(

? )

Pardon?

... Adelis disclosed to you that he... loves me?

( He says this name with some emphasis to clarify whom and what they were talking about. Given the slight doubt in his voice, there's this underlying implication that he's expecting Syrlya to clarify he's referring to platonic love, which would still be strange to hear of Adelis, but would at least be within some realm of probability, however obscure.

It's pretty apparent that he skips past himself being the possible subject, despite him being the topic just moments prior. )

( Hm.

Mishka can generally take wild accusations without flinching, but this one is strange because it echoes something that had been mentioned to him prior. He had tried to set it on the shelf, and now it's come to trouble him again.

Knock knock, knock knock, on the shut doors of his heart. )

... Do I seem like I love him?

( Mishka looks uncharacteristically uncomfortable. This is a vulnerability of the highest degree, to entertain the idea instead of shutting it down completely. )

( OKAY... BUT... PLATONICALLY THOUGH...

Mishka goes quiet for a little longer than he has thus far. While he might usually have some argument, it's a little bit difficult to rationalize the whole self-sacrifice bit, given he hasn't yet been able to rationalize it to himself despite great effort. )

... Even if you may interpret it as such, this would be abnormal and repulsive. Regardless, if Adelis is off-put by my amicable treatment, I can only imagine how discomfiting the idea of love must be to him. I would certainly hope that he hasn't interpreted my gesture as such.

( A part of him knows these are just excuses. But if caring for Adelis is a vulnerability, then love is a gaping hole that rends the body near in two.

For the first time in a long time, he feels sick. )

...

Very well. I will speak to him, but not on love. Does this satisfy you?

( Bluntly: )

While I appreciate that you would speak on Adelis's behalf, I don't expect you're in much position to tell me what I must and must not apologize for in such a manner.

( He has been exceptionally patient with it, but Syrlya's attitude on certain matters does grate. He understands his bias, but he would be pleased if Syrlya learned to curb his tongue on occasion.

Adelis can get away with a lot, and he's generally been pretty patient in Crescent View, but he thinks he's more patient than is really warranted. )

I don't intend to describe how I feel to him. I am not a kind person, frankly. I can convince myself that the idea of closure has merit, but even if I were to convince myself of love, it would only be worse.

( He rests his cheek on his knuckles, his elbow on the arm. )

I will reassure him I do not care nothing for him, though, if that is your foremost concern.

( This time, it's Mishka who raises a brow. )

You'd had a disagreement with Trahearne during the auction, did you not?

( "Disagreement." )

( He's realizing this will require proper context. )

... I don't know at which point this occurred, but Trahearne was the highest bid on your application. After your conversation, I assumed he would wilt under whatever remained of the rays of your ire.

I'd left the bidding be until the last moment, but no one bid over him. And so I did.

( He can't argue with that, technically. He can't know what Trahearne was thinking, whenever he placed that bid, but he assumes it was for Syrlya, in some way.

He supposes they're also alike, in that regard, given his wayward actions for Adelis. )

... Don't be too cross with him. I recall I told you he takes what you say quite deeply to heart, yes?

You ought give him better credit than that. He is like to confess to a full series of sins, real and imagined, if you so much as give him a look.

( Mishka considers that Syrlya's achievements must be something remarkable if Trahearne's affection does not waver in face of callous frustration. Even Mishka wants to strangle Adelis on occasion.

Then again, he considers that Trahearne is an infinitely better person than Mishka is, and far more blind in love. )

As frustrated as you may be with the application, you certainly understand his intentions were simple and genuine, yes?

( Hm. )

... Does it irritate you, the idea that he may spend such time with others?

( grips that "mostly" in the brackets!!! )

You don't let things go, do you? He has apologized, and he most certainly will apologize again. If you wish to exact a price in blood ( sap? ) for the emotional trouble, then I'm certain he'd be willing to pay that, too. You need only say the word.

I won't tell you you can't be irate with him, but his motivations are far too simplistic to be worth picking at.

( It seemed quite plain Trahearne made it clear he wasn't pulling something like that again... even if Mishka doesn't think he was in the wrong. But Trahearne would probably quarrel with him if he tried to argue with Syrlya on that point, and he isn't interested in a one man crusade to defend anonymous date applications, of all things. )

Besides, I'm quite certain that, if he thought you had only a modicum of interest in him, he would quite instantly send anyone else he may be liasioning with packing.

( Hmmm !! )

You intend to confront him about this perceived habit of floozying about, then?