perfectible | duplicity ic inbox

More than anyone.

[ She could have admitted that easily without being spelled. But the next bit... not so much.]

I was a webcam girl for a little while. I dressed up and let men believe they could have sex with me, would tell them what to do. [ She moves to push her hands forward and turn them palms up, revealing still healing half moon scars where her nails had dug into her skin.] I've done other things but do this to myself to keep my emotions curbed.

[He tips his head up a little, to look down at her just a bit. And then he takes her hands in his, runs his thumbs over the scars, and he kisses her hands, one, and then the other.

The spell breaks.]

We'll find a way through that darkness.

[ The spell breaks. and as soon as it does, her cheeks flush and she pulls her hands out of his, looking disoriented. ]

I don't know why I told you all of that. [ her mind tells her that this boy is dangerous and yet... she doesn't get up to leave or shy away.]

[He just lets go of her hands, and his smile is easy, not clever.]

Because you wanted to.

[Liar.]

I assume.

[ her mouth is working gently.] I guess I've been stressed out.

That's not surprising.

Considering the location.

I don't normally unload on people even when they do ask.

I have a trustworthy face.

[And a hold of magic. He might not like it when people mess with his head, but Betty is mortal, and mortals are always dubiously gray areas when it comes to things like ethical use of magic.]

[ She gives him a bit of a look.] You have a pretty face but I wouldn't say it's trustworthy but... persuasive.

[He laughs.]

Okay. Sure.

But still.

If you want help navigating that darkness, I'll do it.

[ her eyebrows lift.] How?

We figure it out. We tease it out, and find out how to harness it.

You're a Dominant, right?

[He considers her.]

Have you ever had anyone dominate you?

Yes, I am.

[ she isn't sure why he's asking.]

That's a personal question. [ the answer is yes though.]

Well, it's a personal issue.

[He looks at her, but he doesn't cast another spell.]

Was it your boyfriend?

It depends on what you mean by dominated.

[He snorts a little, almost laughing. Almost.]

So that's a no.

[He looks at his hands.]

You can try and walk-

[He was about to say the path of Night, but that's not right. Not because she's mortal.]

-into that darkness by yourself. But usually someone has to help you out. To figure out what's going on in your head.

It's not a no. [ she says firmly. although she isn't sure why she would want to argue that point. the blackhood dominated her in one horrible way and jughead did it in a way she liked.]

And you think you're that person? To help me? [ she thinks jughead is the one for that.]

I think I've walked that path.

[Or he walks it.]

So I can, if you want it.

But I'm not interested in going further down that path than I already have. I've seen where it leads.

Where's that?

Murder and death.

[He looks doubtful at that. At the look on her face.]

No.

[He takes a breath.]

There are people who go that route. To terrible places. Cannibalism, and murder, and other...monstrosities. But what has night to do with sleep?

[He shrugs a little.]

It's not a straight line, you know.

My father took that route, [ she says softly, looking away from him.]

No path is straightforward.

Let it never be said that we all follow the wishes of our fathers.

[He just looks at her, level.]

Well. Whatever you choose, be careful. Darkness like that can become a cancer, if you don't keep an eye on it.

I know that. [ she looks at him.] And I'm trying to figure out just how to deal with it. I don't... want to embrace it.

tw: self harm

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