LIMELIGHT byot - satin

[vitainmorte]

Comments

[demonicdomestic]

I'd yet to think about it in depth. My attention has been focused on preventing you from doing anything rash.

If you wish to know the true answer to this Producer's question... your future means more to me than the veil I've thrown over my past. But I suspect you wouldn't be comfortable with me offering that much.

[vitainmorte]

[ she mostly just looks confused, head slowly tilting. ]

... I'm not sure what you're offering.

[demonicdomestic]

I'm sharing with you what my own "extreme" would be: the sacrifice of the life and identity I've built in Port Manteau. That of "Satin" of Sun Sign, ordinary graduate student.

This is not what I plan to do. But it is what I consider you to be worth.

[vitainmorte]

[ There's a long, searching pause, where she just watches his face. Her own is-- stunned, certainly, but perhaps unfortunately also intensely, pointedly interested. She opens her mouth, perhaps to ask if he means it--

And then she pulls her hands away, apparently thinking better. ]

-- I shouldn't be worth that much to you. I have done nothing to deserve it.

[demonicdomestic]

I'm not surprised that you think of "worth" as something that needs to be earned. But I'm speaking of intrinsic worth, not transactional.

Are you familiar with the saying, "One man's junk is another's treasure"?

[vitainmorte]

ALRIGHT.

[demonicdomestic]

Are you sure? I don't mind continuing to explain.

[vitainmorte]

I'm not really interested in hearing someone justify calling me trash, dude.

[demonicdomestic]

I am not the one who views you that way.

[He sighs.]

I see you as... kin, of a sort. Someone who understands things about me that I very much doubt that others would. And someone with whom I've shared things to a depth and detail that very, very few other people know.

[vitainmorte]

I don't-- like the implication at all. That I'm just...

[ but she trails off to listen, wings folded tightly to her body and just staring at the floor. Distantly listening to the rattle and din of the train car and the mystery beyond it, behind Satin's words. ]

I am... glad. That you trusted me, with that.

...

Did you mean it? That you consider me "worth" that?

[demonicdomestic]

Yes.

If you wish to be sure of it, a "moderate" sacrifice would be "my ability to conceal the truth".

[vitainmorte]

[ So he won't actually do it.




She regrets the thought as soon as it crosses her mind, her wings simultaneously drooping. It would be terribly unfair to ask that of him. And truly too cruel, even if the insecure part of her brain demands to see proof of his supposed care.

She rubs her face. ]

Please don't go that far. It's fine. I don't need you to prove anything.

[demonicdomestic]

So you'd prefer something else?

[vitainmorte]

You should do whatever it is you're most comfortable with.

... I'm gong to go with sex drive, like you first said. It probably won't be worth very much, but I'm not sure I have anything else to give you wouldn't be upset about.

[demonicdomestic]

I can think of a good many more.

One's ability to read, or see colours, or generate one's own body heat. Sharp reflexes, heightened senses, certain blessings or abilities. The ability to conceal one's emotions, or keep one's thoughts private, or to obfuscate the truth. The ability to be in deep water or under the open sky without fear. And all those things that we value for our heart's protection -- one's distrust, or cynicism, or reticence.

[vitainmorte]

[ huffs. ]

I see. Something more general, then.

[demonicdomestic]

General and of the "one point" level, where possible.

[vitainmorte]

[ exhales, long and slow. ]

... Alright.

[demonicdomestic]

In most situations, I try to refrain from impinging on people's right to choose their fates. It's a freedom that I personally hold dear, and do not wish to see stripped from others.

But your choice will also deeply affect someone I care about, and who I would like to see valued in the way I value her. So in this case, and this alone, please tolerate my selfishness.

[vitainmorte]

... I think saying "only this time" is a lie, you know. I'm well aware of the ways I won't be able to do what I feel I should in the future as a member of this Family.

[ But she just goes in to enter the captchas and her choice, before standing aside to let Satin do the same. ]

[demonicdomestic]

This has nothing to do with being a member of Sun Sign. Or being part of any Family -- or even unaffiliated.

This is the price of friendship.

Name: Satin
CAPTCHA: Geoffreybertenson

[The screen flashes an error, and resets.]

[vitainmorte]

[ just watches, sedately. ]

... Do you think I value you too?

1/2

[demonicdomestic]

Yes.

I try not to assume feelings that have not been personally confirmed. But in this case -- I doubt you would be inclined to protect me if you didn't.

[demonicdomestic]

I was sure that was correct.

Name: Satin
CAPTCHA: Geoffreybertenson

[The screen flashes an error, and resets.]

[vitainmorte]

[ seems relieved, a bit. That she wasn't coming off more indifferent than she meant to. But. ]

... Having trouble with that one?