mansions | (no subject)

(no subject)

*she hasn't been able to find ryoko in her room since she met that other kaiser, and it agitates her; both because what she's learned is troubling and she would REALLY like some answers, and because ryoko normally isn't all that hard to find if you know where to look, so it's worrying that she has no idea how to find her, right now.

she's feeling slightly lost and frustrated, and she doesn't like it at all.

but for the moment, she's just in a random room with the door ajar, trying to decide what the hell to do next.*

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*...she notices that

she tries, but probably fails badly, to not look as upset about it as she feels*

Deeper than you?

Yes.

[She turns a little so she's staring at the wall, not quite able to look at Ed.]

I clawed my way out before I lost all of myself to it.

How much did he tell you?

*...leans against her, not looking at her either*

That you got into underground dueling when you lost your sponsors.

That you... earned "Hell Kaiserin" there.

...That he escaped. By being bought.

*sounds kind of sick by the end of that*

...all of it's true. Except the last part.

My promoter was too invested in me to sell me.

[She laughs without the slightest trace of humor.]

I got to kick him into the dirt.

What does that mean. "Invested" in you.

[...she seems to think for a moment before she responds.]

...I was a good duelist. Popular. He wouldn't give that profit up so easily.

[Her face has smoothed over to its usual neutral expression rather than the bitter smile of before.]

He said people lost interest. That the popularity didn't last.

*not so much accusing as.. reluctant, but unable to stop pushing :s*

Maybe that's true in his world. Not mine.

[...that much, at least, is true. It's just not the whole story.]

Or maybe that's why he moved me back to the Leagues in the end.

*pulls her knees up |[*

...Is that all there is to it?

...

...

[There's the smile again.]

Of course it isn't.

[She's staring at the wall, eyes focused nowhere.]

I suppose you were bound to learn eventually. How weak I was.

...

I heard the rumors, of course... It seemed like everyone had a theory about you. But I thought...

You were so proud, and so strong, it didn't seem to matter just what... happened to change you. Not when it made you so much better.

*god. she really was such a child, wasn't she.*

Mm.

I suppose I wanted your respect while it lasted.

[She lies back on the bed.]

In a way I'm glad it happened. At least I'm not what I was before.

*...turns to give ryoko a slightly incredulous look*

You don't really think you could lose my respect by now, do you?

Why wouldn't I?

I was weak. Weak enough to end up there, weak enough to stay, weak enough that when I was offered a way out, I...

[She laughs harshly again and it sticks in her throat, emerging a little strangled as she blinks moisture out of her eyes.]

...still weak.

...You're ridiculous.

*her voice is slightly wavery, but she reaches firmly for ryoko's hand, lacing her fingers with ryoko's*

I love you, you idiot.

[For a moment, she stares at their laced fingers, like she can't believe what she's seeing.]

...

[Then she pulls herself off the bed just enough to bury her face in Ed's shoulder and let out a long, shuddering breath, relaxing just barely.]

*she clings tightly to ryoko in response, leaning her head against her hair

a tear or two might dampen ryoko's hair but shhhh*

...I'm sorry.

[She just...stays there, for a while, letting her breathing shake and her eyes drip. Ed says "I'm sorry" and her only response is to lift one arm and put it around her, anchoring herself a little more.

It's a moment of weakness.

After a few minutes, she speaks, without moving from her place.]

...said if I "indulged him" he'd let me move to the Pros.

I was disgusted with myself. For making that choice.

...

But it wasn't a choice. Was it?

*god. god. she tightens her arms around ryoko, shaking her head as strongly as she can*

No.. It's not your fault. Of course it isn't.

[...she sighs and slumps closer still in something like relief.]

I trust your judgement.

[Ed knows, now, and she hasn't been lowered in her eyes as far as she can tell, hasn't been relegated to the status of something Ed's saving.

That's all she could ask for, really.]

*oh... snorts quietly*

As you should.

*she doesn't move away, but she does straighten up a little and wipes at her eyes out of ryoko's sight, but she can probably guess from the movement*

...You should probably tell me more about Saiou.

[...oh.

She won't comment on that. It's only fair at this point to save Ed her dignity.]

...right.

There are two of them, I think.

The one that got me had...the other you. There's another that's a promoter.

*what the hell is a promoter*

Other me?

[well i was talking about mine a few minutes ago :')]

...the pregnant one.

[She is clearly displeased.]

*oh oops i thought she never said the word promoter IM DUM*

...You're not implying what I think you are, are you?

*because that's

uh

shit*