Romance RP

The shapeshifter replied,

From what I've seen earlier, that duke isn't very sensible so I am not expecting much. I'm pretty much thinking about our next step, whether we'll end up attacking that duke at his mansion or maybe trying to kidnap Lycoris.

Alex raised an eyebrow and replied,

Do you think we'll have to go that far?  I mean, if Sia can't persuade that duke, shouldn't we discuss with her the possible options?

The shapeshifter replied,

Do you have other suggestions? Possible options like what? I'd like to think that this queen will help us actually but I am not optimistic one bit about and honestly, I don't want her help.

Alex replied,

But if you two can work together, set aside your differences, wouldn't that be a great step?  I know you two dislike each other but if you're working towards the same goal, that can certainly change things, I believe.

The shapeshifter replied,

No, I can work towards my goal myself. You know what-I prefer not reaching my goal at all than putting my hand into that dreadful queen's. Her hands are polluted with my husband's and my baby's blood. I can never cooperate with her, ever.

Alex looked sadly at the shapeshifter but didn't say anything more.  He turned his attention back to Lisianthus, wondering how she was doing.

Meanwhile, Ryan communicated to Irene,

What will we do if Duke Collins refuses to cooperate?

Irene replied,

Let's not hurry. We don't know that he refused to cooperate. Duke Collins may be quite stubborn but he is definitely not an idiot. I am sure we can make him see that the Lycoris with him currently is quite different from the one he loves.

Lisianthus had eventually finished talking to Duke Collins and sighing, she said,

"That duke doesn't believe me. I don't know how but this other Lycoris truly convinced him that she's the one and the same Lycoris we all know."

Alex frowned and replied, "Yeah, that impostor sure is manipulative.  What do we do now?"

Ryan shrugged his shoulders, as he had no idea himself.

The shapeshifter wasn't surprised as that answer was what she expected and voicing her opinion loudly, she said,

"Unless anyone else has another suggestion, we'll have to confront that duke and force him to give her back."

Lisianthus frowned at her and angrily with danger in her eyes, she replied,

"How dare you talk like that in front of me? No, criminal. That duke is a part of my court, a duke of my kingdom and I could simply arrest you right now for making this threat. Whether we like it or not, Lycoris is there willingly so the duke is doing nothing wrong."

Alex looked calmly at Lisianthus and replied, "Ok, we won't do anything rash but if you couldn't talk sense into him, what would you suggest our next move be?  That impostor has Lycoris under her control so in a way, she is a prisoner."

Lisianthus turned to Alex and more calmly, she replied,

"I can't answer that. I haven't seen much of Lycoris' other side to tell what should be done. But I don't think it would be wise to think about forcing Duke Collins to hand her over. Instead, maybe it would be a better idea to think about how make the real Lycoris, the one we know, come back."

Alex nodded and replied, "That's a good idea but I believe that Ryan has already tried that and it didn't work."

He looked to Ryan and Ryan nodded sadly.  Alex turned his attention back to Lisianthus and said,

"But perhaps you have an idea about that we haven't tried?"

Before Lisianthus could reply, the shapeshifter spoke up,

"Does the real Lycoris even exist anymore? Or at least is it possible at all to have her come back? You heard what her other self said. She weakened her to the point where she would no longer have any strength to fight back."

Ryan quietly replied, "Well, she did admit that our Lycoris was still there.  She isn't dead so there's a bit of hope, right?"

Alex nodded and replied, "Definitely.  We need to find a way to give our Lycoris strength so she can fight that impostor."

The shapeshifter replied,

"I don't mean to diminish all hope of getting her back but if what that other self of Lycoris' says is true, our tries will be fruitless."

Irene commented, "We need to try all the same. We can't just give up on her like that."

Ryan nodded fervently and replied, "I agree.  I couldn't get through to her but that doesn't mean that someone else wouldn't be able to."

Alex replied, "True but I'm stumped.  I mean, if you couldn't get our Lycoris to come back, I don't know who or what would."

Lisianthus looked at Alex and asked,

"Couldn't you, Alex? I mean, Lycoris was quite attached to you at one point and you two were even married before. Don't you think you might be able to give her enough strength to fight back?"

Alex looked deep in thought and replied, "Perhaps.  I haven't tried myself as an option since I assumed that Ryan would be the one to get Lycoris back."

Ryan replied, "Well, you sort of did but you kept calling the other one an impostor which probably didn't help in reaching our Lycoris."

The shapeshifter commented,

"That's right. I doubt it will work now though. That other Lycoris doesn't even stand you because of calling her that so I doubt you will be able to reach out to her."

Lisianthus gave the shapeshifter an angry look and ignoring what she said, she looked to Alex and said,

"It's worth a try. Maybe if you are nicer or gentler, that could work?"

Alex looked thoughtful and nodding, he replied, "I suppose I could try.  Do you have any specific tips for me?  I should have as much as advice as possible before I contact her and all."

Lisianthus shrugged and replied, "Not really. You know her better than I do."

Irene looked thoughtful and replied, "I can't give you any specific advice either, Alex, but focus on reaching out to the Lycoris that's inside, ok? Don't get angered easily by the one in control."

Alex nodded and replied, "Ok, I'll give it a try."

He gave himself a minute to be calm and then using his telepathy, he reached out to the other Lycoris and said,

It's me.  Can we talk?

Lycoris was in the mansion with Duke Collins when she heard Alex's voice. Annoyed, she replied back to him,

What do you want? Talking to an impostor isn't a very good thing now, is it?

Alex replied,

I'm sorry for calling you that.  Listen, can we just talk, just the two of us?  I want to understand why you did what you do.

Lycoris raised an eyebrow and replied, 

Why do you want to talk to me? What changed? I thought you can't stand me although I am certainly the one who doesn't stand you here. You are nothing but a traitor.