[ He has two distinct styles: the public-facing, tastefully ostentatious style that exists as a means to an end, and the more understated, characteristic style of his private spaces. To his knowledge, Isolde hasn't yet seen much of the latter. ]
( she considers it for a moment, weighing what she thinks versus what she imagines mark wants to hear versus what gets mark to trust her. any time he asks a question, it's a opportunity — even this, some way to move a piece on the board to paint her in a particular light.
at the same time, honesty is ultimately what makes isolde such a talented liar. she doesn't have to pretend — the truth and what she wants him to see are so often the same answer. )
it helps me meet people. and there's a community around it.
well. i train at buffy's gym, too. slay you later — it's kind of a corny name. she's nice, though. a lot of the people there are good fighters. do you want to know my schedule?
( do u know what it feels like to be fake engaged to the most annoying man in the world ? )
tonight. probably late. midnight.
you know that was a bigger question, right? something about if we're still painting our relationship in a certain light to the public. or what the game plan is with that. or if you even want to be involved with me, while we're here. or if you want to know what i'm up to while our wedding is pushed. kind of a load bearing question.
i want ( she doesn't send, but keeps her cursor there, debating. the dots suggesting typing disappear on mark's end, and she's left with her thoughts — knowledge of what she has to do, for the saints, for her uncle, make him believe it, whatever it takes. and the distance, almost intangible knowledge of what she wants to do, what the truth of that is, the same truth she told him in her father's study, before her broke her in pieces. i want to be married, she thinks, but mark would never believe it. isolde isn't sure she believes it yet, beyond wanting to do a good job, to be told she did a good job, to do exactly what is expected and desired and wanted of her. so. small truth. more honest. ) to be friends.
i don't think it's out of the question for something true to be in the foundation of our relationship. i don't have many friends. and i can't speak for you, but i'm alone. or lonely. all the time. i want to not be lonely. if possible.
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text — un: HONEYSUCKLE
Date: 2026-01-11 10:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-01-11 10:59 pm (UTC)[ As if he doesn't already know... ]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-11 11:09 pm (UTC)you'll like it. it fits your style.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-12 11:27 am (UTC)You said it was more like a hobby.
What do you like about it?
no subject
Date: 2026-01-12 02:42 pm (UTC)at the same time, honesty is ultimately what makes isolde such a talented liar. she doesn't have to pretend — the truth and what she wants him to see are so often the same answer. )
it helps me meet people. and there's a community around it.
plus, it's physical. like exercise.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-17 05:11 am (UTC)I'm glad you've found that for yourself. Though I admit I would have expected you to find it somewhere more like your dojo.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-17 05:25 am (UTC)well. i train at buffy's gym, too. slay you later — it's kind of a corny name. she's nice, though. a lot of the people there are good fighters.
do you want to know my schedule?
no subject
Date: 2026-01-17 05:39 am (UTC)I only need to know your next shift. I'll be there then.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-17 05:50 am (UTC)tonight. probably late. midnight.
you know that was a bigger question, right? something about if we're still painting our relationship in a certain light to the public. or what the game plan is with that. or if you even want to be involved with me, while we're here. or if you want to know what i'm up to while our wedding is pushed.
kind of a load bearing question.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-17 05:57 am (UTC)We can discuss the finer details but whether I want to be involved with you isn't in question, Isolde.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-17 06:10 am (UTC)last time i saw you, you said some of the worst things anyone has ever said to me, and then you left.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-17 06:20 am (UTC)And that's precisely why what I want shouldn't factor half as much as what you do.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-17 06:39 am (UTC)i don't think it's out of the question for something true to be in the foundation of our relationship. i don't have many friends.
and i can't speak for you, but i'm alone. or lonely. all the time.
i want to not be lonely. if possible.