dark is the new black

[imperious]

ooc; okay, so I figured the easiest way for me to do this was to set up the post and then set up two different threads: one for canon-alignment shifted Peony, one for AUDark!Peony, so...yes. :|b

Comments

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

That doesn't even -

[he takes a deep breath and moves closer to Jade, looking concerned and disturbed. His voice is gentler, like he's trying to talk Jade down from the edge]

Why would I refuse to marry if I fell in love with her?

[he also wonders why he would even fall in love with Nephry, but something is going on with Jade and he doesn't want to risk Jade being insulted on behalf of his sister]

[clinical]

As strange as it sounds, I've been asking you that for years. You seem to find a loveless political marriage unappealing.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

[he smiles a little. Jade's stupidity is cute, even when Peony is worried Jade has lost it]

I mean if I fell in love with her, why wouldn't I marry her?

[clinical]

[He shrugs.] She married Osborne while you were in Grand Chokmah. And for whatever reason, you keep rejecting my offers to remove that problem.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

Probably because she couldn't have been that much in love with me if she up and married another guy. It would be stupid to do anything after that.

[he sits down on the edge of his desk, considering Jade closely, concern and pity and some affection flickering across his features]

You seem so convinced that if this is an experiment, I'm the victim. How can you be sure you're not my Jade, and you're the one whose memories have been altered?

[clinical]

[Because he doesn't want to believe in a world where Peony married for less than love.]

[He ignores the pity. He's a soldier. He is doing his job.]

At this point, I cannot. But as we have Guy and Dist on the Plane, I see no reason we can't confer with them to establish the truth. Whatever the result, experiments apparently run their course. We'll find out eventually.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

So it's going to be like that? We can't even be friends anymore until this is all over.

[standing up, he walks over to Jade]

What happens if their world is this world? Will you be okay?

[because whether or not it eventually runs its course, Jade seems pretty distressed by the idea of this world.]

[clinical]

[Jade smiles a monster's smile, but it's a lie.] As horrifying as the thought of you reproducing is, I think I can stomach a world like this.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

[he steps into Jade's personal space, a hand on his shoulder as he leans in to whisper in Jade's ear, the smile evident in his voice]

You shouldn't lie so easily to me. Whatever different realities we're from, I'll always know you, Jade.

[clinical]

[How strange. Jade was sure that when he figured out the issue, he would feel less unsettled.]

Is that so? As for myself, I don't feel like I know you at all.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

[Peony pulls away from Jade]

What a rude thing to say. If this were any other situation I might be hurt.

[and then he smiles]

Have dinner with me tonight. It will be an easy way to figure out what's going on, right? There should be another Jade around here somewhere if you're right, and then we'll know. And hey, you'll get to meet the wife and kids, too.

[clinical]

[Jade adjusts his glasses.] I'd rather not.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

Why not? Before you condemn my reality, don't you think you should actually get a look at it first?

[clinical]

How well do you think that will work, Your Majesty? I don't even know your children's names. I'm capable of lying. I'm not capable of living someone else's life.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

That's easy. The boy is Franz and the girl is Gelda. [Peony smiles] Problem solved.

[clinical]

[Jade's eyes narrow and his jaw shuts tightly. He takes a moment before he speaks again.] As helpful as that is, it will not be enough. I won't have enough information to pretend to be him.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

You know yourself. How well do you really think you know my family in this world? You have dinner with us and spend holidays with us, but you barely talk to the kids and my wife can't stand you. You'll be fine.

[an apologetic smile]

And I'm sorry, that was a bad joke. I guess your Peony doesn't make them very often.

[sigh] I had to name the boy Karl, my old man was still alive, and you know how those things go. The girl is Azure. And my wife is Cersei.

[a pleading look] All right?

[clinical]

[Jade doesn't know what to say for a moment. He is angry and injured, horrified and hurt, the easiest read he has ever been and he isn't trying to hide it.

Anyone who can hurt a monster like this should be terrified of what they are.]

Excuse me. Your Majesty.

[He disappears back to the Astral Plane.]

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

[Peony follows after him back to the Plane and grabs him by the elbow when he catches up with him]

I'm sorry. I really am. [sigh] You hurt me, so I guess I wanted to hurt you, too. It was cruel. I shouldn't have joked about that.

[releasing Jade and running a hand through his hair]

[seriously] I'm sorry.

[clinical]

[Jade looks at him, cold and calm and clear. There is no trace of the emotions that were there before.] Doubtless.

What do you want?

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

I'm worried about you. Even if you think I'm a monster, I'm still worried about you.

What if you are my Jade? I can't abandon you like that. [a meek smile] You wouldn't abandon me like that, would you? I mean, if you thought there was any chance I could be your Peony.

[clinical]

If I am your Jade, he will remember what just happened. Whatever his relationship with you, it will be at least a little poisoned by what I reacted. He'll have been changed.

You had better learn to play a better game, Your Majesty. Who knows what damage you could be doing the claim you have on your favourite pet monster?

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

[he clenches his jaw, eyes narrowed and accusing] Is that what happens now? Tell me, what must Gailardia think of you after what you did to him? He hated us both when he was that person. Do you think he still hates us now? Do you think if I'm your Peony I'll still be this person when this experiment ends, even just a little?

[he exhales, and his demeanor changes. he smiles gently at Jade, and his tone is just as gentle and warm] I trust my Jade, and I know I have his trust, too. Hate me if you must, but I even trust you. You're still Jade, and I won't give up on you. I'm sure even your Peony wouldn't forgive me if I gave up on a close friend so easily just because of a few differences in our realities.

[clinical]

Guy has changed. Perhaps you didn't notice, but he's afraid of his anger again. As afraid as he was before Luke saved him. He is afraid of the potential he was shown.

That's the point. I was taught to take responsibility for what I do. If I'm right, then Peony will learn just what he may have been capable of. Perhaps he'll be less aggressive than he'll need to be, but I'm not worried. He has me for ruthlessness. If you're right, Jade will learn what you would have been capable of if you were better than you are. Perhaps he'll decide that if he can't have that person, he isn't altogether confident that he wants to belong to what is really here.

I think you had better hope that you are wrong.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

[smiling, amused] And what is this Peony of yours capable of? What makes him so wonderful that my Jade would give up on me so easily?