#callahan:manouk

[ofviolentdeath]

"Kinky." The flashing of teeth might have looked like a smile but Cal had spent enough time on this side of things to know it was just as likely to be a threat here. "This sounds like the wind-up to a therapy speech."

"Interpret how you will, but the wrong guess could end quite badly for you," he answered, flashing a smile. "Could be a bit of both. Find better bridges to stand on, and don't light them on fire when you do."

[ofviolentdeath]

"I can't tell if that's a warning, a threat, or an attempt at flirtation." If one thing could be said about Cal it was definitely that he didn't know when to just shut the fuck up. "Or I need to stop trying to burn bridges when I'm standing on them. Hard to say which way is up and which way is left on that front."

"Are you aware that you're snack sized?" he mused. It wasn't a threat, not really, but he knew sometimes the younger ones needed that sort of reminder. "Sounds like you need to find better connections, people who are worth the risk."

[ofviolentdeath]

Callahan had to swallow the first words on the tip of his tongue, too rude, too soon. Not that what came out was much better. "Only a few times?" Still rude but not as rude as he had wanted to be. "Hasn't exactly been my experience at this point."

"I have... oh, what do the mortals like to say? Been around the block a few times? I tend to find that connections are worth it, even if they hurt. Even if you outlive everyone you make connections to. The good tends to outweigh the bad."

[ofviolentdeath]

"Sounds to me like you're speaking from experience there."

"Ooooh, very debatable. Both in an emotional and literal sense. Harder to do, but not impossible. The world loves to find ways to disappoint and the universe loves a good challenge."

[ofviolentdeath]

"Can't get hurt if you don't let anyone in. Since you're not a therapist." It was one of the only thoughts that kept him going some days.

"Just an observation. But I suppose if the shoe fits..." he said, giving a shrug. "I'm certainly no therapist and have zero interest in serving in that capacity for anyone."

[ofviolentdeath]

"When did this turn into a therapy session? Because I'm not paying for therapy." Nor did he like being read so easily.

"Makes it much harder for anyone to truly know you, too. And much easier to dismiss it if they choose not to stick around."

[ofviolentdeath]

"A little of column A, a little of column B. Makes life more interesting when people are left guessing which one it is."

"Intentionally or unintentionally? Some are known to do that sort of thing on purpose."

[ofviolentdeath]

"I seem to have that effect on people."

@ofviolentdeath liked for a starter and is getting manouk

"Well that was a deeply odd thing to say!"