reverie ✶ inbox

[inklongdry]

INBOX

"Arthur Inkwell here.
I've no earthly idea how this thing is supposed to work, but leave me a message if you're so inclined. I'll retrieve it at some point or another!"

voice • text • action

↳ OVERFLOW | REGISTRY

Comments

[velluminous]

[ her tail down Reim's throat. Miles' broken ribs. Wilbur, lighting the dynamite fuse. ]

Without question.

[inklongdry]

[ His ears tick back a little. Out of distress, perhaps, or concern. ]

I understand. If that's what you wish, then I shall try to keep my distance from her.

[velluminous]

[ tiredly, ] She would torture anyone I care for, given chance.

[inklongdry]

[ Oh, now is not the time to come back and ask "does this mean you care about me?" and he knows that, but of course his ears give him away, lifting slightly.

Not now, ears. ]

Because she knows it hurts you?

[velluminous]

[ Arthur. ]

Yes. But it also hurts you. She will want to hurt you, because it hurts you.

[inklongdry]

[ LOOK he understands the priorities of the conversation, but he also has a crush. Let him have that one moment. ]

Cruelty for cruelty's sake, is it?

[velluminous]

She relishes it. It brings her pleasure. Her entire existence is for this purpose; there are no other reasons oni exist.

[inklongdry]

I see. For whatever pittance it might be worth, I'm sorry that you have to deal with something so... volatile as your possession. No wonder sleep eludes you.

[velluminous]

[ ... gently, ] My mistress sleep has eluded me for much longer than this. I will be fine, Mister Inkwell.

[inklongdry]

Forgive me if I spare some worry for your well-being, regardless.

... And please, call me Arthur.

[velluminous]

[ she regards him for a moment, thinking ] Arthur. You were making tea.

[inklongdry]

So I was.

[ With a small smile, he gets back up to retrieve the tea from the cabinet. In short order, he has the kettle going and a pair of mugs out for them both.

He turns to lean back against the counter while they wait. ]

You know... I should very much like to hear about your studies one of these days.

[velluminous]

[ she's running her thumbnail along a fine crack in the glaze of her mug ]

I suppose we could talk. [ with a semi-private smile ] Though there has not been much study of late, even before here.

[inklongdry]

Even before here?

[ The kettle whistles. He removes it from the stove and brings it to the table, pouring a cup for each of them. ]

Did something happen?

[velluminous]

... I was expelled. Discredited.

[inklongdry]

What for?

[ For whatever it might be worth, he doesn't sound like he's ready to judge her. ]

[velluminous]

Plagiarism, causing immeasurable loss of knowledge, academic dishonesty, harbouring ill intent. It is all there in registry.

[inklongdry]

Is it? I don't tend to put much stock in that godsawful thing. Among my own crimes are "copious amounts of sass" and "not being a morning person".

[velluminous]

Hm. I can see this.

[inklongdry]

[ He fixes her with a flat look, his ears flattening to add to the effect. ]

You wound me, madam.

[ Said like a man who absolutely knows he's full of sass. ]

[velluminous]

[ they're so expressive... like her tail. sips her tea unflinchingly. ]

Mmhm.

[inklongdry]

[ He makes a face at her, wrinkling his nose. ]

Well, perhaps those are personal flaws of mine, but I wouldn't consider them crimes. So I must ask, are the accusations leveled against you by the Warden true?

[velluminous]

[ that truly is so cute, she thinks, but her face doesn't show it, because she's straightening up, crossing one knee over her thigh. ]

What do you think, Arthur?

[inklongdry]

[ He quirks a brow at her, one ear lifting with it. ]

I think I would like to hear your side of the story, first.

[velluminous]

[ her nose scrunches, but not in a cute way, and she recites, with the air of giving lines in a play, ] I have argument with headmistress over integrity of my work. Severe accusations, pending expulsion. Then Teaferth burns and everything is lost. Headmistress suffers, nearly does not make it through fire. I am expelled and discredited.