audio;

[indecent_butterfly]

[Ne's been watching all the commotion on the network with everyone showing off their items, listing prices and taking bids. Pathetic. Mammon would be beside himself with glee and that alone is enough to make nem nauseous at the display.]

Such greedy, gaudy things you are. Showing off the prized possessions of your hard work as if wealth were worth...well [ne laughs, too amused at it all] it's weight in gold. Beware becoming too attached, for all is easily taken in the blink of an eye.

Comments

audio;

[greatcherubim]

Giving advice?

action

[through_glass]

[July comes in with a tray that has tea and chocolates on it. He just assumes it will help Hatter feel better. It seems likely.]

audio;

[indecent_butterfly]

More enjoying the show than anything else.

action

[indecent_butterfly]

[Such a precious boy. Ne just pats the seat beside nem knowing he'll join nem.]

How are today?

action

[through_glass]

I am well.

[After pouring tea in both cups once the tray is set down, he climbs up next to her and picks up his own cup to sip at it.]

audio;

[greatcherubim]

How could I have thought otherwise?

action

[indecent_butterfly]

[Ne places a kiss on his head before taking nir own cup in hand. Ne's gotten used to his silence mostly and knows if he had a purpose for coming to nem, he'll say so soon enough. If not, the tea and company are good.]

audio;

[indecent_butterfly]

It is familiar more than anything else to watch another count their pennies while wishing for streets of gold.

action

[through_glass]

[Since Dolls aren't supposed to care how someone feels, he doesn't think to mention that he's trying to comfort. He's not supposed to do that or want to.

But he does without realizing it.]

action

[indecent_butterfly]

[Ne's not really all that upset or distressed, it's more...almost homesick for things ne never thought ne'd miss. Who knew?

But even without knowing what or why, his being there helps. He couldn't do anything else as far as ne's concerned.]

[worldofourown]

Clearly they're not attached enough if they're willing to sell these things off.

[indecent_butterfly]

One does believe it's mainly those who wish to show off their possession more than anything else, trying to see how much others think they are worth.

[worldofourown]

That's cheapening enough. Such a flagrant display, like the wares in a brothel. [ He smirks. ] I'd never let my most valuable possessions see the light of day. [ He'd lock them in a dungeon 8( ]

[indecent_butterfly]

But some like to show it off. [And yes, ne did mean it just like that.] Greed shows up in many ways, those who show it off and those who miserly hide it away. Both give tribute to the same devil.

[worldofourown]

I'd prefer my miserly hoarding, all the same. You're never sure when said greed sparks in anther's eyes, and they try snatching your prize away from you.

Far better that they assume it doesn't exist.

[indecent_butterfly]

Some treasures don't like to be hidden away. Or thought of as such.

[worldofourown]

Come, come. If they think that way, it's only because they're unaware of their worth.

Hiding them is ultimately for their own good.

[indecent_butterfly]

You do know the saying about good intentions do you not? All lies, but still...

[Don't think ne doesn't know what this conversation is about either--or rather who. Ne would notice a missing bird that no longer attended a particular window of the castle.]

Perhaps it is better to set that which you want free and let it return to you.

[worldofourown]

Hatter. [ Mildly chiding, as if he's disappointed she believes in that drivel. ] You know perfectly well that if they're let free, they don't return at all. Too many other nests to rest their pretty, tired wings in. Too many other caretakers who tell them what they need to hear -- just to keep them close.

Why, within the day, they'd forget all about you. Not unless you're there to remind them.

[indecent_butterfly]

One did say perhaps. Not that this One would know either way.

[worldofourown]

You wouldn't?

But who could be more knowledgeable on possession and renunciation -- love and loss -- than you?

[indecent_butterfly]

Not set free but taken. Not owned or loved, but in service. There is a difference after all as you can not lose what you do not possess.

[worldofourown]

There's love to be had in service too. I certainly learnt that fast enough.

As to whether I possess that special something [ someone ] or not -- a matter of opinion. [ re: Karl doesn't care about Saya's. She'll be his, one way or another. ]

[indecent_butterfly]

One does love who's service One is in.

The answer to that is rather obvious Karl, don't be silly. [You don't.]

[worldofourown]

[ Sulkily, ]

You know, you can be dreadfully depressing for a jester.

[indecent_butterfly]

One is not being paid to entertain for the moment. Then again, One's services are rather high.

[worldofourown]

It seems everything in this City comes with a price.

Too high for a bored Chiropteran to hope to pay?

[indecent_butterfly]

Your soul is already not yours, what shall you pay with instead?

[worldofourown]

Whatever is left. Would that do?

[indecent_butterfly]

For a start.

[worldofourown]

You women and your ever-escalating demands. [ Yes, he considers you a woman. Don't ask. ] But at least it's heartening to know my figurative pockets aren't empty yet.

[indecent_butterfly]

[Hatter no care what you think of nem.]

What kind of devil would One be if adjustments were not allowed? This One is always worth the price and may even show you a new trick or two if you ask nicely.

[worldofourown]

[ That's what he likes about you, Bel. ]

How convenient then, that Diva taught me to ask ever so nicely.

[ Although with his victims, he never bothers to ask. He simply takes. ]

[indecent_butterfly]

Why don't we put that to the test? One's room at Oh Aces in...two minutes?

[worldofourown]

[ A smile. ]

Start counting.

[ He knows you'll cheat. But he's fast enough to get there even with skimped digits. ]

[indecent_butterfly]

[Not this time, ne's just giving him time to get there since it's an easy pop over for nem.]

See you there.

action

[through_glass]

[Eventually, he holds up a chocolate to her because they make people feel better.

...He has no idea. He just saw lots of people smiling when they got chocolates.]

voice;

[thermonuclear_birdbrain]

I don't really keep much stuff. I work for food and a place at Miss Satori's house, and I really just have clothes and my spell cards and whatever I find at the house.

So I guess nothing of mine is worth much money. Except this cannon here I have, it's worth more than I'd let anyone pay for.

action

[indecent_butterfly]

[He's rewarded with one as well, both chocolate and smile; although nirs is more from him than the chocolate.]

voice;

[indecent_butterfly]

Still it becomes a treasure you value.

audio;

[greatcherubim]

Familiar, but unpleasant. You could be helping them.

audio;

[indecent_butterfly]

But this One has no need for monetary goods.

action

[through_glass]

[Oh. He gets one too. He leans forward so he can put it in his mouth, chewing slowly.]

action

[indecent_butterfly]

[Of course he does; how could ne not share with him when he brought all of this in himself?]

This was all very sweet. Thank you.

action

[through_glass]

Does this make Mad Hatter happy?

action

[indecent_butterfly]

But of course. Everything you do makes this One happy.

action

[through_glass]

[That is pleasing for him to hear even if he doesn't realize that it is pleasing.]