driftfleet | (no subject)

[Given the multi-dimensional aspect of the place there was always a chance he was of a people where that was the average stature, but it did seem less likely hearing that he was from the same world as Jon and Theon.] Of course it doesn't make you better.

I have my powers because I'm a mutant. We're...not well liked. Feared. Hated. I'm one of the lucky ones I guess because I can pass for human. [Which comes with it's own issues. She doesn't want to be accepted one moment and cast out the next. So she can be almost abrasively upfront about it at times to get it out of the way. Though that impulse has soften over her time in this place and the one before it.] But mutations can cause all kinds of different physical appearances along with abilities having like blue fur and a tail.

[Well no, Jon and Theon were young, fit men and they were clearly both attractive in their own ways, yet lacking in common sense and in Theon's case, any kind of charm. Tyrion was a short little man with a silver tongue, a sharp mind, and all the charm both could buy.]

[He nods his head slowly, before he gives her a warm smile.] Then in your understanding, I would be considered a 'mutant'. Dwarves are looked down upon, most are sadly mentally addled and the rest are either killed at birth or forced to the lowest rungs of society. I ... through fortune or misfortune of birth, was born to the richest family in all of Westeros. Therefore I was hated, despised, and yet -- I am a Lannister. A little mountain of gold. So liked by no one, forced down everyone's throat.

[She frowns at his story. She's from a world full of horrors, but that doesn't mean hearing of the misfortunes of others means nothing to her.] I think there are similarities. [But many differences too. And mutants had become the hunters, not the hunted.] There are people like you there. I think they probably have to deal with a lot of staring and mocking. [She's thinking more before things changed. Now? Who knows. Survival is slim at best for everyone.]

[She sighs and picks up her drink.] Being different is a bad reason to hate someone. [Drinking.] It sounds like you had a rough time. Is it better here?

[He took a longer draw off of his own drink, draining most of it as he thinks about that. A world of people like him. Poor bastards. He shook his head.] Then I feel empathy for them - no one should live as we have been forced to live.

[He brightened, before he smirked and gestured to himself.] I am wealthy in my own right, I have friends I did not need to buy, and smart, beautiful women will sit in public and drink with me without shame. If I were not here against my will ... I would honestly prefer it.

[It is not lost on her he added "smart" in there along with the physical compliment this time.] Yeah, the freedom thing is kind of a huge issue. [She smiles ruefully.]

Did you really have to buy all your friends there? I can't imagine spending time with someone I didn't want to spend time with just for money.

[Well, she is clearly intelligent and witty - and nine times out of ten he is going to prefer a woman with brains in her head.] Precisely so ... to be free is the greatest luxury, and one I cannot yet afford to buy, it seems.

[He thinks about that, hard.] ... Not... necessarily. Some friends I made simply by talking to them. But yes, for the most part, coin was involved. Remember, mutant. [A faint twisting of his mouth, before he frowns.] Although why so many of them stayed around afterwards is a bit beyond me.

Is it that strange to think maybe they just liked you?

You're not so bad to talk to. [She smiles. Much less free with the compliments than he is.] And I think people usually get over their initial preconceived bullshit with time.

... Yes actually, it might actually be unheard of.

[He dipped his head. It is still one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to him.] I thank you for the hope, at any rate. I hope I shall not bore you overly much. [He gestured to the waitress.] Another one? And whilst we wait -- tell me more of your world. What do you do there, besides have fantastic abilities?

Sure. Thanks. [She isn't drinking at his rate, but it seems like the polite thing to keep up a little at least at the beginning.]

And unless there's something I'm missing, I'd think plenty of people would like talking to you. [She thinks he's smart and clever and doesn't seem afraid to say what's on his mind. She takes a drink of her cocktail as she considers his request.]

I feel like this should come with a warning. My world's not a pleasant one. I was with a team of mutants called the X-Men. We were fighting a war against a powerful, immortal mutant who was committing the genocide of humanity. Society collapsed. Half the world was just completely destroyed. Just death on a massive scale. [She looks apologetic as she pauses there for reaction.]

[He'll have to slow down at three - he isn't here to get drunk after all. Just pleasantly tipsy with lovely company.]

Mmm ... as I said, my physical ailments have usually done the trick. I have found here though, that people do not look at me twice, nor do they know my family's rather sorted history -- so I am free to simply be ... Tyrion. A burden I do enjoy losing.

[He stared at her for a moment, before his lips twitch up.] Mmm. I am currently in the middle of a war between at least three different supposed kings for Westeros, half a world a way and trying to build an army for a Queen I have yet to meet. Let us just say ... my concept of pleasant is somewhat skewed. Please, do continue.

[She takes that in, nodding. Her world doesn't have the market cornered on strife after all.] Fair enough.

More recently, after my husband was badly wounded he wasn't ready to fight anymore, so we took positions training the next generation of mutants. [Who were barely younger than her really.] We'd been doing that for a little while before a greater plan for taking out our enemy came together. I was pulled out during the final battle.

[Now amusement was going to color his face - aha, so she was married. No wonder she had taken his flirtations in stride, she had no real interest.

He sipped his drink again, nodding his head, before he frowned.] So ... you do not know how the battle ended?

[She should probably get used to saying "ex-husband" or just "Piotr" when he comes up, but old habits...] Oh, I do. One of my teammates is here from a few years into a future I wasn't expecting anyone to have. We won that battle. [But not the war even if it seemed like it at the time.] I didn't survive. But that part I've known for awhile. [It's not a recent pain. Don't worry, there won't be any tears coming.]

[He looked pensive at that, and while he didn't reach out to touch her, his tone is clearly sympathetic.] I am sorry for that ... but, I am happy that you have had the chance to survive here. What about your husband, did he die in the battle as well?

[She nods and gives him a soft smile as if to say she's fine.] Thank you.

[And now a sigh.] Okay, but remember you're the one who said your concept of pleasant is somewhat skewed. [Not that anyone should take pleasure from the rest of this story, but she assumes if she waves him off for his sake that he'll say it's unnecessary. She's also not impressive at holding her liquor and while she's far from drunk one glass already gave her a warm, pleasant feeling that tends to insulate against such things.]

He hadn't entirely been himself since his injuries and he'd recently learned his sister was alive and that she might be in danger and... [She trails off, not really wanting to make excuses for him even though she knows—believes—there was no malice in his actions.]

He was trying to stop us from completing the mission. I blocked him thinking he would never hurt me, so I didn't become intangible. [She laughs softly.] And then one of our teammates killed him for killing me. The enemy must have been impressed. Trust is a real killer.

Unbelievably skewed. [He stated firmly, because honestly he cannot think of his life back in Westeros without thinking of the many, many horrors he has endured over the years. Her story, however, did make both of his eyebrows raise together in faint horror.]

I see ... he loved you, but not enough not to hurt you. [He sipped his drink again, and said frankly.] If he raised a hand to you instead of speaking with you, even in anger ... then I cannot say he was a good husband. I should know - I was rather a bad one myself.

[She can't really disagree. Oh, there were good times in as much as any times were really good there and she believes they loved each other. Part of her still loves him. But they are over even if this place tries to overturn his death too. There's no going back after that. She's moved on. She'll keep moving forward without him.]

You were married?

Are you saying you hurt her? [Not something she would normally ask of course and there's no contempt in her voice. She's just trying to get a better idea of what he's saying.]

[He looked down into his glass, thinking about downing it, but instead speaks as frankly as he can. This woman was killed by her own husband - she deserves the truth here.]

I was, when I was thirteen, for about a year to a young miller's daughter. Her name was Tysha. My father, ashamed of the marriage ... had my brother lie to me, and tell me that she never loved me, that she was actually a whore they had paid off to take my manhood, but I was never supposed to marry her.

[He shook his head.] I will not sully her honor, by telling you what my father had done to her, but I will tell you that I was forced to hurt her ... and even though I thought she lied about loving me, I never wanted to do anything to hurt her like that. Oh, but my father's honor demanded it ...

[Something dark twisted his face then, before it disappeared into weariness.] He is dead now, and she is gone - ran far, far away I hope. Now, and for always. It will not take away my sins, but at least she is free.

Edited 2016-04-15 01:03 (UTC)

Thirteen? [Softer.] You were just kids. [Not that she knows how old the girl was. Even younger? Thirteen is probably the last age she'd ever call someone a kid. It was the age she grew up hard and fast and she knows how strong you can be at that age when you have to be, but she also knows you shouldn't have to be.]

I'm not sure if that makes you a bad husband, but I'd say it makes you father a bad man and father. [Which can be a bold thing to say about someone's family even if they'd say it themselves, but she's still wondering about Tysha.] I'm sorry.

Thirteen ... she was a little older, but not by much. [He thinks back on her, with her sweet voice and her soft eyes, and he puts one hand to his chest because yes, it still pains him.

Your first love always does.]

Hmmm... that is altogether too true. [His mouth twists.] I'm also the brother to two horrific, murdering liars, and I was the uncle to a psychopath, I believe it is called. Frankly -- I'm surprised I turned out sane after all this time.

[And his smirk twisted more.] You see what I mean about understanding horrific circumstances?

[She notices that he has the look of someone still very much affected by it all. Kitty's gaze is sympathetic.] I can see why you wanted the drinks for it. [She smiles softly.]

Are they the only family you've had? I have a habit of building my own. [A pause.] Not by having children. [Just making that part clear. She wanted them once and still does in a way, but it doesn't feel like something in the cards.]

It does help ... relax the tongue, allow a few more truths out than I normally would allow. [He gave her a rueful smile of his own.]

No ... I have had some decent aunt and uncles. A niece and nephew that I adore. [He considers.] I might have bastards out there, but no one has brought them forward for my attention.

That's...a thought. [One she can't really imagine, but she's not in a position to be able to imagine such things.] I'm glad some of your given family worked out at least. Maybe you'll find some extras here with time.

Or the traditional way. Who knows? I'm sure it doesn't always end in trauma. [A little smirk as she starts the second drink.]

I have ... actually. Good men and women who I would be proud to call family, if they let me. [Fenris was a good man - elf ... man. Lily was the very best. So many others...]

Hmmm. One would hope. Marriage cannot always be something one is trapped into, and children should be a blessing. [He mused aloud, as he sips again.] Would you try again? With someone else?

Even better. [That gets a warmer smile from her. She knows the comfort that can come with having someone close enough to think of as family. She had that in the prison. Things here are still new, but she has some friends at least and Kurt who is family from back home.]

Hm, did I mention I was in another of these things before? A prison. Same situation though. People from different worlds and everything. I met someone there. He was nothing like my husband. He's a genius. He was the one who could do that speed reading I mentioned. I could take him in a fight with my eyes closed and both hand behind my back. [Smiling.] Not that I'd need to or want to. Fell in love again. Started thinking marriage and kids. [Even if that wasn't possible in the prison. And for the moment she'll just skip the painful ending of that one too which is a little more complicated than just "and now I'm here."] So, yeah, I guess I would. Hearts are stupid. [She makes a soft sound of amusement.]

What about you?