Nam Propter Irrumabo

[Monolilith]

Ysengrim rolls his eyes a bit with a soft grin of his own, hand returning to support the sleeping baby. The card is just like all the other cards - Aurthur J. Dahlstrom, Provide - well, the second line changes every few seconds. Providence Contractor. Second Monsoon. Prosthesis designer. Trophy Husband to Dr. L. Dahlstrom. Best Dad Ever.

He almost sounded cool for a second there, too, probably. He even scribbled a little 'love you kiddo <3' on the back, in shimmery sea green ink. What a dork.

"Tilt it around. It'll glow. Follow that." That's all Ysen says.

[jessie]

"Mm... hm." He did as so, watching the card change as he turned it in different directions. Interesting. Equally as intriguing was the enchanted script, and the message on the back. He watched the title change a couple times.

He can't get caught up here, he won't, but this is already making him consider betraying some of his boundaries. What kind of person was this Aurthur Dahlstrom? What kind of person was Ysengrim?

"Aight, cool. I'll visit him on my own time." He slipped the card into his jacket pocket, as if this was no big deal, as if it was a thing he could just forget like a Werther's Original. "Hey, did you see a gate when you came out, or, do I have to go through the church?"

[Monolilith]

"... wait. Nuh uh."

Ysen's brows furrow. "You visit him now. With me. That card belongs to me, it won't work for you - in fact, he'll hunt your ass down if it's off of my person for more than 24 hours. We visit now, or you give it back. You have free time."

[jessie]

This was just straight up inconvenient. "Oh, wh- really?" He just went ahead and handed the card back.

Okay, sure, maybe he didn't have any schedule. He was just gonna sorta look around this place, let Mr. Dahlstrom stew. And having to go right away wouldn't throw any wrenches into the works, by any means. But being led by a moderate stranger to an undisclosed location was, in his experience, not good.

Whatever, he's a big boy and he can handle himself. "Fine then, if you're going to be so obstinate, lead on."

[Monolilith]

"Obstinate. Nice choice." He studies the card for a second, turns it this way and that, tucks it into his brother's arms so he can go two handed again, and starts off.

"By the way, are you going to be a stranger despite the fact that I'm lovingly introducing you to Daddy, or are you going to tell me your name?" He's obviously being sarcastic. His voice went all lilty and singsong there.

[jessie]

"Oh, yikes, that's the worst sentence that's come out of your mouth so far. Was your intent to make your dad seem like a huge creep, or?" He falls into step behind Ysengrim, idly surveying the garden.

It's real pretty. Well kept. Plants were never his thing, but it reminds him of a certain someone. Yeah, she'd like this place a lot. Maybe when he gets home, he'll try visiting her, apologize for not speaking to her for so long. He might be zoning out a little, by now.

[Monolilith]

"I figure if it makes you think you and he are kindred spirits, yeah, can't hurt to demonize him. Name?" Man, he's pushing for it. He's a little more than a nervous puppy, apparently, the retort came out smoothly and naturally. He didn't even look over his shoulder. And he doesn't get distracted, either, damn.

[jessie]

Okay, mildly impressive. Mildly. It's not like that was his best deflection technique. A grade schooler could see through that one.

"Oh, ouch! Your lightning tongue has struck me! Someone compared me to a demon, how could I ever go on? Zounds! This is the first time anyone's ever said that about me, and I'm deeply wounded. Yh, try harder, man."

[Monolilith]

"You know, I would? But I'm a little scared. I might puncture your ego, and I don't want to drag a floppy, nameless sack all the way to uptown Void City." Is there a lilt of amusement in his voice? There is, by God. "Naaaaaame."

[jessie]

"You talk big game, kid," okay there's seriously no way he can think he's older than Ysengrim, there's a 10 year age gap, really, "but there's no way you, Babysitter's Club, can work your way through my reinforced steel."

Is he actually goading Ysengrim into some sort of insult match? Does he really think this is wise? He's still following behind Ysen, not too close, and not unobservant. He's constantly taking note of the surroundings.

[Monolilith]

The church has given way beyond its perfect little picket fence, and they're entering midtown. The real looming business district is ahead, but it's well policed. No good place for, like, a murder.

Ysen just sighs, really. "True, that's me. A babysitter." Oh, there's some real bemused sarcasm slipping in now. "Even now, I'm looking after the most useless, obnoxious, shitheadiest critter there ever was. Tedious, tedious work." He tut-tuts at the bundle in his arms.

"Thank goodness Zariah's here to distract me from how godawful that critter's being, am I right?"

[jessie]

Okay, so it would be dumb to kill him here, but who knows where this Ysengrim would be taking him? A detour through the good part of town to make him feel safe, then a turn down an alley. And who knows if they even care about prying eyes? There's a point where maybe he should calm down, but he can't judge if he's reached it yet.

He could take this opportunity in safe district, just run off and ditch Ysengrim. It's not like they have any ties. But, the prospect of someone who can help him get off this rock as fast as possible, is alluring enough to test further.

"Yeah, and don't you forget it." So he keeps following Ysengrim, but no less wary.

[Monolilith]

He doesn't reply. In fact, he goes oddly silent for a spell. If the stranger can catch a look of his face, he'll see worry there.

It's to a relatively tall business tower Ysen leads him, past the front desk with no mention or trouble despite his casual wear and the undersized, blatantly necrotic company he's keeping. "Fair warning, stranger. We'll be going to a floor that doesn't exist, and it'll be kind of desolate." He pushes the 'up' button on the elevator panel. "Just so you know to calm your paranoia. Or if you can't handle that, and want to run."

There's not a drop of sarcasm in his voice. He's being sincere, sincerely considerate of potential (well, inevitable) trauma. Frick.

[jessie]

"I can handle an office, no matter how reality-contradictive it may be." The bite is back. He doesn't need coddling. Or perhaps he does, but he would never accept it. Not now. He doesn't even appreciate the sincerity.

He stands next to Ysen, not even looking at him, waiting for the elevator.