[Ve] you promised me you'd take me there again someday but you never did

Kavya took a drag of her cigarette as she stared at her phone screen, waiting for something that probably wasn't going to come. A text, a call—Kaye wouldn't do that now. Not after how Kavya had treated her, going cold on her like she did. Even after the affair, she avoided—no, ignored—the silver-haired woman. She looked straight past her when they were forced to cross paths and pretended like she didn't exist. She'd gone silent for weeks, until today. It was all last-minute, really. Kavya was supposed to go to the festival with someone else. But he bailed on her, because, of course, he did. Men were like that. Still, the ever-crafty Kavya had tried to turn this into an opportunity. She'd been ghosting Kaye, leaving her without answers for long enough now. 

It was time to make an approach, and so she did. Kavya had her own goons, one who could work efficiently and on short notice. So sending one of them to get her message across to Kaye in person, wasn't a problem. The message in question? A bouquet of roses with a card attached. One that would invite the silver-haired woman to meet her here; today, at the Harmony Festival. They had frequented the festival together before, but that had been some years ago now. The question was, If Kaye would come. If she would show up. If she hadn't, then it would have all been for nothing. Then Kavya's subtle yet deliberate method of manipulation hadn't worked. And that was a hit to the ego, which Kavya rather wouldn't take. So it was a test then, a test to see if weeks of pushing Kaye away would untimely draw her in.

The woman finally pocketed her phone, and threw her burning cigarette away. The damn thing was nothing more than the bud anyway. Kavya contemplated lighting a new one; she felt like she needed too. But decided against it in the end. She's been smoking too much already anyway; she should really try to cut back a little. Instead, the woman decided to spend her time watching the crowd of people who walked in and out of the festivals. Young couples mostly, blossoming love. Innocent and sweet. They had no idea how ugly love could turn. But she knew—oh, oh, she knew all too well. That is why she didn't really do love; fooling around, sure; building some sort of connection, yes. But love? Actual love? No, no, that wasn't for her.

The woman took one more glance at her watch. Kaye had already missed the time they were supposed to meet by 15 minutes. A deliberate action or a sign she wasn't going to come. Kavya wasn't sure, but she also wasn't going to wait around any longer. She'd rather enjoy the festival alone, then. So the woman slowly started to move away from her spot, looking back a few more times. Perhaps hoping to see Kaye's familiar face coming up after all.

Annoyance surged within her as her attention was caught by the snarky comment Kaye threw at her. With a swift motion, Kavya turned her head around and drilled into the icy blue eyes of the silver-haired woman with her own. Kavya didn't like this air of arrogance Kaye had about her; it meant that she hadn't quite learned her lesson. And while the wine-colored woman never expected the Syndicate's lieutenant to break out of desperation at her feet,. She had wanted to knock her down a peg, to dial down her ego. And it was clear that, thanks to the storm of emotions she could see swirling in Kaye's eyes, she hadn't quite achieved that to the level she wanted yet. 

She should have taken more time; 4 weeks clearly wasn't enough. Next time, it'll be four months. But that was for next time, right now. She had to try a different method. "Fuck." The word felt strange on her lips, even alien. Kavya never swore, ever. It was unladly like in her opinion. But it made the very rare times that she did it even more impactful. A frown appeared on her face as she finally tore her gaze away from Kaye. Instead, she slowly slid it downwards, her pupils moving subtly from left to right. To signal that, she was thinking very deeply about something.

"That tosser got it all mixed up." She groaned in frustration, pretending as if her underling had made a mistake and got two people mixed up, which brought Kaye here. And it hadn't all been a deliberately planned out on Kavya's part: "He wasn't supposed to go to you; I specifically told him the message was supposed to be delivered to djo-" She cut herself off, and her pretends faded. Instead, she started to grin, wickedly. She had promised herself not to stand between them, despite having countless opportunities to do so. She had only wanted to mess a little with them both and get a little insight into their relationship. As she did find it fascinating. But that didn't mean that her intentions couldn't change. Or, at least, that she couldn't use her connection to Kaye's little redhead against her. 

"Nevermind." Kavya said as she shrugged, her grin still adorning her face. "You are already here. It'd be a shame to have made you come all this way for nothing." She said nonchalantly. Completely talking over what she had just said a moment earlier. Kavya gestured to Kaye to go ahead, but she didn't actually wait for the woman to do so. She simply started walking without her. "Let's just enjoy the festival shall we?"

Kavya wondered if Kaye realized just how much she betrayed herself at this moment. And her feelings. Her feelings for that little redhead. She wouldn't have lashed out like this if Djodie hadn't meant anything to her. If she was just a simple fling like so many other girls before her.

“Joke about that again and see what happens.”

Kavya didn't flinch and didn't react in any way. She simply stared at the other woman with her signature look painted all over her face. Eyes half-lidded, yet sharp. The corners of her mouth turned up ever so slightly. A hum escaped her lips. She was intrigued by the threat. Kavya didn't believe that Kaye actually had what it took to hurt her. Not really, not severely. Nothing she couldn't handle. "Who says I'm joking?" She bit back, her eyes sparking with challenge. Kavya reached up a little, pressing her body even more against that of Kaye until their chests were impossibly close together. It made it even a little harder to breathe. "Me and Djodie are pretty close, you know?"

It was a shame that Kaye decided to end their little moment so abruptly, Kavya was enjoying herself rather a lot. It wasn't often she could play in on Kaye's feelings like this. As Kaye released her, Kavya took a few steps back. Making distance between her and the other woman. She then brushed over the sore spot on her skin. Even the faintest bit of friction over the damaged skin sent waves of pain through her entire arm. She was sure a bruise would form. As she looked up, she could see Kaye shoving something back into the confines of her jacket. A new Pokémon perhaps? Kavya didn't care too much to find out. 

The words the silver-haired woman threw at her before she sighed and flicked her wrist. It Caused Kavya to narrow her eyes. She zero'ed in on the woman as she started to immerse herself in the festivities. Taking up Kavya's earlier-formed proposal to "just enjoy the festival," Kavya then shrugged. "A simple gesture for a simple girl." She said, as her eyes fell over several stalls and the goods they were selling. 

Kavya knew how to get a rise out of Kaye; she knew her insecurities and her interests. Perhaps not to the detail. But she knew enough for it to be used as a stick to beat the silver-haired woman with. Kaye's little tirade made Kavya sigh. Her eyes landed on Kaye. "To be fair, you do make quite the splendid slumprat" She began, her voice dripping with venom. "A shame that slumming it with you isn't as entertaining as it was before." Even a princess needed some excitement in her life, after all. 

Kavya wondered if Kaye understood what she meant by her words. Probably not the full extent of it. If she believed the statement at all. She probably thought it was just some snarky comment. But for Kavya it was something deeper. That day in her office, when the deed was done. Kavya felt so empty. So numb. Even when their drug-fueled encounter had been so intense. It made her think that perhaps she had been burned out by Kaye. This relationship they had - it had persisted for many years after all - had reached its end. 

And yet, it would be a lie if she said she was completely convinced of this notion. Because right here and now, that didn't seem to be an issue. Right now, Kavya had fun with Kaye, toying with her like this. She didn't even mind it when Kaye started to treat her a little roughly. So perhaps that intimacy wasn't totally gone yet. Or maybe her behavior has rekindled that spark again. Not that their bond had always been based on loving words and cuddles. But it hadn't quite this been this antagonistic before. 

Kaye accused her of being "the jealous type." But nothing could be further from the truth. Kavya didn't do jealousy. She didn't care who Kaye slept with, or who she held dear. Their bond was in her eyes; entirely only focused around them. Other people didn't matter. “Getting closer to the girl I’m fucking? If I had known that was what it takes to get your attention back again, I would have done this earlier.” Kavya followed the icy blue age of the silver-haired woman towards a garish-looking teddiursa teddy bear. 

Kaye suggested buying it for her. So she'd have a little "friend." The bookkeeper scoffed. And she waved her hand dismissively. "I don't want that garbage." She said, a little harsher and colder than she would've liked. "Maybe your little girlfriend would like it, though." She suggested it instead. Kavya pictured Djodie as the kind of person who'd love a stuffed toy like that. She'd probably even sleep with it. 

"Speaking of your girlfriend, I do wonder exactly why you like her so much. Is it because she bats her little eyes at you? Or the way she makes barely qualifying for conversation - conversation?" Kavya smirked as she looked at Kaye waiting for her reaction. "No wait- I get it now; she makes you feel all big and strong, doesn't she?" She couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "Always there to stroke your ego and shower you with gratitude for swooping in like a hero when needed."

“Exactly, perhaps I should buy it for her.” Kavya hummed, the thought of snatching the plush out of Kaye's hand and ripping it apart flashing through her mind. Would Djodie still like her present then? If it was all torn and tattered? Most likely - Kaye could give her anything in any condition, and she'd still like it. The girl had no standards after all. But Kavya decided against it in the end.

Kaye didn't like Kavya's words of truth; of course she wouldn't the bookkeeper hadn't expected anything else. But she was a little surprised to find that the reality she had sketched was enough to silence the silver-haired woman. To render her speechless. Even if it was just for a short while.

Because she soon found it again. Kaye was a lot of things, but she was also strong. That Kavya wouldn't deny. One could beat her down physically or verbally, but she always got back up again in the end. Not only that, but she'll fight back too. Kavya listened quietly, and carefully, to Kaye's words. A confession, and accusation, a threat. Kaye didn't hold back this time. Which only delighted Kavya all the more. If she could get her this riled up, it meant she was pushing all the right buttons. 

Kavya didn't meet Kaye's gaze; she didn't want to strain her neck by looking up. She merely kept looking forward. "Kaye," She said with a rather calm and tranquil voice. "It won't last." It almost came out as a whisper, as a haunting echo. A thought swirled in the back of the silver-haired woman's mind, one she tried to push away. But kept coming back. "You two are simply too different." Like night and day. "Those things you listed—you might find them to be attractive qualities now, but you will tire of them. It's too much sweetness for you, Kaye. And you can deny it all you like, but you've never had a sweet tooth and never will. You want someone - well; someone who's a little more on the same level as you"

Kavya sighed as she reached behind her and moved, guiding her hand through her long, silky, wine-colored hair. Maneuvering all of it over her shoulder. "Not to mention that you aren't very good for her, either." Kavya knew Kaye, and her antics. Her little tricks, suddenly leaving. Going silent for days... Not to mention her work-related activities. "You can't stand there and tell me your relationship with her is a healthy one." A chuckle escaped Kavya's lips. Healthy was boring in her mind anyway, but she was sure the redhead didn't see it that way. It was what she surely wanted, and needed, more than anything. 

Kavya had seen the dog too; she had an eye for hidden gems, after all. But before she could make any move towards it. An arm was thrown around her, one that pulled her close. Once again, Kavya was pressed closely against Kaye. The bookkeeper could feel the other woman's hot breath on her skin as she whispered into her ear. "Did you know you have the most fragile ego? Can't take the very thing you've done to others so many times yourself." Kavya mused softly. Calling back the complaints Kaye had about how Kavya treated her. 

"But you are right, no one quite makes me scream like you do." The twin-colored-hair woman mused. "Just like how I make you feel quite like nobody else can." The soaring highs, the crashing lows. Pushing, pulling. Blowing hot, blowing cold... Kavya reached forward, finally meeting Kaye's eyes with her own. Her arms gently took a hold of Kaye's shoulders. As she pressed her lips lightly against those of the other woman. Creating quite the tender moment. Despite all the unpleasantness that had come before. Though, it didn't last very long. As Kavya quickly pulled away again. A small grin adorns her face. "Now go get me that dog."

Kavya scoffed at Kaye's snarky comment. She was the perfect person to give Kaye advice. She was, after all, the mistress of love. Never having any trouble with it. Unlike Kaye. Kavya always had a line of lovers waiting in the wings. With whom she was able to do anything she wanted, without any strings attached. Kavya was loved, but she didn't love. She had trained herself, not too. As a way to protect herself. So her heart wouldn't be broken, or- Kavya's eyes narrowed as she looked at kaye- torn. 

Love was a shallow emotion anyway, a mix of a fear of being alone and lust. How many times have people said they loved her over the years and that they'd do anything for her? That they couldn't bear to live without her? Only to be over her within a few months? Enough times to prove her point.

Kaye was remarkably silent; perhaps Kavya had touched another nerve? Or maybe she was just thinking about something else—someone else. It made Kavya just a little uneasy. Seeing Kaye like this. She wasn't used to seeing the silver-haired woman, so she lost. Almost saddened in a way. Kavya had wanted to take her down a peg. But not like this.

This wasn't fun; this wasn't entertaining. Couldn't she revert back to idle threats? The roughhousing, the arguing - like before? Or had Kaye found the ultimate counter to Kavya's little game? By simply refusing to play it?

Maybe that's why Kavya decided to change her approach, in an attempt to reel Kaye back in. Some hushed words, gentle touches. Lips pressed together. Only, even that didn't really work. All the bookkeeper got out of the lieutenant was one spoken word. And then - nothing. It sounded like the beginning of a sentence, but if it was, the rest never came. There was only silence on Kaye's part. 

She did heed her command, however, though not very enthusiastically. Loudly proclaiming that she hated dogs. To be fair, Kavya wasn't a big dog person either. Dogs were just a little too messy and too loud for her taste. But still, she preferred them over cats. Dogs were loyal, at least. Perhaps even to a fault. But that to Kavya, that was even better. Unlike cats, one could feed them, house them, and what did they give in return? Nothing, nothing of value. You couldn't rely on a cat to protect yout home. You couldn't rely on a cat to help you when you were ill. You should be lucky if you get a few head rubs here and there, but that was it. And that wasn't good enough.

"And I hate you." Kavya almost wanted to say it; it was on the tip of her tongue. "I am in hate with you." But she didn't; she merely bit her lip as she watched Kaye make a fool of herself. Kavya couldn't really see what she was doing, but whatever it was, it took much too long. The twin-haired woman impatiently tapped her feet as she looked at her watch every so often. After a short while, she had to stop herself from just leaving Kaye, just leaving this damned festival, and going home. And perhaps she would've if the dog hadn't been worth the wait. 

Kavya watched them from a distance, sighing every time Kaye avoided the people passing her. Until finally, finally, she did what Kavya had told her to do. To secure that dog for her. Before the poor thing even knew what was happening, it was stuck in a pokeball. One that was quickly thrown Kavya's way. Greedily snatched it out of the arm and held it in her hands. She grinned wildly as she saw her reflection on the shiny surface of the pokeball. Kaye walked back over to her, looking just as disgruntled as before. "Thank you, Miss Mercer." Kavya said with a mockingly polite tone. 

"Now, I have to think about a name for this little canine." She mused, several names swirling around in her head already. Djodie- was the most prevalent one. A good fit too; Djodie was a dog herself in a way. Or at least her character was dog-like, obedient, loyal, and overly trusting... Kavya chuckled softly to herself as her eyes flicked back to Kaye. "Suggestions?"

Oh? Kaye didn't even want to help her with a finding a suitable name.Of course, Kavya was never actually going to pick anything Kaye would suggest, but the fact that she didn't want to humor her was what irked the bookkeeper. How terribly boring! Kavya pocketed the pokeball in her long coat. But she didn't move otherwise, not even when the silver-haired woman, with quite the snappy tone. Urged her too. Kavya stood completely still, like a statue. "Ask me again," She said, her voice laced with annoyance. She wasn't just going to hobble after her like some dog. "And do it properly this time." 

Maybe she should just leave right now; this isn't working out. This attitude Kaye had was starting to become very draining. And besides, she'd already gotten everything she wanted out of this meeting. So really, there was no point in continuing this pretense. "I'm getting bored too; this whole affair is turning out to be rather dull." Kavya sighed as she feigned a yawn, like the actress she was. "I think it's best if we part ways here, hmm? I don't really want to waste any more of my time on such a tedium."

The bookkeeper didn't wait for a response from the silver-haired woman; she simply turned away from her. And walked away; however, Kavya didn't get very far. She'd only taken a few steps when a familiar face appeared. The bookeeper couldn't quite mask her surprise. She could only blink as the redhead approached her, anger, confusion, and much more clearly displayed on her face. "What are you doing here." 

Kavya quickly regained her composure, her eyes narrowing and the corners of her mouth curling upwards. She hadn't anticipated this turn of events, but... it was quite the opportunity. Once she wouldn't let her escape. For a few moments more, Kavya ignored the redhead in front of her. Deliberately, she reached into her coat pocket, retrieving a cigarette and lighter. Djodie could wait; if Kavya was going to do this, she needed a smoke first. Once the cigarette was lit, she slid it between her lips and returned the pack and lighter to the pocket from which she had retrieved them. As Kavya took a long drag, she felt the familiar rush of warmth spreading through her body. The taste of the smoke danced on her tongue. She felt a sense of calm wash over her, momentarily easing the tension that had been building within.

Her attention flicked back to Djodie, Kavya leaned forward and exhaled, directing all the smoke towards the little redheads face. "Same as you, I presume." She mused, her voice a mocking one. "I came here to enjoy the festival." Kavya turned her head, looking back - at Kaye. Kavya won't have much time before she would wise up and put a stop to this. The wine colored woman couldn't let that happen, not before she'd said everything she wanted to say. "But that's not what you mean, is it? You want to know what I'm doing here - with Kaye." The bookkeeper was sure to emphasize the name as much as possible.

"I suppose I should come right out and say it- rather surprised you didn't put two and two together before, but then again, you aren't exactly very smart now, are you?" Not very pretty, and not very bright- Kavya really didn't know what Kaye saw in her. "I don't even know if it would change anything." The bookkeeper sneered, a devilish twinkle present in her eye. "She could do anything, and you'd be willing to look past it because you are just that much of a slut for her."

Kavya took another drag of her cigarette. "You know, that isn't even the worst thing. The fact, you're a dirty whore. It's the way you pretend you aren't. You aren't fooling anyone with that innocent and cutesy mask you put on, sister." Fumes from the smoke swirled like a cloud around her, casting a hazy veil that softened the edges of her surroundings. Causing Kavya to zero in on Djodie even more.

"The only cute thing about you is how hard you try."

She should start to wrap things up now. She could almost hear Kaye storming her way. "But to answer your question, I am here with Kaye. Because I guess you could say, We have a bit of a situationship, something we've had for years." Though, they probably won't anymore after today. Not if she would stood in between them. Which she will, Kavya was sure. That tricky little vixen wouldn't let go so easily.

"And my name isn't Victoria, it's Kavya." With a decisive flick, she tossed her cigarette to the ground. Swiftly, she stomped on it with her heel, ensuring it was extinguished before she walked away.