inbox.

[nightmarist]

Comments

[nightmarist]

Why not?

[timestones]

You're starting to sound like you want me to put you in a box.

[nightmarist]

I wanna know why you wouldn't.

[timestones]

Have you ever known a problem that was ever solved by boxing it up and shoving it into the back of a closet?

[nightmarist]

How do you solve a problem like me, then?

[timestones]

Honestly? I don't. Not right now.

[nightmarist]

You're slippery, magician.

[timestones]

Am I?

[nightmarist]

I don't regret it, by the way.

[timestones]

If you did, we'd be having a very different kind of conversation right now.

[nightmarist]

About the precious value of human life?

[timestones]

No, because it's quite clear that you do actually know a little something about the value of human life already.

There are some things you really don't need a guy in a big red cloak to tell you about.

[nightmarist]

Most things, I think.

[timestones]

And if I were where you are, I'd say the same thing.

[nightmarist]

I still would like you to tell me how you'd stop me.

[timestones]

I’m sure you would. But if you were in my shoes, would you tell you what you’d do to stop you?

[nightmarist]

Yes.

[timestones]

Is that because you’re seeking out for security from it? Reassurance someone will stop you?

[nightmarist]

Maybe you already know this, but I'm dangerous whether or not I'm trying to be. Obviously it's not hard to put a bullet in my head, and Kylo's pretty good at fixing my mistakes, but I like to know all my options. Especially any nonlethal ones.

[timestones]

That, I do already know. At least in the abstract.

You wanted me not to lie, and I’m not going to, but I also can’t give you the answer you’re asking for right now, or the options and possibilities.

[There’s a small sound of Stephen clicking his teeth, then the sound of his weight shifting, followed by footsteps.]

And the simplest, most practical reason I can’t do that right now is that I’m on cool-down. We both have to wait.

[nightmarist]

You overheated?

[timestones]

Sure, something like that.

You realise I looked at more than a couple of possible outcomes here, right?

[nightmarist]

For all I know, that's what you do for fun.

[timestones]

[A soft huffed chuckle.]

On this scale? It’s not exactly like I’m hunkering down with popcorn ready for a good feature film.

But that might say more about what you consider fun than me, I gotta say.

[nightmarist]

You have no idea.