chlorophylliac | 22 || Text + Voice + Spam

22 || Text + Voice + Spam

[Private to Vesper; text]

I need to apologize for what I did to you in March.

I'm not asking for your forgiveness, and I don't expect it; I just want you to know that I'm sorry for what I did. I know it's long overdue. After what I was put through in Zero I was far too hasty in putting that week behind me.

[Friends Filter; voice]

[Ivy's definition of 'friend' for this purpose is '2+ civil conversations while not under mind control'.]

I doubt I'm the only person who needed a while to recover from the port; still, I'm sorry if I worried anyone. If it hasn't already been made obvious, I'd like to hear that you made it back safely.

[Open Spam - Greenhouse & Garden]

[Of course she ends up back out here eventually. The rain's tailed off; seasonality is muted here but nonetheless the light falling onto the deck is a little brighter, a little warmer, and it's brought a fresh flush of growth to the greenhouse and rows of planters just outside. Ivy's mostly busy with making sure that the (her) plants have the space and support they need: repotting seedlings, staking out climbers, and moving the more delicate plants outside now it's warm enough to sustain them.

She seems - calm, all things considered, moving fluidly and talking to the plants in indistinguishable murmurs.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Obviously. It makes him focus on her again.]

What reasons?

You're telling me you can't think of a single person who'd have done the world a favor by never existing?

Maybe. [There are obvious answers, but the most obvious are the people responsible for making him who he is, for making him strong, and as much as he loathes Shaw, he can recognize that. Especially now.

Of course, that gives them value, and he doesn't particularly enjoy that thought.]

Or maybe they only need to exist long enough to serve their purpose.

Maybe.

[She leans back, reviewing the board.]

Though I think I might have a broader perspective. I am only too aware of how many people consume without a thought and contribute nothing in return.

[He nods, not answering right away. Instead, he turns his attention back to the board and, after a few silent moments, takes his turn.]

I won't say all people have worth. We both know better than that. But sometimes it comes unexpectedly.

You'll have to forgive me for having lost patience with giving people the benefit of the doubt.

[She makes her move and frowns, having now burnt up the white advantage completely. Not her game.]

Eventually, someone won't disappoint you. [And he's okay with just leaving it at that. When he glances at the board, his mouth quirks at one corner.]

I think I have cards somewhere.

[She smirks.]

I'd suggest strip poker but you have me at a disadvantage.

[His smile widens.] The game doesn't seem particularly necessary at this point.

Oh?

[She mirrors him, but her smile's taking on a distinctly 'tread carefully' quality.]

That easy, am I, Erik?

[He picks up his knight, turning it over in his hand instead of making his move immediately.]

Only if easy means that you know what you want and don't pretend otherwise.

Edited 2013-06-08 21:24 (UTC)

[She makes an approving noise and waits for him to take his turn.]

Alright, I surrender. Show me how to extricate myself from this.

[He takes her bishop, and turns his smile down to the board.] See here, [he starts, pointing to his right rook and bishop,] I'm boxing you in. It's a difficult one to set up, because it relies on several important pieces; take one, and there's a hole in the net.

[He gestures, and her queen wiggles.] From there, you can take my rook, my bishop, or-- [He points to the pawn that made it to her side of the board] my new queen. I'd take the rook; it's positioned to take your king, once my bishop has cleared the rest away.

[She leans forward to review the board, recognising what he's talking about. Chess requires a kind of three-steps-ahead thinking that Ivy's not really gifted with; she anticipates emotional response and the way it can lead people astray, not the strategies they design.]

I see it.

[She holds out a hand and a slender, pale vine extends from her wrist to pick up her queen and exchange it for his rook.]

[He can't quite help the smile that comes with that vine. Abilities aren't to be feared, not in his mind - they're to be embraced, and few embrace it the way Ivy does.]

So I'll try to close the net by inserting another piece in the equation...[And he goes on, illustrating how the only pieces available are pawns and a knight, explains why the pawn must take the rook's place to save the knight, and what role the knight may play later. This is why he likes chess: you design a strategy, and it can be completely ruined by your opponent. It keeps him on his toes.]

Some will doggedly try to keep that hole open by taking the pawn, but I think it's wiser to take the stronger pieces as you can. Without giving your opponent the chance to turn pawns to queens, of course.

Of course.

[And taking the most powerful players out of the equation as early as possible is really more of a life rule than a chess strategem. She goes to make her move and her eyes flicker up to Erik's before she sets down the piece, but she doesn't need to wait for him to speak or gesture before knowing she's made the right decision.]

[He smiles, and nods, murmuring,] Good, [even though he knows she doesn't need to hear it.]

The first step is breaking my gambit - the next is setting up your own. Your options are limited at this point - but I think you could still win.

Much as I appreciate the vote of confidence, I think that might be a little optimistic.

[But she picks up her piece and goes about making the attempt.]

Banner thinks I'm in love with you.

[He chuckles a little at that - probably not the most gentlemanly response, but he can't quite help it.]

And are you?

[There's a brief flicker of vulnerability across her features, a sudden softness that's gone as soon as it's noticed, that might never have even been there.]

You know I don't believe in love, Erik.

[He sees - something on her face, there and gone, and he's not entirely certain how to parse it at first. So he holds off taking his turn, letting his fingers thread together between his knees while he looks at her instead.]

What is it?

[Her brow furrows and she shakes her head, taking a moment to answer.]

Nothing that ought to concern you.

[She nods back to the board, encouraging him to take his turn.]

Maybe it ought not to. [And he lifts his eyebrows, the but it does staying silent. He glances at the board briefly, but he doesn't take his turn, eyes flickering back up to her again.]

[She frowns, not so much embarrassed as angry at herself for betraying herself.]

...later, Erik. One thing at a time.

[It deepens his frown, and he opens his mouth to push before closing it again. Another glance at the board, and he makes his move. If he took longer, he might have seen that his knight was in danger.]

Why did he say that?

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