oh in that case i know a few of your servers and we like to update each other on people we need to look out for. your gropper is just the latest one, but after being thrown through a partition, i would hope he's learned his lesson.
i guess so. i'll let you off the hook for now but that means i get two compliments next time i see you.
so how about this: i tell you the crazy rumors i've heard and you just confirm or deny them. the tea was really the big ticket item i wanted but if i can have that anytime, then i can give the information for free.
you have free time and you don't need anything? is the world ending?
[But he wasn't going to question this too much.]
okay the top three most interesting ones i heard are: 1. you actually have a secret family tucked away at the edge of town. white picket fence, baby, dog, everything. 2. you're a crown prince on the run and you're worth an obscene amount of money. 3. the basement is actually just your wild sex dungeon where many enter and no one comes out from.
is there even a spec of truth to any of them?
[Look there was a reason he wanted to make sure he didn't have to impress him.]
My time depends on work, and right now, there isn't much to do.
[ He means the other part he doesn't talk about much, but Rune isn't going to elaborate on that. Instead, he's just staring at his phone. What. ]
Does any of that even sound true to you? I don't have a family, and I'm not a prince.
[ Yet, he hesitates on answering the third one. The basement isn't technically a sex dungeon, but he's used it for sex rituals before. Rune considers, and then — ]
Why would you ever think there's something going on between us?
[ To be perfectly honest, his relationship with Ciro probably looks like they're married to anyone on the outside, but it's more complicated than any of that. ]
Then I'll show you. There's nothing strange about it.
just rumors and the fact that you answered a question with a question lol.
[It's really none of his business either way, especially since this wouldn't be the first or the last time Kyu-Bok found himself in the middle of an 'it's complicated' situation. As long as he's not dragged out of bed in the middle of a night at knife point, he wasn't going to ask too many questions.]
now i feel like you're messing with me by trying to make it seem as normal as possible. i feel like you should sent me a picture just so i can prepare myself.
I've known him for a long time. We have an understanding. That's all.
[ As if that sums up their relationship, but Rune doesn't like going into detail for the sake of avoiding confusion. There won't be any knives pulled on him; he should be prepared for magic use of any kind though. ]
I promise it's nothing. Look.
[ Attached with that later text is a picture of the basement—dimly lit with candles on his work bench. The space is considerably open, and there's nothing of much interest there besides the table itself and how it holds several containers as well as a mortar and pestle. There are also dried herbs hanging from the beams of the basement ceiling, but otherwise, it looks plain and unassuming. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tfln / adumbrated.
My opinion of you isn't low at all.
I'm only asking to satisfy my curiosity.
Besides, you can't help who you know.
[ Sometimes. He's giving him the benefit of the doubt. ]
Is that the only reason you texted me?
\o/
lol would you be disappointed if it was?
no subject
I'm just not sure I'd believe you.
What else have they told you?
[ Because that's really what this is about now. ]
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i can't give that information out without any guarantees with no repercussions. and if i'm not getting anything in return.
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And I would never betray your trust like that.
What do you want in return for telling me?
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i'm torn between a month of free tea or you having you compliment me daily for a week.
no subject
I really don't care about the extra details. I'm only interested in what pertains to me.
I could give you either of those any time you wanted.
Ask for something else.
no subject
what seriously? while i'm thinking of something else to ask for can i have a compliment?
no subject
[ He doesn't actually care what people say about him. Mostly, he's giving him a hard time. ]
Shouldn't that be saved for when I see you?
I think it'd mean more if you saw my face.
no subject
do you have so few compliments for me i only get one over text or face to face?
no subject
That doesn't mean I don't have more.
Besides, hearing them is a little more personal. Isn't it?
[ He can't quite get that full point across with a text the same way he can with his voice. ]
no subject
so how about this: i tell you the crazy rumors i've heard and you just confirm or deny them. the tea was really the big ticket item i wanted but if i can have that anytime, then i can give the information for free.
no subject
[ Asking specifically so he can figure out exactly what he wants to tell him. ]
You're making this too easy.
If I'm impressed by what you tell me, I'll give you something.
But I won't tell you what it is. It'll be a surprise.
no subject
now you're making me nervous by being so generous. if i don't impress you, should i bring you a gift instead?
no subject
Just tell me what you've heard.
It doesn't matter what it is. I don't need a gift.
no subject
[But he wasn't going to question this too much.]
okay the top three most interesting ones i heard are:
1. you actually have a secret family tucked away at the edge of town. white picket fence, baby, dog, everything.
2. you're a crown prince on the run and you're worth an obscene amount of money.
3. the basement is actually just your wild sex dungeon where many enter and no one comes out from.
is there even a spec of truth to any of them?
[Look there was a reason he wanted to make sure he didn't have to impress him.]
no subject
[ He means the other part he doesn't talk about much, but Rune isn't going to elaborate on that. Instead, he's just staring at his phone. What. ]
Does any of that even sound true to you?
I don't have a family, and I'm not a prince.
[ Yet, he hesitates on answering the third one. The basement isn't technically a sex dungeon, but he's used it for sex rituals before. Rune considers, and then — ]
Would you like to see the basement?
no subject
[Whatever that might mean. That being said this is super ominous...]
if it's a sex dungeon? maybe. but if it's something else, you have to tell me first.
no subject
If there's something you want to know, you just have to ask.
[ If Rune ever found anything funny, he might have laughed at that. ]
It's not a dungeon.
I use it as a different kind of workroom.
no subject
[Both for personal reasons and because there may be a betting pool going on.]
this is vaguely ominous sounding, but as long as it's not dog taxidermy or something i'd like to see it then.
no subject
[ To be perfectly honest, his relationship with Ciro probably looks like they're married to anyone on the outside, but it's more complicated than any of that. ]
Then I'll show you.
There's nothing strange about it.
no subject
[It's really none of his business either way, especially since this wouldn't be the first or the last time Kyu-Bok found himself in the middle of an 'it's complicated' situation. As long as he's not dragged out of bed in the middle of a night at knife point, he wasn't going to ask too many questions.]
now i feel like you're messing with me by trying to make it seem as normal as possible. i feel like you should sent me a picture just so i can prepare myself.
no subject
We have an understanding. That's all.
[ As if that sums up their relationship, but Rune doesn't like going into detail for the sake of avoiding confusion. There won't be any knives pulled on him; he should be prepared for magic use of any kind though. ]
I promise it's nothing.
Look.
[ Attached with that later text is a picture of the basement—dimly lit with candles on his work bench. The space is considerably open, and there's nothing of much interest there besides the table itself and how it holds several containers as well as a mortar and pestle. There are also dried herbs hanging from the beams of the basement ceiling, but otherwise, it looks plain and unassuming. ]