[For the first time in his life, from the moment he met the other boy in the Shaftlands, Cater Diamond is afraid of Vil Schoenheit. They're both so exposed here, and in that exposure, in that honesty, the hands they've thrown down couldn't be more different. As it turns out, Cater's was just a bluff. Vil has the royal flush. He manages a nod, taking in a large breath as he's released, head bowed down in a gesture of submission.]
I wouldn't dream of getting in your way.
[The last thing on his mind had been Vil's career--at least not right now. Maybe that's the problem--Vil's career is everything.
Geeze, how daft can I be? He'd laugh at himself if he were alone. Wake up, Cater. Stop living in a fantasy. When he looks back up at Vil again, Cater's smiling.]
So do whatever you need to do, okay? Use me until I'm spent.
[Everything always ends. It was stupid of him to get caught up in some notion of forever.]
no subject
I wouldn't dream of getting in your way.
[The last thing on his mind had been Vil's career--at least not right now. Maybe that's the problem--Vil's career is everything.
Geeze, how daft can I be? He'd laugh at himself if he were alone. Wake up, Cater. Stop living in a fantasy. When he looks back up at Vil again, Cater's smiling.]
So do whatever you need to do, okay? Use me until I'm spent.
[Everything always ends. It was stupid of him to get caught up in some notion of forever.]