Brandon's Dialogue Challenge
(Not sure if this is the correct place, but it seemed to fit the best, and I didn't want to make another topic)
According to Plan
Matthew Wiens
(1483 words)
“A gentleman knocks before entering his sister‘s room. Especially at these hours. He also uses the door.”
“I don’t believe it. You planned this from the beginning, didn’t you. Mikhail, my date, the wine. You planned it from the start.”
“Aaron, it’s late, get some rest. We can talk about this in the morning. We have a big day ahead of us. You especially, being the new heir…”
“I didn’t want this! I never asked for this. What made you think you could do this? These are people’s lives we are talking about, Daerra. This isn’t one of your little games. Two people are dead! And it’s because of you.”
“Aaron, I can tell you are upset, but don’t you think we should leave this until morning. You can rest, think things through. Then we’ll talk about it, I promise.”
“Damn it Daerra! We’re talking about this now. What were you thinking? How could you… how could you do this? Stop brushing your hair and listen to me when I’m talking to you!”
“Fine, I’m listening. What is it you want to say?”
“I want… why? Why would you do this?”
“Why would I do what? You’ll have to be more specific.”
“This isn’t a game Daerra… this is serious.”
“And I’m being serious. What exactly are you so angry about?”
“What do you think I’m angry about? My cousin is dead, stabbed in the chest by the woman I was dancing with tonight, and you are the bloody cause of it all!”
“You forgot to mention I made you heir.”
“Enough! You can’t just play with people like this. Two people are dead because of you. Does that not make you feel guilty?”
“Not really, no. What? In case you’ve forgotten, this has been the plan from the beginning. You know I never intended Mikhail to inherit.”
“And when were you planning on filling me in on these plans?”
“You’ve known from the start, silly. Now, I just have to work on father and uncle. Claudia will be important as well, but I should have her wrapped around my finger soon enough. I think we should start by…”
“Stop it. We’re not done with this. You can’t just walk away from this Daerra. You killed two people.”
“Did I? I see no blood on my hands. Last I checked, your little lady friend…”
“She’s nothing to me. I told you that as soon as I found out…”
“I know, I was teasing, but last I checked, she’s the one who plunged that dagger into our dear cousin, Mikhail’s chest. She’s the one who got herself beheaded for her crime.”
“But you made it happen. You set her up. I don’t know what you told her to make her do your dirty work for you, but…”
“But what? You’re free Aaron. That horrid woman will never bother you again, and she took Mikhail down with her. She was unstable anyways, she probably would have gotten herself executed before the year was out anyways. If anyone deserved death, it’s her.”
“And Mikhail, did he deserve to die?”
“Mikhail was an obstacle. I had him removed.”
“You say it like it’s simple. Like he’s just a chair or table. He’s your cousin, Daerra! Or had you forgotten that?”
“Do you really think he wouldn’t have done the same to me, had our positions been reversed?”
“Mikhail was always loyal to his family…”
“Loyal, yes, but not ambitious? Hardly. Had our father not gotten himself stricken from the succession, it would have been him plotting against you.”
“And what would you have been doing?”
“Keeping your pretty little head on your shoulders, dear brother. What are big sisters for?”
“Last I checked, we’re twins, and I’m at least three inches taller.”
“Very funny. Now, can we get some rest? The factions are going to be in an uproar over this, and I’ll need to be fully recovered to deal with things. I just know father is going to try to have me shipped off again. He thinks I have too much influence over you already. Now that you are first in line… well, things certainly won’t be boring.”
“And if I don’t want to be the heir? Did you ever think, for a moment when you were concocting this brilliant plan of yours that I wouldn’t want what you offered?”
“Of course. When uncle passes away, you’ll inherit, and when the moment is right, you can abdicate in favour of me. A faction or two might try something, but I’m sure I can handle them.”
“I still can’t believe it.”
“What?”
“You. You’re acting like all you’ve done is reorganize some furniture or something.”
“Sometimes furniture has to be reorganized for a room to work properly.”
“That not my point, and you know it. It’s like I’m seeing you for the first time. You know, I always thought you were joking. I mean, I thought all that succession stuff was just some game, like the kind we used to play as kids. I knew you were competent, Daerra, but I never thought you were capable of this.”
“You thought my life’s work was some sort of joke? That I wasn’t serious? Maybe you are seeing me for the first time.”
“You’ve changed everything, you know. Forever.”
“I know. I fail to see why that’s a bad thing.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what? That I wasn’t joking about my life-long dream? I guess that just never occurred to me.”
“No, not that. About the plan. About tonight. You played me Daerra. You played me, just like you played everyone else. You used me.”
“Aaron, it’s not like that. I…”
“You used me Daerra. I thought we were supposed to be a team.”
“We are. I just thought… I just thought you wouldn’t understand. That you’d panic.”
“Of course. Because I’m such an airhead. Good if something needs to be stolen, but if there’s plotting to be done, I’m just some sort of liability.”
“Aaron, you know I don’t think that. I… I made a mistake. I’m sorry…”
“Don’t play me. You think I can’t see through you? I’m not some pawn in one of your games, Daerra. I’m your brother. I know you better than anyone. You know you can trust me, so stop keeping me at arm’s reach.”
“This isn’t easy for me, you know.”
“I didn’t think it would be.”
“Aaron… I… I shouldn’t have kept this from you. I should have trusted you. I know that. It’s just, things happened so fast, and I didn’t know what to do. I had a plan. After all these years of plotting, I had a plan. I just wanted it to succeed so badly that I… that I kept it from the one person who could have made sure it went through without a hitch. I really am sorry Aaron. I promise I’ll never keep anything like this from you again. Okay?”
“You know, it’s the strangest thing. I can’t even tell if you’re being sincere anymore. I used to see the way you smiled at people. The way you made your eyes sparkle at someone you couldn’t stand, or the way you could blush or cry on command. And I would think to myself, man, she’s got them played. They’ll never see it coming until it’s too late. But I always knew that at least I knew the real you. The one that felt insecure sometimes, the one who had my back, and the one that kept me in check. I knew my sister. And now, now I’m not sure where she is. If she’s gone, or lost, or whatever. Now, all I see is what everyone else sees.”
“Aaron…”
“You still don’t get it, do you? Two people are dead because of you, Daerra. They’re gone. Forever. Our lives will never be the same. And you don’t feel anything.”
“I…”
“Save it. Save it for someone who’s still fooled by you. You know, our father always said there was something wrong with you. I always thought he was wrong. Now… now I’m not so sure.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that we’re done here. If you see me in the morning… how about you just leave me alone. You have your factions to deal with. Let them keep you busy. I’m done with all of this. I’m going to bed.”
“Aaron I… Fine. Be a stubborn prick if you want to. I said I’m sorry. What do you want me to do? Bow before you, and kiss your feet? If tonight has proven anything, it’s that I don’t need you. I don’t need anyone. So go ahead and abandon me for all I care.”
“You know what the funny thing is? If you would have asked just then, even after everything you’ve done, I think I would have forgiven you.”
“Aaron…”