✖ IC CONTACT #1

[silverking]

Well?

You're here because you have something to say, so... out with it.

Comments

[silverking]

[ A tightness appears at the corner of his mouth and his eyes. ]

I prefer to think of it as being realistic. I have had few good things happen to me one after the other...without some sort of consequence to pay. I think that is the price to pay for happiness.

[ ...A sigh. He didn't mean for that to sound so morbid. ]

I have not seen Raki in a couple of years, longer if you count the time I've spent here. If he has continued practicing, then perhaps. But it's difficult to say. You were taught the fundamentals well before he was, and so the foundation of your knowledge is sturdier, braced by experience.

I wouldn't mind seeing the both of you spar.

Actually...I think I might like that too much.

[priscilla]

Do you think someone can like something too much?

[...stupid question, come to think of it.]

...well. In this case, anyway.

[silverking]

[ ...That makes him laugh again. What are these mood swings. ]

I think so, yes.

[priscilla]

You see? Again, something I don't understand about you. He's your... protege, isn't he? And then there's me... whatever I am to you.

It makes sense to like us.

At least I hope so! I think you spend too much time worrying about how much you like things.

...not that I should criticize given how much time I spend thinking about that.

[silverking]

My protege.

[ He was more than that. Is more than that. ]

You know what you are to me, Priscilla.

And I suppose it makes sense to like you both, but I...

[ He trails off. ]

[ She wouldn't understand. Or...would she? ]

It isn't easy to maintain a clear sense of judgment when my thoughts are occupied by memories of a time that once was, and never will be again.

[priscilla]

[Maybe she would, or wouldn't... but she does want to try. So, she shifts a bit on her bed, curling around a nearby sleeping fox.]

Well... nothing we've already done ever comes back. But that doesn't mean you can't keep going forward, even if it's with... kind of the same... people.

Why does it bother you so much?

[silverking]

It's not important.

...Tell me, do you look forward to meeting him?

[priscilla]

It is to you. And... that makes me wonder. And it makes it matter to me, too.

[...]

I wouldn't mind meeting him. But it's a little weird. So many people know her instead of me.

[silverking]

[ Ignoring that first part. ]

Raki isn't judgmental, Priscilla. You'll find that he's very likable, and I think the two of you will get along very well.

[ Too well, perhaps. ]

[priscilla]

[A flicker of irritation ghosts over her face for a moment at that VERY COMMON IGNORING THING. Sigh.]

Well! It's not so much that I think he'd judge me. It's just strange. Like meeting ghosts from another life.

Except without the um, deadness.

You know what I mean. ...but I know he's important to Clare, and that could be a problem.

[silverking]

I don't see how.

Raki is his own person, and whatever his feelings for Clare, that will not change how he feels about other people. As for Clare herself, I do not think she will be too opposed to his friendships as long as he remains safe.

[priscilla]

I guess we'll see.

...how much does he know about you?

[silverking]

Everything will come to light soon enough.

[priscilla]

That's not really what I asked. But I guess it kind of answers it, even so.

[The fox flicks it ear, and Priscilla wrinkles her nose.]

Do you think it'll be okay? You did say he wasn't judgmental. But.

...there's a lot to say.

[silverking]

There's enough he doesn't know, Priscilla. Enough. And whether or not he is accepting of the fact, and what is revealed, changes nothing.

I don't really believe there is anything to be concerned about, however.

[priscilla]

Mmm.

[How grim. Sometimes she almost forgets how much there is someone could not know about Isley.]

[...mostly so she doesn't need to wonder how much she doesn't know, herself.]

...well. If you'd like to see us spar, I don't mind it. Not that I minded it anyway! But, there are bonuses involved for-- [MAKING YOU STOP BEING SO GRIM? EVEN FOR A SECOND?] --this situation.

But it does remind me of something... I've meant to ask you.

[silverking]

Oh? And what is that?

[priscilla]

Would you... teach me again?

[...]

You're really the only one who can. There are definitely people more skilled than me... but any of them would make me go to Dismas to train, and then I can't learn to combine my skills with my abilities.

There is Teresa, but... I don't really want to train with someone I might accidentally kill. I mean, I probably wouldn't! But our levels are too... close for comfort.

[She pauses, unsure whether she should really say the next bit. But it's true. And she doesn't want him to be offended by her reasoning. So.]

...and I'd rather train with you than anyone else, anyway. I miss it.

[silverking]

All you ever had to do was ask.

[ Really, since when has he discriminated against those that wanted to learn from him? ]

[priscilla]

...what if I asked you to train me with bows, too?

[silverking]

I'm currently training Yachiru with them. I see no reason to deny you the same range in weapon availability.

However, I'm curious now. What is your interest in the bow?

[priscilla]

I liked the archery contest.

And I wonder if having more range would make me a more versatile fighter.

...and, to be honest, I wonder if it would help me focus better. My head feels a little muddled... well, most of the time.

Or all the time.

Besides, Yachiru seems so excited about it, it'd be nice to share something with her. I mean, besides what we already share.

[silverking]

...Is there something else on your mind?

[priscilla]

...there's always a lot on my mind. And my shoulders. And I'm not very big, so it's kind of hard to carry everything all the time.

And I don't have many people to talk to anymore.

And... it's a lot of things. It's always a lot of things.

But, anyway. I think it'd be nice to do something different.