Seventeen ★ Text

[wasthemaster]

[There's gotta be a better way to do this. There's just got to be. However he realizes that he's running out of time, especially with the appearance of certain people in the city of Asgard.

He doesn't bother to show his face. Instead he's setting up a text…somehow that seems much, much safer.]

Party's over, I'm afraid. Back to business.

Quick question for the masses:

A.) Would you consider yourself useful here?
B.) Why so? Or, I suppose, why not?
C.) Serious responses only.

[He's fully anticipating not-serious responses, but at least it gives him a bigger pool to work with.]

Additionally, you may very well know that Euridice Taverna's left the city which means that I'm short one business partner. I'm not precisely looking for a new partner, but perhaps a few new hires.

Serious inquiries only.

Comments

[wasthemaster]

Yes I know, I've already changed.
Do we really need to have a conversation about how I've changed my ways?

[livedtwice]

Considering our last two conversations, I believe it might be a useful exercise.

No, wait. Three. The last three.

[wasthemaster]

Are you counting the lake or not?

[livedtwice]

And this one too.

[wasthemaster]

Let me ask you this, Scarhead.
What makes you think I've changed at all?

[livedtwice]

What kind of question is that?

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[wasthemaster]

[...a pause. And then a switch over to a private channel.]

A valid one, I should think. So? Go on. Humor me a bit.

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[livedtwice]

I need to know why you're asking.

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[wasthemaster]

Tell me why you need to know anything.

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[livedtwice]

How about, instead of being defensive over being asked a question in return, you just answer the question? Just once.

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[wasthemaster]

[It would be much, much easier to say no, to hang up right there and tell Potter to fuck off.

But he won't.]

Just what precisely are you asking though? Exactly what are you asking me?

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[livedtwice]

I don't understand why you're asking me that question, and I'd like some clarification.

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[wasthemaster]

You've asked a lot of questions that I don't understand, honestly.

[But he gets it.]

Why am I asking you what makes you think I've changed?
Because I haven't.

Haven't you noticed, Potter? I've changed in ways I don't think are appropriate and honestly if you think I'm going to detail to you why, in fact, those changes terrify the hell out of me you're sorely mistaken.

[He's halfway through writing "Don't you understand that? Don't you understand that there are several things I can't take back and pieces that don't fit together anymore?" but he deletes it and instead sends the following.]

Still haven't mentioned why this is any of your business anyway. Yes, my mother saved your life. Yes you and I are working allies in someone else's war. But don't you dare insinuate the idea that you deserve to know a damn thing.

It's far more insulting now that I have friends I actually like.

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[livedtwice]

Before I answer any of that, what you're doing here is what you messaged me about before, right?

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[wasthemaster]

I've messaged you for a lot of reasons, Potter. Be more specific, won't you?

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[livedtwice]

You know exactly what I mean.

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[wasthemaster]

Potter I have a lot in my head at the moment. Would it kill you to spare me for once? Since, you know, I'm doing you a favor by carrying on this conversation at all.

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[livedtwice]

Yes, you're right, Malfoy. I'll pity you because you've decided to be a decent person and it's hard.

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[wasthemaster]

It is hard. [And unfortunately he's actually quite serious about that.] But surely Saint Potter wouldn't understand.

Look. I have a lot I need to do and I may or may not have a favor to ask you. Are you at least capable of doing that for me?

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[livedtwice]

Right, hold habits die hard, don't they?

And I need to know what you're doing.

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[wasthemaster]

All right, seriously, we could go in circles about this all day. I've no problem telling you what I'm doing.

Well, actually, that's a lie. I do by principle. But you still haven't given me reason why I should or why you need to know anything. Just give me an answer to that and I'll tell you what you need to know.

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[livedtwice]

Because I can help, you git!

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[wasthemaster]

I'm going to tell you something.
I don't need your help. I need your help by you staying here and looking after Jade and my mother if I don't come back.

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[livedtwice]

Right, that's a brilliant way to go about it. Are you telling me you're off to play hero or something?