(no subject)

[tragic_mask]

Melpomene slept deeply without dreaming, and only woke up when the light between the curtains fell across her eyes.

It was a nice way to wake up. So now, as she opens her eyes, she stirs only slightly, and then settles back into a comfortable position.

Comments

[mechanicalswans]

"Depends on your motivation, and the questions asked, and what you do with the information after that," he says. "If you prefer, we could always abduct someone and make them think we are aliens who just happen to look human..."

[tragic_mask]

"Now that is evil," she murmurs.

[mechanicalswans]

"I think you would need a proper 1960s-style alien-queen outfit, with boots and a miniskirt. All metallic, you know. Not just because you'd be beautiful in that as well, though of course you would."

[tragic_mask]

"From the way it sounds, I couldn't be ugly if I tried," she says, laughing wryly. "Though I think metallic miniskirts are pushing it."

[mechanicalswans]

"You're catching on to my nefarious plan," he chuckles. "If it's the length you object to, I can assure you that you'd look perfectly fine, and also that miniskirts then are longer than the ones now. If it's the metallic that you wouldn't like... well, we could negotiate that. But I'm going to have the mental image all the same, and I can tell you, it's quite something."

[tragic_mask]

She pushes herself up to look mock-sternly at him, shaking a finger. "I don't approve of your mental imagery, I'm sure."

[mechanicalswans]

"You're also wearing glitter," he says with a grin, "and appropriately '60s eye-makeup. And big hair. Not a beehive, though. Maybe gloves--yes, gloves with very big cuffs."

[tragic_mask]

She winces.

"It could be worse, I suppose."

[mechanicalswans]

"And you get to decide what I'd wear. It's only fair."

He gives her a light kiss on the cheek, as they are stopped at a stoplight.

"Although if you wanted to dress me like Carmen Miranda, we might have to have a little talk."

[tragic_mask]

"Oh, I could never do that to such a dignified personage as yourself, sir."

[mechanicalswans]

"Then I think we shall be fine... though I doubt I'm quite as dignified as you think. I clean up nicely in public, that's all."

[tragic_mask]

"Oh, you do," she says, nuzzling against his neck.

[mechanicalswans]

"Mmmmm... and I am grateful to have a reason to get cleaned up, someone so special to be presentable for. Otherwise, I might never leave my workshop at all, except once a month, crazy-haired, to go buy supplies."

[tragic_mask]

"We can't have that," she says, re-smoothing his hair. "Though the image of the sooty, wild-eyed blacksmith has its odd appeal."

[mechanicalswans]

"...for you, I imagine, I could give you a very convincing performance," he murmurs, "if that's what you'd like to see. My personal forge is private, after all..."

[tragic_mask]

"It could certainly be something new," she says, mischievously. "Something different from your genteel, polo-shirt-wearing public self."

[mechanicalswans]

"If you're ever very bored, we could always play my favorite game," he says with a smile. "You can have nine days, and see if you succeed. Or we could join together and have someone else play it--I could never be unbiased with you."

[tragic_mask]

"Well, I'd certainly make you pay for your bias," she says, with a wicked smile. "Though I admit, it'd be one of my few advantages."

[mechanicalswans]

"Why do you think you only have 'few' advantages?" he asks. "I think you may well have more than anyone else I have known in a long time."

[tragic_mask]

"Really?" she says. "I do admit that not being able to die is advantageous, but eagles can still rip out my liver..."

[mechanicalswans]

"Your liver is safe with me," he says with a smile, "except for the much more prosaic dangers of alcohol. And you would be safe, too, at least throughout the terms of the game..."

[tragic_mask]

"And what are those?"

[mechanicalswans]

"Nine days," he says. "I would do whatever you wanted, except let you go. We would live as though we were married, and at the end of the nine days, if the experience was pleasing, I would let you go. Or grant you a wish, to the best of my abilities. I've done it both ways."

[tragic_mask]

She ponders it. "And if it wasn't pleasing, you'd keep me imprisoned?"

[mechanicalswans]

"I never say what the penalty would be, in those instances," he says quietly. "Many people assume I will kill them. Some have not survived. Most have."