video;

[shifting]

[there's a frazzled shapeshifter on your screens today, imPorts. He rubs a hand against his mouth and the scruff of his chin awkwardly, like he's going to make an effort to collect his thoughts - then promptly throws that plan out the window.]

Hey, uh. Sorta a specific question, but has anyone ever... lost track of a day and shown up at the Porter? With somethin' changed? Is that just - somethin' that happens on top of all the other weird shit this place does to a person?

Comments

voice; private

[shifting]

We're friends, and Mickens was a terrible, violent fuck. I'm not. So yeah, I think she'd like to make the distinction clear. You're the only person seems interested in doin' the opposite.

Which is a conversation we've had about fifty times now, and I'd like to not get into it again. She's just lookin' out for me.

voice; private

[slightlyoffchilt]

I think she's looking at you, too.

voice; private

[shifting]

Could be. Nothin' wrong with that.

voice; private

[slightlyoffchilt]

Do you just collect people? To seduce?

voice; private

[shifting]

[uh.]

That's a little too far out of left-field - might need an explanation for that one. I haven't been seducin' anyone.

voice; private

[slightlyoffchilt]

Oh please. As if you can't sense the pheromones.

voice; private

[shifting]

'Cause I'm a shapeshifter? I can't - I mean, I can smell if someone's aroused, but I don't know what that has to do with you makin' me out to sound like some sorta incubus.

Is this about Raina again?

["again". More like "is this about me making out with Raina last month?"]

voice; private

[slightlyoffchilt]

Raina and I are doing just fine. She wants me to propose, in fact.

voice; private

[shifting]

...She asked you to propose?

voice; private

[slightlyoffchilt]

You've met Raina, correct? She is hardly shy about demonstrating what she wants.

voice; private

[shifting]

I'm more confused why you haven't yet.

voice; private

[slightlyoffchilt]

I am not explaining those personal reasons to you.

voice; private

[shifting]

Don't like people pryin'?

[Gee. Imagine.]

voice; private

[slightlyoffchilt]

How about this: when I am convicted of a felony, you may interrogate me all you want.

voice; private

[shifting]

Now hold on, didn't your counterpart already cross that bridge for you?

voice; private

[slightlyoffchilt]

That was me under different circumstances. [Impatiently:] I was framed. Hannibal Lecter framed me, but in my actual reality I had been cleared of all charges before sentenced.

voice; private

[shifting]

I'm just sayin', the blueprint's there. Could be the right - what'd you call it - environmental trigger might set you back on that path, Frederick. To bein' fucked over.

voice; private

[slightlyoffchilt]

Yes, well, you're a little too late to that prognosis, Sam. It seems that far more people than merely Lecter seek to screw me.

voice; private

[shifting]

Maybe try not to come off as so easy.

voice; private

[slightlyoffchilt]

Is that what went through your head?

voice; private

[shifting]

Meaning what?

voice; private

[slightlyoffchilt]

You hold a particularly electrified animosity for me.

voice; private

[shifting]

[a surprised scoff.]

Shit, far as I could tell, you've been tryin' to toss me reasons to hate you since we've met. It can't really surprise you that some of 'em stuck.

voice; private

[slightlyoffchilt]

Hate, really? That seems so vitriolic.

voice; private

[shifting]

[Sam glances to the side, relents:]

Fine, 'be irritated' by you, then. Make me think you're a prick. My point still stands. You've had every opportunity to get over your fuckin' insecurities and be a real goddamn person to me, but you haven't.

You kick a dog enough, eventually they're gonna growl when you walk through the door.