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[ Since they didn't get out of their cells until much later than usual, Anastasia was actually hungry by lunch time. Usually she could spend time sneaking around to get something and not have to worry about someone questioning who the hell the girl who looked kind of like the Queen but from an alternate universe was if she just sneaked little snacks back to her room for the day.

But no, she was hungry today with how late they got out, and she was going to go to the cafeteria and she's going to sit there and enjoy herself some shawarma. ~~She may hate the guy who got her into Middle Easter cuisine but she doesn't dislike the food he introduced her to.~~

Of course, if you are looking for the Queen, it's unlikely that you've seen her in a couple of days. It might even take a glance or two considering she's speaking with an entirely different accent than the one she had before and she's no longer dressed in red-- no, she's got a rather different set of clothing and boots on. ]

{{ OOC: For reference, her voice as the Red Queen, her voice with her actual accent as seen in this log. }}

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[ It seemed that Anastasia was the only person in Wonderland who would never cease in surprising Loki. Though he continued walking beside her, the sudden shift in her persona was more than enough to leave him both without words and more than a bit bewildered. His expression likely echoed the sentiment, though just as he had before he erased any sign of such things and returned to his usual form of smiling.

Rather her words were true or not was something that was difficult to discern. Was this who the Queen was when her mask was removed, or was she merely wearing another? ]

You would allow me the honor?

[ If he looked Anastasia in the eyes, there was a clear sense of disconcert. More than anyone else, she didn't trust Loki and Peter to be able to accept this without repercussions. Being 'Ana' came with a cost, and that was the cost of power. She had to let it go or she couldn't have Will, but those who she'd already had struggles for power with would undoubtedly take advantage of any relinquish.

This was why Loki's approach was suspicious to her. Even if she was supposed to give up playing these types of games, she couldn't help but get the sense that she'd just gained a new opponent. Perhaps it was her own paranoia. Being used to everyone playing games with you once you've left the comfort of the one person you know won't made it hard to trust anyone at all, even the people you like.

The idea that he'd still treat her like she was above the rest even when she clearly just allowed him not to was something she didn't understand. That was why her expression fell for a moment. She didn't have friends. The idea that she could just trust him to not take advantage of this was only the smallest possibility. But maybe she should just see how things played out before she let herself fall into thinking that something bad would come to pass. If he was really willing to treat her just the same, she would be remiss to ruin that with her own hesitations. ]

Be my guest. Not like we both haven't been starved all day.

[ As always he was keen to the mirror in her eyes, and what he saw there was an emotion easy to discern. It was wise of her to distrust him, but with things as they were Loki had no real reason to take advantage of her. Even considering her apparent change of heart, he knew she was still a formidable force and someone he would rather work beside than against. Of course, they also had unfinished business. He would consider the deals they had made still in place unless she told him otherwise.

His reasoning wasn't entirely superficial, though he would sooner play pretend than admit he had grown fond of her company. Loki had spent so long despising nearly everyone that conceding to himself that a make believe queen and a fourteen year old girl could manage to gain his favor was a reality too difficult to swallow. He would much sooner dwell in comfortable lies than uncomfortable truths. ]

I didn't think the day would come where you would willingly offer your name to me. Things certainly have changed.

[ He had known her name for a while, of course, but he had harbored no intention of utilizing it unless certain circumstances called for it. It would seem that was no longer an option nor was it necessary. ]

Circumstances have changed. I've no problem changing with them to get what I want, even if that means changing back.

[ "Circumstances" being Will, of course. This was difficult. She'd told Will that she wasn't ashamed of him, and she wasn't. But having a weakness so available to anyone who wanted them was less than comfortable. She'd been told by at least two people who she had never managed to best that having a heart was a weakness. She'd been told by others it was a strength, but she had yet to see it that way. It was a weakness, but the alternative to being weak was being without love. Being without Will wasn't something that Anastasia was willing to compromise on anymore. ]

Just don't come up with any stupid nicknames or I'll have to get your face all over my pretty pink boots.

[ She said that with a smile and it actually sounded like a joke. Which was strange, considering she usually sounded as though her words were legitimate threats and the smile always seemed sadistic. ]

So who you are now is the woman who came before the Queen?

[ That was just about the only thing "changing back" could mean. He did wonder what had cause such a drastic change in her, though there were only so many things in the world that could change a person so drastically. Primarily it was other people. To ask such a bold question outright would likely earn him another slap across the face, so he could only assume that he would have to find out by other means.

...unless she decided to him. How strange that would be. ]

We couldn't have that, could we? It would be a terrible shame to see them ruined so soon.

I'm the same woman, I just got a lost somewhere along the line. But yes, Anastasia is my real name.

[ She doesn't feel the same as she used to. Even if she actually stands a chance at being happy and she feels like it might be close, it's hard to even remotely consider herself the same person. It feels like a mask she's putting on when she's not with Will. He's the only one it feels like it could be real with. ]

I know, they're brand new. [ Wait. She's not supposed to be threatening him. Loki, why do you make it so easy to threaten you? You're such a little shit. ] I'm sure your face wouldn't appreciate it either.

It's easy to lose oneself in the world we live in.

[ The words left his lips before he could fully consider the implication behind them. Just because she had changed her clothes and decided she would be someone different didn't mean she wouldn't pick up some sort of hidden meaning behind what he had said. The only thing he could do to cover his blunder was to pretend it meant nothing to him. ]

Do you believe you've found the right path, Anastasia?

[ It felt strange to address her as anything other than "Queen" or "Majesty", but Loki welcomed the feeling. Anything to keep his mind off how dangerously close he had gotten to confiding in her. At her taunting he forced a friendly chuckle. Even if he did find her jest to be genuinely amusing, he wasn't much in the mindset for laughter any longer. ]

I think you may be on to something. I've still not recovered from the last time you assaulted me.

[ If he wasn't so easy to threaten would they have half as much fun? ]

[ The potential meaning behind his statement and the slight mood change was something Anastasia had noticed. It told her a little bit about Loki, though she didn't know the details, but Anastasia had also learned something herself. Sometimes if you let a little of yourself out, people return it whether they want to or not. She knew Loki was probably kicking himself for saying that, but perhaps not being entirely on her guard with him was having the same effect in the other direction.

..Though Anastasia certainly needed to tell herself that it wasn't important. She couldn't be that person anymore who always worried about finding out just what made someone tick. She needed to be a better person. ]

It's the one I want.

[ The 'right' path is hard to say. She's hardly been running on it long enough to know if she's even going anywhere. But it's the one she wants to try. ]

Can't handle a little roughhousing, Loki?

[ Just as Anastasia had needed to remind herself that she could no longer care for grasping at the understanding of things that made a person tick, Loki needed to remind himself of the opposite. To consider sharing even the briefest moment of uncalculated candidness with her was a notion he couldn't afford to entertain a second time. Above all else his intention was to find the motivation behind her actions, not share in empathetic tales. ]

Then let us hope your desires are synonymous with what could be considered right.

[ He tilted his head, a teasing smirk doing its usual job of concealing anything he might truly be thinking. ]

Just because you can handle something doesn't exclude it from being painful.

There's no way they can't be.

[ It was her selfish desires that destroyed her and Will's life, that made her into the cruel person she'd become. Everything had lead to that, but things had been good before. Remembering what being happy this whole time had been the only thing that had kept her from becoming entirely heartless. Just a bit of hope and somehow, now that she's got even a tiny bit of that back, it feels like it would be easier to at least try. ]

Well we agree on something.

I see your confidence remains unwavering.

[ Even if she was in a position of uncertainty, who she had been and who was hiding just below the surface of the person she now chose to be was a constant reminder that the queen who had given away her crown was still a contender not to be underestimated. It was something he would need to actively remember. ]

For once I say something that suits you.

Darling, if you didn't say things that suited me at least half of the time we never would have been on a similar page.

[ Without a doubt, if he had been an annoyance she wouldn't have entertained his presence. ]

Goodness, that's almost flattering. Does this change of heart include frequent compliments?

[ The same could have been said of his thoughts toward her, really. ]

What I wonder is if we remain on a similar page or if you've skipped several chapters ahead.

Depends on if you do something to deserve them.

[ She's at least saying thanks and helping out now. ]

I am always several chapters ahead, Loki. The more pertinent question would be whether or not we're both reading the same book.

[ Even as she says that, she doesn't really answer. She's still not sure what book he's been reading from the beginning. Hers right now involves the fall of the Warden and getting her happy ending. ]

I should like to think we are but confirmation of the title wouldn't hurt.

[ He knew she wouldn't dare be so transparent in her intentions even now, but it would be interesting to see if her reaction would vary from the past. ]

If my observations have done me any favors I've realized that most of us at least occasionally read from the same pages. We all harbor the fleeting desire for freedom, do we not?

[ Anastasia decides to answer everything he said with the same question. After all, his desire for freedom might require different things. Perhaps they all have books with similar plots, but not the same one. ]

What would you say if I indicated that my chance at freedom was better in here than out there if the Warden were to be removed from the board?

I would say that sounds to be a very tragic tale indeed.

[ He looked thoughtful for a moment, as if he were considering how much he wanted to share with her. ]

The Warden is a common problem between us. I don't particularly care for the way she's set up the game.

Then we might be in the same book after all.

[ Along with others Anastasia knows about that she can't particularly mention to Loki. ]

I had a feeling we might be.

[ It would be a surprise to him if every single person there didn't want to take the Warden out of the picture. ]

Should I be expecting any further surprises from you?

[ Frankly, if Anastasia gets Second in power then she and Will are a lot more likely to get a happy ending even stuck in this place. So the Warden would be an obstacle, even if she didn't have some sympathy for Second's.. situation. ]

Wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you. [ She pauses for a moment. ] The only other surprises I have are ones I've no intention of sharing. The only thing you might be surprised about is how good I am at keeping secrets.

[ Loki would have much preferred Second completely out of the game as well, but the task of taking the Warden out of the playing field would be a massive undertaking in of itself. In this case it would have to be one move at a time, even if he did hate playing that way. ]

There's no doubt that you possess a great many skills I remain yet unaware of.

That's because so many people like to tell me what I can't do.

[ She smiles, not really feeling the need to say that she very much likes to prove people wrong about her. ]

That can only bring about dire consequences.

It is the surest way to get me to do something. I don't like being told no.

[ He tilted his head, a mischievous smile forming at the corner of his mouth. ]

I'll be sure to keep that detail in mind.

[ And back to your regularly scheduled pleasant expression. ]

As much as I'd like to continue our line of conversation, I'm afraid I have other matters to attend to. I'm going to have to beg your leave, Anastasia.

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impureheart - 2014-03-26 09:45 (UTC) - Expand

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vaframenti - 2014-03-27 06:37 (UTC) - Expand

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OTA

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sorry this took five years

five years is a pittance compared to the love in my heart!!!!!!!

stabs you in the gut

my heart is still beating you stupid git!!!!!!

(」゜ロ゜)」sentiment

HAHA

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