✖ IC CONTACT #1

[silverking]

Well?

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

Comments

[priscilla]

I can say I was used to it, too, before I came here. Maybe that's why the attitude of the Anatolians has never bothered me the way it has some others.

...but. I think this place has softened me too much. Something happened, recently. And someone really should have taken my head off, but no one did. And most of my friends, the people who should be the most willing - and would be at home - they won't do it. Even if it happens again. I think...

...I think they like me too well.

[There are many, many things she could say now. Things she has been thinking for longer than she cares to admit. But touching the subject, even just in her head, makes her chest tighten, and her body ache. So instead, she stays silent, and sets her pen down with a clink.]

But yes. You can talk to me.

[silverking]

Then, my time is yours.

What is it you would like to talk about?

[ Because he does not want to touch upon a topic that might be too sensitive, yet. The last thing he wants is to chase her away. ]

[priscilla]

Hmm. That's a good question!

Would you... tell me about the North? Even just a little?

I've never been there.

[silverking]

There isn't much to say.

It's cold. Or, at least it seems to be, but the climate and temperature have never been a concern of mine.

The Northern lands aren't as teeming with life as those of the other regions.

Nevertheless... it was my home... our home... for a long time. I am fond of it to this day.

[priscilla]

[Blunt! She laughs a little.]

I thought you must be! You did live there after all. Homes are kind of... I mean. They don't change much.

But you went south with her. It's a strange thought. You even look wintry.

[...]

That's not a criticism! You're very... well!

[silverking]

I went South with you.

[ Oh, yes. He's going to make it a point of correcting her from now on. At least in regards to that. ]

[priscilla]

...I wasn't there.

[silverking]

Regardless of timing... you are still Priscilla.

[ Left unsaid, but implied in the tone: My Priscilla. ]

[priscilla]

I don't understand... is it really that simple to you?

Doesn't it... change you? At least enough to count.

[silverking]

Why would it change me?

I'm not the one who doesn't remember.

[priscilla]

...but it isn't that I don't remember. I--

[She makes a little noise. And then there's the scrape of her chair against the floor.]

I almost wish I did remember. At least then I'd know what I'm doing. But things are what they are, I guess.

Am I even like her?

[silverking]

You are like her in all the ways that matter.

[ Because being a flesh-eating, guts-devouring, human-hunting monster doesn't really account for much.

Especially when the potential to become that monster is still quite enormous. ]

/)_(\ I SEE THOSE BRACKETS, ISLEY. even if the girl cannot.

[priscilla]

Oh.

[A bit of silence.]

Something has been bothering me, though. You said she wanted to find her parents. But that makes no sense. Why would she--

[She breaks off. Because really, why tread so lightly around her suspicion?]

...was there something wrong with her head? I mean. Her memory.

>w>

[silverking]

You seemed to regress after our fight... to a more childlike state of mind.

[ Not that he knows why, but he accepts that it happened all the same. And there is no denying that it was definitely to his advantage, either. ]

tch tch

[priscilla]

Oh.

I wondered, because--

Did I tell you what happened to me, when I...

[Died. She chokes a little, on the word.]

...I didn't come back right. I'm okay now! But it took a while.

[silverking]

Did you regress...?

[ That curiosity is a touch too genuine. Perhaps for all the wrong reasons, too. ]

[priscilla]

I'm not sure what to call it. Everything got... confusing and I couldn't remember where I was, or... I don't know. I didn't remember much of anything, really. So I followed my instincts, and they brought me to someone who did.

I guess it took about a week to put things back together. I still don't remember my handler's name, at home.

At first I thought it was just the... I thought it was a side effect. But it was only me. I was the only one who came back that way.

So, when you said she wanted to meet her parents, I thought maybe it's something about me. Something that makes my mind... turn things off when they hurt too much.

[silverking]

A safety mechanism...

[priscilla]

Yes. It makes sense, in a way.

Not that I know how it would work but. It does seem to be a pattern or... something.

The way they died... it wasn't exactly fun for me. If I could forget anything, it would be that.

[silverking]

I wonder...

[priscilla]

Hm?

[silverking]

Anatole has all the makings of a city that bridges the gap between life and death.

That being the case, it isn't impossible for you to one day be reunited with your parents... for me to keep my promise to you, after all.

Point to Isley.

[priscilla]

[...that. Almost makes her cry. Her breath skips a bit, and she shakes when she exhales.]

I...

I hope so. I wonder if they'd like me. They might be afraid of me, too.

But I don't want you to worry about that promise. It wasn't really to me. And I don't--

It hurt you, once. [Killed him, really. But she doesn't like to think about death. More than anything else, even yoma, even Riful... death is what she hates the most. And fears.] I don't want to be the reason you get hurt.

I know that's a little... ridiculous.

He scores a lot with her. I mean...

[silverking]

I want to be the reason you smile, Priscilla. I could see you happy again if I kept my promise, which was to you, regardless of what you remember, or don't remember.

[ A brief pause, and then he adds softly... ]

I am certain your family would be proud of you. You've come such a long way, haven't you? And your position here in Anatole is such a respectable one.

Yeah, she's easy. I *mean*...

[priscilla]

I... guess that's true. But humans at home weren't exactly friendly to us. I mean me. Well. Probably not you either.

[...she frowns. Also, in the background - cat meows.]

Anyway, I'm happy enough. Or maybe content is a better word.

[She bites her bottom lip, and then... laughs a little.]

If you keep talking that way, I'm going to start believing you. That's probably bad. I can hear Helen screaming even now.