‡3rd Treasure‡ Accidental Video

[totallytrustworthy]

[The feed clicks on to reveal Koltira and Chloe in some dark, nondescript alleyway. Chloe's muttering about how she doesn't have a choice, struggling weakly, her eyes unfocused. Koltira speaks to her in soothing tones--or about as soothing as his tone gets, at any rate--telling her to calm down, to see reason, et cetera. He has one arm looped around her waist, and the other holds both of her wrists still; the grip is clearly firm but gentle, meant to pacify, not to harm.

After a moment, Koltira notices that Chloe's dropped tablet is on and recording. He addresses it, his tone markedly more agitated than just a moment ago.]

Chloe is out of her mind. I know not why, but she had her own gun to her mouth.

[There's a short delay before Chloe speaks up, her voice unsteady and tired. It's a pale attempt at lying, but it goes without saying that she's embarrassed once she realizes the feed's running, so she makes it regardless.]

Seriously, mate, I'm fine. Ease up.




((ooc: Takes place after/during this log!)

Comments

[totallytrustworthy]

Nothing I--

[Jesus, what did happen?] Dunno. I guess I just...slipped. [Sanity wise, at least.]

[implying]

Usually, when one slips, it's more a matter of a bruised bottom. Guns don't tend to be involved!

Is there... a way I might help? Or anything you need?

[totallytrustworthy]

Well my bum is a bit sore, if it means anything. [Though it's her pride that's taken the hit.]

Thanks, love. Not so sure this is a matter that can be helped, though.

Not unless this place changes overnight.

[implying]

It was this place, then? What was it? What happened? [ GIVE HIM SOMETHING TO WORK WITH HERE MAN :C ]

[totallytrustworthy]

[SHE'S TRYING, FEELINGS ARE HARD.]

I guess you could say that.

Just...I don't know, love, things haven't been all that great lately. Had more stress than I knew how to handle, and I never was good at sitting in one place too long.

[implying]

I might help with that, if you like. I give very good massages, and have quite the stock of wine.

[totallytrustworthy]

[It's programmed into her brain, a list of reasons why things here just aren't good enough, and they play over and over again in the back of her thoughts like a record.]

Appreciate it, but I'm not so sure it'll do the trick at the moment. Wine won't fix the limits of a leash.

[implying]

Ah— pardon? A leash?

[totallytrustworthy]

We're trapped here, Vanadi. They might be kind about giving us a bit of room to run in, but it's still a cage, and we're still their bloody lapdogs.

[implying]

It isn't... all so bad. [ gosh at least everyone has their free will here, that counts for something. ]

My dear, you were cheerier down in the catacombs than you are now. What's happened?

[totallytrustworthy]

[She wrings her hands together, tries to think through his question enough to find an answer, but there are some fragments of the story-- such as her tentative truce with Talbot-- that she can't vocalize, and others that are missing entirely.]

I don't know. [And it's the truth, and the words are weak and tired, but she doesn't know what's become of her.]

Maybe I really have lost my damn mind.

[implying]

A woman like you? I don't believe that for an instant, if you don't mind my saying.

May I see you? Tonight, if possible?

[totallytrustworthy]

Lovely as it is to hear, I don't know what else you'd call it. [She presses her lips together, lets a little reluctant pause pass as she considers it.]

All right.

[implying]

Good! Ah— 503 is my room, I might come and collect you?

[totallytrustworthy]

I won't say no to you stopping in.

[implying]

Excellent. Then... 5pm, will that do it for you?

[totallytrustworthy]

[She needs a while to figure out what time it is, but once she does there's a quick nod in response.]

Yeah. Yeah, I can do that.

[implying]

I'll be there, my dear.

[ action or log??? ]

LET US GO WITH ACTION because I am lazy

[totallytrustworthy]

[It's far later on when she's finally settled in and allowed a bit of peace. 5pm comes sooner than expected, but the seconds tick by like minutes as she agonizes over everything that's happened. Really, how can she not when she spent her whole life focused on survival only to undo it in a matter of minutes?

She's settled at the kitchen table, picking away at the gloss with her fingernails, nearly forgetting about Vanadi's promise to drop in.]

um what if i refuse

[implying]

[ It might be the only time in his life Vanadi is actually early to anything. He'd picked 5 pm as a way to allow Chloe to have some time to compose herself, but man was that ever an antagonizing wait.

He's at the door at 4:52, starting the visit with three sharp knocks and some anxious waiting. ]

Then I will cry and move on with my life...somehow.

[totallytrustworthy]

[It's startling at first, but the knocking jogs her memory, and with a quick glance at the nearby digital clock, she knows who's there.]

Come on in, love. It's open.

[implying]

[ He's in quickly, pulling the door quietly closed behind him. It doesn't take him long to slide into a chair opposite of her, gaze under the mask trained firmly on Chloe. ]

How are you feeling?