riverview | [Video | UN: threewings]

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[Video | UN: threewings]

[Everyone loves broadcasts that open with a scream. Hurried, breathless words follow for keen listeners:

"You're safe. Stop arguing with me. We will make our way back in time."

A light is turned on and Alexiel, clothed only in her long, dark curls can be seen standing by a door.

"I will take you out into the morning air."

She reaches for the doorknob, but she pauses, frozen halfway there.

"I am not a harlot."

Even though she defends her state of undress, Alexiel turns to the closet, opening it. Dressing takes next to no time and she finally reaches for her communicator.]

You really are a naughty boy.

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[ Yeah, she's probably not going to find his grump very charming in just a moment. The next response she gets arrived encrypted from public access. He's abandoned voice-only in favor of video now and boy. He looks pretty pissed, but it's a cold pissed: his voice is clipped and icy. ]

I believe we have already spoken on the issue of public presentation, but allow me to make myself clear. If you insist on addressing me that way in public broadcasts and on the streets, I will be forced to disavow any relation to you.

[It stings that his image matters more than...other things. Her amusement flees and all she feels is a storm. She wants to ask why it matters so damn much. She wants him to be proud of his role in everything. But this is his decision and she will honor it.]

Very well, Sakuya. [She looks away from him, voice controlled, refusing to be anything but calm.] Sweet dreams.

[ It is not that it's more important than whatever it is that she's going through. But she seems to find it impossible to understand that his real name and the things that he's done--they're a noose around his neck, waiting to tighten. If he is to live here, truly live here, then he can't use that name. In any case, hearing her address him as Sakuya seems to have appeased him; he instantly and visibly relaxes, though he's also reaching for something off screen--his cigarettes and lighter, apparently, as he lights up. ]

People have those?

[She walks outside before she responds, breathing in the crisper, cleaner air. Emotions are difficult for her to understand and even harder for her to process. Why can a handful of words feel like a knife? She has been stabbed, burned, mutilated... Yet this pain is new and entirely unwelcome.]

I don't know. [She certainly hasn't ever had them. But there is good in this world - in any world maybe - and she has had a taste of sweet.] You could dream of ripping my wings off?

[ He's patient, at least, if nothing else; even if she's still outside when she finally responds, or if it takes her a long time before she feels ready to come back to carry their conversation, he's still waiting. His face remains blank at her suggestion, which is mostly just a sign that he's regained his self composure enough to hide just how disturbing and disgusting he finds it. ]

So because I lectured you you think I want to fantasize about torturing you?

[The expression she gives him is reminiscent of Setsuna. It's a mixture of sad and frustrated - as if she wants to find some way to expend the negative energy his words have caused. But when she sees him - when she truly focuses on him - something softens.]

I know you wouldn't. [Because she knows him and, truthfully, she is a bit angry at herself.] Was that a lecture? It sounded like an ultimatum.

[ He arches an eyebrow, but he doesn't argue with her. He just shrugs. ]

Fine. An ultimatum, then.

You're fine with - [No, she bites her bottom lip and stops herself mid-sentence.] I will make a concerted effort to never wake you in the future.

Edited 2018-04-05 02:30 (UTC)

[ It's cool. He can guess what she meant, though, and he can see that it's bothering her, so perhaps he can put some of that concern to rest. ]

I'm not asleep. Not the way you were. But some things are just better left alone,

...I'm sorry. [The words are soft - spoken behind a cascade of dark hair.] I didn't mean to upset you or to make you feel unsafe. You know I would never let anyone -

I'm awake.

There's nothing to protect me from.

[ He takes a deep draw off the cigarette and then releases a plume of grey smoke that momentarily clouds the video before it dissipates in whispers of fog. He taps his cigarette on the edge of his desk with one hand while resting his chin in the other. ]

You can't kill people over rumors and superstition and thousands of years of cultural conditioning or the teachings of scriptures. And it's nothing that I haven't earned. My hands are the furthest from clean of all.

Well I could. [But it wouldn't be very nice or advisable.] I've killed people for less.

[Because all she had was her rage and her ability to kill. Maybe she isn't the happiest when she wakes up either.]

You do realize I'm with you. There is nothing on your hands that isn't on mine too.

[ He sighs heavily out of his nose, and the small, painful turn of his lips sharpens a little more. ]

Not that I'm not thankful for the empathy, but if our crimes mirror each other's they're not identical.

[ And there are some things that he is responsible for that she was not. Like Katou. Or Baru. Or Michael. Those are all his sins to bear, alone. ]

...and they hurt you. [Solving Rosiel's pain had been easy in comparison because, honestly, when her brother isn't out of his head crazy, his view is rather simplistic. Lucifer - Sakuya - on the other hand is far more worldly and he understands the sacrifices others make and the agony that follows.]

I cannot quiet those demons. [The metaphorical ones that can eat away at a spirit.] But I can distract you from them. I want to explore outside of quarantine.

Edited 2018-04-05 04:28 (UTC)

[ He's not sure if a distraction is what he needs, wants, or even deserves, though. More concerning is the fact that she wants to go outside the boundary. ]

Outside? Where? It's all fucked up out there, isn't it?

We've seen worse. [Hell is a trip and heaven is just as bad.] There are animals out there.

[...that might be her main reason for wanting to go.]

You looking to get in touch with your inner Disney princess?

Disney... [She tilts her head.] Those animated movies? That isn't exactly what I had in mind, but if that amuses you...

What, were you planning on eating them all?

[...this has to be the blankest, most unamused expression ever.]

Is there no in-between?

[ shrugs ]

Sure, but you're not exactly giving any hints. If you don't like my guesses then your best bet would be to explain yourself.

[She exhales and shrugs.]

I want to see them; watch them. I used to do that in the garden. [Briah.] I wonder if I can understand them.

[ See it's exactly that sort of thing that made him ask that in the first place. So. Here we are, again. ]

So you want to test your Disney princess skills. You can't do that here?

The animals out there are different from the ones in here. No one wants to be hunted when they walk down the street. [She pauses and then adds:] I could learn more from them.

What are you hoping to learn from them, exactly?

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