Bad Luck Bears

BASTIEN It was difficult to argue too much with Phoebe when she was still taking panicked breaths, so he mostly remained quiet. Bastien understood the danger (hell, that was half of what made the whole venture so thrilling) but had never been one to listen much to warnings. He watched her go the counter and wipe her face, and walked down the steps and leaned against a wall in the downstairs again. "Believe me. I would lay before Safrin and have her kill me in the place of any of my disciples. They are not just your friends. But I have worried too about whether or not she is pleased, so I went to ask her at the shrine. She gave me her blessing, as well as a symbol to pass out to good members of the church. Right now, I see little danger. Or at least, as much danger as I had in Venice owning a group sponsored by a Doge. Besides..." He laughed quietly. "I don't think any of them actually listen to me. They just want a party. Which is fine by me." Her next point surprised him. A lot of things suddenly made sense, though. Bastien frowned and stepped a little closer, still maintaining a distance. "I do not think you are stupid. Maybe I have said such in anger, and if I have I was wrong. In fact, part of the reason you frustrate me so is because you put your points so well, and I am rusty for hard debates." Once he had had theological discussions every day, deep contemplation passing through him like water, but now he was much more concerned with a good time. "You are a young, pretty girl with a heart and a career. Somebody will take you. And I hope when they do they do not just want sex. To break such a caring heart would be a crime. Even if I do not agree with everything you say, I cannot think you stupid or undesirable." I'm feelin' like a big bang