[When Alvin had learned that Rideaux was in town, he... Well he wasn't exactly happy about it. Sorry, man, but they have a history and it's not a good one. Can't exactly forget the guy who used him to kill a friend. Even if it had also resulted in Milla's return, there just had to have been another way... Probably not, but one can't help but wish.
Now, while may not like the guy, he also can't really jump to conclusions. And that is why the fellow Elympion may feel a rather strong and rather persistent buzz in his head. Ring ring ring ex-spy trying to figure out what his game plan is calling.]
Hey Rideaux. Heard you were in town and figured I should give my greetings.
[His voice sounds cheerful and friendly but it's not entirely genuine.]
[ As much gratification as Rideaux takes in having his presence acknowledged, he really has no interest in actually indulging a conversation. That persistent buzzing, though, does quickly start to grate on his nerves, and he again finds himself missing the days when he could just throw something onto his GHS to shut it up when he didn't feel like taking a call. (Though in actuality, it had usually been Julius ignoring his calls.)
So after a while... Fine. ]
And yet not long enough, Mr. Svent.
[ Honestly, there are fewer things for him to resent about Alvin than about most of Ludger's other friends, but he still holds enough of a casual grudge against all of the old-money families in Elympios to put some biting emphasis on that name. ]
[Ah, the joys of having someone actually know his true heritage. The corner of his lip twitches to something of sarcastic grin as he leans back in his chair.]
I just go by "Alvin," thanks.
And I think the length of time is the only thing we can really agree on. But I'm not really here to exchange pleasantries, so I'll get to the point.
[ That's actually one thing they have in common, albeit for somewhat different reasons, but he's not interested in bonding over their family problems.
...Of course, he's not crazy about this line of conversation either. Even in the pause before he responds, the seething hatred is palpable across the connection. Don't fucking remind him.
His voice, though, remains cool and measured in contrast. ]
[ Besides dying inside a little more every day? What, do they think he's working at that dump of a clinic because Jude is there? That's exactly what had kept him away from it for his first few days here. ]
What else do you think I would be doing?
[ He scoffs. Sure, he may get some enjoyment out of their misfortune, but if it hadn't been for Origin's Trial and Bisley's orders, he would have been perfectly content with never giving any of them the time of day. ]
This may come as a surprise, but my life really doesn't revolve around all of you.
It's not really us I'm worried about. [Well, okay, yes he worries about Jude.] It's what you might try and do to everyone else around here.
Gotta admit, your practices haven't always been the most "wholesome" or "charitable." So you'll have to forgive me if I don't readily believe you're actually here on good behavior.
[ God, this shit pisses him off. He knows damn well that he's not a good person by any stretch of the imagination, but he has better things to do with his time than go out of his way to commit whatever hypothetical offenses he's being preemptively accused of. ]
Well, congratulations on uncovering my nefarious scheme to make a living by providing quality medical care.
[ He still doesn't raise his voice, but his tone is decidedly more biting than it was a moment ago. ]
I'm not here because I asked to be, and I'm no more interested in "everyone else around here" than I am in you.
Careful, Rideaux, or you might set something on fire.
[One would think Alvin would ease up. But no. It's Alvin and it's Rideaux, of course this isn't going to go very smoothly.
That said, if Rideaux really isn't planning on doing anything then there's no need for him to smoke unnecessary flames. And if he isn't, then while that's not going to improve his approval rating, it will take some of the edge of. Some. He'll always be suspicious, if only because of that less than pleasant past history.]
But if that's the case, then I'll be more than happy to keep our levels of interest in each other at the bare minimum.
[At least. You know. Conversationally. He's still going to keep an eye and ear out, though a lot of it may be for Jude's sake. Gotta protect the pseudo family and all that.]
[ There are indeed a few embers that have sprung to life out of nowhere to start burning a hole through the cover of a book on his desk, and the fact that he hears that sentence right as he's getting up to deal with that infuriates him enough that the fire flares up dramatically, and he has to shove the book off the desk onto the floor and stomp on it to put it out.
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[ voice ] backdated to holy hell sometime in december
Now, while may not like the guy, he also can't really jump to conclusions. And that is why the fellow Elympion may feel a rather strong and rather persistent buzz in his head. Ring ring ring ex-spy trying to figure out what his game plan is calling.]
Hey Rideaux. Heard you were in town and figured I should give my greetings.
[His voice sounds cheerful and friendly but it's not entirely genuine.]
Been a while.
[ voice ]
So after a while... Fine. ]
And yet not long enough, Mr. Svent.
[ Honestly, there are fewer things for him to resent about Alvin than about most of Ludger's other friends, but he still holds enough of a casual grudge against all of the old-money families in Elympios to put some biting emphasis on that name. ]
As I think we can both agree.
[ voice ]
I just go by "Alvin," thanks.
And I think the length of time is the only thing we can really agree on. But I'm not really here to exchange pleasantries, so I'll get to the point.
I hear you're working for Jude now.
[Should be obvious where this is going.]
[ voice ]
...Of course, he's not crazy about this line of conversation either. Even in the pause before he responds, the seething hatred is palpable across the connection. Don't fucking remind him.
His voice, though, remains cool and measured in contrast. ]
You heard correctly.
[ voice ]
[Oh yeah, there is definitely a lot of suspicion there. Jude might be a little more passive, but Alvin's not going to try and hide it.]
[ voice ]
What else do you think I would be doing?
[ He scoffs. Sure, he may get some enjoyment out of their misfortune, but if it hadn't been for Origin's Trial and Bisley's orders, he would have been perfectly content with never giving any of them the time of day. ]
This may come as a surprise, but my life really doesn't revolve around all of you.
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Gotta admit, your practices haven't always been the most "wholesome" or "charitable." So you'll have to forgive me if I don't readily believe you're actually here on good behavior.
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Well, congratulations on uncovering my nefarious scheme to make a living by providing quality medical care.
[ He still doesn't raise his voice, but his tone is decidedly more biting than it was a moment ago. ]
I'm not here because I asked to be, and I'm no more interested in "everyone else around here" than I am in you.
no subject
[One would think Alvin would ease up. But no. It's Alvin and it's Rideaux, of course this isn't going to go very smoothly.
That said, if Rideaux really isn't planning on doing anything then there's no need for him to smoke unnecessary flames. And if he isn't, then while that's not going to improve his approval rating, it will take some of the edge of. Some. He'll always be suspicious, if only because of that less than pleasant past history.]
But if that's the case, then I'll be more than happy to keep our levels of interest in each other at the bare minimum.
[At least. You know. Conversationally. He's still going to keep an eye and ear out, though a lot of it may be for Jude's sake. Gotta protect the pseudo family and all that.]
no subject
Thank god this isn't a video connection. ]
Let's call it a deal, then.
no subject
One I'll gladly make.
And with that settled, guess there's nothing more to be said.