behind the mask
fought-for-everything Katherine weighs her words carefully before speaking. She doesn’t want to reveal that she has a pretty good guess who she’s speaking to, because that would significantly narrow down the possibilities for her own identity. But she can’t avoid letting the other woman know who she is forever. …Maybe she could. But as much as it would be irritating (a disappointment, she won’t admit to herself) for things to go right back to where they were before, their flirtations… weren’t something she wanted to leave in the dust without at least trying, she supposes. Surprisingly. Finally, she speaks. “…I’m not exactly the most popular person in Mystic Falls.” She wants to try to convey a reason, but she’s cautious not to tip her off as to her identity. “People tend to assume the worst in me.” Not that they weren’t pretty often true. She debates assuring her that she meant everything she’s said tonight, but if the other woman is that suspicious, Katherine knows it’s unlikely her promises will mean anything to her. But she knows that if she wants to have any chance at her not jumping right into hatred, she should at least give it a shot. “I can’t say they’re always wrong, but… I want you to know I mean what I’ve said tonight.”
Bonnie's heart skips a beat. She wants, more than anything, to assure the other that nothing could change what was occurring between them. But she does not let the words spill out of her mouth. Something makes her pause. Something in the bearing of the other woman makes her hesitate from reaching out to take her hand. She has a feeling she will not like what she feels. "It can't be that bad," she forces a smile. The lilt of the other's voice tugs at her memory, but she brushes it off. "People can be judgemental sometimes. Doesn't mean we have to believe them." And Bonnie shrugs, feeling the sting of the fingers pointed at her when she refuses to fall in line with her associates. "I can make my own mind up about you, can't I?"
