bewrightback | IC Inbox [Cerealia]

R-right. [And there goes my hand...

He smiles uncertainly as he lets her guide him along.]

Just to help me prepare, how much of this would you classify as a 'doozy'?

Very little, I hope. [Integra turns to face Phoenix, chuckling lightly.] Actually, I was hoping you might be able to help me.

[She doesn't keep hold of his hand for long, though, and once she makes it over to his couch, relinquishes her grasp. She then proceeds to retrieve a familiar leather-bound organizer from her satchel, and seats herself accordingly.]

Edited (typos) 2015-10-26 13:46 (UTC)

[Phoenix stands nearby, glancing down towards the organizer curiously as she speaks.]

Well, I'm always glad to do what I can to help! [As long as it's not the kind of high-stakes vampire hunter help.] What do you have in mind, Integra?

[Well, she's not about to say this job isn't high-stakes, but when it comes to vampire hunting, she's afraid Phoenix would only serve as a hindrance.]

I honestly never knew how to put this before-- perhaps I never wanted for you to feel overwhelmed or obligated to help me... but when I knew you before, you and I would investigate together. We would keep an account about the colony, question residents on their experiences, hypothesize our surroundings.

[Basically, they would stick their noses in the wrong places and get in trouble with the local authorities.]

Admittedly, I've been floundering on my own. [Integra's not... really a people person.] But with your help, I'm sure I would find the 'Wright' motivation.

[God, that was cringe-worthy, but she smiles nonetheless. He was rubbing off on her.]

[He always knew he'd never make it, every time he caught an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.]

Is that so? [He strikes at his chin thoughtfully, giving a brief surprised smile at the pun as he thinks that over.] Well... Those do sound like things that I would do.

I'd be glad to help you when I can. I'm sure that we can make some progress without compromising your... er... Integra-ty.

I'm afraid it's my Hellaciousness you must worry about. I'm honestly surprised that never warded you away the first time.

[Integra may seem sweet now, but once upon a time she would shoot her gun at the wall and threaten him with her sword when she became frustrated. Thankfully, for the benefit of everyone she's been relearning to suppress that temper.]

Really though, I appreciate your enthusiasm. [She turns the organizer to the next blank page, and removes a pen from its spine, then holding it out to Phoenix.] Would you care to detail your time in the jungle for me?

[Next to the blank page, was one detailing her own time in the water colony. She was admittedly curious to discover which element Phoenix was of, but felt as if she almost knew.]

[She's really coming to love the wordplay! I can't even manage a comeback... Phoenix chuckles.]

I'm made of sterner stuff than that, I guess. So... the jungle, huh?

[He takes the pen and starts writing in the organizer.]

I don't think I learned anything of importance in the journal proper. But my time in the fire domain? That's more of a story!

I know you are. Any man who chooses to associate with me has to be, and you had the patience of a saint. I used to be so unruly in comparison to now.

[There's a certain nostalgia associated with her time in Ruby City. There's a bit of a laugh in her tone as she recounts it.]

I never could attack you outright [that's a special hell reserved for Alucard only], but at times I would shoot my gun at the wall because I thought it would make you go away. Sometimes you did-- knowing that I would eventually fall asleep and cool down by the morning, other times you would pull me away for tea and force me to talk about whatever was ailing me. In truth, I always found it soothing.

Another time I had landed myself in the hospital, and although I knew you were only trying to calm me down, I threw a pillow at you and banished you from my room. You still came to check up on me the next day. It was all terribly sweet, that I could only feel angry with myself in the end. Now the most I can do is yell whenever I become frustrated.

[She sweeps a piece of hair behind her ear.]

I very much feel like I've been able to become myself again [that is, before the war], and even though you may never be able to remember, for that I am grateful.

[Integra then clasps her hands, setting them down into her lap.]

Something was telling me that you were of the fire element. [No, it's not just the name. What are you talking about?] Care to enlighten me?

[LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SUIT?]

[Now he goes to take a seat, because she is saying quite a loud. He listens patiently and observes all of it. And he does look more than a little sheepish at the descriptions of some of Integra's methods, and then he nods.]

Those... well! They still sound like things that I would do. [But it feels weird hearing about things I did as if I'm hearing about someone else.] I feel... pretty relieved that we're settling on the yelling. And I'll try to do my best to support you as he- er, I did before.

[He scratches at his head uncertainly.]

Well... The entire trip was definitely an enlightening experience. Including a suit jacket that was lit on fire. Pretty much my whole suit was ruined by the journey. I think the main thing we learned from it was getting to see some of the natives' artwork.

[He smiles brightly as he remembers it.]

Cave paintings, Integra. Talk about old school!

[She shakes her head.]

It's fine, really. I'll admit that it's not a state I would like to return to, but I finally feel as if I've been able to move past it all. I met you on the heels of dealing with a war-- and when your life becomes consumed by death, it's enough to change a person. I sincerely believed the best solution was to push away anyone who ever tried to help me, but in turn, I came to realize I was even more burdensome as a result. I can only imagine that had I stayed in my world, nothing would have changed. I would have thrown myself into my work so I would never have to combat my issues. Perhaps it's for the best I'm away from it all.

[She smiles at him demurely.]

It honestly frightened me when I discovered you had made it to this world. It's more dangerous here than the world we had occupied prior, but it is my hope that I am able to help you in any way I can.

[She owes him that much-- at least. Or so she felt.]

Really? Is that what happened? [She looks a bit shocked.] It's a shame. I had grown accustomed to that look on you. It made you look very cool and debonair-- like one of those jazz singers!!

[Integra, what?]

Oh really? What exactly did they tell you?

[Her eyes light up a bit. Apparently, she's awfully curious about these cave paintings.]

Edited (typos) 2015-10-29 06:14 (UTC)

[So she's a veteran, huh? ...A veteran of vampires...

He once more listens carefully as she says ehr piece.]

I see. It definitely sounds like you've been through a lot. And I hope that it doesn't sound like I'm making light of any of it. But... I'm glad to hear about how far you've come. I think that you're doing a pretty swell job of adjusting! Given the circumstances.

I understand your worries, too. This place definitely isn't a walk in the park. [He smirks weakly.] I'm glad to have someone like you watching my back. But I'll still do my best to stand on my own, too. I'm... kind of a little bit tougher than I look, I guess. [Or at least he's skilled at surviving catastrophic accidents with minor injuries.

Then he smiles more sheepishly at her mourning of his clothes, and he scratches at his neck.]

Y-yeah, this one's done for. I'm going to have to go shopping soon. I- I never realized it gave me that kind of an image! [Jazz singer? Now that's a new one!]

As for the paintings? Mostly, they gave an idea of what this world's natives looked like. It wasn't hard to guess which ones belonged to the fire deity, since they... were kind of people living on fire. ...And some of the paintings were actually made by burning them into the walls.

[Nazi Vampires, Phoenix. Nazi Vampires.

But when the world you're abducted to is somehow safer than one's own, you really have to count your blessings.]

I know, Phoenix. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't still wake up from nightmares on occasion - we all must contend with the demons from our pasts, I suppose - but I'm lucky to have had people like you and others who were able to see past that.

[It only took her about four years...]

I suppose one never can be too reliant on the assistance of others, but there is always strength in numbers. Have you considered learning self-defense or picking up wilderness skills? [She could recommend him a great tutor...] You've, ah-- always had a knack for... surviving? [His haplessness is distressing to her.]

[Integra then scoots in a few inches closer to him on the couch.]

I suppose it would be more my father's time, [Integra, who lives in 90s hell] but as a child he would always play me these records - Duke Ellington and Bechet-- or the crooners like Sinatra. There was something in the way they dressed and presented themselves that always made them seem like a portrait of living elegance.

[Behold: a woman who genuinely believes Phoenix is cool! On the other hand, this is coming from the same woman who has never seen Star Wars. What even are her priorities?

Of course, having now realized she's gushed on about this causes her cheeks to hue out of the sheer embarrassment of it all. Time to change the subject like a proper lady...]

That all sounds rather interesting. I would very much like to see this place.

[All she got was a kraken, man. :V]

[He nods.]

Those are all good points... I guess that I have been thinking of trying to learn a thing or two in those fields. Especially if we end up out in the jungle again. [He then gives a light laugh.] But I guess I do have a bit of luck in surviving certain things. [Eating a glass pendent with possible traces of poison, falling off a burning bridge into a freezing, rushing river and getting hit by a car and coming out with a spained ankle...]

Heh. I can't say that I've listened to many of them, but they have always seemed classy! I appreciate the compliment, Integra.

[Then he waves it off sheepishly.]

It is a nice sight. ...But otherwise, it's not much of a vacation spot. Too much heat, flammable things and lava with not enough air...

One can never learn too much, I suppose. ( Except when you can, especially in a field like hers. ) Perhaps I could train you, if you would like. ( She can only hope he's become desensitized to guns, this time around... ) You're still hapless as ever, I see.

( Said, in an unintended moment of frankness. And she was doing so well, too!! Comparing him to jazz singers and all. Yet, she did not seem to mind this fact either.

Even haplessness could be an endearing quality if you squinted. )

Um... (God, what is she doing? ) If you wouldn't mind, might I take you in for a suit fitting?

( She's kind of asking him to go against CERES and all. She might as well spoil him a little. )

[He makes an attempt at a sheepish smile and jokes.]

But if I become too much less hapless, I might become unrecognizable. [He shrugs.] I wouldn't mind trying out some lessons...

A- a suit fitting? [He shuffles in his casual clothes, a little embarrassed.] I was intending to work on something myself eventually. But hey, the more the merrier?

( Hi Schroeder, meet Lucy. She's permanently attached to your piano. )

One of your many endearing qualities, I assure you. ( Who else would describe hapless as endearing? She lets out a light laugh. ) But I wouldn't mind teaching you. It's quite empowering when applied correctly.

( Or at least, with Phoenix she'll never have to worry he'll attempt harm others with it. )

It's always good to have an extra set of eyes, no? ( Or allow a ridiculous woman to dress you. Same difference. ) And besides, I've been meaning to go in for a fitting myself.

( Please keep her away from the hats... )

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