[That building irritation flares as soon as Kotetsu stops and his eyes narrow, a deep frown spread over his face. He no longer cares for the onlookers observing them, the whispered and hushed voices that now seem to be an accompaniment of the music still echoing through the room; he's not even aware of the music anymore, or that bothersome woman that had started this whole argument. All that matters is that Kotetsu is being an annoyance and it needs to stop.]
I wouldn't be stopping if you didn't insist on making this more of an issue than it should be. You--
[His words come to an abrupt halt. That's when he realizes it. He's angry. Kotetsu is frustrated, questionably angry as well, but Barnaby? Barnaby is angry, and he's not sure why he's angry. Because of some woman's pawing? An unpleasant experience, certainly. Her persistence at following him? A nuisance at most. Kotetsu's clumsiness that really is just a staple of his personality by this point, that makes him who he is no matter how slouched his back is, how awkward his steps are, how inadvertently pushy he can be? He's doing the best he can, much better than what Barnaby had thought to come across when he'd sought out his partner for help. --that's right, he'd asked for this. Of course, not so much asked as just about told but, Kotetsu had no need to agree with this. He could simply stop and walk away, continue his enjoyment in the company of finger food and allow Barnaby to make an utter fool of himself for making such a huge fuss over these little things he'd had to face tonight that were nothing at all.
All of this of course leads only to one conclusion. Barnaby is being a jerk, and he needs to stop being a jerk, so with a heavy sigh and a quick adjustment of his glasses he stands with his feet evenly spaced apart, left hand placed smoothly on Kotetsu's shoulder and right hand suspended in the air, palm upward in acceptance. Barnaby stands there, nods, and waits. The sudden composure written on his face is more of a deterrent from those quiet voices surrounding them but underneath it, there is an unspoken apology, an explanation and understanding that's much deeper than the brief words he offers. That this is his fault. He caused this, not you.]
no subject
I wouldn't be stopping if you didn't insist on making this more of an issue than it should be. You--
[His words come to an abrupt halt. That's when he realizes it. He's angry. Kotetsu is frustrated, questionably angry as well, but Barnaby? Barnaby is angry, and he's not sure why he's angry. Because of some woman's pawing? An unpleasant experience, certainly. Her persistence at following him? A nuisance at most. Kotetsu's clumsiness that really is just a staple of his personality by this point, that makes him who he is no matter how slouched his back is, how awkward his steps are, how inadvertently pushy he can be? He's doing the best he can, much better than what Barnaby had thought to come across when he'd sought out his partner for help. --that's right, he'd asked for this. Of course, not so much asked as just about told but, Kotetsu had no need to agree with this. He could simply stop and walk away, continue his enjoyment in the company of finger food and allow Barnaby to make an utter fool of himself for making such a huge fuss over these little things he'd had to face tonight that were nothing at all.
All of this of course leads only to one conclusion. Barnaby is being a jerk, and he needs to stop being a jerk, so with a heavy sigh and a quick adjustment of his glasses he stands with his feet evenly spaced apart, left hand placed smoothly on Kotetsu's shoulder and right hand suspended in the air, palm upward in acceptance. Barnaby stands there, nods, and waits. The sudden composure written on his face is more of a deterrent from those quiet voices surrounding them but underneath it, there is an unspoken apology, an explanation and understanding that's much deeper than the brief words he offers. That this is his fault. He caused this, not you.]
I apologize for my behavior. Please, continue.