Another Day, Another Abomination of Science

[argentmarteau]

[...Or perhaps not. Because for some reason, there's just smoke billowing out the tower.

We're sure there's a reasonable explanation for this.]

Comments

[argentmarteau]

Hmm. [Stroking her chin.]

So I'm curious. Is there normally that kind of reaction to a new member, or am I special?

[thefightisall]

New members swear loyalty to those who recruit them, and thus by proxy who their new leader swore to, and upward. For most of our current batch, that means between give and seven rungs on the ladder. I don't bring in people much myself anymore.

[argentmarteau]

I see...[She stands up from the bittycorn and watches him, curiously.]

Am I allowed to wonder why you have? I wouldn't have thought I'd made enough of an impression to be asked twice, much less so if you asking is that uncommon an occurrence.

[thefightisall]

One of the brightest minds on the island is suddenly out of house and home and I just so happen to run a gang. It's logical.

[kicking his legs up on the table.]

Also, what can I say? I like you way better than most the people on this island. I wanted to offer a hand to help, you know.

[argentmarteau]

...[Wow, he actually made her blush.]

You're the first person in six years to bother with any of that, you know.

[thefightisall]

I'm the first person in six years to have any kind of taste or think for half a second? Now, that's a real shock.

[He'll just sit there and keep his hands crossed behind his head.]

[argentmarteau]

No, that's not what I meant. But...most people don't care what happens to me beyond superficial courtesy. I haven't had someone be worried about my well-being since I came here.

...[She looks down at the ground because suddenly her toes are fascinating.] You wanted to know why what you said mattered so much. I don't really know why it's like this, but...I might as well be honest.

[thefightisall]

[He'll crack his eye open again to look at her, when she says that.]

So go ahead and say it. I'm not going to laugh at you, Maxwell.

[argentmarteau]

It's not really that easy for me. [Deep breaths. Deeeep breaths.

It...that is to say, I believe, without any regard for taste, that I might have come to...be attracted to you, in a romantic sense.

[thefightisall]

[..Sitting up again, leaning his elbows on his knees, and looking flatly at her.]

You. Have a crush on me. You. Eiriol Maxwell. Little Miss Perfect.

[Blinking a few times.]

You honestly mean to tell me you suddenly have a thing for bad boys?

[argentmarteau]

I think we already established I only bother with the rules so they don't watch my work that closely.

[Crossing her arms.] Did I stutter? I thought I was perfectly clear.

[thefightisall]

[Well, now he's standing up to get a closer look at her. Grabbing her chin, looking her over like he's trying to determine if this is something the explosion did to her or not.]

Sorry, it's a little surprising. I thought you'd be all into some other genius or something.

[argentmarteau]

[Well, she's still impressively red, but since she's still giving him a flat look right on back, that's still Eiriol in all her snarky glory.]

The proclaimed 'geniuses' here I'd as soon strangle than have more than superficial contact with. I don't want to bother with someone who's bought into their own hype.

I'm as surprised as you are, believe me.

[thefightisall]

Well, then. If that's how you feel...

I guess to the victor goes the spoils.

[Since he's already got a hand on her chin, he'll just pull her in for a none-too-gentle but very thorough and intimate kiss.]

[argentmarteau]

[She's startled and off-guard, but she's quick on the recovery, reaching up to get a hand in his hair to pull him a little further into that.

She is also apparently more experienced at this than her image would imply, because once she recovers, she's giving back as good as she gets.]

[thefightisall]

[Well, after thoroughly exploring her mouth with his tongue, he'll pull back from her and smirk.]

I guess little miss scientist's more worldly than she acts.

[argentmarteau]

Little miss scientist did say she didn't want to be a notch on someone's belt again. It is amazing how many people ignore the implications.

[thefightisall]

Do you have any other fun surprises for me, then?

[That grin is wide and sharp enough to cut someone on.]

[argentmarteau]

Hmm...[She'll wrap her arms loosely around his waist and smiles downright wickedly.]

Wouldn't be a surprise if I told you, would it?

[thefightisall]

Well make something out of you yet, then... Come on, my room isn't far from here.

[And it isn't, if she follows him. Turns out he's got his own little private quarters with everything he needs and a rather fixed up interior, since, well. Good to be the king.]

[argentmarteau]

[She whistles a little, looking around.] Got yourself one hell of a set-up here, don't you, Hadrian?

[thefightisall]

Of course. Certain things come with being the man in charge, after all.

[It's actually pretty tastefully decorated. He's got an eye for art, it looks like, though almost all of it is local.]

[argentmarteau]

I'm more impressed by the sense of interior design. I didn't take you for an art connoisseur.

[She's paused to look around the room, since she's actually pretty curious about he lives.]>

[thefightisall]

I can appreciate things that aren't violence, thank you.

[Well, aside from the one corner clearly designated for working out in, he's got things rather tastefully minimalist. The only real stand-out pieces are the previously mentioned paintings, most of which are landscapes or populated scenes, and few intricate rugs.]

[argentmarteau]

Didn't mean to imply you didn't. [She stops after a minute or two of inspection, and turns to face him.]

You know, I don't think the lad who made this knows what a selkie's dress is for. I can't imagine he'd want me in front of his beloved leader in something made specifically to lure ships and men to their doom on the rocks.

[Just. Casually putting that out there.]