( 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?

( It would be so much easier if he could just tell Syrlya what Trahearne's deal is... It's so hard to respect Trahearne's right to tell Syrlya he loves him on his own terms... Respecting other people's boundaries is so hard... He didn't go to villain school to end up having to deal with this... )

... I don't believe he has other romantic prospects?

( Just... The one... )

( What if he just fatally wounded Syrlya and left it up to Trahearne to save him... Good folks like bonding over a shared enemy, right... But Trahearne might not take advantage of the opportunity.. Hm... )

... You'll have to forgive my forward question, and I'll have to ask you to trust that I won't mention this to him, but do you feel at all any amount of love for Trahearne?

Of course. If there is anything that is apparent, it's clear that you care for him in ways otherwise already.

( Syrlya does care about Trahearne, as far as he can tell, but whether there's a romantic undertone to it... Honestly, Mishka can't gauge. )

( Hm.

He raises himself up a little to sit proper, leaning back. )

... Then I feel comfortable saying that I don't believe he's interested in pursuing anyone else. But I do believe he's done some distracting things because he's certain you would be off put by his advances; I don't think he understands you have this style of love for him.

... He has always seemed quite decisive about you in my company.

( Which is not to say both can't be true, that Trahearne has seemed vague in Syrlya's eyes and yet clear on his feelings with everyone else, but.

It is a little frustrating in some way he can't place. )

Well, I'll speak to him. But, in the same way you'd like if he were clear to you, consider being clear with him, yes? This seems a sore spot for the both of you, and letting it fester seems only worse.

I don't believe he fails to value the person you are now, nor does he fail to comprehend you care for him in a multitude of ways. He simply doesn't recognize you're attracted to him romantically.

( Maybe we should just cancel love all together, really. This is all nonsense. )

... He believes sincerely in that future with you. But you have changed and lived a rich life without him. It is difficult to envision a future with a dead man, yes? And it is difficult for the person left behind to envision there is any space for them when your life is so full without them.

( He taps the arm of the chair. If Adelis had described a seven years without Mishka with such richness and adventure, and Mishka were in love with him...

He doesn't know what he'd do. Kill him, maybe, and see that they both remain dead. )