trustfell | Initiative.

Initiative.

Rachel looks a bit conflicted about what should happen from here; Lisbeth is still on the floor, but she's told her what she should do, and so... Well, she's never really been good at saying no, though she does walk up and reach out to pet Lisbeth's hair gingerly for a moment before turning to everyone else.

"We should leave."

And with that, the courtroom changes, all at once; it was one thing, and then quite simply it isn't, and the podium circle has been replaced with a round spread of consoles wrapping around a center spire. The room is no longer concrete and steel, but rather stark white, all done up in glossy tile that looks like it'd crack if you hit it hard enough with something – that said, it's not recommended to try, given that it's just as indestructible as everything else in the building.

Rachel approaches the consoles, reaching out to touch them, fingers tapping gently against several of the unmarked buttons; it's probably not precisely necessary for her to do so, given the state of things, but she seems to like doing it, so do it she shall. There are a pair of slots that look like keycards are required; she glances at them for a second before manipulating more buttons, causing a small panel to open up in front of her – it looks like an authorization mechanism of some sort, the kind that you press your hand against to get it to recognize you.

"It's going to be a bit jarring when you wake up; sorry about that, but you've been asleep for a really long time. I'd suggest giving it a moment."

She pauses, though, once that's out there, glancing back at everyone.

"I'll be on the other side with you, but not like this. We can still talk, though, if you like."

And with that she just turns and presses her hand against the panel without waiting for an answer; the next thing you're aware of is the flash.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ .............. ]

Well, yeah, if you want? I mean, I'm still totally making good on my promise to bring to you the city if you're still interested in it.

[ i mean that's not really what this is about but if elda's still into the idea then sure?? ]

Oh, I am. Don't worry, I still want to see that, get your tour.

[ The woman spread her arms though, and then gestures for Aligula to go on. She knows that she cut her off there. Go on, say what you were getting at. ]

[ ...right, well— ]

Wanna tour the city as two taken ladies?

[ Oh.

.... Her cheeks color and she blinks once, then twice and- ]

... Is that a confession?! Seriously?!

[ oh my god!! forget hand-holding, ALigula's slapping one of them over Elda's mouth. ]

Huuuuuuuush! [ shhh-shhhhhhhh. ] I so don't want Tenacious to hear and get all ugly and smug.

[ she just - it's a weird feeling because she saw it coming from the moment she started talking to Aligula here, but if you asked her even an hour ago she never would have seen this coming. The difference in expectation leaves her speechless, and the vampire's big red eyes go even wider, looking at Aligula with unabashed shock and...

Perhaps a gentle curiosity?

And definitely expectation. If you wanted to confess, please be more romantic??? even if she has no idea what her feelings are now. ]

[ ...okay, okay. Once she's sure that Elda's not gonna be loud again, she'll let her hand drop.

Ugggggh, such a handful. ]

...What's that look for? If you're expecting anything else you're gonna have to wait for it, like, we totally don't have the time or resources.

... Oh please! My husband proposed to me when we were on a cliffside after having just become refugees from our homeland. You can manage one little confession, miss Mistress of Monomania.

[ :T :T

She's... actually pouting now, breaking her shock with it. ]

[ What are you, ten??? ]

That's Queen of Monomania to you. [ And to... everyone else... ] I sorta did a lot of thinking while I was dead and like, long story short, I totally hate the idea of you liking anyone more than you like me.

[ this is an expectant face because wow that didn't have any goddamn romance in it that was just some selfish shit? And like she's totally selfish herself so she gets it but at the same time like... girl? ]

[ ... ]

Do you want me to wax poetic on how my heart skipped when you thanked me for letting you bite me?

... That might be better than you've been doing so far, yes.

[ Look. she's a lady. She wants to be romanced if you're going to shove all this on her at the eleventh hour, okay.

... Her cheeks color a little for it. ]

[ it's not like she had any other time to shove it on you, elda!!! ]

Well, it didn't. [ aligula. ] But I liked your smile a lot, and even if it's nothing like in those dumb human romance novels, getting bit by you wasn't so bad.

[ Aligula... ]

For one who goes on an on about love, all you've told me so far as that we ought to call ourselves a couple because you're jealous of Susan.

Look, it's totally hard, okay? It was waaaay more cut and dry with Deldro.

[ |T He was hot and he was bad. Elda is... very pretty and not bad. ]

I hated you after I died but not like, seriously, just like, in that "mad about it" kinda way? I got into like three fights my first day... night... whatever there.

[ ...She was really easy to irritate. ]

And thennn I was super convinced you hated me up until the whole meeting thing and then you like, said you missed me and stuff, and I mean, you could've still hated me, I guess. I guess you still can? [ ... ] But I don't want you to. I want you to like me, or at least like me enough to give it a try, because if there's one person I wanna take home from this godforsaken game, it's you. Anyone else would die too quick for one, and for two, they're not...

[ how does she explain this. ]

They're not people I can talk to like this. [ Let's put it like that. ]

[ If she's honest, her heart isn't fluttering. This isn't a thing like when James confessed, when it seemed like... destiny, like it was something special. Like she told Aligula, that man was her True Love.

... But he's also dead.

He's dead and... and what is before her now? She's not really sure what the right response here, and her expression keeps becoming more and more awkward the longer she looks at Aligula, her eyes turning into red saucers. ... Ah. No, she should say something. ]

... Honestly, it made more sense to me with James, too. ... And if I'm honest, I'm glad that you see things haven't worked out with your old boy.

[ . . . Her face and voice become more delicate as she speaks, her blush increasing, and her features looking - oddly fragile? It's not a look that Aligula will have seen before, or at least not without it tinged with despair or anger. ]

If I were to agree, I do have two conditions.

[ ...That's different, and Aligula turns her face away for a moment like she's considering it, before she nods and looks back at her. ]

I'll hear you out.

[ She'll... let her know she doesn't have to agree if she doesn't feel the same way after this, she doesn't want to get off track. ]

First! I... Honestly, I had no intention to change who you are, and I still don't, but if you're to ask me to consider this, then I want to make sure you will at least try to be less violent, and I will not tolerate such senseless murder as what took you from me this time ever again. So - try to follow my lead, alright?

[ That one she knows is a tall order, so she gives that time to sink in. ]

[ ...mmm. ]

I don't usually do that kinda stuff anyway. I just watch it with my gang! They're the ones with all the crazy fun ideas. [ All violence and death is more, like, incidental when it comes to her.

...Because she doesn't care what happens as long as she gets what she wants SHE'S SELFISH, I'M SORRY. ] Here was just kinda different. I mean, I went stir-crazy, what else was I supposed to do?

[ not that. ]

Anyway, like, agreed.

I am serious. I will not tolerate that in my presence ever, ever again.

[ WHAT ELSE WAS SHE SUPPOSED TO DO? NOT RIP HER HEART OUT? Elda's eyes go cold for a moment, narrowing some... she resists the urge to slap her before she nods and tries to get back into the moment.

... Inhale. ]

... It will be upon me to teach you, I suppose.

... And second. If you want this from me - please state it plainly. If I'm honest, it wouldn't be fair of me to demand this because I don't think I can call it "love" or anything on my end but... but I have well earned the right to demand this much of you. Tell me that you like me, or want to be kissed or something, at the very least.

[ Aligula makes a face at the first part, but it fades as Elda continues... and she leans forward, pressing their foreheads together gently. ]

I don't think it's "love" for me either, but I do like you, and I really want to bring you back to the city with me. Is that good enough?

[ . . . Is it?

... Mmm. She nuzzles their foreheads together, smiling and answers sincerely. ]

I will live at least three more centuries. I'll still be alive by the time most other people from this experience are dust. That makes them no less important, but it does make things with you... different, shall we say? [ . . . ] I will be returning to Shihaba. I won't - I likely will never want to live in Hellsalem's Lot. Not while I still have family that breathes.

... But I would visit. I would live with you for a while at a time. I would be willing to say we are taken when we see those ghost hookers. And I- ... I would invite you to my Shihaba.

Is that good enough for you?

[ ...Mmmm. ]

Not really. [ you selfish— ] If you're gonna say yes, you gotta feel the same way. I'm not interested in loveless... or likeless? Relationships.

Initiative.

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