[ Hickey frowns. His mind works quickly, but even still, it takes him a moment to realize Angelo has seen through him. Once he does, he straightens, uncomfortable. He's used to being caught in bolder plays, but this was a gentle nudge, and not one with any great strategy behind it. Still, Angelo sees it for what it is, and that's...
Mr. Hickey. Angelo was calling him a liar, flaunting the familiarity that makes him immune to such tactics. It's as dangerous a prospect as it is maddening, but even Hickey knows he'd never win an argument to the contrary. Even if he could win, he doesn't want to argue in the first place. Angelo's trust cannot be earned by outplaying him.
Can it be earned at all, then? Hickey twisted his words intentionally, but doing so was such an automatic thing, an obvious next step. The thought of moving in any other direction feels... He struggles to put a name to the discomfort, though he knows he doesn't care for it.
It's the same shade of discomfort that grips him now, faced with the choice to stand his ground or concede that he's made a misstep. The latter option would not make him recoil as it does if he could do so without admitting to hidden motivations, yet doubling down will only drive Angelo further away.
Hickey's eyes drop, frustrated that he can't sort out a path toward better results. Then his chin tips up again, lips pinched together tightly. Fine. ]
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Mr. Hickey. Angelo was calling him a liar, flaunting the familiarity that makes him immune to such tactics. It's as dangerous a prospect as it is maddening, but even Hickey knows he'd never win an argument to the contrary. Even if he could win, he doesn't want to argue in the first place. Angelo's trust cannot be earned by outplaying him.
Can it be earned at all, then? Hickey twisted his words intentionally, but doing so was such an automatic thing, an obvious next step. The thought of moving in any other direction feels... He struggles to put a name to the discomfort, though he knows he doesn't care for it.
It's the same shade of discomfort that grips him now, faced with the choice to stand his ground or concede that he's made a misstep. The latter option would not make him recoil as it does if he could do so without admitting to hidden motivations, yet doubling down will only drive Angelo further away.
Hickey's eyes drop, frustrated that he can't sort out a path toward better results. Then his chin tips up again, lips pinched together tightly. Fine. ]
I won't stop you, either.
[ He nods to the hatchway. Go, then. ]