Try as he might to object to Eisen's diatribe, everything after the second sentence had Rory laughing too hard to even try. This was always where Eisen's true victories would occur. Arguing with Rory, at least insofar as the actual words were concerned, was generally difficult, but once the linguist got him laughing it was all over. Of course, the moment of joy was tinged bittersweet by the fact that Rory's jubilant laughter eventually turned into a cough that wracked his fragile frame and caused him to hunch his shoulders, curling up on himself a little to crush his diaphragm to stop it.
"We should check the window to make sure no fire is raining from the sky," Rory said hoarsely when the little fit was over, his smile serving as a reassurance that he was okay. He straightened up gingerly as Eisen began to list his "demands" and gave his friend a Look. "Great Eisen. Wanna come up with some demands I can actually, you know, meet? I guess you could hold me for ransom, but I don't think my parents would take very kindly to that. Plus I don't think we've got enough money to cover your record deal, mansion, and guitars."