05-30-2023, 04:13 AM
Near must absolutely enjoy it. Jude thinks Near is having the time of his life. Jude thinks this even though Near radiates a near-constant state of displeasure, or discomfort, or irritated confusion. He cannot imagine that anyone would behave this way for so long without deriving satisfaction or fulfillment or joy. Jude doesn't think he's the most likeable person in the world, but he's not hostile, he doesn't look half bad, and he doesn't want to hurt anyone. People usually try to get along with him. If they were children, Near would push Jude off the slide and the swings.
"Why don't we get dinner?" he says, exasperated as well as backed into a corner. "We can -- go somewhere. Or order in. Let's start with that." Jude is stalling for time, because he has been asked to turn in a homework assignment he didn't know was due. Imagine you can have anything you want.
"I just -- I just think." He warms up to the prospect of thinking in fits and starts. "That the most important part -- is not getting caught. Because there's -- one of me. And more of them." There, that's a practical assessment of the situation. Jude's shoulders droop as he relaxes slightly more. "I mean -- I understand if you want to fight them -- but you don't seem..." He gestures with an upturned palm, from the top of Jude's head to his feet. "...ready to fight either."
Maybe food will solve their problem. Cheap Chinese food. Drinking did not solve their problem last time, and driving didn't either. Maybe food. Doesn't eating with someone make them like you?
"Why don't we get dinner?" he says, exasperated as well as backed into a corner. "We can -- go somewhere. Or order in. Let's start with that." Jude is stalling for time, because he has been asked to turn in a homework assignment he didn't know was due. Imagine you can have anything you want.
"I just -- I just think." He warms up to the prospect of thinking in fits and starts. "That the most important part -- is not getting caught. Because there's -- one of me. And more of them." There, that's a practical assessment of the situation. Jude's shoulders droop as he relaxes slightly more. "I mean -- I understand if you want to fight them -- but you don't seem..." He gestures with an upturned palm, from the top of Jude's head to his feet. "...ready to fight either."
Maybe food will solve their problem. Cheap Chinese food. Drinking did not solve their problem last time, and driving didn't either. Maybe food. Doesn't eating with someone make them like you?