[Thumping his foot like a little rabbit... Lavi, do be careful. The ears might not go away so quickly next time.]
"Someone" who's made you rather cross with your deal...Though it's difficult to tell whether it's the someone or the deal that vexes you more.
[The irritation speaks to the former, if she's honest, but given all that Lavi is trying to prevent, well, irritation with either would be equally justified.]
What a complicated dance of death this is turning out to be. What would you call what we want to achieve, if not also "ending it early?"
[ it's fine, maybe people will find him even more loveable if he were to have those rabbit ears consistently. though, cantarella gets her answer of which likely frustrated him more whether she truly intended to or not. the tapping of his foot stops as his shadow grows in size as he loses his grip on his agitation for a brief moment. his voice tense and aggressive. ]
I think it's irresponsible to make a deal that is set up to absolutely take advantage of the things that they don't say instead of the things that they do say! There is nothing to leverage; they're preying on people with false promises and hopes.
[ despite the way he quickly snaps at cantarella, it was never about her and she isn't deserving of it, he just as quickly simmers (shrinks) down, deflates, and tries to refocus on what she's asking of him. and...well... isn't that the problem.
a problem with a difficult solution. a problem specifically for those who are still "at risk" verses those who are "safe". ]
We should want to end things on our terms and not by their's.
[It doesn't cause her to flinch or recoil when he rises up, dark and terrifying against the backdrop of the opposite egg. Lavi doesn't seem to ever get angry.
That's right, she remembers, through a fog. He hadn't even seemed that angry when he was bitten...and then, of course, he'd darted away.]
It's fascinating. I don't think I've heard you stall out once since you started speaking so directly. Of course, it makes sense. That's indifference at play, isn't it? [Only certain, rather self-centered things, seem the most off-limits.]
...If the terms of the deal are as lopsided and ill-defined as your estimation of them sounds, it's probably come from someone well-intentioned but who doesn't normally make them. [She'd lose her title if she tried to cut such a deal.] ...And put us in quite a bind.
[ it's very kind of cantarella for not getting upset with him when he blew up on her; he would have accepted any sort of chiding from her for taking out his aggression on someone who didn't deserve it—however brief it was.
but he also realizes that his words make it through when he speaks more directly about certain topics. it's still hard to say what about it that allows his words to go through. ]
It does. [ he lets out a long sigh (despite not having anymore lungs or a need to). ] I can't fault them for making the deal when they did with the knowledge that they had even if I wanted to. I wouldn't have done the same, but I'm not like them.
[ his shadow will run a hand through his "hair" and ruffle it as he grumbles in discontent before a response. ]
I don't know what's the best way to move forward from here when we're at this much of a disadvantage. [ ... ] I certainly have no desire to work against the person who made that contract.
Then it sounds like you believe their intentions are still pure.
[If he doesn't want to work against them, then his anger must not be enough to destroy that bond, either.]
But I will not lie down and burn, either. So... I'll go back to a question I've been asking myself since that very first week--if it is possible to interrupt the flow somehow, unbind the wheel.
You have your own lens to look through, so I must have my own here, too, right? In these few days we have remaining to us, what should I look for? [That seems structured in a way that's answerable for the shadow, since it doesn't ask for the forbidden knowledge, just...the perspective she will need to assume.]
I do; they don't give me any reason to not think so.
[ there's some resignation in his voice as he says this because he can't bring himself to hold a grudge against this person. they did what they believed was right; anyone and everyone is fallible to that.
as for the other question that she asks him, lavi's back to the foot tapping as he tries to think of what could be helpful. they're still unable to find an ideal way to break free from the story or guide it to where it favors them, but. ]
Perhaps...a way to force their hand but not to the point where we have to restart again. Influence who this story is being dedicated to.
Oh, in this scenario, should it happen, I don't believe I'd find myself in a physical altercation. I prefer not to fight unless it's absolutely necessary.
[But she also moves, a bit quickly, driven by her care for him even though he's a shadowman. It's a little too evocative of the care she showed that first night, but it is, of course, one of her core memories of him.]
...Are you all right? In your condition, can you be harmed?
[ god what a statement to make. it doesn't get any bit easier no matter how many times he has said it. but it's also nice to have another memory of their first meeting sort of play out similarly. it's comforting in some way. ]
However, there's a limit to how much damage that I can actually receive and all of goes away after spending some time as a shadow.
[ but there are also multiple ways to hurt a person. shadow. car. whatever he is these days. ]
[I'M SORRY DID HE TRY TO PLOW INTO SIKA MADU AS A CAR
Anyway. There are far too many ways to hate a person, as a shadow or otherwise. That doesn't even need any agreement from her to be true.]
I've never made a potion for a car before...or a shadow, for that matter. Though at least shadows exist on Solaris. So do be careful, as it may take me some time to come up with something. [Cars have just basically been obliterated, but they did exist, but don't worry about it.] If push comes to shove, which is more comfortable for you to spend your time?
I'll be fine. There's very little that can happen to me that would require any sort of conventional treatment; one of the goods things about my current state.
[ please, there are people who will need to be treated and he's just a little beep beep honk honk kind of guy. ]
It might be due to bad habits, but I prefer being a shadow than a car. Even if I can't touch anything, I can go wherever I want with ease.
[ unless it's a pitch black room then he is in suffering. ]
[She's glad to hear, at least, that he feels a little comfortable as a shadow, even if it isn't the ideal. It is better, at least, than being in constant torment and pain.
A small comfort, for either of them, but she'll let it be what it is.]
About to turn your cottony little tail and dive back into the underbrush again, are you?
[He's being a little evasive, she thinks, though it's fine if he just knows that someone will listen if he isn't.
Too many rabbit metaphors has her thinking of another bunny, however. One she'll have to soon see again, the same way she saw this morning. They're almost out of time for today.]
[ OKAY WELL HE WAS GOING TO REFUTE THAT but then she drops that parting message and he's just...ok...ay? ]
Look out for her? [ blinks slowly. except he can't blink because he's just a shadow, but please just understand his voice will somehow communicate this. ] Who?
Then I'll ask her to mind you in turn. [Somehow, with everything he's told her, the comfort of knowing feels chilly. He's just a shadowman, but maybe, at least, he'll be able to do more for Annette than Cantarella could. Just another girl she's failed to keep from fueling someone else's idea of a worthwhile sacrifice. Who deserved to be known better and be reassured.]
These next few days will not be easy ones. [Starting with being on for the "show" this afternoon. She offers his shadow a smile. It is tired in a way she doesn't really hide.] I will try to invite everyone together once more, when everything is coming to a head. I hope that we can meet again.
[ he'll just simply give her a nod to that, but there's also something in the back of his mind that tells him that her experiences might not be as...unfortunate as the ones that he experienced. for reasons. either way, helping a girl is a no brainer for him. ]
It'd be super creepy if it did; there's a calm before the storm and then there's finding a ghost town where a populated city used to be.
[ maybe not exactly the best metaphor to use in this situation but it gets the job done?? maybe??? ]
But you can trust that I'll be there. [ ... ] Or try to be. Wouldn't be helpful if I vanished on everyone now.
the way this week sort of feels the way lavi predicted because of everyone losing it
Mmm... [She runs her thumb a along her lower lip, tasting something that isn't there.] Careful, now. We wouldn't want you to be spirited away by a car-napper.
[This sounds so stupid, but she wouldn't know carjacking as a term.]
May we meet next in more secure conditions. [Not happier, maybe, not more peaceful...the least they can be is more confident.]
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"Someone" who's made you rather cross with your deal...Though it's difficult to tell whether it's the someone or the deal that vexes you more.
[The irritation speaks to the former, if she's honest, but given all that Lavi is trying to prevent, well, irritation with either would be equally justified.]
What a complicated dance of death this is turning out to be. What would you call what we want to achieve, if not also "ending it early?"
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I think it's irresponsible to make a deal that is set up to absolutely take advantage of the things that they don't say instead of the things that they do say! There is nothing to leverage; they're preying on people with false promises and hopes.
[ despite the way he quickly snaps at cantarella, it was never about her and she isn't deserving of it, he just as quickly simmers (shrinks) down, deflates, and tries to refocus on what she's asking of him. and...well... isn't that the problem.
a problem with a difficult solution. a problem specifically for those who are still "at risk" verses those who are "safe". ]
We should want to end things on our terms and not by their's.
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That's right, she remembers, through a fog. He hadn't even seemed that angry when he was bitten...and then, of course, he'd darted away.]
It's fascinating. I don't think I've heard you stall out once since you started speaking so directly. Of course, it makes sense. That's indifference at play, isn't it? [Only certain, rather self-centered things, seem the most off-limits.]
...If the terms of the deal are as lopsided and ill-defined as your estimation of them sounds, it's probably come from someone well-intentioned but who doesn't normally make them. [She'd lose her title if she tried to cut such a deal.] ...And put us in quite a bind.
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but he also realizes that his words make it through when he speaks more directly about certain topics. it's still hard to say what about it that allows his words to go through. ]
It does. [ he lets out a long sigh (despite not having anymore lungs or a need to). ] I can't fault them for making the deal when they did with the knowledge that they had even if I wanted to. I wouldn't have done the same, but I'm not like them.
[ his shadow will run a hand through his "hair" and ruffle it as he grumbles in discontent before a response. ]
I don't know what's the best way to move forward from here when we're at this much of a disadvantage. [ ... ] I certainly have no desire to work against the person who made that contract.
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[If he doesn't want to work against them, then his anger must not be enough to destroy that bond, either.]
But I will not lie down and burn, either. So... I'll go back to a question I've been asking myself since that very first week--if it is possible to interrupt the flow somehow, unbind the wheel.
You have your own lens to look through, so I must have my own here, too, right? In these few days we have remaining to us, what should I look for? [That seems structured in a way that's answerable for the shadow, since it doesn't ask for the forbidden knowledge, just...the perspective she will need to assume.]
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[ there's some resignation in his voice as he says this because he can't bring himself to hold a grudge against this person. they did what they believed was right; anyone and everyone is fallible to that.
as for the other question that she asks him, lavi's back to the foot tapping as he tries to think of what could be helpful. they're still unable to find an ideal way to break free from the story or guide it to where it favors them, but. ]
Perhaps...a way to force their hand but not to the point where we have to restart again. Influence who this story is being dedicated to.
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[She says it with her little tendril of a smile, like it might very well be a joke.]
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I... I would highly suggest that you don't do that.
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Really? What a shame. I thought it would at least carve a new path for us, regardless of what else needed to be done.
But something else would catalyze from this, I'm to take it?
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Let's just say that I have, uh, personal experiences with how poorly physical confrontation with Sika Madu goes.
[ thinks. ]
I know that they've shown up with injuries but truthfully I haven't paid too much attention or bothered to care as to the source of those.
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[But she also moves, a bit quickly, driven by her care for him even though he's a shadowman. It's a little too evocative of the care she showed that first night, but it is, of course, one of her core memories of him.]
...Are you all right? In your condition, can you be harmed?
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[ god what a statement to make. it doesn't get any bit easier no matter how many times he has said it. but it's also nice to have another memory of their first meeting sort of play out similarly. it's comforting in some way. ]
However, there's a limit to how much damage that I can actually receive and all of goes away after spending some time as a shadow.
[ but there are also multiple ways to hurt a person. shadow. car. whatever he is these days. ]
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Anyway. There are far too many ways to hate a person, as a shadow or otherwise. That doesn't even need any agreement from her to be true.]
I've never made a potion for a car before...or a shadow, for that matter. Though at least shadows exist on Solaris. So do be careful, as it may take me some time to come up with something. [Cars have just basically been obliterated, but they did exist, but don't worry about it.] If push comes to shove, which is more comfortable for you to spend your time?
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I'll be fine. There's very little that can happen to me that would require any sort of conventional treatment; one of the goods things about my current state.
[ please, there are people who will need to be treated and he's just a little beep beep honk honk kind of guy. ]
It might be due to bad habits, but I prefer being a shadow than a car. Even if I can't touch anything, I can go wherever I want with ease.
[ unless it's a pitch black room then he is in suffering. ]
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A small comfort, for either of them, but she'll let it be what it is.]
What about your feelings, Lavi?
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My feelings?
[ there are both question marks and rabbit ears that pop up on his head. that... was not a question he was expecting to be asked. ]
What about them?
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[Mental health is also health!]
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[ damn imagine someone caring for your mental health tho??? ]
That's fine, too.
[ mostly. ]
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[He's being a little evasive, she thinks, though it's fine if he just knows that someone will listen if he isn't.
Too many rabbit metaphors has her thinking of another bunny, however. One she'll have to soon see again, the same way she saw this morning. They're almost out of time for today.]
... Do look out for her, won't you?
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Look out for her? [ blinks slowly. except he can't blink because he's just a shadow, but please just understand his voice will somehow communicate this. ] Who?
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[She wasn't clear, so it won't worry her that he was confused by it just yet.]
Unless you think her circumstances will be different from yours...? [Still, a note of concern finds its way into Cantarella's voice.]
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[ since you can only expect so much from him; his voice changing to be a bit apologetic as he continues. ]
No, I get the feeling that she'll be drawn in and brought back in a very similar situation as I was.
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These next few days will not be easy ones. [Starting with being on for the "show" this afternoon. She offers his shadow a smile. It is tired in a way she doesn't really hide.] I will try to invite everyone together once more, when everything is coming to a head. I hope that we can meet again.
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It'd be super creepy if it did; there's a calm before the storm and then there's finding a ghost town where a populated city used to be.
[ maybe not exactly the best metaphor to use in this situation but it gets the job done?? maybe??? ]
But you can trust that I'll be there. [ ... ] Or try to be. Wouldn't be helpful if I vanished on everyone now.
the way this week sort of feels the way lavi predicted because of everyone losing it
[This sounds so stupid, but she wouldn't know carjacking as a term.]
May we meet next in more secure conditions. [Not happier, maybe, not more peaceful...the least they can be is more confident.]
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