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* Michelle sits at a table in the Hall reading a book. A pot of tea, a couple of cups, and a platter of sliced bread and cheese sits on the table. On the floor in front of her several of the dishs appear to be having a dance. * Glossaria pushes open the door, letting the daylight stream in with her, and pokes her head in. "Michelle?" * Michelle looks up from her book, then slides a marker in place and closes it, "Come in Glossaria, I've been wanting to talk to you." * Glossaria nods and crosses the floor, sliding onto a stool and cocking her head attentively at Michelle. * Michelle places her book on the table and gestures to the chairs, "Have a seat. Would you care for anything?" * Glossaria shakes her head. "No, I need nothing at the moment, thank you." * Michelle sips her tea, "Glossaria, I know it's none of my business, but what's happened between you and Vallel?" <Glossaria> Happened? ::she cocks her head to the side as if considering the question for a moment:: We argued. He informed me that he felt our sexual relationship was, perhaps, the only reason he was attracted to me. We agreed that it would be best to keep to the initial terms of our one-year betrothal agreement and experience relations with other people before we made a final decision on our own relationship." * Glossaria delivers this all quite matter-of-factly. * Michelle sips her tea, "What precipitated the argument?" <Glossaria> After the Mayor's party, we went home together to the Tower. It seemed a safer place for both of us to be, under the cicrumstances, and I was... concerned that his wound would open up again in the night. I also desired his presence, to reassure myself that he was indeed alive. ::frowning a little:: That doesn't quite sound rational, does it? Of course he was alive, we healed him. ::she shakes her head:: No matter. I put him to bed, and got in myself to... hold him. <Glossaria> But I believe now that his near-encounter with death had an arousing effect on him. He wanted to have sex. I didn't. I... feared for his health. We argued, and it became a screaming match. In the morning, when we were both calmer and more rational, we agreed to abide by the earlier terms of our agreement. I believe he left the Tower with the intention of seeking physical comfort elsewhere immediately. * Michelle shakes her head, "And the two of you have been avoiding each other ever since?" <Glossaria> I was not given any indication that he desired to see me, and, in fact, he fled my presence. I have not made myself unavailable-- you were able to find me, were you not?-- so I can only conclude that he doesn't desire me any longer. And... and... ::a small, puzzled frown crinkles her forehead and disappears:: and besides, this gives me an opportunity to continue with my research. My research is very important to me, you know. * Michelle leans back in her chair and runs her finger along the rim of her cup, "Glossaria, would you forgive Vallel if he slept with Temire and then realized that it was a mistake and that he truly did love you?" <Glossaria> ::Eyes widening:: Of course. That was the basis of our agreement, after all. Both of us lack sufficient sexual experience to sort desire from deeper emotions. If sleeping with Temire gave him a better understanding of our relationship, why would I fault him for that? * Michelle studies Glossaria critically, "So how is your research going?" <Glossaria> ::Gloss frowns:: Not very well, at the moment. I thought there were a number of promising avenues to pursue, but... ::a look of puzzlement crosses her face again for a moment and is gone as she blinks:: Michelle, do you love women? * Michelle quirks an eyebrow at Glossaria, "I'm afraid you're going to have to define your terms if you want me to answer that. But I'd also like to hear what happened to these promising avenues of yours." <Glossaria> Love women, as in enjoy sexual relations with other females. * Michelle shakes her head, "Glossaria, there are rules to these games. One of them is that you answer my questions, and I answer yours. What happened to those promising avenues of yours?" <Glossaria> ::frowns for a moment, and nods:: Very well. Lord Kevil views me as a sibling's-child... a... niece, we would say, and his social more's do not allow for relations between such close kin. And Xarroch preferred to discuss my state of mind, rather than have sex with me. ::She frowns, a little:: I was almost certain he was attracted to me, at least somewhat, but perhaps I was mistaken. ::she studies Michelle:: <Glossaria> Evidence would indicate that, though you have been married to men in the past, such experiences have not resulted well for you. And you express a preference for living with other females. Perhaps you would be open to the idea of sexual relations with one? ::smiling a little and leaning forward:: With me? * Michelle rises from her chair and perchs herself on a stool next to Glossaria, giggling and shaking her head the entire time, "I'll have to remember to thank Xarroch for his perceptiveness." * Michelle leans on the bar and holds Gloss's gaze, "Why is your research so important to you?" * Glossaria sighs and leans back. "You don't wish to have sex with me, either. Wouldn't it be easier to simply say so, than attempt to divert my attention? * Michelle places her hand on Glossaria's cheek, "Another one of the rules is that I have to fall in love with you first Glossaria." <Glossaria> ::Frowning in thought for a moment before shaking her head:: No, humans regularly have assignations free of romantic love. ::cocking her head:: Perhaps I should speak with Felice? Or Deanna? * Michelle shakes her head, "They wouldn't be interested. You insistance on research would bore them in moments." * Michelle picks up Glossaria's hand, "Glossaria, what are you feeling now?" <Glossaria> ::cocking her head:: Vallel's insistance on regular sex would seem contraindicitive of that, but... ::nodding her head:: ...as you wish. <Glossaria> Feeling? ::furrowing her brow:: Nothing. Feeling has no place in research. * Michelle giggles, "Glossaria, close your eyes and think back to one of your favorite nights with Vallel?" <Glossaria> ::closing her eyes obediently, but frowing:: Favorite? ::as if she doesn't understand the question:: <Michelle> ::In a quiet voice:: Just tell me what comes to your mind. <Glossaria> Mmm... ::voice a trifle dreamy:: Just after I accepted his proposal of marriage. We spent the whole weekend together... he'd laid in food, so we could have the whole time just to ourselves, no interruptions... and so... so tender. * Glossaria makes a small noise, and a tear trickles from beneath her closed lids to slide down her cheek. <Glossaria> I... oh, Michelle, what have I done? Oh, Erdian, I... I... ::frowning deeply, turning her head to one side:: I'm sorry... ::opening her eyes:: I... is this intended to assist my research, somehow? Are you trying to show me how a basis of affection can enhance the experience? * Michelle releases Glossaria's hands and looks at her closely, seeming to try to rummage through Gloss's mind with her eyes. <Michelle> Glossaria, is the Tower warded against psionics? <Glossaria> ::cocks her head, returning Michelle's gaze curiously:: Psionics? Yes, I believe so, although you'd have to speak with Mistress Zoya to be certain. She handles the greater wards. <Michelle> And have you been staying in the Tower since your and Vallel's argument? <Glossaria> ::looking puzzled:: I live there. Where else would I stay? * Michelle frowns and starts chewing her lower lip. * Michelle sighs, "Is there anything I can do for you Glossaria? I feel terrible having dragged you out here for this?" <Glossaria> ::considering seriously for a moment:: There are beds upstairs. Are you certain you don't wish to help me discover what it's like to exchange pleasure with a woman? ::leaning closer to Michelle, her hand moving to rest on her thigh:: I couldn't... tempt you to forgo your scruples? * Michelle removes Gloss's hand and shakes her head, "I'm sorry Glossaria, but I just don't have those kinds of feelings for you." * Glossaria grimaces, a look of pain and deep frustration fleeting over her face. She bows her head a moment, and when she looks up, the emotions have passed again. "Very well. Was there anything else you required of me, then, Michelle?" * Michelle sighs, looking very sad and tired, "Just be careful Glossaria. These games can be very dangerous. Particularly when you don't know the rules." <Glossaria> Games, Mistress Michelle? ::looking genuinely puzzled:: <Michelle> Games Glossaria. Games of the heart. Games of the mind. And the most dangerous opponent is the one you never see. <Glossaria> ::Shakes her head, appearing and sounding quite honest about this:: I'm not trying to play games. I'm only trying to learn...::her voice catches for a moment:: learn to be human. * Glossaria gets up and prepares to leave, opening the front door and squinting into the slanting sunlight. * Michelle giggles, "Glossaria, have you ever read the story of Pinocchio?" <Glossaria> ::pauses:: Pinocchio? The wooden boy? <Michelle> Yes. <Glossaria> ::nods:: Yes. It's one of the more popular tales of children's literature. <Michelle> What brought Pinocchio to life? What finally made him human? <Glossaria> ::she cocks her head to the side:: There are several versions of the tale. I believe the fulfillment of the good fairy's spell required him to experience positive human virtues. Bravery, for example, and love. <Glossaria> If you're attempting an analogy between his case and mine, Michelle, your analogy will fail. I'm already human. I just didn't have the opportunity to grow up that way. * Michelle grins at Glossaria, "And I didn't have the opportunity to grow up as a woman. Thus that mean that I'm not one?" <Glossaria> ::shaking her head:: "Woman" is a state of maturity. One achieves womanhood. Most individuals are *born* human, Michelle. I simply find myself in the unenviable state of needing to catch up with the rest of the race. * Michelle shakes her head and sighs, "Adolescence is painful Glossaria. I'll do what I can to help." * Glossaria shrugs. "You've already declined to assist in my research, for reasons I can understand and accept. However, I really should be getting back to work... this has been a very frustrating week, and I fear I'm quite behind." She opens the door wider again, glancing out into the street. "If you'll excuse me?" <Michelle> Goodnight Glossaria. <Glossaria> Good afternoon, Michelle. ::exiting and closing the door behind her quietly:: * Michelle rises and proceeds to clean off her table. "Now to find Zoya and Tyl'gainia." |
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