Better at—at growing stuff? Like, what, do you study for it? [And he had this momentary horrible mental image of all these scantily clad women getting random limbs chopped off and having to regrow them, all the while being graded on their speed by instructors. Some pop-quiz that would be. Gross. And hot for the scantily clad women part. BUT GROSS.] Dude, what kinda school did you go to?!
And arms are important. Doon—Don’t lose it!
[Well, he was more fond of the idea of HER being naked, but he couldn’t say that. Could he? She’d probably find it funny. Charming. Wiiiiiitty. And since the filter had sailed away on a ship two bottles ago—]
More you naked, less me naked. Not that I think there’s anything wrong with me being naked –I know lots of folks that’d love to see it—but, I dunno, flirting. Something. Something. [Which was his intoxicated way of saying, I didn’t think you’d actually DO it.]
Yeah, family. She’s special to me. Really special. She deserves better and I just wanna see her happy. Deep down true happy.
[And yes, this was a sappy moment. Normally, he didn’t go into it at length with a near stranger, but the pesky filter was a dot on the horizon. Besides, this was a safe zone, at least about Priscilla. And she’d understand, especially since he didn’t dine on guts.
[He felt a bit of pride at that, and smiled.]
I like you, too. You’re a pretty good gir—lad—person. Mmhm. [‘Person’ was a good word for feminists, right? Sure. Yeah. ]
And aweeesome. I got high standards. PrisMiss doesn’t like ‘em I think, but she just hasn’t seen what kinda guy I can pick for her. She’ll be cool after that.
[There was a nod, confident and sure, that is replaced by a horrified expression a second later.]
Why? You have pretty arms! Don’t get rid of them! It’s a—a waste!
[Because women’s arms that heft swords? Hoooot. ] Not that you wouldn’t be hot anymore if you didn’t have arms –you would—but don’t, don’t go hurting yourself! Life isn’t that bad; it’ll get better! I promise!
[Does Zack think you’re a cutter or perhaps suicidal? Maybe.]
For youuuu to date someone. Duh. Maybe we should have a—a Date auction. We could….could the money towards something good for the Scort—Scra—for us all?
[Zack. Always thinking. And being thought about, so it seems. Really, Irene, for the right woman, especially a woman that could keep a secret, he might just do what’s on your mind. Might. After as much booze as he’s having now.]
Hey, hey, hey, I don’t want—don’t want your beer pity, man! [And he was back to drinking again.]
Edited 2010-12-02 09:11 (UTC)
[voice : never apologize for that! /tl;drs in return :o ]
[Too bad she can't see that image, Zack because hey, it's not that far off!]
Defes. Defenes. [No, no not defenestrate. Wrong word, Irene. Forces the damn word out slowly.] Def..en..sive types. Regrow faster. I'm not [Why is that word so much trouble right now?] ...that type.
You have no idea.
[Arms ARE important. This is a very good point. She thinks on this for a bit before taking another drink and making a muffled-by-bottle noise of approval.]
[LMAO ZACK. THAT SHIP HAS SAILED AND I THINK IT'S SINKING DUE TO SHEER WEIGHT OF THE BARRELS OF FAIL!COHOL ON BOARD]
You don't want to see me naked. [No, really. You don't. Unless you have a thing for nauseatingly scarred flesh?]
[It's a moment of drunken bonding! It's not the usual for Irene either, but it's about Priscilla. She can afford to be sappy. Have a sappy sigh, why don't you?]
I do, too. Very much.
[Well good. It is not good to be around people you don't like when you're drunk, right? Right.]
Thankyou. [drink] We like each other.
[...aaaand now she's extra curious.]
Who would you pick for her?
[...]
Keeping these arms. Likethemverymuch. Buckles are easier with two. [Speaking of buckles, they are kind of entrancing. And shiny. And on the floor. Maybe she should be on the floor with them? Yes. Moving to the floor now. There's an audible 'thump' as she just lets herself slide out of the chair.]
Floor's cold.
[Wait. Date. Auction? Money for the good of all? Totally missed the part where it's about her, yes.]
Great idea. 's there a starting bid?
[Because it must be happening right NOW. And she is missing it.]
[She's still a few drinks away from asking. But give her time, if she's not too inebriated to form words, that is. Because she can take that secret to the grave.]
[She's laughing. That may have been a snort. ALSO I DIED AT BEER PITY. IDEK.]
You're drinking beer? That's the problem, then! Ha!
[voice :MY GOD, THIS CONVERSATION, WHAT IS IT? XD ]
Soooo, if you’re not defensive, you must be offensssive. Right? [And that sparks his interest even more. And no, the next offer isn’t the way to get a girl, but hell, he thinks it sure sounds nice. Perfect, really.]
Wanna spar? N-Not noooooow, but someday?
[And he can’t help but nod. And “MMHM” rather loudly. Arms are very important; don’t be wasteful with them! They’ll just end up in a landfill somewhere and then it’ll be a landfill of arms and it’ll smell gross. Ew. EW.
[And FAIL!Alcohol is the best kind of alcohol! And look, now that ship is burning as it drowns in the ocean.]
Why do women always… always say that? [His voice goes to a high, rather impressive falsetto.] Oh, I’m faaaat. You don’t wanna see thiiiiiis! I’m so uuuugly. [Aaaand it’s back to normal.] You’re pretty! Everyone would—should wanna see it. [Oh, obliviousness. Isn’t it wonderful? Though, truth be told, no matter how bad the scars, he’d still think she’s pretty. It’s a mental thing.
[Happy sighs are good. Good sighs. He has one, too. It’s a chorus of sighs.]
She… she’s special.
[As if either of them hadn’t confirmed that already. And he smiles.]
Friends? Friends.
[If this keeps up, he’s going to become the Claymore mascot.]
Hmmmmmm. That Na—Naruto kid isn’t bad, but he’s with Pink. Kaien~! Kaien would be AWESOME. Junpei, but they’d need… I dunno… babysitters. They’d get in trouble too much. Wish Arthur was here, still. He was kinda a dick, but they were good together. [Nod nod, mmhm, mmhm.] What about you? Who’d you pick?
[Was that--? Sorry, but Zack’s laughing at you. Hard. HARD.] You’re on the flooooor! [And yes, that IS the funniest thing he heard all day, thank you very much.]
Startin’? Oh, a MILLLLLLION Ivories! I’m paying them! Let’s see someone outbit—er, outbid me!
[After all, someone’s gotta keep you safe from all of the lecherous folks out there. Leave it to Zack, fair maiden!
Before you came here, I had a spar with Teresa. And she kind of criticized me for my constant yoki suppression, and said I should learn to use it properly. So I started to practice, but about three months ago, it sort of got... well I got distracted when Senji-- did you know about Senji? Anyway, when he... ...um. And then Isley came here, and anyway I'm trying to start training again!
I just think... the way you focus and control your yoki is amazing. If I could have even half your control it--
[...]
It would probably be better for everyone, if I could.
The one that cut off your hand? Yes. I remember hearing a little. We haven't met formally, but no matter. You and he were [word choice word choice] ...close. [Almost not a question.]
[When he.... A pause. Examination of the 'um' that followed this. 'Um' often being the precursor to bad news, she decides not to press this further.]
I think it would be to your benefit, yes.
Re: [voice :MY GOD, THIS CONVERSATION, WHAT IS IT? XD ]
[OOC:And now I want Claymore-In-Highschool-As-Stereotypes fanart. WHAT DID YOU JUST DO.]
[The odd thing is, there isn't a better thing he could say to Irene. For real.]
I am! [That's pride in her voice. She might be proud of being an offensive warrior, or she might just be proud that you guessed. ALSO SHE'S DRUNK, SO.]
Absolutely! [Drunken enthusiasm GO] I will spar with you anytime. But now. Would be bad.
[Sigh. DRINK!]
Scars. All of us have them. Don't think you'd want to see. 'specially on a full stomach.
Prispeshul. [drink] Friends.
[For the record, Zack would make an awesome Claymore mascot!]
[Have an exasperated sigh.] JUNPEI. Atleasthedleavemealone. Ugh, Trouble. Can'tevenbeginwheredoIstart.
[Know who's kinda a dick? ISLEY. Not drunk enough to say it but still. Just putting that out there.]
Angeal. Or you. But yeah, yeah... Sister.
[...]
If you were drinking the real stuff you'd be on the floor with me. [snort] Beer.
[You mean no one wanted to toss an insane amount of ivories into the ring? You don't say. Maybe it was your jump from one fifty to five hundred? She's still not sure how she even got---]
Yes.
Five hundred? [Seriously?!]
The cause is worthy, but I would have answered any questions you wished to ask without such an expenditure. [She's wondering if he has two hours of questions.]
Ah, I hope you don't mind? I mean, I would have went higher... if anyone else had bid.
[ But they didn't. And he's glad. Because he's actually won a couple of dates, although the amount spent comes nowhere near the amount borrowed from Mello. But he supposes having extra for the dates and whatever else - say, rent? food? - might be nice, too. ]
...Anyway, the thing is. I can't go on a date with you. I mean, it's not that I wouldn't love to, Irene. You're strong, and beautiful, and I don't doubt that you'd be very engaging one-on-one, it's just... I've got prior obligations. I mean, I've got this date with Dawn, and I really didn't think I'd be winning more than one person... not to mention four altogether, which I've really gotta sort out...
Um. So, I was thinking. You know how you and Zack get along so well? Yeah, how about I give him my two hours?
So you can go on a date with Zack. Sound fair?
Does to me! Glad we're agreed, so that's that and I guess, uh, I'll be seeing you around!
[Oh wow what an awkward thing to contact her over. And it's not like she could possibly not know by now, either. Which makes this somehow even weirder, and--]
...do I have to explain why I'm contacting you! I'm sure you can figure it out!
Yes. And... it's compl-- [She needs to stop saying that.] My relationship with him is--
[...]
He asked me if I was lonely. And then he offered to alleviate it. And I said all right, but only if he promises that... if he has violent impulses that he can't control - if he has to kill someone... it has to be me.
[Oh. Well, I understand the loneliness that----BACK THE FUCK UP. IF HE HAS TO. HAFSKHAKSJ. IF? THERE'S AN IF? NO WORDS. NO WORDS. THAT'S A LOVELY IDEA. IS IT TOO LATE TO ASK THAT BOX FOR RESPAWNING INTESTINES? ]
Irene. It'll be fine. He isn't going to hurt me. That's why I chose the promise I did.
[She sounds quite calm about it!]
...in any case. It wasn't about his... eating. That's--
[AN EVEN LONGER STORY. She takes a deep breath.]
He isn't going to hurt me. He promised it would never come to that. So I let him join me.
[...]
My relationship with him is very um. [Here it comes.] Complicated! I guess I'm my own best bargaining chip. There are a lot of things he'll do or agree to... to be closer to me. It can be very trying.
But. I do love him. That makes things easier. ...and also more complicated.
This is about his impulse to kill, is it not? [Please let it not be. But. How could it not be.]
He promised you. His word is good? [She supposes it's possible. But unlikely. The idea that such a monster could retain any sense of honor was laughable to her not too long ago. It's only slightly less so now.]
[She's thankful again that it's voice and not video, though it's not impossible for Priscilla to feel the tiny spikes in her energy, flickering, a low burn before it's forced down and away.] More emotional blackmail, then. Are you sure that you're anything more to him than a ...bargaining chip? A means to an end that we can only begin to guess at? [Yeah. I've got guesses. For miles. You could pave a road to Hell with them, too, but none of them are good.]
[You love him. She's got nothing, there. Just a mess beneath a very soft sigh.]
Yes, it's about... that impulse. I can't say how good his word is to anyone else, but I trust his promises to me. That wasn't his first. And... he's never broken one. And he never denies me anything.
I--
[How to even start addressing that last part. She rubs her face.]
I can't read his mind. I wish I could. Then I guess I'd know for sure what I am to him. I know he says he loves me. And... I know he gets jealous... over me. Mostly of Senji, I guess.
I... go back and forth a lot... on whether I really believe he can love someone. I usually believe him, for a lot of reasons. But sometimes I wonder.
But. Even if it isn't love, it's definitely something.
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