[ 'about—' he should continue. he knows he should continue, but the words catch in his throat at the sight of her irritation. he hadn't come here to be warded off, treated like some bother. she ought to listen, she ought to be grateful he's—
he's doing it again. by the fucking void, he's doing it again.
( she debates. she debates pushing, getting an answer out of him or even insisting that she doesn't have time. but river isn't rude -- or at least not currently )
Give me five minutes.
( she ducks back into themroom, closing the door behind her. if he's listening he might hear a muted conversation before, a few minutes later, river emerges clothed again, the door closing quickly behind her as she leaves, starts walking towards the outside )
[ he's a little surprised that she doesn't hurl further questions. and he does hear whispers of that conversation, catching enough to understand more or less what's going on. which. might explain some measure of her irritation. and would explain why she'd been lacking so much clothing.
he doesn't ask about the voice inside her room, though a part of him itches toward a snide remark. it isn't his business, though, and he's already on thin ice with her. instead, when they've reached the courtyard, he holds the bottle out toward her. ]
( river doesn't take it, resting her hands on her hips as she turns to face him )
That's it?
( she's not impressed. river can see what he's trying to do but it's not enough. if he wants to complain about her lack of answers he can do a damn sight better on explanations )
[ of course. of course that's her reply. of course she'd make this more difficult than it has to be.
this time, though he shakes his head a little sharply, there's no real prickle of irritation. daud's too keenly aware of how far he'd erred. too aware as well of his impulses to flare up at her. he has to keep a calm head if he's going to do this. has to remember what he's done, and what was undeserved.
still. he wishes she'd take the fucking bottle, at least. he feels out of sorts, standing here with an unwanted gift. ]
You shared something of your past with me. I know that isn't easy. Or without meaning.
( it's also something that river is regretting sharing which is shy she's not going to make this easy. she's angry but also feeling pretty hurt, making her walls go up -- walls that are only necessary because of how much she's been hurt in her life )
Well, if that's it.
( she doesn't know what more she expects from him. river takes the bottle before turning around to head upstairs -- she's got someone tied up she needs to fuck. this time, however, if he tries he can stop her leaving )
[ he turns, doesn't try to follow or lay a hand on her. he can't hide his discomfort, or he doesn't try to; is too wrapped up in a tangle of figuring out how to address this problem. ]
What happened earlier. It's—
[ he's doing this wrong. he doesn't precisely know how to proceed. ]
Historically, I haven't been accustomed to cooperation.
(it occurs to daud that he doesn't have to do any of this. that he doesn't strictly need to play nice with this woman. only it'd be foolish to make enemies here. only she's skillful could be useful could be worth knowing even worth respecting, certainly is no fool. and she didn't merit the hostility he'd given her. didn't merit any of that treatment, at all.)
'i'm aware,' he almost says. instead, there's a moment's hesitation, and then— ]
You're right.
[ he's painfully aware of her eyes on him. painfully aware of the sound of their voices and the unseen presence of others nearby, nestled in their insulae or walking the roofs or gathered around the courtyard. ]
This isn't the right place to... Can we?
[ he motions toward mercury's courtyard. if it isn't strictly private, it's a step above standing so exposed. ]
( oh, her date was definitely not going to be there when she got back and if he was he'd take convincing to get back on track. though river had a feeling that after this she'd want to be alone.
but this feels necessary, feels like if she doesn't do it now that she'll never do it. so, almost reluctantly, river nods, following where he leads )
[ he's quiet until they've reached the back corner of mercury's courtyard, nods absently to a bench, in case she wishes to sit.
he knows what's coming, vagely. hadn't gone to her intending to offer anything, but it's becoming clear that if he's to make any lasting amends, he'll need to share more than an apology.
he knows what’s coming, but can’t think too close on it or he’ll risk backing out. because this isn’t something he offers readily. because this is a secret he’s kept close from most everyone here.
when he finally speaks, his voice is soft, not likely to carry beyond the immediate area. he flexes his left hand, scans the area, looks back at river. ]
You spoke of what you lost. What you were before coming here.
I don’t care to talk about it, but. I lost something coming here, too.
( it's a conversation that they'd briefly touched on, a knowledge partly shared. she knows what he's doing, partly why, but she gives a shake of her head )
I don't need to know what it is.
( especially not now, though if he wanted to tell her she wouldn't stop him )
( even though river wasn't asking for any explanations or stories it doesn't mean that she isn't going to take advantage of the opportunity that he's giving her. hello questions )
[ it probably isn't. it absolutely isn't. but that's more than he's willing to say, and he has to keep himself from grimacing at the question, or at the thought of speaking so far to this woman.
there's one person in rome who knows the origin of his past powers. one person who'd put the pieces together for herself, surprising him the way she so often does. daud trusts cassandra with the information; he can't place such faith in river. ]
It's enough to know that I had them.
I could transverse space in the blink of an eye. Detect presences through solid walls. Bring time to a stop.
[ summon assassins to his side. turns enemies to ash. and so on, but heisn't about to share those particular abilities. ]
( river would certainly appreciate this information more if it had come at a different time. if she knew him better or wasn't angry she would care more -- would be interested by what he could do, particularly if he could still do it.
as it is it feels pointless. he's sharing it because she shared something and it doesn't comfort her or please her much in the slightest. honestly, if she had to choose, she would have preferred a simple apology and to be left to go on with her business but... this was daud )
Telling me this simply because I told you something.
( it's hard to respect even his talents when he continues to piss her off at most opportunities. she'd thought before that he had good skill but she's not about to compliment him just yet )
Then you need better timing.
( because as great as sharing is it was ineffective when it wasn't working for him. especially not when his interpretation was different to hers -- she was annoyed and he thought his truth should have been more appreciated )
he honestly doesn't know what she means - what he's said doesn't match what he's done? - and there's a frustrated pressure building in his skull, in the tension of his shoulders.
the trouble with timing he can understand, maybe; daud's sensed that when dealing with other people, his sense of timing isn't always the strongest. the rest, though, and the way she so obstinately refuses to accept what he's giving her...
when he speaks, his frustration is clear, the growl of his voice more pronounced. ]
( it wasn't a delay tactic or even river trying to avoid the point but something that was actually related. if he had enough patience to try and see it anyway )
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ 'about—' he should continue. he knows he should continue, but the words catch in his throat at the sight of her irritation. he hadn't come here to be warded off, treated like some bother. she ought to listen, she ought to be grateful he's—
he's doing it again. by the fucking void, he's doing it again.
daud looks away, takes a breath. ]
If you have a moment.
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Give me five minutes.
( she ducks back into themroom, closing the door behind her. if he's listening he might hear a muted conversation before, a few minutes later, river emerges clothed again, the door closing quickly behind her as she leaves, starts walking towards the outside )
Come on.
( she hoped this was important )
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he doesn't ask about the voice inside her room, though a part of him itches toward a snide remark. it isn't his business, though, and he's already on thin ice with her. instead, when they've reached the courtyard, he holds the bottle out toward her. ]
This is yours.
What I said earlier. My behavior.
It was unwarranted.
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That's it?
( she's not impressed. river can see what he's trying to do but it's not enough. if he wants to complain about her lack of answers he can do a damn sight better on explanations )
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this time, though he shakes his head a little sharply, there's no real prickle of irritation. daud's too keenly aware of how far he'd erred. too aware as well of his impulses to flare up at her. he has to keep a calm head if he's going to do this. has to remember what he's done, and what was undeserved.
still. he wishes she'd take the fucking bottle, at least. he feels out of sorts, standing here with an unwanted gift. ]
You shared something of your past with me. I know that isn't easy. Or without meaning.
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( it's also something that river is regretting sharing which is shy she's not going to make this easy. she's angry but also feeling pretty hurt, making her walls go up -- walls that are only necessary because of how much she's been hurt in her life )
Well, if that's it.
( she doesn't know what more she expects from him. river takes the bottle before turning around to head upstairs -- she's got someone tied up she needs to fuck. this time, however, if he tries he can stop her leaving )
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River.
[ he turns, doesn't try to follow or lay a hand on her. he can't hide his discomfort, or he doesn't try to; is too wrapped up in a tangle of figuring out how to address this problem. ]
What happened earlier. It's—
[ he's doing this wrong. he doesn't precisely know how to proceed. ]
Historically, I haven't been accustomed to cooperation.
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That's an understatement.
( and she was the one who'd gotten the brunt of it. what about others, how did they fare with him or was she just that lucky? )
But you went too far.
( he'd been a prickly asshole all the time but then add in manipulation and cold )
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(it occurs to daud that he doesn't have to do any of this. that he doesn't strictly need to play nice with this woman. only it'd be foolish to make enemies here. only she's skillful could be useful could be worth knowing even worth respecting, certainly is no fool. and she didn't merit the hostility he'd given her. didn't merit any of that treatment, at all.)
'i'm aware,' he almost says. instead, there's a moment's hesitation, and then— ]
You're right.
[ he's painfully aware of her eyes on him. painfully aware of the sound of their voices and the unseen presence of others nearby, nestled in their insulae or walking the roofs or gathered around the courtyard. ]
This isn't the right place to... Can we?
[ he motions toward mercury's courtyard. if it isn't strictly private, it's a step above standing so exposed. ]
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but this feels necessary, feels like if she doesn't do it now that she'll never do it. so, almost reluctantly, river nods, following where he leads )
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he knows what's coming, vagely. hadn't gone to her intending to offer anything, but it's becoming clear that if he's to make any lasting amends, he'll need to share more than an apology.
he knows what’s coming, but can’t think too close on it or he’ll risk backing out. because this isn’t something he offers readily. because this is a secret he’s kept close from most everyone here.
when he finally speaks, his voice is soft, not likely to carry beyond the immediate area. he flexes his left hand, scans the area, looks back at river. ]
You spoke of what you lost. What you were before coming here.
I don’t care to talk about it, but. I lost something coming here, too.
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( it's a conversation that they'd briefly touched on, a knowledge partly shared. she knows what he's doing, partly why, but she gives a shake of her head )
I don't need to know what it is.
( especially not now, though if he wanted to tell her she wouldn't stop him )
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his response comes almost too quickly. ]
Even so.
I'd rather you didn't share what I'm about to say.
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Surprisingly I know the value of a secret.
( considering how much she keeps secrets, which he should know considering how little she tries to tell him )
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he watches her for a long moment. holds back a half-heartedly snide remark, reminding himself that he can't get caught up in irritation. ]
All right.
[ again he scans the courtyard, the roofs above. ]
Where I'm from, I possessed certain abilities. Powers. Enhancements in constitution, speed.
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How did you get them?
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That's beside the point.
[ it probably isn't. it absolutely isn't. but that's more than he's willing to say, and he has to keep himself from grimacing at the question, or at the thought of speaking so far to this woman.
there's one person in rome who knows the origin of his past powers. one person who'd put the pieces together for herself, surprising him the way she so often does. daud trusts cassandra with the information; he can't place such faith in river. ]
It's enough to know that I had them.
I could transverse space in the blink of an eye. Detect presences through solid walls. Bring time to a stop.
[ summon assassins to his side. turns enemies to ash. and so on, but heisn't about to share those particular abilities. ]
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( river would certainly appreciate this information more if it had come at a different time. if she knew him better or wasn't angry she would care more -- would be interested by what he could do, particularly if he could still do it.
as it is it feels pointless. he's sharing it because she shared something and it doesn't comfort her or please her much in the slightest. honestly, if she had to choose, she would have preferred a simple apology and to be left to go on with her business but... this was daud )
Telling me this simply because I told you something.
( prove her wrong, daud )
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it isn’t so simple as that.
it isn't so simple as what she's saying, and must she be so dense? ]
Is that what I’m doing.
[ careful. he needs to be careful, especially given what he’s just said. ]
I don’t speak lightly of my history.
What I said to you earlier was uncalled for. I can’t say I appreciate your company, but I respect your talents enough to offer something in return.
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Then you need better timing.
( because as great as sharing is it was ineffective when it wasn't working for him. especially not when his interpretation was different to hers -- she was annoyed and he thought his truth should have been more appreciated )
Because what you said doesn't match what you do.
( she doesn't feel respected )
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he honestly doesn't know what she means - what he's said doesn't match what he's done? - and there's a frustrated pressure building in his skull, in the tension of his shoulders.
the trouble with timing he can understand, maybe; daud's sensed that when dealing with other people, his sense of timing isn't always the strongest. the rest, though, and the way she so obstinately refuses to accept what he's giving her...
when he speaks, his frustration is clear, the growl of his voice more pronounced. ]
What are you saying.
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( it wasn't a delay tactic or even river trying to avoid the point but something that was actually related. if he had enough patience to try and see it anyway )
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[ oh. right. what he’d said.
he stares at her for a long moment, trying to decide whether she’s serious. he thinks she might just be. ]
Your skills in combat.
Your capacity for evaluating the worth of information.
[ is that sufficient? or? ]
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( keep bearing with her, daud. she promises it'll be worth it )
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or would, only it doesn't precisely make sense to him. what he almost says is 'i don't have time for this.' what she gets instead— ]
I don't know what you mean.
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