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Hurry up, I can't get the firepit on the patio to light for some reason.
[ she then sends this pic. ]
[ she then sends this pic. ]
Edited 2021-03-24 18:54 (UTC)
T̴͓̅ȩ̴̺̯̝̪̀̿̈́̓̂̓̚̕͝l̵̫͇̞̤̬̹͎̘̔̒̚l̸͈͇̺̰̽̕ ̵̛̤̪̰̰̬̐̓̽̚̕m̶̨̯̲͓͎̲͔̉́́̈́ë̵͍̟̟̠̰̳̜̪̹͓̉̀̉̈̌͑̔͠ ̶̧̟̖̖̦̳͕̜͖̮̆w̵̲̫̍̅̿̋̿̾̓̚̚͝ḧ̸̨͙̗̗̰̫̲̦́̈́̓͆̀a̸̰͖̗͔̼̰̩̠̝̹̾̈t̴̛̰̮͈̤̒̄̀́͘͜ ̷̟̈́͌̒͒͐̀̄͘͝h̷̫͔̳̄̋̊̂̌̎a̸̢̹̪̲͓͈̰͉̫͑̂̄̈́͊̈́p̴̛̜̪̻͓̥͚̗͂̊͛̓̀͆p̷̢̬͕̤̟̟͚͙̠͗̕ͅě̶͔̣͚͇͋͛̈́͂n̸̢͈̭̮͕̲̘͖͔̏͗̂͠e̶̡̼̹̲̳̿d̸̖̪̝̝̜̝̲̖̞̒̔̐
W̶̳͍̣͙̌̒́͆͐̑̅͂ẖ̷͇̻̂͛̈́͆̉̿̿͆e̷̳͙̗͔͑n̵̛̲̲̦͎͖̭̲̤̳͆̂̏̌͝͝ ̸͖̻̣̰͌͗̊͌̚͝͝ṭ̸̢̻̂h̴̝͉͍̙̿̽͛͑̽̆̿̑͝e̴̛͍̤̬͍̿̊̿̓̆̈́̿y̴̨̤̠̗̐̇̓͑ ̸̗̠̪̜̲̮͊̅̈́́̀̃̚͜t̴̢͈̙̳͗̉̌́͆̎̋̚͝ǫ̷̙̽͐̐ơ̴̖̔̇̋̅̕k̸̢̛̻̽̈̄͊̍̈́̀̕̕ ̴̹̠̹̑͋̑̂̀̕y̵͕̾̒͑͘ǫ̵̣̉͊̽́͋͒̎ȗ̸͙̗̹̮̻͈͐͋.̸͚̉̓͘
W̶̳͍̣͙̌̒́͆͐̑̅͂ẖ̷͇̻̂͛̈́͆̉̿̿͆e̷̳͙̗͔͑n̵̛̲̲̦͎͖̭̲̤̳͆̂̏̌͝͝ ̸͖̻̣̰͌͗̊͌̚͝͝ṭ̸̢̻̂h̴̝͉͍̙̿̽͛͑̽̆̿̑͝e̴̛͍̤̬͍̿̊̿̓̆̈́̿y̴̨̤̠̗̐̇̓͑ ̸̗̠̪̜̲̮͊̅̈́́̀̃̚͜t̴̢͈̙̳͗̉̌́͆̎̋̚͝ǫ̷̙̽͐̐ơ̴̖̔̇̋̅̕k̸̢̛̻̽̈̄͊̍̈́̀̕̕ ̴̹̠̹̑͋̑̂̀̕y̵͕̾̒͑͘ǫ̵̣̉͊̽́͋͒̎ȗ̸͙̗̹̮̻͈͐͋.̸͚̉̓͘
Edited 2021-04-23 20:21 (UTC)
| ❝ | DUPLICITY CITATION No. 05142021 Violation: Failure to perform as designation dictates Fine: One full day at the Realignment Center + $100 fine. Payments must be received within 30 calendar days, or debts will be handed over to the Remittance Facility. | ❞ |
( it's a snapshot of his skin. the starburst scar is a vivid, angry red against pale skin. healing, clearly, but the skin is agitated enough to suggest that anything covering it must be incredibly uncomfortable.
that isn't what's interesting, though. what's interesting is the skin that surrounds the scar. it's pale, yes. almost lifelessly so, but the black lace of his veins seem to almost be shying away from the healing wound, as if wary of it. )
I thought you might like to admire your handiwork.
( this is less about guilting her over the pain caused than in it is gauging her reaction. )
that isn't what's interesting, though. what's interesting is the skin that surrounds the scar. it's pale, yes. almost lifelessly so, but the black lace of his veins seem to almost be shying away from the healing wound, as if wary of it. )
I thought you might like to admire your handiwork.
( this is less about guilting her over the pain caused than in it is gauging her reaction. )
[ she opens it while she's at work. a bizarre sense of pride shoots through her, supercharged. she has to set the phone down to grapple with the unpleasant feeling. she mulls it over, hand over her mouth. she shouldn't be proud. it was disgusting, what she'd done. she'd completely lost control of herself. she'd disfigured him.
she won't apologize, though. ]
I'm sure you've had worse.
she won't apologize, though. ]
I'm sure you've had worse.
I think I expected something a little more obvious.
( apropos of nothing. he'd been assured of the pills' efficacy — though that didn't necessary mean much, here — and had downed the first in a set of thirty several hours ago. aside from the bitter, gritty taste that clings to the back of his throat and tongue he's not really sure if he feels all that different. )
( apropos of nothing. he'd been assured of the pills' efficacy — though that didn't necessary mean much, here — and had downed the first in a set of thirty several hours ago. aside from the bitter, gritty taste that clings to the back of his throat and tongue he's not really sure if he feels all that different. )
— Mistress Alina Starkov, Lady of Sunlight,
A gift for the winter, to keep you warm.
In my home, we give gifts at the end of harvest - to keep us in good cheer all through the long dark to come. Since I know your home is a little like my own, it seems, I made something of it. Something I hope shall warm your heart as much as your head. The wreath is usually given at midsummer, then they are kept until mid-winter when we burn them on the longest night to ward off bad omens for the new year.
In all regards, yours,
Gilia St. Loe, Daughter-Sea, She Who Sings the Ocean to Prosperity
[ With the note comes a box that has been carefully packaged, scented faintly with lavender and rosemary. On the top is the wreath of leaves, flowers and berries, bound together with twists of herbs and ribbons that make it faintly sweet, with how it has all been carefully dried. Below it is the main gift itself. A shawl, of intricate flowers woven together. ] A gift for the winter, to keep you warm.
In my home, we give gifts at the end of harvest - to keep us in good cheer all through the long dark to come. Since I know your home is a little like my own, it seems, I made something of it. Something I hope shall warm your heart as much as your head. The wreath is usually given at midsummer, then they are kept until mid-winter when we burn them on the longest night to ward off bad omens for the new year.
In all regards, yours,
Gilia St. Loe, Daughter-Sea, She Who Sings the Ocean to Prosperity
Hey, I'm checking in re: contract plans. How u doin?
[ When he finally wakes again it's sudden, eyes snapping open as he jolts upright as if from a nightmare. What--?
Reggie's head and body both ache terribly like a hangover, but it's not that, it's the confluence of memories rushing back into his already overcrowded brain, all his memories of Duplicity -- and the feelings that go with them -- cramming themselves into every possible corner of space until he feels like his head may just split open from the strain.
It's happened before, of course, the last time he "went home" and came back, but that had only been a year's worth of time-- this would be seven years (or is it five, counting the two plus he's already spent in Duplicity?) worth of new information that will take some time to fit together with everything else he already thought and felt and knew.
He looks across the room and sees the sleeping figure, recognizing and remembering her in bits and pieces: her face, her voice, her smile, her glow. ]
Alina?
Reggie's head and body both ache terribly like a hangover, but it's not that, it's the confluence of memories rushing back into his already overcrowded brain, all his memories of Duplicity -- and the feelings that go with them -- cramming themselves into every possible corner of space until he feels like his head may just split open from the strain.
It's happened before, of course, the last time he "went home" and came back, but that had only been a year's worth of time-- this would be seven years (or is it five, counting the two plus he's already spent in Duplicity?) worth of new information that will take some time to fit together with everything else he already thought and felt and knew.
He looks across the room and sees the sleeping figure, recognizing and remembering her in bits and pieces: her face, her voice, her smile, her glow. ]
Alina?
[ she's snoring.
only a little. a light sort of wheeze deep in her chest. and only because she's propped against the wall, book in lap, clearly fallen asleep while trying to keep an eye on him.
but the sound of her name stirs her. slow, at first, then she jolts awake, sitting straighter, noticing that he's —
he's awake. ]
Reggie! [ she forgets about the book, lets it tumble out of her lap as she gets up to her knees and closes the distance to the edge of the bed. ] You're up. [ you're okay. ] Saints, it's been two days.
only a little. a light sort of wheeze deep in her chest. and only because she's propped against the wall, book in lap, clearly fallen asleep while trying to keep an eye on him.
but the sound of her name stirs her. slow, at first, then she jolts awake, sitting straighter, noticing that he's —
he's awake. ]
Reggie! [ she forgets about the book, lets it tumble out of her lap as she gets up to her knees and closes the distance to the edge of the bed. ] You're up. [ you're okay. ] Saints, it's been two days.
[ Jess needs to check up on Alina after Tumenalia. She needs to apologize to her just as badly. She doesn't deserve to do either, and wouldn't contact her if they hadn't made an arrangement prior to the festivities. It'll satisfy one of her compulsions, at least. It's an excuse to get face-to-face with her, though she assumes drinks are off. ]
Got the keys yet?
Got the keys yet?
[ oh? are we talking? after what happened? alina scrambles when she sees the notification is from jessica, reading it in earnest, and —
alright, so it's specifically business, but that's something when alina feels like she's done some awful, unforgivable thing. ]
yeah
the paperwork is all notarized and it's officially ours.
yours.
but i could show you the place, if you want.
or just drop the keys somewhere.
alright, so it's specifically business, but that's something when alina feels like she's done some awful, unforgivable thing. ]
yeah
the paperwork is all notarized and it's officially ours.
yours.
but i could show you the place, if you want.
or just drop the keys somewhere.
[ unwarranted anger stews in her belly. that's no way to ask. he knows it. but of course, the matter is already settled. this is the price she's paying for getting rid of him. the cost doesn't really matter. there isn't one she wouldn't pay. but it rankles her, feeds that awful piece of her that wants to buck the bit for bucking's sake.
she doesn't. she hates and fears that part of herself, the one that claws for every kind of power she can get. so she fights it down now. ]
i'll go take a look later.
i'm surprised.
she doesn't. she hates and fears that part of herself, the one that claws for every kind of power she can get. so she fights it down now. ]
i'll go take a look later.
i'm surprised.
Have you seen the network yet?
( because he has seen the network and, beyond the usual string of whinging and porn, something had caught his eye. something concerning.
not for the first time, aleksander wished he had a better understanding of vampires in general. hope is ...was... someone he'd largely dismissed, before, but now he has to wonder if he hadn't misjudged her as a threat. )
( because he has seen the network and, beyond the usual string of whinging and porn, something had caught his eye. something concerning.
not for the first time, aleksander wished he had a better understanding of vampires in general. hope is ...was... someone he'd largely dismissed, before, but now he has to wonder if he hadn't misjudged her as a threat. )
[ On Christmas morning, Alina will wake up to a stocking hanging on the end of her bed. Inside is a selection of festive baked goods, all freshly made. There's also a jewellery box on top, and inside is a sun-shaped pendant. The golden diamond in the centre contains a shield charm, which will activate if Alina falls under attack. It's a 2ft radius orb, and there's a note that it explains that it will activate automatically so long as she's wearing it.
There's a tag attached to the stocking which just says: ]
Happy Yuletide!
N
There's a tag attached to the stocking which just says: ]
Happy Yuletide!
N
[ Left on Alina's bed either when she wakes up in the morning or returns home from work is an enormous green and white gift basket of various treats; enormous assorted chocolate and truffle boxes/tins, a huge box of assorted holiday cookies, various other goodies, a tin of peppermint hot chocolate, and a chocolate fondue pot for dipping fruit in.
It's not a store-bought gift package but rather one he's put together himself, so Alina might notice he's included as much of anything she's identified to him as "favorites" as he could while also offering a good variety of things she likely hasn't tasted yet.
Also, a single crocus on her pillow.
The card reads simply:
From your boyfriend Reggie ❤︎ ]
It's not a store-bought gift package but rather one he's put together himself, so Alina might notice he's included as much of anything she's identified to him as "favorites" as he could while also offering a good variety of things she likely hasn't tasted yet.
Also, a single crocus on her pillow.
The card reads simply:
From your boyfriend Reggie ❤︎ ]
[ Wrapped beautifully and left at Alina’s door is a blanket ]
Alina-
I saw this in the markets and thought of you.
Thank you for your friendship and happy yule.
- Betty.
Alina-
I saw this in the markets and thought of you.
Thank you for your friendship and happy yule.
- Betty.
| ❝ | DUPLICITY CITATION No. 18136 Violation: Sexual Deviancy (Dominant/Dominant) Fine: $1000 + 1 day Realignment Payments must be received within 30 calendar days, or debts will be handed over to the Remittance Facility. | ❞ |
i haven't seen him either
[ she stops short of 'wasn't he with you?' because it's not appropriate to be jealous, not when that feeling had apparently driven her to murdering reggie. she tries to smother it, pretend it's not there. she likes veronica. she likes veronica and somehow it had never occurred to her that people would come asking about reggie. ]
[ she stops short of 'wasn't he with you?' because it's not appropriate to be jealous, not when that feeling had apparently driven her to murdering reggie. she tries to smother it, pretend it's not there. she likes veronica. she likes veronica and somehow it had never occurred to her that people would come asking about reggie. ]
[ sent during this conversation. ]
Hey, have you heard from Reggie? I haven't been able to get ahold of him and I'm worried. And if he's gone... I want to make sure Moose is taken care of.
Hey, have you heard from Reggie? I haven't been able to get ahold of him and I'm worried. And if he's gone... I want to make sure Moose is taken care of.
[ is she about to get in trouble for slinking down into the, well, down, to live with the darkling so she doesn't have to live in the house where she killed reggie? that's what alina assumes because she's a self-involved teenager on the cusp of a mental break who has entirely forgotten she made any promises to jess at all. ]
none of your business
none of your business
Saint Alina Starkov, Lady of Sunlight,
I hope this letter finds you well, and that it finds you timely through Darkling, who encouraged me to write to you and has been so kind as to deliver this to you from me.
I have had... much time to think, of late, more than I ever should want to lead me to this so simple as what should first be said: I am sorry for my cross words and ill-given intentions.
I offer no excuse for how and what I said. My ignorance, such as it is, comes from a place where I bear much responsibility and life differently lived, and that leads me often to forget happiness can be many things for others, which is a fault I can do else but freely admit to. Whether it is or is not my custom, my lack of understanding should never lead me to be dismissive of others as I was to you. For that, I hope you can forgive me if it is your will, and I shall never force or demand that of you - but our times here are too brief and so easily stolen to not do the right action by one another.
So I say it again, and I hope you know I mean it, with all my heart. I am sorry, Saint Alina, and I hope you can forgive me.
Regards,
Daughter-Sea.
I hope this letter finds you well, and that it finds you timely through Darkling, who encouraged me to write to you and has been so kind as to deliver this to you from me.
I have had... much time to think, of late, more than I ever should want to lead me to this so simple as what should first be said: I am sorry for my cross words and ill-given intentions.
I offer no excuse for how and what I said. My ignorance, such as it is, comes from a place where I bear much responsibility and life differently lived, and that leads me often to forget happiness can be many things for others, which is a fault I can do else but freely admit to. Whether it is or is not my custom, my lack of understanding should never lead me to be dismissive of others as I was to you. For that, I hope you can forgive me if it is your will, and I shall never force or demand that of you - but our times here are too brief and so easily stolen to not do the right action by one another.
So I say it again, and I hope you know I mean it, with all my heart. I am sorry, Saint Alina, and I hope you can forgive me.
Regards,
Daughter-Sea.
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