[Ari sips at her wine - not bad - as he speaks, but his description of the captain makes her look up from her glass in disbelief.]
I'd have thought you far stronger than that. He ignores you, and you call it torture? It's a psychological trick. He wants you to think that he thinks you're unworthy, and for it to infuriate you, because he meets with others who don't have your status and accomplishments. It's an irritation, Oda, but if you're calling it torture, you aren't much of a sadist.
[That last is said lightly, to lessen the blow of the criticism. Ari takes another long, slow sip from her glass.]
You're also frighteningly self-aware. Here's my trouble. Everything you're telling me about the captain indicates it's in my best interests to stay well clear of him - but then you say you have those very same faults? How do I know you're not going to play some mind game with me for your own amusement?
no subject
I'd have thought you far stronger than that. He ignores you, and you call it torture? It's a psychological trick. He wants you to think that he thinks you're unworthy, and for it to infuriate you, because he meets with others who don't have your status and accomplishments. It's an irritation, Oda, but if you're calling it torture, you aren't much of a sadist.
[That last is said lightly, to lessen the blow of the criticism. Ari takes another long, slow sip from her glass.]
You're also frighteningly self-aware. Here's my trouble. Everything you're telling me about the captain indicates it's in my best interests to stay well clear of him - but then you say you have those very same faults? How do I know you're not going to play some mind game with me for your own amusement?