( Hwylryn pauses at that - something about his gesture and expression for a moment less a man and more a creature wearing its shape; an animal that has seen something unfamiliar, and in that moment it is cautious. )
( However, he seems to settle into the final sentiment. Hwylryn is protective of his people - and he is not necessarily happy to know that Hickey's health might affect Junior in some way he doesn't know of.
He would have fought harder for Hickey if he'd known. )
... I will. I'll see that he's happy, no matter what.
( He studies Hickey for a moment. )
... Does your plan involve Ish's death, somehow? Or a dealing?
( Something about Hwylryn seems to relax, though it's hard to put a finger on how or why, or whence the sense that he wasn't relaxed came from - like only recognizing a rattlesnake had been coiled only after it'd begun to slither away. )
Then, let's say we're drinking to your ambiguous devices, and I'll be patient 'til the curtain rises. I'll look forward to it.
( Hwylryn does like being surprised, so he's happy to see whatever Hickey and his imagination will wow them all with.
(The truth is, he will enjoy the utter insanity of Hickey's display - he'll just be disappointed it didn't manufacture a particularly theatrical outcome, but that disappointment will be tempered by his eventual poor attitude toward Hickey. Imagine getting a Sims (--) not actually for the deranged thing you did but for something totally minor and random in comparison,)
He swirls his glass, taking a little sippy. )
Did you want to try a little more luck to your hand? I don't know if it'll work, but . . .
( It's been something he's been curious about, since the thought happened upon him. )
[ Oh, Hwylryn. There's another version of this story where he and Hickey are able to see eye to eye on the matter of Junior—and their unique brands of insanity.
But this is not that version. Hickey grins, curious. ]
I'll take whatever luck I can get. What did you have in mind?
( He smiles in a particular way. It's a little sharper than his usual, but not unfriendly. )
Do you have tales about sea creatures, where you're from? Mermaids, dragons, selkies . . . things about how taking in their flesh grants immortal life?
( thinks about what he's wearing. probably a loose night robe over a long slip, as usual.
He brings his palm up to his neck and drags the robe further open, better exposing the flesh. There are safer places to present, but Hwylryn isn't exactly a coward. )
Did you want to try it?
( "Try," he says, as if he were offering him some unusual delicacy - not that he isn't, he supposes. )
no subject
There's nothing you can help with, not now. Perhaps after I escape the execution, though. Be ready, then. In case.
[ He swirls his drink in his glass, mulling something over. ]
You're close with Junior, aren't you?
no subject
( He leans back on a palm. )
Does he factor in?
no subject
Look after him, should things go poorly tomorrow.
/2
no subject
He would have fought harder for Hickey if he'd known. )
... I will. I'll see that he's happy, no matter what.
( He studies Hickey for a moment. )
... Does your plan involve Ish's death, somehow? Or a dealing?
no subject
No. Siffrin already proved that trying to kill Ish is a bootless plan. Beyond that... suffice to say I have things in hand.
[ In other words, his plan involves a lot of improv, but like hell he's going to admit that. Instead: ]
It's unwise to be so forthcoming when we don't know who may be listening.
no subject
Then, let's say we're drinking to your ambiguous devices, and I'll be patient 'til the curtain rises. I'll look forward to it.
( Hwylryn does like being surprised, so he's happy to see whatever Hickey and his imagination will wow them all with.
(The truth is, he will enjoy the utter insanity of Hickey's display - he'll just be disappointed it didn't manufacture a particularly theatrical outcome, but that disappointment will be tempered by his eventual poor attitude toward Hickey. Imagine getting a Sims (--) not actually for the deranged thing you did but for something totally minor and random in comparison,)
He swirls his glass, taking a little sippy. )
Did you want to try a little more luck to your hand? I don't know if it'll work, but . . .
( It's been something he's been curious about, since the thought happened upon him. )
no subject
But this is not that version. Hickey grins, curious. ]
I'll take whatever luck I can get. What did you have in mind?
no subject
Do you have tales about sea creatures, where you're from? Mermaids, dragons, selkies . . . things about how taking in their flesh grants immortal life?
no subject
Some, yes, though I'm not very familiar myself. What are you suggesting, exactly?
no subject
He brings his palm up to his neck and drags the robe further open, better exposing the flesh. There are safer places to present, but Hwylryn isn't exactly a coward. )
Did you want to try it?
( "Try," he says, as if he were offering him some unusual delicacy - not that he isn't, he supposes. )