Adstringendum voice mail

[leashed]

If you require my services and have tried to contact me without a response, I may be unavailable.

Please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I am physically able.

Romulus Hart, 1st lieutenant

Comments

[danseur]

I feel --

[ He doesn't know how to say it. ]

.. weird. Not bad, just - weird.

[leashed]

You have been one way for the majority of your life. Now you are another. I would be surprised if you felt normal.

[danseur]

.. not really the majority. Just - about half, yeah?

[ He's not defensive, just.. uncomfortable in his own skin. ]

[leashed]

Yes, alright.

[He tries to move a little closer to him, reaching for his hand again.]

...do you look down on me, Morgan?

[danseur]

[ Morgan frowns a little, hooking his fingers into Rome's. ]

.. nah. If anything, you're probably better.

[leashed]

[He shakes his head.]

That is not true.

[danseur]

I'm not shitting you.

[ He's staring forward. ]

[leashed]

I am not- shitted.

[danseur]

No, come on, I mean -- you like what you are.

[leashed]

No.

[He corrects gently.]

I just accept it.

[danseur]

Well, then -- that's still a difference between you and me.

[leashed]

[He nods.]

I understand. I will try to treat you the same.

[danseur]

Don't try.

[ It comes out a little uncomfortable. ]

Just do it.

[leashed]

[He swallows hard, nodding quickly.]

Yes s- I will.

[danseur]

[ He relaxes then, tugging at Rome's hand. ]

See, then? Nothing to worry about.

[leashed]

[He nods.]

I am not worried.

[Lies :C]

[danseur]

You're a shitty liar, you know.

[ Or maybe Morgan is just guessing. ]

[leashed]

I have been practicing.

[Defensively.]

[danseur]

Why've you been practicing? You don't like lying. [ It could be flirting. Instead, it's just accusatory. ]

[leashed]

[He bites his lip.]

It is a very common social construct. Many friendships are built on lies, it seems.

[danseur]

Yeah, well.. not ours. Okay?

[leashed]

[He nods, obediently.]

I will not lie to you again.

[danseur]

[ He knows how dumbly harsh he was being, but.. ]

Good. And- I won't lie to you, either. Cool?

[leashed]

[He nods.]

We will be honest. That is very cold.

[danseur]

It's a figure of speech, Rommy. Only 'cool' works there, not 'cold.'