[ A promise that he'd been asked to make, but had refused to. And what a promise it had been! He wasn't particularly in the habit of denying Priscilla things she asked of him -- he had even accepted protecting Senji from the other Abyssal Ones, which spoke volumes for his generosity -- but killing Priscilla? He would never do that. ]
[ Ever. ]
[ Not unless she foolishly tried to double-cross him, and even then there would be some reluctance. Providing he could succeed at all. It would all depend upon her state of being, he supposed. ]
[ But that wasn't it in its entirety. The reason for Priscilla having asked him to kill her in the first place was his own fault. Had he not killed Jennifer..... wait. ]
[ ...did Irene know? How much had Priscilla told her? ]
[ Isley turned to face Irene upon entering her room. A smile touched his lips, but did not touch his eyes. ]
That is correct. [ He doesn't bother to elaborate and explain which it is -- unwilling or unable. ] Although, I'm curious what business of yours that is?
It becomes my business when I wish to enter my own request into the fray?
She has a vested interest in helping you to control your impulses. You seem to have vested interest in her. Whatever your motivations may be - I don't expect you to reveal them to me.
[If she knows anything about Jennifer (and she doesn't) she gives no indication.]
You are unwilling [We'll go with that since you didn't specify.] to take her life, should these impulses prove too much to bear.
[There's no reason to think he hasn't been behaving. She's impressed by it. But beneath that she's terrified. Because he must want something very, very badly in order to alter his behavior. Bide his time. Oh, she doesn't like that smile at all. But she returns it.]
Fine, then. Should it come to that, I ask that you take mine.
[ The Abyssal listens with seeming patience, but the words that flow from Irene's lips cause Isley's shoulders to shake softly with laughter, his head to bow forward slightly. Eyes closing, a breathy sigh escapes him and he offers her his answer. ]
[ It's the same one he gave to Priscilla. ]
No.
[ Do you take me for a fool? ]
[ Even if Irene had acquired Priscilla's permission to go through with this, Priscilla would never forgive Isley if harm came to Irene. Some part of her would always resent him if he killed her without Irene having provoked him first. Even acting in defense, she might still resent him. ]
I'm not going to kill you.
[ His eyes open, cold fires dancing within them. ]
[ You're much more interesting to me kept alive, Irene. Useful, too. ]
Besides, I've promised Priscilla that it would not come to that, and it won't. Let that be enough for the both of you, because I will promise nothing else.
[Her eyes narrow a fraction at the sound of his laughter - it was unexpected. It doesn't strike as true as the cut in Dismas, but it unsettles her. She watches him for a moment longer, silent. Counts down until she's sure her voice will betray.]
No.
[Why no? Why so quickly? And why so amusing? Did he think she planned to tell Priscilla? She would not have. Could have been done in the Mist. Didn't need to be spoken of again. Like it doesn't now - because it's off the table. Completely. She sees as much in his gaze, all calculation and ice. Is it amusing solely on the grounds of refusal (she wouldn't put it past him) or is he truly unwilling to---
No.
There's a barely perceptible wince at that line of thinking - which she allows to go no further. (If not out of love for Priscilla or any respect for semihuman life) What could his reasoning be but his own selfish motives? Did she figure into them somehow?
His presence in the room is like a snowstorm all over again. Too cold and too much and good god the sickness in her heart as she nods.]
I see. It must be enough, then.
[Eyes flickering over his sword, schooling her features back into line(face) :l]
[ His sword is unsheathed in one fluid and smooth motion, the shhhing of metal sliding out of the scabbard an echo that is too late, its shadow trailing through the air a helpless blur behind it. The tip of the unmarked and polished blade points toward Irene; it hangs suspended and unwavering in the air, unnaturally still. ]
[ The space that exists between them seems suddenly (and impossibly) smaller due to this, even despite neither of them having moved an inch from where they stand. ]
Now, that is a much better question.
[ Far better than speaking of promises that will never be honored. ]
Perhaps this time we will not need to end our match prematurely, either. Which reminds me--
--How is that wound of yours, Irene...?
that is some complicated stuff in that subject line. AMAZING :o
[Her eyes flicker to her shoulder the once, returning to his in an even, almost amicable gaze.]
It is no longer worth considering. The circumstances under which you landed it, however...
[She allows a smile to touch her lips. It is not a smile of amusement, but a recollection of her own foolishness. Her own blade is drawn before the storm of that recollection clouds her eyes.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
/o/
[ A promise that he'd been asked to make, but had refused to. And what a promise it had been! He wasn't particularly in the habit of denying Priscilla things she asked of him -- he had even accepted protecting Senji from the other Abyssal Ones, which spoke volumes for his generosity -- but killing Priscilla? He would never do that. ]
[ Ever. ]
[ Not unless she foolishly tried to double-cross him, and even then there would be some reluctance. Providing he could succeed at all. It would all depend upon her state of being, he supposed. ]
[ But that wasn't it in its entirety. The reason for Priscilla having asked him to kill her in the first place was his own fault. Had he not killed Jennifer..... wait. ]
[ ...did Irene know? How much had Priscilla told her? ]
[ Isley turned to face Irene upon entering her room. A smile touched his lips, but did not touch his eyes. ]
That is correct. [ He doesn't bother to elaborate and explain which it is -- unwilling or unable. ] Although, I'm curious what business of yours that is?
:o
She has a vested interest in helping you to control your impulses. You seem to have vested interest in her. Whatever your motivations may be - I don't expect you to reveal them to me.
[If she knows anything about Jennifer (and she doesn't) she gives no indication.]
You are unwilling [We'll go with that since you didn't specify.] to take her life, should these impulses prove too much to bear.
[There's no reason to think he hasn't been behaving. She's impressed by it. But beneath that she's terrified. Because he must want something very, very badly in order to alter his behavior. Bide his time. Oh, she doesn't like that smile at all. But she returns it.]
Fine, then. Should it come to that, I ask that you take mine.
n_n
[ The Abyssal listens with seeming patience, but the words that flow from Irene's lips cause Isley's shoulders to shake softly with laughter, his head to bow forward slightly. Eyes closing, a breathy sigh escapes him and he offers her his answer. ]
[ It's the same one he gave to Priscilla. ]
No.
[ Do you take me for a fool? ]
[ Even if Irene had acquired Priscilla's permission to go through with this, Priscilla would never forgive Isley if harm came to Irene. Some part of her would always resent him if he killed her without Irene having provoked him first. Even acting in defense, she might still resent him. ]
I'm not going to kill you.
[ His eyes open, cold fires dancing within them. ]
[ You're much more interesting to me kept alive, Irene. Useful, too. ]
Besides, I've promised Priscilla that it would not come to that, and it won't. Let that be enough for the both of you, because I will promise nothing else.
^_^
No.
[Why no? Why so quickly? And why so amusing? Did he think she planned to tell Priscilla? She would not have. Could have been done in the Mist. Didn't need to be spoken of again. Like it doesn't now - because it's off the table. Completely. She sees as much in his gaze, all calculation and ice. Is it amusing solely on the grounds of refusal (she wouldn't put it past him) or is he truly unwilling to---
No.
There's a barely perceptible wince at that line of thinking - which she allows to go no further. (If not out of love for Priscilla or any respect for semihuman life) What could his reasoning be but his own selfish motives? Did she figure into them somehow?
His presence in the room is like a snowstorm all over again. Too cold and too much and good god the sickness in her heart as she nods.]
I see. It must be enough, then.
[Eyes flickering over his sword, schooling her features back into line(face) :l]
When do we fight next?
(/-_・)/D・・・・・------ → (;/゜o゜)/ ｻﾞｸ!
[ The space that exists between them seems suddenly (and impossibly) smaller due to this, even despite neither of them having moved an inch from where they stand. ]
Now, that is a much better question.
[ Far better than speaking of promises that will never be honored. ]
Perhaps this time we will not need to end our match prematurely, either. Which reminds me--
--How is that wound of yours, Irene...?
that is some complicated stuff in that subject line. AMAZING :o
It is no longer worth considering. The circumstances under which you landed it, however...
[She allows a smile to touch her lips. It is not a smile of amusement, but a recollection of her own foolishness. Her own blade is drawn before the storm of that recollection clouds her eyes.]