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"You could have left well enough alone, and now—" A long look at his hands. "This is futile, you realize. What'll happen will happen regardless of your consent, or as a matter of fact your involvement. You're only abdicating what little agency you had."
What? "Are you saying I <span class="mu-i">had</span> agency? Also, that's a 'we.' We're abdicating what little agency I had, apparently, because you can't do your stupid thing without me, and I'm not interested, and I turned you into a person so I obviously win here, so—"
"This can't last, Charlotte Fawkins." He pushes at his sunglasses. "Being a snake is not optional. You might've already tripped a few flags, and I won't know until—"
"Shut up. I don't care." Your magnanimity has a shelf life. "You're going to be a person until you change your ways, or I say so, whichever comes—"
"No. I am going to be provisionally human for... I can fudge fifteen minutes. No longer. You wildly overstate your abilities, no matter how—"
There's a rattle from the door— the front door, whose lock still functions. And then another rattle, and a knock.
You look at Richard. Richard looks at his fingernails. You scamper over to the door, check for a peephole and find none, and settle for opening it a smidgeon. Eloise (it's unmistakable even from the little you see — what with the cloak) stands directly outside.
"Oh!" she says. "Hello!" You're not sure if she can see enough of you to recognize you.
>[1] Say nothing. Slam the door and relock it.
>[2] HI what a FUNNY COINCIDENCE could you please COME BACK LATER, THANK YOU!!!! (Shut the door.)
>[3] HI ELOISE HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF LOCITIS? PLEASE COME BACK LATER (Shut the door after getting a response.)
>[4] Be polite. Hi! What are you doing here? Let her in if the reason isn't weird: Richard will be... fine? Probably?
>[5] Write-in.
