snowblindrpg | [log] The Pit [open]

[House might be self-destructive, but he doesn't particularly want to draw Will into the physical part of this altercation. He stays quiet and still for the moment, like a good boy. But he's peeking out from behind his arms to try to get a look up at what's happening.]

[ He spreads his arms out for a moment in somewhat of a shrug. He really cared more about hurting the cause of his irritation than not doing what he wants -- ]

What can I say, I'm a generous man.

[ -- but now that the heat of the moment has passed, he does consider the implications. Doing the guy that's just pissed him off a favor? Definitely not his first choice. It also makes the interruption less annoying, but he doesn't move his boot off House yet. ]

[ He moves his right hand in a gesture that's supposed to indicate trying to remember something. ]

So you know all that and you're still coming to help him, because..?

[ Aware of how the boot still rested on House, Will moved cautiously and paused at Squalo's question.

He weighed his answers. It would be easy to say that House was a friend, but that was likely to earn more self destructive behavior from House and Will didn't expect it to carry much weight with Squalo. Not given the way the other man had spoken so far.

So he went with the other truth. ]

Because, despite his faults, I respect him. I respect what he's done here and what he's already suffered in this place and that he keeps putting up ideas to help all of us get out of here.

You arrived here about the same time I did, yes? I expect you might be pretty tired of all this [ Will motioned towards the pit ] bullshit. I know I am, it's exhausting.

Which makes me ask you, is this really how you want to spend your energy? Giving him exactly what he wants?

[House throws Will an annoyed look, but again maintains his silence. He doesn't particularly like the other man telling people what he wants. But needs must for the moment.]

[ Good boy, House. ]

[ The look of utter contempt on Squalo's face colors slightly with interest as he looks down at him, then back at Will with a raised eyebrow. ]

One of the people that get shit done, then?

[ Look he's only ever encountered House on the network in texts, so he's never put a face to the name. Of course, the guard puppy could be lying to save his ass, but it doesn't really sound that way here. ]

[ And the possibility to get out of this hell is the most important thing here. Hell, that's exactly why he'd wanted to help the guy before he did everything to piss him off. Some people were just better at the whole scientific method and creepy puzzles thing. ]

[ Squalo makes a contemplative noise and nudges the man on the floor with his foot, then finally lifts it off, but doesn't step back just yet. ]

Well, in that case I can appreciate your efforts. Wouldn't want to kill him.

[ -- not in a room with twenty witnesses. :^) ]

[ He's still not addressing House, though. Sorry, adults are talking. ]

You do realize he'll keep getting worse if everyone just lets him get away with this shit, right? I'd bet he's owed at least ten more beatings already.

[ what an understatement, 1000 is probably more like it, but he hasn't been here that long. ]

[ The guard puppy could be lying, but it was also a pretty easy assertion to confirm. Granted a lot of the good House had helped move forward, was offset by a lot of the absolutely bone headed experiments he pulled so it was understandable how this wouldn't be routine knowledge.

As for the question, Will's expression became wry and one of suffering. ]

You make it sound like he hasn't already gotten them, and worse. If you think you're teaching him some sort of lesson here? The only lesson you've taught him are your vulnerable buttons.

[ He's seen Will's face before, at least. The rest of connections shouldn't be all that hard to make from there. ]

[ There's a slight narrowing of his eyes at the implication his efforts been wasted, but he doesn't seem overly concerned about uncovering his "buttons". Possibly these were things he could choose to get mad about when it was convenient, but it's also possible he's just easy to rile up without necessarily being too invested. ]

It's more like... [ he pauses in fake thoughtfulness. ] ...testing the limits of my patience.

[ He doesn't expect a so-called friend to provide him with suggestions what would get to the bloody heap on the floor, but everyone could be taught a lesson. Getting all one's teeth removed would be really inconvenient regardless of any suicidal tendencies, for example. ]

You'd think enough negative reinforcement would leave a dent. [ It's all said very conversationally. ] Was he already like that when you found him?

Around here? [ Will looked at their current circumstances, then back to Squalo with arched eyebrows. ] To survive this long you'd have to find a way to thrive on negative reinforcement or you're going to start offing yourself.

[ There was more to it than that, but Will was trying to avoid outing some of House's less than mentally stable foibles. ]

This is pretty much how he's been since he and I met, yes.

[ That just gets a slight smirk. Squalo thinks it's funny because there's truth to it; he has offed himself, particularly so he didn't have to count it as a win for the town, even if he thought he'd been here for years at the time. It felt right then. And it doesn't seem like such a bad alternative, not that negative reinforcement had ever done much for him, either. ]

[ He offers a long-suffering sigh of defeat instead, even if it doesn't particularly match his vaguely amused expression. ]

Nothing else to do here, then. Guess I'll ... be on my way.

[ He takes a step away, then turns -- ]

Just kidding.

[ House is getting a parting gift of a swift kick to that painful spot under the knee, or an attempted one anyway, but just the one. Squalo's got every intention to simply walk off after that, hands in pockets. ]

Have fun, then.

[ Try not to run your mouth into someone less reasonable. ]

[ Will would move his leg in a trained defensive action to take the kick across his shin, rather than let it land on House. There won't be any move to retaliate, just the block. ]

Edited 2018-03-11 18:12 (UTC)

[ That will get him a Look, finally a serious one - like something steely and sharp flashing behind the facade of disappointment and warning. He holds it for a couple long seconds. ]

[ But there's no further physical violence. ]

...If you intend to make this a habit, better keep him on the leash.

[ It's probably a threat as much as Squalo feeling the need to have the last word. He'll be good for now and still walk away, though, no doubt feeling like the bigger person in the situation despite everything. ]

[Once Squalo walks away, House uncurls and slowly pushes himself up on shaky arms.]

You're an idiot.

[Were you expecting gratitude, Will? It will not be forthcoming.]

[ HAHAHAHAHAHAH

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Oh wait. You were serious?

Will ignored the throbbing ache in his shin -a souvenir bruise of his own, still better than red lines- and turned to look at House when he spoke. ]

You made that diagnosis weeks ago. Stop repeating yourself.

Some diagnoses bear repeating.

[He starts to stand and just... Decides he's not going to do that for a little while. House shifts the movement to sitting cross-legged so that he can draw his makeshift rope into his lap.]

I can fight my own battles. [Verbally...]

[ It might have appeared counter intuitive to try to keep House from suffering a beat down, but then not help him move.

Will liked to think he was an idiot. Not stupid.

He did watch the man closely. ]

A battle yes, and I'd like it to go on record that I left you too it for over half the blows you earned just now.

I didn't interfere until he was starting to line your head up for a game winning field goal. At that point, it wasn't a 'battle', it was a one sided beating.

['Over half,' aka 'almost all.']

Thank you for the semantics lesson. You can go now. I'm busy.

[There's a lot of moody sulking to do here.]

[ He's a well trained minion, who knows when it's time to retreat.

Though not one step away, Will paused and glanced back over his shoulder. ]

I meant what I told him.

[ It was all he could think to say, before stepping off and leaving House to his sulking. ]

[log] The Pit [open]

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cw: suicidal ideation

i accept and raise cw: suicide

Let me know if okay

ofc

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