silverking | ✖ IC CONTACT #3

I'll remember that.

Are you sure you fed your foxes enough? That one still seems hungry.

She's just being playful.

[She smiles a little, and dips her head down.]

It's peaceful out here. Kind of like the ruins without the monsters, or Greenhouse Row without the... people. You know what I've been thinking, though?

[He paces toward one of the windows and leans against the ledge.]

How can I know? I'd like it if you would tell me, however.

I've been thinking... it would be nice to have a garden that's completely cut off from everything. No monsters. No people. Not even the few people here who can pop in to visit whenever they like.

Just trees and flowers and grass and thoughts.

You have been thinking, but you have not put it into practice? I wonder why.

It can be done, you realize.

[He opens the window by lifting a brass latch and looks out over the city.]

You can build a garden on a rooftop and lock it away from the world.

[His fingers fold along the edges of the sill.]

What sorts of things would you think about, Priscilla?

I could. Maybe I will. But I wonder if it's really a good idea, or if it'll just end up making me...

I don't know. Isolated?

[Maybe she's already isolated. Hm.]

Anyway. I don't really have anything specific in mind. I just feel like my head is... crowded.

It can't make you become isolated. Whether you cut yourself off from others or not is your choice, Priscilla.

If it's what you want, you will go for it. If you don't want to be completely cut off . . . then you don't really have anything to worry about.

...I suppose.

[She rubs her face again.]

It isn't always that simple.

Edited 2012-05-27 02:49 (UTC)

Why not?

It isn't always easy being around people. Even if I want to be.

[ . . . ]

Make your garden, Priscilla. We all need time alone to ourselves to think sometimes. And if you require a special place in order to do that, it isn't something you should be denying yourself.

Mm. Maybe. Or... probably.

I don't know, some things are more complicated than they look from the outside.

[Those words cause Isley to look back at the Forge, back at her.]

Yes, some things are.

...you say things like that, and I feel like there's supposed to be meaning, and I don't know for sure what the meaning is.

[It means that he feels as though things between Priscilla and himself are more strained than ever, and while a part of him is troubled by this, there is a large part that asked for it to happen as well.]

[It also means that while he feels he is a large part of her problem, she probably needs the time away from him as much as he needs the time away from her. But haven't they spent enough time away from one another? Is more time apart a good idea, even if it is to regroup?]

[In his case he wants to become less dependent upon her.]

[In hers . . . ?]

It means that I am not sure how to help you with your situation, or if the responsibility should even fall to me to try. There are certain things we must figure out on our own, even if they are difficult.

[She... stares at the screen for a bit, and then looks away.]

Mm.

I didn't ask you for help.

I realize that. But you have come to me discussing the idea.

I'm not sure how else to respond, you see.

...all right. Then I won't talk about it anymore.

[...]

In fact, I think I'm about done.

[Another look back at the Forge, this time a little startled by her abrupt tone.]

[He hadn't meant to instigate anything.]

. . . All right.

...don't look at me like that. Like you're... surprised, or like you don't know what you're doing.

I said I can't keep fighting you. And I can't. So I won't.

[She pushes her hair back, behind her ear.]

I'm going to go.

[There is a momentary flash of anger in those golden eyes before, just as quickly as it appeared, it vanishes. Like it has been shut completely off.]

[Isley says nothing as he comes back to the Forge and picks it up. He watches her image onscreen, the way she pushes her hair back behind her ear, the contrast of its pale golden color against her pale as porcelain skin.]

[And he detaches himself from it.]

Very well.

[He'll at least let you be the one to sever the connection this time.]

Good night, Isley.

[and... disconnect.]

✖ IC CONTACT #3

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