(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]

"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."

[mechanicalswans]

"I know," he murmurs, leaning in to give her a quick kiss. "You've been nothing but wonderful, so far."

[tragic_mask]

"I'm really just a burnt marshmallow," she says. "Crispy on top, but soft in the middle."

[mechanicalswans]

"You're so much more than that," he says. "And marshmallows and fire just go together, don't they? I hope I don't make you crispy."

He takes the camera back out, glancing up at the ever-approaching waterfall. "You're about to be a soggy marshmallow, anyway..."

[tragic_mask]

She laughs, hearing the roar of the waterfall. "Well, I guess that will solve all our marshmallow problems-- if you accidentally set me on fire, for example."

[mechanicalswans]

"I never set anyone on fire by accident," he chuckles, and takes a few pictures of the falls.

Holding the camera at a bit of an angle, which is exaggerated by the tossing of the boat as it crosses the churning water.

[tragic_mask]

"Ah, so you do set them on fire purposefully?" she asks, looking out at the falls.

"Wow, this is really beautiful up close," she says.

[mechanicalswans]

"...sometimes," he admits, lining up another picture.

"Usually metaphorically, though."

[tragic_mask]

"I'd like to see that."