palomacchi kissing booth sept. 2020

[marsascending]

[ did she set up a little booth? maybe.

will she pour you a drink? probably. ]

Hello! Limited-time engagement only, so here's your last chance to get kisses from me before I'm departing for parts unknown!

...some restrictions apply.

Comments

[worthathousand]

Ah. You know, I never even realized you two were together, but... [ a touch wistful ] ...that's truly wonderful, that you won't be separated.

I just don't know who I'm going to duel with for my children's honor once our Silver Lady leaves.

[marsascending]

...I guess we are leaving behind a lot of bookish types. Although who knows what sort Lily will become. I'm excited to find out, I admit.

[worthathousand]

BARiTONES has a "Lily" now too?
I suppose I should look forward to meeting her.

[marsascending]

It's short for "Lilith's Kiss," but you can imagine some people are reluctant to say the name. She's very sweet! A real sort of ingenue among we schemers.

I think she'd quite like you, honestly.

[worthathousand]

Well, I can already get an idea of what her response to a challenge is, so I suspect I might like her too.

Perhaps there will be a chance for an introduction, if I merit an invitation to the graduation party.

[marsascending]

I don't think we're being terribly exclusive, but I think under any circumstance you would merit one anyway.

She reminds me of one of my favorite students, which is to say prepare yourself for about a thousand questions.

[worthathousand]

If you think she'll find me that interesting! Not that I've ever cared much for concealing things.

[ a pause ]

I'm truly glad, though, to know I'll be welcome at your ceremony. Where are you both choosing...?

[marsascending]

Well, we've both got certain wishes that are important to us, after all, so—we both made our decisions a long time ago.

[worthathousand]

...Ah.

[ smile going a bit thin and discontent, some thought clearing being mulled over in her head ]

[marsascending]

...disappointed?

I've never been the sort aiming to overthrow this place.

[worthathousand]

[ lightly; not keen to look like she's making drama even as she absolutely makes drama ]

I don't tolerate tyrants, and won't reward my kidnappers with my loyalty. That's just personal principle, never mind "overthrowing."

—Though I suppose, in the end, both choices give at least some of them what they want.

[marsascending]

It's true that the so-called heavenly way is really anything but. But as a revolutionary, I can only admire people who choose a third path for themselves. It's just not what I'm here to do.

[ wink~*

an oddly significant wink, in fact. ]

Do you want a limited-time only autograph?

[worthathousand]

[ there's an interested little tilt of her chin at the wink...
but moving right along; not missing a beat ]

Only if you still have that series of illustrations of us in the button game.

[marsascending]

Not on me, but I'll try my best imitation of it. Though I'm certainly not that sort of artist.

[ she takes out a sheet of paper and a fountain pen, and does a little impressionistic doodle and it's...

...it's not good. She's no Raachna Gaantoor.

But she does sign it with a flourish:

"To my friend in revolution; may yours go better than mine. Lochaana of BARiTONES."

and in very, very small letters beneath:

"did you know that you can just shoot some hosts when powers are off? isn't that interesting?" ]

[worthathousand]

[ She looks over Paloma's shoulder as she draws ("draws") and then writes and...
oh. oh there really was more to that wink. ]

You certainly have a way with words.

[marsascending]

I like to think it's one of my finest qualities.

[worthathousand]

Well, you can be certain it's a memento I'll treasure in your absence.

[ a pause; then, cocking her head ] —And in your presence, too, since I'm sure it's only a matter of time until you return.

[ was that a threat? maybe low-key a threat? a fond threat? you know how it is. ]

[marsascending]

Oh, don't worry about me. Perhaps I'm getting soft-hearted in my old age, but I've become fond enough of people here such that I'd hardly consider anything untoward.

I'm going into educational content, you see. Back to my roots.

[worthathousand]

"Old age"? Do you really qualify for venerated seniority? I'd bet I'm older than you.

[marsascending]

You probably are, despite the timeless energy that has fooled more than one person into thinking I'm some immortal fantasy creature.

But you're not going on to your happy retirement yet, now, are you?

[worthathousand]

More accurate to say I've been brought out of retirement for the occasion—though it's true that I don't plan to reenter it on anyone's terms but my own.

[ a beat ]

You're about to properly become "some immortal creature" out of legend, however. Just pointing it out.

[marsascending]

Perhaps this was my truest destiny, or some airy nonsense like that.