abrightboy | Voicemail (IC Contact Post) NEW

You didn't even come immediately this time?

[that's genuine shock in his tone, followed by equally genuine, if tightly restrained, outrage.]

Mr Bright, at your convenience is polite. Sebastian doesn't call you and ask for casual favors, which I think you know. If he calls you for any reason, treat it as an immediate emergency.

[How, how is he so bad at context--]

Edited 2024-03-01 13:15 (UTC)

…You’re mad about last time? Last time, I got there way before you! And I did come immediately this time, because I questioned what he could possibly be calling me about that was also that non-urgent and he said Kikimora was there and I responded - and I quote - ‘on my way’. And I headed straight there.

Mr Bright!

[Whoops, that was a snarl. He makes an effort to moderate his tone. Malcolm doesn't want to listen to his actual reasons: he's heard them and he has argued with all of them. He only wants to be right and blameless and for everyone to agree that he is right and blameless--

Hakkai takes a deep breath. Coldly:]

If you'd like to believe I am angry because I'm cruel and unfair, please feel free.

I only want you to promise that if Sebastian calls you in the future you will respond immediately in the future. Without belittling his concerns. Without assuming it's not urgent regardless of his word choice. I'll happily promise to respond immediately if you or Kikimora have a problem with Sebastian's behavior.

I'm happy to going forward but you can't honestly have expected me to interpret what he said as something other than what he said before you told me. It has nothing to do with... cruelty or... whatever you think I think. Okay, maybe unfairness a bit because I did take him at his word instead of interpreting him. Most people prefer when I do that.

Please, Mr Bright. We both know that you only want me to explain why I'm angry so that you can prove to your own satisfaction that I am wrong.

Very well, I'm wrong. You win, I'm-- [A sharp throwaway gesture of one hand before he re-crosses his arms tightly.] Whatever you choose to believe I am.

I will still expect you to keep your word in the future.

Well, you're wrong about all of that and about me, but I don't really care. I've been told that I don't have to bend myself into a pretzel to reach understanding with everyone, particularly if they're not themselves interested in reaching that understanding with me, so. We'll call it a mutual detente of 'go ahead and believe whatever it is you want to believe, you won't be dissuaded from it anyway' and leave it at that.

But of course I'll keep my word. I think you'll find that I have every time I've given it.

Please, don't put yourself out any further to attempt to understand my point of view. You've tried so hard.

[-- said with the deepest possible deadpan sarcasm.]

I'm glad to hear you will respond in the future. Thank you, Mr Bright. Goodnight.

I regret how much I've already sunk into it, to be honest.

I guess I'll see you next time Sebastian calls. Good night.

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