deux || iris message

[habitually]

You know, it's kinda funny. This year I guess I stuck to some resolutions I don't remember making-- like, oh, finally getting out of my stepdad's house--

[ funny how getting kicked out makes that easy to do. ]

--and quitting smoking-- [ thanks a ton Eponine. ]

--and getting real close with my dad. [ no. really, Eponine. thanks. ]

Huh. Yeah. Wonder what this year's gonna have in store. Can't wait. [ With an eyeroll and a familiar, irritating itch for a smoke. ]

So. How many of you are going to make optimistic promises you're not gonna keep, eh? I know I'm tapped out of 'em, but that's just me.

Comments

[impetueux]

[Cosette looks a little exposed and wounded, but she doesn't back down.]

...I like to try and be. Do you think I'm not?

[habitually]

[ He swallows the self-loathing before he asks. ]

You can't really be so... so optimistic and fearless, seeing what we've seen can you? We're barely teenagers and look what we've already been through. And apparently will keep going through by some accident of birth.

[impetueux]

[Cosette grows almost eerily quiet, one hand clinging to her other arm.]

...We've survived it haven't we? Even with everything I don't think I'd trade it for anything.

[habitually]

Survival. Yeah. We did it.

[ Running a hand over his mouth and shaking his head. ]

Good for us. And you didn't answer the part about how we're never done-- we keep 'surviving' until we don't anymore.

[impetueux]

You could say that about anything though.

[There's a look in Cosette's eyes that implies that not all she wants to say, wants to bring up. She stays general though, still clutching her arm.]

We don't have to be demigods to have to survive. There's other trials out there besides fighting off monsters. I'm just happy to not be alone in it. Having family...it helps a lot. If gaining that was an accident of birth then I still think I'm pretty blessed.

[habitually]

Yeah, I could say that about anything-- because that's life. Demigod, human, monster, it's all the same-- How's life considered a blessing if the alternative is ignorance? Once we're dead we don't know the difference.

[ He can feel himself spiraling and doesn't know how to stop himself-- because he can see the look in her eyes and it makes him want to bolt. ]

[impetueux]

[And at that Cosette simply closes her eyes for a moment, as if a small part of her simply broke. Her eyes darken over and get even more distant, and while she's far from cold or short, her reply, softy spoken, seems almost dead in its tone.]

...I supposed I'm just happy for the chance, knowing what went into it.

[habitually]

I'd imagine most people are, I--

[ He puts a hand through his hair. ]

I'm sorry. Just... don't listen to me. Seriously. I wish I hadn't brought it up.

[impetueux]

[Cosette tries to smile and wave it off, but she doesn't quite look him in the eyes.]

It's okay R, you're fine, really.

[habitually]

[ Smiling tightly. ]

You're sweet. And a bad liar. But honesty's too good of a look on you, so definitely a compliment.

[impetueux]

No seriously, it's...

[She takes a small breath, eyelids fluttering, before trying another smile.]

I'm all right. It's all right. Now wipe that look off your face or I'll start gushing about Harry Styles again.

[It's a potent threat and she knows it.]

[habitually]

You mean your fake husband who doesn't know you exist?

[ Throwing her a dry look; trying to get back to his normal humor with the nagging word 'fake' looming over it. ]

[impetueux]

[She scrunches her nose at him.]

A minor setback. Just wait, I'm going to go to his concert and he's going to pull me on stage and serenade me with What Makes You Beautiful.

[habitually]

[ Can you hear the eye roll ]

And he's going to pick you out of the other five dozen screaming teenagers in front him, huh?

[impetueux]

[She stares him down seriously.]

It's the blonde hair. I'm practically a beacon.

[habitually]

Hey Cosette guess what?

[ He puts out a finger, motioning her to get closer. ]

[impetueux]

[She leans in a little, doe-eyed and curious.]

What...?

[habitually]

[ Hissing into her ear. ]

There are a lot of blond girls.

[impetueux]

Yeah, but I practically glow due to my lovely personality.

[It's really hard to tell if she's serious with the face she's currently making.]

[habitually]

[ Unamused head roll. ]

Using daddy's gifts is cheating.

[impetueux]

Not cheating, strategy.

[She sticks her tongue out at him.]

Besides, I didn't even inherit that little gift, thank you.

[habitually]

What did you inherit? Don't think I've ever asked.

[ genuine curiosity. enjoy it. ]

[impetueux]

Um...singing, archery...I can heal, but that's kind of only if I ask for his blessing, does that really count?

[Whatever, totally counts.]

What did you get? Besides acting apparently.

[habitually]

[ looking thoughtful and smirking. ]

A taste for wine.