Daily Dialogue: Cauldron of Malice – Chapter Three
Catherine
Chaos, it seems, has a sense of humor.
Agatha
A teacup not shattering when dropped on a rug perhaps owes more to Newton than misrule.
Catherine
Perhaps.
Agatha
Is the worth of your currency still valid?
Catherine
Of course. I am just taken aback is all.
Agatha
Were you expecting to corrupt me first?
Catherine
No, I just expected–
Agatha
That we live in an orderly word.
Catherine
Heh. Slave and master.
Agatha
Might I inquire your age?
Catherine
Is that not something best left to lawyers and morticians?
Agatha
Between most women and men, yes. But we are not most women and men. Besides, you have a lot to confess. Might as well begin with your vanities.
Catherine
Fair play. Twenty-eight.
Agatha
Oh? I am older than my teacher?
Catherine
It’s not the sand in the hourglass, dear Agatha, it is the road the hourglass has been traveled.
Agatha
Then you insinuate that you are more experienced than I?
Catherine
Aren’t I?
Agatha
I have seen six years more of the world than you.
Catherine
And I have seen more of the world than you. Queer that a woman would value her age.
Agatha
Why is that?
Catherine
It is the thing that is volleyed at us by society as a handicap.
Agatha
I care not for a world that values vestigial virginity over all else, and I dare not participate in said world if I can avoid such.
Catherine
More and more, I find that I made the right choice in choosing you.
Agatha
Now, continue on your set path and reveal your pains to me. Your prosperity dependencies.
Catherine
Yes… yes. Where do I begin?
Agatha
At the beginning is always a sound position.
Catherine
Yes, but dreadfully typical. I don’t wish to take our wondrously peculiar situation into stoic realms.
Agatha
It would be worse than the guillotine, it would.
Catherine
Worse than a banquet with queen and court.
Agatha
Worse than fornication during my moons.
Catherine
I don’t mind that as much.
Agatha
…what?
Catherine
Oh, wipe that incredulity off of your face, dear Agatha. It is as fine a time as any for pleasure.
Agatha
Watch what devilry you speak.
Catherine
And why, might I ask, is it devilry?
Agatha
Blood leaks from within, and crampage reigns.
Catherine
Yes, but I do not have to worry about being with child soon after, and there is another… more carnal purpose.
Agatha
I feel faint.
Catherine
But carnality feels all the more richer when your nether-regions have–
Agatha
Harpy, be silent!
Catherine
Oh, you are so fun to tease, dear Agatha.
Agatha
Don’t think that I am unaware of your scheme.
Catherine
Oh?
Agatha
You wish to distract me, delay the inevitable for as long as possible. But that’s the dilemma with the inevitable: eventually, it arrives.
Catherine
Perhaps you’re too clever for my blood…
Agatha
I declare a momentary moratorium on the word “blood,” until you cease your aberration tactics.
Catherine
Of course.
Agatha
And all words synonymous with it.
Catherine
Damnation…
Agatha
So. Why do you need to go to such extremes, like kidnapping a lady of means, to help you depend on yourself for happiness?
Catherine
It is a long tale.
Agatha
I doubt you’ll be releasing me anytime soon–
Catherine
Heh, no, I won’t.
Agatha
–so time isn’t a consideration for me.
Catherine
Very well.
