high_seas | Trial of the Spades

What?! I do not always ignore what you say. That's not true. I was just asking you a question, that's all. I don't understand why you're so desperate for me to go sleep with Ace. Os there some kind of hidden message there? Do you really just want me to tell you to go away and leave you alone? Cause I was here first, and I did invite you to have fun with me, you know.

*She takes a deep breath once she's finished her little speech, but she's been looking at him the whole time, from his eyes, to his shoulder, to his lips, to his chest, to his eyes, to his jaws, to his lips. She seems unable to choose a part that she'd like to focus on*

[His eyes narrow and he steps closer to her.]

You do. I told you to get away from me, but you keep insisting on that, fine! Do you want to get burned? Okay, get burned all you want. But at least do as I ask you to do on other things! You refused to wait for even five minutes after healing me, even though you were exhausted and couldn't even walk properly! I told you that sleeping with someone would help you with the cold, Ace hates to sleep alone so it's the most logical option! Would you prefer it to be the Doctor?

[There may have been a strange shift in his tone at the last part. Not that he has a preference of who she sleeps with, it's just that if she doesn't go with Ace, there are chances that Ace will go to his bed again.]

*The entire time he was yelling at her, Selphie was staring straight back at him. Her heart beat quicker as her anger grew, and her chest rose and fell as she tried her best to contain how she was feeling. She waits, then, until he's done, then she pushes herself even closer to him*

What the fuck are you talking about, Ikki? You didn't even mention the cold thing. You just told me to get into bed with Ace, and now you want me to get into bed with the Doctor? And I'm supposed to be the drunk one?

Is that what you really expect of me? Running around and sleeping with all the guys on the ship? What do I look like to you?

*And here she presses a hand to the centre of his chest giving a small push, her eyes stinging now with how angry and upset she is*

[He doesn't move with the push, instead presses closer, not understanding what she's talking about.]

I told you that it would help you with the cold!! And if that's what keeps you warm, then yes I expect you to do that, there's also Korra and the other girls. It's not as if I'm telling you to have sex with them!

[It's just sleeping, nothing more. At least in his mind.]

*They were both rather close now, her hand still resting on his chest. And when he replies, his answer fills her with guilt, because that wasn't what he meant, but also something else. Selphie's breathing pauses for second and the tears that were threatening disappear. Instead, her cheeks flush a shade of red - partly from what he has just said, but largely because of the closeness. She struggles for a moment, then swallows hard, not really knowing what to say, just looking at him, blushing*

[On his part the closeness is something he's basically oblivious to, neither he's realizing what she thought he meant because in his mind sex is a very unique thing. And a terrible one, that has nothing to do with sleeping with another or loving them. He notices the changes in her face, but he blames them to the alcohol in her system.]

Well?

Well...

*Finally she is able to speak, but her voice is much quieter, and somewhat timid, especially compared to how she was speaking to him before*

Well - I feel...

I think - I feel a little warmer now...

[He arches an eyebrow at that.]

Good. But I don't get why you are so against sleeping with others, what do you do when Ace sneaks into your bed? Or does he not go bother you?

*There's a heavy sigh from Selphie as she takes a step back, looking around for the rum, and glancing up to remember that he's put it where she can't reach. She glances back at him briefly before sizing up the chairs. She walks over to one, and seems to be deciding whether or not she should use it to climb up to that shelf*

He has before. And he was very warm. But the biggest thing I'm wondering is why you're so keen to give me to him. Don't you want someone to cuddle to get warm?

Give you to-? What the hell are you talking about? I'm not giving you to anyone, you're not a fucking thing to give around! Ace hates to sleep alone, you are freezing and sleeping together with someone helps to keep warm. Have you heard of killing two birds with one stone?

[He gives chase, walking quickly after her.]

This cold isn't normal, and it may just be this, or it may be the prelude of something bigger, something dangerous. The only way to combat it is by "cuddling" with someone, so obviously whoever is causing this wants us to be with someone at all moments, if this is just the advance of an attack I don't want to be caught with my guard down. Or with someone whose safety may present a weakness for me.

*Any warmth she felt a moment ago is gone, and she shivers as she stands behind the chair. At this rate, the cold is so horrible that she might very well go and find Ace, or anyone, willing to share some space with her. She turns to Ikki, though, when he follows after her, and she looks at him with wide eyes*

Okay. So maybe this is magic? A curse? But...safety and weakness? I don't get that part.

*And she looks at him, appealing for him to explain this some more, because she's not picking up on what he's saying*

A cold curse? Could be. We had that time when we were all talking weirdly, and then the ghost ships. Maybe this is like the first time, and this is all there is to it, or maybe tomorrow we will be assaulted by the ghosts again.

If I have someone with me and I'm worried about them being safe I won't be able to fight the same. And if I don't get used to this cold and I have to fight, either I tie someone to my back like a koala or the cold will hinder me when I try to fight.

[He considers it all pretty logical, really.]

*Okay, so now she's looking at him differently again, not thinking about that, thanks to the rum. Her eyes are shining and her smile is bright as she shuffles herself a little closer to him again*

You don't have to worry about me... But you can carry me round like a koala if you really like. If a hug means you'll fight better then I'm sure we can come to some kind of arrangement. I promise you I wouldn't mind.

And if I'm attacked from behind you will get hurt instead. I'll stick to my system of getting used to the cold unless it gets too much.

[Does she seriously not listen?]

*No, Ikki, the listening problem is not with her. Selphie lowers her gaze, feeling a mixture of stupid and...well, just stupid. But then she climbs up onto the chair and stands up on it. She places a hand on Ikki's shoulder, motioning for him to turn around. She's ready to climb onto his back, so if he doesn't turn around she will be clinging to his front instead*

[She definitively has a listening problem. Ikki's 100% sure of it when she climbs up onto the chair and basically asks silently for a piggyback ride. She's not listening. And she's way too drunk.

Ikki complies and turns to let her cling to his back, moving his arms to take hold of her legs and support her weight properly. Fine, whatever, he shouldn't have tried to strike a conversation with a drunk girl in the first place, so Ikki does the most logical thing: he starts walking towards her room to put her to sleep.]

See? I make an awesome koala!

*Selphie giggles and holds herself closer, nuzzling her face against his neck. She's too busy having fun to notice where he's taking her*

And if there's an attack I can be your armour! Or...you can throw me off and dump me sonewhere if that's easier. But I think we're safe for now.

Yeah, yeah. You're also an awesome armour.

[Talking to her like when one talks to a little stubborn child, and they decide to just play along because it's easier. He continues to make his way to her room ignoring everything else.]

Thanks! I'm good and strong, but also super cuddly!

*To prove her point she snuggles herself up against him, rubbinf her nose against his jaw. Selphie seems to like it when he plays along*

Hey! We're nearly at my room! Are you gonna keep me cosy in bed?

[Why do people feel the need to cuddle like that when being carried around. Shun used to do that as well when they were little. Except that back then Ikki cuddled and snuggled back, now, however, he ignores it while battling the memories the action brings back. He hasn't thought that much in the past since ever, but this ship and the people on it seem to have that effect on him.

It's almost as if they are trying to pull out the person he used to be. And he doesn't like that.]

No, I'm putting you to sleep. You're drunk.

[Well, she noticed, but they are basically there so it doesn't matter. Ikki approaches and opens the door of her room with his foot.]

What? I'm not tired and I'm not drunk. And besides... it's rude to reject a woman so coldly.

*She sighs softly against his neck and rests her chin on his shoulder*

Won't you at least stay with me just a little while? Please, Ikki, please. I mean, what're ya gonna do all night? Sit around cold on your own. That's no fun.

[Ikki was about to place her in her bed when she says those words. Reject a woman?]

What the hell are you talking about?

[He ignores everything else, and his tone is low, a mix of confusion and anger, his breathing is heavy but it quickens slightly. She's not talking about what he thinks she's talking, right? She just can't be talking about that.]

*Selphie sits herself on the edge of her bed and tilts her head at him. She blinks her wide eyes up at him, sensing his change in tone and a tension in the room. Even with the alcohol she knows that something is wrong, but where she might have ignored it before, she probes a little further*

Did I say something wrong?

*She reaches up towards him, eyeing him warily, not sure when he might explode*

I'm only playing around, Ikki.

Playing with what?

[He turns and eyes her warily.]

You were freaking out before when I told you to sleep with Ace. Now you say something about how rude it is to reject a woman "so coldly". What are you talking about, Selphie? Or rather, what kind of person do you think I am?

Uhm... playing with...

*Selphie just slowly shakes her head, unsure of what she was going to say. Now she's staring at him, and looks rather frightened, because she's so worried of saying the wrong thing. For a few moments she doesn't answer, just swallows hard and blinks*

I'm just talking about... about things...to do with people and stuff. Like me. Or like you. And - and you're...

*Her head reels somewhat as she tries to think of what she should say in reply to that*

You're a very...good person. And a nice person. Uhm...

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