itscurtains | Is This Where You Wanna Be? Crawling On Your Hands and Knees?

Is This Where You Wanna Be? Crawling On Your Hands and Knees?

[In a perfect world, Maya would have been able to isolate herself for the rest of the evening. It's not like her to wallow in her feelings, but it's also not like her to be trapped away in a murder school or part of an execution so... not like she has much choice there. Besides, between the influence of Janis, and the sight of her remaining dormmates, it's clear that Maya simply can't... let things go.

It's like she told the SQUIP. They look to her for hope. And so, hope she must be. It's her job to stand tall for the others. Thankfully help comes easier this time -- there's no need to scruff Discord, or try to keep Spongebob from making Hate Patties. Maybe that, in and of itself, is a good sign.

It's just another fluke. They'll be okay. They're together, after all. Even Salieri and Discord are getting along well enough to help.

Cutting potatoes proves to be an interesting task, considering the fact that most of the knives are missing. Maya has a few guesses as to how that happened, but she won't point fingers again today. She makes do with what she has -- two swords between her and Cassandra.

Potatoes, cakes, pies -- the arrangement is much the same. There's even cocoa (made by less experienced hands, unfortunately), and alcohol. It all feels like a repeat of last week, but she's trying to not think about it. She does her best to keep a smile on her face as she knocks on each door, inviting others to the cafeteria once more.]

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[Salieri, for once, does not seem particularly uncomfortable with the arm around his shoulders. In fact, he seems to relax just slightly.]

Hmm. Let me think...[he pauses to consider, taking a sip of his wine]

Perhaps both? I have been considering that partnership you suggested at the meeting...

[...Oho.]

Oh, we could do that and so much more. Think about all the mayhem we could cause, teaming up.

Is that so?

[he'll get an arched eyebrow for that]

I suppose...but I do have a comfortable position in Court that I have worked rather hard for. Is a little mayhem worth that much?

A little mayhem? Oh come now, Maestro, really, who do you think you're talking to here?

[He smirks, backing away from Salieri and walking away a little, around the table they've been setting.]

[He casually goes to sit on the cafeteria table, smirking at Salieri, and...]

Right here, right now
I put the offer out
I don't want to chase you down
I know you see it
You run with me
And I can cut you free
Out of the drudgery and walls you keep in!

So trade that typical for something colorful
And if it's crazy, live a little crazy
You can play it sensible, a king of conventional
Or you can risk it all and seeeeee...

[And he slides down, onto the seat next to the table, snapping his fingers and floating the other cups up a little.]

Don't you wanna get away from the same old part you gotta play
'Cause I got what you need, so come with me and take the ride
It'll take you to the other side

'Cause you can do like you do
Or you can do like me
Stay in the cage, or you'll finally take the key
Oh, damn! Suddenly you're free to fly
It'll take you to the other side!

[Salieri watches as Discord takes some steps back and sits on the table, and launches into that. He tilts his head slightly, listening to what he's saying...it's an intriguing proposition to be sure, but...well, what's the game without a little chase?]

Okay, my friend, you wanna cut me in
Well, I hate to tell you, but it just won't happen

[he moves to pour himself another cup of wine--and then a second]

So thanks, but no
I think I'm good to go
'Cause I quite enjoy the life you say I'm trapped in.

[he picks up both cups, turning to face Discord again, advancing on him with both cups and holding one out to be taken]

Now I admire you, and that whole show you do
You're on to something, really it's something
But I live among the swells, and we don't pick up peanut shells
I'll have to leave that up to you

[he takes a step back once it's taken, spreading his arms as if to say 'look at me, and look at this']

Don't you know that I'm OK with this uptown part I get to play?
'Cause I got what I need and I don't wanna take the ride
I don't need to see the other side

[he inclines his head, making a dismissive motion with his hand]
So go and do like you do
I'm good to do like me
Ain't in a cage, so I don't need to take the key
Oh, damn! Can't you see I'm doing fine?
I don't need to see the other side

[Discord takes the cup, before leaning over the table, resting his head on his hand for a second.]

Now is this really how you like to spend your days?
Wining and dining, and parties and plays

[Salieri sticks his nose in the air a bit, eyeing him archly]

If I were mixed up with you, I'd be the talk of the town
Disgraced and disowned, another one of the clowns

[He just casually sits up and hops over the table to get to Salieri, cup of wine still in hand, advancing closer.]

But you would finally live a little
Finally laugh a little

[He leans down to rest his arm on Salieri's shoulder, getting real up close and personal.]

Just let me give you the freedom to dream
And it'll wake you up and cure your aching
Take your walls and start 'em breaking

[...and leaning back again, shrugging casually, but staying close still.]

Now that's a deal that seems worth taking
But I guess I'll leave that up to you...

[Discord's arm goes around his shoulders again, and Salieri listens again, somehow not feeling even tempted to shy away from the contact]

Well, it's intriguing, but to go would cost me greatly...

[He huffs, stepping out from under Discord's arm and directly in front of him instead]

So you've offered me an alternating choice of targets, which is certainly something...however, what if I'd like a bit more than that for what I'd be giving up?

Edited 2021-06-20 20:02 (UTC)

Personally I'd argue that I'd be saving you from this and you're losing nothing at all, but... very well.

What do you want?

You said you can travel across dimensions, correct?

With no more trouble than stepping through a door, yes.

Then I would like to have the choice to be able to be able to travel to the dimensions of the others here instead of choosing a target.

Oh?

[Now, that's intriguing. Discord crosses his arms, eyeing Salieri with amusement.]

Trying to get free dimensional travel out of me, is it? I'm impressed, Maestro, that's quite the deal you're asking for.

I think it's quite fair, considering how hard I've hard to work for my position back in the Court. I'll have you know that there's a rumor that I might be in position for the next Kapellmeister.

[if he's exaggerating a little, who's to say???

But, he does arch an eyebrow at Discord, taking a sip of his wine]

Well? What say you?

I think you could do much better than a little title like that. But...

[And he leans forwards and down a little, so he can get right up in Salieri's face.]

I say you've got yourself a deal.

[Oh.

Oh that is very close. Salieri barely keeps himself from sucking in a breath, instead keeping his expression a calm arched eyebrow, even as something in his stomach flips over. He chalks this up to the success of his bargaining.

Salieri doesn't step back, merely turns at the waist slightly to set aside his wine, before turning back right into place, offering a hand into the small space between them]

Shall we shake on it?

Edited 2021-06-20 20:20 (UTC)

A little formal and official for my liking, but I suppose I could make an exception. Just the once.

[And he'll take Salieri's hand. Let's shake on it.]

[Discord's hand curls around his, and Salieri grips it tightly for a moment, head tilted up so he can look him in the eyes.

There's some sort of giddy anticipation building in Salieri's chest, causing a smirk to curl the corner of his mouth--this is a risk to take, a big one, to give up everything like this but somehow, it feels right.

It feels like...freedom. For the first time.]

[The eye contact lingers a moment and there's a pleased glint in Discord's eyes, maybe a little much for the situation, but, well. How often does he get to take the Maestro to his level?

It's fun, for one. Rewarding, and just a little exhilarating. And as they shake hands and pull away, Discord's smile is a little more playful of a smirk than just sly.]

Such a pleasure doing business with you, Maestro. You won't regret it.

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