OPEN ♔ I WISH I COULD SAY IN JUST ONE SWEEP WHAT YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU MEAN TO ME

[socialgraces]

♬ Silent Shout - The Knife

WHO || Anyone and everyone! [OPEN]
WHAT || Francesca's birthday party
WHERE || One of the big parlor rooms on the castle's second floor.
WHEN || [Backdated] July 11, Evening
HOW || Actionspam

 

[Earlier in the week all DRAKENET devices received a message announcing Francesca's birthday party, courtesy of Sir Bancroft, to be held the evening of July 11. No RSVP needed. It's especially good timing now that many mission groups have returned to the castle, at least for the time being.

As the guests make their way in, it's clear the party's been well stocked with food and drink. There's plenty of room for mingling and some music in the background. Gifts are completely optional, but welcome. Come in and get comfortable.]

(OOC: Feel free to make your own threads/threadjack, etc.)

Comments

[valdrin]

[ The rogue look of amused chagrin in his eye is a clear indication that he knows what she's getting at. he seems to take a moment to rally his defense. ]

She likes me. [ his tone implies that that should explain everything. and maybe it does, for someone who knows him so well. he sounds almost pleasantly puzzled by the situation. ]

[socialgraces]

Or at least she thinks she does? Is that it?

Or is it a little too close for comfort, and now you're deflecting?

[valdrin]

[ his jaw juts to the left to disguise an uncomfortable smile. ]

That's hardly fair. [ using your perceptiveness powers on him, that is. not your all too accurate assessment. ]

[socialgraces]

All's fair - [And she clumsily ends the aphorism there, decidedly not bringing this to a debate of which it was between them. Besides, she was referring to his current situation and stuff. Obviously 8|

But the moment of pause to reconsider her words pulls at memories of something special they did have between them.

She moves just the slightest bit closer to him, just enough so he notices, and lowers her voice, like its a secret.] Why do we instinctively hide what we most desperately wish to reveal?

[valdrin]

[ his eyes follow her face, and he smiles the slightest bit, as if relishing this surprising proximity with a dash of caution, but eventually he composes himself to answer. ] If you wanted my best guess, I would attribute that to our instincts as well.

Revealing what's inside leaves you vulnerable, and vulnerability... [ his smile curves up a bit more as he whispers in her ear: ] Could get you killed, where we're from.

[socialgraces]

[Well that was a tad insensitive, but it really doesn't bother her. Instead, it brings her sudden realization. She pulls back a little, but more to properly voice her new understanding than to distance herself from him.] It's not just that. It's not so much what we are, as who we are. Who we've become. It's not death we fear, because, trust me, facing death without ever having made myself vulnerable offered me very little solace.

In fact, it made it all the worse. [Welp, how's that for vulnerable. Perhaps this is why she wanted to be close to him again, because he couldn't really hurt her anymore. And she could care less if he judged her. In some strange way, she felt safe with him, and maybe they could actually talk. About real stuff.]

[valdrin]

[ he seems to have lost her train of logic somewhere in there, but it's clear that he's scrabbling to find it again ] So if it's not someone exploiting your weaknesses that you're afraid of, what is it?

[socialgraces]

It's not suspicion, it's insecurity.

[valdrin]

You're not accusing me of that as well, I hope.

[socialgraces]

[She rolls her eyes.] Of course not. I forgot we were talking about you.

[valdrin]

Well, I fail to see what you have to be so insecure about it, although the diagnosis doesn't surprise me. You're a singularly exceptional woman.