Ah so he knew how to play the game of forming business alliances without letting the unspoken resentment build up. Some may call it two faced but to Tine it was just good business practice. Holding your tongue could get you far with those who did not take criticism well and he could imagine the humor of seeing such fools read the bashing enraged, complaining to Teddy as he smiled and assured them they were fine. Playing them like spinning tops.
Tine was enjoying Teddy’s company more and more.
At the question Tine pondered.
“Cruelty is rather subjective.” Taking the shot he considered passing this one as he honestly wasn’t sure what act could be deemed the worst. After a bit he finally tapped the shot glass down and rose a finger.
“There was once a general and a soldier. The soldier was loyal to his general and harbored more than just admiration for him. Working his way up the ranks, through will and grit he became the general’s best soldier, going where he went, never leaving his side. The general praised his work but never showed signs of anything beyond professional relationship.
Well one night as the soldier prepares for bed in his tent the general comes to him and in an unexpected turn, takes the soldier as his lover that night. Come morning the general is gone from the tent and when the soldier finds him he acts no different than normal. Disheartened the soldier passes off the encounter as a fever dream or hallucination. Except the general comes to him again the next night and the next and the next, each time leaving by morning and acting like nothing has changed.”
Taking another shot Tine licked his lips.
“Eventually the general is promoted and he makes the soldier his official right hand man. The soldier is delighted and accepts that their lovers relationship must be kept a secret, happy to stand by the man he loves in any way. Months pass and the nightly visits continue until they suddenly stop and the general announces his engagement to a pretty young woman he’s been courting since his promotion.
The soldier is distraught and confronts the general who responds he has no idea what the soldier is talking about and their relationship has never been anything but professional. Disturbed by this outburst the general arranges for the soldier to be sent away to a new post. The soldier, feeling used and now about to be tossed away takes a blade to the general and runs him through in a crime of passion that ends the life of the man he loved.”
“But here is the kicker. The fiance enters the crime scene as the soldier remains hunched over the general’s corpse and in a shocking turn of events reveals that the ‘General’ who had slept with him and spoke sweet nothings with was in fact not the man laying cold in his arms, but rather, her!” A laugh.
“Or I should say, I. Yes, months before the young soldier had scuffed my shoe and did not even apologize so I decided to teach him a lesson in manners. I gave him what he desired and in return, he killed the man he loved who truly never laid a hand on him.
So what kind of music do you enjoy?”
Tine was good at spinning a tale. Teddy could imagine getting drunk and just listening to him talk, head in his lap as the hours ticked by.
He was expecting Tine to call himself the general, or compare himself to him - a fictional man that Teddy thought sounded rather brilliant. Sadistic and successful? Consider him intrigued.
It took a moment for the twist in the story to register - for the fact that it was possible for Tine to appear as anything other than himself. Teddy initially went to dismiss it, but no, the man had survived a bullet to the skull.
The little blond leaned closer, hands threaded together and chin resting on his fingers.
“Oh, you are a delight.” He dragged his gaze over Tine’s face, drinking in his sharp features. He made no effort to hide his interest. What could he say? He found cruelty attractive, and that level was mouth watering. The question went ignored for the moment.
“I’m mildly aware shooting you in the face is a little worse than scuffing your shoe, however.” He was smiling, teasing in spite of the fact that he could have real reason to be worried. “I suppose I’ll have to work to make it up to you, hm?
A pause.
“I rather enjoy electro swing music. It’s excellent for focusing.” He unlaced his fingers, plucking the fancy vodka up to pour them both two more shots.
“Do you have a favourite cuisine?”
discoholicmusic
vaporwave
turnnoffyourmind
