[VIDEO; UN: LittleGreenLiar]

[demonicbeauty]

[There are a number of indications that this is a misfire, even before it becomes clear what's going on. First, there's the fact of the username. Ariadne has never once set a username. Everyone who keeps promising to show her how to do it keeps disappearing or dying on her. So she's been "username not set" for years, at this point.

Then, there's the angle. It's tilted. And the feed isn't vibrating and shaking as Ariadne tries to hold it steady. Clearly, her Omni is sitting off to one side, forgotten, at the moment.

Ariadne is standing in her bedroom, sunlight filtering in through the gauzy curtains. She's in her underwear. Of course, it's pretty medieval underwear: a ribbed corset, tied in front, and knee-length bloomers. Bare feet. Green feet. She's in her natural form, her candy-floss blue hair loose and streaming down her back, practically to her knees. She wags her hand in front of her face, as if she's holding a fan. Daintily, she touches her fingertips to her collarbone.]

Me? You want to dance with me?

[There's non one else in the room. It appear, she's been caught in a game of make-believe. Adorable? Creepy? Hard to say.]

Why, sir, I would be delighted!

[She dips into a neat, perfect curtsy. And then rises, eyelashes fluttering.

At which point, she starts to dance a waltz, her arms around an invisible, imaginary partner. She moves smoothly, gliding across the room, looking very much like she's ready to fall in love in a ballroom.

One, two, three. One, two, three...]

Comments

[VIDEO]; UN: [Airy]

[demonicbeauty]

[Ariadne smiles weakly. By this point, she's changed back into her Human form. And she has the grace to be more amused than horrified.]

I didn't...

[givetheslip]

...it was a lovely dance, if that's any consolation.

[It wouldn't be for her, but maybe Ariadne is different.]

[demonicbeauty]

It...kind of is.

[She giggles.]

Thank you.

[givetheslip]

[Okay, she has to ask. Since the woman doesn't seem too bothered.]

Did you imagine yourself to be dancing with anyone in particular?

[demonicbeauty]

I...

[She pauses.]

I don't know. Sort of? It's hard to explain. I guess I was imagining...the love of my life.

[givetheslip]

In the abstract sense?

[Sounds like. A specific role, perhaps not a specific person.]

Perhaps you'll find them if you take more opportunity to go dancing.

[demonicbeauty]

Not much of an opportunity for dancing.

And I suppose there are more important things.

[But still she's a little doubtful. Maybe more than she would have been two years ago. The multiverse has done a number on a lot of her priorities and perspectives.]

[givetheslip]

I'm not much one for dancing myself. But it's not a terrible idea to take the time for something you enjoy. Things...slip past, otherwise.

[Or so she's observed. She hasn't really had a chance to test it herself.]

[demonicbeauty]

It's even more complicated with people always coming and going.

[She nods.]

But you're right.

[givetheslip]

[She's glad that she can at least give probably-good advice.]

Strange that people can slip away as they do. I've never felt anything but grounded since I arrived here.

[demonicbeauty]

Me too!

[She frowns thoughtfully, a little line forming between her eyes.]

I guess that can just change at any moment...

[givetheslip]

Anything can always change at any moment. That's a constant in any land, I think.

[She knows.]

Sudden disappearances with no cause, less so.

[demonicbeauty]

One hopes...

[givetheslip]

[There are plenty of disappearances where she's from. It's just that they have causes — often sinister ones.]

Not that I'm an expert. I haven't known anyone to...go back to the sea, or whatever they claim happens. I've only heard tales.

[demonicbeauty]

I know a few.

It can sometimes feel personal.

[givetheslip]

Which is worse, do you think? The notion that some greater power has a grudge against any of us in particular, or the prospect that this world is utterly indifferent to the loss and tragedy it can hold?

[That's not a morbid question or anything.]

[demonicbeauty]

Um...the second, I think.

If someone's holding a grudge against us, there's always the chance that we could somehow make amends.

[givetheslip]

That assumes the grudge is warranted. I've known of many that weren't.

[demonicbeauty]

Even if it's unwarranted, you can still stroke someone's ego.

[givetheslip]

[That gets a skeptical look.]

No, I can't.

[demonicbeauty]

[She laughs. But not at her. Just at the situation, really.]

Well, someone can. We have ambassadors for a reason. To broker peace.

[givetheslip]

[No offense taken.]

Swords can often obtain the same result.

[She's smiling, though.]

[demonicbeauty]

Depends on what you're raising them against.

[givetheslip]

Only those who deserve it.

[demonicbeauty]

Agreed.

[She pauses.]

Although, in this narrative we've created, it sounds like someone we need to placate. And someone we probably can't kill.