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gothicgambitWELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, CELESTIA LUDENBERG. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 888.06.111.44 *** VersaillesWitch has joined 888.06.111.44 <VersaillesWitch> Say what you will, but do say it quickly. (alt anon account) <whiterabbit> | ||||
< VersaillesWitch >
2021-06-30 15:32 (UTC)[One: because she doesn't want people to think she's back at work and two: she's not sure how certain coworkers will react.]
<Player1>
2021-06-30 16:02 (UTC)[By which he means "parties" and "feeding."]
So, unless you're personal friends with the owner, I can make arrangements.
< VersaillesWitch >
2021-06-30 20:25 (UTC)[And with that she closes her laptop for now.. Now she just has to get away without Five noticing.]
<Player1> -> action
2021-06-30 21:30 (UTC)Sublevel 2, 10:30pm, we've got one of the guest rooms.
[--and that's all they need, don't they?
He'll be there early, not long after sundown. If she's not there already, he'll case the room they've been lent for anything that might cause an unfair advantage. He didn't tell her which room it was on purpose -- she can move during the day, but he can't -- but he'll let the staff at the door to know to look for her and direct her to where she's going.
He'll be seated at the table in the windowless, tastefully-decorated-but-easily-cleanable room; he's brought cards and chips for keeping score, which are out on the table to be inspected. They're clean; if you think he's the kind of person who marks cards, then I don't know what to tell you. He folds his arms, lets the seconds tick by, and waits.
...he also might be dressed a touch sharper than usual. Nothing much fancier than what he usually runs around in, nothing that'll draw attention, except to give a general impression of being put-together; this is an occasion, so none of the articles look old or worn, no wrinkles or bends in the collar.]
perma-action
2021-06-30 23:28 (UTC)god that thought alone was embarrassingbut she can't make herself tell him about this.She knocks out of obligatory politeness, but doesn't wait for Atem to answer before opening the door.
Celeste, for her part, is dressed in the same clothes she wears to work. Nice enough for her normal wear, a black skirt with fine gold stitching, crisp white shirt, and staple black collar necklace. Neat, also steamed and pressed, but it's just a touch simpler than her normal taste. It's also the last clothes she left the apartment in, and she hasn't been back. The first sign that things are really not quite right.
But her mask is fixed firmly and not a lash is out of place when she smiles with no warmth.]
Good evening.
Re: perma-action
2021-07-01 02:21 (UTC)Please, come in!
[He gestures to the seat opposite him, but the gesture encompasses the whole room.]
Feel free to make any preparations you like.
no subject
2021-07-01 19:20 (UTC)May I examine the cards you've so graciously provided? Just for safety's sake.
[Does she think Atem would cheat? Hm.. likely not. He's far too noble at times. But likely not is far from definitely not and she wouldn't bet her life on either. For now, her heartbeat is slow and easy as a drum's beat, clear that she's working. She holds out a clawed hand for the deck.]
no subject
2021-07-01 22:31 (UTC)[He'd do the same, in her place. Atem picks up the deck, his own claws trimmed back, nails tidy and neat, and offers it to her across the table.
He reads like he isn't in any hurry at all, but not out of any kind of fear-induced attempt to prolong his life; these are important formalities, matters to be arranged, everything should be in order before the game starts. He'll know in his gut when it's time to deal the first hand.
He's at ease -- not relaxed, but the tension isn't uncomfortable, it's an old familiar friend. Her heartbeat, faint at the moment since Atem isn't poorly fed, keeps time evenly during the opening steps of what feels very much like a dance.
Or what he imagines a dance would feel like if he cared for dancing.]
no subject
2021-07-02 17:05 (UTC)Finding it perfectly acceptable, her own long-clawed and extremely manicured fingers slide the cards back across the table.]
Very well, your cards are certainly adequate. Are there any preparations you would ask of me?
[Obviously not, since she had brought nothing and given nothing yet. But there's a daring sort of light in her eyes, translating for her - I know why I am here, if you have your questions, you may as well start asking and stop fucking with me.]
no subject
2021-07-02 17:14 (UTC)[He shuffles it, the whispering sound it makes between his hands as familiar as an old friend.]
Where should I bring your body, if you lose?
[A practical enough question. But he's not going to ask any of the questions he really wants answers to directly. She thinks he's searching for weaknesses, looking to embarrass or take advantage; he won't get anywhere that way. Instead, he'll collect cards for his hand as they surface in conversation, drawing conclusions based on what's obliquely given away.]
no subject
2021-07-02 19:17 (UTC)Well I'll be dead won't I? I doubt it shall matter much to me at that point. I suppose you can deposit me at the casino, I'm certain Horatio wouldn't mind putting me somewhere for a few days until the fog returns.
[A small, fluttering misdirection that doesn't even disturb the cadence of her heartbeat. Technically that's where she's been staying, but she's not going to just outright admit that. She watches him shuffle all the while, but doesn't see even the slightest finger twitch out of place. Good.
She tries out one, small barb, just to test the waters.]
And yourself? I'm almost certain your dear Ryou-kun does not know of our little agreement.
no subject
2021-07-02 21:46 (UTC)You're right, he doesn't.
[He doesn't mention that things have been a little bit weird lately, that he's feeling flickers of concern about Ryou already, and that he wasn't going to add to Ryou's worries and either risk interruption or make Ryou feel guilty for not interrupting it by telling him.]
Message Annie Dyer. She'll come get me.
[But he's sure, confident, it won't come to that. He splits the chips and slides hers across the table.
It's clear enough she hasn't been home, but she's staying somewhere she can keep clean and get her clothes clean. Is she fighting with Komaeda too, then? She was quick to mention Horatio. She might still be in the building, just not where the rest of them are -- she didn't mention anyone else or any other location, and didn't seem undecided for an instant.]
Any house rules? Or shall we keep this strictly Lucky-style?
no subject
2021-07-02 22:04 (UTC)Lucky-style is fine. Has something happened between you and Ryou-kun? Or are you just being overly noble, as is your want?
[Celeste plays with words as much as cards, that's what makes her near unbeatable. Find the weak point, and exploit it.
For a moment, she wonders if this game may very well ruin their friendship. Well, she's ruined everything else, why should this treasured understanding with Atem be spared? She uncrosses and then recrosses her legs.]
no subject
2021-07-02 23:33 (UTC)I'm fair! I'm not noble. Ante up.
[He puts a chip in the middle of the table, and once she responds, he'll deal out the cards for the first hand.]
I'm sparing him a difficult decision! Interrupt, and show me that he doesn't trust me...or let this happen, and agonize about the danger I've put myself in. Wouldn't you do the same?
[He picks his cards up, glances at them, then sets them down.]
Though, I presume that's not what's happening with your roommates...
no subject
2021-07-03 17:29 (UTC)You are a mother hen, is what you are. I've never seen you so fussy as when your poor Ryou-dear is in trouble. If it wasn't for whatever is happening between you and Komaeda-san, I would think your relationship is far more than roommates.
[Because Komaeda and Atem kept staring at each other when they thought no one was looking. Even if Komaeda also had some weird shit happening with Lila
who could do betterthat didn't mean he wasn't pining. The sulk he'd gone into before the joint-birthday party had given her plenty of ammo.Her eyes are diverted toward her cards when Atem returns fire, mentioning her roommates. The rush of feeling when she even thinks about Mukuro brings an embarrassed push to her heartbeat. If he's hungry enough, he might sense the way the back of her neck has flushed, but her face stays carefully blank and empty.]
No, but I imagine my relationship with Mukuro is rather different, is it not? I am hardly so overprotective.
no subject
2021-07-04 21:18 (UTC)--and then she brings up Komaeda, and Atem laughs.]
There's nothing happening between me and Komaeda, either!
[It sounds for all the world like he's fine with that. Komaeda and Lila are going to date, and they'll be happy, and Atem's happy for them, and isn't lonely at all!
He pushes two chips across the table.]
But you're right about the other part. Your relationship with Mukuro...she lied to you. She broke your trust! That's not the kind of relationship you want to have, with the person you live with.
no subject
2021-07-05 17:29 (UTC)Her eyes had been on his, unwavering, until he speaks again, and they drop to her hands. She freezes momentarily, of course he brings it up, of course. It's what she would do.]
You told me once.. In your world you played shadow games and punished those who committed crimes against others.
[She tucks her hand back, into her lap, while her heart beats a disturbed, upset rhythm. An angry cadence a dissonance in the dance.]
Leave our business to me.
no subject
2021-07-06 02:13 (UTC)He discards two cards, draws two more.]
Of course. I wouldn't trespass where I don't belong! I don't know everything about your situation; you're the one who should pass judgment.
...
[The poker face drops a moment, though it has nothing to do with his hand of cards.]
But I'd support you, if you let me know how I could.
I staked my soul on the possibility that you'd come here to play, so that I could see for myself if...it would be necessary.
Call.
[He doesn't raise the bet, leaving it at four chips each. This is the last betting round, they'll show their hands soon...which is, what he's doing right now.]
no subject
2021-07-06 17:31 (UTC)Do not make promises like that, Atem, I shall certainly make you regret it. [It's said on another smile, the only warning she can give. He would only get hurt caring about a person like her.
But she doesn't want him going after Mukuro.]
It isn't necessary, I can quite easily handle it myself.
[She shows her cards as well, two of a kind, she'd admittedly been more focused on the conversation than the hand. Weak.]
no subject
2021-07-06 17:49 (UTC)[That his intervention isn't necessary, she isn't in a situation that's immediately unsafe.
He flips over his own hand. Three of a kind. Not the full house he was looking for, but both their hearts are on other matters, so neither opening hand is particularly strong. Atem scoops the chips over to his side, then passes the deck to Celeste; they're take turns dealing.]
But to say something like that...do you feel like you need to protect me from Mukuro, or from yourself?
[Because that's what she's doing, by warning him off, isn't it?]
no subject
2021-07-06 22:17 (UTC)I'm not certain you need protection from anything, now do you?
[Well, she's not going to bother warning him again. It would be far too telling to answer his question...
She stacks the deck in her favor. Quickly, and efficiently without the slightest tell that's what she's doing. Now to circle back like she'd intended.]
Though Ryou-kun might need protecting from you.
no subject
2021-07-06 22:23 (UTC)(He doesn't catch the deck-stacking; she's very, very good at what she does.)]
If you're implying something, Celeste, you'd better come out and say it!
no subject
2021-07-06 22:35 (UTC)Well, Ryou-kun is such a sweet thing. Watching you two chase each other around is adorable, but it does make me wonder...
[She places her elbows on the table, and her chin atop her hands]
Are you just playing with your food? Because I'll admit I'm tempted to take a crack at him myself.
[And when she smiles, for once it's with teeth, cruelty glittering in her eyes to leave no doubt about what she means. She thinks Atem is planning on hurting Ryou on purpose, and if he doesn't... she will.]
no subject
2021-07-06 23:09 (UTC)And then she distracts him. He goes still. It's clearly meant to be a distraction, obviously intended to unsettle him, but that smile, combined with those words...what precisely is it that she means? Obviously, it's a threat, but....]
What, precisely, are you implying your intentions are? Are you threatening to eat him alive literally or figuratively?
[They're monsters. They have to ask.
......also how did she know he bit Ryou, she wasn't there, what the hell, Celeste.]
no subject
2021-07-07 01:17 (UTC)Don't you know? I'm psychicShe giggles humorlessly again - aw, that was almost cute.]
Figuratively, dear.
[She says with the tone do keep up and leans back, crossing one leg over the other and tossing a single chip into the pile, to get things started.]
Unless you have more literal intentions? I wasn't aware you were into that sort of thing, though that might come with some of your- [she motions to his outfit] aesthetic?
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bycw: suicide ideation
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bycw blood, vampire feeding's wrapping up
byCw: same lmao
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