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[princess_of_ida]

Three for the gleam of a jewel or a smile.



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[princess_of_ida]

[Enough time had passed that Ianthe wasn't going to be a total bitch about this. Really, how often did she actually get the apologies she thought she should? Still, she was a bit salty.]

Do you now? And here I thought you believed yourself entitled to my knowledge, like I give a single shit about saving your tragic little country.

Do not try to play my blackened heart in such a desperate fashion again. It will not beat any faster for that.

[sunmon]

I wasn't trying to manipulate you. I sounded desperate because I am.
But you're right. You don't owe me anything.

[princess_of_ida]

Glad that's understood. Luckily, I like the way desperation smells on you. So let's dispense with pretense, as I'm starting to think the altruism is more performative than motivative.

We both want something from the other. Because of that, I'll continue working with you.

[Then there was a brief pause, long enough for Alina to think that Ianthe was waiting for a response, before there was a semi-rushed followup.]

It's just occurred to me that I have propositioned you and that you might think I'm talking about sex here. I'm not - that's just a potential perk, like icing on the cake - so don't take that wrong.

[sunmon]

I actually think I liked the pretense more than I like you saying you're only helping me because you find my desperation attractive.

[ she has her pride, pls ]

[princess_of_ida]

That's not what I said. You're projecting, Sunshine.

[sunmon]

Then what is it you want from me?

[princess_of_ida]

Mental stimulation. You're fascinating.


[Aaaaaand a potential energy source to use when it was time to break through the Void and gtfo, but that didn't need to ever come to light.]

[sunmon]

You're right, that's much more flattering.

[princess_of_ida]

Mentally stimulating is a hell of a compliment coming from me. Would you rather I find you dull and boring, someone that doesn't engage my intellect, like so many people that simply don't matter? Unfortunately, you're just going to have to accept that you fit my three main Fs: fascinating, frustrating, and fun.

Though, I guess you really don't have to accept it. But you do have my attention, for better or worse.

[sunmon]

From you, that sounds like a threat.

[ which is easier to say than admit that she likes the idea of ianthe's attention. that, given the options, she would never want to pick being boring and ordinary and unremarkable. ]

[princess_of_ida]

I can't deny that it might be, but not every threat is malicious. You wanna come dance with the devil and play with fire?

[sunmon]

I want you to tell me what you wanted me to see.
In your eyes.

[princess_of_ida]

[There was a very, very, very, very long heavy pause.]

Indelible sin. The evidence of what I have done to become what I am is right there in these eyes.

[sunmon]

I get the sense you're not being metaphorical.

[princess_of_ida]

Interpret as you wish; I'm not going to clarify.

[sunmon]

I thought you wanted me to understand.

[princess_of_ida]

In time. Few care to bear their souls right away, Alina. Are you ready to put your deepest, darkest secret on the table for me to pick over?

You were pushing for something that has to be earned, of a sensitive nature, that I am loathe to talk about in detail. Instead of giving in to my impulses to make you regret asking, I decided to see if you could see the truth within.

When, in that moment, you couldn't see the cost of what you were asking, I decided to walk away before I harmed you.

[sunmon]

[ the reminder of ianthe's dangerous nature makes her shiver. she knows that playing with fire is more than metaphor here. that ianthe is a creature who knows gore and pain better than anything else, and that dealing with her is likely to steep alina in the same.

but ianthe is also the most eminently qualified of all the people alina has met to not only help her, but understand her. she won't flinch away from that. ]

You were asking to be understood. I'm sorry to have disappointed you.

[princess_of_ida]

I may have been asking for too much. That's not a slight against you but one against me. I don't even understand myself some days.

Anyway, we cannot truly excel without failing first and trust takes time. Add on whatever other cliches you want, Sunshine. Apology accepted.

[sunmon]

You're incredibly strange.

[princess_of_ida]

You're just now realizing this?

[sunmon]

I'm noticing a new way.

[princess_of_ida]

This is going to be good.

[sunmon]

You think very highly of yourself, but you're also very aware of and willing to admit your faults.
I can't help but wonder how a person can know themselves well enough to know they don't know themselves well at all.

[princess_of_ida]

Oh. Easy.
I have a twin sister.