09; A million spaces in the Earth to fill [but there's no going home]

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[dysfunctional couples? They really have nothing on these two. Dysfunctional...well, sort-of selves. The one in the brown suit is sipping on a banana daquiri with a little umbrella in it (he'll be saving it for the little sunbathers on Tredronia as they need it more than he does)]

Right. So! Merging is supposedly quite complicated, or time consuming. Or both. Maybe. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me, either.

[The one in the more casual attire sips on a pint, giving his other self a look] Well, it has to be less complicated and time consuming than explaining to people on the streets why I'm talking to myself. You really do need to figure something out.

Why do I have to figure it out? You're me---with less sartorial taste, of course---but you've got to have some of my cleverness in that human brain of yours. [he may be surly because of the rum in the fruity drink]

I'm clever! Besides that, you've had a merger before, I haven't. So you need to figure something out. [gives him a look] And I'm sorry, but having exactly two suits isn't anyone's idea of taste.

They're nice suits. Besides, at least I know what I like. [scratches his sideburns] Well, I know it's got a bit to do with psychic wavelengths, creating some sort of a bond between the two realities.

I know what I like. Wearing more than two things is actually considered quite healthy by most people. [takes a sip of his drink] A bond between realities? How did you manage to do that before?

I don't know. It just sort of happened over time.

It just sort of happened? Like what, you woke up one day and bam, merged reality?

No, not that simple. It just took a bit of time, like a melting block of ice.

Really? A bit of time? Can't we just speed the process up, seeing as we're sort of the same? We should have some sort of psychic wavelength all ready, I would think.

We probably can. [takes a sip of his drink] I'm just not the sort of person who would know about that.

Lot of good, you are. [sighs] Right, well, what sort of person would know, then?

The Master.

Oh, you've got to be kidding. Really?

Not exactly the universe's greatest tutor, I think. We'll figure it out, though.

If he would be the sort to know, it can't be that difficult, right? I mean, there are two of us, after all.

We've got plenty of time, though. No need to rush things.

Comments

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[lifts and tilts his head towards an empty spot in a silent invitation, should she choose it]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she joins him there, acknowledging her arrival with a brief curtsy]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[gives her a smile and a nod]

You look like you've been somewhere interesting. Well, maybe interesting is the wrong word. Posh, maybe? Either way, you like like you've been out somewhere.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[the smile lives more in her eyes]

Interesting is a matter of debate? It is the birthday of one of Louis' daughters. An event to be celebrated, of course.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[still smiling] Did you have a good time?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

The event met my expectations, but it did not exceed them.

[there is a brief tilt of her chin]

Perhaps I have been giving someone's words on the value of the unexpected some thought.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[now cue the surprised smile]

Have you really?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[her expression partially suggests amusement -- but only partially]

There is no need to look so smug.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[smugging it up]

Me, smug? Never.

So, what made you suddenly appreciate someone's words?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[eyes narrow]

Of course not.

As for the rest? I value the person, thus I value their opinion. It is that simple.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[now genuinely surprised, and unsure how to react, his expression is somewhat thoughtful]

Oh.

[beat and he tries to appear nonchalant]

Well, it was very good advice. Good choice, taking it to heart.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she is aware of his reaction to her words, and somewhat surprised by it, because she is not entirely sure how she gave the impression otherwise. It was certainly never her intention, and she is a woman unaccustomed to the unintended]

What of you?

Are you certain this is what you desire?

This merger?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[gives her a look, slightly defensive]

Of course it is, why else would I be doing it?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she forgets herself so much as to sigh audibly]

Even you must be aware that on occasion we do things we do not wish to.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't do it if I didn't want to.

[beat]

Besides that, He isn't that bad. [shrugs] It might actually be fun. Traveling together, it could be good.

[backtracking a little, trying to go back to not caring]

Or not. Maybe. I don't know.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

I never disparaged him that I recall. Indeed, far from it. You know are past as well as anyone, and I still count him as a friend.

[her gaze is accessing]

It was merely a question. And a fair one I think. I have observed th both of you together.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

I never said you did. I just -

[stops, curious]

And what have you observed?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she glances to the location where both men were standing earlier]

Merely that there are times when both of you seem -- less than fond of one another.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Well...yeah. Quite frequently, actually, but still...

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

But still?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Still, you don't need to always get along with people.

[looks around himself for a moment, before looking back at Reinette]

Besides that, maybe over time, who knows.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

I never said that sustained affection was required. It is unrealistic to think we will all 'get long', all of the time.

[she waits for his eyes to return to her own]

But it seems to me to be a very intimate gesture. I am only inquiring if you are certain.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm certain.

[beat and quietly]

I think so, at least...

[look down and scratches the back of his neck before looking back up at her, his voice normal again]

I mean, yes, of course I do. I wouldn't if I didn't.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she his silent, but her features suggest a level of acceptance. For his stated interest, at least. The rest remains an unknown]

If we cannot convince ourselves, who can we. Though you do seem decided. But what of your parter in this endeavor.

[she remains still, watching him]

The desire is mutual?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[quickly and slightly defensive]

He asked me.