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 Posted: Mon May 02, 2022 5:50 pm
It was Monday, and as promised, Carterhaugh was waiting for Aegirine. The days had felt slow, and long, as they waited for the appointed time to see her again--and honestly, it was a little strange.
It felt silly and childish, to feel like time had slowed ot a crawl while waiting to meet with an enemy. An enemy who had twice threatened to kill them, and who had now promised to use them for energy draining. But at least if they had worked out an arrangement, it meant Aegirine might be in less danger from someone on Carterhaugh's own side, who might take exception to what she was doing.
Not to say that Carterhaugh didn't; they weren't a fan of the Negaverse, or the Negaverse's techniques. But that was handled too--a willing sacrifice was much better than an unknowing victim. So, here they were, as promised, waiting for Aegirine to arrive.
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Posted: Mon May 02, 2022 6:17 pm
Aegirine did arrive, and while she wasn’t quite as drunk as she had been at the time of their last meeting…she was solidly buzzed, and had brought a bottle of wine along with some of the fancier looking plastic wine glasses in her subspace pocket. Because she was nice like that and wanted to share.
Carterhaugh was going to share his energy, the least she could do was share her booze.
She walked up to the Page and plopped down on the bench beside him, flashing a quick, almost shy grin. “Well. You’re here. I’m here. I brought wine if you want to do this right. I hope you brought the cheese.”
…She hadn’t asked for cheese. Didn’t expect cheese. But. Such a question. Such an expectation. It would confuse him. Perfect. Devious.
“...Also, you can call me beautiful, if you want.”
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Posted: Mon May 02, 2022 6:34 pm
Carterhaugh smiled, when Aegirine arrived. It was silly, and stupid, how their heart felt warmer just seeing her--she was still dangerous, and she could decide, they knew, at any moment, to turn on them and get rid of what was probably a massive question to her loyalty.
But she hadn't yet. And as long as she didn't, they could keep trying.
"Of course I'm here," they said. "I promised, didn't I?" A smile teased across their face, and they reached out to take the wine glass when it was offered. Perhaps they shouldn't be encouraging this, but...one step at a time.
"Unfortunately, I didn't bring any cheese--though I suppose I sohuld have brought dinner. Only appropriate when meeting a fine lady for a date." They sighed, a little theatrically. "Next week, then, I'll be sure to bring us a nice meal. What's your favorite restaurant? Or your favorite food, if you'd prefer to be less specific. I'd like to make sure I bring you something you like."
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Posted: Mon May 02, 2022 6:38 pm
“Mm…” Aegirine sighed and pressed a kiss to their cheek. “I don’t know. Surprise me. But nothing too greasy, okay? I have to keep my figure.”
She poured them each a glass and leaned against Carterhaugh, sighing once again as she took a sip. “...We could go on real dates you know. If you’d stop being a knight. We could actually date. And you could know who I was. And it would…be wonderful I bet. We could go on double dates with my cousin and her girlfriend.”
The lieutenant gave a contented noise at the thought and lightly reached to lace fingers with Carterhaugh. “...I’m going to take some energy now. Tell me if you get sleepy. And not just from the wine.”
And slowly, she began to gather the energy, just as Larimar had taught her.
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Posted: Mon May 02, 2022 7:44 pm
"I'll keep that in mind," Carterhaugh laughed. "I think I know a few places that could make for a nice dinner." It would be a delight to surprise her, then; there were plenty of options in the "not too greasy" category.
Perhaps they would go fancy. They didn't know enough to know for sure, but treating her sounded like a wonderful idea.
Her request, though....it gave them pause.
They could. They could join the Negaverse and try to save her from the other side. They could try and convince her to come back with them, and they wouldn't be doing it hypocritically. Or, perhaps, they could discover a truth--learn that the White Moon was wrong.
But they would have to give up their life. What remained of it. Their work on their thesis, their teaching position.
".....I can give it some thought," they said, honestly. "But I can't decide tonight." They would have to turn it over. The pros and cons, the ups and downs--the possibility that they could give up everything in order to try and save one person.
They nodded, at her request, but they were, for once, silent--pondering her offer.
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Posted: Mon May 02, 2022 7:52 pm
Aegirine hesitated and rested a little closer. She hadn’t…actually expected any kind of open ended answer like this. She had expected a laugh, maybe an eye roll but.
There was almost a hopeful note to her voice, and she had stopped taking the energy, stowing the little orb of it she had taken in subspace. “...You…actually mean that? You’ll…actually think about it? Are you teasing me…because now..I…”
She broke off, a little confused. Perhaps her head was simply spinning from the wine but.
Oh god. Now she wanted it. Wanted to have that…someone there again. Wanted to have…something again.
Truthfully, Aegirine hadn’t realized she was crying until she had to sniffle to keep the snot from slipping out of her nose.
“...Because now I want it…and I promise…I promise if you do…I won’t let you get shot…”
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Posted: Mon May 02, 2022 8:06 pm
Carterhaugh smiled. Nodded.
"I will," they said. "It's a big decision, but....I don't know. I don't feel as if I've found a place on either side of the war, necessarily, and I think I could find one with you. I think...I would like to find one with you."
She had started to cry. Perhaps they had underestimated how important the offer would be to her--though really, they should have realized. She was so alone, it seemed; a hand would probably mean a lot.
They reached up, brushing the tears off her cheek.
"I trust that you won't," they said, and they leaned forward, kissing her cheek. "And I promise that I won't disappear or get bored of you. I doubt I ever could. You're a fascinating woman, Aegirine, beautiful inside and out--and it would be a pleasure and a privilege to get to know all of you."
They exhaled.
"Give me some time to think? And to get my affairs in order, if I do decide to join you. There will be much to do. But....I don't want to reject the possibility out of hand."
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 8:04 am
Aegirine nodded, managing a small smile and feeling herself flush a little with the kiss to her cheek. “...Take your time. Whenever…whenever you want or…whenever you have I mean…”
She drew in a breath and wiped her eyes fiercely. “I’ll see you next Monday for our next meeting, I don’t expect an answer from you, is what I’m saying. There’s no rush. Just. I’m…so happy that you’re even considering…”
Drawing in a breath, Aegirine stood up, drawing away and gave a sketchy half bow, half salute, half wave. It wasn’t comfortable, and looked as stupid as she imagined but.
“...Take care. I’ll see you in a week, Carterhaugh.”
She didn’t even care that she left the bottle of wine behind. He could enjoy it.
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