Guy: *looking remarkably chill for a guy shackled to a chair with guns aimed at his head*
Vox: *pouring himself some scotch* I guess this explains why the old timey prick never gave me a second glanceā¦
Vox: His heart already belonged to another and to the guy who almost exposed me no less? What a freaking joke!
Guy: *snorts* Woah there, Big Shot! Al and I are not ātogether,ā never have been! We are just friends!
Vox: ALASTOR MUST BE IN LOVE WITH YOU! THEREāS NO WAY ANYONE WOULD GO THROUGH ALL THAT FOR āJUST A FRIEND!ā
Guy: *gives him a long look at that is somehow both mocking and pitying* Huh. Youāve never had a meaningful relationship in your life, have you?
Vox: *glares at Guy, and starts chugging the scotch*
Guy: *conversationally* Ya knows, Voxy-Boxy, Al was always an excellent judge of character; he could read people like a book. Itās how he was able help me whenever I got stuck on a particularly difficult case. It was almost like he had a sixth sense exclusively for scumbags. So, imagine my surprise, when I found out that my best friend and the creepy cultist Ā that I was investigating used to be attached at the hip!
Vox: *says nothing, just starts refilling his glass*
Guy: It just didnāt make sense to me that Al would fall for any of the crap you spouted. He would- no, he should know better. But now, after our talk, I think I finally understand.
Vox: *despite himself, Vox listens, curious*
Guy: I think the reason Alastor got so attached, whether he realised it or not, is because he saw a bit of himself in you.
Vox: WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU GABBING ABOUT?!
Guy: Your self-worth is dependent on otherās validation or attention.
Vox: *bluescreens for 0.5 seconds, before sputtering back* I- He- HA! Did I hit you too hard? Do you have brain damage? Alastor is the vainest motherfucker in the pride ring! He doesnāt need anybody!
Guy: Oh, heād love that you think so! Canāt have anyone else knowing āthe truth,ā can he? Canāt help but notice you didnāt contradict that about you.
Vox: I⦠I DONāT NEED TO EXPLAIN MYSELF! ITāS OBVIOUS TO ANYONE WITH A BRAIN HOW STUPID YOUR āDEDUCTIONā IS!
Guy: *widens his eyes in āshock,ā like the gullible puppy many mistake him to be* Gawsh, ya thinks so, Leader? Thatās funny⦠I coulda sworn I hit da nail on da head!
Vox: *recognises the persona Guy played when they first met* Tch, canāt believe I ever fell for thatā¦
Guy: Think about it. It explains the cult, the stalking, the hypnosis, the deals... Itās all about you being control. You force people to love you, because you are afraid no one would give you a glance otherwise and youāll be alone.
Vox: *flinches* S-SHUT THE HELL UP!
Guy: *ignores him* You and Al really are similar in that aspect. Needing to put on a show to seem āworthy.ā The sap believes that if he is no longer seen as āstrong,ā if his friends no longer see him as āuseful,ā then he will be abandoned.
Vox: *seems to be recontextualizing previous encounters*
Guy: *shakes his head sadly* Alās always struggled with setting boundaries, continuing to let Mimzy use him as a guard dog no matter how many times it landed him in the hospital; so, honestly, I shouldāve been more surprised that heās the one who broke it off with you.