07 | audio

[implying]

Do you know, I've been here for a year now. Oh, how the time flies, or whatever other cliches you might like! But then with all of this time flying, I'll get straight to business and stop wasting it.

I'd like to suggest a celebration. I personally will be celebrating a year here, but I'm certain we can find a good handful of other causes, if you're in need of one to allow yourself a little food, drink, and dancing!

Ah, let's see… we might celebrate that the Initiative has finally come to its senses and realized the value of a therapeutic trip to the beach. Yes? Lovely, that one. I'm sorry to any of our new arrivals who've missed it! Or if you're not a fan, for some reason, of sun, water, and half-naked people, then maybe we might celebrate a favorite holiday from home. Calendars between here and our collective homes hardly match up, so it shouldn't be any trouble at all if it isn't the right time of year for it. Or if you're of a grimmer persuasion, perhaps we might simply celebrate the fact that, despite the United Earth's occasional brutal efforts, most of us are still alive.

So then. What do you think? Shall it have a theme? I've already done a masquerade in Versailles, it would be unsightly to do a repeat performance. I don't suppose there are any suggestions? Food requests may be delivered to Adrasteius, who I'm quite certain won't mind at all managing the banquet again. He's very agreeable like that.

Comments

[implying]

Well, that's because you're a bit unreasonable.

[ He gives Adra's head one more fond pat, and then hops lightly over the back of the couch to sit himself down properly next to him. ]

You can't simply expect friends to sit by and do nothing. It's cruel.

[bloodspeaker]

[He shakes his head after the pat, like a disgruntled dog. His ears remain low.]

It's my life. I decide what's to be done with it.

[implying]

And might not the same be said of Artemis? If he was as insistent as you claim, it seems rather clear to me what he wanted to do with his life, at the time.

[bloodspeaker]

One person's rights end where another person's rights begin.

[implying]

[ That earns a quick, surly glance over. ]

Adrasteius, do you suppose your fiance-to-be would have been happy to see you looking so wilted and tired?

[bloodspeaker]

[Bitterly, glowering at his lap.]

Well, as I have to come realize and accept, she isn't here, which renders all of her opinions moot.

[implying]

Ah, well, you ought to have said so sooner!

[ He leans closer, dropping an arm familiarly around his shoulders. ]

Might I expect you to return my affections any time soon, or are you going to play coy?

[bloodspeaker]

[Adra curls his lip, though he doesn't shrug Vanadi off.]

Physical attraction is base and fleeting. I need more than that to return an affection.

[implying]

[ Well. That's not the response he was expecting. He frowns and takes his arm back, but stays close. ]

Ah. That rather wasn't my intended point.

[bloodspeaker]

No? Then what were you going for?

[implying]

If you care for someone, and they care for you and would be upset by any harmful decisions — it doesn't matter where they are. It's a disrespectful choice.

[ He kinda wants to bite his tongue after saying it — this is usually exactly the opposite of his argument for why people should sleep with him when their significant others are gone — but it seems worth it.

He shrugs. ] But if you don't truly care for her, then do feel free to disregard that.

[bloodspeaker]

[FURY. The fel-fire of Adra's eyes blazes with sudden rage at Vanadi's remark. He hisses, leaning forward, and the air around his body practically trembles with heat.]

How fucking dare you. You have no idea what I've been through for her, what I've done --

[No. No. Best back away from that. He takes a deep breath, gulps it down, trying to force himself to relax.]

Avali understands my principles. She understands what it means to commit to an ideal, rather than just pay it lip service.

[He spits.]

Do you?

[implying]

[ His ears flatten, though he doesn't move in the slightest. He's spent enough time in his current, durable body to have deadened the instinct to flinch away from threats. ]

Apparently not. But that's good of her! She understands and is entirely at peace with your refusing desperately needed help from someone willing to give it? She'd prefer to watch you suffer and wither? You really must be meant for each other.

[bloodspeaker]

[ICE BURN, VANADI! Of course Avali never would have allowed such a thing. As it was, she constantly worried over his health, and constantly harangued him to take better care of himself. He deflates, shrinking back against the couch cushions, but his scowl doesn't fade.]

Admittedly, she did not understand everything.

[implying]

[ He casts over a quick, smug smirk, but it quickly dissolves into sympathy. ]

Few do. [ He pats Adra's knee, and rests his hand there afterward. ] I did come here to assure myself that you were back to full health, however. Not for... ah, this.

[bloodspeaker]

[STILL GLARING. HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR SASS.]

I am fine. [He mutters.] If only for the moment.

[implying]

[ IMMUNE. he's drifting back into sappy smile again. ]

Good, then we'll take it moment by moment.