Uncrackplotted (open)

[mancalledspade]

The curse had worn off so gradually, he barely noticed as it did. One day, when he saw, really saw, a nice pair of legs walk by, it hit him that he was back to normal. On one level, at least

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[revmother_livia]

Livia had been spending the time getting back to what she considered something like normal. The whole thing with Spade had been insanity anyway, hadn't it? She was Livia Cuthbert, for Christ sakes. Cold, unfeeling Livia.

The young woman was so busy rewriting history that she didn't notice the crackplot wear off.

She also didn't initially notice Spade as she went out for a smoke of her own. Honestly, she wasn't sure who she was smoking for these days. Maybe she was trying to prove something to herself or perhaps she'd just crossed the line into addiction, Livia wasn't sure.

[mancalledspade]

Spade saw Livia and hesitated. Now that the crackplot had worn off, part of him still wanted her. But he didn't know which was the way she really felt; for all he knew she'd been enchanted from the beginning. In some ways, that almost made more sense.

And it wasn't just that. He'd been doing a lot of thinking: about his old life, about what he'd done here since arriving. No conclusions, but lots of thoughts.

But all that aside, he wasn't one to leave a grudge lingering where he didn't have to. And he'd been an ass, last time she'd seen him. So he said, leaving a bit of distance between them, "Seems like I'm always too late to be lighting your cigarettes, Miss Cuthbert. No wonder chivalry is on the way out."

[revmother_livia]

Slowly, casual even though she'd had no idea he was there, Livia turned to look at him. Then just as slowly she turned back to front and took a long drag on her cigarette.

"Haven't seen you in a while, Mr. Spade."

So they were back to the Miss Cuthberts and Mr. Spades. She wasn't sure how she felt about that but told herself it was how things ought to be.

[mancalledspade]

When she didn't correct him, he mentally nodded. 'Miss Cuthbert' had apparently been the right choice. "Been lying a bit low." A short pause. "I want to apologize. I wasn't myself, last we talked, and I said some things I shoudn't've."

[revmother_livia]

"Weren't yourself?" A bitter little smile quirked in the corner of her mouth. "It looked like you. Sounded like you too."

T: Wow, misjournal. Sorry!

[mancalledspade]

He raised one eyebrow. "You'd rather I didn't admit I was acting like an ass? No skin off my nose."

T: XD No worries.

[revmother_livia]

"I'd rather you didn't pretend it was something that it wasn't."

And wasn't that what he'd always said about the whole thing? Christ, she suddenly felt ridiculous and it made her angry.

[mancalledspade]

"Oh? And what was it, then?"

[revmother_livia]

"Well," she began, her tone rational and more that a little bit bitter. "Sex was removed from the equation and what happened? Anger, fear and eventually 'Miss Cuthbert' and 'Mr. Spade'. That answers a few questions you've had on your mind, doesn't it?"

[mancalledspade]

"You think it's really that simple?" he asked, quietly, face impossible to read.

[revmother_livia]

Livia didn't know what to think, but being Livia she couldn't admit it.

"I thought you'd like that explanation, but if you have a better one."

[mancalledspade]

"I don't know what it was like for you, but I was confused, and I was disgusted 'cause of whatever mojo we got hit with. Timing was more than lousy. But then again, maybe I was the sucker for thinking that's all there was to it."

[revmother_livia]

"Did you go back to the room?" she asked, skating over his response.

[mancalledspade]

He was quiet for a moment. "No. Just to get some things. You?"

[revmother_livia]

"No."

She took another drag, ashing her cigarette carefully.

"Where were you?"

[mancalledspade]

"Crashed in the eighth wonder of the world. Once you develop a fondness for empty bottles, it's quite cozy. But I'll be movin' out soon."