NIETZSCHE; DEAD PHILOSOPHERS' INBOX

[explosivecombat]

[TEXT; LOCKED TO doitrockapella]

The offer for conversation is always open, should you desire to take me up on it; I can't guarantee that I'll respond immediately, nor will it necessarily be the response you want, but I'll always respond in some way.

In the name of enlightened discourse.

Comments

[explosivecombat]

Well, nothing comes to mind now - although that's a bit of a flawed question, when you think about it.

[doitrockapella]

It was largely rhetorical, anyway.

I'm sure he'd see fit to tell you the ones that involve you. It's only fair, of course, since you're one of the parties in question.

And then it'd occur to him about fifteen seconds too late, and you'd be sworn to absolute silence with a "shhh don't tell".

[explosivecombat]

Well, now comes the obvious question, flawed though it is: What secrets are you keeping regarding me?

[doitrockapella]

I occasionally wonder if you think I'm pretty.

[explosivecombat]

Of course I do.

What else?

[doitrockapella]

You really think I'm going to tell you, don't you?

[explosivecombat]

Oh, not at all. I'm just in a particularly good mood and perfectly willing to flatter you for the time being.

[doitrockapella]

Now who's the master interrogator here? Your ways of making me talk are terribly effective.

He'd provide you with an accurate count of how many times a day I talk myself out of messaging you.

[explosivecombat]

Is it a high number?

[doitrockapella]

That's confidential information.

My powers of self-restraint do get a workout, though.

[explosivecombat]

Consider me flattered, then.

[doitrockapella]

I like it better when you're the one flattering me. It's a much rarer event.

[explosivecombat]

Come now. It's not that rare.

[doitrockapella]

It's rare when it happens despite my not actively soliciting it.

[explosivecombat]

Unfortunately, that's how it is for everyone.

You're an exception in that you get it after you solicit it.

[doitrockapella]

So you think I'm exceptional.

What keeps you from doing it of your own volition?

[explosivecombat]

I'm just not in the practice of offering compliments, I suppose. Praise is a different matter and I'll give credit where it's due, but flattery isn't anything I really do much of.

[doitrockapella]

Is that because praise is duly earned and worthy of acknowledgement, so there's a basis for offering it, but flattery and compliments don't really provide you with any personal benefit from offering them?

[explosivecombat]

Something like that, actually.

[doitrockapella]

You see? I can be taught.

You can praise me now.

[explosivecombat]

And how is it any different from flattery, if you're just going to solicit it?

[doitrockapella]

Because if you're willing to call it praise, then that tells me something about your position. Flattery only tells me something about mine.

[explosivecombat]

Either way, you're going to have to try harder; you know I've never made it that easy for you.

[doitrockapella]

Praising me also comes with the notable side effect of making me slightly more inclined to kiss you again.

Whether or not you consider that a benefit worth exploring is up to you.

[explosivecombat]

Let's say I'll keep that in mind and leave it at that.