text; @0988

[fratropathic]

I know you're here. I've felt your presence ever since I arrived. Don't you think it's rude, making me wait this long to hear from you?

[This was absolutely meant to be public, and absolutely meant to be too vague for anyone to guess the intended recipient. Riverview, meet Regene Regetta and his flair for the dramatic.]

Comments

[fratropathic]

Ah.

And you won't ruin the surprise, will you?

[manmade]

What surprise?

[fratropathic]

Whatever surprises might be hiding in those months. I could hardly know the details from my current position.

[He could find them out, but Tieria knows that, and how easy it would be for him. He doesn't want to stoop to threats over a bunch of question marks.]

[sixtyeighth]

But you seem so desperate.

[fratropathic]

Desperate? [Hey, that one actually stings a little :(] I did say that I can sense his presence, didn't I? If I were desperate, I could appear at his front door.

[sixtyeighth]

Then why are you wasting everyone else's time?

[fratropathic]

Oh, I don't know if I'd call it a waste. You may have replied as nothing but a good samaritan, but the other replies have taught me a lot about my new neighbors.

Besides, it's been fun.

[sixtyeighth]

Me? A good Samaritan. Hah. Hardly. I'm sure you've learned something useful. Though if you were so desperate to learn, you could have just asked.

[fratropathic]

Don't be ridiculous. A direct question is the worst way to learn anything about anyone.

[sixtyeighth]

For some, for others it may be the only way to learn anything. It depends how you ask.

[fratropathic]

That's true enough, but interrogation seems like a strong suggestion at this point.

[imperceptus]

Ah, right ... you sensed them. A psychic connection?

[ Very unusual! ]

Mmmhm, that's true enough. A good way to endear yourself to all your new friends, too.

[ His tone's light--he doesn't really care, regardless. This stranger can do as they like. But it's an interesting first move. ]

[sixtyeighth]

Interrogation isn't the same as asking questions.

[fratropathic]

How else you do maximize your information gathering with direct questions? I really am curious now.

[fratropathic]

In simple terms.

It's the perfect way to find people who share my interests, wouldn't you say? And what better way to decide which ones I'd like to make my friends?

[imperceptus]

And have you found many? Friends, that is.

[sixtyeighth]

You talk like it's difficult to just ask a question.

[fratropathic]

I've found more potential than I would've expected, that's for sure.

[fratropathic]

Of course it's not difficult, but it does narrow the scope of your information seeking considerably. Reactions tell so much more than answers, after all.

[sixtyeighth]

Asking the whys the the hows are so very useful, you know! You underestimate how much some people like to talk about themselves, but how much more likely they are to do it when prompted.

[fratropathic]

[This is the first time he has to concede that the stranger has a point, even if just to himself. He's a shady bastard who's been dealing with even shadier bastards, so of course he's learned indirect ways of gathering information, but... small talk must also have its value.

Regene hates to give Ribbons credit for anything, but he must have crafted that harmless, affable public persona for a good reason, considering that he's too arrogant and entitled to bother with niceties he doesn't need.]

In that case, I may have to give your method a try sometime in the future. I'll report back with my findings, don't worry.

[sixtyeighth]

I wasn't worried.

[ Did he think he seemed worried? Hum. ]

It just takes a little practice. I'm sure you're a smart guy. You'll figure it out.

[fratropathic]

[Oh, ha ha. Regene's hackles rise at that, always a sure sign that he's found a worthy opponent - or rather, they've found him.]

Your method, but maybe not your exact way of using it, because you seem to make a lot of assumptions on very little information.

[manmade]

[Is this dramatic bullshit really necessary.]

If you want to know, you could try asking me.

[fratropathic]

[As necessary as it is likely to stop.]

Maybe. Eventually. You've already eased my mind regarding a few encounters I've had since I arrived, but I wouldn't want to start having to depend on you for all my information here.