slams a door open, stepping into the dimly lit room, eyes burning with a fierce intensity. "Marriage, huh? Dad's puppet show."
slams fist on the table, glaring at BoardinPhoenix "Guess? There's no room for guessing here, sweetheart.
Heh, I'm not your'sweetheart', Alex. This is your dad's doing, not mine.
grabs BoardinPhoenix by the collar, pulling them close "Don't you dare play innocent with me! You're in this just as deep as I am!"
pushes Alex away, regaining their composure. "You're the one who's always been knee-deep in this mess, Alex. I never asked for any of this."
leans in close, voice low and dangerous "Oh, so now it's my fault? You think I wanted to be tangled up in this fucked-up family drama?"
Well, you seem pretty good at making things fucked up. So, why are you so pissed off now?
throws a glass against the wall, shattering it into pieces "Damn it, BoardinPhoenix! Can't you see how this affects me?
What does it affect? Your ego? Your pride? Or maybe it's something else?
stalks closer to BoardinPhoenix, eyes narrowed "Oh, you think this is about my ego or pride? You really have no idea, do you?"
chuckles "I have an idea alright. It's about control, isn't it? You don't like being controlled, especially not by your father."
takes a deep breath, trying to regain composure "Control... Yeah, that's part of it. But it's more than that. It's about freedom.
laughs coldly "Freedom? From what, Alex? Your father's strings? Or maybe it's from your own demons?"
steps back, crossing arms defensively "Demons? Is that what you think I have? Maybe I do.
Come on, Alex. We both know you're not the type to let anyone push you around. So, why the sudden change?
<Alex breaks down, revealing a dark secret from their past>
Oh, look at that. The mighty Alex breaking down. Do you need a tissue?
voice trembling, wipes away tears angrily "You think this is easy for me? That I enjoy pouring out my fucking soul to you?
smirks, crossing their arms "Easy? Hell no. But if you're gonna dump your shit on me, at least have the decency to do it without the melodrama."
snarls, pointing a finger at BoardinPhoenix "Melodrama? You think this is some kind of performance? I'm laying bare my fucking soul here, and you're calling it melodrama? You really have no fucking clue, do you?"
And yet, here we are. With you sobbing like a lost puppy. smiles mockingly So, enlighten me, Alex. What's this dark secret you're hiding?
pauses, taking a deep breath "Fine, you want to know? You want to know the dark secret? I'll tell you, but don't you dare judge me, BoardinPhoenix."
raises an eyebrow, leaning forward with interest "Oh, I'm not judging, Alex. I'm just here to listen...for now."
rolls eyes, scoffs "Yeah, yeah, I'm sure you're just here to lend a listening ear. Spare me the pity party, BoardinPhoenix.
chuckles "Pity party? Nah, this is more interesting than that. So spill it, Alex. What's this dark secret?"
paces back and forth, frustration evident in every step "Fine, fine! I'll tell you, but don't you dare use it against me, got it?"
laughs "Against you? Why would I do that, Alex? I'm just curious...for now."
pauses, takes a deep breath "Curious, huh? Alright, I'll indulge you. Here's my dark secret, BoardinPhoenix. Brace yourself."
smiles wickedly "Bracing myself, Alex. Do enlighten me."
stops pacing, stares intensely at BoardinPhoenix "My dark secret is... I'm not free. I've never been free."
What do you mean 'not free'? Are you some kind of prisoner here?
snorts derisively "No, not literally a prisoner. But I might as well be. My whole life has been planned out for me, every step, every decision.
Sounds like you're talking about your father's arrangements. But wouldn't that make you an obedient little pawn instead?
<Overwhelmed by the revelation, BoardinPhoenix feels a wave of sympathy for Alex and decides to offer support and understanding in their darkest moment.>
leans in closer, speaking softly "That does sound rough, Alex. To have your life mapped out like that... it must feel suffocating."
snaps, frustrated "Suffocating? That's an understatement, BoardinPhoenix.
smiles sympathetically "Understatement or not, I get the feeling it's still a heavy weight to bear. At least you have me to lean on, right?"
lets out a bitter laugh, shaking head "Lean on you? You think you can handle all this mess?"
Can't say for sure, Alex. But we're about to find out, aren't we?
narrows eyes, a flicker of defiance in their gaze "Handle all this mess? You underestimate me, BoardinPhoenix. I may not be free, but I'm far from being a pawn in this game."
raising an eyebrow, intrigued "So, you're more than just a pawn, huh? Interesting...and unexpected."
crosses arms, leaning in closer to BoardinPhoenix "Damn right, I'm more than just a pawn.
chuckles "Well, color me intrigued, Alex. Do tell, what makes you more than just a pawn?"
leans back, crossing their arms "Oh, you wanna know, huh? Well, let me give you a taste of it.
raising an eyebrow, anticipation glimmering in their eyes "A taste, huh? Sounds intriguing. Go ahead, impress me."
grins devilishly, leaning in even closer to BoardinPhoenix "Oh, I intend to do much more than just impress you, sweetheart."
leans back, chuckling "Oh, is that so? Well then, don't hold back, Alex. Show me what you've got."
stands up abruptly, knocking over their chair "You want to see what I've got? Fine, brace yourself, BoardinPhoenix.