[Video]

[bondsprofoundly]

[This guy is holding up The Art of Civilized Conversation. His eyes are darting back to the page before he looks back at the camera and-

Oh dear. He smiles. It looks a little creepy to be honest. And for a change he's actually done up the top button of his shirt and cinched his tie, so instead of looking like a freshly-fired office worker drinking until five AM, he looks like a freshly-fired office worker drinking until five AM with his modicum of self-respect still intact.

Castiel refers back to the page.]

Good morning.

[And now he stares at the monitor, only to have his eyes flick up to meet the webcam so he's staring. Directly. At all of you. Intensely.]

It's good to see you.

Comments

video;

[xenocide]

[ WELL. Good to see some adults are aware they need help in communicating with people. They're not ALL lost causes. ]

Try again. A little less intensity this time. Maybe go for a softer tone of voice.

video;

[bondsprofoundly]

[Oh it's this kid again, wassup.]

I've been told to change my phrasing, too.

Hello again.

video;

[xenocide]

I guess that would make sense considering you didn't know exactly who you'd be seeing before you said it.

[ He nods and greets in return: ]

Ho. How have you been?

video;

[bondsprofoundly]

Well, considering the circumstances. Yourself? [This is in his book too, making small talk about physical, mental and emotional states. Light conversation, it stresses; at least, to open.]

video;

[xenocide]

Do you actually care or are you just reciting?

[ amused ]

I'm good, though. I'm sure you can agree that things have been much better now that the kedan are a bit more friendly these days.

video;

[bondsprofoundly]

Yes. It's unlikely to last, but it'll be nice while it does. [How optimistic of you, Cas.]

video;

[xenocide]

[ psh. Optimism is overrated. It's called realism. ]

I agree and fully intend to enjoy it while I can. Maybe you can let them borrow your book when you're done with it, though. They might be able to learn a thing or two.

video;

[bondsprofoundly]

[You are a true Bro, kid. You pick up what Cas puts down.]

I doubt their lack of congeniality can be attributed to the same factors, but I won't need it when I'm done reading it anyway. I might do that.

video;

[xenocide]

[ He's got your back, yo. ]

Why is it you think you need it? I've found nothing wrong with your conversational skills.

video;

[bondsprofoundly]

A trusted source has told me that I need to work on it.

video;

[xenocide]

Did the trusted source also give you a book or was that something you came across on your own?

video;

[bondsprofoundly]

[The trusted source laughed at his book and made fun of him.] I found this myself. [It's not like Cas is unaware of his ability to have decent conversations with people; sure, he can have a few here or there, but as a general rule he sucks at it. Not like it's his fault though, they just have like fourteen billion rules about how to say what when and why.]

video;

[xenocide]

[ such a good friend! ]

To be honest, I think small talk is overrated. It's just pointless words exchanged in place of having anything meaningful to say. But it is an unfortunate part of many people's lives, so I'm sure you'll have plenty of opportunities to practice.

video;

[bondsprofoundly]

I'm of the same opinion. I recognize that it's customary to observe the cultural rules of society in order to show respect and assimilate yourself into it as seamlessly as possible, but. [it's stupid]

video;

[xenocide]

[ It is stupid. People are stupid. Let's form a club. We can love them and think they're stupid all at the same time. ]

...but when you're not of the opinion to really care what they think about you, it makes it meaningless. You could always try the tactic of leaving all the small talk to a friend. Maybe your trusted source? If you tend to travel along with them, that is.

video;

[bondsprofoundly]

[omg ok cas will be your bro in that]

I can't rely on him forever. And I dislike being dependent.

video;

[xenocide]

Well, it's less about depending on him and more about delegating tasks to him you don't want to do yourself?

[ It's sad with a joking grin before he shrugs. ]

No. I do understand what you mean. Good luck with your studies.

video;

[bondsprofoundly]

Thank you, Ender.