"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!"
No, not... [ not right now. she's exhausted, she's angry, and she doesn't want to move from this spot yet. she doesn't deny it fully, though, as the way his ears swivel makes her stomach clench. ] That is, I mean... my heart is so full...
[ He smiles at her, sweet but with a bit of mischief in those blue eyes. He ducks his head to press a kiss along her jaw. ]
As is mine, my sky. I've promised a teammate that I would step into their palace to help recover their missing memories, but after that... [ Another kiss, this one lingers. ] You may do with me what you wish.
[ Clover, meanwhile, has decided to excuse herself if you all are just gonna sit here and be gross. She flits off and poofs back into Arthur's soul crystal. ]
[ unfortunately, Clover poofing away does send Sprezzatura's pulse on an upward spike—just for a moment, that old worry she gets when holding small creatures combined with the very real memory of trying to crush her skull in her palm. it both is and is not her own, but the fact remains: she does jump slightly, only to relax again into the warmth of Arthur's kiss. ]
[ Clover has the good sense to fly away before poofing, so hopefully it isn't as jarring as it could be. Still, Arthur gives Sprezzatura an apologetic look. He nuzzles against the side of her face with his own, soothing and warm. ]
I will. I'll have Clover and Ori with me, as well.
[ little does she know she's gonna end up getting speared through the back in a palace this very same ic day, so her largest concern now is Arthur dying. ]
She uses me like puppet, makes me feel everything—my horn, broken. My hand... [ nearly ripped from her wrist, she can't stop seeing it in her mind's eye ] I am being apologizing all day, I wish—
[ stops herself, for a moment seething again. no. no. no, she doesn't wish that. ]
[ He winces a little. Clearly things got so much worse after he first encountered her. He should have gone back for her. He... gods, that does no one any good now, does it? He was hardly in any condition to go another round with her oni. ]
[ if she has her way, he will never know how bad it got. how many people she hunted, how many people just left her, and how many fought back with the real intent to kill if they had to.
that's what she keeps saying she wanted, but the reality of it is not so cut and dry. she's always going to remember the crunch of her arm as Ruggie bit it in two. she's always going to remember Lotor's face twisted up in an intensity of spite she never before ascribed to him. she's always going to remember Alec Brennan's fucking arm around her throat. ]
I wish she never looked at anyone but me. I am sick of swallowing my words to let everyone else say what they think.
[ Would that she were that fortunate. Arthur's own possession has been almost a non-issue since he got here, but he realizes he's one of the lucky ones. ]
My sky... have you not the coins for an exorcism? Mayhap it would be better to be rid of her completely.
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As is mine, my sky. I've promised a teammate that I would step into their palace to help recover their missing memories, but after that... [ Another kiss, this one lingers. ] You may do with me what you wish.
[ Clover, meanwhile, has decided to excuse herself if you all are just gonna sit here and be gross. She flits off and poofs back into Arthur's soul crystal. ]
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Mister Ingo. He mentioned. Be careful, won't you?
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I will. I'll have Clover and Ori with me, as well.
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[ little does she know she's gonna end up getting speared through the back in a palace this very same ic day, so her largest concern now is Arthur dying. ]
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[ Sprezzatura honey please love yourself... ]
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I attacked her also. Please look after her.
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... You did no such thing. 'Twas the work of your possession. I know that, and Ori knows that, too.
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[ He curls his arms around her to pull her close. ]
That is her doing, too.
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[ stops herself, for a moment seething again. no. no. no, she doesn't wish that. ]
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You wish-?
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that's what she keeps saying she wanted, but the reality of it is not so cut and dry. she's always going to remember the crunch of her arm as Ruggie bit it in two. she's always going to remember Lotor's face twisted up in an intensity of spite she never before ascribed to him. she's always going to remember Alec Brennan's fucking arm around her throat. ]
I wish she never looked at anyone but me. I am sick of swallowing my words to let everyone else say what they think.
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My sky... have you not the coins for an exorcism? Mayhap it would be better to be rid of her completely.
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Arthur, do you think Basilisk wins enough tokens for that?
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[ As if it weren't obvious, he's ready to donate to the cause. ]
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[ He's got the coins, girl. Let him do it! ]
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[ she takes his face in her hands, smoothing and coddling, to make him look at her.
or.... to make herself look at him. ]
Do you understand it? If I let her go, then she is out there again. Perhaps something worse will fill me. I can control her. I will.
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And ultimately, he may not like her reasoning, he does understand it. ]
Very well, my sky. But know the offer is open if you should change your mind.
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I have hated this day. We do not speak of her any more. Let her rot in back of my mind.
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Speak of who? [ A gentle tease. He leans in to kiss her again, brief but sweet. ] Then what might make this day better for you? I am yours to command.
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Shoulder massage.
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As my lady wishes. Turn around for me.
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