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[demonicbeauty]

((ooc: CW for a brief mention of recreational drugs.))

[For two months, more or less, she's been in mourning. She hasn't shown her face much. And there's been a lot of crying.

But sentimental though Ariadne can be, she's also practical. Which means she recognizes when it's time to try moving forward.

So behold. Not Padmé, not Jane. Just a sad Ariadne, her hair in a loose braid, with a few tendrils curling around her face.]

I've decided it's time to clean through the rubble that was the Winchester cottage. The ground needs to be cleared so someone else can build there. And I'm sure a few things survived the fire which need to be sorted and placed.

I guess...I mean, I'll do it myself. But if anyone would like to help I would...appreciate it. I can pay you in fruit or herbs from the orchard.

[Her face is like porcelain. She's not letting a single crack show, even though it still hurts.]

I'll be there for the next week or so. Please let me know if you'd be willing to join me. At the very least, I think some of his--some of Dean's--marijuana plants survived. I'd like to try to replant them in my garden.

I can pay you with that, if you like.

Comments

[demonicbeauty]

People make that mistake a lot. Conflating compassion with softness.

That’s not how it works.

Compassion requires conviction, Albert. And you have a lot of that.

[subject_013]

Too often, people take advantage of the compassionate, hence my vigilance.

But I suppose having conviction is part of the process. Another part is application.

[demonicbeauty]

[She laughs.]

It also doesn't hurt to be able to tell when someone is lying to take advantage.

I guess, I'm lucky that way.

[Or terribly unlucky?]

[subject_013]

Ahh, a skill you've learned or an innate ability? I've learned the opposite ability, as you may have discovered. [A dangerous little smirk.] I've been in corporate espionage, and at times, the ability to withhold the truth or portions from those who have no reason to garner it has made all the difference.

[demonicbeauty]

Alastrians have a heightened sense of hearing. It's not hard to listen to someone's pulse and hear the difference when someone is telling a lie.

[In other words, don't try to lie to her, Albert. She'll know it.]

[subject_013]

In so many words, you are a living lie detector test. [Intrigued] Remind me never to be on the wrong side of the truth in your presence.

[demonicbeauty]

Oh...I'll remind you.

[She gives him half a smile.]

[subject_013]

I don't doubt you will... and I appreciate that. If I've not said this before, you... make me think of our dear friend The Doctor that way.

[demonicbeauty]

I will always welcome being compared to him.

Even if I can't live up to it!

[subject_013]

You live up to it as well as anyone could, better perhaps than some, though I probably hadn't met all of his students.

[demonicbeauty]

The multiverse is vast. You still might. Someday.

[subject_013]

Perhaps we will, perhaps we both will. [Said with a odd but thoughtful warmth.]