Norman was expecting a refusal, but it still raises his blood temperature a few degrees once Beck starts to get going. It almost feels like playing Beck Bingo - charity case, check. Money's useless, check. Unnecessary swearing, check. Threatening posture, check. The misogyny and the slur are a surprise, but that's what the bonus space is for. Bingo.
He takes the deed back and tucks it into his pocket once more. "I had a feeling you wouldn't be interested, but I wanted to be sure. If you don't want the space, I'll make sure it's used in some way that benefits the community."
Norman's tone is calm, unassuming, hopefully maddeningly unflappable. He's hidden a challenge in his words: are you sure this isn't what you want? A chance to start your own life? Support from someone like the person who owed you so much? Connections to a community that'll lift you up instead of grinding you down? He wasn't trying to buy anything: he was trying to get Quentin to see the big picture: how much possibility there was in a truce between them. Clearly, the other man is still blind. He sits patiently, not rising to the bait of Quentin's anger in the least, and pours them each a glass now that the bottle has been approved. Slowly, he slides one glass back over to Beck's chair.
"This is your forum. I'm giving you the opportunity to tell me what you do want out of your life here. You've only told me what you don't want. No words. No money. What's left? Actions, I'd presume. But I'm not a mind-reader."
no subject
He takes the deed back and tucks it into his pocket once more. "I had a feeling you wouldn't be interested, but I wanted to be sure. If you don't want the space, I'll make sure it's used in some way that benefits the community."
Norman's tone is calm, unassuming, hopefully maddeningly unflappable. He's hidden a challenge in his words: are you sure this isn't what you want? A chance to start your own life? Support from someone like the person who owed you so much? Connections to a community that'll lift you up instead of grinding you down? He wasn't trying to buy anything: he was trying to get Quentin to see the big picture: how much possibility there was in a truce between them. Clearly, the other man is still blind. He sits patiently, not rising to the bait of Quentin's anger in the least, and pours them each a glass now that the bottle has been approved. Slowly, he slides one glass back over to Beck's chair.
"This is your forum. I'm giving you the opportunity to tell me what you do want out of your life here. You've only told me what you don't want. No words. No money. What's left? Actions, I'd presume. But I'm not a mind-reader."