07-22-2021, 08:46 PM
“How fortunate for us both.”
He was goading, but she didn’t appear to mind. Though he was quite blatantly studying the wrong weapon. Natalie watched him back, neither repelled nor ignited by the challenge.
“And what do you suppose I am seeking?”
She was a Patron’s granddaughter; it was common currency for others to curry favour to that end. Or try, at least. Less common were those who thought to appeal to the deviancy also in her blood, in the hope that the articles written back then were true, but it wasn’t unheard of either. Not everyone, even in places of power, was happy with the status quo. Natalie was a crossroads in that respect; half cast in light, half swathed in darkness. She didn’t know which Adrian sought. She wasn’t sure she cared.
Her gaze was direct. Beneath the habitual dryness of her tone, the question was more or less honest. It wasn’t a test of his assumptions, or a scathe (though he probably deserved it; united strangers, indeed). The fact was she couldn’t answer it plainly herself. What did she seek? That coin was still spinning, in and out of light and dark. She didn’t yet know where it would land.
Tucked neatly beneath her apathetic manner, Natalie was a woman angry, and frustrated, and hurting still. The Custody had failed her, even as it contained the only thing she wanted.
“That honey is over sweet, you know. You can speak plainer. I promise not to bite, since it wouldn't bruise anyway.”
He was goading, but she didn’t appear to mind. Though he was quite blatantly studying the wrong weapon. Natalie watched him back, neither repelled nor ignited by the challenge.
“And what do you suppose I am seeking?”
She was a Patron’s granddaughter; it was common currency for others to curry favour to that end. Or try, at least. Less common were those who thought to appeal to the deviancy also in her blood, in the hope that the articles written back then were true, but it wasn’t unheard of either. Not everyone, even in places of power, was happy with the status quo. Natalie was a crossroads in that respect; half cast in light, half swathed in darkness. She didn’t know which Adrian sought. She wasn’t sure she cared.
Her gaze was direct. Beneath the habitual dryness of her tone, the question was more or less honest. It wasn’t a test of his assumptions, or a scathe (though he probably deserved it; united strangers, indeed). The fact was she couldn’t answer it plainly herself. What did she seek? That coin was still spinning, in and out of light and dark. She didn’t yet know where it would land.
Tucked neatly beneath her apathetic manner, Natalie was a woman angry, and frustrated, and hurting still. The Custody had failed her, even as it contained the only thing she wanted.
“That honey is over sweet, you know. You can speak plainer. I promise not to bite, since it wouldn't bruise anyway.”