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

[wolfuncaged]

[There's a wry smile here, fleeting, to be certain, but it's there]

On trying something new?

[implying]

[ He nods, finally glancing up at Fenris, eyebrows cocked. ]

It could do you good.

[wolfuncaged]

And what, pray tell, would you suggest this 'new thing' I try might be?

[implying]

[ He puts a few seconds of serious thought into that, chewing slowly, before he brightens. ]

Crochet.

[wolfuncaged]

[Squinting]

Is that not something old women do?

[implying]

[ and he just smiles, so brightly. ]

You've the hair for it, no? I rather think you could pull it off.

[wolfuncaged]

My hair colour was not my choice. And you, also, have the hair for it, in that case.

[implying]

Well, then we'll make ourselves a club! Open to old women and attractive young men with prominent ears. It will be very exclusive.

[wolfuncaged]

I am not sure how well I would interact with others in a 'club'.

[implying]

Fine, fine! [ He shrugs carelessly. ] Then we'll cut out the old women and have the place entirely to ourselves, yes? I shouldn't mind that at all, considering the company I'd be left with.

[wolfuncaged]

[Oh you and your flirting. He dips his head, clearing his throat, a faint smile crossing his lips regardless]

Perhaps I would not mind the company, either.

[implying]

[ Aw, that smile. It softens his own as he glances away, back to his food. ]

Why, don't think I won't hold you to that. [ A beat, and he adds: ] Ah, but this was meant to be a conversation of freedoms, no? I suppose I'd best get to the point, there.

[wolfuncaged]

Yes, I am not one for...small talk, anyway. I struggle with it. Let us get to the matter at hand.

[implying]

Right. If I remember correctly, my precise words were --

[ He pauses for a second losing focus as he accesses the memory. Why rely on faulty organic memory when he has a much more accurate version available? ]

-- "Finding and enjoying what freedoms you may." [ He reanimates with a smile. ] So I suppose I'll begin with a question -- what would you like to be doing, if you had no obligations at all? Whether at home or here, it makes no difference.

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris arches a brow, a little envious of Vanadi's ability to remember so easily, when his own memories are lost to him in a thick fog inside his own mind]

I have considered this many a time, and I am yet to find an answer I am satisfied with. I have not had experience of freedom, until it was granted to me, and I admit I know little of what to do with it.

[implying]

[ His smile disappears quickly, and a fork with food half-raised moves back to his plate again. ]

If you don't mind, why is that? Were you, ah, imprisoned?

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris looks down at his food, as if it holds all his answers, sighing, he pushes some around with a fork]

I was a slave. That is where my markings came from, my master branded them into my skin.

[implying]

[ Oh. Well. Maybe they have even more in common than the amusing superficial similarities. And this is terrible dinner conversation, Vanadi knows, but then conversations like these really have no opportune time. He drops his eyes away as well, voice carefully calm. ]

For aesthetics? Or a purpose?

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris' mouth twitches to a scowl, just for a moment, before it's replaced with something a little more weary]

He wished for me to be a living weapon. This lyrium... it allows me to become something of a ghost.

[implying]

[ He only nods, like he'd been expecting the answer. Though—  ]

A ghost? [ That gets him up look up again, curious. ] How so?

[wolfuncaged]

[In answer, Fenris' markings glow an eerie white-blue, making the elf almost transparent]

I can pass through the battlefield, almost undetected. And I can put my hand through men's chests to rip out their hearts. [He sneers] A perfect weapon.

[implying]

[ Vanadi watches that closely, a smile uncharacteristically far from his face. ]

That's quite impressive. I suppose the Initiative is very lucky to have caught ahold of you.

[wolfuncaged]

[The lyrium fades, the absence of the glow darkening the room slightly]

I am still not wholly willing to fight for them yet.

[implying]

[ Now he smiles, but only faintly, and it's directed at his plate. ]

Nor am I. It puts entirely another slant on fighting when you've seen choice taken from the matter, no?

[wolfuncaged]

It does.

[He glances up, his head tilted slightly, watching Vandini]

You know of what I speak? Were you a slave, also?