daan daniël

[undread]

Comments

[undread]

Oh, I understand that very well.

[she laces her fingers together, watching him with a little gleam in her eyes.]

It feels so much better, doesn't it? I'm happy for you.

[recession]

Thank you. I've been so hesitant. Clearly it wasn't working out.

Now, what can I do for you, Ms. Laudna?

[undread]

Well, I suppose it all depends on what you're trying to accomplish, doesn't it? [still smiling, a bit less brightly.] If it's happiness, I would say you're doing much better.

I just wanted to know - how long? How long have you been fighting it?

[recession]

...

[ He's still bright smile for what's visible of his features for a moment, but then his shape shifts -- from blank but still arguably-human to a mask with a cheshire grin, then to a mask with the ears of a hare. ]

Oh, I don't know... haven't kept track of the exact dates... doesn't really matter now, does it?

[undread]

I suppose not. In the end, I really just still wonder about the one that got away a few weeks ago.

It would be rather funny if all this time you were so miserable hiding that little secret, wouldn't it be?

[recession]

Oh, I'll tell you I've been thinking about it for so long, love. It's hard to get that echo out of your head once you've been touched by the moon's light.

But no, this really is the first time since Prehevil, if you discount Thursday.

[undread]

Oh, good. That was a little easier than I thought it would be!

[whew, what a relief.]

In that case, I'll admit, I like you better as the fussy old sad sack.

[recession]

Anything for you, love. Within reason. I wouldn't want to set my own blood boiling, that looked unpleasant just watching it happen.

I didn't think you had it in you to wound me with words... but it is what it is...

[undread]

I don't want to be unkind.

[she gives him an apologetic smile back.]

You do seem fun. If we'd started out knowing one another this way, I might have come to like you.

[recession]

Adn to think I was so hesitant about taking the deal for so long, when I could've had your affections, Ms. Laudna.

Oh well, can't turn back time and change the past now. We've only got the future. All twelve-something hours of it or however long I've got...

[ A pinch nervously. ]

[undread]

You've always had my affections, you silly thing.

[ah. even horny sleep paralysis demons get scared of their own mortality.]

Short on time?

[recession]

Can't say I'm exactly a fan of getting put into a death-match, but it is what it is. Can't escape it, no. The name in the pyre's always lost so far.

[undread]

Yes. Even when the odds were quite stacked against them!

[gale and the pen...]

It seems a bit rigged, doesn't it?

[recession]

Life finds a way despite the odds. I'll just try to focus on the nice things... I do like surviving, and my little spiritual, freeloading neighbour in me agrees. But my pesky heart does still say I'd be so happy to watch someone else fight through the darkness.

[undread]

What are the nice things, then?

[let's focus on them.]

If the time really is so short, there's no need to think about the darkness.

[recession]

Unfortunately, someone will be killing me tomorrow. It will probably be depressing and dour. But I'm sure they'll find a way to pull through despite it and kill me, because that's what everyone always does, right?

I do like that.

[undread]

You like the perseverance?

[recession]

I do! It's a beautiful thing...

I do love seeing you all bask in the sun. Live your wonderful lives.

[undread]

Oh. [she smiles.] I hate seeing all of you live your wonderful lives. I always hate you for it, just a little. Maybe that's why I always liked you, Daniël. You weren't enjoying it at all.

[recession]

Well now, I just find that fascinating.

Some people just aren't meant for it, you know? Some children are just destined for darkness always. That's alright.

[undread]

I think you're right. But I do try not to be bitter about it, as much as I can. It's not their faults. Are you destined for darkness always, too, dear?

[recession]

I've never been upset about my status, per se... but yes. It does seem like it. TIme and time again it manages to find me despite everything... or maybe I'm the one who keeps going back.

[undread]

Can you blame someone for going back, when the rest of the world is so inhospitable, always?

[recession]

I can't. I don't.

[undread]

...I do, a little.

[tilting her head, smiling slightly.]

I think you know better, even if you can't admit it now. It's so much easier and so much nicer not to fight so hard. It's the only way to find happiness, I think. To care less, so nothing can hurt.

So I understand, and forgive you, for the cowardice.