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

[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?

[clinical]

Personally, I'm curious what has brought about such an appalling result in you. Court life was always difficult, but you always fought those battles on your own terms. Your practicality did not compromise your ethics.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

I don't know how to even answer that questions, since I'm not even sure what your definition is of appalling. Why don't you tell me how you think I should be, and we can start from there.

[Peony takes a seat on the Plane floor, legs crossed and relaxed and casual, not at all unlike how Jade's Peony would seat himself in the same situation, open and ready to listen to whatever Jade wants to tell him]

[clinical]

Your preoccupation with discretion is understandable and forgivable. Your willingness to marry for your career isn't altogether surprising. [Even if it is disturbing.] Nor do I have any doubts that you truly care for me.

I won't tolerate manipulation. Not from you.

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

Who says it was for my career? Maybe I was in love like your Peony and just didn't get rejected by the girl.

[calm and soothing and apologetic] I wouldn't expect you to either. I'm not like that with my Jade, which I'm sure you'll realize if you are him. It's because you're not my Jade, and I was worried and scared. I won't do that to you in the future. It's only fair. After all, I wouldn't want your Peony to do anything like that to my Jade.

[clinical]

Why do you have rappigs?

[imperiator.livejournal.com]

[grin] I like having pets.

[a beat] Honestly? It started out as a ploy, yeah. If people think I'm a soft-hearted idiot, of course they'll underestimate me. It doesn't mean I don't love having pets, and it sure as hell doesn't mean I don't love them.

You know how it is, even us monsters can somehow love others.

[clinical]

[He rolls his eyes.] You can stop that. You aren't a monster, just a politician.