ensorceler | ♔ exsilium contact

[ She seems to calm as soon as he lets go, another twist on their interaction that she hasn't yet connected. Too busy being happy for not being roasted like a suckling pig. At least...she is comfortably warm, that's nice. ]

You are more like a hedgewitch, then, yes? Harmless.

( He bristles, glances over his shoulder with something almost like reproach, if Donny were capable of making such an expression at anyone at all, let alone Anne.

I'm Atlas, he wants to tell her, I'm something, but he knows it's not true and much as some spark rises. He helps people, he changes things, and he is not harmless. Sometimes he's destructive without ever meaning to be. )

I t-try to-- I k-keep people safe from um, from other m-magic.

( Softly, but with something stronger in it than most of his speech. ) N-not harmless. C-careful.

[ And if Anne were a lesser woman, a standard woman, she would have shrunk at the mere suggestion of his displeasure. A mad witch you want not to be about. It seems to go, and become something else, but Anne may have more trouble than normal reading him now that she suddenly thinks she should be suspicious of him.

Now which stutters are real, which are feigned? But why would he tell her at all? Because it is so normal here, no doubt... So normal where he is? What was that he said about others, and someone else also did... ]

Like a superhero. Mine, now?

N-not-- not a superhero.

( He doesn't like that word, the presumption of it, the way it glorifies what they are and what they do. Superheroes are the glory hounds, the media depiction and the myths. ) They-- d-don't care about p-people. They just c-care about-- about image and-- and it's all t-twisted up.

( Donny shakes his head and moves closer to the table, shoulders dropping unhappily as he idles brushes the ornaments with his fingers. ) Forget it.

( it was stupid. )

[ She is used to him getting more and more upset as their conversations progress; it seems to be habit. Rarely does it fluster her on this level, but maybe because the urgency feels that much more, either for herself or maybe for him. For some reason.

It was a word that woman had used, how can Anne know? There seem to be so many terms for these special vigilantes and their entitlement in outlaw. The reminder of that only makes her bridle in turn, both hands resting on her hips, the rose having been slipped into her skirt's pocket. It doesn't matter that he's already calmed down, or 'forgot it', whatever he says. ]

You need not lose your head so about me, sir, when only just a heartbeat ago I was to learn of this world. Expect me to be so quick a study I am to now read your mind? Speak in such plain a tongue to me and then expect like in like. Do not dismiss me a fool.

Sorry.

( she's right, she wouldn't know, and there's a long moment where all he can think of is bringing his knocked up to strike his own jaw, bruise it to purple and black.

He doesn't, just rests his palms on the table ad shakes his head. ) I'm-- v-very sorry. I d-don't think you're a f-fool, or-- ( a slow exhale, and he sounds calmer. Be steady.
Atlas is steady.) At home, p-people who um, call themselves superheroes-- it's about status. Like, um-- I d-dunno. If knights w-were just focused on b-being a knight, and n-not-- not p-protecting.

( slowly, he turns, but at least he's manage to explain it calmly, for all the slowness in it.)

I d-don't think I'm g-going to b-be like a legendary knight. But it m-means-- it means I have m-more time for other p-people.

( and a shrug. It's not like he ever said he was a vigilante, exactly. Just that he has magic and wants to help people.)

[ She remains silent during his explanation, though the trigger has already been struck. She already felt on the defensive because of this new information, but to feel that her intellect is also failing her in such a case only is a blow to her ego.

She is patient because she thinks now if she leaves she may never see him again; no matter should her mind change, he seems timid as a rabbit despite all his powers. It makes her angrier, to think he could be fooling her with an act, because why should he at all be fearful of her when he can clearly turn her into anything he wishes? She's not the church, and certainly no agent, so it isn't as if she would put him to fire, anyway! ]

I have known both great and poor knights, and there have been both wicked and just kings. I care not what you call yourself, and to worry not overmuch in such a thing is my advice to you.

[ Protecting people from others with magic, the whole secret thing... It's all she can think. He would be an outlaw, this would be illegal, the way he helps people would be illegal, and so he is a vigilante.

In her time, at least. ]

What do you call yourself, then?

( A moment, startled, before his expression softens. There's finally a smile, but it's very sad.)

N-no one would um, b-believe in-- if they knew it was Donny.

( he can't tell her.)

"It"?

[ What could be worse than telling her he has magic, really. But she doesn't push, in this case she thinks she's willing to accept just this much. ]

This topic seems to upset you so, enough that I must ask why you thought to tell me?

He.

( reprimanding himself, rubbing his forehead as he tries to fix this. He has to keep talking because this is Atlas, and Atlas is important to him.)

I'm n-not-- good at w-words, like you and M-Max. Or smart. I know I'm st--stupid. B-but um, but-- when I use m-my magic I c-can-- do stuff. I'm not useless, anymore.

( because that's what he is the rest of the time. He is earnest, but not overwhelmed or wound up, the way he has gotten before.) And, I-- you asked how I m-made the g--g-glass. I didn't, uh.
( a quiet huff, another attempt at a smile, as he rubs his neck.) I d-didn't want t-to lie t-to you.

[ Maybe it had been a mistake to use the word harmless, and she now regrets it, as that had been an attempt to calm her own soul more than his. Even Donny, lest she not forget, is a man as much of a witch. Maybe it's best she address the sort she knows how to handle best... The man. ]

...And so I suppose you did not. I suppose then that the little glass rose in my pocket is apt, and shall signify your offering of trust this day. You have given me a token, Master Casey; a piece of your soul.

[ Smoothly, as if her temporary toppling by this news had never happened, she dips in a curtsy near to her knees meant for play as much as it is for respect. If nothing else, respect for a raw power, even if it be not from God. ]

I am humbled.

( ~~omg Donny u made a horcrux~~

A little grin, and he starts to bow a little with her curtsy when---

Oh, crap. He slaps his forehead, and looks aghast. Genuinely so, and completely apologetically he's twisting around.)

I d-didn't offer you a d-drink. Or-- I c-can g-go get a chair?

( had visiting Lady Victoria taught him nothing? Apparently.)

That w-was rude, I'm really-- ( hang on, there's a couple of chairs by the table, with little cushions resting on them. Thanks, Max.)

Edited 2013-09-19 11:21 (UTC)

[ ~~Are you comparing poetry to Harry Potter.~~

The offer for a chair is much more welcome than she lets on, as her legs have been waffling between stiff as a bored and wobbly as the jelly that has long since been her innards ever since this conversation started. She just nods, waiting until one is brought near before smoothly sitting, able to arrange her skirts just so with apparent ease (it's ever easy).

Rude, yes, rude. How can she be expected to do anything he so innocently requested earlier after that bomb? ]

Have you any ale, or coffee?

( ~~It's about loooooove~~

Okay, good, at least he can grab a chair properly. And then he's thinking, hands shoved into his pockets as he chews his lip. ) Uh, yeah, I've g-got-- c-coffee. How d-do you like it?

( As he steps towards the kitchenette type thing, walking backwards so he can pay attention to her. )

[ Interesting, but as she is accustomed to constant scrutiny, seems unabashed by it. ]

I think it quite nice with just a touch of cream and honey...or a dash of sugar if you have it. [ Not used to anyone other than princes and nobility having access to it, but it seems in better supply here, sort of. She's happy to get used to it. ]

Have you considered hiring an able body to tend to those things for you while you work? A maid proper.

( coffee is happening, though he sticks his head back out to reply, ever so slightly perplexed.)

B-but, um. If I c-can uh, can do it m-myself-- ( why get someone else to do it? His frown is slight furrowed, but it's all Donny pondering and not a reflection on Anne.) I uh-- m-maids are for c-classy people?

( and look how classy he isn't.)

[ Class...y... Okay people of a higher class well yeah. God this is a surreal conversation for her right now is she even here. ]

Do you cook your own food as well, then?

Yep! ( And there's actually a little grin as he brandishes a tin, popping it open and bringing it over as the coffee brews, along with a little plate. ) For m-me and Max. Uh, I m-make d-dessert, too.

( And thus, he holds out the tin in offering, so she can see. ) It's uh, chocolate b-brownie? With n-nuts.

( Looking down at it, for a moment, before it occurs to him that he's holding a tin of brownies to the future queen of England, and he gulps a little. ) I c-can um, serve some up if you uh, you w-would like to try.

( A beat. ) I'm m-more the serving c-class, I g-guess. ( An apologetic shrug. ) Than the served, I m-mean. I-- yeah.

I know of chocolate. The Honorable Saul Goodman did so introduce me to it, as well as coffee! And so I found some that is both in one, under the name Godiva.

[ Doesn't know the term 'brownie' but it's pretty self explanatory, and she sees a baked good. Sweet stuff sure.

Also Donny if you were really serving class you would be so abused because you're just terrible at it. ]

If you are to have some, then I will also partake, but you are no servant to me. Though I am so in need of one...

Saul?

( The Honorable Saul Goodman? His eyebrows raise a little with surprise, but he says nothing on that particular point, just beams a little with the mention of Godiva. ) G-Godiva chocolates are uh, really g-good. ( Good work, Saul. ) Have you, um, had a m-mocha, yet? It's chocolate in a drink um, w-with the c-coffee.

( Although, there's a moment of-- ) Unless he p-put the um, G-Godiva in the-- coffee and not coffee flavor G-Godiva. ( Softly, and a little confused, looking back to Anne questioningly.

He has already been pretty abused without being a servant. )

Okay. ( Let him just be awesome and totally serve up some brownie for both of them, holding it out on a plate for Anne before he grabs up his own. ) N-not a um, a servant, b-but-- here to help? ( Nervous, as much as hopeful, before he sighs a little and slides back to actually pour the coffee. ) I uh, actually that w-was why I w-was uh, was hoping to see you.

He made mention of it, but no I have not yet. I purchased my coffee for home in the after hours.

[ Even now it's easy to dismiss most of Donny's rambling, and just address what needs to be rather than constantly telling him to shut up so she can answer.

She accepts the plate, though waits for him to eat first. ]

For your courtesies?

If-- if you'd l-like I c-can uh, I can m-make you one. I m-mean, it won't b-be the best one ever, but um.

( A little shrug, with the offer. Just if she'd like to try, as he clatters about getting the sugar and cream and everything.

Sticking his head through the doorway again, ) That's-- m-manners and stuff, right? ( Because he's nodding a little. ) There's uh, a l-lot of-- a lot of p-people away from home. Least uh, least I c-can do is t-treat them-- treat them right? ( Bow, offer them a chair, a drink, know the courtesies. ) Treat them the way they are used t-to be at home, I m-mean. And um-- yup.

I would be delighted to have such a treat made by mine own friend than one I ought not know behind a counter.

[ Okay Donny first off...stop sticking your head through the door and jabbering back and forth like that what are you a fishwife. ]

You are doing well enough on your own to do this with me... You have made me feel more welcome here than many. What is it you would like help with?

( He's trying to be polite and not ignore her! Gosh. But he makes the coffee, adds some actually pretty decent hot cocoa powder goodness, and it must be said that Max has schooled him well in the art of making coffee. Given what they have to work with in Exsilium, it's destined to be pretty delicious. Also he just likes making food, go figure. He shuffles back in with mochas for both of them, claiming a seat and setting their drinks down on the table. )

It's uh, n-not going to b-be as good as um, as like-- at a cafe? B-but, um, yep.

( He totally also grated some actual chocolate in there, okay. Dedication. )

I d-don't-- know. I figured you'd um, know where I'm n-not-- not doing c-courtesies right. ( A beat. ) And I n-never know when t-to uh, to bow.

( So perplexed, but at least he's finally having a bite of brownie. Delicious fudgey brownie. )

Well, you must remember that I was taught the courtesies for women of my class, not men of yours. I think mayhap Cesare would have more success in this. But when you bow...

[ She sets both mocha and brownie down without even trying them, standing now that her legs have had a chance to remember they're her legs and they will do as she wills. ]

You are making a reverence. The depth of it depends entirely on your status and that of the one you are paying it to. It can be a nod [ Like so, though hers is with a lady's flourish. ] on to a grave reverence. You must understand, I cannot properly show you how deep you would be expected to go before a king... [ She presses one hand to her belly, apologetically. ]

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