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[thirtybits]

"This is Judah's voicemail, no need to leave your number, I'll reply as soon as I can."



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[thirtybits]

It's not even really his birthday anyway, I think he can take it.

[With a small, thin grin and glance to Dorian, he steps out.] I'll spare you any worse I have, though.

[depicted]

Reality bores me. [Dorian is quick to reclaim Judas's arm.] The truth of the world means nothing compared to the truth of the will. So, it's his birthday, in the only way that matters.

[thirtybits]

Well, I can't argue with that. It's sort of novel anyway. [There's the smallest of shrugs, really just the twitch of one shoulder.]

[depicted]

[But Dorian enjoys the shrug, for the stupidest reason. He enjoys the feeling of movement from Judas, the sense that Judas is there and beside him and alive.] A birthday? I understand. I don't even bother with mine anymore. I just wanted an excuse.

[thirtybits]

No? Come on, even Jesus does, and he's the oldest of any of us. When is yours? Excuses are nice, we should have more of them.

[depicted]

[It is Dorian's turn to shrug it off.] It feels a little hollow to have friends celebrating your nineteenth birthday, or twentieth, or twenty third when I'm really pushing it, year after year after year. [But, it's so far away, Judas will probably forget or be gone, and he can't deny the need for excuses.] It's November 8th.

[thirtybits]

We'll be celebrating one hundred and fifty, right? Just like this is...what, two thousand and thirty-three, by your count. No use lying to ourselves, even if we look to be celebrating twenty and twenty-seven or something.

[He presses to Dorian's side.] Don't think I won't remember it.

[depicted]

You make me sound so young compared to you. [Dorian doesn't mind, his little smile revealing as much.] A hundred and fifty, yes. It was October 30th when I was dragged in here, of course, so in days, the moment has already passed.

[thirtybits]

You are young compared to me. I'm thirteen point five five times your age, technically. And even by the ages at the point of immortality - or death - there's nearly ten years between us.

And then it will be nearly another year for you, seeing as it was January when you came here. So we'll just go with a hundred and fifty-one, when it comes up, then.

[depicted]

[Dorian has to laugh at Judas. He turns them off of the pavement and straight up towards the nearby forested area.] Of course you'd give it with decimals. But as I've said, I still have lived more than you. You have, what, not even thirty years of having lived, if you count the time here as well? I've lived more than five times as many years as you have.

[thirtybits]

I didn't even give the full decimal points - that would be thirteen point five five, infinite three. [~Accounting~] You gave me decimal points with my plants' figures, after all. I don't get to show off my numbers much anymore, I'll take the opportunity. If you ever want to know exactly how much any item is worth, I'm right here.

I wasn't talking about the worth of those years, that's why I said 'technically'. I remember what you said, and the more I think of it, the more I know it's true.

[depicted]

Anything? [Wait, this is important. Dorian stops in front of Judas and gestures at his clothes.] What about these?

[thirtybits]

[He looks Dorian up and down, and within twenty seconds, comes up with a number.] One thousand seven hundred twenty-eight denarii in my time. Four thousand three hundred twenty-two American dollars now.

[depicted]

[Dorian stares at Judas. He bought these in the 1960s, so it takes him a moment to do the conversion from American dollars into pounds and then back through the decades. But when he works it out—]

You were serious.

[thirtybits]

I was serious. Of course, based solely on the material and labour costs, it comes down to three hundred and nine dollars.

[depicted]

How the Hell can you work that out? You don't know Oscar Wilde but you know enough about modern manufacturing and sale to work those numbers out? [HOW. JUST HOW.]

[thirtybits]

It's not that difficult to figure out, there's only a few basic numbers you really need to know. It's all relevant to how much workers are paid and the ease of access to materials.

[depicted]

Which, in a global market, is dependent on knowing which companies are doing what parts of their manufacturing where.

[thirtybits]

Right, which is also pretty easy to figure out. You're definitely wearing a designer label, so they still probably do a good chunk of their work in China, India, Turkey or Thailand, but some in Italy as well. Probably the leather is treated and worked with in Italy, along with the silk being woven there.

[depicted]

[On reflex:] It's Armani. [Ahead of them, the forest looms dark and full of threat, but this has more focus for Dorian.] But when did you learn that? Did Moses tweet you economics reports when you were in Hell, or were those the first types of books you picked up when you were released?

[thirtybits]

The latter. It seemed the most pressing matter to my interests. The current state of the world is greatly dependent on the economy, so it was useful for a lot of basic knowledge.

[depicted]

[Dorian just ... he shakes his head, then picks up pace. Back into the dreaded woods.] You are so fortunate you have me to teach you the things that have worth.

[thirtybits]

That is important! [Judas laughs.] Maybe not to my extent, but even so...

[depicted]

For existing, maybe, although I can't imagine it's necessary. What I know is important for living.

[thirtybits]

Ah, that stipulation again, huh... Then what would you teach me to live?