RADIO | AUDIO | some idle curiosity

[skeletonenigma]

[The message over the handsets is short, succinct, and to the point. Long story short: the detective is bored, so the first thought to capture some of his idle curiosity gets put to the Foreigners at large.]

Who else has received letters from themselves?

Comments

[inkulcation]

[It's not that she forgot how irritatingly smug Wreath can be; it's that she hasn't had to deal with it in several months. Clearly, letting him be was an error.]

And you're focusing all those clever powers of observation on Skulduggery? My.

[peacefullywreathed]

Not in the least. I just happen to notice things related to other things trying to kill me.

Which doesn't require exceeding observation, I'll grant you, but that doesn't mean I'm not still exceedingly observant.

[inkulcation]

Really, Solomon, it wasn't your powers of observation I was questioning.

Though now I must wonder why you felt the need to make your case for them multiple times over.

[peacefullywreathed]

I was worried you wouldn't notice.

[inkulcation]

[The only debate she has is whether a dig at his new disability is too low a blow or not.]

My dear, your consideration is heartwarming, but ultimately unnecessary.

[Conclusion: it is not too low.]

...Although if this is your way of compensating for your new deficiency, that would certainly explain some things.

[peacefullywreathed]

'Deficiency?'

[His tone is faux-surprised, and not in the least bit insulted. It was only a matter of time before she pulled that card out.]

Why, China dear, you could only dream of my assets.

[inkulcation]

[She's not even surprised to have been anticipated. Just disappointed.]

Oh, I don't know, have they changed appreciably in the last few decades? You don't seem to have misplaced anything but your sight.

[peacefullywreathed]

You'll have to depend on your imagination for that, China dear. I'm well past your means these days.

[inkulcation]

[She knows she treads a line in this city, but Wreath might just tempt her to cross it.]

[China laughs.]

Rather a moot point, if I'm not looking to buy, don't you think?

[Which is as much because she still holds a grudge as it is because Wreath is not worth the trouble doing anything of that sort would cause.]

[peacefullywreathed]

Not in the least. You of all people should know, China dear, that the point is never moot if it's something you just ... can't ... have.

[Consider this him tempting her.]

[inkulcation]

[Guess who's going to find himself regretting this, one way or another. Guess.]

There are all sorts of things I can't have here and hardly miss. Tropical vacations. Haggis.

It's good to know your ego survived your accident intact, however.

[All control aside, China's starting to sound a bit venomous. But Wreath is hardly going to get the last word.]

[peacefullywreathed]

[Prove it.]

Flatterer. Do try to contain your disappointment, China. It's quite an unattractive emotion.

[Chuckling, he turns off the feed.]

[inkulcation]

[If there's anyone left in the city who thinks Wreath has a sense for keeping himself intact, China can point them to this conversation as proof to the contrary.]

[However, he has absolutely achieved his goal of distracting her from Skulduggery, for the moment.]

[...he's still going to regret this. This, and a host of other things.]