-The irony that Archer would find an impulsive, devil-may-care attitude like this one’s obnoxious, was clearly lost on him. After all, was he not similarly impulsive? Did he not also enjoy toeing the line of ever so slightly too close to danger? Of course he did, but to him, he was simply too clever, too well-prepared for any eventuality. This one, on the other hand, with his waifish frame, his pretty, down-turned lashes, his obvious penchant for attracting attention… it reminded the Executive a little too much of Ariana and that was as scathing a tell as any.
-The fact that he seemed to be talking around every one of Archer’s points wasn’t doing him any favors.-
My, but don’t you just miss the forest for every one of its trees? Far be it from me to try and teach a lesson to so unwilling a student. May your escapes be ever as quick as your tongue.
-There followed a derisive snort and a shake of his head, tousled locks of cerulean blue dusting across his forehead as he does so.- And what, pray tell, ought I take offense at? Seeming decent enough not to be associated with those drunken lechers or stiff enough to be likened to your father? Am I so old to young eyes?
-He waved his hand dismissively; perhaps cutting off any further retort to his rhetorical question, perhaps dashing any implication that he might have overlooked something about this otherwise stranger. He didn’t make mistakes, after all. The mere suggestion might have been offensive if he wasn’t so imperturbable where others were concerned.-
Oh, but that would be telling, wouldn’t it? If I wanted money, what would that say about me? What of power? What of recognition? Each of them could reveal a piece of this or that about myself, perhaps more than I care to guess.
Perhaps I didn’t want to deal with the authorities and the media clogging up traffic after your body was found in a dumpster. Perhaps I didn’t want this street to suffer the shame of such infamy. Perhaps all I want is a quiet walk home and something to take for this sudden headache.
∵ ⋠ ♅ ⋡ ∴ Uilani sighed, shaking his head, opting to only hear the portions of the conversation he cared to. A trick he utilized often when speaking to his family actually. ❝I didn’t mean to imply your age was similiar to my father’s, more-so his occupation and it’s accompanying mannerisms. But clearly you don’t care much for me elaborating on the topic so I won’t waste your time with it.❞
Despite the other’s claims, he knew there was something the man likely wanted, much more than a quiet walk. Everyone wanted something, that much had been made clear to him a long time ago. And a man who carried himself the way he did, speaking the way he had been, there was more to the story than he was clearly willing to share with Uilani, that much was clear. Although perhaps it wasn’t his place to pry . . . so plainly at least.
Before Uilani could bring himself to retort with a comment reflecting his thoughts, or his confidence that if there was in fact a body found in a dumpster it certainly wouldn’t be his own, a certain figure caught the corner of his eye. Not far away at all, it seemed his father had finished his meeting with his latest client.
A small grin spread across Uilani’s lips as a sudden idea struck him. ❝You’re right. I suppose I have been a bit of a nuisance, and you were so kind as to come to my aid in my time of need. I should be grateful. I really should. So, why don’t you allow me to make it up to you? I have this dinner with my parents I’m supposed to attend at a rather fancy restaurant. A treat on me. Of course I’ll need to stop home to change first, but we can most certainly get you something to take for that headache of yours.❞
Uilani knew what the dinner was supposed to be for, and had been dreading it since the idea was first proposed. But what easier way to silence any unfavorable conversation than to show up accompanied by another man? And what better way to show off who he really was than an opportunity like this? Two birds, one stone.
