ℒℒ 51

[luthored]

[Wesley Wyndam-Pryce]

I've been meaning to tell you something, but it seems at every turn it's just bad timing.

I don't need our standard training, anymore. If I'm going to learn anything, I want to just focus on defense against magic, like what we started with before you were turned into a cat.

[/Wesley Wyndam-Pryce]

[Stephanie Brown]

So... I hope you aren't angry.

[/Stephanie Brown]

[Kara]

I think it's time that we talked.

[/Kara]

[ And, later... ]

[Damon Salvatore]

[ Did someone order a break-in? No? Well, she'll have to stay anyway until you say so.

But really, this started as her trying to write something, only to realize he would just ignore it and her, so instead she'll be waiting in a nice chair in his room, reading by a single lamp while a wrapped Christmas present sits in her lap. She's even decked out with a Christmas sweater for kicks.

They will talk whether he likes it or not. ]

[/Damon Salvatore]

Comments

[untilmydarknessgoes]

[He's looking her straight in the eye. And if she tries to look away, he's just going to keep trying to maintain that eye contact.]

That's not what I asked.

[luthored]

[ She'll look back just because she doesn't want to seem wimpy. ]

I wanted to give you your present, but... It seems in especially poor taste after what was just said.

[untilmydarknessgoes]

[He's quite surprisingly calm still.]

That's still not what I asked, Lana.

[luthored]

I don't know.

[ As honest as she can be on that one... Because it's not like she WANTS more discomfort, but she doesn't necessarily want to leave, either. ]

[untilmydarknessgoes]

[He nods, finally breaking the eye contact for a moment. He's silent.

And then he moves out of the way. He doesn't open the door, doesn't say anything to try and convince her to stay.

It's Lana's choice.]

[luthored]

[ She drops her gaze when he finally moves, one foot in the doorway's opening, before she thrusts the box into his arms and stands back quietly. She doesn't want to say anything until he reacts.

Inside is a bracelet, with a small hand-written note attached.

Known as "The Stone of Commitment", Garnet insists that we live through our heart whispers if we wish to prosper and live abundantly. It is a stone that connects our heart to others, and also has a protective quality about it. Said to protect from both physical and emotional wounding, it is advantageous to carry this stone, especially at night or when traveling. It is also useful in banishing unproductive patterns from our lives, ridding us of what is old, stale and no longer needed. Thus, it renews vitality and regenerates. Garnet is a creation stone; it inspires and lives in the land of the creative.

In myth and lore, Garnet was sacred to many ancient tribes around the globe. In ancient Egypt, it was called and believed to be the "Blood of Isis". It is mentioned in the Talmud as providing the only light on Noah's ark as they weathered the stormy darkness. And it was said to be one of the twelve stones used in the breastplate of the High Priest.

~ L.L. ]

[untilmydarknessgoes]

[Damon reads the note before he really inspects at the bracelet.]

And here I thought I gave off the vibe of being more a diamonds kind of girl.

[It's a light joke because of the major edge of tension in this room.]

[luthored]

I'll be sure to get you a diamond necklace next, then.

[ It does make her smile, though it's small and awkward. He had joked the last time, too, though of a different nature. ]

That's actually...a re-gift of sorts. I gave it to you last Christmas, and it appeared in my room when you left. I've been holding onto it, not knowing if I should give it to you again or not, but... It seemed right.

Unless you don't want it for that reason.

[untilmydarknessgoes]

[Damon purses his lips for a moment before he takes Lana's hand. He places the bracelet back in her hand and gently closes her fingers around it. He brings his gaze up from her hand to meet her eyes.]

Maybe it could have been right, but... The thing is, you chose someone else.

[He pauses, trying to figure out how best to tell her this.]

And so did I. [Damon swallows hard.] So, I can't be in limbo with you here, Lana. I'm sorry.

[He lets her hand go.]

[luthored]

[ It startles her more than she can say, having honestly hoped he would accept the bracelet. But it's his words that confuse her more. ]

...What do you mean? You chose someone else? Who?

[untilmydarknessgoes]

[Probably in one of his smarter moves, Damon steps away from Lana. Back over to pour himself another drink. He keeps his back to her.]

Katherine.

[luthored]

[ Lane pales considerably, not that he can see with his back turned, and her hands drop to her sides, letting the bracelet fall to the floor. Her voice sounds distant to her own ears; weak. ]

...Katherine.

Katherine. The woman you've done nothing but scorn since I've first known you.

[untilmydarknessgoes]

[He takes a drink before he turns around.]

Turns out there really is a very fine line between love and hate.

[luthored]

There isn't. You're just—

[ What? Crazy? Lana can't even put her jumble of thoughts together now, and she wonders if this is how Damon felt when he found out. But this is different. This isn't just any girl, this is Katherine. How can Lana be expected to hate her on Damon's behalf when he's sleeping with her?

Her anger, her jealousy is starting to take over, her voice rising in pitch. Panic. ]

Since when? Why didn't you mention this earlier, when I first came in here?! Why did you tell me how you feel about me at all, if you're dating her? We wouldn't be in this stupid limbo if you had just kept your mouth shut! Why would you do that?! You made me...

[ She said she had loved him. She said that. Then she had cried. And she wouldn't have if she'd known. And now she feels twice the fool, her hand over her mouth to keep herself from saying more. ]

[untilmydarknessgoes]

[His brow furrows almost instantly. He's right back to being on edge.]

I know in your mind I'm to blame for everything, but newsflash: I didn't make you do anything, Lana. Believe it or not, my world doesn't revolve around you.

I chose Katherine because I want her.

[luthored]

Then why did you tell me you feel something for me?! Just five minutes ago! Why would you do something like that, right before telling me you're dating her? What was the point of that, other than trying to make me feel bad?! Do you just like screwing around with people's emotions?

[untilmydarknessgoes]

You're one to talk about toying with emotions.

[He sets aside his drink to start walking closer to her.]

I do feel something, Lana, and you knew that before you even set foot in this room. But you still came in here with that -- [he gestures to the bracelet on the floor] -- and hoping you could have it both ways. You want things to go back to the way they were before for your sake. You wish I had said something sooner for your sake. And you're only giving me that again for - take a guess, that's right - your sake.

But none of this is working to get your way, so next step is your [he uses airquotes] "feelings" are getting hurt.

Katherine might be a manipulative, selfish bitch, but at least she's honest about it.

[luthored]

[ She doesn't even hesitate before slapping him, though it's not nearly as hard as it could be--only slightly harder than a normal human girl's slap. Her voice is hushed in an attempt to keep it from shaking, but her chin quivers regardless, and her heart feels like it's going to jump right out of her throat.

Lana feels betrayed in ways she can't explain, and she's not about to. It feels that no matter what she says, Damon's always able to find a way to use it against her. He finds her weak spot, and he stabs her until she has no more breath left. But she won't let him see her cry. Never again will she let him have that satisfaction. ]

You were right, there is a thin line. I hate you.

[ Abruptly, she turns and leaves, bracelet crunching beneath her rushed footfalls, the door splintering when she yanks it shut behind her. ]