grice | inbox (deer country)

I will be part of an expedition that will take me far from the city.
No, you may not come along. This is not a research trip.

Have a safe trip! And that's really okay, I don't think I should go anywhere anyway!

[that is such a suspicious statement.]

Keeping busy, are you? No need for my homework to keep you out of trouble then?

[ that makes it look like his homework is nothing! 😱 ]

No [ wait— ] I'd be studying regardless, Mister Nehan! And I like that you gave me homework! I think it's just
Better, if I don't go anywhere.
I have a baby egg.

Eggs and babies are contradictory. What is happening over there?

[ he might be feeling an inkling of irritation surge up— uncharacteristically so, but luckily falco has the current self control (and the gift of text) in that it doesn’t show. ]

It really is an egg . . . Baby.

[ to help visualize, he sends a picture of a single little guy, playing with a wooden ball wrapped in fuzzy fabric. ]

His name is Confetti. Sir.

[oh. he sees now. it's a pet. but it's still not an egg baby. maybe a bird or a reptile... well, what's the difference between those two when you get down to it? it could even be an ancestor, a dinosaur.]

That's not a native species to Trench. Did you get that egg from the March challenges?

I did, I've had him since then. He attracts good feelings, and he can heal wounds, too.

Should I be training him over you, then?

[ !!! ]

As in, instead of me?

That's what I said.

[maybe the kid is now realizing how mean nehan is. and how much of a bully he enjoys being.]

[ oh, ]

I thought I was a good student.

You take everything literally, don't you?

[ ....OH??????? ohhh, he wants to hide his face now. good thing this is text. ]

It was a joke, right?
I'm joking!

Perhaps my first lesson should have been to bully you, to show exactly what I'm like.

Shouldn't we call this teasing, sir?

[ BULLYING SOUNDS SO MEAN ]

Teasing implies a certain level of affection. I don't have that amount for anyone.

[except for... his boyfriend. and his son but the kid isn't here.]

[ ……………that’s cold sensei 😭 ]

Okay.
Is this a lesson on professional detachment?

What makes you say that?

The bullying. And that I have affection for people.

[ like, a lot. even strangers can’t escape. ]

No, it is not a lesson on professional detachment. My ability to detach from anything and everything is my own. This lesson on bullying is simply to instruct you on how I operate.

Understood.
I'm glad I know, now.

Just don't take it too serious. You're far too young for that.

Would it be joke bullying, then?

Take it how you will, as long as you don't take it so seriously. You'll know when I'm actually criticizing you, in any case.

(no subject)

grice - 2022-06-22 17:44 (UTC) - Expand