singinghuntress | IC Inbox: Duplicity

Ah, excellent, I shall await your return.

I would not exactly call it bedroom chatter, but I will not at all be opposed if things head in that direction afterwards, ma belle.

Then we will have to see where this conversation goes. Give me an hour or so and I'll head up.

[True to her words, the moment the shop's closed Rip is heading upstairs to their small apartment. She's definitely curious about what this conversation is about and where it might lead.]

I'm home~. Did you miss me?

[Lestat grins brightly when she walks in, standing up from the sofa and striding over to her.]

Always, mon cher. The apartment is far brighter whenever you have returned.

[Lestat is cheerful, but in truth he's honestly a tad anxious. Even if this isn't exactly the same thing, Lestat had handled his one prior attempt at polyamory...poorly. Badly. Maybe the worst way possible. This is different, but he remembers how that had gone down last time and is striving to not be an impossible asshole. Rip deserved better than that, at any rate.]

[His cheerfulness is infectious as Rip waits for him to reach her. Then with a smile she's reaching for Lestat to claim a kiss from him. It's been a good day for her so far so things can only get better, right?

At least, she's hoping that's the case as her curiosity finally wins out.]

Good. It's about time zomeone appreciates zhe light I bring into zhe room. Now, vat is it you vished to talk about?

[Lestat kisses her with a smile, hand on her waist as she steps closer. Gently, he nudges her to follow him so that they are both seated on the couch, facing each other as he broaches what he wants to discuss.]

I wanted to talk with you about the idea of me taking on another Submissive.

[Straight to the point, though his expression is both curious and observant, trying to parse any reactions she may feel.]

Someone from back home has arrived in the city. Louis de Pointe du Lac, who was my companion and paramour in New Orleans.

[The one who slit Lestat's neck that one time, which Lestat is maybe sort of hoping Rip doesn't remember him telling her about wheeeeeeeee.]

[She's settles on the couch across from him and while she does appreciate the direct approach, Rip was not expecting him to bring up taking in another submissive. Her smile fades as her cheerfulness is replaced by sudden wariness. Sharing Lestat with anyone through another contract isn't something she's thrilled with.

At all.

She remains silent as he goes on to mention exactly who he wants to contract with. If he was hoping she would forget him telling her a little something like 'who killed him'...

Rip remembers. She frowns as she leans in close to look at him.]

Tell me you are joking.

[He can't be serious, right?]

You do remember zhat I made zhe mistake of contracting vith my killer vhen I first got here. I know I mentioned it! Zo vhy zhe hell are you vishing to contract vith zhis man? Am I not enough???

[Oh okay then she remembered. She definitely remembered. This might actually go worse than the Antoinette situation had.

Lestat's expression shifts from chagrin to concern to surprise in quick succession, any words he might have had ready for this dying on his tongue as her responses tumbled out. He'd expected a possible reaction, but not necessarily this, not the quick disbelief and disgust that immediately appeared.

Rip, cher, --

[He tries to parcel out what to say first, where to start. Lestat reaches out to take her wrists in his hands, trying to seem reassuring even while he can very clearly see her dismay and horror at his particular choices.]

You are more than enough, you have always been. You have looked after me at my weakest and my worst and been a lovely companion all the while. I owe you more than I could ever repay after all of our time together. That is not why I would ask this.

[It takes a lot of will power not to yank her wrists out of his grasp when he reaches for her. Part of her has to remind herself that she should hear him out. Maybe there's a reason he's considering this.

Hopefully it's a good reason otherwise she might be tempted to chain him in his coffin until he sees sense. That still doesn't stop her from feeling worried and dismayed that he's even bringing this up in the first place!

Rip's a living testament as to why something like this is a bad idea! Isn't she good enough for him? Does he really need some old lover that tried to kill him back in his life when he has her!?

She has to force herself to listen when he speaks again and it helps. She relaxes just a fraction when he admits that she's more than enough. That he appreciates her loyalty and how much she does for him. It soothes the sparks of her anger as she studies him. There's no doubt in her mind that he can probably see every emotion play out on her features since she isn't exactly hiding how she feels right now.]

I'm relieved to hear how much you appreciate me but, zhat doesn't tell my vhy you are asking zhis.

[There is some relief in seeing her relax, even just a hair. Even if the rest is hard to explain, it is true that he values her, and appreciates all she has done for him. No matter what else might happen, he has no intent of tossing her aside or leaving her to feel abandoned, and if he can reassure her on that point, all the better.

The rest is...harder to put into words.]

I still do care for him. And he for me, as much as that may sound strange to say.

[WHICH MAKES EVERYTHING FINE.]

Years have passed since New Orleans -- even more for him than for me. We are not the same as we were then, and I truly do not think he would ever harm me in such a way again. Nor would I treat him in such a way to inspire him to.

[IT DEFINITELY DOES NOT MAKE EVERYTHING FINE. Far from it because now a new fear is creeping in. While she's angry that he's even thinking about this, Rip feels uneasy about whether or not he might care for this Louis more and leave her behind.

She isn't sure how she might take it if he just decided one day that she wasn't useful anymore or that he didn't care for her. He might be saying how much he does now but, what can she offer against someone from his world???

There's a slight sense of trembling in her hands as she just tries to process what he's saying.]

It does very little to ease my vorry over zhis.

[Or her fears as she considers time passing for them. She had never gotten that chance with the others from her world. Of course, she was also very very dead back home, So it's something Rip will never experience.

That also meant they got to spend time together and reconcile...What would stop him from tossing her away for his old lover?]

How can you be zo sure he von't hurt you again?

[How can she be sure that she won't get abandoned???]

He regrets it badly. Truly, he does. In truth, I don't think he wanted to hurt me even when it happened.

[Christ, he knows how this sounds, how everything he says will seem like cheap excuses. For an ugly second, Lestat remembers Paris, remembers hearing the vampire coven make Louis out to be a cruel, vicious beast of a man and how he'd fought to say something then, how it had done nothing to change how it all ended.

And he remembers, too, when Louis had arrived here, the wretched sobbing when he remembered that night, how he'd wept as he'd told Lestat about seeing his face haunting him in every corner of Europe.]

It was years ago. Almost a century, for him. And -- and in truth, it did not come from nothing.

[He is probably not helping his case with Rip here, but after everything, he can't let it seem like Louis was simply a brute with no cause.]

I was not a good companion to him then. I was often angry and possessive and jealous. I was controlling and tried to keep him from leaving me. I understood why he did it.

I have changed since then, I would like to think. So has he.

[What he's saying really does sound like cheap excuses and sort of like the ones that she attempted to use to justify staying with Alucard all those years ago. Only, in Rip's case, she felt she deserved all the punishment and abuse that she received at that time...

So, maybe not exactly the same but, she still thought he was making excuses and definitely not helping his case with her. The trembling in her hands become a little more noticeable in his grasp.]

I like it vhen you are possessive.

[Even though she doesn't need to, Rip draws in a deep breath to hold it and slowly let it out. Her emotions are quickly becoming a whirlwind of anger, fear and panic as her thoughts race around her head in a jumbled mess.]

I get zhat you und he haf changed. A century iz a long time to grow but, I am still not sure about zhis. If he vere to harm you again, I vill tear him apart und display his head in my shop und take vatever punishment for murder zhis city dishes out vith out a complain.

[Maybe it's her own little bit of possessiveness that's coming out because Rip means every word of it. Even if her fear of abandonment is gnawing at her.]

Und how can I be so sure you vill not decide zhat I am no longer needed?

I know you do. It is one of the many things I like about you.

[He can see the way her hands tremble all the more, quaking more noticeably in his grasp. Lestat runs his thumbs in slow sweeps over her wrists, trying for something like reassurance, any attempt at something that might ease her worries.

He does not push back against her threats to Louis. Partly because he'd expect nothing less from her if anyone harmed him -- yet another thing he liked about her, her easy and`unblinking ferocity. And partly because he did truly believe things were different now -- if he protested, it would look as though he didn't think Louis had truly changed.

At her other question, he takes one of her hands in his, bringing it up to press a kiss to her knuckles. Looking her square in the eye, he says:]

I am not going to toss you aside, cher. You are my submissive and I intend to keep our bond together as we always have. I do not want to lose you either.

[The feel of his thumbs slowly sweeping across her skin helps to soothe her just a little as she watches and listen to him. She's looking for any sign of deception, of even the hint of a lie in his words and she doesn't see anything of it.

There's a sense of relief that floods her when he states that he won't want to loose her either. She relaxes just a little though doesn't break eye contact just yet. She's still looking..still wanting to make sure he's telling the truth before she finally nods.]

Good. If I vere to loose you I zhink I vould slaughter vhoever took you from me regardless of zhe consequences I might face later.

[Even if it meant shattering the peace she's worked so hard to create within her life over the last several years.]

Und if you vere to toss me aside, I doubt zhere is a creature in zhis city zhat could save you from my wrath.

[All that to say that Rip does not let go easily. She still doesn't like this and it fills her with worry and anxiety. But, at least she isn't lashing out?]

[Perhaps there should be something odd in being so easily threatened right after Rip had sworn to kill anyone who harmed him. But it was all so very much Rip in that way, and besides, he understood it all too well. The bloodthirsty, hot-tempered passions & protections of their kind were well known to him, yet another thing he and Rip both had in common.

So, in his own way, Lestat is kind of charmed by Rip promising to rain fury down on him if he fucked up. It showed she cared, in her way.

Then again, this kind of thinking was probably how Lestat wound up in the situation of getting back together with someone who'd cut his throat open. What could he say, he apparently enjoyed violent passions, even when aimed squarely at him.]

I'd expect no less. I have seen you fight, cherie, and I've no doubt your rage would be formidable.

[His tone is honestly a little affectionate as he says it.]

[What they have in common is what forms the bond they shares and Rip wouldn't have it any other way. As bloodthirsty, hot-tempered and passionate as she is, she knows he's exactly the same way.

Which means, Rip knows he will take her threats to heart because he knows just how much she means them. He's seen her fight but, he hasn't seen her rage and that's something he'll hopefully never see.

Of course, his affection does help to soothe her a little more as she finally nods slightly. ]

Good. Pray you never haf to be on zhe receiving end because I vill not hesitate to do my vorst to torture und dismember you as many times az it takes to feel satisfied.

[She sighs before shifting her hand in his so she can pull it against her cheek.]

I still think zhis is a bad idea.

If it ever comes to that, I'm sure I will have done something to deserve it.

[Which is the crux of it, really, isn't it, that Lestat has so often wound up on the receiving end of people's vengeance solely as a consequence of his own actions. It's easy to accept Rip's threats in the same way he came to forgive Louis and Claudia, knowing the source of it all.

And perhaps there is something in him that would far prefer to be the subject of passionate anger than slow-numbing indifference. If those he cared for were to unleash their fury on him, then their furies meant they felt something for him, even if it were nothing more than truly passionate anger.

He curls his hand to her face, stroking it lightly with his thumb.]

I can understand why. I am not explaining myself or justifying it as well as I could. But I promise you that I am entirely sincere in believing that things between Louis & myself have changed for the better.

And I promise you as well, I have no intention of abandoning or neglecting you in this.

[She snorts when he admits he's not explaining himself well enough to put her at ease. To be fair, there's probably nothing he could say that would make her accept this with open arms and no worries. Especially not with her experience with this kind of thing. She remembers the anxiety and how unstable she felt when she agreed to contract with her own killer. Hopefully, Louis won't do the same thing to her dear Lestat.

Otherwise, there might be two bodies decorating her shop.

Rip leans into his hand before nuzzling against it as his thumb strokes her cheek.]

I am going to hold you to zhat und I am more zhat villing to beat your ass if you do zeem to be neglecting me in any vay.

[A moment later she's pulling away so she can shift and lean into him, her back pressed against his chest. Once she's settled, she's pulling his arms around her.]

Is he going to be staying here az vell? I'm not sure if zhis place is big enough for three vampires.

A fair punishment, I'd say. I'll accept your wrath if it ever comes to that.

[Lestat accepts the repositioning without question, letting Rip lean back against him with his arms wrapping around her. He leans his head against hers, feeling a tad more at ease in this pose, in spite of the heaviness of the conversation still unfolding.

Idly stroking her side underneath his fingers, Lestat shakes his head.]

No, I think he desires a place of his own. An apartment or townhouse elsewhere in the city, probably near the art gallery.

[Which might be for the best, Lestat thinks silently. Both Rip and Louis have their share of jealousies with the unfolding situation, which he cannot imagine forced proximity would help with.]

[It's definitely for the best. Rip's already feeling uneasy and a tiny bit confrontational over this. Add in their shared jealousies and there might be bloodshed sooner than later. Especially if Rip feels like she needs to defend her own claim on Lestat.

It's also a little bit of a relief not having to share space with someone else.]

So, zomevhere in zhe Up.

[Considering she's perfectly content staying in the Down, Louis cand stay in the Up for all she cares.]

You vill still be living vith me, right? Or vill you be splitting your time between us?

Possibly. I believe he's only just started looking.

[He doesn't want to promise her a location one way or the other, in case they might run across each other. Lestat can sense that, even as the conversation settles, there is still a sense of unease and envy lingering. It's something he's not entirely sure how to handle or quell, especially not when it comes at all sides.]

The way that the contracts are written, I would need to spend half the month with each of you. So I would spend half of it here, and half with him.

[Which he also suspects is not going to help with the uneasiness at play here.]

[She grumbles softly when he mentions the contracts and how they're written. It's been so long since that was put into place that she nearly forgot about it. Then again, Rip never thought she would have to share Lestat with anyone else before now.]

Half a month on my own, I zuppose I'll just haf to deal.

[It definitely won't help with the uneasiness when she's so used to having him around.]

I reserve zhe right to drag your body back down here if you go into a coma again. I'm not trusting anyone else to guard you in moments like zhat.

[He makes a sympathetic hum of sound at that, his palm stroking along her side in slow movements as they discuss.]

I'll have to make sure you're well attended-to while I am here. I would hate to leave ma belle neglected.

[Which is something he will need to cognizant of, he realizes. Making sure he is attentive to Rip when he is with her, and doing the same for Louis. Looking after them both so that neither feels as though they are being abandoned or rejected for the other.

That second bit gives him a slight pause, since he imagines that that could easily turn into a fight between Rip and Louis if it comes to pass. But then again, if he does go into a coma, it's not exactly like he'll be able to do anything about it.]

You always have taken most excellent care of me when I have fallen into a long sleep in this place. I've always been most grateful for it.

You better not.

[She huffs softly before resting her head back against his shoulder and allowing herself to relax a little. Rip still does not like this new arrangement and already feels slightly agitated over having to be on her own half the month while he's off with someone else.

His acknowledgement on how well she takes care of him during those times do help to partially put her at ease. Besides if it came down to a fight, Rip is confidant she could win. There weren't many vampires trained as soldiers or even snipers that she's aware of so...in her mind, she has the advantage. ~~even if she IS retired~~]

I'm glad because I do not intend on stopping vhen it comes to taking care of you vhen zhings like zhat happen.

I won't. And besides, why on earth would I wish to leave you ill-attended when I find looking after you so pleasurable?

[He's teasing, but there is a real well of affection in his voice. Lestat means what he says, and not just in terms of sex. All of this is an adjustment, but he intends to be diligent when he is with her, making it clear that she remains a priority.]

Yet another thing I appreciate from your care. I doubt many could get past you when you're on guard.

IC Inbox: Duplicity

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