eachdraidh | Video Unseelie Locked

[Vanessa turns on her locket, placing it on the table. She looks...much better than she had before. In fact, people can catch glimpses of a wedding dress.

She looks resigned, tension in her face, her chin held high. And yet...well.]

As of this morning, I am no longer Lady Vanessa Ives.

[She looks down at her hands for a moment, then back at the screen. She taps into her ability to remain stoic in the face of horrible things. The public does not need to know how much this angers her, or how helpless she feels.]

To better Arachne's Eye, Queen Morla has decided that it would be best for me to marry.

I agreed.

[As she was given no real choice.]

Henceforth, you would do well to refer to me by my husband Balem's last name, Abrasax.

[Yep. Lady Vanessa Abrasax. Wife to Balem. Lovely. She knows very well who is getting the most out of this deal. And it is not her.]

We have worked out the logistics, and while we are married, I will still spend a great deal of my time at my Spire, and will continue to be open to any of those who need to speak with me.

My plans...to make sure the Seelie pay, are unchanged. Just delayed.

[Her goal is still a fixed point.]

...apologies who anyone who wished to attend the wedding.

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In my world, people would have sold their own children to take the name Abrasax.

[He takes her hand and sighs. That this world is not his home has never been clearer.]

All I expect is that you not disrespect me or paint me as the villain to others. I don't need affection, physical or emotional, so no need to worry about that.

And the name Ives has truly never meant much.

[At least to her, anyways. She squeezes his hand, shaking her head.]

I never expected to marry, you know.

But as long as you don't attempt to control me, we will be fine.

Your private life is your own. All I ask for is respect.

I didn't, either. And frankly, I don't put much stock into it: when the war is won and we return to our respective homes, I don't expect you to consider yourself a married woman or think of me again at all.

[He was a true romantic, clearly.]

I will respect you as long as you respect me in return. This is a public matter, I don't care what you do in private, either.

I doubt I will remember.

[She sighs, and finally drops his hand.]

Marriage is important, in my world. The consolidation of power, of money...of business.

Surely you can appreciate that.

[Of course.]

That is more than I could ask for, form anyone else.

If we were in my world, you'd be Sovereign of a good part of the universe right now.

[He's not actually planning on sharing any of his assets from home, but perhaps it's a bit of a consolation.]

...That's why we don't marry often, I suppose.

[Because when your estate was that massive, it was risky.]

I'm not here to taunt or upset you, I hope you know that. It's just business.

...I could get used to that idea.

[There is a bit of teasing in her voice. And that would be a better fate than to rule over the earth as a Hell.]

Of course. I am surprised Morla isn't making us reside together. Though I am happy she isn't. I have no doubt you want to continue your own plots unhindered.

If we're ever at the Station together, I can show you.

[The universe, he meant. Holograms of it, at least. Damn holograms don't work anywhere else.]

It'd be inefficient, when are spires are so far apart. These, however...[He looks at his wedding ring.] As long as one of us is in a safe location, the other can conduct riskier business without fear. venture into enemy territory, and the like.

I would like to see. A...friend is from the stars, as well.

[she touches her own ring, nodding.]

Yes and...while this is for business, if you require assistance, if you are in danger, I will come to assist. I have enough power within me, without Amunet, to take down most terrible things.

Very well. When times are less hectic, then, I shall take you.

[That's pretty much a date wow!]

And I'm afraid I can't offer the same power yet - but I assure you, in time, I will prove useful. And if you ever need someone to read over a contract...

I would like that very much, dear.

[A little tease, there.]

I have no doubt that you will. And...not that I draw up many contracts, I can always use a hand in negotiations.

I hope you don't mind being thought of as a bit cutthroat, then; I'm a rather fierce negotiator. But I always come out on top.

[In the world of space politics, one couldn't afford to be soft.]

I am a woman who runs a spire overrun with spiders--and who is unafraid to send those creatures out to poison her enemies.

I assure you, brutality is not something I flinch from.

[He laughed a bit.]

Yes, you're the first I've met who is fond of spiders, I must confess.

My teacher named me little scorpion.

[She smiles softly, remembering Jane.]

So perhaps it is fitting, that the creatures are fond of me.

Interesting nickname. How did that come about?

[Generally, scorpions weren't looked upon with much favor, he thought.]

She gave it to me barely knowing me.

But I believe it is because I can strike hard and deadly, if necessary. They are also a symbol of being alone, passion, and protection. Death...and control.

The things that rule my life. She was a witch, like myself. She knew my true nature before I ever did.

Wouldn't your parents have known?

[He assumes any sort of power must be genetic. After all, genetics trump everything else.]

No. I do not know if I was born to it, or simply chosen in another strange way.

But they couldn't understand my gifts.

My mother died, because she could not understand the weight.

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