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[vitainmorte]

Hello, this is Cypress. If you leave me a message I will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Thank you, have a good day.

Comments

[mourningson]

Even if it leaves you vulnerable?

[vitainmorte]

... I think... lots of things... can do that. Will do that. Even if I don't want them to. But it... makes me feel nice, so I want to try.

[ more embarrassed not, squeezing tighter and hiding her face ]

Letting you-- touch me, and see me, w-would leave me vulnerable, too, but mmmm.... m-maybe I do want to try it...

[mourningson]

[that gives him chills; absentmindedly tracing circles on the small of her back]

You are the one who told me that sex required trust. But, is this just about sex, or is it about... a relationship?

[wit 0]

[vitainmorte]

[ speaking of chills; she shivers, lightly, at the touch. but. ]

... both?

[mourningson]

[okay okay okay okokok okkkkkkk]

What would be the... difference between a relationship and our courtship now? Is there any true significance?

[vitainmorte]

... I-- don't know. Isn't a courtship just... the old-fashioned way of dating, anyway?

[ a pause, relaxing slightly to rest her chin on his shoulder. ]

If-- if we... you know, do it, then isn't-- that's beyond courtship already, isn't it...? Um. ... it doesn't have to be different, if you don't want, I think. We don't have to be... dating, or-- you don't have to call me your girlfriend, or anything like that.

1/2

[mourningson]

No difference, then. Allow me to make a suggestion. If we enter a relationship--

[mourningson]

[tightens his arm around her]

--I want you to be mine, and mine alone.

[vitainmorte]

[ her breath catches.

and she's. frozen, for a long moment, face hot-- but. ]

C... could I ask you for-- one concession?

[mourningson]

And that is...?

[vitainmorte]

... my relationship with Silfda is... complicated... but-- she.

[ a pause, clearly embarrassed; her fingers tighten slightly in the fabric of his cloak. ]

She was the first one I ever-- ... did... anything with. And... her feelings-- and mine--

... sorry, I-- I don't know how to explain it, but I don't want to-- to... seem like I'm abandoning her.

[mourningson]

I see.

[his voice levels out]

It remains a courtship, then.

[vitainmorte]

[ ... whines, a little; just a barely frustrated noise in her throat, burying her face against him. ]

N... no. No, I want this.

I want to try.

[mourningson]

[maybe he does sound disappointed]

But it's unbalanced, Cypress. How am I to reserve my attention for you exclusively, when you're sharing your own with Sashay?

[vitainmorte]

N-no, I mean-- I won't, with her. Not like that.

[ a pause. ]

... but I won't stop-- being friends with her. Or anybody else, for that matter.

[ another pause-- curiously: ]

Is there nobody else you're interested in...?

[mourningson]

Nobody.

[flatly, it matches his face]

I did not ask you to end friendships. I was speaking romantically.

[vitainmorte]

I know, I was just clarifying.

[ pulls back a little to look at him. ]

... really nobody?

[mourningson]

You are the only one I have been courting.

[vitainmorte]

I mean-- that's different than wanting to-- to sleep with someone, isn't it?

[mourningson]

Are you asking me if there was anyone else I wanted to sleep with?

[vitainmorte]

Yes.

[ goes red, hesitating, but continues on ]

My relationship with Silfda is one thing, but-- up until very... very recently it was... mostly, um, sexual? If there was someone you wanted to... do those things with, I wouldn't deny you. It... that sort of thing requires... some measure of trust, for me, but I wouldn't hold you to the same sort of rules. And I don't want to stop you from... pursuing whatever relationships with other people would satisfy you, either.

[ ... and looks away, awkwardly, more than a little self-conscious. ]

... on top of that I don't-- know if I'm, um. Able to satisfy someone, like that? S... so I wouldn't want to... disappoint you.

[mourningson]

If I am to allow myself to be frank?

This is the only time I have ever been interested in another person.

[vitainmorte]

[ legitimately surprised ]

... ever? I--

Why me?

[mourningson]

I don't know. But, I suppose I look forward to continuing courting you.

[vitainmorte]

[ silent for a moment, bright red.

but takes a hand back, settled softly against his cheek. ]

I said I wanted this. ... I want to be yours.