omnicrafter | Duplicity IC Inbox

[ Shrugging, he slides into the seat across from her. ]

I feel the same as always.

[ Always a little bit tired - both physically and mentally, at the thought of this place - and resigned to a lifetime spent in this place. But it could be worse and he's thankful. ]

Guess it is nice not to have to live in that dump in the Down though. You doin' alright though?

[ She seemed well enough, but he knows looks can be deceiving. ]

Yeah... mostly.

[Her smile is a little ashamed, like she's more convinced she shouldn't be doing as well as she is.]

I've had a contract for a while now, and that's working out all right. It's just... a handful of other things. Things I don't really get to talk to people about, because they're very complicated and involved, and most of them are my fault anyway.

[She finishes writing a sentence in quickly scrawled writing, and then closes the notebook, setting the pen down atop it. Her gaze then falls to the depths of her drink.]

You know. Silly things. My life's fine, honestly, and I shouldn't drag myself this much.

[ He's quiet as she speaks, hands resting carefully in his lap as he watches her with careful eyes. ]

Don't think there's anything silly about them.

[ Maybe it's hypocritical of him to say when he doesn't even know what her worries might be, but she doesn't strike him as the type to worry about fickle things like not being able to afford a shirt or misplacing her favorite much. Not after how thoughtful she'd been before.

But, just in case she's still feeling embarrassed, he lifts his hands up and holds them up palms facing her. ]

I promise not to judge you.

[There's a moment where she starts to wilt a bit before catching herself, clearing her throat and taking another sip of her drink.]

Well... I guess it is partially the quota I'm having trouble with. I can't seem to make anything stick -- either I manage to convince someone once and then never again, or I try too hard or say something dumb and end up getting nothing at all. I'm always telling people to choose someone they like, it's just... being able to choose for themselves also means the possibility most of them won't choose me.

Fact of life, I know, but it's a little harder when you're trying to skirt a bad consequence and not break your damn relationships at the same time.

[She rests one cheek in her palm, stabbing idly at the ice in her coffee with the straw.]

Never mind the fact I did something abysmally stupid the very bloody day I got here, and shot all my chances with the people I actually do love right to hell. So I don't get to have the people I want, and I can barely make ends meet with the next best thing, which is "people that can humor me and tolerate me long enough to spend a bell locked in a room with me".

[The stabbing stops. Her posture straightens.]

For what it's worth, though, don't take this to mean I'm trying to guilt you into it. It's just helpful to get a sympathetic pat on the shoulder sometimes, I suppose.

[ He can't sympathize with all of it - he's only ever passively accepted whatever's come his way, rather than actively seeking to fill his quota - but the part about making mistakes resonates with him.

Maybe he doesn't know what she did but it doesn't change the fact that she's suffering for it, more than she probably needs to. ]

Guess it's not something you can fix just by saying sorry, huh.

[ Would that everything could be solved so easily. He drums his fingers once in his lap, unsure of what to say. Just because he'd offered to talk and listen doesn't mean he's any good at offering advice. ]

There's really no way you can fix what you did?

If it were, I'm sure I wouldn't be having this problem... alas.

[Her ears wilt, though she's still smiling thinly.]

Without that option, it's not easy finding people to trust. Someone could seem very appealing on the surface and still turn out to be a terrible partner, after all. I guess it doesn't help that in spite of lashing out like an aggrieved idiot, I'm still kinda-sorta in love with him, I guess...

[Attempting to soften the description of what it actually is. There are lots of people she loves, and plenty more she would happily go at it with, but only a few she can refer to as being in love with. Or maybe it's just infatuation with someone who doesn't really exist...]

I've been trying, but I'm beginning to wonder if I should just cut my losses and just keep an eye out for him from a distance instead. There's no point putting all that effort into earning forgiveness if there's no one watching, so I'd just... start from zero again.

[Vash had told her a time and place to meet him. He even tried to dress up a little bit.

Okay, so he was in his red jacket still and his hair still looks like a broom, but he put on his best gloves! He didn't have a lot of clothing options as a submissive who has recently lost his dominate.

He'll smile brightly when Irhya arrives at the agreed upon time and location.] Hey there! You look great!

Ah... thanks.

[It sounded like an informal sort of thing, so she just went with her indigo blazer and black skirt, hoping she wasn't going to be embarrassed if he ended up doing something particular. But it seems she was nervous for nothing, so she perks up, grinning.]

So, you must have a favorite place, right? I'm not usually one to indulge in pastries to such excess, but... I guess I can be bad about it, just for today.

Yeah! This place has the best donuts! Not to mention some really creative flavors! They have one that taste like bacon! [With a goofy grin he holds his elbow out for her to take.] Shall I escort 'my lady' in?

...Fascinating.

[She has to roll her eyes for a moment, but accepts his arm anyway. He's really trying hard, that's for sure.]

But it's still more of a dessert sort of thing, isn't it? I'm not so sure about making a meal out of it...

I would argue that donuts could be a meal! Besides, er, this is all I can really afford right now. I could do dinner or dessert, but I couldn't do both so that's why donuts are perfect! The best of both!

You could've told me... I could've covered the other half.

[She unlinks from him and crosses her arms, though the smell of pastry sweets makes certain she can't stay annoyed for long.]

Do you have anything in mind for what you want to get? I'll probably just do something small...

I could have, but then we wouldn't have this great food and desert at the same time plan I came up with! I thought it was really clever! [He knows it's not, but it was goofy and he likes being goofy.] I'm planning to get as many donuts as I can afford! [He says as he licks at his lips.] Let's go in and take a look.

[He'll walk just a little bit ahead in order to hold the door open for her.]

You lay it on real thick, don't you?

[Whether it's a complaint or not, Irhya can't bring herself to be mean about it, so she accepts the gesture once more.]

If that's the case, I guess between the two of us, we'll have enough for an even split? [She's kidding; she shoots him a sly look.] I hope you're not going to be too occupied with those later...

Why do you think I wanted dinner and desert at the same time? It's so we can skip to desert faster.

[She hums dubiously, though there's a smirk on her face all the same.]

Next you're going to suggest we juggle both at the same time. Now go be a dear and pick out something I might like. I'm not as into sweets as some people I know, so I'll leave it to you to decide.

[That sounds like a challenge, Vash.]

Alright then! I'll be sure to pick out something good! Go find a seat and I'll be back soon. [Vash will order a couple different ones. A classic honey flavour, a apple cinnamon one, a chocolate with chocolate glaze donut, a plain donut with white frosting and rainbow sprinkles, and one cream filled donut. Two of each.

He comes back with a plateful.] I'm sure you'll like one of these!

[She looks pleased at the diversity. At least it's a modest amount... hopefully he doesn't plan to go back for seconds.]

Hmm... they smell good, too.

[Preferring her sweets more on the mild side, she plucks one of the chocolate donuts and bites, hoping it's not overwhelming.

By the look on her face afterward, it passes inspection.]

Oh, that is pretty good. I'll admit I have a slight weakness for chocolate, but I try not to let it go too far... You seem like the type who's not picky, though. It's a wonder you look as good as you do.

[That is probably as much of a means of flirting as it is a jab at his sweet tooth, judging by how she can't control the smirk that forms soon after.]

[Vash goes ahead and gets started on one of the ones filled with cream. It tries to dribble out the sides, but he eats with the expert grace of someone who eats this messy food often.] It's because I work hard! Lots of running, and push ups, and some napping every day!

[He grins. Wiping a bit of cream off of his face.] When it comes to donuts I'm not too picky, but the classic plain honey one will always be my favorite. You just can't beat a classic!

That's good; it's better to stay sharp in a place like this. I sort of miss fighting the way I used to, loath as I am to say it... finding a sparring partner here is a pain in the arse, though. Training is only so effective when you're doing it alone.

[She makes a light gesture towards the plate.]

Hey, you can have both the honey ones if you let me have both the chocolate ones.

Deal! [Vash shouts before shoving both of the honey ones into his mouth one after the other. You know; like a gentleman would do.]

It has come to my attention that others have seen into my dreams.

If you were one of them, please accept my apologies.

What?

Oh.

[It took her a second to recognize the username.

...Oh, G'raha...]

Why apologize? If anything, I should be the one apologizing. I made a liar of myself, didn't I?

[So she had truly been there, as another had been, seeing him in such a state and fighting back the shadows in the one way it seemed the nightmare would allow... there is a reason he chose to have this be text, so she would not hear his anxious whine as he curls himself up into a pathetic ball.]

You did as you had to, to dissipate shadows of my own making. It was my own nightmares that put you in such a position.

You warned me such things might happen.

Edited 2019-09-05 06:27 (UTC)

Am I to believe you're responsible for something so deeply-seated and out of your conscious control? Because I'm not buying it.

Besides, I had my fun with it. That makes me just as guilty, if we're going to go assigning blame.

Duplicity IC Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Action

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

text | un: desch

no subject

no subject

no subject