19 // Dictated/Action

[nothingtobelieve]

[There's a pale man in a dark coat with a large bird walking the castle grounds this morning. It's been awhile since he's taken the animal out, thanks to violence and world-changes, and it shows in the way it doesn't simply sit on his shoulder, but takes off and wheels overhead occasionally, looking more than a bit menacing. Vicious himself is feeling rather neutral on things today, journal in hand. You could almost mistake him for contemplative]

Florence was... informative.

[And maybe that statement was more for himself than anyone else in particular, but the experience had been interesting. He almost found himself missing it, despite the irritation of the castle tricking him into believing he'd lived some other life there. It was a life he might have been content with, and this was the first time he'd ever felt that way about anything the castle had done. After a moment, he adds a filter]


[Spike]

We're even now.

[Not that they're keeping score, or anything]

Comments

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

[This is one message he was hoping to overlook. There's nothing he'd rather forget than the last time they met, but if he means attacking each other while he's out of his mind... He'd rather throw the whole thing out.]

Has it been two weeks already?

Spike

[nothingtobelieve]

Longer.

[Which is true, if not exactly a very clarifying answer]

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

Time flies. [Not that he didn't wonder, but Gren hasn't come knocking, so he must have pulled through. So why mention it, really?]

Spike

[nothingtobelieve]

For you, perhaps.

[The diversion of Florence aside, he felt like he'd been cooped up for an eternity]

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

Not having any fun?

Spike

[nothingtobelieve]

No. You seemed to be, however.

[Because he won't just straight up ask where the hell Spike had learned that disappearing trick. That would be too easy.]

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

[It's not exactly hard to figure out what he's talking about. Why he's talking about it instead of showing up with his sword is telling in itself.]

I guess it was my turn.

Spike

[nothingtobelieve]

[His ongoing desire to stab Spike is currently being tempered by common sense, which dictates he figure out just what was going on in that last fight before he tries it again. It'll win out eventually, but probably not until after the ache in his side ceases to remind him of why it's a bad idea]

How fortunate for you.

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

Something on your mind?

Spike

[nothingtobelieve]

You've learned some new tricks.

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

[He's quiet a moment, mostly because he's following the conversation he's having down the page with Anne, but so far it doesn't look like he catches on.]

Even a ghost can teach himself a few things.

Spike

[nothingtobelieve]

You learned it all on your own?

[He's skeptical of that, Spike. Very skeptical]

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

Were you hoping I'd pass it on?

Spike

[nothingtobelieve]

It's possible.

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

Maybe if you ask nicely.

Spike

[nothingtobelieve]

Unlikely.

[That he'd ask nice, or that Spike would tell him. He doubts the other man is feeling generous.]

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

Well, you've got me there.

Spike

[nothingtobelieve]

I'll be more prepared next time, in that case.

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

... And you used to nag me about planning ahead.

Spike

[nothingtobelieve]

You finally learned.

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

Or I'm rubbing off on you.

Spike

[nothingtobelieve]

That would be unfortunate.

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

Someone must be.

Spike

[nothingtobelieve]

Is that what you think?

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

Would it matter?

Re: Vicious

[nothingtobelieve]

It might.

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

Why is that?

Spike

[nothingtobelieve]

I like to know where I stand.

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

[...This is an interesting twist.]

That must be my fault for being so cryptic.

Spike

[nothingtobelieve]

It must be.

[Hey, anything to throw him off guard...]

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

[It takes him a while to respond while he's trying to decide what he's getting at. There was a time it wasn't so hard to guess.]

I'll see what I can do about that.

Spike

[nothingtobelieve]

How generous.

Vicious

[gottaknockhard]

It's the least I can do.

written;

[ensorceler]

You think to have learned something from it? Something other than latin, I assume.

Dictated

[nothingtobelieve]

I may have. It bears some thought.

Dictated

[ensorceler]

Thought you wish to share with the castle?

Dictated

[nothingtobelieve]

Private matters are better kept that way.

[Though he fully realizes he broached the subject in the first place]

Dictated

[ensorceler]

[ And she's happy to point that out. ]

Then do not bother the journal, or our ears, with your musings that make little sense and offer lesser explanation.

Dictated

[nothingtobelieve]

You must find most people here tiresome, in that case.

[He may not comment much, but he does read, and he can't say he's seen much in the way of brilliant insight from any other residents]

Dictated

[ensorceler]

I would dare not slander my fellow travelers so.

Re: Dictated

[nothingtobelieve]

And I'm not included in that contingent?

[He finds the idea amusing, more than anything.]

Dictated

[ensorceler]

Do not suggest I have said what I have not. If you are looking for insult, sir, I can manage far better than that.

Dictated

[nothingtobelieve]

[And if he were the sort, he might have laughed at that.]

I'm certain you can.

[Or is certain that she thinks she can, at any rate. She does come across as very sure of herself.]

Dictated

[ensorceler]

How good to know you are certain of something. Now, are you certain if you have anything true to the journal, or shall I leave you to these private Florentine thoughts?