A sip of champagne went down Lex’s throat, bubbly and stinging lightly at the end. He’d agreed to dating her, which basically put them at “couple” status – something Lex never was quite able to keep. Back in the real world, the world that made sense and didn’t have a myriad of mythological beasts and haunts trying to kill him, he wouldn’t have to worry about such a commitment. Date ‘em, dazzle ‘em, drop ‘em was his motto in the real world, and usually in tandem with another girl. He played the game well, and was revered by his circle of ‘manly men’ for his skill in wooing a woman into a relationship that could last from one night to a few months, depending on Lex’s mood.
Ami, though, was a special case. Deus Ex had a game the Lifer thought he could easily control and conquer – and he had been advancing far ahead for a while – but then he said yes. He knew Ami; the petite woman was strong when it came to mental tasks, but emotionally she was still weak. If he cheated on her, she would retreat back into her turtle like habits, acting like the grumpy hermit of the island.
The bottle of champagne was put on his bedside table, and Lex changed into his whites, frowning at his reflection while he wrapped his scarf around his neck. He and Ami, through some kind of generosity of fortune, had been given duties that night in completely separate areas of Life expertise. For once, he was glad to be cleaning minipet tanks. It was a mindless and dull task, and would require no brain power; meaning he wouldn’t have to concentrated for a good while longer.
---
<< You’re really quite the fool, whelpling. >> The gryphon chided as his charge scrubbed away at a particularly dense spot of stuff. Regal always got bored when this duty came about, and what better way to suffer through it than to get Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome in a tizzy? << You know you’re incapable of something even close to a serious relationship. You didn’t even have something like that with the peppy French one. >>
< Are you insinuating I wanted a serious relationship with Solia? You’re obviously the fool this time, Squawker. > Lex chided back, moving on to the next bit of the tanks. He didn’t want to think about this right now, but the stubborn cross of an eagle and lion would have his way.
<< What? No, I would never! That woman is so annoying and blithering and dull; she only came to mind because of the frequency the two of you shared. >>
< Sure, sure. > Which meant ‘bull crap’ in Lex terms, but Regal knew that one. < I still don’t understand why you choose to address the issue of Ami and I, it’s not like you care for either of us. >
<< Oh? And what makes you think that, little whelp? I admire that woman – in fact, I think you undeserving of her. >>
No retort was given, and a small frown became a deeper one. The gryphon was right.
---
Early morning, probably around 1AM, Lex was in the shared bathrooms brushing his teeth in preparation for a five hour sleep period, and then he would be at the infirmary for a few hours. The beat of the bristles on ivory was soothing, until the Life trainee’s companion decided that it was time to butt his head into things again.
<< You’re still thinking about her? Pathetic little whelp. Don’t disservice her by even trying – tell her that you can’t, because you don’t deserve someone like her. That little Madeline girl is far better suited for you; such an unintelligent little brute. You can be brutes together. >>
Regal was met with a blank, leveled stare and a mental middle finger. The tall man was getting tired of the gryphon’s torments, even though they held truth. Lex would just hurt Ami in the end, it was inevitable for someone who was raised the way he was to hurt everyone he tried to be serious with. If he ended this gracefully, she might not turtle so hard. Maybe she could pursue someone better –
His phone buzzed, chiming with the sounds of a new message.
Chimarii
Ami: Good morning Lex, have a pleasant rest of your day.
A weighted sigh loosed from his chest as Lex opened the door to his room, a confused and sloppy smile splayed on his freckled features. Little things she did like that wrenched his heart, made the situation all the more confusing. Should he keep trying? Should he just give up and give in? Break up with her? He just didn’t know…
<< Oh, you’re so pathetic! What would your father think of you? >>
Regal knew that was a trigger, and may have shrunk back at the tidal wave of anger and frustration obliterated any semblance of a good mood left in Alexei. The gun was summoned in frustration, and the closest target – his pillow – was riddled with a dozen bullets shot in pure anger ventilation.
It didn’t help.
