bakerstreet | texts on a sunday

[ It'd be annoying if Joel wasn't already well used to it. Matt's choice of position doesn't even earn him a raised brow, at this point, Joel reserving his skepticism for the look he gives the necklace.

It doesn't really matter how often he's seen Matt's particular brand of magic actually work (or, at the very least, backfire in a decidedly unnatural way), he still always approaches it as though it's something completely foreign and totally untrustworthy. (Even if that second part isn't necessarily how he really feels, nowadays.) ]

Let it 'attune' to me? That sounds like somethin' you just made up. [ Which is true. ]

I didn't really think it'd work, anyway. [ That's not, though. But if Matt can't catch a flat, off the cuff lie with that thing, it'll definitely need some fine-tuning. ]

[ Under normal circumstances, Joel's odds of getting away with that lie would be pretty decent. At the moment, however ...

Nothing much happens. Which is by design; Matt figured the point of an enchanted item like this one is to be stealthy, and if it lit up or made a noise, that'd defeat the point. But a little thing does happen. The slightest tremor in his palm. Matt's reaction to the sensation is likely more visible than the thing itself.

He smiles accusingly at Joel. ]

So you do trust me. Just a little bit. [ His thumb brushes the crystal's smooth face. ] I'm always talking about attunement, for the record. That's why skin contact is such a big thing. For something to be the most effective magically, whether it's an amulet or an artifact or a divination tool, it has to get to know you.

[ Even if he needn't necessarily watch Matt too closely for a reaction, he still does - trying to decipher exactly where that response comes from, when nothing flashy happens, if nothing else. Surprisingly, though, there's subtlety in the charm's design. (Maybe he should've expected that, if only for the sake of it being kind of unexpected.)

A slight, begrudging smile crosses his face, as he sits back in his chair. ]

Just a little bit.

[ Maybe more than that. But he isn't really the type to say it.

Curious, now, Joel holds out his hand, gesturing for Matt to pass him the necklace. ]

You're always talking about something. [ Doesn't mean he's listening. (Or, more accurately, learning. Joel does try to listen, but most of the time it's like Matt's speaking a foreign language.) ] About how long would you say that oughta take, with somethin' like this?

[ Matt's mouth curls in amusement at you're always talking about something. He holds his hand out to Joel, fingers uncurling from around the crystal. ]

It varies. [ Which isn't the most helpful answer, though accurate. ] It could be as long as overnight. Or it could be immediate. Those are kind of the extremes, although in your case ... since I made it for you, with you in mind, I'd expect it to attune on the faster end.

It'll still work, in any case. Just possibly not at a hundred percent.

[ Joel scoops the stone up when Matt offers it, turning it over between his fingers as he listens to that somewhat helpful explanation. ]

Huh. [ His gaze flits back to Matt as he closes his hand around the charm. It doesn't feel particularly interesting, but it's not like Joel's sensitive to any of this magic stuff, anyway. ]

Guess we just wait and see, then? And you, what, casually try to lie to me until somethin' happens?

Well, I can give you a little insight into how it should feel when it's detecting a falsehood. It's sort of a tremor, or a shiver. And--

[ Matt's smile turns a touch sheepish. Just a little caught out. ]

I did come up with kind of a game to test it out, so I didn't have to try lying on the spot. [ His eyebrows arch. ] We've discussed that's not really my strong suit. You know two truths and a lie?

You want to test this out with a party game?

[ The look Joel gives him speaks volumes. (Not that it doesn't track. Right along with Matt's reminder that he's not the best at bluffing off the cuff.)

Joel shakes his head, suppressing an amused look. ]

Okay. Hit me with it.

[ Matt tries to swallow a smile and fails. ]

As long as I'm lying, I figured we could make our own fun.

[ But okay, Matt wants to give deceit his very best shot. So he straightens on the sturdy arm of his chair, letting his eyes fall closed, and breathes evenly for a moment. Feeling the night breeze on his skin, and his heartbeat grow steadier.

He opens his eyes, looks at Joel, and realizes immediately he's gonna laugh if they're making eye contact. He tries looking past the top of his head instead. ]

My favorite color is green. [ He wears a lot of green, and loves herbs and plants, but false. ]

I once had a threesome with my parents' married friends. [ True. ]

And I don't understand how to interact with animals. We never had pets growing up. [ Matt has never acted exceptionally weird or awkward around animals, on the rare occasions that he and Joel and an animal have all been in each other's vicinity. But this is true. ]

[ Joel watches him take his deep breaths with a decidedly skeptical expression plastered across his face. But he doesn't say anything, to his credit. He did ask for it, after all.

Matt's total inability to meet his eyeline does earn him a noticeably arched brow, though.

He's not expecting it to be the first thing Matt says, but that tiny tremor is unmistakable, where the small, polished stone is pressed into his palm. ...He's also not expecting this to be the part of the night where Matt shares something Joel is genuinely not prepared to know about him. (Not that, y'know, that's ever all that predictable.) ]

Of all the shit you could've lied about, that's what you're gonna choose to tell me?

[ Jesus, Matt. ]

[ At that reaction, Matt officially can't keep a straight face anymore, and bursts into a laugh.

Sorry, Joel! (He's not sorry!) He simmers down after a moment, and manages to look Joel in the eye with no more than a quirking smile. ]

Which one's the lie, though?

[ Priorities. ]

[ Joel lets out a breath through his nose - audible, clearly annoyed. But not enough so to brush Matt off entirely. ]

Your favorite color.

[ Which, for the record, Joel never would've known to begin with. So at least one of those truths could have been held back, therefore bypassing the evening's casual psychic trauma. ]

[ Matt brightens. ]

Exactly. I don't have a favorite color.

[ He's aware he was a little saucy, but he had to throw in a curveball! That was the logic, at any rate. And he figured someone whose mouth has touched his mouth wouldn't be totally traumatized by the knowledge.

matt why ..... ]

[ Listen, okay, it's not the threesome part that's an issue. Not that that's the kind of thing Joel's ever had a vested interest in, but he doesn't exactly find it shocking, coming from Matt (it's really not shocking, in that regard). It's the whole my parents' married friends bit that's the grenade in the middle of the otherwise mundane conversation.

But Matt's getting a pass on this one, because Joel is also not the sort of person who is in any way interested in Unpacking That. Much easier to just move on like it never even came up. ]

Good to know.

[ ...Though that's definitely more than a little sarcastic, along with the look that accompanies it. ]

[ Not Unpacking It is truly the better part of valor. That's exactly Matt's solution to that particular life event. For his part, Matt is mentally making his peace with the fact that Joel might not be inclined to hunt down crystals for him after this, and you know what? It's worth it.

He does, at least, have the decency to look contrite in the face of Joel's tone. ]

Anything else you want to test now? Or do you want to wait for better liars to come around.

I think that might be for the best.

[ There's still a little bit of a tone there, but it's subtler. Part of pretending he just doesn't know that about Matt now is moving on quickly, though. Maybe the apologetic look helps.

Joel opens his hand again, turning the charm over idly between his fingers as he considers Matt on his chair arm perch. ]

You come all this way for a quick drop-in, or were you plannin' on staying over?

[ Matt considers Joel's expression, tone, and bearing, trying as best he can to discern whether a more thorough apology is warranted. It wouldn't be the first time he gremlinned too close to the sun. But Joel's moving on, and the question seems promising. Inviting, even. ]

I didn't have a plan past delivering the charm and doing the demo. [ True, on a technicality: he brought some random other spell materials and alternative jewelry pieces, to suit a number of contingencies. And he does have a preference. ] I'd like to stay, though.

[ Also true. ]

[ Don't flatter yourself, Matt. Joel's dealt with gremlins of a much higher order than you for years. He'll get over it. It could've been way worse.

(Don't actively try to make it worse even with this knowledge, please.)

Joel nods as if Matt's response is clearly a foregone conclusion, unsurprising - but, honestly, it kind of is. Matt was never the intended target for the feedback from the little truth-telling charm in Joel's palm. He's already too easy to read. ]

Might as well come in and make yourself comfortable, then.

[ Nonono he'll be nice now! Or: he will try to be nice, with that edge chance that it'll go wrong. Matt just never knows.

For the moment, he says, ] Thanks.

[ And slips off the arm of the chair, scooping up his messenger bag. He stretches his arms lazily over his head, tipping his head one way and then the other. He'll wait for Joel to precede him into the house, but once inside, he'll gently nudge his shoes off and leave them by the door. ]

[ Joel slips his fancy new enchanted rock into his pocket (assuming perhaps boldly that that's close enough for contact), before he makes his way back into the house ahead of Matt. The lights inside are only half on, dim and cozy, since obviously he's the only one home. There are a couple of new pieces on the shelves in the hall, adding to the small menagerie of carved wooden animals there. Otherwise, nothing's any more out of place than ever - though it's never quite in place with a teenager running around, either.

Joel nods toward the kitchen as he reaches in to switch on the light. ]

There's beer in the fridge. Touch any of the leftovers in there, though, and you're takin' your life into your own hands. [ He cannot be held liable for switchblade-related injuries acquired by unwary guests. ] Anything else is fair game.

[ Matt peers appreciatively at the new additions to the little wooden zoo, impressed as ever by Joel's ability to shape these solid things. It feels not completely unlike magic to him, the way a bit of intent and experience (and the right tools) can coax something into arcing towards your own desires.

He has yet to voice any of this to Joel, outside the generally complimentary part. ]

Roger that, [ Matt says pleasantly, already swinging open the refrigerator door. He fishes out a can and holds it up for Joel's inspection. ] You want one too?

Mmhm. [ Might as well, if that's where the night is going. Which is just fine by him, for the record.

He holds up a hand, still leaning in the doorway. Maybe not the best idea, strictly speaking, to tempt Matt into throwing anything to him. But it's not that far. And he's fairly confident in his own reflexes, Matt's notwithstanding. ]

[ Never fear, Joel. Matt takes up a second can and raises it, preparing to pitch it--and inhales, an even breath that seems to take his focus somewhere a little distant.

When the can leaves his hand, it's not really at a throwing speed. It floats dreamily across the kitchen, landing with tender precision in Joel's palm. Matt quirks a grin, closing the refrigerator door.

His breath is coming ever so slightly quicker, and his cheeks are ever so slightly warm--not a lot. It's a simple spell. Undemanding. (In the spirit of full disclosure, he did think about making the can do loop-de-loops around the kitchen before letting Joel have it. But he resisted!) ]

[ Good call, there, Matt. Joel definitely would've rolled his eyes at any more grandiose a flourish for a can of beer. Not that it isn't still a near miss. ]

You spend a lot of time practicing that one?

[ The use case for floating objects around is pretty broad, admittedly - but this is Matt, and therefore Joel assumes he mostly just employs that talent to the effect of needlessly showing off. ]

[ Matt beams as he heads back Joel's way, encroaching slightly into his personal bubble. Ever so slightly. ]

It comes in useful when I don't have my hands free.

[ Joel is unmoved by Matt's gradual displacement of his personal space. But he's kind of used to it. And it's not like Matt's entirely unwelcome there, anyway. (He'd know if he wasn't.) ]

Oh yeah? That happen to you a lot - not having your hands free?

[ He's not quite entirely deadpan in that question. ]

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