[ The measured blink of his eyes and the uniformity of his breathing is all too deliberate, maintained until she's finished speaking. Perhaps anyone would hear that swell of whispers from beneath (the words indistinct since he's trying his best to block them out but the tone unmistakable), and there's no need to pretend otherwise. He won't risk it. ]
Of course.
[ Perfectly empty and agreeable, as if it's a matter of no importance, all while he remains so unrelentingly watchful. ]
And is there anything at all I can get for you? I ask because I only have two messengers, and one is already out.
[ Qetzi 'hears' them loud and clear, but then she always does. Every creak and shudder of the House is their rage, she hears it but she does not always listen. Certainly not this early in the evening, closer to the witching hour she might speak with her sisters in private, whispering promises and curses, not sure which will bring this House better fortune.
She sighs, whether at him or them, unclear, but when she does speak it is addressed to the living, ]
[ He nods agreeably, not revealing he's already done so. There is nothing that comes from this land he would willingly eat, save, maybe, for an offer of bread and salt. And even then, it probably wouldn't be worth it.
Or, worse luck, if Haran insists... well, that's just a whole other category of unpleasantries. He'll cross that bridge when he comes to it. ]
And if I called a deer? Would the hyenas take it first?
[ Not a hunting type at all, what with actually calling the deer. All he does is smile faintly for the hint of derision. What else have all twenty years of his life been but being trained to withstand others thinking poorly, or not at all, of him. ]
I won't neglect their gifts, either. How many are there?
[ She considers it, imagines the stupid animals fighting over the gifts, ripping each other apart out of greed. If she could just distract Haran long enough to keep him from interfering in their fight.... ]
Twelve, but you don't need to appease all of them. Just Dinah.
[ She imagines Hekate's resentfulness to be ignored. ]
[ This sounds like useful information and Brandon lets his interest, bird-like in its non-threatening alertness, show. Inwardly, he has to reserve some judgment since she's obviously far from enamored of him; it could be misleading, purposefully or otherwise, or perhaps it serves some private interest of hers. ]
Oh? She leads them?
[ Brandon is definitely picturing literal hyenas, albeit ones that have grown more intelligent, fierce, and bloodthirsty through association with their masters and this place. ]
[ That is certainly a question, and Qetzi'ah chooses to shrug in response. ]
They have their own rules. They always have, they are not like us.
[ She keeps the disdain from her voice, her tone light and pretty, but really how much more clear could it be that the hyenas are creatures of low consequence. They exist to eat and fuck and kill. Dogs on the vast and treacherous grounds of an empty, crooked mansion. ]
[ Hidden disdain in a pleasant voice is not easily picked out, even by someone who habitually does the same, but her displays of indifference seem to Brandon to be a matter of restraint, at least when it comes to Haran. If there are any similar sore points in regards to the hyenas, he has no intention of searching them out. However, unless they helped Haran achieve his position, he supposes there's no reason for there to be. Another thing to look into, as the masters intended him: the exact events of the fall of the House.
So much of his mission is naturally unachievable at this stage, so Brandon lowers his gaze again. The semblance of demure gratitude, and also because he thinks she prefers it. ]
Thank you very much, Qetzi'ah. If you would find it entertaining to watch, I will give the hyenas their gifts tomorrow morning.
[ His invitation, offered with a smile directed more at the floor, has delicate icing layers of irony. Come, watch him perhaps be devoured when whatever he's planning backfires spectacularly. Or perhaps not.
It also tacitly offers her an opening to dismiss him if she'd prefer, though his overly obliging demeanor may limit any satisfaction in it to his mere absence. ]
[ She raises her eyebrows only slightly, a vague expression of amusement that mostly looks pleasant and patient in her round face; her father's face, missing the stark angles of the other Morrisons. There is something sweetly untoward about this visitor, it makes the witch inside of her twist eagerly. The witch would pull him apart and read his secrets on his bones, but she cannot afford to be unsubtle in this house. Not without better understanding, good then that she is a quick study. ]
I'm sure I will see you tomorrow.
[ It is not a promise for his survival, she makes no such promises on this land these days. But not a threat either. ]
[ With a deep inclination of his head, not without self-consciousness as to the archaic quality of the gesture, Brandon withdraws from the kitchen politely. His presence, especially in comparison the rest of the House and its usual occupants, doesn't carry much weight or darkness with it. No strong scent of anything. He came to the House unarmed and vulnerable, carrying only gifts and tools. That was the proper way to greet Haran and, he is now sure, Qetzi'ah.
But to meet the hyenas, and perhaps also Tavor, as she hinted, that must change. So he has the rest of the hours of the night to construct what he needs to best survive the coming morning. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Of course.
[ Perfectly empty and agreeable, as if it's a matter of no importance, all while he remains so unrelentingly watchful. ]
And is there anything at all I can get for you? I ask because I only have two messengers, and one is already out.
no subject
She sighs, whether at him or them, unclear, but when she does speak it is addressed to the living, ]
Send for food, there's nothing for you here.
no subject
Or, worse luck, if Haran insists... well, that's just a whole other category of unpleasantries. He'll cross that bridge when he comes to it. ]
And if I called a deer? Would the hyenas take it first?
no subject
Of course they would. You would have better luck going out hunting yourself.
[ There's a hum of dispersion to her tone, she doesn't think he's much of the hunting type. ]
no subject
I won't neglect their gifts, either. How many are there?
no subject
Twelve, but you don't need to appease all of them. Just Dinah.
[ She imagines Hekate's resentfulness to be ignored. ]
no subject
Oh? She leads them?
[ Brandon is definitely picturing literal hyenas, albeit ones that have grown more intelligent, fierce, and bloodthirsty through association with their masters and this place. ]
no subject
They have their own rules. They always have, they are not like us.
[ She keeps the disdain from her voice, her tone light and pretty, but really how much more clear could it be that the hyenas are creatures of low consequence. They exist to eat and fuck and kill. Dogs on the vast and treacherous grounds of an empty, crooked mansion. ]
no subject
So much of his mission is naturally unachievable at this stage, so Brandon lowers his gaze again. The semblance of demure gratitude, and also because he thinks she prefers it. ]
Thank you very much, Qetzi'ah. If you would find it entertaining to watch, I will give the hyenas their gifts tomorrow morning.
[ His invitation, offered with a smile directed more at the floor, has delicate icing layers of irony. Come, watch him perhaps be devoured when whatever he's planning backfires spectacularly. Or perhaps not.
It also tacitly offers her an opening to dismiss him if she'd prefer, though his overly obliging demeanor may limit any satisfaction in it to his mere absence. ]
no subject
I'm sure I will see you tomorrow.
[ It is not a promise for his survival, she makes no such promises on this land these days. But not a threat either. ]
no subject
But to meet the hyenas, and perhaps also Tavor, as she hinted, that must change. So he has the rest of the hours of the night to construct what he needs to best survive the coming morning. ]