-Break-
Lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, Atalanta turns and looks at Orb on the floor reading, moves onto him, and says, "Whatcha doing!"
Pushing back against her, Orb says, "Reading."
"What?"
"Eternity of hope."
"You mean that book with the evil woman?"
"Lady Fleu isn't evil, she is driven."
"To burn down an orphanage?"
"She didn't burn it down, she merely made those idiots suffer from getting in her way."
"You know what you read says something about you."
"Silence, fool."
In the heavens song, Orb says, "It's not like I expect someone like you to understand true art."
Grabbing Orb hair in the heavans song, Atalanda says, "Unlike you, I at least know how to handle my desires."
Jerking Orb says, "I forgot you speak the heavens song?"
Laughing, triumphantly, Atalanta says, "You really think a genius like me couldn't do such a thing."
"But on that note, where did you learn such a thing? Most people who weren't given high levels of education know how to do such a thing."
With tears falling from her eyes, Atalanta says, "It all happened when I was younger, you see my mother was a woman who cared for nothing but succe-,"
"I do not believe you."
"Let me finish my story!"
Turning back to face his book, Orb says, "Whenever you want to tell me, do. Regardless of whatever your problem, I will help you, like you've helped me."
Giving Orb a big hug from behind, Atalanta says, "You're so cute, Orb. You need to have a whole gaggle of kids who are just as adorable. What kind of girls do you like?"
"I don't li-... I don't like anyone!"
"Then what was with the delayed reaction? Come on, Orb, just tell me your type and I will help you out."
Slapping the book in front of him, Orb says, "There is only one type of woman who could ever captivate my heart. One who will dominate and crush anything to accomplish her goals with immense class and pride in all she does. A woman who truly and secretly uses every trick a woman has to manipulate, destroy, and take what she wants. One who would secretly plan her partner's destruction to make them eternally subservient to her. That's the type of woman I want!"
Grabbing her face, Atalanta says, "I thought you were joking the first time around. I think I need to report you to Pine."
Turning and grabbing her, Atalanta says, "No, do you want me to be killed. I can't deal with that discipline."
Looking away from him with a broken heart, Atalanta says, "I know it would be hard, but I care for you too much to allow this to happen. Besides, what a travesty it would be for the woman in this country if such a handsome young man were taken off the market at such a young age."
"What a strange thing to say, there are countless beauties in this country."
Grabbing Orb's cheek, she says, "You know natural beauties like you who look like this have no right to be saying that to anyone. I was pretty ugly growing up, so I don't want to hear anyone like you say nonsense like that."
"How is it nonsense. Some people have longer parts, short parts, more creases throughout their bodies, some different textures of their skin, different shaped eyes, eyebrows, different spaces apart, and different hair shapes and colours. Yet they all manage to look cool.
I like the way some people can't control their reactions when someone talks to them, it can make them nervous, but when they feel energised, they are so fun, but at the same time, I like those overly controlled people because when they break, their smiles are the best. I like the way some people just do their own thing, and try to bring others to their own wavelength, I like those who just go try to follow others' directions because it allows people to not feel sad. The people within this country try hard and are the cutest, coolest, most wonderful people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. So how could someone like me matter that much when so many dream-like beings exist?"
With a mildly upset face, Atalanta says, "Hey Orb, would you like me to cut your hair?"
Touching it, Orb says, "I forgot it started to grow because of my loss of control. It's fine, I will just cut it short with my legacy."
"Ok, let me rephrase that. I WILL CUT YOUR HAIR SCUM, NOW SHUT UP LET ME DO IT!"
"I refus-!"
Grabbing Orb's mouth, Atalanta glares into his soul, and says, "BE QUITE AND LET ME DO THIS!"
Orb is frozen for a moment as evil glare in her eyes freezes him, but then with a happy sunlike smile, Atalanta says, "Or else I will cut my throat."
With a disappointed look, Orb says, "So close."
"Too bad for your fantasies, but I am not an evil woman. Now turn around."
As Orb turns around, Atalanta grabs Orb's broken spear and takes some of the shards, then says, "You don't plan on throwing this away?"
"It was one of the first gifts Aplos gave me. I plan on keeping it."
"How cute!"
"Shut up."
Sitting beside Orb, Atalanta starts to cut Orb's hair, and as she does, he says, "You can just make it short."
"No way. You're getting a cool look today."
"Why?"
"Because I am giving you your own unique hairstyle, now shut up and take it."
"Ok."
As she cuts his hair, Atalanta says, "Do you think you can give me some money?"
"No."
"Oh, come on! What if I want to import something from abroad."
"We don't import anything within this country!"
"You should really get on that."
"If you have me here just to haggle, I am going to leave."
"I kid, I kid. Just wanted to get a raise out of you. I guess I have no other choice but to stop by Áengus's tailors, those beastkin at Gréasán Lonrach are rather skilled in their craftsmanship."
"I would suggest holding off on that until I can accompany you."
"Why?"
"Because you're beautiful. If Áengus saw you, I am sure he would become over exhilarated, and I would love to see such an expression."
"You really think I am beautiful. Oh, you little flirt."
"Everyone's beautiful."
With a glare, Atalanta says, "Hey Orb, don't say that to a woman or she might smack you directly in the face."
"Stop being childish."
"You lack tact. Don't you know dishing out compliments like that and then taking them back is like ripping a maiden's heart out."
Sighing, Orb says, "You are simply beautiful in a way that makes people turn themselves in knots when they see you, that's why I have told Cyrus to keep you preoccupied."
"So that's why he was sticking to my hip. You really were that worried about me, Orb? How cute."
Pushing her away, Orb says, "It's an unfortunate fact that I simply have to plan around. I don't need a bunch of infighting over men trying to sleep with you."
"You say that as is, I don't equally pursue them."
"How annoying."
Letting silence set in for a moment, Atalanta says, "What do you think of people, Orb?"
"Haven't we had this conversation on Skydust?"
"We did, but the more I hear, the stupider I think you are."
"You're being rude, you know."
"Orb you can lead a horse to water all you want, but you can't make it drink."
"That's nonsense, if a horse doesn't want to drink water, there is a reason. And I am sure I can help it through that, besides all people who want to die are already dead. If someone alive, I believe they want to be happy."
"Hey Orb, do you know I happen to be beautiful?"
"Huh?"
"I happened to be a gorgeous once in a lifetime beauty. Even getting to gaze at me with your eyes should be considered a reward. Even you know that objectively."
"It's like you like repeating conversations."
"Just until you understand."
"Understand what?"
"That not everyone can say this. Most people will never in their lifetimes be able to mutter those words with confidence."
"Because most people aren't vain enough."
"You're right. They can't all be vain like you."
"Shut up. I don't need to be called vain by someone who can say such boisterous things about themselves like that, you truly lack class."
"Don't worry, this classless harlot will love you despite your harsh tongue."
"You say that word freely far too much."
"Says the number one culprit?"
"I think the way you say it is different from mine. When you let out those worries, it feels different from my own towards others. Hey, Atalanta, do you know what love is?"
"Is Mister I love everyone really asking me that?"
"I think on some level, I don't really understand love. I just kind of learnt it's the kind of word I should use when I feel a certain way and my hair turns pink."
"Didn't Captivant teach you?"
"Captivant was annoying when it came to things like this. If I ever asked what it meant, he just said you'd figure it out. Idiot," Orb says with a smile.
"I see so you're asking your favourite lover of many. Well, my answer to that is that I do not know."
"Huh?"
"What do you expect. I move from one person to the next, even our little bond only lasted because you're so adorable. Couldn't tell you what love is for the life of me."
"What a waste of time."
Grabbing Orb's face and turning it to her, Atalanta says, "But if I could conceptualise it for me, it would be to need to guard those who truly wish for it. So I love Cyrus, I love Suzuka, and I love you the most, Orb."
Orb's hair turns bright pink and his face turns red as he starts to panic, but Atalanta pulls his head back, and says, "Oh but don't worry, little snot-nosed boys like you our entirely unattractive to me. I know you were thinking about such things, but too bad."
"Shut up. Why would I ever want that? Just get back to cutting my hair."
Turning his back to her, Atalanta continues to work on Orb's hair, and as she does, she says, "You also won't get a chance when you are older because I have adopted you as my son."
"You're not even 10 years my elder."
"In age no. In maturity, I am 100 times your elder. So start calling me mother, or even mommy."
"Grandma, hurry up."
"Don't worry, I am sure you will warm up eventually."
Glancing at her slightly and returning his head to normal, Orb says, "Thank you for listening and spending time with me, here it has helped me calm down."
"No problem, my son."
Orb has an annoyed look on his face, then says, "I promise you, as long as you're here with us, I will protect you, and will find some way to get your arm back."
"I know you will. I love you, Orb."
Orb's hair turns pink, and Atalanta says, "You're really weak to that word."
"Silence, it's because I am not used to it."
"What. You probably have it said to you all the time."
"N-No, I don't. You're the first one to say it."
"Wait, you mean you've never been told you're loved before, even by Captivant?"
Orb shakes his head from side to side and says, "So what. It doesn't even matter, don't go making a big deal out of this!"
Hearing something, Orb turns his head and sees Atalanta crying, then says, "Ehh. Please stop, this is nothing to cry about."
Hugging Orb, Atalanta says, "You poor little boy. I promise Mommy here to make sure you're loved, and don't get abused by an evil woman into being a little slave!"
"Get off of me, and that won't happen."
"You can bet your life it won't, since mommy is here to protect you."
"EWWW! Stop it"
"You're right, now I just need to finish this and give you a cool guy hair cut!"