But none that stay fixed or move Loxley to voice them. His look to Richard is a little sidealong, as if to only sneakily check that he isn't being mocked in some way. There all sorts of Villains out there, Loxley, go do something about it.
Richard's known him long enough, now, to sense when an idea has landed. Maybe Loxley innately knows this too, because he says, instead, ]
And you?
[ The chair creaks beneath him as he sits back. ] Would you find such-- an occupation worthwhile?
[ Dickerson meets that sidelong look steady on, tired and sick and tough to read. ]
I’ve been tending to the Grippe-stricken in the city, [ you know, helping people where his true expertise (theoretically) lies, ] but I’m happy to -- [ he shrugs one shoulder, ] ‘assist’ with vigilante justice. [ The if that’s what makes you happy is silent.
He lets eye contact linger a beat before he fades out again, nihilistically confident that Loxley is not a baby bird, and that even if he was, this would be a very small ledge to nudge him off of. ]
You’re offering them the benefit of your experience, not begging for employment.
[ There is a nod of acknowledgment of this first thing, for it makes. Sense? Question mark? A cleric who heals, tending to the sick, makes sense.
Hm.
Loxley's mouth twitches as if he might smile after this second thing, and it's odd how Richard's words ring against the echo of Byerly's. Discordant notes. Eventually, he'll let it go -- likely after an ale-tinged nap -- but for now-- ]
Rutyer would have enjoyed getting offended at that line, [ he says. ] For the best, anyway. If he'd decided to be personable for a minute, I'm sure I would have been in here complaining about every other day trying to work with these people.
Not to be crass, [ says Richard, as he stands to cross back for the table, ] but I don’t even think the natives give a rat’s ass about what offends Rutyer Byerly.
[ He places his cup down on the table’s edge, nods a curt thanks for Loxley bringing it for him, and turns back to his bed. He suppresses a wheezing, croupy cough as he goes, blankets bundled in tight.
Back to bed.
Where he sits in vacant silence, dead in the eyes. ]
Pity the bag of holding didn’t come through, [ he says, barely above a mutter. ] We might finally have had a worthwhile target for our rotten corn.
[ Loxley moves the cup to the centre of the table, a semi-private smile that broadens and shows teeth at this last comment. ]
I appreciate the sentiment, [ he says, a little gallantly, now looking over at Richard. And it's not as though he didn't notice the man's ill-looking manner before, but it strikes him more accurately this time, and his smile dims. Still, carries on with, ] And you just never know when you've a pile of moldering vegetables to find a home for, so.
[ Fingers crossed. ]
I'm sorry, you should be sleeping. I can cede the room if you like.
[ Is it fine? He dismisses concern with a shake of his head, eyes forced back into focus after a slow blink. ]
I’ve slept through worse.
[ Remember that time Loxley ran off to track down a pack of giant hyenas alone because Dick wanted to go back to bed? He leans back to lie down, borrowed (stolen) blankets pulled up from the foot of the cot to layer snug over the nest he’s made. Rustle rustle. On the subject though, he stills, briefly thoughtful before he rolls over to face the other way: ]
Have you had any unusual dreams since we’ve been here?
[ Asking for a friend, from a horizontal position. ]
[ Loxley has polished off most of his drink by the time Richard speaks to him again, half poised to stand up and start putting things way. Perhaps an early night would suit him, once he finishes off the rest of this ale he brought up for two people to get drunk on.
He pauses at the question. ]
No, [ after some brief internal debate about what constitutes an unusual dream. ] Why?
Nothing out of the ordinary, [ says Richard, who’s watched Loxley’s internal debate without intensity. Appropriate for casual interest -- no searching suspicion here. ] Just curious.
And then, the subtle clink and scrape of cups and a bottle of ale being tidied away, and floorboards creaking under otherwise quiet feet.
Pity for his state and thankfulness for his advice is what buys Richard the moment as opposed to a very ineptly made lie. The room darkens as a candle or two are snuffed out, and the cleric is left to sleep his own ailments off as the rogue does the same. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2020-02-17 05:15 am (UTC)But none that stay fixed or move Loxley to voice them. His look to Richard is a little sidealong, as if to only sneakily check that he isn't being mocked in some way. There all sorts of Villains out there, Loxley, go do something about it.
Richard's known him long enough, now, to sense when an idea has landed. Maybe Loxley innately knows this too, because he says, instead, ]
And you?
[ The chair creaks beneath him as he sits back. ] Would you find such-- an occupation worthwhile?
no subject
Date: 2020-02-17 06:37 am (UTC)I’ve been tending to the Grippe-stricken in the city, [ you know, helping people where his true expertise (theoretically) lies, ] but I’m happy to -- [ he shrugs one shoulder, ] ‘assist’ with vigilante justice. [ The if that’s what makes you happy is silent.
He lets eye contact linger a beat before he fades out again, nihilistically confident that Loxley is not a baby bird, and that even if he was, this would be a very small ledge to nudge him off of. ]
You’re offering them the benefit of your experience, not begging for employment.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-17 10:59 am (UTC)Hm.
Loxley's mouth twitches as if he might smile after this second thing, and it's odd how Richard's words ring against the echo of Byerly's. Discordant notes. Eventually, he'll let it go -- likely after an ale-tinged nap -- but for now-- ]
Rutyer would have enjoyed getting offended at that line, [ he says. ] For the best, anyway. If he'd decided to be personable for a minute, I'm sure I would have been in here complaining about every other day trying to work with these people.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-21 06:55 am (UTC)[ He places his cup down on the table’s edge, nods a curt thanks for Loxley bringing it for him, and turns back to his bed. He suppresses a wheezing, croupy cough as he goes, blankets bundled in tight.
Back to bed.
Where he sits in vacant silence, dead in the eyes. ]
Pity the bag of holding didn’t come through, [ he says, barely above a mutter. ] We might finally have had a worthwhile target for our rotten corn.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-22 11:50 am (UTC)I appreciate the sentiment, [ he says, a little gallantly, now looking over at Richard. And it's not as though he didn't notice the man's ill-looking manner before, but it strikes him more accurately this time, and his smile dims. Still, carries on with, ] And you just never know when you've a pile of moldering vegetables to find a home for, so.
[ Fingers crossed. ]
I'm sorry, you should be sleeping. I can cede the room if you like.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-24 05:54 am (UTC)[ Is it fine? He dismisses concern with a shake of his head, eyes forced back into focus after a slow blink. ]
I’ve slept through worse.
[ Remember that time Loxley ran off to track down a pack of giant hyenas alone because Dick wanted to go back to bed? He leans back to lie down, borrowed (stolen) blankets pulled up from the foot of the cot to layer snug over the nest he’s made. Rustle rustle. On the subject though, he stills, briefly thoughtful before he rolls over to face the other way: ]
Have you had any unusual dreams since we’ve been here?
[ Asking for a friend, from a horizontal position. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-25 07:58 am (UTC)He pauses at the question. ]
No, [ after some brief internal debate about what constitutes an unusual dream. ] Why?
[ He adds more ale to his cup. ]
What've you dreamed?
no subject
Date: 2020-03-01 11:55 pm (UTC)[ He rolls over. ]
Goodnight, Loxley.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-02 09:36 am (UTC)And then, the subtle clink and scrape of cups and a bottle of ale being tidied away, and floorboards creaking under otherwise quiet feet.
Pity for his state and thankfulness for his advice is what buys Richard the moment as opposed to a very ineptly made lie. The room darkens as a candle or two are snuffed out, and the cleric is left to sleep his own ailments off as the rogue does the same. ]