clubhouse to barn

[despair_to_live]

WHO: The weeds...?
WHERE: The new Weeds Barn!
WHEN: 105 evening/night

[The Queen is sitting at the poker table, talking to (or more accurately: 'at') anyone nearby.]

...So, you see, my death at the ritual today was just as planned! It was all strategy! I called that demon out with a bet. A bet that no matter what happened, when everything looked pointless, the sheep would absolutely, one hundred percent, no hesitation, decide to throw us, the so-called 'evil' team, under the bus to save their own skin. And they took it! They wagered the sheep would be selfless to the end. Ha! That's the suckers' bet. Never bet on hope. Despair is going to win, every time!

[She finishes shuffling cards.]

So, that's how I won a bet, that's why we have this new barn, and I've got a sore throat.

[she grins]

How was your day?


[feel free to do your own thing and just ignore the Queen, of course.]

Comments

[stirtheblood]

...I dunno. That's the part that ain't exactly up to me... Seems like it could be hard.

[hotnbothered]

[ A few seconds of thoughtful silence. ]

Would you even want to go home? If you had the option.

[stirtheblood]

[also thinks about that for a moment]

...It ain't about wantin' to "go home." I never had any place like that.

But there's a lotta stuff goin' on. I know I guy who wants to try and help people and fix things... and I wanna help him out and see what happens.

Really doubt it's gonna work. But it's even less likely to if I'm not there.

[hotnbothered]

That boy in your memories, right? I do remember that.

... Then I suppose that might make keeping up with practice... difficult.

[stirtheblood]

...Mm.

[very deliberately neutrally,]

Weren't you gonna back and marry some guy and be Empress yerself?

[hotnbothered]

... I've talked a big game, but the chances of that happening aren't actually very likely, you know.

But, well, I can't just disappear on Kou Reirin without a word, either...

[stirtheblood]

...For a minute, don't worry about what the chances are, or what you can or can't do. What do you want to do?

[hotnbothered]

[ Chews on her lip for a few moments, then blurts out: ]

Of course I want to be able to see you both!

[stirtheblood]

[that is what he expected, but it's still surprising to hear, and his eyes widen just a little before he smiles]

...I wanna see you too. So let's make it happen.

[hotnbothered]

... You say it like it's so simple, but I have no idea how to do that.

[stirtheblood]

Me either. But people always have no idea until they have the idea.

[hotnbothered]

That sounds like a lot of hot air!

[ But her lips tug into the tiniest of smiles despite herself. ]

[stirtheblood]

Well, we're definitely not gonna make it happen if we don't even try. If we do, we can at least see, right?

[hotnbothered]

[ Quiet for a moment as she considers. ]

Well... It wouldn't be possible to come visit me, but maybe if there was a way to come and go from the pasture...

[stirtheblood]

Heh. Go back to yer own stuff, but come back here for a weekend of debauchery now and then?

[hotnbothered]

Don't put it like that! A-At least call it intimacy!

[stirtheblood]

Anyone you know'd prob'ly think it was debauchery, right?

[hotnbothered]

Well, obviously... but I'm not talking to them, am I?

[stirtheblood]

No one's gonna wonder where you're goin'?

[hotnbothered]

[ Huffs. ]

I can spend my days off how I like. Most of my staff hardly pays attention to me in the first place.

[stirtheblood]

Well, if you're fine with that.

[hotnbothered]

... What, are you dissatisfied with that answer?

[stirtheblood]

[now he's quiet for a while. introspection takes so much effort]

...Not dissatisfied, no. 'Cause it ain't about bein' "satisfied." Even the idea that you'd want to be with me enough to make an effort is excitin'... And I'd be happy seein' you.

But you're ambitious. And more than just wantin' to see ya, I wanna see ya succeed. Maybe not marryin' the Emperor. But whatever you wanna do. And you've talked plenty about how you'd get banished from society for thinkin' lewd thoughts or whatever. Slippin' in some days off for some "intimate" moments with a notorious criminal don't seem like it's gonna help you out much.

[hotnbothered]

[ She goes quiet for a bit herself. But when she does speak up, her voice is sharp. ]

... So what? I've never behaved anything like a proper lady should, anyway. I practice magic that could get me executed if I were found out by the wrong person, for mercy's sake! Why should I stop being a shameless villainess just this one time?! And if I have to give up everything I actually want to get it, I wouldn't even call that success!

[ Jabs a finger at him. ]

And maybe it should be about being satisfied! For someone who talks a big game about how you only do what you want to do, you're terrible at being greedy! If I said, "Oh, you're right, I really shouldn't risk it! I'd rather never see your face again," would you just be fine with that?!

[stirtheblood]

Hah. 'Course I wouldn't be fine with it. But if you don't wanna see my face I ain't gonna change that by yellin' about it, I know that one pretty well.

How 'bout you? What if I said you shouldn't be spendin' your life somewhere that's gonna execute or exile you for doin' what you want? Where your way to get power is stealin' someone else's life and then marryin' some guy? What if I said I'm kidnappin' you to somewhere else?