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.

[revmother_livia]

"Sweeney." Livia had expected as much and her tone said so. "Back to the room, then?"

She couldn't quite bring herself to say 'your room.'

[mancalledspade]

Spade shrugged. "Lots of empty rooms in this place. Maybe I'll try a new one." A beat. "So. That's it, then, kid?"

[revmother_livia]

"It seems so."

Her voice was so cool and disinterested that for a moment Livia wondered who in the hell was speaking.

[mancalledspade]

"Jesus Christ. You're a piece of work, doll, you know that?"

[revmother_livia]

"I thought I told you about calling me that."

As usual it was easier to be contrary and pick a fight over something small.

[mancalledspade]

"Tough, angel. I'm who I always was. But then again, maybe you are too."

[revmother_livia]

"Of course I am. You've always known I was a cold bitch." The final word came out twisted and bitter though her expression remained impassive.

[mancalledspade]

"That ain't the surprise, sweetheart," he said, quieter. He took a step back.

[revmother_livia]

"I thought you would be the least surprised of either of us, Sam."

The name just slipped out without her meaning it, but it didn't seem to matter now: he was stepping away.

[mancalledspade]

Quietly, "Shame on me, then, for bein' surprised." A pause. "Indulge me one question. Why're you still here? Or was the whole wanting to go home bit part of the act too?"

[revmother_livia]

The question caught her completely off guard and for a moment she didn't have an answer.

"O'Leary's here..." she started, but that didn't make sense. O'Leary could just come back to Kilbrack with her and probably be the better for it.

[mancalledspade]

The same thought clearly occurred to Spade. "Ah. Force of habit, then." He dropped his cigarette, crushing it under his shoe. "Next time, you should stop carrying a lighter. Forcin' a man to light your cigarette's always a good way to start something, and takes less effort than trying to get him plastered."

[revmother_livia]

"Don't you dare," Livia said in a low, warning voice.

[mancalledspade]

He raised his hands. "Ain't blamin you, baby. I got taken, fair and square. You should be proud - I'm no easy mark, if I do say so myself." His own voice lowered a bit. "Now what's conventional to say? 'Fun while it lasted?' It was, sure. Is that what you wanted?"

[revmother_livia]

Livia didn't want to hear this. She didn't want to hear it and she certainly didn't want to think about it.

"Why are you still here?" she asked suddenly, almost accusingly.