exsilium | 02

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02 | Audio

Well, that was something of an adventure! Between the Russians, the newest arrivals, and our monstrous friends, why there's been quite a few things to keep track of. An awful lot of people. One of which in particular I seem to have misplaced... I don't suppose anyone has seen Bela lately? Bela Talbot?

[ A pause, as if he's actually listening for a reply. Or maybe just asking a completely rhetorical question and taking a moment to gather himself afterward. ]

Well, it was always difficult to keep her in just one place. Not like Sierra, Annalise, and Adamo, three natives caught by the UE bombs, near a month ago now. I would say they were entirely too — too stationary. That old woman in the market, too— with the jerky stand? She always claimed it was dog meat, but I really had to wonder. But she always had a kind word for anyone who stopped to chat, didn't she? I found a bit of her stand some time ago, but no sign of her. Maggie, she told me her name was...

My apologies, to anyone who knew any of those caught in disaster. At least we've managed to turn this latest one back to the status quo, mm? We have that much.

[ Another pause, and this one comes with a slow breath out. So... that's awkward. But! He can make it better. When he speaks again, he sounds just as cheerful as he had at the beginning. ]

You know, for all their flukes and faults, I would say there's one thing the Initiative is truly bad at. They can throw our lot into a room with food set out, but that's not any sort of party. So I propose we arrange one ourselves! We've the musicians for it, don't we? The cooks, surely! The tailors, seamstresses? We certainly have the headcount for it, by now!

Any opinions, mm? I'm thinking, perhaps, a masquerade. A ball! We kitrites excel at the organization of them, you know. I would be pleased to offer my services to a properly interested crowd! Have I any takers?

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[ she doesn't seem bothered by the change in his tone. Her own voice remaining level. ] And what good does it do you continuing as you are? In what way are you any happier when you force yourself to pretend? I'll tell you right now that you don't deserve that kind of torment.

Because, sooner or later, I'm not pretending.

[ He sets his drink down again, slumping with a sigh against the counter. ]

Please, I'm sorry. Truly. You've come here out of concern, and all I do is... [ He waves a hand vaguely, to indicate the situation. ] I appreciate it, I do.

No, that's not-- [ She let's that taper off. A hand going up to massage the bridge of her nose. ]

It's just difficult to ignore. This sort of thing, I'm sure any number of your lovers have brought it up before... [ She pauses to take a good long drink. ] I'm aware this is all terribly intrusive, but I hate sitting back and--

And hiding so much of yourself, it's so lonely. [ Huh, that sounded just a little bitter. And at this point she leans a little on the counter too. Free hand resting on her other arm in a show of discomfort. ]

[ Man, she's downing that drink pretty fast. And something about that has struck a chord in him, given him the idea that maybe he can shift this conversation around a little. He's more than happy to give up the spotlight of it. ]

That very nearly sounds as if you're speaking from experience, my dear.

[ There's almost a cringe in response to that. She sighs miserably and glances away from him. ]

Yes well. Everyone has their fair share of secrets, don't they?

We do, I suppose.

[ He watches her for a few seconds longer before letting out a quiet breath. Both hands reach up, and the mask pulls off with a quiet metallic click. He sets it on the counter beside him, and the small smile that he aims at her, with the benefit of the rest of his face involved, looks tired. ]

I don't suppose it would help if I told you there's no need of them between us?

[ Well. That certainly gets her attention back on him, and for a good moment she just takes in his features, eyes landing back on that scar several times before becoming more distracted by the ears. Oh. Well... damn it.

She takes another drink then sets the glass down, returning his smile almost apologetically. ]

Fine I... I see what you mean.

[ So off comes the hat, too. Webbed ears pointing out for the world to see. She pushes her hair back behind them, revealing little green scales leading from the base of the ears towards her eyes.

Showing him this is stupid, ridiculous. And she can't help the small laugh that follows, which is also ridiculous. There shouldn't be anything funny about the situation at all. ]

[ There's an immediate, brightening curiosity at the sight of those ears and scales. He recognizes those! The merfolk of his own world have something similar. But she hadn't had that earlier, had she? He thinks back to their encounter near the lake, and doesn't seem to remember anything of the sort.

But at least now the hat-related-flinch makes sense. He smile grows warmer, and after snatching up his mask from the counter he starts out toward her, an arm out to gently corral her. ]

Lovely as these roommates of mine are, I haven't quite pinned down their schedules for myself yet. If you'd like to be assured some privacy for these secrets of ours, we'd probably best take this to my room.

Really Vanadi, if I didn't know any better I'd say you're treating this like a date.

[ The alcohol is beginning to kick in, so she can't help the next bubble of laughter that follows her words. But she doesn't protest, leaving her drink behind and taking his cue to head back into the living room. ]

The mask though, not so much a kitrite thing, huh?

Well, it's not out of the question, I hope!

[ That giggle doesn't go unnoticed, and after a short pause he puts the mask under his arm and grabs her drink as well as he follows. ]

It's... ah, not, no. [ That's... kind of embarrassing. Aileen is now the only person to know that outside of his world. He adds, a little hastily: ] But it is still fashionable.

It's flattering but not something I'm looking for, dear.

[ She pauses near the couch and gestures vaguely down at her legs, looking back at him with a cocked eyebrow. ] You do realize I can't fault you for hiding a scar?

[ It'd been mostly a joke— he'd already pegged Aileen as someone to take a little more effort than that. He closes the door behind them, already feeling a little more relaxed for the privacy. ]

Ah, yes... I'd noticed that. [ He offers an apologetic smile. ] But of course, it's somewhat more than just a scar, under my mask.

[ She seats herself down at the end of the bed -- something that normally she'd ask first but, well, she's feeling pretty comfortable just now and not giving it much mind. ]

Oh come now, I don't see what's to hide. You fit right in with all the elves that have come in, at least your ears aren't webbed. [ And to punctuate that sentiment, she reaches up a hand and flicks her right ear from the base. ]

[ Of course, the elf-ears. He means more along the lines of how he's grown gaunt, how his hair has silvered and thinned from the original thick back... but he smiles, taking a seat next to her, and holds her drink out to her. ]

And a shame, at that! [ He reaches to trace a gloved finger lightly down the edge of that webbing. ] They're quite lovely.

[ If she wasn't already trying to keep track of all the elves and the apparently many differences between them, she might have assumed his appearance was the result of shock, she might still if she bothered to think on it more critically. However.... yeah with that drink back in her hand she goes right back to sipping it.

The touch causes her ear to twitch, and suddenly she's trying to hold back more giggles. ]

Stop, they're very ticklish! I'm surprised you aren't... asking the obvious question by now. It's not as if this is our first meeting.

[ He has to grin at the giggle, really. Adorable. But he does drop his hand, even if he doesn't move back again any. ]

That being, ah... "where is the fish tail"?

[ WHA- Well that gets him a surprised stare, which slowly mixes with suspicion. She frowns, ears drooping a little. ]

...Who told you?

[ It was Artemis, wasn't it? She bets it was Artemis. ]

No one.

[ His smile looks perfectly innocent. ]

We have a few mermaids in my world, is all. Ah, although… [ He reaches to pat her thigh fondly. ] None with legs quite like these. They’re very nice.

[ the suspicion melts back into surprise, so much so that she doesn't react to JUST where he's putting that hand of his. ]

Was it really that easy to figure out? Oh Blue Earth, I'm such a dreadful liar. [ She slaps a hand onto her face, already turning a little red in the cheeks. ]

And I assume the mermaids of your world don't come up on land much, do they?

[ Well, she'll have plenty of time to do it, because this leg has struck him as a lovely place to rest his hand permanently. ]

No, no! If you're looking to keep it a secret, you're doing it quite well! [ He turns more fully toward her, other hand lifting to brush those scales. You've entered the Touchy Feely Zone, Aileen. ] They don't come onto land at all, in fact, and it was only these little beauties coupled with your trick at the lake that allowed me to catch on.

It's something that would get me killed back home, is what it is.

[ It takes her a second but it does click where all this is headed. And at the realization that that hand on her cheek is the first that's been there in quite some time, she's quick to move her hand onto his, gently moving it away. ] Vanadi I think you're... getting the wrong impression. This isn't why I came to see you.

I know, I know, never you fear.

[ He doesn't resist having his hand moved, though he does twist it quickly, to capture her own hand in a light hold. He pulls it in to press a quick, dry kiss against her knuckles before releasing it again. ]

It's only wistful thinking, is all.

[ And maybe the beginnings of a campaign of attempted convincing, but that can take its time. ]

[ God but the buzz she has going makes it really hard to ignore how nice the warmth of that kiss feels, and she finally decides to look down at her thigh now. She bites her lip, and looks away. ]

Really, I know there are people far more interested than me. I don't know why you feel the need to do this.

[ And at last she moves that hand off her leg too. ]

[ He doesn't resist that, either, and only takes to leaning back on both hands instead. ]

Well, because you're beautiful, my dear. Really, quite stunning. And... [ Here the smile fades, shifting for something a little less silkily pleased. ] ...Because you're lonely, too.

[ She frowns, glances back at him, then lets her gaze drop to stare down into her drink. ] ....So that one is obvious too?

[ That followed by a soft, bitter laugh.

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that was supposed to be *black not back, but you... seem to have gotten that...

nah man vanadi totally has back hair

and that's his REAL secret

dslkfjag;

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