( open post )

[mislay]

ᴛᴇxᴛs | ᴘɪᴄs | sᴛᴀʀᴛᴇʀs | ᴡʜᴀᴛᴇᴠᴇʀ

Comments

[casimir]

everything’s fine. i’m just getting home. i spent the last few hours with nadia trying to help her focus her gifts.

what are you doing?

[mislay]

would you believe me if i said nothing? well, mostly nothing.

i've been keeping an eye on someone, but it's been a waste of time. why?

[casimir]

i didn’t want to interrupt anything important.

do you ever get tired of this?

[mislay]

what do you mean by "this"?

[casimir]

all of this. the fight. do you ever wonder what it’s like to be ignorant of it like so many around us and to just live?

nadia’s parents were killed on a slaver ship. she lives in a group home and they call me at least once a week because she can’t control her gifts and gives the other children nightmares, along with herself. i closed my shop early to see her, but i already haven’t made a profit this month because of the money i spent repairing the doors and windows from the break-in, so my ships haven’t gone out yet, and my safe-houses are full to capacity with people trying to get home. i can’t get to them for at least another week or two. this is all i think about, and i’m tired. sometimes i wonder what my life would be like if i came here to go to school and didn’t know about any of the darkness in the city.

[mislay]

if that's how it was, i doubt i would have much reason to stay here. there are always places to go, other things to do. my life was already complicated before i came to the dusk, and if i think about what it might have been like if i hadn't, i never see anything good. i wouldn't be part of this. i wouldn't know you. even when things are the worst they could possibly be, i always remember the trade-off. i prefer the certainty over what-ifs.

you should think of yourself a little. if you need something, just tell me.

[casimir]

i’m glad to have met you, too.

i suppose these things could be called certainties. i certainly know I’m going to be pulled in five different directions each day.

i think of myself plenty. usually when i’m with you. and when i’m feeling sorry for myself.

this is a strange place to call home.

[mislay]

this isn't home for me. it's a place i stay for people i care about. one day, when this is over, i want to be somewhere i decide and not what circumstances dictate.

are you thinking about yourself now? [ They're not together, so that leaves only one alternative. ]

[casimir]

we could go somewhere a little warmer. [ He’s casually tacked himself onto this little journey and plans to ignore any resistance. ]

i would like to take you to my country someday. i just don’t know when someday will come.

a bit, perhaps. i have a glass of wine and the moon for company. and my misery. and you.

[mislay]

i'm not partial to warm climates, but if that's where you want to go, we can. and before you ask, it has nothing to do with being what i am. [ He'd been used to the cold before. ]

not all of those are good companions considering i'm halfway across the city. should i come see you?

[casimir]

it’s a thought. my country cleansed itself of my people years ago so going back now would be suicide. but someday, maybe. it would be nice to be there with you. and don’t worry, i’d get you a hat.

no. you’re busy doing nothing, remember?

it’s a joke. i’m fine. i like that now i have you to talk to when i’m in a mood.

[mislay]

nothing says you can't think about being somewhere else. we'll go there one day, but i'm not going to wear a hat. [ He'll just suffer. ]

is that all to the story, or is there something else that's bothering you?

[casimir]

it's the desert, stupid. even if you were just human, you'd burn in the sun. you people are so colorless. maybe i also just want to see you in a hat.

it's nothing. i'm just tired and i can't sleep. the neighbor has a tune stuck in her head and now it's in mine.

[mislay]

i realize that, but think of the tan i would get if i didn't. anyway, you could have me wear a hat any time.

should i sing you to sleep? i'm certain you'd strangle me before the end, but it doesn't mean i'm not willing to try something new.

[casimir]

i don't know, i like being the golden beauty in this relationship.

do you think about me strangling you often?

[mislay]

i won't steal your title. you'd look better anyway.

not often. only when i'm feeling particularly adventurous.

[casimir]

it's appreciated.

i have some wonderful silk ties that would lend themselves well to the opportunity.

speaking of silk ties, i need you to dress up and accompany me somewhere. the sea snakes are throwing a soiree and it would be rude of me to turn down their invitation. not to mention they might try to chop off my head if i do.

[mislay]

you'd rather use silk instead of your hands? i'm not surprised.

tell me when this party is, and i'll make arrangements. i'm fond of your head where it is, so i'd rather avoid any chances you might have of losing it.

[casimir]

only the best silks for you. i had some imported from my country and this is as good of a use as any.

don't make any rash decisions, but they're throwing it at the bleeder den. the swanky one. there are quite a few addicts in the sea snakes.

[mislay]

i'm sure you could find better uses for something as nice as that.

i do have some self-control, you know. i promise to be on my best behavior and not embarrass you.

[casimir]

maybe a blindfold or something to tie your hands with.

you have more self-control than i'd prefer. i think causing a scene would keep things interesting.

[mislay]

tie my hands if you must, but i want to see your face.

causing a scene would draw too much attention to me, and i want to avoid that. anyway, it's a party. i'm sure there are plenty of things to keep you occupied there.

[casimir]

well, i can hardly blame you.

you'll have at least a little attention. you're my date, after all, and i don't like to feel as if people aren't looking at me. but they do have a habit of bringing live snakes to the party, so i'll have some competition.

[mislay]

not so much that i can't control the situation. you know that.

is that really all you're worried about?

[casimir]

it's a party, larus. you don't have to control everything. besides, i'll hear if anything is about to go wrong.

no. but it's easier to worry about what i'm going to wear than everything else.