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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 certainly something Judas appreciates. He hates when others treat him and the subject delicately. It's an insult to all involved. There's no point skirting any issue, much less such an obvious one.]

Well I still insulted them all the while. And tried to take it back. And committed suicide. Plus everything before that. Not exactly things they'd like much. It doesn't really matter if I did one thing that benefited them.

[depicted]

[Dorian could say that traitors are always left alone, but there is a far more fun, personalized attack to make.] On second thought, not that surprising. You're irritating and troublesome with everyone.

[thirtybits]

[He laughs.] Wasn't I just saying that? And you have the perspective as someone I love, imagine how it is for those I hate.

[depicted]

[His laugh is light as breath.] Absolutely unbearable, I im—

[Someone I love.

Every muscle slinks into retreat. His fingers flinch back, his arms draw in, his whole skeleton straightens and pulls away. It hurts in a way that it shouldn't, with a force that was not intended. He looks to Judas and is so overcome by a need to tell Judas that it's all right, to stop Judas before he blames himself, that he lunges forward to kiss him.

Someone save the food from falling down.]

[thirtybits]

[Judas draws a breath in, short and sharp, as he catches Dorian's reaction. An innocent, meaningless comment, he didn't think about it - he has to apologise. Right away--

But before he can open his mouth to offer those apologies, Dorian's kissed him. And that certainly puts a stop to it. About the last thing he was expecting, it's all he can do to snatch up the tipping bowl of ful in one arm. The meat slips through his fingers and lands scattered on the grass, and lentils fly. At least in his desperation, Judas catches the wine bottle between his shins.]

[depicted]

[Dorian gets very still.

And draws back.

And looks at the food on the ground.]

Oh.

[um]

At least most of the meat went to Kido.

[thirtybits]

No, no, it's alright, I'll still eat it! [Setting the ful aside, Judas leans down to retrieve the wine, which he passes off to Dorian. Then, he lowers himself a bit, and jumps from the branch, landing on his hands and knees.]

[depicted]

You'll eat it.

[There's not a question. It's an expression of horrified shock.]

[thirtybits]

It's just the grass for a few seconds, it's absolutely fine! It can be washed anyway!

[And after dusting off his hands and knees, he retrieves the container and starts gathering the meat. So long as it's not fallen in mud or anything.]

You don't waste something like meat over touching grass. ...Not when you're used to starving, anyway.

[depicted]

[He can't argue that, but—] There could be pollen on it. [This is a genuine concern.]

[thirtybits]

--oh. [He stops for a moment, worried.] Then not until it's properly washed.

[depicted]

[Dorian sighs, head turning away. No way is he eating it even after it has been washed.] Fine. Come back up.

[thirtybits]

[Judas certainly doesn't expect him to. Floor meat is for peasants. After gathering it, he leaves the container at the base of the tree, so as not to infect anything else. Then he gets to climbing again.]

Oh ye of little faith.

[depicted]

[Dorian shakes his head, but he still smiles.] Don't quote your friend's verse at me, traitor.

[Dorian puts the ful muddamas between them, as well as the wine glasses. And it's as if the cause of the disruption is totally forgotten.]

[thirtybits]

[After the shock of losing valuable food (don't ask him how many denarii, he'd already figured it out by the time he gathered everything), at least he can be convinced to drink more wine. Or rather, doesn't need the convincing.]

They're free for anyone to quote, it's public domain.

[depicted]

[Good. Dorian takes note.]

It's the principle of the matter.

[thirtybits]

Ah, sorry if I'm offending the devout Christian by speaking holy words not meant for heathens.

[depicted]

You're just racking up offences today, aren't you? [Dorian should stop topping up Judas's wine. But he won't.]

[thirtybits]

Don't I every day? [That's it, take advantage of the situation.] I was there when he said it, I think I should be allowed to use it if only for that reason.

[depicted]

\I'm pleased. [Dorian wears the smile of someone about to remove the support in a house of cards.] It's nice to see you standing up for your right to something related to Yeshua.

[thirtybits]

[And it comes crashing down. Judas' wide eyes say it all.] Wh-- no, it's hardly anything to do with him, it just happens to be something he said! And it's such a common phrase, it hardly counts!

[depicted]

[Excuse Dorian for laughing in Judas's face.]

Oh, it's incredible, the things you'll say when you don't realize the implications. You have more spine under that slouch than you want to admit.

[thirtybits]

That's not it at all...! You're just twisting it!

[Judas bites his lip, desperate not to admit to anything.]

[depicted]

It's all right. [He smiles with the same light, clear quality as he speaks with.] I won't judge you for having a fraction of self-respect left.

[thirtybits]

No, I-I wasn't thinking! [His shoulders draw in and he chews the inside of his lip.] It's nothing...