[It's less a matter of pride than it is one of survival- but Bruce believes he's had a significant amount of practice in learning to read a person. He isn't concerned about being a good judge of character, in his experience, it's motive that reveals the most. That gives him the most reliable means of anticipating responses, predicting reactions.
Until this moment Clark has been polite and accommodating and not quite vulnerable as much as he's come across as- inexperienced. He'd been in some degree of shock after the attack in the woods, but hadn't decompensated or given himself over to adrenaline. He's asked questions that elaborate on a factual understanding of life in Beacon, not simply a subjective view. He'd said he was a reporter, these qualities would fit the bill. But something feels off.
You don't want to be associated with it, lines up against the stuttered is that all you n-needed.
Maybe he's over-thinking it. Maybe he's just bothered by the choice of words. Thank you for trusting me. Is that what he's doing?
Bruce straightens, stiff-backed in his chair, while the rest of his body remains almost unnaturally still.]
no subject
Until this moment Clark has been polite and accommodating and not quite vulnerable as much as he's come across as- inexperienced. He'd been in some degree of shock after the attack in the woods, but hadn't decompensated or given himself over to adrenaline. He's asked questions that elaborate on a factual understanding of life in Beacon, not simply a subjective view. He'd said he was a reporter, these qualities would fit the bill. But something feels off.
You don't want to be associated with it, lines up against the stuttered is that all you n-needed.
Maybe he's over-thinking it. Maybe he's just bothered by the choice of words.
Thank you for trusting me.
Is that what he's doing?
Bruce straightens, stiff-backed in his chair, while the rest of his body remains almost unnaturally still.]
Yes, that's all.
Are you going to ask for anything in return?