[ Verso had thought to perhaps ask the man's name, first -- what name should grace his reviews, perhaps -- but some small part of him had thought, perhaps, that there was some distant possibility that they could get through this entire interaction without exchanging names. Not entirely impossible, but also just absurd, because Verso knows his own mind well enough to know why he'd even think that. He lies so much, all the time, it comes easily, and maybe it'd have been nice to not have to pretend he doesn't already know the man's name, to just omit some things here and there. Get away from this without having had to lie through his teeth.
No use, of course. And why does he even try.
He notes the clear curiosity in Gustave's expression as he leans forward ever so slightly, and Verso himself doesn't lean back or away in turn, but he matches that curiosity with his own. He's caught quite a few glimpses of this man over his years of returning to Lumiere, but Verso's focus has always been on -- Alicia, on Maelle. Watching from afar, a distant guardian, but could never be as impactful as someone actually standing by her side like Gustave. He seems a good man, from the way he treats her.
And here, up close? Verso finds his eyes following the line of the other man's jaw, the shape of his lips as he holds his smile -- his eyes, bright, how his smile reaches the corners of them. A beat passes, a breath that's yet again a bit too loud in the silence. Staring for just a beat too long, or measuring out what to say. A bit of both. ]
You mean the words of a man drawn to strangers playing piano alone in the shadows aren't to be trusted, when it comes to musical quality? [ Another amused sound, a huff through his nose. Inwardly, Verso wonders how many would even be left in Lumiere by now who would consider musical critique a primary profession or necessity. With the way things are, with how few people remain . . . ] I happen to think the people might find an outsider review more compelling.
[ A pause. He finds his voice instinctively quieting the more he talks, especially with Gustave beside him now rather than standing in the aisles, less need to project to catch his ear -- but also every word, every breath still rings a little too loud. Especially when he answers; ]
Verso.
[ With a smile, a nod in greeting. ]
And who can I thank for my glowing review?
[ And so the lies begin again. Perhaps one day, Gustave might be one of those who might hear an apology. Right now, Verso thinks he probably won't. ]
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Date: 2025-05-22 05:35 pm (UTC)No use, of course. And why does he even try.
He notes the clear curiosity in Gustave's expression as he leans forward ever so slightly, and Verso himself doesn't lean back or away in turn, but he matches that curiosity with his own. He's caught quite a few glimpses of this man over his years of returning to Lumiere, but Verso's focus has always been on -- Alicia, on Maelle. Watching from afar, a distant guardian, but could never be as impactful as someone actually standing by her side like Gustave. He seems a good man, from the way he treats her.
And here, up close? Verso finds his eyes following the line of the other man's jaw, the shape of his lips as he holds his smile -- his eyes, bright, how his smile reaches the corners of them. A beat passes, a breath that's yet again a bit too loud in the silence. Staring for just a beat too long, or measuring out what to say. A bit of both. ]
You mean the words of a man drawn to strangers playing piano alone in the shadows aren't to be trusted, when it comes to musical quality? [ Another amused sound, a huff through his nose. Inwardly, Verso wonders how many would even be left in Lumiere by now who would consider musical critique a primary profession or necessity. With the way things are, with how few people remain . . . ] I happen to think the people might find an outsider review more compelling.
[ A pause. He finds his voice instinctively quieting the more he talks, especially with Gustave beside him now rather than standing in the aisles, less need to project to catch his ear -- but also every word, every breath still rings a little too loud. Especially when he answers; ]
Verso.
[ With a smile, a nod in greeting. ]
And who can I thank for my glowing review?
[ And so the lies begin again. Perhaps one day, Gustave might be one of those who might hear an apology. Right now, Verso thinks he probably won't. ]