[When the trial ends and Bertholt is taken into custody, Alisaie waits.
When the doors are finally unlocked and everybody starts to filter out, she waits.
And then, when she sees Reze making her way toward the door, she finally stops waiting.]
Reze.
[In contrast to earlier, her words are calm, measured. This isn't Alisaie caught up in the moment; this is Alisaie being intentional about what she's doing.]
Might we talk? [Yeah okay this part is difficult to say, but she pushes through it, words spilling out of her quickly:] I wanted to apologize for earlier.
Honestly? Reze is in the cusp of being there and not -- she realizes that she has to clear the air, and yet the realization that she's feeling... things... is only beginning to sink in now. They're raw and genuine, and she can't even mask it when she peers up to meet Alisaie's gaze. ]
Sure. [ She answers, slow and languid. ]
... I accept your apology. But I should apologize, too, for not having explained myself -- it's just a... pretty weird topic, I guess.
[ She chuckles lightly. ] You know -- you're funny. The way you talk makes me feel like I'm being read a poem, your voice is really nice.
[ Now, compliments aside. ]
I guess I won't mind, if you're willing to make a little truce? You'll be the only girl I tell this, so if there's another strip search in the future I'd like for you to look me over... just to make sure history doesn't repeat itself.
Does it? [She's visibly startled for a moment; this??? Is just normal???? But gods, how does one respond to that?] Well. It is normal enough for my home, though I admit that many of the others seem to speak quite differently to me.
[But--]
That is a truce I'm more than willing to make. Whatever the truth is, it will remain between the two of us.
[guess who for some reason didn't realize the pin was on the outside of the choker for some reason IT'S MEEEEEEEEEEEEE WELP]
[Alisaie's hands fly to her mouth in horror, her eyes going wide.]
A bomb? Twelve forfend...
[NO WONDER SHE PANICKED SO BADLY EARLIER
For a moment she's silent, all the ramifications of what had happened running through her mind. She'd thought to reveal what was beneath the choker, but...]
Why did you stop me earlier? Was there aught I might have touched that would set it off?
Edited (word choice i'm so sorry sldkjfjkds) 2021-10-10 05:03 (UTC)
[Her eyes are still wide with shock, but her hands come down from her mouth as Alisaie shakes her head.]
Strange, perhaps, but I would have understood that it was why you couldn't take it off. I cannot say that I wouldn't have questioned it, however. I've seen many strange things in my lifetime, but never a bomb attached to a person's body.
[How awful. Alisaie doesn't know why someone would ever do such a thing to another person... well. No. She can imagine the sort of person that might do such a thing. A monster.
After a moment more, she looks back to Reze.]
I can only apologize again for my actions. I'm glad you and the others stopped me; if I'd caused it to go off I don't think I'd ever have been able to forgive myself. [Assuming she wouldn't have died too in the ensuing explosion; she doesn't know.]
I'm sorry about Nine. You may not believe me, but I didn't want to think it was you.
It's fine, it's fine~ [ Her tone is like a song; lax and languid, each word ending with a drawl. Her lips remain poised in a smile, waving a hand. ]
Like I said... let's just move on, huh? If you apologize like this to me for too long I might feel bad.
[ As for the mention of Nine... ]
I mean, I guess I was a pretty easy suspect -- I checked his body, after Yelena had, and was just glad the hickey I left on him didn't get mentioned! That would've been embarrassing.
[She's happy to leave the topic behind, if Reze is.
And in spite of everything that's gone on here today, Alisaie laughs.]
I doubt many of us would have been surprised to hear it. Are they truly so embarrassing? [Says the girl who wears outfits that cover up most of her neck.]
If anything, it's admirable that you've been able to adapt so quickly to our situation. We'll need to work together if we're to figure all of this out, and that means trusting one another.
You've simply gotten a head start on the rest of us.
I would argue that having someone's tongue down your throat requires a certain amount of trust. I can't imagine anyone would have allowed Qi Rong to do such a thing.
[You're welcome for that mental image.]
We choose who we let close to us. Typically they're the people we want to know better.
[There's a grin on her face as Reze asks it--you know exactly why. But her words are light, airy as she brushes the question off:] No real reason. I simply thought he would make my point the clearest.
[As for her other question...]
Can it not be both? My primary intent was to apologize, but I won't say I'd be opposed to knowing you better.
That, however, is your choice. I don't mean to force my presence if you'd rather take the time for yourself.
She wasn't expecting the sudden contact honestly and it's readily apparent on her face, eyes gone wide and mouth slightly open. But a moment later she regains herself, her surprise softening into a smile as she curls her fingers around Reze's, stepping a little bit closer.]
We truly are outnumbered by the men, aren't we? But I suspect that together we girls will be more than a match for them.
You're very kind, Reze. I can understand why so many here care about you.
[IT HAS BEEN WHY DON'T THEY HANG MORE (probably because Alisaie's so close with Spike and Reze is so close with the orvs honestly) but honestly, spending time with Reze is a nice change of pace. Something more akin to normalcy.
(Also because I think it's cute and am sharing it everywhere, Alisaie's got a new piercing this week.)]
That does look good. Are you certain?
[Reze finding the way to her heart... sweets. She'll accept the forkful, eyebrows jumping at the taste.]
I'll never doubt you again. At least, not when it comes to desserts. I'm still not certain about this boba you mentioned.
[Does Reze want a forkful in return or is she a strong independent cute girl with no need for such things, because Alisaie will definitely return the favor if she seems open to it! just gals bein pals]
[That brings a hint of an impish grin to her face.]
You'll have to be quick, or I may beat you to it. [Making a little stabbing motion toward it with her fork--it's too tasty to just let sit there! But after a moment she'll laugh and set the fork down, picking up her drink instead and poking at the boba with her straw.]
I'm just not certain about solid food steeping in my tea is all. If it were that good, surely someone would have invented it in mine own world too, yes?
[Poke, poke. She'll try it in a moment.]
You seem more at ease here. Is this world more similar to your own than the others?
Oh, but you haven't even tried the one with pudding in it.
[ The shutter goes off and Reze gets a nice picture of both Alisaie and the food. ]
I little. I think it's ahead of my time but a couple of years, but pretty much the same -- but it makes me excited to see how my home will look in a couple years!
[She isn't expecting to be in the picture, but Alisaie's had the opportunity to figure out how cameras work between everything that's gone on--so she realizes at the last moment that Reze has her framed in the shot as well. Alisaie, in the photo, is probably trying to reach out to block her face from the camera while trying not to laugh because she just took a sip of her tea! It might be cute? The honey toast and the boba are there looking tasty though!]
Pudding? How would you even drink that...?
And if you're going to take a photo of me, you ought to let me do the same. [She's leaning down to rummage in her own bag for a camera!] Mayhap we should take one of the two of us together? Suriel suggested that the photos we take may be a fun memory when all of this is over.
Drink it like everything else. But don't swallow it whole.
[ She waits for the photo to be dispensed, smiling brightly. Instant film might be expensive and half of Alisaie's face is blocked, but she's still going to keep it. ]
Yeah, of course! [ She rushes over to sit beside her, holding onto one of Alisaie's arms. ]
[Alisaie doesn't shy away from the contact at all; she scoots them closer together and holds up the camera to get some distance. Thankfully this is one of those cameras that has the selfie button on the front of it, so it makes it a little easier to align and take a picture of the two of them!]
Hold on. I'll take a second one, so that we may each have one.
[She'll wait for Reze to respond before doing so (after all, the first photo has to be rolled out and the film readied again), but... option!]
He and Kim Dokja have really taken you under their wing, haven't they? I'm glad they've been there for you. It does none of us good to be alone here.
But if anyone here tried to tell me what to do with the funds I've come by... [She shakes her head.] Alphinaud and I have been managing our own money for years. Gods help them if they tried.
[But hey, now that they've taken those photos, that means they can enjoy more of their dessert! Here u go, Reze, the next bite is all yours!]
Alphinaud and I decided some time ago to venture to the continent when we came of age. Our grandsire had spent much time there and we both wished to know what it was that drew him. Our father disagreed with our choice, but he realized that we would make our own decisions.
It's only been a few years, but...
[She pauses, but it's honesty week on this date night! So after a moment, she continues, just... a touch self-consciously.]
Well. I'm certain everybody here has realized by this point how stubborn I can be. Those back in Sharlayan would prefer I acted more like a feminine version of my brother. Which I won't be doing.
[Alisaie punctuates this proclamation by taking a drink of her boba and, this time, actually getting some of the boba along with it. Her eyes go wide for a moment, but then her expression relaxes and she has to hide her mouth behind her hand as she starts laughing.]
As you shouldn't -- be whoever you wanna be, Ali, just 'cause your twins doesn't mean you've gotta be spitting images of each other down to the personality. [ She comes a little closer. ] I like you both the way you are now, anyway! So don't ever go changing!
[ BUT NOW SHE'S LAUGHING?? BOBA. ]
What did you expect!? If it was like hard candy it'd be awful to eat.
[There's not going to be any answer for a moment because it is Rude to talk with your mouth full, and maybe she did that a moment ago but she was startled okay!!! And laughing and eating at the same time is difficult, so--a moment.]
I wasn't certain what to expect!
But you were right; I ought to have tried it sooner.
[Reze wins again! It's an interesting texture to add to tea and it tastes sweet as well? Good choices all around! But going back to what they were saying before... she's keeping her voice light, even though the topic is a difficult one. Parents!!!! They suck sometimes!!]
They don't expect us to be direct copies of one another. But my parents hoped to raise dignitaries. Of course, Alphinaud takes all too well to the meeting chamber; I doubt he's any happier then when he's in the midst of some political nonsense. Whereas I'll take any excuse I can to avoid it.
[She shrugs.]
Our grandsire always encouraged me. They had little chance of winning that battle.
[This is me at endgame establishing that they may or may not have kissed at the end of this PC and had post-trial makeouts every week WHO KNOWS but the girls definitely kissed at some point, if not here then in the below thread, things just. Happen so goddamn fast ljskdfsd]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 1; post-trial
When the doors are finally unlocked and everybody starts to filter out, she waits.
And then, when she sees Reze making her way toward the door, she finally stops waiting.]
Reze.
[In contrast to earlier, her words are calm, measured. This isn't Alisaie caught up in the moment; this is Alisaie being intentional about what she's doing.]
Might we talk? [Yeah okay this part is difficult to say, but she pushes through it, words spilling out of her quickly:] I wanted to apologize for earlier.
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Honestly? Reze is in the cusp of being there and not -- she realizes that she has to clear the air, and yet the realization that she's feeling... things... is only beginning to sink in now. They're raw and genuine, and she can't even mask it when she peers up to meet Alisaie's gaze. ]
Sure. [ She answers, slow and languid. ]
... I accept your apology. But I should apologize, too, for not having explained myself -- it's just a... pretty weird topic, I guess.
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Sometimes those secrets are big enough to change our course, but at other times they're best left unburied.
[Which is to say, you're good Reze. She gets it.]
If you are willing to tell me, I would like to know. But I realize I haven't exactly proven myself worthy of your trust today.
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[ Now, compliments aside. ]
I guess I won't mind, if you're willing to make a little truce? You'll be the only girl I tell this, so if there's another strip search in the future I'd like for you to look me over... just to make sure history doesn't repeat itself.
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[But--]
That is a truce I'm more than willing to make. Whatever the truth is, it will remain between the two of us.
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[ She brings a hand up to the choker, index finger curling around the metal ring at the right side of her neck. She doesn't tug on it. ]
It's a bomb. If it was taken off of my neck, then my head would have exploded.
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[Alisaie's hands fly to her mouth in horror, her eyes going wide.]
A bomb? Twelve forfend...
[NO WONDER SHE PANICKED SO BADLY EARLIER
For a moment she's silent, all the ramifications of what had happened running through her mind. She'd thought to reveal what was beneath the choker, but...]
Why did you stop me earlier? Was there aught I might have touched that would set it off?
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You might have. On the right side it’s basically connected to my skin, so I assumed that you would think it’d be weird…
And of course, yeah, for a moment I panicked that it might just come off.
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Strange, perhaps, but I would have understood that it was why you couldn't take it off. I cannot say that I wouldn't have questioned it, however. I've seen many strange things in my lifetime, but never a bomb attached to a person's body.
[How awful. Alisaie doesn't know why someone would ever do such a thing to another person... well. No. She can imagine the sort of person that might do such a thing. A monster.
After a moment more, she looks back to Reze.]
I can only apologize again for my actions. I'm glad you and the others stopped me; if I'd caused it to go off I don't think I'd ever have been able to forgive myself. [Assuming she wouldn't have died too in the ensuing explosion; she doesn't know.]
I'm sorry about Nine. You may not believe me, but I didn't want to think it was you.
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Like I said... let's just move on, huh? If you apologize like this to me for too long I might feel bad.
[ As for the mention of Nine... ]
I mean, I guess I was a pretty easy suspect -- I checked his body, after Yelena had, and was just glad the hickey I left on him didn't get mentioned! That would've been embarrassing.
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And in spite of everything that's gone on here today, Alisaie laughs.]
I doubt many of us would have been surprised to hear it. Are they truly so embarrassing? [Says the girl who wears outfits that cover up most of her neck.]
If anything, it's admirable that you've been able to adapt so quickly to our situation. We'll need to work together if we're to figure all of this out, and that means trusting one another.
You've simply gotten a head start on the rest of us.
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[ She leans slightly to the side, humming -- she doesn't know whether or not if her ability to adapt is really admirable. It was built into her. ]
I dunno if having a tongue down my throat is earning someone's trust, but you know what? I'll take it!
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I would argue that having someone's tongue down your throat requires a certain amount of trust. I can't imagine anyone would have allowed Qi Rong to do such a thing.
[You're welcome for that mental image.]
We choose who we let close to us. Typically they're the people we want to know better.
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Why... did you give me that mental image? [ But she doesn't appear disturbed as much as she is delighted to be having a normal conversation. ]
So are you choosing to get to know me better with this conversation? Or was it just to apologize?
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[As for her other question...]
Can it not be both? My primary intent was to apologize, but I won't say I'd be opposed to knowing you better.
That, however, is your choice. I don't mean to force my presence if you'd rather take the time for yourself.
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[ She takes both of her hands into her own. ]
I’d love to be friends! There’s so few girls here and we all need to stick together.
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She wasn't expecting the sudden contact honestly and it's readily apparent on her face, eyes gone wide and mouth slightly open. But a moment later she regains herself, her surprise softening into a smile as she curls her fingers around Reze's, stepping a little bit closer.]
We truly are outnumbered by the men, aren't we? But I suspect that together we girls will be more than a match for them.
You're very kind, Reze. I can understand why so many here care about you.
w6 ( wednesday )
But Reze has invited Alisaie out on a date! To a cute little cafe where she's gone and ordered them some honey toast. ]
Tadah~ It looks so good! Here. [ She gets a forkful before holding it out to her. ] You can have the first bite.
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(Also because I think it's cute and am sharing it everywhere, Alisaie's got a new piercing this week.)]
That does look good. Are you certain?
[Reze finding the way to her heart... sweets. She'll accept the forkful, eyebrows jumping at the taste.]
I'll never doubt you again. At least, not when it comes to desserts. I'm still not certain about this boba you mentioned.
[Does Reze want a forkful in return or is she a strong independent cute girl with no need for such things, because Alisaie will definitely return the favor if she seems open to it!
just gals bein pals]no subject
Hey, the boba is fine! Maybe you just need to stare at the straw for when you actually… you know… get the boba up.
[ But yes feed her. Cute girls doing friend things, teehee! ]
Mmmm~ The nutella just melts in your mouth. And it’s sweet but not overwhelming, I could almost eat this every day.
[ A pause. ]
Oh, shoot, I should take a picture of it before we just inhale it.
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You'll have to be quick, or I may beat you to it. [Making a little stabbing motion toward it with her fork--it's too tasty to just let sit there! But after a moment she'll laugh and set the fork down, picking up her drink instead and poking at the boba with her straw.]
I'm just not certain about solid food steeping in my tea is all. If it were that good, surely someone would have invented it in mine own world too, yes?
[Poke, poke. She'll try it in a moment.]
You seem more at ease here. Is this world more similar to your own than the others?
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Oh, but you haven't even tried the one with pudding in it.
[ The shutter goes off and Reze gets a nice picture of both Alisaie and the food. ]
I little. I think it's ahead of my time but a couple of years, but pretty much the same -- but it makes me excited to see how my home will look in a couple years!
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Pudding? How would you even drink that...?
And if you're going to take a photo of me, you ought to let me do the same. [She's leaning down to rummage in her own bag for a camera!] Mayhap we should take one of the two of us together? Suriel suggested that the photos we take may be a fun memory when all of this is over.
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[ She waits for the photo to be dispensed, smiling brightly. Instant film might be expensive and half of Alisaie's face is blocked, but she's still going to keep it. ]
Yeah, of course! [ She rushes over to sit beside her, holding onto one of Alisaie's arms. ]
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Hold on. I'll take a second one, so that we may each have one.
[She'll wait for Reze to respond before doing so (after all, the first photo has to be rolled out and the film readied again), but... option!]
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Of course! Dang, your camera makes taking selfies easy — Joonghyuk looks over my funds and he’s the biggest cheapskate out there.
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He and Kim Dokja have really taken you under their wing, haven't they? I'm glad they've been there for you. It does none of us good to be alone here.
But if anyone here tried to tell me what to do with the funds I've come by... [She shakes her head.] Alphinaud and I have been managing our own money for years. Gods help them if they tried.
[But hey, now that they've taken those photos, that means they can enjoy more of their dessert! Here u go, Reze, the next bite is all yours!]
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[ She leans back some, placing her camera back into her bag. ]
Has it always just been the two of you?
[ But yes!! She's taking a bite yum yum. ]
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Alphinaud and I decided some time ago to venture to the continent when we came of age. Our grandsire had spent much time there and we both wished to know what it was that drew him. Our father disagreed with our choice, but he realized that we would make our own decisions.
It's only been a few years, but...
[She pauses, but it's honesty week on this date night! So after a moment, she continues, just... a touch self-consciously.]
Well. I'm certain everybody here has realized by this point how stubborn I can be. Those back in Sharlayan would prefer I acted more like a feminine version of my brother. Which I won't be doing.
[Alisaie punctuates this proclamation by taking a drink of her boba and, this time, actually getting some of the boba along with it. Her eyes go wide for a moment, but then her expression relaxes and she has to hide her mouth behind her hand as she starts laughing.]
You didn't warn me it was chewy!
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[ BUT NOW SHE'S LAUGHING?? BOBA. ]
What did you expect!? If it was like hard candy it'd be awful to eat.
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I wasn't certain what to expect!
But you were right; I ought to have tried it sooner.
[Reze wins again! It's an interesting texture to add to tea and it tastes sweet as well? Good choices all around! But going back to what they were saying before... she's keeping her voice light, even though the topic is a difficult one. Parents!!!! They suck sometimes!!]
They don't expect us to be direct copies of one another. But my parents hoped to raise dignitaries. Of course, Alphinaud takes all too well to the meeting chamber; I doubt he's any happier then when he's in the midst of some political nonsense. Whereas I'll take any excuse I can to avoid it.
[She shrugs.]
Our grandsire always encouraged me. They had little chance of winning that battle.
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