[ It had been a few days since Oleandra had finished reading the book that Vergil had lent her; and while it had certainly been thought-provoking, it had left her feeling unsure in more ways than one. The idea that perhaps she shouldn't commit the murder she had planned to commit, that it would somehow be more harmful to do so than to not, turns her stomach into a writhing pit. They have no right to keep on living. None.
Had he recognized something in her and was trying to send her a very specific message with his choice of recommendation? Or did he simply think the topic itself was interesting and worthy of thought? It takes her some time to feel more capable of not approaching the matter in an aggressive manner, and she is absent from her usual library trips for a few days in a row before she feels capable of returning.
Still, knowing herself and her tendency to lash out, perhaps it would be best to not have a discussion on the matter inside the library -- as little as she generally cared about the property of others, she had been enjoying the sanctuary of the place as of late, and felt a slight twinge of guilt imagining its shelves destroyed.
Instead, she waits outside the front door on a day she suspects Vergil will come back to return his latest findings, the book he lent her in hand. ]
[Their paths have not crossed for a little while, but Vergil has thought nothing of Oleandra's absence during his own trips to the library. It wouldn't be particularly strange, after all, for them to ultimately be two ships passing in the night as far as that is concerned. They have their own lives and schedules to attend, and it's only felt through happenstance that their paths crossed at the library in the first place.]
[Thus, it is far more noteworthy to him to see her loitering about near to the entrance as she currently happens to be. That strikes Vergil as more unusual.]
What a coincidence, [ she says with a wry smile. ] Just the man I was waiting for.
[ She turns to face him, lifting the book to draw attention to the title. ] I finished this, and had some thoughts about your recommendation ... but, well, I thought it rather rude to engage in a debate in a designated quiet zone.
[Vergil looks to the book in her hands before his gaze returns to her face, trying to ascertain what exactly the intention is here. The word debate is a deliberate choice—Vergil will not be convinced otherwise of that—and with it comes a certain weight behind it. As well as something Vergil is not particularly interested in doing if the way his gaze drifts momentarily behind her. All he wanted to do was visit the library and enjoy a few quiet hours there. Instead? This.]
[He heaves a sigh, half-tempted to simply walk past her through the front door. But Oleandra has not proven herself to be a consistent nuisance to him that he's willing to disregard her so intensely and acutely. So, he willingly steps aside so as not to block the door himself. He stands before her with his arms crossed.]
There is nothing I wish to discuss, let alone debate.
[ There's a brief moment where her expression appears almost taken aback, before her jaw sets and she quickly corrects herself into something less obviously hurt and more ... coolly disappointed. Sure, the two of them were not friends, and her expectations of their camaraderie were low, but it did sting to be so thoroughly and quickly rejected. ]
I beg your pardon?
[ She lets the hand holding up the book drop, head tilting to the side in careful curiosity. She is genuinely confused about his response, even if she's also now doubly irritated. Even if she hadn't taken exception to the specifics of what he had recommended her, she had assumed that at some point they would, you know, check in and share their opinions on what the other had recommended. ]
Am I to understand, then, that recommending me this was your subtle way of telling me to fuck off, or ...?
[ She trails off, waiting for an explanation. She had expected perhaps this book was some form of admonishment for her behavior, but his refusal to engage at all sets off alarms in the part of her brain damaged by neglect and rejection, and she jumps straight into wondering what she did this time to have this person want nothing to do with her ... and how did she miss the signs of someone looking to get rid of her? ]
[His eyes narrow briefly at that subtle change in her expression, uncertain what to make of it. Confusion does not manage to make its way into his face at her question, but even Vergil feels distinctly that a step has been missed here. He is just uncertain as to which one of them missed the step.]
In the time that you've known me, have I ever seemed like the sort of person who reaches for subtlety in expressing myself? [Vergil shakes his head slightly.] I've no quarrel with you, Oleandra. I simply come to the library for its relative quiet.
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action / may 2025
Had he recognized something in her and was trying to send her a very specific message with his choice of recommendation? Or did he simply think the topic itself was interesting and worthy of thought? It takes her some time to feel more capable of not approaching the matter in an aggressive manner, and she is absent from her usual library trips for a few days in a row before she feels capable of returning.
Still, knowing herself and her tendency to lash out, perhaps it would be best to not have a discussion on the matter inside the library -- as little as she generally cared about the property of others, she had been enjoying the sanctuary of the place as of late, and felt a slight twinge of guilt imagining its shelves destroyed.
Instead, she waits outside the front door on a day she suspects Vergil will come back to return his latest findings, the book he lent her in hand. ]
no subject
[Thus, it is far more noteworthy to him to see her loitering about near to the entrance as she currently happens to be. That strikes Vergil as more unusual.]
Waiting for someone?
no subject
What a coincidence, [ she says with a wry smile. ] Just the man I was waiting for.
[ She turns to face him, lifting the book to draw attention to the title. ] I finished this, and had some thoughts about your recommendation ... but, well, I thought it rather rude to engage in a debate in a designated quiet zone.
no subject
[He heaves a sigh, half-tempted to simply walk past her through the front door. But Oleandra has not proven herself to be a consistent nuisance to him that he's willing to disregard her so intensely and acutely. So, he willingly steps aside so as not to block the door himself. He stands before her with his arms crossed.]
There is nothing I wish to discuss, let alone debate.
no subject
I beg your pardon?
[ She lets the hand holding up the book drop, head tilting to the side in careful curiosity. She is genuinely confused about his response, even if she's also now doubly irritated. Even if she hadn't taken exception to the specifics of what he had recommended her, she had assumed that at some point they would, you know, check in and share their opinions on what the other had recommended. ]
Am I to understand, then, that recommending me this was your subtle way of telling me to fuck off, or ...?
[ She trails off, waiting for an explanation. She had expected perhaps this book was some form of admonishment for her behavior, but his refusal to engage at all sets off alarms in the part of her brain damaged by neglect and rejection, and she jumps straight into wondering what she did this time to have this person want nothing to do with her ... and how did she miss the signs of someone looking to get rid of her? ]
no subject
In the time that you've known me, have I ever seemed like the sort of person who reaches for subtlety in expressing myself? [Vergil shakes his head slightly.] I've no quarrel with you, Oleandra. I simply come to the library for its relative quiet.