guinegreer | inbox for saltburnt;

What I can say is that Otherworld would’ve been a lot more terrifying without you two around.

No, nothing like that. His wife… passed, a little while ago. We hadn’t really seen each other at length for years before this place.

[ and now, who can say what they are to each other? ]

Funny how that night feels miles away after the wolfman running amuck, huh?

This place seems to have a funny way of bringing people that are...important to us and keeping them in close quarters.

You know Embry too, right?

[of course he already knows the answer to that, but he's curious to get another side of the story, and there's plenty of time now.]

You can tell me to buzz off at any point.

Do you think it's going to be like that every time? In the club, that is. I'm not sure how many more people exist for this place to keep surprising me with.

We met around six years ago, but we hadn't seen each other in a while before we both arrived here.

[ ironically, him sending that just makes her want to share more. ]

It's okay. You're just the first person to ask.

Well pardon my French, but shit - I sure hope not. You and me both. The parties are one thing...but the cameos...considering the last one left me in the hospital, might not survive the next.

Long time to be apart, and DC's not always the kindest playground when it comes to mixing business with pleasure.

Well, we survived the last one, so here’s to taking it one day at a time?

It’s easy to lose touch, in other words, and I was only a part of that whole world through my grandpa Leo. I certainly never wanted to go into politics, at any rate, even if I wound up back in DC.

I'll drink to that when we get outta this. Which reminds me - I have an invite for you. I'm hosting a party, and I promise my dress code is a lot kinder than downstairs.

But sure, you grow up around it like that, it's understandable not to want to fall into the muck. You and your grandpa - you were close? Did he know Ash and Embry too?

At least I know enough to take you at your word when it comes to any potential surprises. How'd you manage to talk them into letting you host?

He basically raised me from when I was a little girl. [ whatever disagreements she and grandpa leo have had over the years, he was all the family she'd had. ] And he was VP himself, at one point. Ash's grandfather's running mate, in case you needed further proof that everyone in DC is connected to everyone else.

Well you see...I'm irresistible.

Hope you at least cracked a smile at that one - they were happy to accommodate. Got the kitchen on board and everything. To tell you the truth I think they were relieved not to have to come up with their own after the whole Greek shebang.

Wow, isn't that something. Have you known Ash your whole life too?

It's funny - that's how...[his almost-fiancée-] someone back home and I were. She was like a sister to me, considering I was practically raised by her father and lived with them both. One of the few good senators and an even better man - you know how rare that is.

I'll never tell.

[ she totally had. ]

I don't think anyone could argue that they haven't been generous hosts, in more than one sense. But I'm sure they appreciate the breather from party planning.

We first met when I was sixteen, at a party. He was... older, then. Already enlisted in the army, and about to be deployed again.

You're right. There's no shortage of backstabbing and deceit, but it teaches you how to recognize the ones who are honest and good-hearted, regardless of party affiliation.

Alright alright, I won't ask.

What can I say, I thought it was time we all get to know each other a little more personally. You can learn a lot about a person's roots. [is that a hint at an ulterior motive? yes.]

Not quite the fairytale beginning I was expecting. When did you meet again? You obviously made quite the impression, regardless. That's a long time to come back to someone.

Is that your way of saying you just want to learn more about me?

[ he's coming at it in a roundabout way, but greer, for once, has no difficulty cutting straight to the point. ]

Years later. By then he'd become something of a hero, but by the time we crossed paths again he was planning to ask someone else to marry him — which really was for the best.

Good girl, you see where I'm going with this.

[it's not condescending, and it's not just greer - it's everyone he wants more intel on. including the balfours and the house itself. the fact that she's seen right through it just means she's the kind of smart cookie he'd expected.]

Did he? Marry them?

And it was...another woman?

[embry??]

But I'm not exactly special in that regard, am I?

[ if he wants to learn more about her, that is, she's likely not the only one that interest applies to. but if he even half-knows what dc is like, then he also knows that information really is power. ]

Jenny. They were married right up until she passed a year ago.

You are. Any friend of Embry's is a friend of mine - someone I want to look out for.

[he means it too, not just because he told embry he would, but because he likes her.]

Everyone else - well, it's just for future reference.

Christ, she had to be young. Lot more recent than I would have expected.

You looked out for me from the very beginning. I won’t forget that.

[ not everyone would’ve lent her their jacket to cover up at a party like the one they’d met at. or do her the courtesy of ordering her a different drink while making it seem like his own idea. ]

It was very sudden. I don’t think she was even sick for that long. I’d seen them mostly at church, here and there, before then.

Good. You need anything - you know where to find me. I mean it.

...Jesus. That's a lot for a guy to carry on top of the Presidency. But maybe there's something to be said for trying again. Maybe underneath all the bullshit that's what this place wants us to get.

Or maybe I'm just feeling sentimental. Slap me next time I see you, huh?

How about we don't wait until the next time it's every man for himself in Otherworld?

I don't think he's looking for another First Lady, if that's what you mean. But we have been spending more time together here.

Slapping wasn't my first instinct, if that helps.

Alright - deal.

...No? What was it then?

I know of at least one person rooting for you two. Though I'm not sure I understand all the logistics of that.

[embry. which is strange considering the vague history he's been given.]

Honestly? Just a hug.

Dare I ask?

[ even if she already has a feeling she knows who he's referring to, because it's the same person who's usually telling her she should be with ash too. ]

You can have one of those whenever you like.

[like the kind you get from a big brother, no need to worry about wandering hands or discomfort.]

...Some people think we look alike. I don't know, I think he'd have a hissy fit if someone said it to his face.

I can see it. A little. You're both very charming. Almost... too charming. ;)

But I'd never be able to confuse you for him.

Not everyone might agree with you on that. My - suitemate, I don't think he's a fan and charming wouldn't come to mind.

Be honest - it's the hair, right?

[he's teasing again.]

The three of you, it seems...complicated. Is it warranted?

Kind of seems like I lucked out on my suitemate. She's never been anything other than complimentary.

The hair's definitely part of it.

Complicated is putting it mildly. The years between all three of us could probably fill their own epic novel at this point.

What, of him specifically? Or in general? Mine is - well, his tastes are specific. First time I met him, he ordered milk at a bar.

[and he fell for it instantly. but nevermind.]

Yeah? Well, if you ask me, you'd make a mighty fine Guinevere.

Of me. But I was mostly just glad to get someone who doesn't snore.

You do know what happens at the end of her story, right? [ dying of anguish and heartbreak feels like a pretty miserable way to go. ]

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