The door to Candace's room opened and a very flustered young woman stepped in. Against her chest she hugged the jar of 'Tiger Balm on Steroids' like it was some kind of pathetic little lifeline. She was tense, riled up and really antsy. Damn that Dr. H! Damn him! If she hadn't given him those rules the two of them could be...ugh! Candace reached behind her to lock the door and walk away to set the jar down on her dresser, tracing a hand along the edge of the lid before walking away to sit on the edge of her bed. She sighed, falling back to lay down and stretching her arms above her head until her fingertips brushed against the wall. Ahhhh, that felt nice. But there was something else that would probably feel much nicer right now. Candace giggled and rolled onto her side, pressing her fingers against her lips and curling up. Oh yes. Right about now was probably the best time to-- You cheating whore. Do you not knowing the meaning of loyalty? Atropos sounded serious but not aggressive or insulting, just extremely disappointed. Candace frowned. Good feeling gone.

Candace sighed and raised her arms to glare at her rings. "Nothing happened. I was fine. I'm a grown woman I wouldn't just put myself into a situation if I wasn't sure I couldn't keep it under control." Atropos snorted and Candace sat up again. "What? If there's something you want to say then say it. I'm sick of this behavior out of you, Atropos. I let it slide because you had every right to be angry but now it's getting irritating. Enough is enough." It was kind of awkward not having anyone but a pair of rings to look at. Candace briefly wondered if there were cameras in the dorms that would see her talking to her rings.

Oh well, at least in this place it was probably considered normal to be talking to pieces of jewelry. She wasn't completely crazy right now. Atropos was quiet for what felt like minutes before finally growling. Fine. You wanna talk? Let's talk. You're terribly lucky I'm your weapon, ghouly, or I'd be strangling you right now. You are the most inconsiderate b***h on the planet. You're selfish, and cruel, and heartless, and conniving. You apparently have a messed up sense of loyalty and don't care who you hurt as long as you get what you want. Candace blinked. Did Atropos' voice crack just then? She could have sworn it did. Weapons could...

Was...was Atropos crying?

I told you time and time again that you didn't need that big stupid scythe! I am your weapon! We're supposed to be partners! But no! All you wanted was that scythe. Weren't we working well together? I thought you loved me. I thought you loved u-using me. Okay, that time it definitely cracked. Candace's eyes widened. Maybe letting Atropos go on and on hadn't been the best idea... Even that sick doctor you want so badly all of a sudden likes me better than you! Do you know how many people have weapons on their feet around here, Candace?! Do you realize how unique and wonderful I am to you?! DO YOU?! Ho-h-how can you go around praising me when you don't love me?! That was when Atropos gave up on talking. All Candace could hear in her head were heavy sobs that wouldn't stop. They just kept going and going. Candace was speechless for an all new reason now than earlier. Atropos was that hurt? She knew she was angry but she didn't...realize...

What had she done?

Candace sniffed, ignoring how her own vision suddenly became just a little blurrier with every loud sob that rang through her head. "A..Atropos I..." She frowned, pursing her lips into a tight line and sniffing again. So many things she had said had been true..but not all of them. There were some things she was very wrong about. So very wrong. "I do love you." She corrected her softly, raising her hands to rub a ring against her cheek and closing her eyes. It was the closest thing to a hug Candace could give Atropos, unfortunately. "I didn't...want Circe. I wanted the feeling that came with Circe. I'm..I was stupid. I should have listened to you, Atropos." A few tears fell down her cheeks and she nuzzled the ring again, laying a kiss against the glowing gem and looking down at both of them. "I'm so sorry. I'm so, so, so, so, so sorry. I never want to do that to you again I swear it. I won't even so much as go 'wow I wonder what it's like to have that!' I just want my partner. Please, Atropos? Please?" Atropos' crying was quieting, but it wasn't completely over. She seemed to be calming down just a little. Maybe giving her time to abuse Candace had been what she needed? This would be so hard after all?

How can I ever trust you again, Candace? Atropos sounded so sad, almost defeated. It was like trying to reconcile with and keep a girlfriend when you've cheated on them, only in this case there really was no 'break up' option without..Candace probably being killed? She didn't want that. She wanted Atropos. She wanted the fun, flashy fighting with the flips and turns and twirls and kicks. They were fun, they were her style. Candace loved the dramatic flare she got with Atropos. She loved the company of being able to have someone she could always cheer about her accomplishments with and be as proud of as they were of her. She loved having Atropos as her partner. They worked so well together until she ignored her warnings not to touch Circe!

Giving a shrug, Candace rubbed the rings with her thumbs, tracing the shape of the large eye shaped gems. "That's for you to decide. I promise you I won't ever do that again. I won't even so much as poke someone else's weapon in summoned or desummoned form." This was a good start. Clearly Atropos still needed more time but...they'd talked! They'd finally talked without Atropos calling her a b***h and a whore the entire time! She wiped away a few tears, sniffing and looking down at the rings still. "I'll never hurt you again. I don't want this. I don't want to hear you cry, it breaks my heart. I...I am selfish, I am a b***h. I'm all those things you said I am! I'm...I'm not perfect."

Atropos sniffed and coughed in Candace's head a little. You are perfect. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, especially not Caelius. You are a strong, smart woman who just has loyalty issues. Candace pouted.

"Atropos. It's been two years, damnit. You can't tell me if you were suddenly treated like that you wouldn't want some of it." Atropos groaned.

Humans are so disgusting. I thought he made you sick. Candace shrugged and flopped back on her bed again, lifting an arm to admire one of her rings.

"It's amazing what acting a little normal and a little less creepy can do." Her hand dropped to rest by her head and she kicked off her boots, closing her eyes and sighing. Atropos was quiet. Damnit, Atropos wasn't usually this quiet even before their fight. "Atropos..?"

...You really want me? Candace smiled.

"Of course I do. I love you, Atropos." She'd never said that to anyone before. It was nice to say.

Thank you, Candace... She smiled more and nodded, rolling over to curl up in the middle of the bed. No, thank you. For what? Candace shook her head and didn't answer, rolling onto her back again. Despite the emotional talk Candace was still feeling...very wound up.

Very wound up.

Could she...? No. Not right now. She had wanted to before but... "I want under your skin, Candace." She swallowed hard and ran her fingers through her hair. "When the only thing left is savage hungers and slick, clenching need. Do you understand, sweet girl?" Candace whimpered and suddenly sat up, moving her legs off the bed and quickly standing. No. Nonono. Being alone in her bedroom with nothing to distract her from...doing...things was not a good idea right now.

You should go see Jerry. Atropos suggested calmly. Candace nodded. Yes, that was a good idea. She held a hand close to her face and breathed out of her mouth once. She still smelled like bourbon...

Oh well. No big deal, right? Straightening out her clothes, Candace cleared her throat and left her room. She wanted to see Jerry, she needed to remind herself she wanted him not...not the man who was offering her exactly what she wanted.