[Oh, if the goal was just to get inside...then yes. It'd be a silly thing, wouldn't it? Stringing the host along with a silly conversation, and then an abrupt threat of stalking. As if the point were to play directly upon nerves. As if it being jarringly memorable...was a carefully deliberate thing.
(Because now it'll be hard to forget indeed, won't it? The chill in the heart, the too-real possibility. That a man who's fashioned himself the leader of a syndicate like Mockingbird could pull such a thing at any time for any reason--and that anyone else even vaguely near his caliber could do the same, with murkier intentions still. ...Calculated risks with security are always easier when they're weighed in relative safety, under the clarity of daylight. But now perhaps they'll be just a little less easy, in the murky dark of night. When anything and anyone could be watching, just beyond the window--)]
For the record, I found the recommended names a very helpful exchange! I really have burned through a terrific number of identities at once today. So your assistance truly is appreciated--both in that matter, and this one. [Hugo deposits his hat and suitcase on the counter that Wise so helpfully indicates; the hat is unsurprisingly soundless, while the suitcase settles with a heavily metallic thunk rather disproportionate to the ease its owner ever seems to have with carrying it...] Rest assured, by the way...I fully intend to compensate you for your time. I'm not actually so much in the habit of making my emergencies the emergencies of others, after all...
[Hugo's casually confident cheer doesn't waver for a moment, as if he hadn't caught the uncharacteristically surly note in Wise's tone to start--though he certainly did, and it's a note certainly being taken. On its own it's nothing terribly outlandish, honestly a pretty sensible reaction for anyone to have to being accosted before bed by an abrupt visitor through the window. But the far more interesting part, is the way Wise so swiftly puts away that annoyance afterwards. As if the role of composed host that he pulls on promptly after is an active choice being made. --Perhaps even the mask he would have preferred starting out with? Unfortunately for Wise, after all, Hugo knows a thing or several...about masks put on, masks taken off. How picking which to use tells so terribly much about a person all on its own.
Hugo's also well aware of the unkind methods he's just employed to earn the glimpse, and yet the bad habit that ever lives at the back of thought still takes a moment's great satisfaction in finding that crack. Why, this might just be the most open vulnerability yet, in that politely distant front Wise so often employs...which means he won't be getting another opportunity to spot that vulnerability again anytime soon, of course. At least, not with this particular method.
If you're so curious, then utilize it while it lasts, hums that unsavory part of thought, lots of means to milk this occasion to the fullest. Aren't there? Why, you're even already in the bedroom, any person's most vulnerable sanctuary. Plenty other ways to unbalance a pretty young man in here--
But intrusive thoughts are often quite ridiculous like this, and years of practice school Hugo's features accordingly. His glance doesn't linger at all on the novel glimpse of Wise's slender frame before it's obscured by his usual jacket again; instead he's promptly swinging his attention to the little tray near the TV, as chocolate's offered. Decent enough distraction. Huh, this sort of brand...it sure is the sort that a person buys when they're on a narrow budget but still can't help but enjoy some finer things. For some reason there's something almost comically charming about this--more importantly, though. There's the slightest pause after Wise's questions, in which Hugo idly adjusts his glove while seeming to consider something. (Ah, there...a tremor in the fingertips.) (Right, he hasn't had anything particularly sweet since this morning...)]
You'd even offer your snacking chocolate to this rude visitor? Truly you're too kind, dear Manager...I might just have a sampling. Though tea wouldn't be too objectionable either, if it really wouldn't be imposing too much. --Mind if I have a seat here? Need a moment to inspect the plunder. [Because if it truly isn't minded, then he's promptly--but very gracefully--settling himself down onto this little couch here about now, as a chocolate square is deftly unwrapped. Any other person half so leggy would probably have an awkward time with the position, yet somehow Hugo manages to create a very elegant draping of folded limbs here anyway. Popping back the entire chocolate square with one hand...and reaching into an inner jacket pocket with another, to pull out...
no subject
(Because now it'll be hard to forget indeed, won't it? The chill in the heart, the too-real possibility. That a man who's fashioned himself the leader of a syndicate like Mockingbird could pull such a thing at any time for any reason--and that anyone else even vaguely near his caliber could do the same, with murkier intentions still. ...Calculated risks with security are always easier when they're weighed in relative safety, under the clarity of daylight. But now perhaps they'll be just a little less easy, in the murky dark of night. When anything and anyone could be watching, just beyond the window--)]
For the record, I found the recommended names a very helpful exchange! I really have burned through a terrific number of identities at once today. So your assistance truly is appreciated--both in that matter, and this one. [Hugo deposits his hat and suitcase on the counter that Wise so helpfully indicates; the hat is unsurprisingly soundless, while the suitcase settles with a heavily metallic thunk rather disproportionate to the ease its owner ever seems to have with carrying it...] Rest assured, by the way...I fully intend to compensate you for your time. I'm not actually so much in the habit of making my emergencies the emergencies of others, after all...
[Hugo's casually confident cheer doesn't waver for a moment, as if he hadn't caught the uncharacteristically surly note in Wise's tone to start--though he certainly did, and it's a note certainly being taken. On its own it's nothing terribly outlandish, honestly a pretty sensible reaction for anyone to have to being accosted before bed by an abrupt visitor through the window. But the far more interesting part, is the way Wise so swiftly puts away that annoyance afterwards. As if the role of composed host that he pulls on promptly after is an active choice being made. --Perhaps even the mask he would have preferred starting out with? Unfortunately for Wise, after all, Hugo knows a thing or several...about masks put on, masks taken off. How picking which to use tells so terribly much about a person all on its own.
Hugo's also well aware of the unkind methods he's just employed to earn the glimpse, and yet the bad habit that ever lives at the back of thought still takes a moment's great satisfaction in finding that crack. Why, this might just be the most open vulnerability yet, in that politely distant front Wise so often employs...which means he won't be getting another opportunity to spot that vulnerability again anytime soon, of course. At least, not with this particular method.
If you're so curious, then utilize it while it lasts, hums that unsavory part of thought, lots of means to milk this occasion to the fullest. Aren't there? Why, you're even already in the bedroom, any person's most vulnerable sanctuary. Plenty other ways to unbalance a pretty young man in here--
But intrusive thoughts are often quite ridiculous like this, and years of practice school Hugo's features accordingly. His glance doesn't linger at all on the novel glimpse of Wise's slender frame before it's obscured by his usual jacket again; instead he's promptly swinging his attention to the little tray near the TV, as chocolate's offered. Decent enough distraction. Huh, this sort of brand...it sure is the sort that a person buys when they're on a narrow budget but still can't help but enjoy some finer things. For some reason there's something almost comically charming about this--more importantly, though. There's the slightest pause after Wise's questions, in which Hugo idly adjusts his glove while seeming to consider something. (Ah, there...a tremor in the fingertips.) (Right, he hasn't had anything particularly sweet since this morning...)]
You'd even offer your snacking chocolate to this rude visitor? Truly you're too kind, dear Manager...I might just have a sampling. Though tea wouldn't be too objectionable either, if it really wouldn't be imposing too much. --Mind if I have a seat here? Need a moment to inspect the plunder. [Because if it truly isn't minded, then he's promptly--but very gracefully--settling himself down onto this little couch here about now, as a chocolate square is deftly unwrapped. Any other person half so leggy would probably have an awkward time with the position, yet somehow Hugo manages to create a very elegant draping of folded limbs here anyway. Popping back the entire chocolate square with one hand...and reaching into an inner jacket pocket with another, to pull out...
A thumb drive no larger than a quarter.]