đ±đ„đą đ«đŠđ€đ„đ±đ°đŹđ«đ€ (aylin) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2015-02-14 18:52:00
Who: Elizabeth Comstock, Ganondorf What: A philosophical dinner about good versus evil. When: After these texts. Where: Somewhere delicious. Rating/Warnings: Medium, language, moderate darkish themes. Status: Complete!
Eight oâclock it was - right on time to pick her up from the coffee shop in the corner, black mustang in tow. No one came out from hiding and tossed him a flash grenade or fireball, so suffice to say, the tables werenât turned and it wasnât a trap set for him after all. Ganon was suspicious by nature; the woman he was with was no exception to that, and she had the opportunity to tell all her closest friends about their talk. And she might have, he didnât know, and if she did, he wouldnât be terribly surprised.
He didnât take her to some ritzy place that screamed money - he didnât need to flaunt it, they both knew he had it, the point was moot. It was usually the hidden gems that served the best product, and he took them somewhere comfortable, locally owned, but still with charming ambiance. Boutique wines, crafted beers, signature cocktails and a menu with a variety of dishes to pick from. If she wanted a steak or a pasta or a reliable burger, the place had it.
Ganon almost looked like a normal person when he wasnât outside the comfort of a suit, usually pristine white. It was a casual button up shirt, ironed pants - his own version of âdown dressing.â
âI may suggest a drink for this.â
"You may, and you'd probably be right." Elizabeth said, her tone somewhat dark. It had been a rough morning, though she didn't look as much like hell as she felt. Some makeup had helped with that, and Lina'd cast a recovery spell on her, too.
Trying to get out of the house with both Lina and Booker keeping an eye on her had been hard. Especially since she wasn't willing to tell them who it was she was seeing. Or where she was going, except for a coffee and some fresh air.
She'd dressed in a stylish black top that gave her a sort of solemn, sober look, and a dark pair of jeans. Since she hadn't been sure where he was taking her, she wanted to look nice enough. The place he'd taken her made her feel oddly safe, like the ambiance itself would somehow comfort her. She liked that.
Her hands were folded on the table, and Elizabeth hadn't bothered to look at her menu yet. "So we'll start with drinks, and then you can come clean."
âStraight to the point, I see.â A thick brow rose. Of course she would be - their very talks were ominous, always alluding to something, and there was enough suspense already. He would have ordered a bottle of wine, but usually the kind depended on tonightâs chosen cuisine and that had yet to be decided, so when the waiter came around, he requested a water and a nice brand of gin.
Ganon had been here plenty of times, already knew his favorite dishes, so he simply closed the menu and set it aside. âFirst thingâs first: Iâm Ganon, and itâs a pleasure to meet you.â
Start with the name, see if she was right all along. What an interesting game.
It was telling that she didn't let out a gasp of surprise. The confirmation did make her eyes narrow a bit, though. Ganon. The name had been whispered around the house often enough after everything had gone bad. Lina'd been hurt, her own sense of safety had been violated. Neena and Clarice were still recovering.
By all rights, she should have gotten up out of her chair right then and there. She could have portaled him somewhere. She probably should have left, at least. Instead she tilted her head to the side, and stared at him, "Why tell me? You could have gone on, made a game of it. But you're making an effort to be truthful. Why?"
âAnd keep you wondering? You might as well know the devil youâre dining with right off the bat.â Ganon leaned back into his seat, toying with his glass after their drinks were delivered. âYou must have already known, had a feeling. Yet you still came out with me anyway. So if youâre agreeing to see me regardless, thenâŠâ
He raised his drink. âI suppose the least I could do is make the effort. Unless you prefer me to lie.â
And there it was, and there was just something about his words that made Elizabeth want to like him. He was direct, and honest, and didn't treat her like some innocent young thing that needed to be protected. She picked up her own drink and raised it towards him, "No, I'd rather the truth. And yes, I did suspect. You were so open about how my roommates would react. There aren't that many people that they would openly revile, and you definitely make the list."
She took a long sip of gin, and added, "And it doesn't bother you that I'm the daughter of someone who owes you so much money? Did you know who I was from the beginning?"
Elizabeth wanted to think that he was here with her now because he saw something in her that he liked. Not because he could use her, not because she was a pawn in some game. But her dreams had taught her a lot about life; If she could be used, people would do it. Nothing was really sacred anymore.
Couldnât judge a book by itâs cover, could you? Ganon was pleasantly surprised how well she was handling the gin - it wasnât the most popular spirit of choice, always had that smell of cologne, and the bite was harsh. Definitely something that would wake your insides with a soothing burn, once you got used to the taste. âThe sins of the father arenât yours to bear.â And having her place completely fucked wasnât personal, either, but maybe bluntly bringing up that specific tidbit might cause the fuse of her temper to flare. Because she had one. A temper, that was, hidden well under the surface - he could tell Elizabeth had a subtle flame to her.
âNot like my intention was to bump into you in the club purposefully. A lucky coincidence, if you will. And you certainly didnât seem to mind my company.â A smirk, because he didnât have shame touching on the attraction that was there. And she wasnât some easy woman he swept off the streets either, taking her out for a good time. Ganon had enough sense to know Elizabeth was already suspicious of him, and they were no strangers to the dream plague that rudely changed those affected, whether they liked it or not.
It wasn't just the warmth of the gin that made Elizabeth's cheeks flush. Her attraction to him was very obvious, and while she knew she ought to fight it, she couldn't. Possibly because she'd already spent so much of the last year fighting her attraction to Booker. She was tired of wanting things she couldn't have. Ganon was right there and she could have him, if she wanted.
She nodded her head a bit, like she was deciding something, "I didn't, and I still don't. My father's business isn't mine and I'm glad that you won't be blaming me for his inadequacies today. Or any day. You're a businessman, Ganon. I think I can understand that the rest of my family's irritation with you is business, too. They've made it personal, but I don't have to. Not that part, anyway. I mean, I'd like something personal with you. I want to know I'm not business."
Her words fumbled a bit at the end, proving that underneath her calm exterior she was still that awkward young woman he'd met at the club.
It was true, it wasnât personal. Not a lot of things were with him; not even when two women of reputable tempers stormed into his office. Retaliation was expected, it was always to be predicted, and once you started taking things personally - thatâs when judgment clouded and the goal forgotten. And part of not taking things personally involved the avoidance of personal involvement. Ganon had done a remarkable job keeping himself distanced from emotional trainwrecks, thanks to the experience of two previously failed marriages.
One gone, somewhere out there. Another he killed and he had yet to have regrets about that.
Her rambling was endearing enough, and that smirk turned into a small half-grin. He had ordered appetizers - stuffed mushrooms filled with seafood and a creamy sauce, fried and piping hot - and they finally graced the table. âIâm not the best man to have something personal with. And so you know, Iâve no plans to go after a neck of someone you care about.â âFor the momentâ was something he had purposefully elected to leave out, because things had a habit of changing. âAnd I canât guarantee youâll continue to like me the more you get to know me.â
He was even more attractive when he grinned, half or otherwise. Elizabeth couldn't help but grin in response. Oh, she was definitely smitten. What was it about dangerous men that was so attractive? She had no idea, but she was now even more certain that if she had a 'type', that was probably it.
"That's... reassuring, though if you don't actually plan on having anything personal with me I hardly see the point. I feel like you're trying to read me some kind of disclaimer. Not the best man to get personal with - but you don't say that you won't, or don't want to, only that you aren't the best. Potentially less likeable the deeper under your skin I get - but we don't know that for sure. Are you trying to... protect me?" She wondered aloud. All of his protests were really only making her want to know more.
The food did smell good, and she allowed herself to be momentarily distracted by it. Which wasn't a bad idea at all, because the stuffed mushrooms were perfect. Just crispy enough, and delicious.
To protect her? That...was certainly an odd angle to look at, and for once Ganon was actually at a loss for words. It was a strange look to him - foreign and uncomfortable - and she might be able to tell, with his squinted eyes and furrowed brows.
âYou ask interesting questions,â he pointed out, the craving for something a little stronger than gin increasing. Not that he was angry or frustrated, but...maybe a little puzzled? If that was even the correct word to use? âI make âdisclaimersâ to let you know exactly who youâre with. Itâs easy to like the wrapping of a package and hate the contents inside. But if you must know, Iâm not protecting you. Iâm sure you get enough of that back home.â
And he was sure Neena and Lina would make a strike at his testicles should the two see them this very moment. Even Booker, with whatever latent fatherly feelings he had in there. He knew enough to know that the details were best described as âcomplicated.â
âYouâreâŠ.not really afraid of me, which is a first.â His look to her was both a little skeptical and amused, in a way. A lot of people had a reason to be. Breaking necks and taking money was kind of his thing, would probably always be his thing, but the world wasnât in black and white, and there were a little of dark greys when it came to him. Not that the lighter specks excused him from all heâs done - of course not. People arenât always inherently good or inherently bad.
But itâd been a long time since he had a chance to be something other than god-awful. This wasnât supposed to be a chance for that, either. This was...strange.
"I do get enough of that back home. I'm the youngest in our... kind of thrown together family. I think it's their natural instinct to protect me. Booker especially, he spent most of the dreams doing that. Even in the end when I showed him I could take care of myself." Elizabeth shrugged a shoulder at that, and picked up another mushroom. While Ganon seemed to be a little confused or at odds with himself over something or other, Elizabeth seemed to be gaining a little more confidence in herself.
"And I'm not afraid. You could hurt me, and I know that. You aren't bothering to hide it. And I'm not so naive anymore that I think that because you seem to like me, that that'll change anything. But you're not the only pretty, deadly thing sitting at this table. And I want to get to know you. Not my friends' opinions of you, not the shadows you throw at people. Just... you. All of you. I can't even explain it. You just... intrigue me."
And with that speech over, she popped the mushroom in her mouth and let out another happy noise. This place had very good food and now that she was over her nerves, she really wanted to enjoy it.
A small sliver of Ganon - a part he liked to neglect even existed, it would completely undermine that exuded confidence that borderlined arrogance - was paranoia, and it screamed at him. Perhaps it was some elaborate plan of using Elizabeth to get close from the other side of the tracks, but the more he examined that strange idea, the more he realized that the notion was utterly ridiculous. Those people wouldnât risk having Elizabeth as close as she was to him, only a couple feet apart due to the table between them. Chances are theyâd rather castrate him and then sell his testicles off to the black market after bronzing them.
Young lady knew how to play a dangerous game. Heâd give her credit where credit was due.
Even if she did sound like some sort of content squeak-thing at the fried mushroom consumption.
âFair enough,â was his final touch on the subject. She wanted to know him, heâd let her. She emerges disappointed, he at least warned her. âWe could discuss the ârecentâ events you alluded to in your messages, if youâd like. You were upset.â Or still was upset, maybe - but the promise of dinner might have cheered her up some, and Ganon put his glass down to pick at their appetizer dish.
He assumed it was dream related. Most horrible things lately were. Honest to god, he hadnât told really anyone about his - the power, the corruption; he dealt it all in silence. Couldnât trust anyone to know around these parts. But the secret was out now, and heâd use his newfound abilities to make the point of do not fuck with me should someone unpolitely step on his territory.
Recent events. Elizabeth frowned at the mention, and decided to finish off her glass of Gin. It had a nice way of warming up her insides, which had gone cold at the memory of what she'd dreamed about that night. Her hand rose to her face, and gently touched against her right eye, "I'm not sure what I have to say about that is polite dinner conversation, but I suppose we're past that anyway. My dreams exist in a particularly dark place, and the recent set is even darker."
She was grateful that Lina had cast a spell to help heal the area, actually, because otherwise she'd have had to apply cover up or something. Elizabeth wasn't actually very good with that kind of thing. "In the more recent ones, I find my better side tested to the extreme. The real world isn't really a place for the innocent anymore, and neither is my dream world."
âThe real world was never a place for innocents, and weâre not all exactly innocent, either.â Ganon noted the hand to her eye and found the gesture somewhat random. But it was her vagueness about the situation that caught his attention - she set the tone for what had happened rather well, but there were those juicy details hidden in there somewhere. Details she was keeping severely close.
Connections were give and take, werenât they? If he wanted to stick with his intention of squirming his way into her personal space, heâd have to expose some of his. âMine involve my attempt taking over a kingdom, invading an ethereal realm and gaining the most iconic source of power of the world. I only triumphed for a couple years, thenâŠâ Ganon snorted, beckoning the waitstaff over for another drink. âI was defeated. As all villains tend to be, at the end of their story.â
"But we're born innocent. It's the world that makes us otherwise," Elizabeth corrected, softly. She fully believed that, that everyone started off right. It was how they were raised, what they experienced, and what they were exposed to that made people so dark inside. She had to believe that.
"Was there a reason you wanted the power, or did you just want it to... want it? You took over the world with it, didn't you?" It didn't really seem like Ganon had started off with good intentions. The road to hell was paved with those, but Elizabeth knew better; Ganon seemed like a man that wanted certain things for his own benefit, and he usually made getting those things a priority. But there was something about that that Elizabeth actually admired. In spite of everything.
Born innocent until made guilty. What a charming way to look at things. He hadnât disagreed - there was some truth there, though the on-going battle of good versus evil was a subject heâd been a bit frustrated with. Ganonâs dreams felt more like a heroâs tale and he got stuck with the villain role that is always ultimately defeated. Unfortunate, but some of his life here mirrored his life there. A crack reflection with similarities he found irritating.
âSometimes a man gets a little hungry for power,â he said, a fact heâd usually smirk about, but that had been his downfall there. And he wondered if itâd be his downfall here, too. âThe possibility of becoming god-like is a very seductive appeal. Especially if you know how to get to it, and you know you can get to it.â And heâd gotten to some of it - the part of the Triforice that resonated with him, the one that represented power and gave him power. âBut Iâve no intention to try and repeat something like that. Highly doubt all the power-ridden people here would mind it if I somehow cursed their precious Orange County for seven years.â
What would that gain him here, anyway? Absolutely nothing aside from more pissed off women kicking out those ornate doors of his.
"No, you're probably right. Though if you had the power of a God, I don't think you'd be struggling for very long before they left you in peace." Elizabeth pursed her lips a bit, and added, "One time a man told me that he feared me more than he feared God. I have a kind of... power that in the wrong hands would be extremely dangerous. But I don't think I could use it to hold sway over the county for seven years. The most I used it for was to travel through time and space, killing the same person. Repeatedly."
And that wasn't her only secret, but that was certainly the biggest one. Elizabeth felt like it was only fair to go that far, he'd shared plenty enough with her. Some part of her wanted him to understand, too, that she had more common ground with him than she appeared to. Though Ganon already seemed to understand that in one way or another.
Something bitter mixed with something sweet - thatâs the impression Elizabeth was giving him, anyway, and right now he found it accurate. âThatâs fairly brutal,â Ganon pointed out. Fascinating, but brutal, and at first look heâd say it would seem uncharacteristic. He guessed her power involved the traveling of time and space that he mentioned and that caught his interest.
Questions gnawed at him, but that question was for another time.
âSo, who was the villain in this? You, or the person you so obsessively sought to kill?â
Elizabeth chewed on her lip a bit, thoughtfully, "I don't know. In the beginning, I'd say that Comstock was the villain. He locked me in a tower, siphoned power away from me, and even used that power to raise my mother from the dead at one point. And that's before we discovered he'd stolen me from someone else. But at what point do I become the villain, here? I'm at the point in my dreams where I started worrying about those things. Killing someone is deceptively easy, and it's also very easy to... enjoy it. And I never do it with my own hands, not if I don't have to, but that doesn't mean I can waive responsibility for it."
After a pause, she added, "Maybe you're the one that's right. Maybe no one's as innocent as they ever believe."
âThen for the sake of tonight,â he began, after waving the waiter down to take the rest of their order. Theyâd been engulfed in conversation and eliminating the appetizer before them that the main course hadnât even been inputted. âNo oneâs a villain at this table. We can pick apart our own intentions and what weâve done, whose blood we have on our handsâŠâ
And he had a lot of it, with little remorse and full responsibility. Ganon would never deny what he had done, what he was still able to do. He ran an entire empire and its legacy was more important than the air he breathed, and it simply was the nature of business. No one could excuse him from his actions. He didnât want to be excused. Show a light on him and throw the blame - heâd carry it on his shoulders with ease.
âYou need a distraction from your dreams. Iâm giving you one.â With a dinner in a restaurant that didnât need the gratuitous money dick waving. The food was good, and he wouldnât have brought her to some place so tight-assed that the portions were microscopic on a large plate and mediocre in taste.