milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

*stalks up to the bar, his expression forbidding.*

I require a great deal of wine.

*the bar provides a bottle of wine so dark as to be almost black. He looks at it askance, then takes it to a far corner of the room and sits, brooding.*

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*she finds him. She sets down two proper cups, gilded and jewelled, and a pitcher of plain clear water. She sits.*

Hail, Odysseus, king.

*she pours for him, sipping from his cup first as a sign that nothing is amiss with the dark, dark wine, then waters the cup*

*looks at her coldly and ignores the cup.*

I did not offer you my table, war-prophetess.

Kindly leave me be.

*she looks stonily at him*

No.

I wronged you.

*he cannot keep the bitterness from creeping into his voice.*

Did you?

I could not tell. It left no scar; perhaps you are not so skillful as those who've sought to avenge themselves on me before.

*he takes the bottle of wine and drinks from it, expressionless.*

*she touches the neck of the bottle, not his hand*

'Ware, lord king, the wine.

My lord, you --

*her face twists*

I meant dishonourable harm to you.

I could not do it.

*gives her a weary look*

There were many things you could not, apparently, do, Kassandra. Some involved knives, and some used less subtle weapons.

Kindly tell me to which you are referring.

Lord King, believe me, a bitter shock it was to me to find I could not kill you.

*she stiffens, visibly*

I do not know what can be in my mind, where you are concerned. You are a noble man. You deserve your home. I should hate you, I must hate you.

Hate me, then, if you must.

Hate me. Loathe me. But for the love of all the Gods, Lady, leave me alone!

*his voice is raw, and he looks away from her*

Odysseus, king?

*she looks hurt, somehow.*

What would you have me do?

I would have you--

*he takes a deep breath, and continues, more calmly*

I would have you do what you will. But do not lie to me. Do not come to me bearing gifts, and then-- and then--

*he stops*

And then, lord King? Use what gifts I come bringing, to tear you wide and destroy you, and burn you from the inside out?

*he flinches*

I was not-- I did not--

I can make no amends for what I did in the course of war. But my war ended there, on those shores. I cannot help it if you are still fighting.

My lord, many things happened I did not wish, but I cannot say whether or not I willed them.

I do not know what I must think of you.

*tired*

I suggest you not think of me, Kassandra, as I assure you I will try not to think of you.

...You have made it a difficult thing to accomplish. You should be proud.

Do you bid me go, then, lord King?

It hurts.

Does it matter whether I bid you go or stay? Your will is your own, and always has been; you work at no one else's whim, least of all mine, and if you should choose to break a man--

You could put the blame on the immortal gods, but I would not believe you.

I? Break you?

Odysseus, king, by your kindness and your care you broke me, unstrung my will to do you harm and near took my reason with it.

You are a king. You cannot be broken.

*he looks away from the dark sea of her eyes.*

You have far too much faith in the power of kings, Lady.

I gave you nothing but that which was your right, though you turned it to venom ere you threw it back in my face. You are a survivor, a soothsayer, a scion of kings-- you are strong in yourself, Kassandra, and though I do not trust you, neither can I scorn you, ever.

*she pours wine into the second cup, waters it, brings it in both hands to her lips and then offers it across the table to him*

I do not trust you.
Whatever power you wield here, Odysseus War-King, it has found ways to touch me.

I will not trust you, trickster. But I swear, upon my mighty ancestors, kings in a right line from the god, that not again will I try to harm your person, or your spirit. By Olympos over, by dark Hades under, by water, by fire, I will do no harm.

Now will you drink with me?

*he shivers slightly at the oath, as though at the clash of two swords meeting, well-matched. After a moment he takes the cup from her hands and raises it to his own mouth, drinking deeply.*

I accept your oath, and give you mine.

What little power I have here, I will not use against you.

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