On looking at teleios for next month

[dragomirheiress]

[Lissa is anxious about this new venture Mun seems to be embarking on. The girl was often brash and quick to act, not unlike her best friend. It made her uneasy. She didn't want to go rushing head first and wanted the girl to take some consideration for her and for the situation.]

Are you really sure about this? I know you're excited but- [She bites her lip, fighting a fresh wave of anxiety.]

Why do I have to be the one? Don't you have others you could send there?

[Though she has to admit there was a plus side in not being able to access her magic - yet. What would having it back while there do to Rose? What about her own needs? Would there be feeders? She didn't want to think about putting her friend in that kind of position again.]

I know you keep saying it's a while off but it's still a lot to think about, okay? Just take more time and think about it, please. Have a little more caution.

[The lack of Christian there also was a huge negative for her. She didn't want to be anywhere he was not.]

Comments

[uptake]

[ it's probably not a surprise that christian doesn't like any of this, less so with every word that leaves lissa's mouth. but instead of thinning his lips into a harsh line, he lets a frown tug at the corners of them — a much more gentle expression than he'd display for anyone else. ]

Hey, [ quiet, but he reaches for her hand, intent on threading their fingers. ] It's going to be okay.

[dragomirheiress]

[It's on instinct her fingers thread through his right back. Just a touch from him sends her heart into a less than steady beat. That was better than what her anxiety did for her.]

I- I don't know... there aren't feeders there and it's going to be just me, Rose, Dimitri and Adrian...

[She had no idea what she was walking into. Mun seemed assured that she wasn't about to die there and that feeding on Rose wouldn't be a thing that happened, but what alternatives were there? She had so many questions.]

You won't be there. [She leans against his shoulder, willing some of his strength to some how pass through to her.]

[uptake]

[ the fact rose and dimitri will be there eases some of christian's concern, but not much. whether that's thanks to adrian being there as well, he isn't sure. but lissa is right, he won't be there. so if things go south (and let's be real, they always do when rose is around), he won't be able to protect her.

suddenly feeders are the least of his worries. he gives her hand a little squeeze, both for her and himself. ]

Rose will keep you safe, so will Dimitri. [ no word on adrian again. there's a very small flare up of that old jealousy, but he pushes it aside, focusing more on comforting lissa. ] You know Rose is crazy, always has been. She'll do what she has to.

[ that's... comforting, right? but there's a twitch of his lips to show he's attempting to lighten it up, if only just a little. ]

[dragomirheiress]

[She has half a mind to argue with her boyfriend about how her best friend is definitely not crazy, but of course that was an on going up hill battle, sometimes. They had gotten better about each other as time went on, of course. His attempt at comforting was lacking but she knew he was trying.]

I know they will. I'm just- it's scary no matter what, you know?

[It was like the time her uncle had kidnapped her without a word. She'd been so afraid they'd hurt Christian, so afraid she was going to lose him. It makes her want to press right up into him, wrapping her arms around his torso to do just that. She wanted to hear the steadiness of his heartbeat, feel his breath against her skin.]

I'd feel better if you were there, but I'll be fine. Not like I have a say in the matter, either way.

[Mundanes were jerks like that.]

[uptake]

[ his arms fold around her the moment she moves closer, holding her against him and nuzzling his chin against the curve of her shoulder, his breath warm. it is scary and acknowledging that is all good and well, he guesses, but it doesn't make either one of them feel any better, really. so, he's quiet for a moment, just memorizing the way she feels in his arms. ]

Who knows, maybe I'll show up sometime. [ it's a little less confident than he'd like it to be, but he's not aiming for a facade with lissa. ] I'm a hard guy to shake. You know that.

[dragomirheiress]

[Oh, there goes that nice heart fluttery feeling he brings out in her. Ugh, she loves him so much why does she have to go somewhere without him. It's like having one of her arms cut off. Rose is the other arm If Rose wasn't there she'd probably be even more panicked. Just having him close like this calms her nerves immensely.]

Mm. Maybe... you definitely are good at worming your way into places.

[Like her heart.]

[uptake]

[ truth be told, there's very few things christian wouldn't do for lissa. that he can really do anything for her now is an idea he's combating. he presses a soft kiss to her shoulder, still keeping her as close as possible. ]

Because I love you. [ which is... a pretty sharp turn from the way he was trying to lighten up the mood before. but it's true. ] It'll be okay, I promise.

[dragomirheiress]

[The way he said how he felt so easily made her heart stutter in her chest. Words always came easily to him, it felt like. At least when he spoke to her they did. He made her feel sure of herself and - more importantly - sure of him.

Rose was probably going to go vomit in her mouth if she had to witness this but what did she care? Slipping her arms from around him, she wraps them around his neck before turning her head to kiss his cheek. Not too long after that she was drawing him in for a kiss.]

[littledhampir]

Who the hell are you calling crazy, Ozera? At least I don't set people on fire.

[Though lets be serious. She would if she could.]

[uptake]

Takes one to know one, Hathaway.

[ but yeah, okay, he's kind of grinning. ]

You break anyone's nose there yet? Bet you have.

[littledhampir]

No... [There's a but. With Rose there's always a but.]

I maybe stabbed somebody but it was his fault so it doesn't count.

[uptake]

It counts for a hell of a lot more than just breaking someone's nose. I have to say, I'm impressed.

[ why is he encouraging this? oh wait. ]

[littledhampir]

The agents seemed to think so too. My debt went up two years for that conversation. Stabbing somebody who heals within seconds is hardly attempted murder!

[It was Damon Salvatore. Nobody is shocked by this.]

[uptake]

Two years, huh? You'd better make it stick next time, then. I thought that was your thing.

[ stabbing someone who heals really quick is like swatting their hand away, okay. ]

[littledhampir]

Oh I wasn't actually trying to stab him. He was just sort of there. [A beat.] The slamming him to a wall afterwards, I totally meant to do that.

[That's what she said! See this is totally why you're friends she doesn't hate you anymore.]

[dragomirheiress]

Rose

[Seriously, does she have to put you two in separate corners? Stop encouraging each other!!!]

What did he do to deserve getting stabbed?

[Why, Rose, why?]

[littledhampir]

He snuck up on me. [What?!] You don't sneak up on a person when they're trying not to get killed by their undead ex.

[dragomirheiress]

Oh...

[Aaaand a frown. And awful worried feelings headed Rose's way through the bond. Dimitri you poor thing she wishes she could do something for you this is not fair.]

But you didn't kill anyone, right?

[She'd hate to think how many years that added to her debt.]

[littledhampir]

[Times like this Rose almost wished the bond didn't exist. As much as she appreciated the sentiment of sympathy, it was hard living with Dimitri as a Strigoi and being reminded of all the reasons why it was such a horrible situation.

Oh who the hell was she kidding?! Like she ever had a hope of forgetting that.]

What? Oh, no. [Shaking her head.] We're friends. Well, when I'm not threatening to kill him though... I think he kind of likes that.

[It's Damon Salvatore. What else can you expect?]

[dragomirheiress]

[Rose sounded like she was being totally serious when she said this guy apparently liked this antagonistic relationship they had. Maybe he did.

Sighing, she just crosses her arms. Rose, what is she going to do with you... and yet that wildness was prone to saving lives if she put her mind to it.]

How could anyone like death threats?

[She certainly didn't.]

[uptake]

So, that's your story? "My knife just slipped" or "he just fell into it"? C'mon. [ he'd totally nudge her if he wasn't positive she'd break his freaking arm for it. ]

[littledhampir]

[That's a familiar face with her arms folded across her chest looking like she's made up her mind and thinking she actually gets a say in all this.]

No.

[No, really. This is her resolved face.]

Screw caution this is the worst idea I have ever heard! [An aside to Lissa.] No offense Liss I mean seeing you wouldn't suck but - no.

[dragomirheiress]

It's not my idea!

[Don't shoot the messenger, Rose!!]

Yeah, I know. It sounds like it would be worse than home.

[There better be some light sensitive windows, okay. She has needs.]

[littledhampir]

Yeah well, tell the one who does the typing that I said no.

[Seriously. Resolved face.]

Not sounds - is. Home has an army of Guardians and wards to protect you. Here has me, a Strigoi and a whole bunch of Not!Strigoi's with humanity switches. [A beat.] And Adrian... Apart from being a walking juicebox for somebody like Dimitri, this place is actually pretty good for him. [A beat.] No alcohol or cigarettes.

[Nope. And did she mention that the sun does - not - set?!]

[dragomirheiress]

I don't think telling anyone who does the typing "No" actually works. It only delays the process.

[Oh, great. So not only is she going to a strange place but a strange place where Dimitri might eat her. Mun, why do you do this to her and Rose?]

Has Dimitri- he hasn't tried to attack him has he?

[Seriously, how is she supposed to defend against that? Not that she really could. Rose is her last line of defense against this sort of thing and she hasn't even been named her Official Guardian yet! She was hoping she'd be safe with Dimitri around but this is worse than she was anticipating.

Okay, Lissa calm thoughts no need to make the best friend panic. Everything will be fine! Except the part about the sun being up all the time, that's awful.]

[littledhampir]

Right so - we keep saying no, that'll keep delaying things and eventually she'll move onto somebody else. Like that tomboy kid of hers. Tell her to bring her instead. Her family can look after her and you can stay safe. [Rose!Logic. The most amazing.]

Who, Adrian? [Thank you one way bond!] No he's left him alone.

[Rose was a whole other story of course but it was - as always - complicated.]

Stop that, Liss. [Yes, yes she is answering her thoughts.] I can look after myself. [Which she'd been saying an awful lot of late. Yes Damon she's looking at you.] And haven't I already proven I can take care of you too?

[dragomirheiress]

Yeah, I like that idea better.

[Yes, mun bring Arya. Leave her alone, please.]

[Giving Rose a pointed look. There might be a spike of agitation because she hates it when Rose is reading her thoughts. Let her worry about you in the privacy of her own mind!!]

I know. It doesn't mean I can't still worry.