WHEN: After the fall
WHERE: Dashrix Manor, Lex's Library
WHO: Lex Dashrix and Thirteen
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[19:53] Lex Dashrix raised the teacup to his lips absently, his focus entirely on the tome in his hand as he took a slow sip. Lips curling is distaste his attention was pulled to the liquid long gone tepid in the face of his distraction. With a murmured incantation and pass of his hand over the cup he raised the temperature to near scalding once more and set it aside to cool, likely not for the first time today, while he continued to peruse the work before him drawing on the ancient text as he committed its contents to his prodigious memory. He'd like as not missed at least one meal in his near fugue state studying the latest addition to his library.
[19:58] Thirteen (aimee.aurelia): Thirteen's heels clicked softly on the wood floors, signaling her arrival before she stepped into the heart of Lex's sanctum. "Good evening, Professor," she murmured, a small tea tray in her hands that she bent over to set on the table. She'd certainly taken that from one of his servitors though it did somewhat increase the chance that he might actually eat. "You've missed tea time." Rather than leaving, she paused near the hearth and its flame, her posture still and patient. A hundred years in this vessel, and she had never learned to fidget. It had never been a desired trait nor was it one that Thirteen had any value in. Not quite as still as the automatons as her chest still rose and fell with her breathing and that pulse point still thumped steadily in her stolen veins.
[20:07] Lex Dashrix: Looking from his oft reheated cup of stale tea to the new tray Lex blinked slowly as he processed the recent passage of time implied by her statement. He paused to take stock of his biological imperatives and let out a small sigh of frustration at his bodies need for sustenance. Placing a ribbon of dark cloth across the page he closed the book setting it carefully aside before reaching for one of the small cakes on the tray. He took a bite and methodically chewed before taking another until the entirety was gone and lifted his stale tea to his lips only the scent reminding him to exchange it for the fresh cup before he drank. Setting the refreshed drink on the saucer recently occupied by his morning cup he looked across the room at his finest creation. "I have not missed so many meals you would feel the need to intervene." he pointed out as he watched th slow rise and fall of her chest taking her movement and lack thereof analytically. "What concerns you Precious?"
[20:11] Thirteen (aimee.aurelia) tipped her head to the side, "I wish to discuss Naoki's recent punishment now that it has concluded," Thirteen said directly, taking a step forward to settle into easy conversational distance. She made no move to make herself more comfortable nor would not until invited to do so. Only Thirteen would sum up the decades of waiting for Naoki to remake his body until it was just right as 'recent punishment'. "While I generally do not enjoy when Naoki is punished, I have specific concerns about this particular punishment and I would like to discuss it before the chapter is closed, please. I would have order put to my thoughts and feelings."
[20:22] Lex Dashrix looked up to meet her gaze eyes narrowing slightly as he read her expression or rather the lack thereof. This was no fit of pique or tantrum from the pampered favorite of the household. "Very well." he replied allowing her to continue to stand over him whilst she expressed her disquiet fully. He carefully folded his hands in his lap and offered a small permissive nod, "Continue." he allowed gently so as to avoid any implication of prejudice upon her feelings.
[20:28] Thirteen (aimee.aurelia) paused for a moment, not hesitation but rather choosing her words with what was, even for Thirteen, unusual precision. It was a sign that this had been something she had been weighing and turning over for some time. "I have been upset," she said, giving words to something that had not been secret. While Thirteen had never protested nor had she complained, that she had been regularly disappointed by Naoki's physical absence had been clear. "It has taken me some time to untangle. I never *enjoy* when Naoki requires correction but I understand that it is necessary for the both of you which has been tangled with the disquiet I have been having trouble putting into words. I understand why Naoki was punished. I understand why this lesson took time. What I don't understand... what was I punished for, Professor? I have run every moment, every choice through from every angle I can think of. I cannot understand why I was punished so severely. What did I do wrong, Professor?"
[20:44] Lex Dashrix: The Professor let the full weight of his formidable focus fall upon her as she spoke. He took in every tick and inflection of her words and processed the precise words chosen with rapt attention for each detail and the implications thereof. "You are correct Precious." he allowed up front acknowledging her analysis of her own actions had been well ordered and without fault. "You did nothing wrong." he reaffirmed tone cool and even in the face of the admission. He paused ensuring his words sunk in fully, that the affirmation of her exquisite obedience was not lost on the living dead girl. When he finally spoke once more his tone was precise and measured as he corrected her singular fault in reasoning, "And so, you were not punished." he stated with finality eyes traveling her face looking for the subtle changes that might indicate her reaction to so bold a proclamation. "Punishment," he clarified pointedly, "Is corrective to adverse behaviors." Lex elaborated with care. "You were not punished, you suffered." words after all mattered.
[20:49] Thirteen (aimee.aurelia) blinked at that, her brow creasing in utter confusion. Her hands hovered for a moment, shedding more aether than usual like golden dust from her fingertips before she curled them tightly into fists before forcing them to spread flat and turn palm up. It was devastation that flickered across her features then. "But... why?" The words were whispered; forlorn. "Why would you let me suffer, Professor? For what purpose? It *hurt*." Her words were wounded, heart-torn. They were the words of a faithful devotee that had never questioned her Creator in all of his seemingly infinite wisdom. Even now, she didn't question that there *was* some purpose, just that it eluded her understanding as clearly, to Thirteen, the end to her pain had always been in Lex's broad hands.
[21:03] Lex Dashrix: "Because I allowed it." Lex replied openly not denying his culpability in this any more than he would any other action. "Because there was no less hurtful option." He settled his hands on the arms of his chair and let out a slow sigh. "Because you deserve to live not merely exist, unfortunately suffering is part of life." he nodded softly and lightly gestured permission that she join him should she desire the comfort of touch in response to these revelations. "And because I needed you at my side in his absence." he admitted the selfish part of himself that made her stay despite the pain it caused.
[21:09] Thirteen (aimee.aurelia) searched his expression for a long moment before slipping to her knees before him gracefully. Thirteen curled on the ground, resting her cheek on his thigh, tucking her long legs under herself. For a while, she said nothing in response, absorbing those words and weighing them alongside her feelings and experiences. For a long moment, she was silent and still between his legs. Though not stiff, she had not fully melted into him as she did sometimes when relaxed and pliant. "It is like the birth, then," she said after a long moment. "Without the aches and pains, I would not have Ichi. I can understand that sometimes the best path forwards is not the easiest path. I do not like suffering, Professor."
[21:22] Lex Dashrix: Running his fingers through her soft locks Lex nodded agreement as she spoke and began to settle. "It is similar yes." Lex acknowledged the parallels she drew. "Some say that suffering holds some divine purpose, or sharpens the joy of life." he explained with equal disdain for both philosophies. "But suffering simply is." he stated with finality, "But it can be fought." the Professor cupped her cheek to turn her face up towards him, "And I promise you this." he stated firmly without hesitation, "We shall not again be cause of your suffering." There was weight to the words beyond the solemnity of the vow, "And woe be to any other who might dare."
[21:28] Thirteen (aimee.aurelia) that was what Thirteen needed and the tension finally went out of her body entirely. "Thank you, Professor," Thirteen whispered against his hand, her lips curving in that smile of absolute devotion before closing as she leaned into the hand on her cheek. Thirteen's other hand came up to curve over the back of his hand and she turned, pressing a soft kiss to his palm. "I was... I was afraid. A very small part of me was afraid it was punishment for the baby. I know that your Father interfered. I know it wasn't on your time table. I am sorry, Professor. I should not have doubted. Please, forgive me."
[21:40] Lex Dashrix: Lex let out a sigh of satisfaction as she once more contentedly relaxed to his touch. A rare smile touching his lips at her mention of his Father and his meddling. "I regret only giving you reason to doubt." He replied in a hushed whisper and dropped hand under her knees to pull her effortlessly into his lap. "Be not afraid." his words held the smallest lilt of humor, "Should you require correction you will know why." he guaranteed the broad hand on her backside lightly tapping for emphasis.
[21:45] Thirteen (aimee.aurelia) gave Lex a slightly impish smile that he hadn't seen in far too long. "I prefer treats to correction," she teased, holding herself up long enough to collect the book that he'd set aside and hold it to him to take before she settled into his shoulder, turning her face into the hollow of his throat. It wasn't as if they'd missed out on these little rituals in the years of Naoki's banishment but it had been some time before the weight of their lover's punishment hadn't hung heavy in the air. This time, however, Thirteen was finally able to release the doubts and stresses as she tucked herself into his side, content to play his lap pet while he returned to the book that had so absorbed him. Before Lex could tip his head down fully, she reached up her fingertips to gently graze his chin. "I love you, Lex," she said very softly.
[21:51] Lex Dashrix: "I know." he replied as he pressed a kiss to her lips and pulled her in close tucking her head on his shoulder and lightly tracing the sigils glittering across her knee as the book rose up in spectral hands to flip to his marked place as he resumed his study.
