Lord of Dread
Quinn listened and watched. A part of her wanted to deny, lash out at the words that only made her feel further guilty. Mauve was right; she was on her lap with only the fabric of the cloak as a barrier. The Zeltron's hands were on her legs warm and sharp. Everything that led to this point was reactionary for the Echani.
Her mind glazed over the thoughts as Mauve questioned, Why. Quinn didn't give her an answer, just continued to listen while thinking, because this was how you wanted me, its how everyone wants me...
She would never admit it, and though she enjoyed the attention, the touch, the affections. Her heart already belonged to Kirie.
Mauve leaned into her, close enough for the Echani to take in the delicate jasmine scent again that seemed preserved on the surface of Mauve's silken lavender skin. She inhaled, but didn't feel the same effects as the other times she had smelled the floral bouquet.
Their noses touched, and Quinn didn't flinch. She held and let her eyes trail down the length and to the face that had become accustomed to this closeness. Quinn welcomed it, her obsession and need for physical connection slowly winning out. It was pathetic, but it was something she knew was carved into her bones.
Mauve spoke, her breath warm against the Princess's face. Quinn let the corners of her lip curl into the smallest of smiles — even the Zeltron's breath was sweet. How tempting…
Everything about Mauve was danger wrapped in the galaxy's most beautiful bouquet of flowers, Lavender, Jasmine, even the sweetness of a plum. It was almost tragic how easily the Princess fell. Still, under it all, Quinn sensed something familiar, something she wanted to hold onto like a precious stone.
She listened, almost hearing the quickening of Mauve's heart as she spoke the truth of her secrets. Quinn didn't question the first, but the second made her eyes look back to the depth of Mauve's soul.
It was there in those simple words.
She was lonely too.
Quinn smiled. She was right; they were similar.
The distance remained, the sliver of space between their lips continued to be the widest canyon in the known galaxy. But she spoke quietly, as their secrets were only shared with each other.
"Thank you," the Princess hushed, "You've become my only real friend as well…"
Quinn pulled back slightly, needing the space to breathe, to allow Mauve to know the boundary was still there — despite her sweet words and promise of secrecy if they did.
Quinn would know, and Quinn would never break that bond with Kirie.
"I don't believe in owning anyone, I don't think it's something I'd ever want to truly do. I want people around me because they want to be." Her brow furrowed, and a memory unfolded of the last person she trusted, who she considered a friend. Those considerations were strained, but she wanted to believe otherwise.
"Since you told a second secret, I'll give you one more." Quinn adjusted herself, trying to fight the voice in her head that screamed against her following words.
"What you said earlier — I can't help myself." Her voice remained low as she avoided looking at the Zeltron.
"I'm a needy, pathetic thing. I crave physical touch, contact with anything that allows me to understand someone else. I'm an Echani, I was raised as a child in isolation because of something beyond my control."
She inhaled and held her breath as she fought back any tears. This was a secret she had never shared — no one knew of the sad and sorry state of the Princess of Eshan.
"Your secrets are safe with me, just like mine are with you."
