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[witheredpeonies]

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[witheredpeonies]

"I was also killed by someone who I loved." It's complicated. She doesn't remember everything. But it did happen. "I don't understand why you're telling me this, though."

[tisnotthehouse]

"Because Amy loved me," he says tightly (it takes considerable effort not to snap at her). "And River is Amy. The details were changed, but the person remains the same. Otherwise why would she mourn our daughter so? But," he continues painfully, folding his arms so Annabel Lee won't see him clench his fists, "She also loves you, and Erik. She asked me to speak with you and ask your permission to court her." He forces himself to stop and take a death breath, although his throat and chest feel as though they are being squeezed in a vise. "This is not easy for me, as I said. Yet it is a simple enough request, for the chance to be close to her."

[witheredpeonies]

There’s a moment when shock blooms on Annabel’s face like she’s been slapped.

“She wanted you to ask me? Usually, she just tells me she’s fallen for another. It’s not really something I have a say in. I didn’t with Erik.”

This is the most awkward situation she has ever been in, perhaps.

[tisnotthehouse]

"Oh yes," Tarantulas confirms, his lips tightly pursed. "She was very clear and insistent on this point. If there is to be any relationship between us, it will not proceed without your and Erik's approval."

Her distress brings him no pleasure; just the opposite, honestly. He finds it very counterproductive to his goals. So he adds, "For whatever it might be worth...in the dream, Amy and I had just recently added another woman to our marriage. Someone she had known since childhood and loved dearly. But we still discussed the matter for several months before finally agreeing that wedding her would do our own relationship would no harm. Perhaps River learned something from the experience?"

[witheredpeonies]

“But she isn’t the one discussing the matter with me right now. You are.”

And she feels like an obstacle, right now, and that’s uncomfortable as fuck.

[tisnotthehouse]

"It's what she wanted," Tarantulas agrees. "But I can see this displeases you."

He watches her carefully. "Do you not wish to share River with anyone else?"

[witheredpeonies]

“It’s part of who River is. If I reject her need to love multiple people, I would be rejecting her. That was made clear to me from the start, and I’ve accepted it. There is no world where I can keep her to myself and I’ve known that for a while now.”

None of which is a direct answer to the question asked.

“I’m sorry. If you feel you need my permission, you have it. Or at least, I’m not withholding it. I just…don’t see that I have a role in the decisions you and River make regarding one another.”

[tisnotthehouse]

It's the answer he wanted, but Tarantulas wonders if River would be half so pleased. Still, he can be gracious in his victory. "Then you have my thanks," he says, and formally bows (my, he's dredging up a lot of ancient manners today) "If ever there is some way I can repay your generosity, I hope you will not hesitate to ask."