MM   () ughh. ()

MM   () it is so bothersome. ()

He doesn't respond. You glare at him.

MM   () i said ughh. it is so bothersome! ()

MM   () this time of year. ()

MM   () when everyone is acting all stupid. ()

MM   () stupid with each other. ()

MM   () i despise this more than anything and wish to do something about it. ()

He squints. Has he finally picked up the hint?

AR   youre alluding to something.

AR   do i have to guess?

MM   () hone those charisma skills for once! ()

AR   fine.

AR   are you... looking for...?

MM   () what? speak up. ()

To his credit, he clears his throat.

AR   are you looking to be in a relationship with -

MM   () WHAT??? ()

You let out a combination gasp/shriek and nearly slap him silly before you remember that it would hardly do any damage. Curse his strange forest-man physique.

MM   () lincoln! how could you? ()

MM   () thats none of your business and you know it! ()

He winces and sticks a finger in his ear.

AR   you’re the one who started talking about it.

AR   complaining about couples, acting like that...

AR   it seemed clear to me.

Then, he shakes his head, as if you were the unreasonable one.

AR   and i thought i was picking up your hints for once...

MM   () whatever you thought was too personal. ()

MM   () what insolence! ()

MM   () only people in mimis deepest inner circle gets to know. ()

AR   what... her hints are?

MM   () no. ()

AR   about... her love life?

MM   () yes. precisely. ()

MM   () that is information securely sequestered for the worthy. ()

MM   () you earn it once youve earned my utmost respect. ()

AR   hm.

AR   we're acquainted, i think.

AR   that doesn't count?

MM   () hardly! ()

Well, perhaps a little. But that's besides the point.

AR   you're saying that i'm not a close companion of yours?

AR   that doesn't seem right.

He knows you too well. You hate him for it.

MM   () i dont owe you anything. ()

AR   i've saved your life before.

MM   () that doesnt count! ()

MM   () you were on the job. its custodial work. ()

AR   ...

AR   i don't understand the criteria.

MM   () its simple. ()

MM   () 1: is mimi all you think about? ()

MM   () 2: would you lay your life down for mimi? ()

MM   () 3: do you agree with all of mimis opinions no matter what? ()

He mulls over it, stroking his chin in thought.

AR   depends.

MM   () denied! ()

MM   () you have failed mimis test. ()

MM   () try again when your devotion is ceaseless. ()

AR   ...

MM   () what? are you reconsidering? ()

MM   () i might reconsider if you swear fealty according to the criteria! ()

AR   maybe...

AR   you're thinking about godfrey?

MM   () WHAT?!?!? ()

You gape at his continuing audacity and, this time, you do smack him. You give him your best scathing glare as you rub your injured hand, since the impact likely hurt you more than it did him.

MM   () can you not spout nonsense for one mimisecond?! ()

AR   you can't tell me that wasn't a bad guess.

MM   () well it was! ()

MM   () do you take mimi for an small ugly fool?! ()

MM   () small and ugly and stupid??? ()

MM   () why would you ever presume such a thing! ()

MM   () him of all people! the gall! the audacity!!! ()

AR   i don't know.

AR   it just seems like something's on your mind.

AR   or someone.

AR   and you want to talk about it.

How dare he be so...!

AR   but if that's not it, i'm sorry for guessing wrong.

AR   clearly i need to work on my... miminese.

You huff, temporarily at a loss for words.

MM   () even if... ()

MM   () if... ()

MM   () mimi had such plans... ()

MM   () she wouldnt need to talk it out with anyone. ()

AR   alright.

MM   () there will be no embarassing risks taken when - ()

MM   () i mean - when slash IF mimi plans on courting anyone! ()

AR   ah. so you have been thinking about it.

MM   () that should have been obvious. ()

AR   it's more obvious if just tell me, you know.

AR   i wouldn't mind a discussion.

AR   even if it's about relationships.

MM   () well its too late. ()

MM   () youve brought up you-know-who. ()

MM   () who is FAR from mimis taste anyway!!! ()

AR   he is?

MM   () yes!!! ()

AR   weren't you two -

MM   () you dont want to finish that sentence if you know whats good for you. ()

AR   ...

He doesn’t seem very convinced, but he shrugs.

AR   alright.

AR   i thought you brought all this up in anticipation of something.

AR   sorry.

MM   () hmph. you should be. ()

AR   i mean it.

AR   i'm sorry.

Hearing it doesn't lessen the tightness in your chest. You turn away and exhale.

MM   () and... really lincoln. ()

MM   () you cant bring him up so casually. ()

MM   () you know how it is. ()

AR   i know.

AR   but i do see you two together now and then...

MM   () the same can be said for you two but i dont say anything! ()

It's satisfying, seeing him scowl.

AR   i hardly ask for his company.

AR   but, fair enough.

AR   we can both agree that he isn't worth the trouble.

MM   () agreed! ()

AR   pursuing him in any degree is a fool's errand.

MM   () waste of time. ()

AR   right.

MM   () ... ()

MM   () and... in regards to relationships... ()

MM   () mimi isnt planning on doing nothing you know. ()

MM   () she has ideas. and plans. ()

You look back at him.

AR   oh.

AR   good luck, then.

MM   () ... ()

AR   i know it's none of my business.

He simply stands there and doesn’t prod. It irritates you to no end.