|
Post by Teja on Mar 27, 2019 20:22:39 GMT -5
Teja was still tucked up against him in an attempt to shield herself from some of the lacerating December wind, and she frowned without stepping away.
"You did what?" she managed through the shivering.
|
|
|
Post by Graf von Krolock on Mar 27, 2019 20:24:16 GMT -5
"Though it does not precisely matter if it was not them," he conceded. "There is, perhaps, an even greater joy in the reduction of your kind to such a state-"
|
|
|
Post by Teja on Mar 27, 2019 20:24:37 GMT -5
"H-how can you s-say that-"
|
|
|
Post by Graf von Krolock on Mar 27, 2019 20:30:58 GMT -5
"Don't be naive, Liebchen," Johannes sighed. "I have brought this city to its natural state. Within a week, it will have spread even further. A man ought to be permitted to enjoy his triumphs-"
|
|
|
Post by Teja on Mar 27, 2019 20:32:19 GMT -5
"May we pl-please go inside," she begged him, focusing on one thing at a time, fighting to stay sane - not knowing what would happen to her if she screamed. If she angered him.
|
|
|
Post by Graf von Krolock on Mar 27, 2019 20:34:17 GMT -5
"Must you be so petulant," he sighed. "Very well."
He tightened his grip on her and pulled her back into the atrium.
|
|
|
Post by Teja on Mar 27, 2019 20:36:34 GMT -5
Any illusions he'd allowed her to keep of her having come here - even come back inside - of her own free will were gone.
Most probably he could hear her heartbeat racing, but she swallowed her screams and talked to him as though he were human anyway.
"I don't understand," she said, able to keep her voice level, but not to keep the distress from her face. "Why would you- why would you?"
|
|
|
Post by Graf von Krolock on Mar 27, 2019 20:40:41 GMT -5
"I scarcely had to do anything," Johannes said, lifting his eyebrows mildly. "As I recall, nearly a year ago, this city was wading in its own blood. These people have been ill at ease, pent up, in denial ever since then. Have you not noticed how easily they flocked to your boy?"
|
|
|
Post by Teja on Mar 27, 2019 20:41:35 GMT -5
"Johannes, seeing a pile of kindling does not explain why you struck the match-"
|
|
|
Post by Graf von Krolock on Mar 27, 2019 20:44:59 GMT -5
"What has this new world ever done for me?" Johannes snarled, drawing away from her and falling into a defensive, animalistic loom over her. "Why should I care to see it persist? When am I to be permitted my share of joy?"
|
|
|
Post by Teja on Mar 27, 2019 20:45:41 GMT -5
"Tell me you are even capable of experiencing joy, and maybe I will have an answer for you!" she shouted back.
|
|
|
Post by Graf von Krolock on Mar 27, 2019 20:48:06 GMT -5
Johannes made a furious sound and struck her across the face with the back of one gnarled hand, moving above her to block out the light behind him.
"You are spoiling my evening."
|
|
|
Post by Teja on Mar 27, 2019 20:50:08 GMT -5
Teja scooted herself backward and into a corner, cupping her cheek in shock.
"I was worried about you," she said in a small voice. Both her voice and that feeling felt lightyears away from her; the only immediate thing was the heat on her face, and the cold of everything else.
|
|
|
Post by Graf von Krolock on Mar 27, 2019 20:51:11 GMT -5
"Of course," he snapped. "Your pity. What a fine gift that is-"
|
|
|
Post by Teja on Mar 27, 2019 20:52:30 GMT -5
"Where was that disgust when I first showed up, then?" she returned, with a sort of giddiness she couldn't place. "You don't like me. But you still want me to like you, don't you?"
|
|