school: molly

[shaft]

Comments

[shaft]

Was it now?

[ Claude kicks his feet slightly in the pool, the water splashing as he watches Molly with an amused smile. ]

Explain how, and I'll see how forgiving I feel.

[headmt]

Everyone was being a nosy customer and I want to flick them in the face a little. As a lover of flicking a good busybody in the face, you'd surely agree with me on this.

Also, it was funny.

[shaft]

Hmm, I suppose that's a satisfactory explanation! You are pardoned.

Then, what is your real name?

[headmt]

A somewhat loaded question.

[Now he's just playing coy on purpose.]

Mollymauk Tealeaf. Molly to my friends.

[shaft]

I'll treasure this knowledge, Mollymauk.

[ He makes a show at holding a hand to his heart. ]

You can ask me one question in return.

[headmt]

[Wow . . . the prince is so generous.]

Sure. How far are you [putting on a snooty school voice.] willing to go to reach your goal?

[It doesn't seem like he's expecting a serious answer.]

[shaft]

[ That's good, because he's not going to get one when Claude smiles and says, ] To hell and back.

[headmt]

At least you're planning to head back from hell. Got to have goals.

[That seems good enough to him!]

[shaft]

Of course, I'm not noble enough to sacrifice myself and rot in hell while everyone else has a good time.

[ He lies back against the floor, not minding the way the back of his shirt gets wet. ]

I think that sort of thing deserves a vacation, don't you?

[headmt]

[Nodding along, nodding along. That all seems very reasonable to him.]

Going to hell and back? I should think so. You think this is your vacation?