[ All things considered, Magnus would rather an evil like Lilith not know Lucy's name, but they have to be polite here. They have to be courteous and deferential.
[ He sighs quietly, tired, passing annoyed by the fact that he has to put himself into this position, but knowing he must. Even if not for Lucy and George, then for himself. He can't stand the thought of being incomplete like this, now that he knows. ]
My memories were taken from me. A part of me. I can't-- I can't seem to find it in my heart to love anymore.
[ He pauses and though he's taller than her, has a much different sort of presence but still commanding, his look is beseeching. ]
( her expression remains neutral as she thinks, leaving them waiting as moments pass before lilith steps back from the door )
Then you'd better come in.
( it's not entirely an agreement but she would like to know more.
lilith leads them through the apartment, it rather sparse compared to a home (she's newly moved in), taking them to where they can sit and discuss this )
[ Magnus is no fool to think that this is an agreement, but it's a relief anyway to step inside and be considered. He knows what this is; he's done it before. It's only if he's interesting enough that she'll bother with him.
Well, good thing he thinks he's pretty interesting all on his own.
He sits, keeping his hand in Lucy's when possible. ]
It's appears that after everything had gone a bit, ah, hellish, things were given up. Taken away. Whatever powers Duplicity, the program, it changed me.
( she sits across from them, carefully listening, positioned as if a queen listening to something. once lucy's finished speaking they'll hear a squawk from behind them, lilith waving stolas off with her hand )
Love?
( it's such a simple request. if lilith knew of adam, if she really were the queen she might initially be a little more sympathetic. but she doesn't (yet) laugh it off at least, just pulling a little face as if to ask that's all it is? )
For him, in Magnus' world, this is careful business. Not love in and of itself, but something true. Something real. Anyone can fall in or out of love, but there's no way to fabricate real emotion, just temper it or encourage it.
So he feels what he's asking is a big ask and doesn't appreciate either party's reaction. ]
I want you to find a way to undo what they've done. Don't make me fall in love with them again. Don't create anything. But find what's been lost and return it to me.
( a quick confirmation, still ironing out the potential details in her mind, deciding that the best thing to do would be to see what was still inside his head )
Though-- what makes these memories so important if not the love?
( he didn't want just the love back, not asking to fall in love but to remember. so what specifically was he hoping there was? )
[ His gaze cheats towards Lucy at the question. He doesn't love her right now, not the way she wants to be loved and not the way that Magnus is, apparently, capable of. So he's shy, wary of saying too much in front of her.
But what choice does he have? ]
If I remember, the love will be there. If I can't remember... then they've stolen a part of me. I've lived so long. Memories are all that I have. Everyone around me dies and fades away.
I need those memories. I need to be whole again. And I won't let this system change me.
[She shakes her head. She will one day die, and he will be there, still, so young, and he will remember her, and the idea of it breaks her heart a little. Her hand tightens in his.]
[ Magnus considers this for only a second before nodding. He has to remain relaxed which means, in truth, trusting her. He has to trust Lilith, Queen of Hell, Mother of Demons.
( she directs magnus to lay out on the floor before putting him to sleep, sitting herself on the floor as she speaks to lucy, not really looking at her she prepares )
You need to allow this to happen. I'm allowing you to remain-- ( why she didn't know ) providing you touch nothing.
( and as if to remind of his presence stolas squawks again.
instruction given, legs crossed lilith closes her eyes, clearling her mind.
what lucy will see is the sleeping form of magnus and eventually lilith levitating. for magnus she'd directed his dream to be somewhere in duplicity that he feels comfortable, planning to manipulate it in search of what she wanted instead the dream )
[ Where he feels comfortable? His own apartment, done up in the trappings he likes, warm and lushly colored with soft jazz music playing in the background. It's almost like home, in a way.
But better, because George and Lucy are there. He doesn't love them, doesn't feel that spark inside of him, but he's fond of them and he likes having company. Company, despite the fact that he has to keep up a facade for them, makes him feel comfortable. It's just how it is. ]
[Lucy watches, her eyes wide, her hands folded in her lap. She doesnβt move, but Stolas comes close, to inspect her more closely. She keeps her hands to herself, because she was told to, and she needs to obey for Magnusβ sake.
( perhaps it helps that the two are there considering that they are what the memories are concerning )
Tell me of when you first met them.
( she wants to get an idea of their relationship. there's subtle movements of her fingers as she watches them, manipulating the dream through his memories, dialling it back to that moment, searching through his subconsciousness )
[ It's easy enough to get there. The powers that be took his memories of love, his ability to love, not his memories of fun, of excitement, of lust and like.
It stars with Lucy, at the ball, what feels like so long ago. Their instant attraction, their flirtation. The kiss stolen and the sheer happiness Magnus felt at making a pretty girl smile.
Then there's George. They were locked in a room together, required to do filthy things to each other. And Magnus had acquiesced happily. George has his hands above his head, tied to a sconce in a well-appointed room, and Magnus drops to his knees... ]
( lilith watches without saying anything, getting a feeling for him, the two concerned, letting the scenes unfold.
it's here that lilith starts to see the first gaps, the holes where his memories should be even if something isn't necessarily missing from this scene. it's all connected, coming in the future of this.
lilith wakes herself up but keeps magnus asleep, floating back down to the floor as she wakes, gaze lifting to lucy )
I have somewhere to start. ( would it work? usually, yes but she didn't know what had caused this to his memories ) The memories weren't erased but simply-- hidden. Which means they can be uncovered.
[Lucy has been sitting quietly, and Stolas has been hopping closer, to inspect her, so when Lilith wakes Lucy looks up a little surprised, and maybe a little bit unsure.
There is a relief there. She breathes out, and holds back an embarrassing burst of pure gratitude.]
no subject
So he gives Lucy's hand a squeeze. ]
Lucy Pevensie, one of-- my Submissive.
[ George is a Dominant now. He's not his. ]
no subject
[Lucy says it with a slight bob, the smallest but most courteous of motions. She inclined her head, too, and nods.]
I am most grateful for your assistance.
no subject
( she looks more to magnus now, the clear attitude in how they're stood making her believe it's his request )
And what would that be for?
( make it good and she might invite you in )
no subject
My memories were taken from me. A part of me. I can't-- I can't seem to find it in my heart to love anymore.
[ He pauses and though he's taller than her, has a much different sort of presence but still commanding, his look is beseeching. ]
I thought you could help.
no subject
But she doesnβt think that Magnus would appreciate it, so she just stays to the side, still and quiet, her eyes big and blue.
This is something that Magnus and Lilith need to work out for themselves.]
no subject
Then you'd better come in.
( it's not entirely an agreement but she would like to know more.
lilith leads them through the apartment, it rather sparse compared to a home (she's newly moved in), taking them to where they can sit and discuss this )
no subject
Well, good thing he thinks he's pretty interesting all on his own.
He sits, keeping his hand in Lucy's when possible. ]
It's appears that after everything had gone a bit, ah, hellish, things were given up. Taken away. Whatever powers Duplicity, the program, it changed me.
no subject
[Lucy says it, quickly.]
And George. It made him forget he loved at all.
[It made him lesser. It made him feel less, and it hurt more than Lucy can truly describe.]
no subject
Love?
( it's such a simple request. if lilith knew of adam, if she really were the queen she might initially be a little more sympathetic. but she doesn't (yet) laugh it off at least, just pulling a little face as if to ask that's all it is? )
And you want me to find a way to return it?
no subject
For him, in Magnus' world, this is careful business. Not love in and of itself, but something true. Something real. Anyone can fall in or out of love, but there's no way to fabricate real emotion, just temper it or encourage it.
So he feels what he's asking is a big ask and doesn't appreciate either party's reaction. ]
I want you to find a way to undo what they've done. Don't make me fall in love with them again. Don't create anything. But find what's been lost and return it to me.
no subject
-perhaps itβs better if she doesnβt say anything. If Magnus negotiates this himself. So she tilts her head up a little, to look at Lilith.]
If you wish for me to wait here, I will gladly stay where I will not disturb anyone.
no subject
( a quick confirmation, still ironing out the potential details in her mind, deciding that the best thing to do would be to see what was still inside his head )
Though-- what makes these memories so important if not the love?
( he didn't want just the love back, not asking to fall in love but to remember. so what specifically was he hoping there was? )
no subject
But what choice does he have? ]
If I remember, the love will be there. If I can't remember... then they've stolen a part of me. I've lived so long. Memories are all that I have. Everyone around me dies and fades away.
I need those memories. I need to be whole again. And I won't let this system change me.
no subject
He is different. He is a different man.
[She shakes her head. She will one day die, and he will be there, still, so young, and he will remember her, and the idea of it breaks her heart a little. Her hand tightens in his.]
no subject
I can put you into a controlled sleep, guide your mind to see where these memories are missing, to know whether they still remain.
( dreams are simple and the mind often comes to things forgotten when it's asleep )
But you must remain relaxed.
no subject
He's trusted worse creatures than her. ]
I'll do what needs to be done.
Thank you.
no subject
She won't go anywhere. Lilith doesn't seem to think that she needs to go.]
no subject
You need to allow this to happen. I'm allowing you to remain-- ( why she didn't know ) providing you touch nothing.
( and as if to remind of his presence stolas squawks again.
instruction given, legs crossed lilith closes her eyes, clearling her mind.
what lucy will see is the sleeping form of magnus and eventually lilith levitating. for magnus she'd directed his dream to be somewhere in duplicity that he feels comfortable, planning to manipulate it in search of what she wanted instead the dream )
no subject
But better, because George and Lucy are there. He doesn't love them, doesn't feel that spark inside of him, but he's fond of them and he likes having company. Company, despite the fact that he has to keep up a facade for them, makes him feel comfortable. It's just how it is. ]
no subject
But she waits.]
no subject
Tell me of when you first met them.
( she wants to get an idea of their relationship. there's subtle movements of her fingers as she watches them, manipulating the dream through his memories, dialling it back to that moment, searching through his subconsciousness )
no subject
It stars with Lucy, at the ball, what feels like so long ago. Their instant attraction, their flirtation. The kiss stolen and the sheer happiness Magnus felt at making a pretty girl smile.
Then there's George. They were locked in a room together, required to do filthy things to each other. And Magnus had acquiesced happily. George has his hands above his head, tied to a sconce in a well-appointed room, and Magnus drops to his knees... ]
no subject
it's here that lilith starts to see the first gaps, the holes where his memories should be even if something isn't necessarily missing from this scene. it's all connected, coming in the future of this.
lilith wakes herself up but keeps magnus asleep, floating back down to the floor as she wakes, gaze lifting to lucy )
I have somewhere to start. ( would it work? usually, yes but she didn't know what had caused this to his memories ) The memories weren't erased but simply-- hidden. Which means they can be uncovered.
no subject
There is a relief there. She breathes out, and holds back an embarrassing burst of pure gratitude.]
What can I do to help?
[She will do anything.]
no subject
( she could ask about when lucy first loved him but that wouldn't help his memories. it had to be something that he had done and felt )
Then I can start unraveling his mind.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)