[basco, 003.]

[bascomato.livejournal.com]

Meanwhile, in an AU of Cyn's AU.

[He goes out to the back of the school to smoke. The old building there has yet to be renovated and most students steer clear of it. Marvelous has been trying to get him to come 'hang out with his group' and Basco just isn't up for that kind of thing. Too complicated, this whole coming back. His brother would like to pretend that nothing's changed since that last stretch of their junior year, but Basco knows different.

Everything is different.]

Mm. [He inhales deep, relishing the whole ritual of breathing in and then out.] What do you want, kid?

Comments

[sdo-gibken.livejournal.com]

[Joe tilts his head slightly, just a small incline. Insincere, maybe, but there it is.] Thanks.

[He raises one eyebrow slowly when the stranger moves away, and despite himself Joe follows, though he keeps a respectable enough distance once he pulls out his phone.

He snorts and shakes his head at the sudden switch in personality as he starts chatting. He's just exactly like the kid from his last school. Joe can't even remember the kid's name.

Joe should probably think about going to his next class, but he's intriuged in the stranger. He checks his watch, and decides he can wait.

He leans against the fence near the other boy and crosses his arms, watching him, but quietly.

As requested.]

1/2

[bascomato.livejournal.com]

[It's one of his contacts at the prep school on the other side of the city. He needs a money line and the betting pool he facilitates is lucrative enough. It's never anything big, its mostly for the amusement of rich kids bored enough to want their money in circulation somewhere -- anywhere.]

2/2

[bascomato.livejournal.com]

[It's one of his contacts at the prep school on the other side of the city. He needs a money line and the betting pool he facilitates is lucrative enough. It's never anything big, its mostly for the amusement of rich kids bored enough to want their money in circulation somewhere -- anywhere.]

[But there are some topics that strike a nerve with Basco, and his minion has just touched on it -- or rather, inquired on it... on behalf of someone else.]

No. [There's a distinct change in Basco's features. A sharpness in the eyes.] That one, [Fingers tighten around the phone.] that is out of the question. And I don't care, no -- no no no, you listen to me.

[His voice drops, dangerously low.] You tell Prince Imbecile -- and yes, you can quote me on that -- no. There are some lines I don't cross, even if I would get a kick out of crossing them. This is one of them. He wants information on Princess Perfect, he can get it himself.

[And with that, the phone snaps shut.]

Now, [The smile is back in place; placid, though tense.] Sorry for keeping you waiting. [Not quite sure if that's as sincere as it's worded. But hey.]

[sdo-gibken.livejournal.com]

[Joe doesn't mean to eavesdrop... No, that's a lie. He totally means to eavesdrop, he's just not as effective at it as he wishes. He can't hear a thing the person on the other side of the phone call is saying, he can only hear this side of the conversation, and it's... confusing, at best. He squints at the stranger as he snaps the phone shut, then muscles up a little smile as he's finally addressed.]

It's no problem. I wasn't waiting for anything. You'd be more apt to apologize for being so loud, interrupting my time alone. [He shrugs and his feeble smile turns into a smirk instead.]

You never told me your name, even though you know mine already. Which is creepy, for the record.

[bascomato.livejournal.com]

[Smart ass, this one. Basco's already decided that he's a) going to be a headache; and b) he likes him anyway. This year might not be a total loss after all.]

Basco. [He smiles, thinly.] And like I said earlier: my space, you're in it. I can be as loud as I want, Rapunzel.

I make it a point to know everyone in this school. And then I forget the ones not worth remembering. Knowledge is power, my friend. And I like power, very much.

[sdo-gibken.livejournal.com]

[Joe raises one eyebrow, shaking his head.] That's some kind of name. [He restrains the impulse to point out that it's a stupid name, or to note that he hopes it's a nickname because who would name their child that, honestly? He's just not sure it would go over well, and while he's fairly certain he could defend himself against this Basco if necessary, he's not really in the mood for a fight.]

And I said earlier, there's no indication that this space belongs to anyone, much less you. [He squints at the teasing nickname. It doesn't surprise him, it doesn't even upset him. He's heard them all.] And it's Joe. My name is Joe.

1/2; sorry. i thought i'd tagged ;~; apparently LJ ate it?

[bascomato.livejournal.com]

[Basco tilts his head and smirks. No reaction to nicknames; not even the slightest indication that he's bothered--

--yes, Basco definitely likes this kid.]

2/2

[bascomato.livejournal.com]

So. Joe.

[He lets the territory dispute slide not because the boy won this debate, but because there are far more interesting things to discuss--

--besides, he's curious as to whether this one will wander on by again in the future since some people interpret not getting the last word in as victory. Which it isn't. Not all the time.]

Why wander down this way to be by your lonesome.