A poor excuse for an argument

[greyerrant]

Who: Garviel Loken, Beatrice
Where: Bay View hotel
What: Dinner and arguments
When: Present, sunday night
Warnings: Possibly some smooching. Eating. Lots of arguments

Garviel scowls at the door to his room. Beatrice is late. Surely she hasn't ignore his invitation to dinner, not after the feast he laid out. An entire roast duck, several kinds of tea and various delicious sweets, as well as ice cream, all on a rather elaborate-looking tray that he'd spent an entire week's wages on requesting from the Bay View's staff.

He looks down at the various dinner forks arrayed before him after failing to melt the door with his scowl, and puzzles over what they are all for.

Comments

[greyerrant]

[ Garviel goes quiet again, and scowls. ]

Perhaps you should give thoughts to the moral aspect of what we're doing here.

[golden_witch]

Must I?

And while I'm enjoying my tea, even?

[greyerrant]

Why do you think I asked you to come here?

[golden_witch]

I mistakenly thought you wanted my company, not to convert me over tea.~

[greyerrant]

[ Garviel scowls and drinks wine. ]

Perhaps a bit of both.

[golden_witch]

Ah, well, let me clear one thing up.

I do not wish to mix business with pleasure. If you want to chat about politics or ask my opinion on something, I can gladly oblige.

But I am not joining your ranks. I will not be your comrade at arms. I am not a soldier.

I am a witch. A witch works for herself.

Perhaps one day when I am skilled with sword and Persona, I will go out to kill these shadows with you. And when I do, it will be because I wish it. Until then, I can offer you nothing.

Now then, if I am to go, I will bear you no ill will. Or I can stay and we can have a lovely dinner. The choice is yours.~

[greyerrant]

Just eat, then. [ Garviel goes silent and eats for some time without a word. ]

[golden_witch]

Is that an order or a request?

[Beatrice isn't good with silence. She'll take a bite or two of food before giving him a wry grin.]

Have I made you cross with me, now?

[greyerrant]

YOu always make me cross. But I can learn to tolerate it, I am a man of phlegmatic humor.

[golden_witch]

That sets me to wondering about you. Why do you tolerate someone whose very existence infuriates you?
Why do you choose to test yourself in this manner?
You seek out the one person who cares nothing for the things you hold dear when the majority of this place would gladly accept your views.

Not only this, but you invite me to your room with a lavish dinner and sweets you know I'll melt for.

My question is why.

[greyerrant]

Because you are worth convincing, or trying to. While the Astartes like myself are instruments of brutal persuasion, I have often felt that trying to make allies and friends through words is a better option, like the Iterators do.

[golden_witch]

It's not that I don't appreciate it. It just seems like a lot of work to be friendly.

You're saying you had no ulterior motives for inviting me here?

[greyerrant]

What ulterior motives would you suggest I have?

[golden_witch]

Perhaps you'll ply me with sweets and try to steal another kiss, hm~?

I don't know if I can trust you with my lips anymore.~

[Certainly she's teasing. She'll giggle and finish the tea before her.]

[greyerrant]

[ Garviel just looks flat, not angry, just his normal default craggy look. ]

I shall not steal anything from you. I take nothing that is not given willingly, outside of a war situation.

[golden_witch]

[Then he certainly won't mind her default inappropriate grin.]

Oh? So, a masquerade is a war situation, then? Because I distinctly remember you stealing a kiss from me.~

Or did you just assume I was giving them away~? ♥

[greyerrant]

... Are you saying you didn't wish for me to kiss you? Then I beg your forgiveness.

[ His face maintains the same calm mask, but there is just a hint of hurt in his eyes.]

[golden_witch]

[She'll shake her head a bit.]

That's not what I'm saying at all. You're putting words in my mouth.

I'm simply saying it wasn't exactly something I'd expected.

Therefore, that makes it a stolen kiss.

[greyerrant]

Very well. I will be direct, then. I desire you, but I do not wish to steal you. Rather... I wish to enjoy physical closeness and passion with you, but not like a thief. Rather, as an equal partner, both giving and taking enjoyment from the arrangement.

[golden_witch]

[It'll be a moment before she fully absorbs what he's suggesting. But when it clicks, it'll show in a knowing grin.]

'Physical closeness and passion', hm?

So you're saying that you wish to sleep with me, then~?

At least you've started being more honest.~

[greyerrant]

Who said anything about sleeping?

[golden_witch]

My, how forward you've become.

Well, I can't say the thought isn't tempting.

But I don't know if you'd like the way I play.~ ♥

[greyerrant]

And how do you play, Beatrice?

[golden_witch]

Well, you say that you want something equal, correct?

I want to be worshiped.

The way I want to be touched could never put us at equal odds, you understand.

[greyerrant]

[ Garviel scowls, and looks away. ]

How is that? I mean, how you want to be touched. Is adored not enough for you? Desired? To be passionately wanted?