XXV. ACCIDENTAL Video. (Kim is dumb sometimes.)

[pearling]

[There's a thud and the camera clicks on. Then there's a scream. The scream is agonized sounding, pained and full of loss. Persephone is in the middle of the garden in her room, and the plants around her are brown. As the camera rolls, a seed in her hand starts blooming, but then it cycles through the entire life of the plant in five seconds. Another scream and she looks dejected as she drops the withered plant onto the ground with the rest.

Persephone looks lost and then she sees the camera light on. Her face hardens instantly and she pics it up and addresses it in a furious tone.]

Levi-Biff you fix this this instant.

[She glares at the camera before she turns it off, forgetting to delete the other part.]

[Persephone doesn't know about the curse because she doesn't care about the network, and she hasn't been out of her room to see anyone with the swirling black clouds over their heads.]

Comments

[Spam]

[persephonepearl.livejournal.com]

[Persephone frowns, and she watches him for a very long moment, her head inclining.]

If you betrayed me, Rhade, I would be very unhappy with you, you know this, yes?

[Spam]

[truth_is_cold]

I'm a practical man. It wouldn't be in my interests to betray you. [He gives her a smile.]

I collected them in the CES. They'll never know otherwise.

[Spam]

[persephonepearl.livejournal.com]

[Persephone goes over to one corner of her garden, and she removes some purple flowers. (http://www.frenchgardening.com/p/PPcolch1.jpg) They smell sweet and lovely but are actually meadow saffron.]

These should do the trick.

[Spam]

[truth_is_cold]

[He accepts the flowers, unbuckling his tunic to put them inside the main flap.] I believe I am slightly jealous of her. [Dammit, this curse won't let him put his top clasp back together.]

[Spam]

[persephonepearl.livejournal.com]

Why? Because she has the ability to do this? [Not that Persephone was envious about this, mind.]

[Spam]

[truth_is_cold]

Because even knowing the consequences, they would still preserve her life. When mine needed to be destroyed. [Yes, this bothers him a lot.]

[Spam]

[persephonepearl.livejournal.com]

[Persephone pressed her hand onto his cheek, stroking it slowly.]

I would attempt to have kept you with me, Rhade.

[Spam]

[truth_is_cold]

[He lifts his hand and puts it over hers. And... doesn't say anything. The optimism is about strangled out of him.

After a moment he does find something to say.] This ship is offensive. I don't like that we're brought here against our will. That we can't choose between death and this place. But for someone who never gave stock in religion, I don't regret the chance of meeting a goddess like who I always thought my kind were fashioned after.

[It's a very complicated way to say, Me too.]

[Spam]

[persephonepearl.livejournal.com]

[Persephone smiles to him, and she stroked his face with her other hand, because that was what she did.]

It will be all right, Rhade. They will not allow this to progress farther. And we shall stop her if they do not.

[Spam]

[truth_is_cold]

[He releases her hand, and hints only briefly at a smile.] I know it will be. But your kindness does mean something to me, and I thought you should know. Because I know you wouldn't dispense it without reason or care.

[Spam]

[persephonepearl.livejournal.com]

You know me well, Rhade. I appreciate this. [Persephone watched him for a moment.]

Be careful when you do this. Do not risk yourself unnecessarily.

[Spam]

[truth_is_cold]

I won't. [He will. He absolutely will. But he won't worry her.]

[He looks at the plants around her.] I'm sorry your children can't hear you.