duplicity ic inbox - FIRST STAY

[perfectible]

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[perfectible]

It depends on what you mean by dominated.

[occultatum]

[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.

[perfectible]

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.]

[occultatum]

I think I've walked that path.

[Or he walks it.]

So I can, if you want it.

[perfectible]

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

[occultatum]

Where's that?

[perfectible]

Murder and death.

[occultatum]

[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.

[perfectible]

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

No path is straightforward.

[occultatum]

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.

[perfectible]

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.

[occultatum]

Betty.

[He says her name carefully. He looks right at her.]

You should. It's a part of you.

[perfectible]

And if I do? And something bad happens? Or someone gets hurt?

[occultatum]

Who do you think would get hurt?

[That's a good question.]

[perfectible]

[ she shakes her head.] I don't know.

[occultatum]

Darkness isn't-

[He can't believe he's saying this.]

It's not magic. Something bad might happen.

But you're more likely to damage yourself like this.

[perfectible]

[ she scoffs quietly.] It's better than hurting someone else.

[occultatum]

No.

It really isn't.

[He takes a moment. Spreads his hands.]

If you want to master it, you don't have to hurt anyone. If you control it, it won't control you.

[perfectible]

[ She sits back, looking skeptical.] And how do I "master it" or "control it"?

[occultatum]

You start directing it, for starters.

You stop turning it on yourself.

[Like on her own hands, for instance.]

[perfectible]

And direct it where? [ her real fear is directing it towards others.]

[occultatum]

Do you hate it here?

[That's a pretty safe assumption.]

[perfectible]

Yes. [ obviously.]

[occultatum]

Then focus it on that.

[perfectible]

I do focus on that. And I am trying to make this place better for other people.