misterblackbird: (So Newly Charming)
Cain Hargreaves ([personal profile] misterblackbird) wrote2008-04-30 11:05 am

Entry 157; Day 363

The Network is fascinating today: it seems people are saying too much again. At least the zombies are gone, but we've been hit immediately afterwards with a curse. That's City timing for you, yet again. I think this one, or some variation on it, has come around before. It's one of the more tiresome ones, and requires far more mopping up after the fact than some others. That is, if things go wrong.

There's a lot to be said for tact and politeness--two of my favourite tools, or weapons, as the case may be. One can say nearly anything without lying if one knows how to go about it. But from what I've seen of the residents of the City, it seems tact is a lost art in most worlds. Granted, a curse could make one blunt, but it seems like some citizens are like that most every day. And the ones who aren't are invariably schemers.

I suppose there's a difference between being blunt and being honest. One may be a blunt liar, or one may be blunt and still keep secrets. Still, there's a fine art to simply not saying something while still being perfectly honest. It's a shame it's not a better practiced art here.

For example, I can say to you quite honestly that I have done extensive, though not entirely scientific, experiments in chemistry. I'm no chemist, but I've dabbled in it. I've also assisted the medical community of the City on a few occasions with that chemistry.

In my own world I had quite the reputation and I'm both relieved and saddened that it hasn't followed me here. I am truly and sincerely concerned for both Merry and Riff and thoughts of them occupy my mind most of the day. I am likewise concerned for the other residents of the Opera Abandoned, but mostly that they should not get themselves entangled in my confused affairs: they are my concerns and I don't want anyone else harmed by them--which makes me consider moving out of the opera house quite a bit, but the barricades and protection we've arranged for one another are far better than I could establish in a flat of my own. I miss London, but in part because I miss the amount of power I could wield there--reputations do wonders, as much as tact can. I miss the things reputation could garner me.

I have greater concerns than petty day-to-day City business. I am bound and determined to kill my father in City and trap him here. Then Merry, Riff, and I will escape back to London and abandon him here. I've had this plan for the better part of a year now. Perhaps the final battle is getting closer. I still hate the smell of roses.

I also like getting the last word, better if it's a witty one.

~C.

[ooc: He's reading the Network, hoping for an opening. Maybe someone will drop some information. Oh wait, he's cursed too, and doesn't quite realize it yet! Come ask him embarrassing questions :3 Work demands my soul soon, but I will tag as much as I can before, (during,) and after.]

[identity profile] ourdenouement.livejournal.com 2008-04-30 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
How silly, Earl.

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-04-30 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
What's silly? I'm called many things, but 'silly' is not often one of them.

[identity profile] ourdenouement.livejournal.com 2008-04-30 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Having the reputation of a heartbreaker is rather sad. Silly.

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-04-30 08:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Do you think so? I never really gave it a second thought. It ended up being to my benefit, so I kept up my reputation.

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-04-30 08:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, what about them? I've a handful--both here and there.

[identity profile] ourdenouement.livejournal.com 2008-04-30 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
The reputation... doesn't tear them away?

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-04-30 09:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Not the ones I'm thinking of, no.

[identity profile] ourdenouement.livejournal.com 2008-04-30 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Mm... as expected of the incredible Earl!

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-04-30 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
You're putting on a brave face, but you're not entirely fooling me today. Just a moment ago you seemed quite serious.

[identity profile] ourdenouement.livejournal.com 2008-05-01 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
Ah.

Always perceptive, hmm?

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-05-01 12:43 am (UTC)(link)
I'm afraid I've always thought of myself as such. Although, I admit, the curse is helping things along today.

[identity profile] ourdenouement.livejournal.com 2008-05-01 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
I will admit.

I really, really dislike this curse. It is not fun in the least.

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-05-01 02:14 am (UTC)(link)
Clearly, for you, it is not. I feel rather guilty for having been so entertained with the other posts on the Network today.

[identity profile] ourdenouement.livejournal.com 2008-05-01 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
Don't feel guilty.

Curses are entertaining most of the time.

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-05-01 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
When one isn't so affected by them they are.

...

Good lord, but it's strange to see you acting like this.

[identity profile] ourdenouement.livejournal.com 2008-05-01 02:30 am (UTC)(link)
Mm, I agree.

It's more fun teasing you.

[identity profile] misterblackbird.livejournal.com 2008-05-01 04:02 am (UTC)(link)
It's more fun to answer your jabs too.

Tomorrow, then.

[identity profile] ourdenouement.livejournal.com 2008-05-01 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
Tomorrow.