[OPEN]

[monstrous]

Characters: Tobias Matthews and YOU
Date: 21 April 2013 sometime after sunset.
Location: A cafe in the Fire Sector
Situation: Toby is just chillin' like a villain in a cafe, because that is a thing to do.
Warnings/Rating: None that I know of? Will edit if that changes.

[Toby is sitting at a table in a cafe, flipping through a well worn copy of Wordsworth's Poems, In Two Volumes. He's also sporting a mild sunburn, emphasis on mild considering how severe sunburns can be for him. Either way he's seeming pretty relaxed more or less and amicable and friendly enough when the server comes to take his order. So bother him at your leisure, or not, whatever floats your boat.]

Comments

[depicted]

[He will point this out.]

Sorry, are you counting your age in centuries or in months?

[monstrous]

I was counting it in font, actually. Sized and spaced appropriately, of course, as it does affect the whole experience.

[depicted]

I bet you don't know the first thing about typesetting.

[This speaks poorly of Toby's character, for the record.]

[monstrous]

Or maybe I know the first thing, and the second, and maybe even third through tenth.

[depicted]

Bet you that you don't.

[monstrous]

Friendly wager then?

[depicted]

Friendly wager.

[Dorian leans back in his seat. Prove him wrong, vampire. Just try it.]

[monstrous]

Terms? I personally would like to waive the usual carte blanche. Instead, I reserve the right to paint that book cover and hang it in your home in the place of my choosing, and you cannot take it down or conceal it for at least a month.

[depicted]

What? [Dorian actually jerks back in horror.] No!

[monstrous]

Why not? You can pick your terms, too.

[depicted]

No! No, I'm not taking that bet. I won't let you do that.

[Somehow, Dorian has ignored that a carte blanche would give Toby the right to do that anyway.]

[monstrous]

So you're admitting that I would win!

[depicted]

You wouldn't, but I'm not making that bet.

[monstrous]

If I wouldn't win then it shouldn't matter what the wager is, since you wouldn't be bound by it, what with your assumed victory and all that.

[depicted]

I'm not even going to entertain the thought.

[monstrous]

You know, I could just use one of the carte blanches I haven't cashed in for the same thing.

[depicted]

[Wait.

Shit.

He's right.]

Yeah, but you wouldn't.

[Pause.]

Right?

[monstrous]

I don't know. Are you feeling lucky?

[depicted]

[Dorian is about to answer. Then he realizes something.]

Dirty Harry?

[monstrous]

Don't change the subject, punk. Are you feeling lucky. Well, are you?

[depicted]

[Dorian actually laughs.] I didn't think you'd be a fan.

[monstrous]

It's impossible not to be a fan. Hell, I bet you're even a fan, and look at your questionable taste. [present company included.]

[depicted]

I don't have questionable taste. You're the one in—in that. [Dorian gestures at Toby's outfit. YOU LOOK LIKE YOU GOT DRESSED IN THE DARK.

WHICH YOU DID.]

[monstrous]

I'm the one looking good you mean. [swagger swagger]

[depicted]

[To Dorian's great annoyance, that arrogant expression is also very charming. Dorian starts to smile back.

And then he catches himself.]

You're the one cheating.