[PM]

[essentiallyharmless]

[sent to Peter]

So, I have a business proposal for you.

Comments

[essentiallyharmless]

I haven't been looking; I'd be equally miserably everywhere.

[fucking_ebay]

Of course. How helpful of you.

[essentiallyharmless]

I live to serve, etc.

Honestly though, I can't help but feel like your problems are a bit more personal besides how terrible this city and its people are. Ever considered, I dunno, actually talking about it?

[fucking_ebay]

And now you're a therapist? Maybe there are things I'd rather not talk about. At all.

[essentiallyharmless]

Shockingly, there are other people in one's life that one may choose to share things with, besides those you pay to listen. But if you'd like to reject any even vaguely friendly gesture completely out of hand, who am I to force you?

[fucking_ebay]

It's private.

[essentiallyharmless]

I'm not prying!

If you don't need a friendly ear, how about a bottle of raspberry vodka?

[fucking_ebay]

...Now, that does sound like a thing that I need, yeah.

[essentiallyharmless]

I'll be right over.

[essentiallyharmless]

[A few days later, after Gabriel harrasses Peter in the park.]

Sorry I didn't show up. There was a particular customer of yours I wanted to avoid.

[fucking_ebay]

[Peter's been conspicuously absent from the park since then, living off what he'd already made (and that fucking fifty Gabriel gave him turned out to be a one dollar bill).]

Who would that be?

[essentiallyharmless]

Guy called Gabriel. Shortish man, late 30s or so, a bit smirky? I met him the other day, didn't feel inclined to talk to him.

[fucking_ebay]

Good inclination. Your instincts seem to be improving.

[essentiallyharmless]

You know him?

[fucking_ebay]

I do now. Could have used you as a distraction, actually.

[essentiallyharmless]

Next time, then.

What did he do that needed distracting from?

[fucking_ebay]

Some sort of illusion bullshit -- looks like the rift gave the asshole powers.

[essentiallyharmless]

According to him, the rift actually took away some of his powers - he was quite huffy about it. So I'd be glad he isn't more powerful.

He got himself electrocuted by the rift while I was talking to him. Word to the wise: don't mess with the rift.

[fucking_ebay]

That's according to him.

Serves him right. Word to the wise: why the fuck would I?

[essentiallyharmless]

Maybe you wanted to try getting back. That's what he did.

Was he really that terrible that electrocution sounds fair? He was reasonably tolerable with me - mostly just unnerving and self-satisfied.

[fucking_ebay]

There's not any getting back. There's just living with the shit hand you've been dealt.

Yes, he was.

[essentiallyharmless]

What did he do? I mean, I want to know just how badly I should be trying to avoid him.

[fucking_ebay]

We weren't in central park anymore -- he took me somewhere. And he's just an asshole, alright?

[essentiallyharmless]

Are you aware you get really ridiculously defensive sometimes, for no apparent reason?

[fucking_ebay]

Are you aware I'm only still talking to you because you're a good fuck?