milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

[for the first time in over a week, Delia comes down into the bar. Not in her silken gown, but in jeans and a top from some party that she found in Indy's apartment.]

[and oh, she's carrying his gun]

[heading outside (air, air, she needs air), the young woman walks directly to her practice tree, and begins to fire]

[she's uncannily good at it.]

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*It is perhaps a good thing that she chose that tree and not the one to her immediate right. Eyes wide, Alanna watches her from among the lower branches, the leg that had been swinging rather vigorously moments before hanging like a dead weight now. She opens and closes her mouth several times, her eyes shifting from the gun to Delia's face.

Great Mother... there are things we can not truly believe until we see them with our own eyes.

And I'm not just talking about her aim.

She shifts, and a branch rustles.*

[she hears the branch, and her eyes flick. Bringing the gun back (left hand, she's left handed), she tilts her head.]

[evenly]

Good morning, Alanna.

*Heart pounding steadily, Alanna drops out of the tree and lands like a cat. The silence feels more comfortable than words would be, so she advances slowly, almost as if she's stalking the other woman. Stopping abruptly, she stares.

And stares some more. It's all rather hard to believe.

What's even harder to believe is that Alanna bows deeply, respectfully, and looks up at Delia with a small smile.*

I am glad, Lady Delia, that you have returned.

[softly, with the star on her left hand throbbing slightly]

Yes, I am, Sir Alanna.

*Alanna swallows, not at all sure what to say.*

Are you alright? Did you... spend time with the Black God?

[a little smile, bittersweet]

He wasn't too happy with me. So, yes, I did.

*Biting her lip, Alanna turns to look at the lake.*

I wish... *Her voice drops to a near whisper again.* I wouldn't have left you there, Delia. Indy wouldn't have either.

[a blink, and she's sounding much like Delia again]

Ah, Alanna? Do you honestly think I didn't know what I was doing?

*Alanna quirks an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying that. After all, things don't always go according to plan when dealing with the Gods.*

You must have been awfully sure of yourself. How long did you plan this?

Since I spoke with George, [she admits with a shrug, transfering the gun to her other hand and rubbing the scar]

Three promises, three binding promises to bring me back. Even the gods acknowledge promises.

I wondered... *Alanna trails off, staring at the gun. She wants to scream in frustration, shake Delia, somehow explain what the last week had been like... but all she can do is stare at the gun and think of how she planned to shoot Delia before the flames grew too high and painful.* It is done. You are here... and dead. *She shakes her head, still bemused.* Indy truly loves you.

But you know all this.

I just want to say something before we go back to our usual ways. Thank you for what you said about Thom. And I... *she stumbles over the words* would have done the same. I respect your decision, Delia.

*Scowling, she kicks at a stone.*

[Delia shakes her head, wiping away sudden tears with a rough hand]

It was the right thing. Admit that I was wrong, that I fucked it all up. Right thing to pay with my life for that.

[softly, helplessly]

I told you all I would be back.

Yes, you did. *Alanna clasps her hands together tightly and eyes her.* You kept your word. But at what price, Delia?

[her chin goes up]

No children for Delia, no going back to Tortall and family there. I leave Milliways when I was supposed to die.

[a little grin]

The gods didn't expect me to die, either.

*Alanna winces. No matter that Delia got what she wanted, it couldn't have been easy.*

You've never been boring and done the expected. Surely the Gods know that?

I am one of the Crooked God's, Alanna, so in that they should have expected yes.

[she smiles]

I guess they thought like you and everyone else.

I suppose. *She smirks a tiny bit.* Why the gun?

Oh, I just felt like shooting something.

*Alanna rubs her forehead.*

Hopefully not me. Until later, Delia. I'm sure I will see you soon.

*Shaking her head, Alanna returns to the bar.*

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