For a long time, Madeleine is quiet. Her tail flicks involuntarily but outside of that and a random ear movement or two she is as still as Blanche. There is nothing but the motion of the dimscalp and the slow dance of her muscles toward recovery.

"I think you see yourself as a failure," she says without lifting her head, "Because you're trying to foster potential that is not there."

A sigh. A swish. She is secured to the table and there is nothing for her to do. It is the sort of gesture that renders a lot of what she could say and do irrelevant. Didn't she already tell Machia she was wasting her time?

"Put a broadcast on. Go ahead. If you can find one... where they bother talking about me. You'll see what they say. It's what they all say. What they always have said."

Swish, flicker flicker. Madeleine winces as a sore spot suddenly flares to life. Her arms tense around Blanche, but she doesn't struggle, doesn't strain. Flicker swish swish. She is still. She is here.

"You are the only person I have ever met who called what I have 'potential'. I'm sure that it's a lie but... no one's bothered lying to me, either."

Sigh. Twitch lift flick. Settle.

"...You know, I've thought about HexXer a lot since you brought her up. I don't believe she uses Vade at all. Or if she does, then only just. It kills me to tell you this, but you are the smartest person I have ever met. I refuse to believe the gap between your capabilities is that high. Her magic is lying. She is up to something, and whatever it is I do not want it."

Stare. Shadows dance on the farthest wall. One of them looks like a clawed and grasping hand. It stretches out toward the table and then melts away.

"I don't want the chemical stimulants. They are inferior to coffee in every possible way. If I pull Xoxic I am going to tell her to stay away from me, and that I will kick her in the throat if she doesn't. I hope she is an enemy. She [i]is[/i] an enemy. I see that now. And you..."

Flicker. Swish. Smile?

"...And by the way, you are an idiot. You do realize I'm using you, yes? When I've fixed your tail... and your hair... and your fashion... your makeup... when I pierce those magnificent ears of yours... you'll finally see the shape of the spell I am casting. See? I've already lied to you... so please. Keep lying to me, too."

Because nobody else will. Because the alternative to the wrong peak is getting tired partway up and saying, 'eh that's close enough.' Because whatever world the answer is on, if it's even there at all, there's no one else who'd think to look for it. No one. No one else at all.

Her heartbeat flutters. Nnngh. These stupid chemicals really are the worst.