Very well. Perhaps Adelis's objective really is his dogged dedication to luxury, at any cost.
Though, Mishka still finds himself curious to know who had made Adelis so comfortable within only a short time since first meeting. )
But, if you're agreeable, I don't see why not, either - I wouldn't call myself picky, but I certainly wouldn't mind a few fewer holes in my home. ( Gradually he pushes himself up, back onto his feet, feeling much more alive after a bit of sitting in the shade and some water. ) Now, where is this spindly monstrosity of wires? I'd like to see the selection of plays you have at your disposal.
( A beat, and then: )
We could also find ourselves a bit of alcohol, if you have any around. Consider it a celebration of our reunion.
( And, you know, if you don't want to sleep with bugman sober.
Though, in Mishka's case, it genuinely is a celebration of a reunion - with a friend he thought he'd not see again, after he'd been shuttled off into the endless desolation of the dark. )