(no subject)

[tragic_mask]

Arriving at the Visitor's Center, Melpomene takes a look around.

"Well, this is it. In all its touristic glory. "

Comments

[tragic_mask]

The boat pulls out of its dock, and begins to make its way towards the falls.

"Glad you agree," she says, with one of her more... normal smiles.

[mechanicalswans]

He keeps the camera at the ready, surveying the scenery.

"It would be nice to live by a waterfall, I think," he says. "I wonder if you start to tune out the sound, after a while."

[tragic_mask]

"Probably... like ticking clocks, or background chatter. I think you could go nuts if you couldn't tune it all out..."

[mechanicalswans]

He chuckles, giving her a quick glance.

"I hope you get used to ticking clocks very quickly," he murmurs, "or you'll hate my apartment."

[tragic_mask]

"You like being in time, always?" she asks.

[mechanicalswans]

"I own a clock shop," he says. "I'm very fond of them. It means never having to buy anyone wedding or anniversary gifts, at least; I can just take one from the apartment."

[tragic_mask]

"Quite convenient," she says. "And very novel."

[mechanicalswans]

"If you ever need gifts for anyone you like just enough to give a gift, but not enough to put effort in, you just let me know," he says. "I can give you some."

[tragic_mask]

"I will definitely keep you in mind," she says. "Though I don't really make acquaintances with such ease."

[mechanicalswans]

"Acquaintances," he says with a shrug, "distant relatives... I often feel obligated."

[tragic_mask]

"Well, then, it's a good thing you have so many clocks." She smiles.

[mechanicalswans]

"It is," he agrees. "And good that it's so easy to make new ones. Also, music boxes--but those, you need to know something about a person's taste, to choose just the right song. Or the most perfectly inappropriate one, depending on your mood. I'd be lying if I said I'd never gone in that direction."

[tragic_mask]

She quirks a brow.

"I've never seen a music box that was tailored to my tastes. Maybe that's why I never liked them. Or maybe it's because they remind me of my sister."

[mechanicalswans]

"What would it need, to be tailored to your tastes?" he asks. "Any favorite song, or... is it just the fact that it's music, that reminds you of your sister? I could make one that wouldn't remind you of her at all, I would wager."

[tragic_mask]

"It just couldn't be anything like the music I've ever heard from one of those things. Mesmerizing, and faintly disturbing. Encapsulates her well, I think."

[mechanicalswans]

"Which sister would that be?" he asks. "So I know what to avoid. Although a music box without music... would just be a mechanical box. Not that there's anything wrong with that."

[tragic_mask]

"A magic box!" she says. Then: "Euterpe. But it's hard to tell them apart."

[mechanicalswans]

"If I were ever to meet your sisters," he says, "unless they went around with name tags or demonstrating their particular skills, I doubt I'd ever be able to tell any of them apart. But there's only one that matters, anyway."

[tragic_mask]

"Flattery," she murmurs, but smiles, briefly.

"I'd suggest you stay away from them entirely," she adds. "I've seen several of them in the bar."

[mechanicalswans]

"Because you don't get along with them?" he asks. "Or because one of us would have something to fear from the other? I would never side with them against you, nor would I tell them anything you may have said about them or yourself."

[tragic_mask]

"More because..."

She pauses, trying to explain. "They're... nice. On top. If you'd met them already, you wouldn't believe anything bad about them."

[mechanicalswans]

"You'll find I'm very loyal," he murmurs. "I would take your side over almost anyone else's. Even if there were proof that you were wrong, which I do not believe there could be. I would not believe them."

[tragic_mask]

"And what if your loyalty is misplaced?" she asks, looking up at him. "What then?"

[mechanicalswans]

"It wouldn't be the first time," he says, meeting her gaze. "But it wouldn't change my decision. I don't give loyalty lightly, and once it is given, I don't take it back."

[tragic_mask]

"Well, I won't let you down," she says, putting her arms around his neck. "I couldn't."