Straight as an

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[And welcome Reinette again to the Plane.

She is notably more presentable on this occasion, having regained her own clothing and seemingly styled her hair. She is wearing a riding habit, a warm caramel with skirts less full than most would be accustomed to seeing her in.

She holds a bow in her hand, and this time she is wearing her own leather gloves at protection. These are chocolate, they cannot be mistaken for anyone else's.

In the distance sits two targets, while a basket at her feet holds well over a dozen arrows with a fair mixture of red and blue fetching.

Her attempt to discover just how she is altered continuing, Reinette draws back one of the red arrows, and strikes]

Comments

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

There's some talent involved I'm sure.

[he looks at her]

For now, I think. Still, you don't have to stop on my behalf.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[something in her general air suggests otherwise]


I have the answers that I sought, at least on this occasion. I see no real need to continue.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Oh. All right, then.

[smiles]

So, have you discovered any other answers?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she is at enough ease with herself in his presence that Reinette looks almost annoyed with herself then]

No, I must confess I have not.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Maybe you're not that changed. You might still be you. Except, for, maybe...

[his gaze moves down to her gloved hands and lingers for a second before focusing back on her, forcing his expression to become brighter]

Maybe you still can do everything you could do.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she watches his gaze even as she recognizes the alterations to her blood. But even that knowledge, that what travels through her veins could be so changed is not what is disturbing. It is knowing that something that was once hers, might not be any longer. Too much has been lost of late, beginning with Louis. She wonders, privately, if two events have somehow merged into one]

Knowing this place as I have come to? I cannot help but doubt that.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[He moves a little closer, studying her]

All the important pieces still seem to be here, from what I've seen.

[he smiles]

And who knows, their latest trick might be tricking you into thinking you're changed when you're not.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[her expressions suggests she has not considered this, and while she does --]

What pieces do you consider so important? It can hardly be the dancing, as I know your opinion of formal affairs.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[scratches the back of his neck]

Oh. Well. [pauses, a little embarrassed about having to list things like this] You still have directness down to an art. You're challenging. You're entertaining and strong and intelligent and...you're you.

[looks around himself, wishing he knew how to put these things into words better.]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[two minimal brushes of color appear on her cheeks. It could be that she does not have complete control over this new form yet. It could be that she is truly touched to hear his words. It could be him. It could be any of them]

I have been the topic of discussion far too much of late. How are you? Your life outside of this place?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[looks back at Reinette, and pauses, considering the question]

Me? I'm well, I'm thinking. For right now I think I'm well. Here...and there...[grins, rolling his eyes] and everywhere, I suppose.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she places her bow fully into the basket at her feet. She is done with it now]

That is hardly a committed answer.

[her curiosity is masked with a lightly teasing tone]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Yeah, well, I don't want to get too committed to well. The second I do, I'll probably jinx myself. And things will be less well, or not well at all. So I'll say for right now just to be safe.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she considers this even as her chin tilts to consider him, taking in the full length of his form, all while still smiling]

And what if through your thoughts of safety and lack of commitment you allow that which you would commit yourself to, to slip away all together?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[considers the question]

Oh. Well, that would be unfortunate. Still, who wants to be committed to moods and things like that. It seems like it would be incredibly boring.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[perhaps she is much more her old self than she realizes]

Or ensure that we reach our goals?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Does there always need to be a goal? Can't things happen as they happen?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she is, as ever, slightly frustrated by his answer]

My goal now is to discover how I am changed. To rebuild some semblance of of life in France without Louis' more continued affections. You would have me focus on neither? What then?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[now he is slightly frustrated as well]

I never told you what to do one way or the other. If anything it was the other way around.

[this entire topic seems to get him more frustrated as he talks about it]

Why do you always insist on me needing to have some sort of goal, anyway? Why can't the fact that I'm well right now be enough?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

No. You are suggesting that the way is to do nothing whatsoever? And I ask the question just what would happen to me then?

[her gaze flickers to past them]

It is the difference between striking the target, and missing it all together, I think.

Why much you always speak in generalities? Why can I never know the specifics of your life?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

I'm suggesting that it's best for me. You ask me how I am, and I answer, and it's never enough for you.

[cynical laugh as his eyes move towards the target too, rolling his eyes]

Oh, you really think?

Why do you need specifics? Why does it even matter? I'm here now, isn't that enough? Isn't it enough for me just to say I'm doing well?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[something sets her back and straightens her spine at his tone, there are a great many things in her life at the moment that are unknown -- that she cannot battle. It is not the case with him, and so with two steps she advances]

I do think. And no, I am not the sort to rarely be acquainted with the word 'enough'. Nor do I see issue with that.

I ask questions? Because I do hold you in some affection. But we cannot share minds. It is no longer so simple.

We must use our words.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[no longer frustrated, he sighs, resigned]

And my words say I am fine. What difference does it make what happens there?

Should I ask you about Louis and court and all those things you leave behind when you come here, too?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

What difference?

The difference is that it directly impacts the man that arrives here.

You might, of course, ask. I can admit that sometimes I will initially avoid questions of a more personal nature. But at least you know names. Know what I leave behind. I know nothing. Where you go when you go. What you do with your days.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[stares at her, arms crossed]

Fine. What do you want to know? Ask me a question.