Video Unseelie Locked

[huntedby]

[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.

Comments

[withbite]

I could get someone to play a funeral dirge, if that'd make you feel more at home.

[huntedby]

Oh yes please.

Something ridiculous and Catholic.

[She laughs, and sips her wine. This is genuinely becoming an enjoyable night.]

[withbite]

Bring in the depressing music.

[And lo, did there appear a violinist, playing a wailing tune that had Damon flinching.]

The things I do for you.

[huntedby]

[After a few moments she can't help but giggle and wave at Damon.]

No please, stop it, stop it. You have proved you will be more than willing to be a good host.

[withbite]

[He waved a hand and the music cut off, Damon giving her a heavy sigh.]

Don't say I didn't try.

[Followed by a smirk.]

[huntedby]

Oh you always try, my dear. Sometimes too much.

[But she has grown exceedingly fond of him, even despite the occasional frustrations.]

[withbite]

Consider it both a flaw and my saving grace.

[Said with a smirk before he took another drink.]

[huntedby]

Some might even think you care.

[She takes a sip of her own drink, before moving to pour more.]

[withbite]

Some would be wrong. Caring requires effort.

[huntedby]

Sometimes we can see you care, Damon. Danger, danger.

[She smiles.]

[withbite]

That is just an ugly lie, Legs.

[huntedby]

Oh come now, I can keep your secret. You've done well enough in keeping mine.

[And holding Javik here, as well. Only someone who cared would do that, regardless of what he professed.]

[withbite]

I'm a dick. Pure and simple. I'm into self serving and enjoyment via that self service. You amuse me. And it gets ridiculously boring out here all by myself. See? Self.

[huntedby]

And how does helping Javik help you at all? [She quirks an eyebrow.] Besides keeping you in my good graces, of course.

[withbite]

He keeps me entertained. And there's something going on between him and Fernando that I have no idea about, but it's endlessly amusing to watch. You should see it sometime. That and what little information I have comes from him, so I tend to like to keep my information sources flowing.

[huntedby]

Vanessa sighs, shaking her head. "I'll never get you to break the veneer, will I?" Perhaps it isn't a mask at all. But she feels, innately, that within Damon, is a good man. Regardless how much he wishes to hide it.

[withbite]

[That 'good man' died when he did. It's what he tells himself and how it makes it easier to slide into being the monster he is. Talk to him after his canon update.]

I think you're trying too hard to see something that isn't there. We don't all have something dangerous inside us. Sometimes we just are danger ourselves.

[huntedby]

[Vanessa smiles softly.]

And yet being danger incarnate can still have goodness, as well.

[withbite]

You're very intent on trying to paint a little white over all that dark.

[huntedby]

Yes, I am. For all the dark within me, I believe in the light within me. I can't believe you are all dark, either.

[withbite]

I hate to disappoint you, sunshine...