private ☏ to christos

[socialgraces]

[ ♬ a fine evening for a rogue - lydia. backdated to thursday, november 21st, the day before the trial begins.

although francesca tries to tell herself it's not strange she hasn't heard from christos in almost five months, her rational mind always loses to the uncertainty of her heart, and it's that which leads her to take the initiative to call him. as he answers, however, her anxiety surrounding the situation intensifies (will save 14) and she seems a little more unsure than a few moments prior. ]

Christos, hi.

Comments

[everyredcent]

Who knows about this?

[socialgraces]

One of the members of this mission overheard Jack and Thomas discussing it while they were in Chicago. They assured her Wynn hadn't mentioned it to the rest of the group for fear knowledge of the prophesy could harmfully influence their actions. The whole self-fulfilling prophesy spiel. [ which is probably true, and she doesn't blame wynn for not sharing such sensitive material, because now that it's out there, it's difficult to ignore it hanging over the entirety of the mission ] However, Jack's aware we all know now, so I assume Wynn's aware as well.

[everyredcent]

He should have pulled that Knight off the mission for divulging that information.

[socialgraces]

I doubt he held it against her. She had kept it to herself for quite some time, from what I understand. It was only when other sensitive information others had been keeping to themselves ending up endangering the group as a whole that she deemed it necessary to make each of them aware of this potential threat.

If it's their lives at stake, they deserve to be privy to such information. I know I certainly appreciate being made more fully aware of the situation.

[everyredcent]

So their lives are being endangered directly then, by these other drow?

[socialgraces]

Well, it's all quite convoluted, as one would expect, but the hourglass is tied to the Talisman, and those among Chad Becksworth's ranks are known to be tied to the divine themselves. I just still haven't been able to figure out just what Teken'duis and his Houses' stake in all this is. I've been... wary of striking up a conversation with him, as much as I wish I wasn't. [ even though she's right to be afraid and she gets that, it's still frustrating. oh, and while she's just divulging everything ever to him: ] But Val'drin gave me something that might help with all that.

[everyredcent]

He did, did he? [ 8| ]

[socialgraces]

It's an artifact, a diamond. If I wear it... I can't die.

[everyredcent]

... [ !!! ] How certain is he that it works?

[socialgraces]

He said all research and information he gathered on it has indicated as much, and it's definitely magical. He'd be able to ascertain that much. But given that he presented it to me as such, I'd say he's fairly confident in its abilities.

Obviously I'm not going to recklessly tempt fate, but... it was quite thoughtful, nonetheless. [ as her fingers idly move to the gem ]

[everyredcent]

[ absently: ] Yes...

I'd be interested to know where he acquired it, but we all know how damn well Val'drin keeps his secrets. [ pot, kettle ]

[socialgraces]

[ hastily: ] Promise me you won't tell anyone about it.

I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate me spreading the word of its existence. I just... [ tell you everything, for some ungodly reason ]

[everyredcent]

I didn't intend to.

[socialgraces]

I'm sorry, I know you wouldn't. It just carries a certain foreboding vulnerability with it, I guess.

[everyredcent]

Because anyone who hears of its existence would go to terrible ends to attain it? [ look at him making val'drin's gift sound awful ]

[socialgraces]

[ well, it's not as if she hasn't thought of that, too. but it's still an amazing gift :| ] Yes, but I think he has quite a bit of confidence in my ability to keep it close and hidden. If he trusted me with something so invaluable to begin with, I can't imagine he'd have any doubts in regards to me keeping it safe.

[everyredcent]

Quite a tremendous gift then.

[socialgraces]

Yes. [ she swallows thickly ] Quite.

[ she's just gonna turn to her drink for some comfort now, which grants her a moment to figure out what she's going to say to that ] We've had the chance to air some grievances. Given everything that's happened... [ she's insanely vulnerable, while still being equally as guilty?? but she's a coward and this is still incredibly vague: ] Well, grudges tend to seem a lot less important.

[everyredcent]

All's forgiven then? [ why does he sound so personally affronted by that????? ]

[socialgraces]

[ SHE DOESN'T KNOW but it puts her even more on edge ] I wouldn't say that. It's a bit more complicated than all or nothing.

[ she pauses for a moment, her voice softer as she asks: ] Do you think I'm making a mistake, letting him back into my life... in any capacity? [ because no one said anything about sex ]

[everyredcent]

[ ow this conversation is physically painful

are you ready for the most mature thing he's ever done

here we go ]

I suppose that entirely depends. [ look it could have been an adamant YES ]

[socialgraces]

[ i'm not sure i am ready for this... nor is she ] Depends on what?

[everyredcent]

On whether you believe he actually possesses the capacity to ever change.

Personally, I don't see it.

[socialgraces]

I'm not certain I want-- It's not fair to expect someone to change, or to ask that of them. [ but she does wish he would be more open about his feelings, like he was before, and she knows that does go against his hard-learned instincts ] I think he's changed more than he's willing to admit. We both have. I'm just not certain if that's going to be... beneficial or not.

[ she sighs ] I'm not sure [ and quietly trails off ] what I want anymore.

[everyredcent]

Hardly surprising. You've been through a particularly traumatic ordeal.

No need to leap into any hasty decisions, at least.