Onyx and Ivory (CA - Melinda & Diane)
Quote from Indy on March 25, 2021, 10:38 pmMelinda paused from progressing forward a moment, drawing the light of the candelabra close to her lips as though she might be drinking from it. She held Diane's gaze without a flinch and without hesitation, her human eyes catching the unnatural green emerald of Diane's. Her expression did not seem particularly impressed by what she saw.
"This is not a war, Diane," Melinda said quietly, settling upon the woman's first name for the first time in their conversation, "Not between us, anyways. I have known of your kind since I was a very small girl. My sister sacrificed everything to bear admittance to your race. I have far better use of my time than simple prejudices".
"Instead," Melinda continued, "I propose something of far more elegance. Everyone gets what they want - nothing more, and nothing less. We shake hands on equal terms, and part ways far richer than we began. Yet this requires you to be better than your prejudices as well".
Melinda paused, sensing behind the immobile mask of her expression the cold exposure in the air. She shirked aside the vulnerability, yet at the last moment held it close like a quivering bird she in her hand. She regarded Diane with a world-weary sigh, releasing the weakness into the open air for all to see.
"I came to you because I have few partnerships I can trust in. I do not understate my worth. I am more than a simple curiosity to be studied beneath a lamp and gawked at for knowing the same tongue as you. We stand upon a threshold of either great profit or great ruin, yet no further shall I go until I know your willingness to cross it with me".
Melinda paused from progressing forward a moment, drawing the light of the candelabra close to her lips as though she might be drinking from it. She held Diane's gaze without a flinch and without hesitation, her human eyes catching the unnatural green emerald of Diane's. Her expression did not seem particularly impressed by what she saw.
"This is not a war, Diane," Melinda said quietly, settling upon the woman's first name for the first time in their conversation, "Not between us, anyways. I have known of your kind since I was a very small girl. My sister sacrificed everything to bear admittance to your race. I have far better use of my time than simple prejudices".
"Instead," Melinda continued, "I propose something of far more elegance. Everyone gets what they want - nothing more, and nothing less. We shake hands on equal terms, and part ways far richer than we began. Yet this requires you to be better than your prejudices as well".
Melinda paused, sensing behind the immobile mask of her expression the cold exposure in the air. She shirked aside the vulnerability, yet at the last moment held it close like a quivering bird she in her hand. She regarded Diane with a world-weary sigh, releasing the weakness into the open air for all to see.
"I came to you because I have few partnerships I can trust in. I do not understate my worth. I am more than a simple curiosity to be studied beneath a lamp and gawked at for knowing the same tongue as you. We stand upon a threshold of either great profit or great ruin, yet no further shall I go until I know your willingness to cross it with me".
Quote from Mae on March 26, 2021, 12:12 amDiane was quiet, leveling her eyes just so...
Then, she extended her hand.
"I have heard it said among your kind that a handshake is a sign of assurance that the other does not bear arms." Her voice came to the ear steady and soft. "My kind do not offer such assurances. But this is a token. Knowledge lies beneath the skin, so if you trust my hand, take it, and reveal everything you are to me."
"In return, I will give you this promise; inasmuch as you cherish your precious humanity, I will guard it, and see that my curse does not come upon you." Diane peaked her brow in the candlelight. "For up til now you have known the fire is hot. By having dealings with me, you step into the inferno. That part of the curse I cannot save you from."
Diane was quiet, leveling her eyes just so...
Then, she extended her hand.
"I have heard it said among your kind that a handshake is a sign of assurance that the other does not bear arms." Her voice came to the ear steady and soft. "My kind do not offer such assurances. But this is a token. Knowledge lies beneath the skin, so if you trust my hand, take it, and reveal everything you are to me."
"In return, I will give you this promise; inasmuch as you cherish your precious humanity, I will guard it, and see that my curse does not come upon you." Diane peaked her brow in the candlelight. "For up til now you have known the fire is hot. By having dealings with me, you step into the inferno. That part of the curse I cannot save you from."
Quote from Indy on March 26, 2021, 2:12 pmMelinda studied the gesture like it were a math equation. Initially it seemed as though the delicate woman were reconsidering, drawing close the candelabra close as though to guard against the shadows. Yet in her next words, this was clearly not the case.
“Truly? Not even handshakes have persisted? I cannot fathom a world where business transactions are made at the hand of fist and tooth, yet let us see what we can do to change that”.
Her small pale hand took Diane’s firmly into a brief shake. The light from the three candlesticks danced on her features, obscuring her expression somewhat but not the amusement flickering behind her well-minded stoicism. Yet as her fingers withdrew, the same guard she had held previously returned to her. She surveyed the dark shadows with an experienced eye, yet all the same knew there were things that lurked she would be unable to see.
“So be it,” Melinda said at last, “I have walked this path long enough to appreciate the dangers, so do not think me a hapless victim caught in the fray. I am a veteran to such affairs, and I take my risks after both careful deliberation and an acknowledgement of what I do not know”.
The lips of Melinda’s lips curled strangely, not an amused smirk but a grimace. She lowered her gaze to the dim sphere of the light, noting the darkness that stood before her.
“Yet should I find myself burned, do not think I worry for myself, but for others who rely upon me even if they do not yet know it. I see advantage in my station and in knowing myself in my own element. I will not risk being made child again in my own business, lest everything I have ever done fall to nothing”.
The woman's weight shifted in the cold air, a measured breath leaving her as she considered the brief span of silence.
“The phantom herb hides her secret not in her leaves, but in her flowers,” Melinda met Diane's gaze abruptly, at last the crux of her proposition laid bare where only the dead or inhuman might hear it, “And if you did not know that, then I imagine what I say next will be of great interest…”
Melinda studied the gesture like it were a math equation. Initially it seemed as though the delicate woman were reconsidering, drawing close the candelabra close as though to guard against the shadows. Yet in her next words, this was clearly not the case.
“Truly? Not even handshakes have persisted? I cannot fathom a world where business transactions are made at the hand of fist and tooth, yet let us see what we can do to change that”.
Her small pale hand took Diane’s firmly into a brief shake. The light from the three candlesticks danced on her features, obscuring her expression somewhat but not the amusement flickering behind her well-minded stoicism. Yet as her fingers withdrew, the same guard she had held previously returned to her. She surveyed the dark shadows with an experienced eye, yet all the same knew there were things that lurked she would be unable to see.
“So be it,” Melinda said at last, “I have walked this path long enough to appreciate the dangers, so do not think me a hapless victim caught in the fray. I am a veteran to such affairs, and I take my risks after both careful deliberation and an acknowledgement of what I do not know”.
The lips of Melinda’s lips curled strangely, not an amused smirk but a grimace. She lowered her gaze to the dim sphere of the light, noting the darkness that stood before her.
“Yet should I find myself burned, do not think I worry for myself, but for others who rely upon me even if they do not yet know it. I see advantage in my station and in knowing myself in my own element. I will not risk being made child again in my own business, lest everything I have ever done fall to nothing”.
The woman's weight shifted in the cold air, a measured breath leaving her as she considered the brief span of silence.
“The phantom herb hides her secret not in her leaves, but in her flowers,” Melinda met Diane's gaze abruptly, at last the crux of her proposition laid bare where only the dead or inhuman might hear it, “And if you did not know that, then I imagine what I say next will be of great interest…”
Quote from Mae on March 26, 2021, 2:30 pmDiane watched Melinda. For all the latter had to say, she herself said nothing, but watched ever still.
"Tell on." She said.
Diane watched Melinda. For all the latter had to say, she herself said nothing, but watched ever still.
"Tell on." She said.
Quote from Indy on April 1, 2021, 11:14 pm"The phantom herb, or Exspiravit Herba as you call it, is not indigenous to this region, insofar as is known. It is called by many different names, depending on who it is known by. It grows in a variety of different climates, and presumably it exists not as one but many different varieties," the woman said dryly, without pause as though in a lecture.
"The current theory is that it has been purposefully transplanted by groups interested in it, yet that is neither here nor there for the current discussion. It should be noted only to say there is a great deal of interest in this plant by a variety of different organizations, and that each of us has come to know it in parallel. And thus while your organization has come to appreciate the utility of its leaves, others have come to appreciate the utility of its flowers..."
"It does not flower often, nor for very long. There are stories of packs who wait years for such an even and have tied its flowering into weeklong harvests and celebrations".
Melinda's lips twisted delicately, diverting briefly from the lecture, "Tell me if any of this sounds familiar. I would hate to tell you what you already know".
"The phantom herb, or Exspiravit Herba as you call it, is not indigenous to this region, insofar as is known. It is called by many different names, depending on who it is known by. It grows in a variety of different climates, and presumably it exists not as one but many different varieties," the woman said dryly, without pause as though in a lecture.
"The current theory is that it has been purposefully transplanted by groups interested in it, yet that is neither here nor there for the current discussion. It should be noted only to say there is a great deal of interest in this plant by a variety of different organizations, and that each of us has come to know it in parallel. And thus while your organization has come to appreciate the utility of its leaves, others have come to appreciate the utility of its flowers..."
"It does not flower often, nor for very long. There are stories of packs who wait years for such an even and have tied its flowering into weeklong harvests and celebrations".
Melinda's lips twisted delicately, diverting briefly from the lecture, "Tell me if any of this sounds familiar. I would hate to tell you what you already know".
Quote from Mae on April 15, 2021, 2:29 pmDiane turned, and tapped her chin thoughtfully as she paced quietly in the dark.
"The recitation changes incrementally based on perspective, but I find it fascinating." She said. "Please, continue."
Diane turned, and tapped her chin thoughtfully as she paced quietly in the dark.
"The recitation changes incrementally based on perspective, but I find it fascinating." She said. "Please, continue."
Quote from Indy on April 15, 2021, 11:17 pm"So it does," Melinda noted, taking her audience's comments as reception enough, "Yet do not allow me to bore you with the minutia.."
The woman contemplated the dancing light from the candles a moment longer before continuing, "So let us return back.. the Phantom Herb that is found on your mountains is one of many, located in many different regions around the world. Although my organization has not specifically studied this variety for obvious reasons, given how different this climate is to others it is commonly found in, it is safe to say it is highly adaptive. I would also imagine it is not native to this area, but do not allow me to tire your patience with conjecture"
"The Phantom Herb, as you are aware, does indeed flower.. yet the occurrence is rare, and the exact phenomenon that causes it remains something of speculation still. Tribes celebrate its arrival - for good reason...While you may use the leaves to disguise your scent because of the affect it has upon your sensory system or even use it as a mild toxin when ingested, the flowers yield a slightly different result..."
The woman paused, approaching the sound of Diane's pacing footsteps.
"Control, Diane" she commented, "No matter what you think of yourselves, do not tell me you trust each of your kind to handle themselves in delicate situations as you do... Do tell me if this is a familiar fact to you".
"So it does," Melinda noted, taking her audience's comments as reception enough, "Yet do not allow me to bore you with the minutia.."
The woman contemplated the dancing light from the candles a moment longer before continuing, "So let us return back.. the Phantom Herb that is found on your mountains is one of many, located in many different regions around the world. Although my organization has not specifically studied this variety for obvious reasons, given how different this climate is to others it is commonly found in, it is safe to say it is highly adaptive. I would also imagine it is not native to this area, but do not allow me to tire your patience with conjecture"
"The Phantom Herb, as you are aware, does indeed flower.. yet the occurrence is rare, and the exact phenomenon that causes it remains something of speculation still. Tribes celebrate its arrival - for good reason...While you may use the leaves to disguise your scent because of the affect it has upon your sensory system or even use it as a mild toxin when ingested, the flowers yield a slightly different result..."
The woman paused, approaching the sound of Diane's pacing footsteps.
"Control, Diane" she commented, "No matter what you think of yourselves, do not tell me you trust each of your kind to handle themselves in delicate situations as you do... Do tell me if this is a familiar fact to you".
Quote from Mae on April 26, 2021, 2:50 amDiane stopped her pacing and turned her eyes on Melinda when she approached. Her forefinger was paused on the side of her chin.
"Presume," she said, "That any of this comes as a revelation. Why are you telling me?"
Diane stopped her pacing and turned her eyes on Melinda when she approached. Her forefinger was paused on the side of her chin.
"Presume," she said, "That any of this comes as a revelation. Why are you telling me?"
Quote from Indy on April 29, 2021, 2:02 pmMelinda maintained her position, holding Diane's gaze.
"I would be a very poor partner if I did not come with my end of the bargain," she said simply, "And partners we will be.. You have promised me protection, yet that is not what I seek, Diane. I seek to change the world - both our worlds - and it would take both of us to do it".
Melinda maintained her position, holding Diane's gaze.
"I would be a very poor partner if I did not come with my end of the bargain," she said simply, "And partners we will be.. You have promised me protection, yet that is not what I seek, Diane. I seek to change the world - both our worlds - and it would take both of us to do it".
Quote from Mae on May 11, 2021, 3:00 amDiane's brow peaked, but her expression withal was unmoved.
"To what end?" She said. "I have promised to safeguard your precious humanity in exchange that you reveal all that you are to me. Thus far, you have revealed only your knowledge of the flower."
Diane let slip her finger from her chin and held her hand before Melinda's face.
"So cautious." She said. "You have touched my flesh and I yours, and in ordinary circumstances I would withdraw my hand knowing exactly your whereabouts from the moment you woke up this morning to every place you went between there and now. I would know things you don't know about yourself - everything that is happening beneath your skin, - any fever that has had a hold on you, - every emotion that has run its course through you."
"You are standing before me and even at this moment I can hear every change in your pulse, every beat of your heart, and every breath you breathe... but I cannot smell you."
Diane's green eyes danced in the light of the candle as she lowered her chin. Her fingertips swept Melinda's cheek, revealing the delicateness of her touch and the manifestation of good breeding. When Diane brought her hand down her eyes were level to Melinda's.
"That is why we do not offer our hands to each other, but I have offered mine to you in good faith."
Diane's brow peaked, but her expression withal was unmoved.
"To what end?" She said. "I have promised to safeguard your precious humanity in exchange that you reveal all that you are to me. Thus far, you have revealed only your knowledge of the flower."
Diane let slip her finger from her chin and held her hand before Melinda's face.
"So cautious." She said. "You have touched my flesh and I yours, and in ordinary circumstances I would withdraw my hand knowing exactly your whereabouts from the moment you woke up this morning to every place you went between there and now. I would know things you don't know about yourself - everything that is happening beneath your skin, - any fever that has had a hold on you, - every emotion that has run its course through you."
"You are standing before me and even at this moment I can hear every change in your pulse, every beat of your heart, and every breath you breathe... but I cannot smell you."
Diane's green eyes danced in the light of the candle as she lowered her chin. Her fingertips swept Melinda's cheek, revealing the delicateness of her touch and the manifestation of good breeding. When Diane brought her hand down her eyes were level to Melinda's.
"That is why we do not offer our hands to each other, but I have offered mine to you in good faith."
