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“Than you expected?” Aren’t you a harsh critic.
[ It’s a statement, not a question for her to rebut. His hand feels cold after the extended time it was.. permitted to hold hers. Much like Cadence, Clay uses the moment of “weakness” (it isn’t weak to feel emotion, you flighty mermaid) to try and drive something meaningful into their relationship— which he is still trying to define. As used to difficult and political conversations as he was, it was always particularly painstaking to try and probe without making her scoff, stalk out of his life, and try to ghost him (again). That coffee shop run-in was a marvelous twist of fate given a city of 18 million folks. ]
You must really enjoy this show, then. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so affected by something.
[ A pause, brief, but he dials it back a little bit so she doesn’t try to snap at him. The game he plays with her is starting to have rules defined: he bats, she catches it and throws it back harder, but he softballs back, to make her stop being so aggressive. It’s a cat-and-mouse situation he’s learned to try to keep up with her guarded, biting personality, without making her decide to stop playing.
He still isn’t sure when exactly he decided he would do what he must to keep her playing. ]
And if it is one of your favorites, I can see why you’d be hypercritical of performances.
[ It’s a statement, not a question for her to rebut. His hand feels cold after the extended time it was.. permitted to hold hers. Much like Cadence, Clay uses the moment of “weakness” (
You must really enjoy this show, then. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so affected by something.
[ A pause, brief, but he dials it back a little bit so she doesn’t try to snap at him. The game he plays with her is starting to have rules defined: he bats, she catches it and throws it back harder, but he softballs back, to make her stop being so aggressive. It’s a cat-and-mouse situation he’s learned to try to keep up with her guarded, biting personality, without making her decide to stop playing.
He still isn’t sure when exactly he decided he would do what he must to keep her playing. ]
And if it is one of your favorites, I can see why you’d be hypercritical of performances.
It’s not.
[ The rebuttal comes sharp and harsh, coming even as a surprise to Cadence in his readily and fast it flies from her lips. She tries gathering herself but hanging around him has made her too lax, damn him, so she doesn’t completely shutter away the hurt in her eyes. ]
…I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite, or even close. Just saw it often when it was at the height of popularity.
[ Her eyes flick to him. ]
You know how it is: unoriginal paramours, all wanting to show you something “really unique and special” like they’re the first to ever discover theatre.
[ The rebuttal comes sharp and harsh, coming even as a surprise to Cadence in his readily and fast it flies from her lips. She tries gathering herself but hanging around him has made her too lax, damn him, so she doesn’t completely shutter away the hurt in her eyes. ]
…I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite, or even close. Just saw it often when it was at the height of popularity.
[ Her eyes flick to him. ]
You know how it is: unoriginal paramours, all wanting to show you something “really unique and special” like they’re the first to ever discover theatre.
[ Clay pulls away infinitesimally, quickly at her rebuttal. She wasn’t the only one surprised by the ferocity; his eyes glaze with concern for a moment when he picks up something in that emotive of a response. Before he can do more than readjust, she elaborates and sends the conversation back his way. ]
Mmhm. [ His thoughts are still reeling, trying to see if he’s being hyper aware and attempting to elicit meaning where none might be. All the same, the way she says “height of popularity” makes him file away a note to see when that was. Cadence is like a Rubik’s cube he keeps turning and turning, but she won’t line up. ]
It’s hard to find something unique after a certain amount of exposure to the same shit, I’ll give you that.
[ The response has a certain thought in his mind, but he’s not sure if he wants her to pick up on it. This seems to just be his running theme with this evening. ]
Mmhm. [ His thoughts are still reeling, trying to see if he’s being hyper aware and attempting to elicit meaning where none might be. All the same, the way she says “height of popularity” makes him file away a note to see when that was. Cadence is like a Rubik’s cube he keeps turning and turning, but she won’t line up. ]
It’s hard to find something unique after a certain amount of exposure to the same shit, I’ll give you that.
[ The response has a certain thought in his mind, but he’s not sure if he wants her to pick up on it. This seems to just be his running theme with this evening. ]
[ She doesn't respond to his own double entendre; instead, her eyes flick back to the seats below them to watch the audience members start filing back to their seats. As much as Cadence wants to bolt from the concert hall and run from him, this stupid show, all of it, she is nothing if not stubborn.
He's already seen her squirm enough, he won't get more of a show from her. ]
...I want a drink. Have they closed the bar yet?
He's already seen her squirm enough, he won't get more of a show from her. ]
...I want a drink. Have they closed the bar yet?
[ Clay can be thick, but takes the hint at her attempt to escape, not even doing his usual ass-kissing (and, he reminds himself for his own sake, to keep control) offer to go get it for her. Quickly thinking, he tries to ensure that she will return and not run from the theater. The arm over her chair stays over her coat and he responds with a request. ]
Go now then; I think they stop adding to the ordering line once intermission is over.
[ He quirks a smile, knowing her even at this point to be capable of being… well, Cadence. She’s a horrific partner all things considered. And calling her that is in itself dicey. They’re on the books for dates but it’s hardly a relationship besides one for business besides that. ]
Can I trouble you for an old fashioned?
Go now then; I think they stop adding to the ordering line once intermission is over.
[ He quirks a smile, knowing her even at this point to be capable of being… well, Cadence. She’s a horrific partner all things considered. And calling her that is in itself dicey. They’re on the books for dates but it’s hardly a relationship besides one for business besides that. ]
Can I trouble you for an old fashioned?
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