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Buddingtonite thought he was doing a damn good job in keeping his intentions to himself and the strike was certain to knock Serpentine for a loop, but alas, it appeared that the other lieutenant was simply too quick for him. He ducked, allowing Buddingtonite to hit the hat, and before he had a chance to apologize, Serpentine retaliated. The blow to his nose connected, stifling whatever the lieutenant was going to say, and the kick send him falling back.

He had clearly made a mistake, and he was willing to apologize for it. Yet, it seemed that Serpentine wasn't the type to allow such a move to go unavenged, as the rubber snake made a surprisingly good device for ringing the hell out of another person's neck. Fun and games was over, as far as Buddingtonite was concerned, and he struggled to speak, even as the gold-glad lieutenant slammed his head into the ground and snapped at him.

He could only give a breathless gasp when he tightened his grip, and despite how the grip could have snapped his neck, he bobbed his head up and down to say 'YES, YES, I UNDERSTAND! I UNDERSTAND!'

This wasn't how he wanted to die! Not in the hands of his own allies! This was why he JOINED the Negaverse in the first place, wasn't it? To avoid this? He continued to bob his head, unable to speak the words thanks to the grip, and he didn't try fighting the hold. No, he missed his chance. Now was the time to be submissive... and hope for the best.

At this point, Buddingtonite was willing to do whatever Serpentine wanted to spare him his life, and the moment the rubber snake was loosened and set aside, he gave sputtering breaths, trying to turn his head away so that he wouldn't have coughed on the lieutenant. No, that'd bring him back to murderous rage again, and Buddingtonite may have wanted a lot of things, but not that.

He wasn't expecting his smooth touch, though, and while it wasn't the first time another had caressed him in such a manner. It was the first time someone did so after nearly strangling him to death. He was weary to move, and he only spoke when Serpentine asked him a direct question, in which he replied with a rather pathetic mewl. "Pretty badly... more mentally, than physically..."

Moments ago, he wanted nothing more than this man's full attention. Now? He wanted to get as far away from him as possible, but he tried his best to hide this fear. He didn't fight his touch, but he did try to change the topic. "So... you've won. What would you like again? 'Fraid I didn't catch it the first time, hehe..."

Buddingtonite had no idea what was going on inside of Serpentine's head. He was no mind reader and it always seemed like a gift that he'd absolutely hate to have. Knowing what others truly thought of him... could have been useful, especially in gambling, but he didn't want to think about the worse case scenarios. Serpentine probably thought him to be this two-faced, simpering ninny now, and really, had he been looking at himself from the outside, he might have very well agreed with him.

But, despite his uniform and new rank, he would still remain Richard Moreau deep inside, and he could not deny who he was. He remained as Buddingtonite for now, though, and the moment Serpentine released him and gave him space, he pulled himself back to his feet and began to brush the grass and dirt from his attire, more disgusted with himself than the grass stains that tarnished his newly acquired uniform. He took his time, not to agitate the other lieutenant, but to calm himself down and make himself presentable once more, in some vain effort to regain some of his shattered pride.

This wasn't exactly how he planned for his first night on the job to be, but the night wasn't over. He knew that he could have salvaged this situation somehow, just that it would require a little more effort, and only when his heart had slowed to a more comfortable pace did he finally address the lieutenant before him. He heard everything he said, but he only addressed the matter of the prize first. Once the prize was established, then he would addressed what he thought was an apology, or an insult... or both. Serpentine seemed the type to mix them together and execute it with perfection.

"Well, let's see. I have money, liquor, a good home to rest your head, a Lexus if you want a thrill ride. Really, anything is negotiable, except my store and my dog. Those are some things I'm not willing to part with..." He recovered his hat and pinwheel, but he didn't twirl the weapon like he once did, which was a clear sign that he was starting to get tired of this encounter. Nearly dying twice in one evening would do that to a man. Speaking of, he shook his head, pretending to not be hurt though he knew there was little he could do to hide his damaged pride, nor the red marks around his neck. "Perhaps I am weak, but it won't stay that way. Besides, my strengths lie elsewhere- I intend to do more recruiting and supervising than fighting. Leave that you the able ones, like yourself."

Of all the things that Serpentine desired, it was a place to rest his head? Buddingtonite tried not to judge him, openly. Mentally, he wanted to laugh at him not picking the best of the options he had listed out, which was obviously money, but that would have been like looking the gift horse in the mouth. If he didn't want money, then Buddingtonite wasn't going to give him any, and far be it from him to question him.

He clapped his hands, as if he were a genie granting a wish, and his posh words did nothing but add to that illusion. "Very well, then, Serpentine. I can host you for the evening!"

In truth, it was about time he headed home anyways. Besides the fact that it was getting late and no amount of power and strength from his awakening could dull the lasting effects of the alcohol running through his system, Baldwin would have been eager for his master to be home by now, and Buddingtonite didn't want to make the poor dog wait any longer. He wasn't quite expecting Serpentine to offer him his sash, and his surprise and gratitude that followed shortly after that was genuine. "Oh... thank you. I'm sure I'll find something else at my condo."

He accepted it graciously and wasted little time in wrapping it around his red neck, and if the other officer was offering his clothing to hide it, he then figured that it must have looked something fierce. He'd have to wear turtlenecks for the time being, but thankfully, he could get away with it in this weather.

"Now, follow me, Lieutenant... this way, to Casa d'Buddingtonite!"