+1 Cylon to the Nexus

[fiveofnone]

There is a man standing near the vending machines in the Plaza, dressed in a well-tailored, peacock blue suit. He looks like he could get you an excellent rate on your second mortgage, but you'd be wise to double-check the fine print before you sign anything. As he fixes himself a cup of coffee, he glances periodically at the people who pass by, his expression perfectly neutral. Although the more astute might pick up on the way he tugs at the cuffs of his sleeves impatiently, as if wishing he were somewhere else.

Finally, he sighs. "Okay. Listen up. Adia asked me to come here because she thought it'd be good for me to make some friends, so if you see her, you can tell her that we chatted and save yourself the actual trouble. All right? I'm sure we're all very busy people."

He takes a sip from his to-go cup and grimaces. "On second thought, can anyone tell me where I can get a decent coffee around here? I can't believe she's been drinking this stuff for the past three years.."

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[shardofwinter]

Cold indifference is exactly how he imagined Caspar would be, so it doesn't surprise him to see it in person. An eyebrow twitches upwards with Caspar's comment on his dishonesty, but Caspar isn't the only one holding his expression fast. It's a little more difficult when this man tries to suggest that his mistake of being reserved could possibly compare to anything Caspar did.

The muscles around his eyes tense, giving the impression that he's almost narrowing them, almost glaring. "You see, you've only gotten it partly right. I trust Adia. With all my heart I trust her. I know her. I trust her to be exactly who she is. I don't trust you." With a tilt of his head, he locks eyes with Caspar. "I know men like you. I know you're weak. I know you're selfish. I know that you'll call it 'love', say you're 'doing it for her', you're 'respecting her wishes', and make every excuse you can to get what you want, to justify your selfishness. When both you and I know that it's not kind, it's not noble, or good, or loving, to inflict your company on her any more than you already have."

[fiveofnone]

This time, the insults do not seem to trigger any old traumas. He knows what he is. But he also knows that he loves Adia, and that Adia loves him. Wants him. If he thought for a second that he was hurting her by staying in her life, he'd leave it without a moment's thought. He makes her happy. Against all odds, he makes her happy, and that's all he wants, now and forever.

He knows Reynard won't believe him. And, he thinks to himself vindictively, perhaps Reynard can't believe him. He's a spirit, not a man. How many lifetimes has he already lived? How many sweet, innocent women has he already comforted?

"Well, then," he says, leaning forward slightly, not breaking eye contact. "Why don't you tell Adia that, and see how far it gets you?"

He sets down his empty coffee mug, then folds his hands in front of him. "Anything else you'd like to add to your shovel talk? Or are we done?"

[shardofwinter]

This is not the first time he's sat down with a man he considers dangerous to a woman he cares about. It's not the first talk he's given, and he really should know how it goes by now. And yet despite that, despite knowing how this plays out, he still finds himself disappointed by Caspar's reaction. Just once he'd like them to agree, to reconsider, to do everyone a kindness by leaving. No such luck today.

"Just one thing." He draw closer and leans an arm on the table. "You understand what happens if you hurt her, don't you?"

[fiveofnone]

The look he gives Reynard is just shy of him rolling his eyes. This isn't the first time he's been through this song-and-dance as well. "Yes, I understand. And I'd deserve it, too. But I hope you're ready to wait in line. She has a lot of friends."

Maybe they wouldn't be quite so creative at causing him harm as a Winter spirit, but the intent is the same.

"I know this is wasted breath on my part, but I'd do the same to anyone else. And I don't make exceptions for extenuating circumstances."

[shardofwinter]

Reynard tilts his head and squints at Caspar. "Even in your fancy suit the lofty protector look just doesn't fit."

With a sigh, he sits back into his seat and smiles gently. "And I'm patient. If I have to wait, I'll wait. Now. You were going to run along to Adia...?"

[fiveofnone]

"There's nothing lofty about the way I protect her," he replies tightly. Which, okay, that doesn't exactly make sense, but the sentiment's there.

Standing up, he tilts his head slightly at Reynard's schoolyard taunt and smirks. "I sure am. She's expecting me back at our cabin, and I'd hate to keep her waiting." Yep, he went there. "Thanks for the coffee."

He doesn't wait for Reynard to reply before heading out the way he came.