crystal.

[byblow]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Alistair
RECIPIENT: Everyone around the Gallows
WHAT: A survey
WHEN: Nowish
NOTES: This is only partly my fault

[ Let it be said that Alistair has backed down from all manner of challenges and dares and weird games of chicken, if they were stupid and he wasn't in the mood, but also let it be said that he hasn't backed down from this specific one. ]

I know we're all very busy preventing the world from ending, but if I could have a moment of your time for some important questions—

First, I need to know what sorts of things you consider good-looking, in a man, generally speaking. It doesn't matter if you're attracted to men or not, before anyone feels the need to explain their love lives to me. I only need to know what sort of man-faces you think are pleasant.

And then I need to know if you think Byerly Rutyer is good looking enough to make up for not being a nice man.

And he'd also like to know how much money each of you have. I think that's important for you to know before you answer the nice man part.

Comments

[coquettish_trees]

Just so.

[bouchonne]

I speak beautifully.

[coquettish_trees]

You are half correct.

[bouchonne]

The part about beauty?

[coquettish_trees]

What else?

[bouchonne]

I thought you might think me overly talkative.

[coquettish_trees]

[ shocked! ]

Never! Why, just earlier this day I was thinking 'I have not heard Byerly's voice come through this crystal in several minutes! He is silent as a chapel at prayer!'

[bouchonne]

If you have a gift, you share it with the world, ma cherie.

[coquettish_trees]

So I have long believed.

[bouchonne]

And my voice is a gift.

[coquettish_trees]

And such a fine gift it is! You ought to wrap it grandly, as it deserves.

Have you considered the virtue of several ribbons about the mouth?

[bouchonne]

Would you like to apply them?

[coquettish_trees]

I would be most pleased to aid you in this endeavor; I do have a certain way with tying things, after all.

[bouchonne]

Then please, do. Wrap me and then unwrap me.

[coquettish_trees]

Oh, no. Gifts need occasions. You shall stay wrapped until Satinalia.

[bouchonne]

But the longer I stay wrapped, the more deprived people will be?

[coquettish_trees]

Just so! Is it not much finer to recieve something after having been deprived of it for so long?

[bouchonne]

Absolutely not. One must indulge shamelessly at all times.

[coquettish_trees]

[ she hums, as if considering the merits of such a proposition. ]

Convince me.

[bouchonne]

To indulge? Come now, Alexandrie, I know I don't need to convince you of that at all. I've seen your bottom.

[coquettish_trees]

[ she laughs ]

How correct you are! It is exceptionally indulgent to allow awful men to see ones bottom.

[bouchonne]

I was speaking of its appealing fullness.

[coquettish_trees]

Were you? How kind!