[h2][color=orangered][i]{ R e n a u l t }[/i][/color][/h2]

A crestfallen sigh spilled from Renault’s lips, his shoulders lurching into a dramatic slump. [color=orangered]“Why, not even a “pleased to make your acquaintance”? How very, very cruel! Oh, my poor, shattered heart!”[/color] He punctuated this declaration by pitching his voice up into an obviously fake whimper. The seeds of respect had burrowed into his heart, surprisingly enough, and now, they were beginning to germinate. 

[color=orangered][i]If I don't test the limits, see how far I can push, then I'm an even bigger fool than I'd thought.[/i][/color]

Even more shockingly - and really, by this point, he ought to have sounded the alarms, implored his peers to evacuate - this development was being met with minimal objections. A bit troublesome, really; forming connections, even ones without true, meaningful attachments, required expending a certain amount of effort, which, in turn, meant work. Moreover, the mere concept of ‘work’ was dreadfully dull, and Renault could almost feel the beginnings of a yawn attempting to rise. (He was also willing to attribute that particular temptation to sleep deprivation.)

Opting to take Kiara’s flippant suggestion and sprint with it, Renault added, [color=orangered]“Oh, or perhaps a lively debate? Perhaps we’ll see if we can coax a bit of color into those pallid cheeks, hmm?” [/color]From what Renault had observed up to this point, Kiara displayed the exact comportment expected from someone with her aesthetic preferences - composed, rational, and affably distant. 

So of course, Renault was ethically obligated to ruffle those feathers as best he could. Arching an eyebrow, he flashed Kiara a truly impish smirk. [color=orangered]"Ah, but what would we discuss? Surely not that [i]controversial[/i] comment you made to Joux, hmm . . . ?"[/color]

And, with a wry grin and a dramatic flourish, Renault flung down those metaphorical cards, unveiling his true motive. [color=orangered][i]How wonderfully dramatic! I say, I really did a top-notch job![/i][/color]

In layman’s terms, a sensible human being. Quite the rarity, particularly in this branch of practical education. (The term “practical” being a blatant misnomer, in this case.) Then again, in comparison, Kiara’s presence magnified Renault’s eccentricities, therefore making him seem exceptionally interesting. [color=orangered][i]So, I suppose I can muster up the [i]mercy[/i] to forgive her, just this once![/i] “And what a dazzling personality it is! If you’re not careful, you might just outshine everyone else, or blind them permanently - making enemies is a delicate art, you know!”[/color] (If he'd crammed any more sarcasm into his tone, it might have imploded, and then it would have lost all comedic effect. Over-saturation was a very real, very debilitating disease.) A dry, caustic chuckle ensued, and Renault shook his head. [color=orangered]“Really, what a pair we’d make! I pity the poor, naive lambs we’d prey upon!”[/color]

All this discussion of partners had somehow managed to pique Renault’s interest, and, nearly overwhelmed by the sudden surge of fascination, he nearly forgot his surroundings. (He’d allegedly forgotten to offer a verbal response - he wasn’t a fool, he’d devoted a hefty chunk of time to researching legalese as extensively as his admittedly limited resources had allowed - and, by this point, was probably garnering a few concerned stares. Ah, well, no sense in quibbling over the semantics!)

His gaze swiveled, coming to rest on Sparks as he offered his [i]two bits[/i] on the entire situation - [i][color=orangered]Ah, I really ought to take up comedy![/color][/i] - in . . . an enormous amount of words. A quantity so high it was somewhat off-putting, honestly. [color=orangered]"Ah! Why, as good a reason as any, I suppose! Though I've always been more partial to green myself."[/color] Despite himself, he couldn't help but smile. [i][color=orangered]I say, what a stunning display of obtuseness! Why, I’ve met slabs of granite that would envy this boy’s density.[/color][/i] Evidently, Sparks had an unrivaled passion for video games, especially those of the online, cooperative persuasion. Or perhaps ardent, frenzied, all-consuming fervor would serve as a more apt description? When the topic of games was breached, Sparks seemed like a man possessed. [color=orangered][i]Well,[/i][/color] Renault mused, amusement glittering in his gray gaze, [color=orangered][i]I suppose we've got to round out this little troupe of liars and cheats [i]somehow![/i][/i][/color]