laytondressing | (no subject)

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[As the... well. He still doesn't know what he is to Monocle, especially the one here, what with the man being from earlier in the timeline than he is. Well, either way. With him being whatever he is to the potential ruler of this place, he figures that if he has to deal with this, he might has every right to do it in public. Maybe someone will realise the connection between himself and Monocle, and it'll tarnish the reputation he has beyond any tarnishing that so much as meeting him does anyway.

He's freaked himself out, anyway, and since Monocle's not in his room, Clive doesn't really want to sit there on his own until the other gets back. Especially because he'd rather Monocle potentially have an explanation of what happened and a look at his room at separate points, all things considered.

Which is why there's a bloodied Clive curled up on a sofa in the lobby, picking idly at his fingernails. There's an awful lot of blood there, and it's clearly not all his. He does look a little pale and shaky beneath his feigned indifference though, so at least some of it is probably from him. The way he keeps coursing his fingers through his hair and staining it red is probably some indication of the fact that he's not quite so calm as he'd like observers to actually believe, too.]

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Could you kill me, Clive?

Would you like to test it? I could always take a knife to you.

I would be delighted to watch your attempt.

[Snort.]

I'm sure you would be. On the other hand, I remember where this conversation leads.

Then you know that it is sensible to not even try.

Quite.

...do your quarters stock themselves with brandy here?

No, they do not.

[This is Monocle's frowny face.]

Brilliant. I could have done with something to drink. Maybe I'll have to go speak to Descole then.

You are not to go to Descole.

Why not? I get alcohol and cigarettes out of it, and she isn't all judgemental like you.

She covers in fear at my merely walking onto her floor in this building, would you really trust yourself under the protection of someone like that?

Who says I need protection? I just like the alcohol.

Alcohol dulls the senses. If you really did want me to kill you then getting drunk out of your mind would be a good way to make it easier.

You wouldn't kill me. I'd be dead by now, if you were willing.

At least you have some brains in your head. But you shouldn't bet that my opinion will remain the same if you test my patience.

I've done more than test your patience before, I can assure you.

You don't need to tell me that. Even in my own timeline you have done, Clive. I consider myself lucky that you aren't hard to manipulate.

That's what you think. You're hardly difficult to manipulate yourself, you know.

You think so?

I know so, from experience.

Clive, don't fool yourself into thinking that I'm keeping you around because of your own cunning. You are desirable, and when you stop being so I will dispose of you.

You know I could run your entire government in rings if I wanted to, you included? That's what you do to people.

Are you suggesting that you could suitably replace me?

Because I doubt that. Running a country is a commitment, Clive. And given your standards, I'd expect you to get bored and sexually deprived too soon to follow through with it.

Quite. And that's the only reason I haven't overthrown you. It's more interesting the way things are.

In other words, you see me as a rodent running the country for you. If that were true, then I've yet to see your reap any benefits from the running of my country.