[ He flinches, as if the harsh words somehow hurt him more than the actual ripped off fingernail, and goes quiet again, staring down at the desk separating them. Why was he such a failure in everything? He couldn't even manage to be tortured correctly. I'll do better, he wants to promise, but will he be able to. This place was apparently privy to their deepest, darkest secrets. He tenses. What else was it going to drag into the light of day? ]
[ His eyes dart briefly toward Noiz at the casual way he describes his "bribery" experience. Bum's not unfamiliar with the concept, but his own had been very different. More in the way of paying for the privilege of existing, whether he wanted to or not. He definitely could not talk about it like this. ]
...this is insane! [ He turns toward one of the demon's guarding them, though not daring to look at its face, but the desperation is audible in his voice, just a bit shaky still. ] Let us go! Please...
[ There's no reaction. Instead, the machine is already writing out another piece, and his attention snaps back to it almost with an outright panic. ]
[ s t a l k i n g ]
T-that's not!..
[ Breathe. Breathe, or you'll mess it all up again. He tries to calm himself, focusing on the pain in his bleeding finger. He has to speak, has to tell the truth, right? Otherwise he's making his torture companion lose another nail. Otherwise he'll be even angrier the next time. Otherwise -- ]
[ His lips tremble as he draws in a shallow breath and tries again. ]
I just - wanted to know more about the person I liked...
[ Where they lived. What they liked. What color were their shower curtains. If they were organized. How did their bedsheets smell - ]
L-looked up some things online. Followed him a few times. Figured out the address. I never bothered him, I just wanted to see him...
[ He looks completely defeated, like he's ready to sink right through the floor and straight into a deeper Hell. This is something he never wanted anyone to know. When he actually says it aloud, he feels shame. He shouldn't, right? He knows he was doing it for love. But he's also aware how it might look to most people. He was going to be mocked, outcast, maybe worse - ]
[ The machine clicks and starts writing on a new piece, and Bum sort of slumps in his chair with a sigh. Looks like he's managed to stop the pain machine from going off this time... even though he's not sure whether that's better or worse than the alternative. He's not even looking at his companion's direction anymore. ]
no subject
[ His eyes dart briefly toward Noiz at the casual way he describes his "bribery" experience. Bum's not unfamiliar with the concept, but his own had been very different. More in the way of paying for the privilege of existing, whether he wanted to or not. He definitely could not talk about it like this. ]
...this is insane! [ He turns toward one of the demon's guarding them, though not daring to look at its face, but the desperation is audible in his voice, just a bit shaky still. ] Let us go! Please...
[ There's no reaction. Instead, the machine is already writing out another piece, and his attention snaps back to it almost with an outright panic. ]
[ s t a l k i n g ]
T-that's not!..
[ Breathe. Breathe, or you'll mess it all up again. He tries to calm himself, focusing on the pain in his bleeding finger. He has to speak, has to tell the truth, right? Otherwise he's making his torture companion lose another nail. Otherwise he'll be even angrier the next time. Otherwise -- ]
[ His lips tremble as he draws in a shallow breath and tries again. ]
I just - wanted to know more about the person I liked...
[ Where they lived. What they liked. What color were their shower curtains. If they were organized. How did their bedsheets smell - ]
L-looked up some things online. Followed him a few times. Figured out the address. I never bothered him, I just wanted to see him...
[ He looks completely defeated, like he's ready to sink right through the floor and straight into a deeper Hell. This is something he never wanted anyone to know. When he actually says it aloud, he feels shame. He shouldn't, right? He knows he was doing it for love. But he's also aware how it might look to most people. He was going to be mocked, outcast, maybe worse - ]
[ The machine clicks and starts writing on a new piece, and Bum sort of slumps in his chair with a sigh. Looks like he's managed to stop the pain machine from going off this time... even though he's not sure whether that's better or worse than the alternative. He's not even looking at his companion's direction anymore. ]