[ The language changes, a dynamic with a slight shift. Lyney's trained himself to be that observant... to be able to see things no others can. Smiles or rolling eyes in the back of a darkened theater, items missing from their place.
That's why he kicks himself for being so stupid during their performance that lead them to trial.
Wriothesley fishes for something he isn't expecting to catch. Maybe he's been at this for a while with the other intimates, Lyney isn't for certain. ...He recognizes the fatigue in his eyes. ]
I assume we'd sit with your tea and you'd want me to tell you, right? So the Duke's shortcomings aren't on display?
[ It's not a sharp prod, no. He catches his tongue between his teeth and one eye shuts. ...A joke. It was a joke. ]
I won't be a snitch, if that's what you think, but... I'm not foolish enough to suffer more than I am.
[ No use hiding it, then. He scratches the back of his neck, thoughtful. Lyney seems to see what he's getting at now--that he'd really like him to speak up if anything should go wrong, even with their misgivings, ones that only seem to multiply with every encounter. And he says he'd do it. That part, not as plain-spoken as his earlier complaints--but he says he would, and Wriothesley would like to believe it.
But he is wrong about one thing. ]
It's nothing to do with my shortcomings. If I'm made aware of a problem, it's my job as Administrator to fix it. [ He's a little more in his depth now. At ease. ] ...Other than that, you're exactly right. We'd sit and you'd tell me over tea.
[ One more thing: ]
And if you pull another face at me, I'll raise the number of coupons necessary for your mail errands by half.
[ The gentle corrections paints a picture clearer than Lyney imagined. He cares less about reputation and more about function. ...Interesting. For someone like him, so revered... it's going to make him stew on why. The mention of tea has him snarl a lip up but – he stops abruptly. ]
E-Eh?! That's my normal face! You can't raise the rates because of a cute mug like this!
The Fortress of Meropide is an autonomous entity. I can do as I please. Be a good boy and I won't.
[ ...That's better. His prior sense of unease dissolves. Lyney isn't being harassed by anyone, and he'll tell him if it should come to that. Their interactions haven't formed the barrier he might have imagined. And he's made it crystal clear what happens when you sass the Duke. It's for his own good, but Wriothesley can't picture himself being able to convince Lyney of that--and besides, it's his turn to do a little teasing. ]
[ He can, that's the part that sucks. There's no escaping that. This was his domain. When he's goaded to be good – a good boy – it makes the hair on the back of his neck stand up and for a brief second, his stomach tightens. ]
Always for you, Your Grace.
[ Two can play that game. The boy turns, off towards the exit with a dismissive hand. There's nothing else to say, is there? May as well not linger... should go shower. ]
330. Don't forget.
[ He pantomimes closing a book, not even looking back to see if Wriothesley pieced the two together. ]
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no subject
That's why he kicks himself for being so stupid during their performance that lead them to trial.
Wriothesley fishes for something he isn't expecting to catch. Maybe he's been at this for a while with the other intimates, Lyney isn't for certain. ...He recognizes the fatigue in his eyes. ]
I assume we'd sit with your tea and you'd want me to tell you, right? So the Duke's shortcomings aren't on display?
[ It's not a sharp prod, no. He catches his tongue between his teeth and one eye shuts. ...A joke. It was a joke. ]
I won't be a snitch, if that's what you think, but... I'm not foolish enough to suffer more than I am.
[ Without Lynette, unsaid. ]
no subject
But he is wrong about one thing. ]
It's nothing to do with my shortcomings. If I'm made aware of a problem, it's my job as Administrator to fix it. [ He's a little more in his depth now. At ease. ] ...Other than that, you're exactly right. We'd sit and you'd tell me over tea.
[ One more thing: ]
And if you pull another face at me, I'll raise the number of coupons necessary for your mail errands by half.
no subject
E-Eh?! That's my normal face! You can't raise the rates because of a cute mug like this!
[ He's exaggerating but... not wrong. ]
no subject
[ ...That's better. His prior sense of unease dissolves. Lyney isn't being harassed by anyone, and he'll tell him if it should come to that. Their interactions haven't formed the barrier he might have imagined. And he's made it crystal clear what happens when you sass the Duke. It's for his own good, but Wriothesley can't picture himself being able to convince Lyney of that--and besides, it's his turn to do a little teasing. ]
no subject
Always for you, Your Grace.
[ Two can play that game. The boy turns, off towards the exit with a dismissive hand. There's nothing else to say, is there? May as well not linger... should go shower. ]
330. Don't forget.
[ He pantomimes closing a book, not even looking back to see if Wriothesley pieced the two together. ]