reverie overflow.

[vecna]

i still haven't put something less stupid here

Comments

[vecna]

But you do love your merits, Sprezzatura.

[velluminous]

Ms Vaux.

[vecna]

At this point, I haven’t earned a first-name basis?

[velluminous]

I like to be called Ms.

[vecna]

Even by friends?

[velluminous]

Of course.

[ Reim called her that. Miles called her that. hell, Theo called her Ms Vaux. ]

[vecna]

[Curious.]

Why the formality?

[velluminous]

[ "My parents used my given name like disparagement." ]

Superiority complex, perhaps?

[vecna]

[Liar.]

Or inferiority, instead? Could be taken both ways, you know.

[velluminous]

Inferior! Don't be ridiculous.

[vecna]

To make you feel more important. Ms Vaux. That’s all I mean.

[velluminous]

[ well, fuck. this is actually worse. her brow ticks ]

Nonsense. But what is so wrong about feeling important?

[vecna]

Well, nothing, I suppose. But even between friends?

[velluminous]

Do you think we're friends, Henry, or are you making point?

[vecna]

[He scoffs lightly, unoffended actually.]

You called me a friend earlier. Don't tell me you're detracting that now.

[velluminous]

Ahh, I cause nothing but trouble for myself.

[vecna]

[Laughs.] But you don't deny it. That's good.

I'll continue calling you Ms Vaux if that's what you really prefer.

[No, he'll still slip a first name in there, at times.]

[velluminous]

I do. Think of it as... [ hm. he's from the future, isn't he? ] Old-fashioned values.

[vecna]

[The irony of telling someone who grew up in the 40s/50s about "old-fashioned values".]

Of broken systems. [Oh, that slipped out-- But he just shakes his head, easy to slide off his shoulders as a joke.] All right. As you like it, Ms Vaux.

[velluminous]

Thank you. Henry.

I want to find my book now.

[vecna]

Of course. That's important, too. Where do you think we should start?

[velluminous]

There was nothing downstairs. Only remaining option is this floor.

[ or else her arcanabula just isn't here. ]

[vecna]

[Hm. Dredging through not-so-faraway memory.]

Wasn't there a door labeled "common areas", just before we found the canteen? That could be promising.

[velluminous]

[ perfect! she forgot already, between the food and the memory ]

Oh, yes! Let us investigate at once.

[vecna]

[He nods in agreement, and wiping one more time at the remnants of blood beneath a nostril, stands to leave their junkfood behind.

OUT OF THE CANTEEN, BACK INTO THE HALLWAY. The door labeled "common areas" beckons.]