<div align="center">For Ethereal Rose</div><br/>Sundowner gave a mild shrug at Rose's question, taking it to be rhetorical. "I hoped to cultivate a friendship with Warner. It was a vexing endeavor that did not produce any return and now will be a net loss to me." Again, Sundowner's slender shoulders rose and fell to shrug, but it was largely with indifference this time. Like anyone who played the game, sometimes one just had to cut their losses and move on: this was just one such occasion, and Sundowner seemed rather inured to that reality. But then, he seemed to have more luxe shit to throw around and it did not seem like it would break him to lose whatever he had put into this. "My main interest was in information. I wanted to know what things were like Before." It seemed as though he felt so comfortable in his possession that he could be open. There were fuckfaces who would charge for this kind of intel. "How people lived, what they did for amusement, who the hardholders were . . . trivia of that nature. But he was unwilling to entertain sharing knowledge . . . or to even see the necessity of having friends. I offered my personal support and accompaniment by my menagerie, but I was rebuffed." There was an ample hint of bitterness at this rejection in his voice, a thick lump of bitterness in the otherwise syrupy sweetness of his speech.<br/><br/>Sundowner tapped his finger idly on the surface of the table nearby, and his eyes glowed. They actually lit up, the blue parts. If it had been night, they would have illuminated that darkness. Then that effect faded. Sundowner pursed his lips for a moment, and then collected himself anew. "It would be to Thumbs' detriment to become entangled in my affairs again. Perhaps you might remind him that I have a long memory and strong distaste for his peculiar brand of obstinance." Then he shifted, and smiled, and his face brightened as if the most pleasant idea had just come to him. "If you bear Thumbs no special love, why not sever ties with him and come work for me? I would certainly be more respectful of your talents and better able to remunerate you for services rendered."<br/><br/>It was salient that Rose had the freedom to refuse. People frequently refused Sundowner, and the worst that came of it was that Sundowner's feelings were hurt and he took his barter elsewhere. But people who refused Sundowner did not end up shanked to death and dumped in a ditch or anything. There was no intimidation or threats. It was common knowledge that Sundowner did not hurt you for saying no to him.<br/><br/>"The menagerie is well trained. I prize finesse, and Unicorn has a very fine touch." The mindfucker said, smiling wide, and waving his bare hand at the masked member of his menagerie. "Patience and time are capable of achieving a lot of things, and I have both in abundance."