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[ They've gone still on the sidewalk, ostensibly waiting for the crosswalk, but the light changed a little while ago and they still haven't made any moves to keep walking. Anathema watches Sal watching her, and when that question finally slips out—
For a moment, she remembers her last partner and Newt's tremulous Can we do it again?. Her own curt response, cutting him off at the pass with We don't have time. Shutting the door on that possibility quickly. She's appreciated the politeness both times, but there's a crucial difference here: she awfully, awfully wants this particular diversion.
Instead of telling Sal yes, Anathema just steps closer to clear the last of the distance between them, catches the woman's lapels, and drags her into a kiss: a little matter-of-fact at first, but deeper and more insistent the more she leans in, hangs onto Sal's shirt. By the time they break apart, her face is bright, cheerful, a little exhilarated. ]
I'd have been upset if you never did.
For a moment, she remembers her last partner and Newt's tremulous Can we do it again?. Her own curt response, cutting him off at the pass with We don't have time. Shutting the door on that possibility quickly. She's appreciated the politeness both times, but there's a crucial difference here: she awfully, awfully wants this particular diversion.
Instead of telling Sal yes, Anathema just steps closer to clear the last of the distance between them, catches the woman's lapels, and drags her into a kiss: a little matter-of-fact at first, but deeper and more insistent the more she leans in, hangs onto Sal's shirt. By the time they break apart, her face is bright, cheerful, a little exhilarated. ]
I'd have been upset if you never did.
[When at first their lips touch, Sal's smirking. Anathema might not be a real, actual princess but she does command a few unique privileges; touching Sal in such a frank and forceful way among them. She's got no reason to protest this, at all, and in the span of a breathy chuckle she leans down a little further and rights her position.
Her hands come up to gently run along Anathema's face, her thumbs resting warmly at the base of her jaw. Sal's been thinking of this for—a hell of a long time, honestly, and she's going to savor this, world at large be damned. There's nothing else to fill her awareness but Anathema's mouth, soft and more insistent as the kiss continues; the smooth warmth of her skin against the palms of her hands; the subtle hint of that perfume she's grown to recognize anywhere; the heat of their bodies pressed together as Anathema keeps her held in place with no distance left to impede them.
It's real nice, is what it is, and when they break apart Sal finds her smile again. A mirror to Anathema's own exhilaration, she takes a moment to adjust her jacket and to sink into a pleasant feeling of self-satisfaction.]
Well we can't have any of that tonight.
[She offers to take Anathema's arm again, ready at last to continue on across the street. For their date! What a fucking magnificent thought.]
You want to tell me more about your history studies over dinner?
Her hands come up to gently run along Anathema's face, her thumbs resting warmly at the base of her jaw. Sal's been thinking of this for—a hell of a long time, honestly, and she's going to savor this, world at large be damned. There's nothing else to fill her awareness but Anathema's mouth, soft and more insistent as the kiss continues; the smooth warmth of her skin against the palms of her hands; the subtle hint of that perfume she's grown to recognize anywhere; the heat of their bodies pressed together as Anathema keeps her held in place with no distance left to impede them.
It's real nice, is what it is, and when they break apart Sal finds her smile again. A mirror to Anathema's own exhilaration, she takes a moment to adjust her jacket and to sink into a pleasant feeling of self-satisfaction.]
Well we can't have any of that tonight.
[She offers to take Anathema's arm again, ready at last to continue on across the street. For their date! What a fucking magnificent thought.]
You want to tell me more about your history studies over dinner?
[ The sensation of Sal's hands against her face, her jaw, is electric; Anathema can feel her skin gone ticklish and over-sensitive under the touch and she hitches a little laugh. It's been too long since she's been touched like this. Longer than she'd have liked; turns out the repeated near-end of the world keeps throwing wrenches in the gears in terms of finding some intimacy.
But. Finally.
Sal's aura is blinding now that she's so close, now that Sal's radiating and bleeding messy emotions everywhere. Normally Anathema wouldn't try to sneak a glance at someone's aura like this, but it's hard to block it out: it's like looking at the sun. She catches the other woman's offered arm. Feels like she's going to soar right off the ground again, except they're not actually flying. ]
You're going to fall asleep in your gumbo if you let me drone on, probably. But I'd be glad to.
[ And they set off again, towards the restaurant, and Anathema can't help but think giddily: thank god for that letter. ]
But. Finally.
Sal's aura is blinding now that she's so close, now that Sal's radiating and bleeding messy emotions everywhere. Normally Anathema wouldn't try to sneak a glance at someone's aura like this, but it's hard to block it out: it's like looking at the sun. She catches the other woman's offered arm. Feels like she's going to soar right off the ground again, except they're not actually flying. ]
You're going to fall asleep in your gumbo if you let me drone on, probably. But I'd be glad to.
[ And they set off again, towards the restaurant, and Anathema can't help but think giddily: thank god for that letter. ]
Say, Anathema.
You wouldn't mind helping out with that wealth of local knowledge of yours, would you? Seems like I'm at a fucking loss here again.
When's the right time for a couple to take a vacation together, do you think? Shit, outside of running from explosions or running toward some other disaster, I guess I don't really have any experience in it myself.
You wouldn't mind helping out with that wealth of local knowledge of yours, would you? Seems like I'm at a fucking loss here again.
When's the right time for a couple to take a vacation together, do you think? Shit, outside of running from explosions or running toward some other disaster, I guess I don't really have any experience in it myself.
As if I do, either.
[ wry. it's not like she's had much experience in capital R, Relationships™ either; Anathema's distractions in the past had always been short and fleeting, with an apocalypse looming over her head like the Sword of Damocles. ]
Do you mean 'right time' as in the time of year, or amount of time into their being a couple?
[ wry. it's not like she's had much experience in capital R, Relationships™ either; Anathema's distractions in the past had always been short and fleeting, with an apocalypse looming over her head like the Sword of Damocles. ]
Do you mean 'right time' as in the time of year, or amount of time into their being a couple?
Cold weather shouldn't be an issue, at least from what I've read. So maybe the latter?
[ That hint doesn't give it all away, does it? It's cuter when she gets to guess a little. ]
I got to chase down somebody's runaway house out in Heropa and that weird shit had me thinking. It's been almost half a year since we talked about resolutions and going on adventures, but what do we really have to fucking show for it, huh?
Mass port-outs, monsters who steal hearts, some birdshit memory-swapping incident? Those angry ferns that attacked the swear-in? Nothing cute and fun.
[ That hint doesn't give it all away, does it? It's cuter when she gets to guess a little. ]
I got to chase down somebody's runaway house out in Heropa and that weird shit had me thinking. It's been almost half a year since we talked about resolutions and going on adventures, but what do we really have to fucking show for it, huh?
Mass port-outs, monsters who steal hearts, some birdshit memory-swapping incident? Those angry ferns that attacked the swear-in? Nothing cute and fun.
I would actually classify all of those things as 'adventures', still, but-- a break from unceasing unpredictable chaos would be kind of nice.
I've actually looked into it before. You're registered, right? We're allowed to travel up to 3 weeks abroad so long as we're registered.
(Which is another piece of government monitoring bullshit, but let's not get started on that.)
I've actually looked into it before. You're registered, right? We're allowed to travel up to 3 weeks abroad so long as we're registered.
(Which is another piece of government monitoring bullshit, but let's not get started on that.)
Edited 2020-06-14 05:24 (UTC)
Oh, so you've thought about it already, huh? Well it should make all of this brainstorming shit so much easier in that case.
In fact, why don't you tell me where you've been thinking of traveling? Because I've had it in my head for a while, that if we're counting your trip to save the world, being ported here and then being ported on over to that other fucking place—well, all of that together and you might want to visit home for a little while.
[ Whatever that means in this similar-but-not-exact version of Earth. Her family isn't here, after all, but Sal wonders if it wouldn't be a comfort anyway. There's been plenty of times over the years, she can admit to herself, that she's missed some things from Cathama. Hell, even things that aren't opera. ]
Unless Puerto Rico is a bad fucking idea, because aside from these travel websites with fancy beaches and people holding fruity drinks, I don't know a damn thing about it.
In fact, why don't you tell me where you've been thinking of traveling? Because I've had it in my head for a while, that if we're counting your trip to save the world, being ported here and then being ported on over to that other fucking place—well, all of that together and you might want to visit home for a little while.
[ Whatever that means in this similar-but-not-exact version of Earth. Her family isn't here, after all, but Sal wonders if it wouldn't be a comfort anyway. There's been plenty of times over the years, she can admit to herself, that she's missed some things from Cathama. Hell, even things that aren't opera. ]
Unless Puerto Rico is a bad fucking idea, because aside from these travel websites with fancy beaches and people holding fruity drinks, I don't know a damn thing about it.
[ And now it's Anathema's turn to be charmed at the fact that Sal's already been browsing cheesy travel sites for Puerto Rico; and that she even thought of it at all. ]
It won't entirely be home because you wouldn't be able to meet all my extended family, but-- It could be nice. Food, beaches, sun tanning, swimming, relaxing, sleeping in. Fruity drinks.
You should probably get to see a small English village at some point, too. You'd be mad about the cottages and the countryside. But that can be for another day. Right now, I'm feeling beaches.
[ Tadfield wasn't home either, precisely -- it was unequivocally Adam's, and it probably didn't exist here in the same way without him to craft it -- but the countryside villages had quickly wormed their way into her heart regardless. ]
It won't entirely be home because you wouldn't be able to meet all my extended family, but-- It could be nice. Food, beaches, sun tanning, swimming, relaxing, sleeping in. Fruity drinks.
You should probably get to see a small English village at some point, too. You'd be mad about the cottages and the countryside. But that can be for another day. Right now, I'm feeling beaches.
[ Tadfield wasn't home either, precisely -- it was unequivocally Adam's, and it probably didn't exist here in the same way without him to craft it -- but the countryside villages had quickly wormed their way into her heart regardless. ]
Well if that's how you're feeling, I guess we can make a real plan for it then.
I'll check in with Adam, see how he feels about running the shop on his own for a little while. [ She doesn't always specify which Adam she's talking about these days anymore; trusts Sal to figure it out based on context. ]
And I guess you could theoretically review books remotely, too, wherever you're at...
And I guess you could theoretically review books remotely, too, wherever you're at...
You think he's responsible enough to not set the whole thing on fire while I whisk you away?
[ Sal gets her fair share of practice in remembering Anathema's social contacts, especially after that wedding party. There's Small Adam from back home, for example, as well as Big Adam the roommate and colleague; not that she says it out loud that way, of course. ]
Shit, why disappoint that growing fan-base of mine now? I wasn't about to stay at anything this long that wouldn't afford me some flexibility.
After all, they're the ones who keep trying to offer me airplane discounts. Didn't think I'd ever fucking give into that, as if I wanted to fly up in some ugly machine but—I guess there's a first time for plenty of things around here lately.
[ Nevermind that it's a romance novel review site, and nevermind that it's billed as a dreamy romantic getaway. Even though, well, it sure the fuck is. ]
[ Sal gets her fair share of practice in remembering Anathema's social contacts, especially after that wedding party. There's Small Adam from back home, for example, as well as Big Adam the roommate and colleague; not that she says it out loud that way, of course. ]
Shit, why disappoint that growing fan-base of mine now? I wasn't about to stay at anything this long that wouldn't afford me some flexibility.
After all, they're the ones who keep trying to offer me airplane discounts. Didn't think I'd ever fucking give into that, as if I wanted to fly up in some ugly machine but—I guess there's a first time for plenty of things around here lately.
[ Nevermind that it's a romance novel review site, and nevermind that it's billed as a dreamy romantic getaway. Even though, well, it sure the fuck is. ]
Oh, unlike Klaus, Adam's the responsible one. He'll do fine. [ Breezy, unthinking, she's pretty darn sure everything will go well — which is exactly why this'll bite her in the ass later. The fates do like a laugh. ]
Airplane discount?? Clearly I'm in the wrong line of work. Take advantage of that, Sal. Besides, 1000+ miles must be quite the trek even for you to fly; it'd be much more comfortable in padded seats. With peanuts. And very expensive very boozy drinks, extra-potent at high altitude.
How far's the furthest you've ever flown yourself?
Airplane discount?? Clearly I'm in the wrong line of work. Take advantage of that, Sal. Besides, 1000+ miles must be quite the trek even for you to fly; it'd be much more comfortable in padded seats. With peanuts. And very expensive very boozy drinks, extra-potent at high altitude.
How far's the furthest you've ever flown yourself?
Only flown as far as I was ordered to.
[ It's a casual and seemingly harmless question, but Sal knows plenty about intrusive government oversight. She'll gingerly sidestep the topic as best she can. ]
For long-distance travel, we'd typically just use the gates of the doormages. I think you'd have liked that sort of magic; some expertly drawn rune-work could teleport a whole legion in a manner of moments. Though I'm sure peanuts and high-altitude boozing will work well enough too.
Other than all of that you, uh, might have to help in booking a hotel somewhere. I'm sure my usual diplomatic flair in strong-arming some tavern-keeper out in the Scar isn't a useful asset here.
[ It's a casual and seemingly harmless question, but Sal knows plenty about intrusive government oversight. She'll gingerly sidestep the topic as best she can. ]
For long-distance travel, we'd typically just use the gates of the doormages. I think you'd have liked that sort of magic; some expertly drawn rune-work could teleport a whole legion in a manner of moments. Though I'm sure peanuts and high-altitude boozing will work well enough too.
Other than all of that you, uh, might have to help in booking a hotel somewhere. I'm sure my usual diplomatic flair in strong-arming some tavern-keeper out in the Scar isn't a useful asset here.
Curious about it, are you?
[ Predictably adorable? Abso-fucking-lutely. ]
I'm sure I can draw up a few diagrams before I see you next.
[ Predictably adorable? Abso-fucking-lutely. ]
I'm sure I can draw up a few diagrams before I see you next.
I'd definitely like to learn, if you're able to pass it on. I was learning portals from Lilith, but— she hasn't been around to show me in a while. And I like being able to transport by our own willpower, not confined to having to go through the Porters.
Knowing Lilith, she'd want you to keep learning.
There's a pal of mine who's been working on a project for a while, some kind of nerdy space magic. These little devices can hold memories of imPorts, and I guess he wants to create some kind of memory museum for the use of those who pass through here. Of course, at first I didn't take it very fucking seriously. Treading through the past is more like—stepping through a field of broken glass for me, after all.
But I guess after some thinking I can see his reasons. It can't be too different than Harry, that friend of yours anyway, trying to teach imPorts who come through here. They're all just trying to be a part of something useful.
[ And here's she's been for months, struggling with the weight of those responsibilities like a scared child. There's been progress lately, that unregistered girl she's been trying to teach swordplay. But she hasn't quite shaken the feeling that someone else would be better at this; or someone, at least, with less blood on their hands. ]
Anyway, it's basic Imperium learning at its heart. I knew the best of the business, Riccu the Knock; weaselly bastard, but his runework was frustratingly perfect. I'm sure I can give you enough resources to get shit moving forward somehow.
There's a pal of mine who's been working on a project for a while, some kind of nerdy space magic. These little devices can hold memories of imPorts, and I guess he wants to create some kind of memory museum for the use of those who pass through here. Of course, at first I didn't take it very fucking seriously. Treading through the past is more like—stepping through a field of broken glass for me, after all.
But I guess after some thinking I can see his reasons. It can't be too different than Harry, that friend of yours anyway, trying to teach imPorts who come through here. They're all just trying to be a part of something useful.
[ And here's she's been for months, struggling with the weight of those responsibilities like a scared child. There's been progress lately, that unregistered girl she's been trying to teach swordplay. But she hasn't quite shaken the feeling that someone else would be better at this; or someone, at least, with less blood on their hands. ]
Anyway, it's basic Imperium learning at its heart. I knew the best of the business, Riccu the Knock; weaselly bastard, but his runework was frustratingly perfect. I'm sure I can give you enough resources to get shit moving forward somehow.
Space magic, huh? Who is he? It sounds like a good project — like, not necessarily for our memories of back home, but even just of each other. Here. To prove that we were here, and that we mattered. That we had an effect.
[ She pauses; considers. The question might seem out of nowhere, but she wants to know: ]
What's your happiest memory from back home?
[ She pauses; considers. The question might seem out of nowhere, but she wants to know: ]
What's your happiest memory from back home?
Nox is grumpy and distrustful but he's serious about the work he does. Real helpful friend that I am, I had an early chance to test out the holocrons myself and I've seen what they can do. If you're really interested, I suppose he's willing to work with just about anyone, but uh...well, If anyone can handle a grouchy bastard like that I suppose it would be you.
[ Sal doesn't add in what she really thinks. That of course Anathema's presence has mattered; there's evidence in every faulty fiber of her being. She won't write it, has to pull her shaky hands off the keyboard and press her palm against her knuckles, but it's been truer and more evident with each new morning; there's evidence in each fractured piece of her old self slowly coming back together.
But that's not a worthy enough prize for someone who can help to save the world, is it? Or maybe it's something else, like that scar wrapped around her side from Jindu's sword; an old fear about how this story takes a turn. ]
You'd think my most precious memories would be something fancy, like winning a big battle or chasing down some dastardly villain. A memory that's worthy of being in a poem or an opera. But the most important things are always so fucking small. Reminds me of Daiga the Phantom. The greatest graspmage in the Imperium, probably, and what did he have to barter for magic like that? A necklace full of tiny trinkets. Everything that was most important to him could fit right into your hands and could be taken away in a flash.
[ Sal doesn't add in what she really thinks. That of course Anathema's presence has mattered; there's evidence in every faulty fiber of her being. She won't write it, has to pull her shaky hands off the keyboard and press her palm against her knuckles, but it's been truer and more evident with each new morning; there's evidence in each fractured piece of her old self slowly coming back together.
But that's not a worthy enough prize for someone who can help to save the world, is it? Or maybe it's something else, like that scar wrapped around her side from Jindu's sword; an old fear about how this story takes a turn. ]
You'd think my most precious memories would be something fancy, like winning a big battle or chasing down some dastardly villain. A memory that's worthy of being in a poem or an opera. But the most important things are always so fucking small. Reminds me of Daiga the Phantom. The greatest graspmage in the Imperium, probably, and what did he have to barter for magic like that? A necklace full of tiny trinkets. Everything that was most important to him could fit right into your hands and could be taken away in a flash.
Actually, I wouldn't automatically think that -- for exactly those reasons. I totally agree. Like, the biggest and most dramatic memories also probably come with a fair bit of peril, which taints them a bit. I find that sometimes the best memories are the small ones, precisely because they're so precious. We go through those big things in order to protect those small things.
Reading under the covers, or a nice day napping in the backyard. A picnic with someone you like.
Reading under the covers, or a nice day napping in the backyard. A picnic with someone you like.
A picnic at the beach, maybe?
Haven't tried that one yet either, but there is someone I like already.
Haven't tried that one yet either, but there is someone I like already.
You're right, like always.
Better to do it sooner so as not to get bogged down by any of the usual birdshit bad luck, up to and including alien attacks. First part of the month should work out just fine. Whatever else wants to fight me can do it after we've come back.
Better to do it sooner so as not to get bogged down by any of the usual birdshit bad luck, up to and including alien attacks. First part of the month should work out just fine. Whatever else wants to fight me can do it after we've come back.
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