[That surprises her, enough to make her fold her ears back and blink.]
I... I wasn't aware. I apologize.
[He'd said that about getting along with the Warriors of Light, too, though, and it only seems to be getting worse by the day. But it may just be that his happiness, such as it is, is directly proportional to how small of a presence they are in it.]
Before that journey into memories, I would have said no. And I've had no issues with anyone apart from you two. Perhaps it took this long for it all to sink in. But whatever fleeting satisfaction that may exist for me here- I know not the shape of it. Nor whether I'll find it, if it even exists.
[Another frown, though it's directed more towards the wall than at her.]
Yet to be reminded that my only success may be in death... 'tis not the kindest thing, Irhya.
[And that's all they remind him of, evidently. A sharp twist of grief runs through her chest, and she says nothing more for a long time, only glancing back and forth towards the door, wondering if it's really better for her to leave him alone and keep a sad distance.]
[She wasn't happy; Emet-Selch didn't need a Bond to tell that much. It wasn't something that should even register, much less anything that should have him hesitate.
And yet....]
If I had any sense to me, I'd tell you no. Perhaps doing so would spare us both the grief of our inevitable future disagreements.
[A statement followed by a sigh, long and drawn out.]
--But I'm also stubborn and I don't yet despise you. And you, for whatever reason, took it upon yourself to approach me when you could have held your distance. It's not the most auspicious of rekindlings, I'll grant... but I don't think it impossible.
[Slowly, her ears return to their normal position, and she lets out a pent-up breath. She had considered keeping her distance, perhaps convincing herself he was too far gone to be helped, but the idea of having another talk with him to try and smooth things over was too tempting. Especially when things like this give her a glimmer of hope. For Mira, too.
He is trying, though their viewpoints have clashed on the matter. But trying is better than sitting there and enveloping himself in that comfortable pain.]
Inevitable, perhaps, but I would like to think we can have them and still be friends. In that case... I will try my best. Thank you.
[A pause as something else springs to mind.]
Oh, um... you don't have to worry about the feeding anymore, by the way. I'm doing what I can to expand my resources, especially so I don't have to rely solely on Mira. But I won't ask any more of you on that front if you don't want to give it anymore.
[His first thought is to affirm that he wasn't interested, and it was true enough that he didn't find the prospect entirely appealing. Things were still somewhat raw, would take time to settle in whatever shape they would settle in.
But he didn't believe Irhya would hurt him. And much like his original offer when she'd first turned- it was a show of willing, wasn't it? Some grasp towards normalcy, some small display of trust. Things wouldn't improve without things like this.]
--No, you may continue to consider myself a resource in that regard. Besides- [It's not quite light, he can't entirely manage that. But it's closer to a more natural tone.] with your continued efforts towards feeding me, the least I can do is return the offer.
[She looks dumbfounded for a considerable moment, then laughs faintly, despite herself.]
I'm surprised to hear you say that, but I won't complain. I'm trying to be more careful, since it sounds like one can really get messed up on too much Witch's blood, but I guess... I'll let you know.
[And it sounds like he may have changed his mind about her food offer, too. She's visibly brighter, returning to her usual humor as she takes a few steps towards him and bends coyly.]
Heh. Maybe you're not such a huge arse after all, old man.
Truly...? I would have assumed your condition would be most suited to receiving of witch blood.
[Considering that monster/witch Bonds were the recommended variety, surely a monster requiring blood would benefit most from a witch's? Perhaps it was a 'too much of a good thing' kind of problem....
The familiar playfulness, her comment, gets another eyeroll and a small huff. Not true irritation, but the usual show of it.]
And I could say much the same of yourself, Irhya.
[But it's true, he'd accept being fed now, with the mood being somewhat improved. It was hard to eat anything when he was that tense and uneasy.]
It is, but it's exactly that suitability that makes it addictive. It's almost too good for us. And I guess it can cause the vampire in question to do some unsavory things to obtain it in dire circumstances... A path I would rather not tread upon, lest I lose sight of the way back.
But I digress. I'm... glad we were able to come to an understanding.
[She puts a hand on the doorknob and opens it, bowing as a gesture for him to exit with her.]
Hm... it seems in general, a witch's blood is an appealing commodity to all monsters, and with your kind's particular requirements for nourishment, I can see that becoming a problem far more easily than for most.
[And he's willing enough to leave with her, following after to wherever she's presumably left whatever food she prepared for him. Though silent at first, there is something he decides to add.]
Irhya. Did you know [A rhetorical question; of course she wouldn't.] that when your soul was complete, that person- we would argue with some frequency.
[A small hum as he thinks back on it.]
Not to the same level, we didn't exactly have the same issues at stake, but... it was not without a certain amount of heat. Two people each very certain that our viewpoint was the correct one. We didn't always come to a compromise, but an understanding of one another's positions- yes. It was never very long before we were speaking again.
Perhaps we were never faced with anything of enough consequence for our understanding to be tested until, well... we never reconciled from the last. The sundering made sure of that.
[As he speaks, her ears perk to attention, and her face slowly softens, struck by the realization that he'd been through a similar situation. For a while, she stands slightly agape, unsure what to say.]
Ah... I'm sorry. I never knew...
[It wasn't her personally, but she's still inclined to extend the sympathy anyway. He's not conflating her with the person she (and the rest of them) used to be, at least not at the moment. And it's a step in the right direction for him to open up about it, not to mention making her feel a little better about her own personal demons.
Finally, she manages a smile.]
Constantly on and off, huh... If both of you always came around again, then I think that in itself is cause for hope. Perhaps there are some things that were not completely lost in the Sundering, after all?
[They weren't the same person. It wasn't as though making up with Irhya would fix anything from the past. Much as how Irhya could never get absolution from her mother. Those people were gone.
The past was dead, for all that he'd keep trying to revive it. A thought that has him sigh inwardly, offering Irhya a flicker of a smile.]
It's a possibility. You could say we both have some motivation, then... to not leave things on a note we'd regret.
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no subject
[That surprises her, enough to make her fold her ears back and blink.]
I... I wasn't aware. I apologize.
[He'd said that about getting along with the Warriors of Light, too, though, and it only seems to be getting worse by the day. But it may just be that his happiness, such as it is, is directly proportional to how small of a presence they are in it.]
It's just the two of us that are the problem?
no subject
Before that journey into memories, I would have said no. And I've had no issues with anyone apart from you two. Perhaps it took this long for it all to sink in. But whatever fleeting satisfaction that may exist for me here- I know not the shape of it. Nor whether I'll find it, if it even exists.
[Another frown, though it's directed more towards the wall than at her.]
Yet to be reminded that my only success may be in death... 'tis not the kindest thing, Irhya.
no subject
[And that's all they remind him of, evidently. A sharp twist of grief runs through her chest, and she says nothing more for a long time, only glancing back and forth towards the door, wondering if it's really better for her to leave him alone and keep a sad distance.]
Have we no chance of reconciliation?
no subject
And yet....]
If I had any sense to me, I'd tell you no. Perhaps doing so would spare us both the grief of our inevitable future disagreements.
[A statement followed by a sigh, long and drawn out.]
--But I'm also stubborn and I don't yet despise you. And you, for whatever reason, took it upon yourself to approach me when you could have held your distance. It's not the most auspicious of rekindlings, I'll grant... but I don't think it impossible.
no subject
He is trying, though their viewpoints have clashed on the matter. But trying is better than sitting there and enveloping himself in that comfortable pain.]
Inevitable, perhaps, but I would like to think we can have them and still be friends. In that case... I will try my best. Thank you.
[A pause as something else springs to mind.]
Oh, um... you don't have to worry about the feeding anymore, by the way. I'm doing what I can to expand my resources, especially so I don't have to rely solely on Mira. But I won't ask any more of you on that front if you don't want to give it anymore.
no subject
But he didn't believe Irhya would hurt him. And much like his original offer when she'd first turned- it was a show of willing, wasn't it? Some grasp towards normalcy, some small display of trust. Things wouldn't improve without things like this.]
--No, you may continue to consider myself a resource in that regard. Besides- [It's not quite light, he can't entirely manage that. But it's closer to a more natural tone.] with your continued efforts towards feeding me, the least I can do is return the offer.
no subject
I'm surprised to hear you say that, but I won't complain. I'm trying to be more careful, since it sounds like one can really get messed up on too much Witch's blood, but I guess... I'll let you know.
[And it sounds like he may have changed his mind about her food offer, too. She's visibly brighter, returning to her usual humor as she takes a few steps towards him and bends coyly.]
Heh. Maybe you're not such a huge arse after all, old man.
no subject
[Considering that monster/witch Bonds were the recommended variety, surely a monster requiring blood would benefit most from a witch's? Perhaps it was a 'too much of a good thing' kind of problem....
The familiar playfulness, her comment, gets another eyeroll and a small huff. Not true irritation, but the usual show of it.]
And I could say much the same of yourself, Irhya.
[But it's true, he'd accept being fed now, with the mood being somewhat improved. It was hard to eat anything when he was that tense and uneasy.]
no subject
But I digress. I'm... glad we were able to come to an understanding.
[She puts a hand on the doorknob and opens it, bowing as a gesture for him to exit with her.]
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[And he's willing enough to leave with her, following after to wherever she's presumably left whatever food she prepared for him. Though silent at first, there is something he decides to add.]
Irhya. Did you know [A rhetorical question; of course she wouldn't.] that when your soul was complete, that person- we would argue with some frequency.
[A small hum as he thinks back on it.]
Not to the same level, we didn't exactly have the same issues at stake, but... it was not without a certain amount of heat. Two people each very certain that our viewpoint was the correct one. We didn't always come to a compromise, but an understanding of one another's positions- yes. It was never very long before we were speaking again.
Perhaps we were never faced with anything of enough consequence for our understanding to be tested until, well... we never reconciled from the last. The sundering made sure of that.
no subject
Ah... I'm sorry. I never knew...
[It wasn't her personally, but she's still inclined to extend the sympathy anyway. He's not conflating her with the person she (and the rest of them) used to be, at least not at the moment. And it's a step in the right direction for him to open up about it, not to mention making her feel a little better about her own personal demons.
Finally, she manages a smile.]
Constantly on and off, huh... If both of you always came around again, then I think that in itself is cause for hope. Perhaps there are some things that were not completely lost in the Sundering, after all?
no subject
The past was dead, for all that he'd keep trying to revive it. A thought that has him sigh inwardly, offering Irhya a flicker of a smile.]
It's a possibility. You could say we both have some motivation, then... to not leave things on a note we'd regret.