[L's memory of the night they engaged in their rendezvous is foggy at best. He'd imbibed too much to have a perfectly clear record of events, aside from a general recollection that it was ultimately a positive experience. Regardless, his body remembers; as Connor passes, the flesh on his arms tighten to gooseflesh, hairs raising at the nape of his neck. There's no mistaking the fact that they were intimate, and it left some kind of permanent lasting impression on the man.
No wonder he's popular. L nods, accepting Connor's explanation, this time without a spell to double-check that the truth is what's being revealed. He agrees, in spite of himself; the SQUIP has proven itself to be dangerous, and whatever the reason, it isn't going to benefit L to have the AI prove all of Rich's wild, dramatic claims completely true in front of everyone. They're already in a bad place thanks to its impulsively cruel decisions and Rich's utter willingness to spew it all over the network. He accepts the presence of Connor as a stabilizer for the SQUIP, both through a witch-monster Bond and as an ultimate design that embodies the pleasant qualities people generally respond well to.
Everything is really going according to plan, but it still feels somewhat hollow. The SQUIP is, for all intents and purposes, being punished, but L is the one inhabiting a confined space and grinding down the limits of his mind and body. The SQUIP's "assignments" seem fun in comparison.
L blinks, surprised at what Connor says next. Of all the things he expected Connor to start with, he didn't expect an apology, and he therefore doesn't have a response locked and loaded.]
I... thank you.
[A bit of a stumble, but he gets back on track.]
I never blamed you. Some things clearly should happen, at least... it's what I think.
[And he's talking about so much more than the punch, right now. It's the elephant in the room. Even now, he is wondering when he'll be told that the SQUIP prefers its new Bond and L is, once more, on his own. He doesn't doubt that it'll be stated diplomatically, even gently. He's run over the conversation many times in his mind, to the point where it feels like a script has been written, signed, and finalized.
He returns to his chair, folding his slim body into the shape of a fortress and hugging his knees.]
Its whole thing is being able to foresee potential outcomes, right? It should really start focusing on the outcomes that promise a more beneficial result.
no subject
No wonder he's popular. L nods, accepting Connor's explanation, this time without a spell to double-check that the truth is what's being revealed. He agrees, in spite of himself; the SQUIP has proven itself to be dangerous, and whatever the reason, it isn't going to benefit L to have the AI prove all of Rich's wild, dramatic claims completely true in front of everyone. They're already in a bad place thanks to its impulsively cruel decisions and Rich's utter willingness to spew it all over the network. He accepts the presence of Connor as a stabilizer for the SQUIP, both through a witch-monster Bond and as an ultimate design that embodies the pleasant qualities people generally respond well to.
Everything is really going according to plan, but it still feels somewhat hollow. The SQUIP is, for all intents and purposes, being punished, but L is the one inhabiting a confined space and grinding down the limits of his mind and body. The SQUIP's "assignments" seem fun in comparison.
L blinks, surprised at what Connor says next. Of all the things he expected Connor to start with, he didn't expect an apology, and he therefore doesn't have a response locked and loaded.]
I... thank you.
[A bit of a stumble, but he gets back on track.]
I never blamed you. Some things clearly should happen, at least... it's what I think.
[And he's talking about so much more than the punch, right now. It's the elephant in the room. Even now, he is wondering when he'll be told that the SQUIP prefers its new Bond and L is, once more, on his own. He doesn't doubt that it'll be stated diplomatically, even gently. He's run over the conversation many times in his mind, to the point where it feels like a script has been written, signed, and finalized.
He returns to his chair, folding his slim body into the shape of a fortress and hugging his knees.]
Its whole thing is being able to foresee potential outcomes, right? It should really start focusing on the outcomes that promise a more beneficial result.