174

[impure_tale]

Still more departures after such long tenures. I'm beginning to think it's me.

It may interest not a single soul among my favored readers that I have taken to using the pool with greater frequency. It removes much of the strain from exercise, but my, do my poor muscles complain after such rigorous exertions.

...Especially when I could be enduring these little aches and pains over something much more enjoyable. Never has a libertine felt greater disappointment.

[Private to Rex Lewis]

I would like a word with you about our last conversation.

Comments

[Private]

[impure-tale.livejournal.com]

When has he threatened you? Show me.

[Private]

[inhumandog.livejournal.com]

[He shows him this thread.]

Here. [Pause.] And you see? I didn't provoke him. I tried not to talk to him.

[Private]

[impure-tale.livejournal.com]

Where has my head been lately?

I will handle him. Keep your distance.

[Private]

[inhumandog.livejournal.com]

Don't blame yourself for it.

What are you going to do?

[Private]

[impure-tale.livejournal.com]

I do not yet know. Use caution. If he comes near you, tell me.

[Private]

[inhumandog.livejournal.com]

I'm not afraid of him, Marquis.

[Private]

[impure-tale.livejournal.com]

It's not about fear. It's about being the better man, and I don't trust him not to be the sort to set traps. Keep your eyes open.

If he approaches you, tell me.

[Private]

[inhumandog.livejournal.com]

Fine.

[A while later.]

Do you resent me for keeping you here so long?

[Private]

[impure-tale.livejournal.com]

...No, Iago. Never. I've nowhere else to go; even when you've gone I imagine I will still be here.

[Private]

[inhumandog.livejournal.com]

And say I graduate but I don't go? Will you still stay?

[Private]

[impure-tale.livejournal.com]

Why should I leave, Iago?

[Private]

[inhumandog.livejournal.com]

Because you can.

[Private]

[impure-tale.livejournal.com]

I can do a lot of things that it would not make sense for me to do. Freedom is all well and good but a body must make use of it with wisdom.

[Private]

[inhumandog.livejournal.com]

I want to graduate.

[Private]

[impure-tale.livejournal.com]

I am very pleased to hear that, Iago. But I take it, from this line of questioning, that there are concerns.

[Private]

[inhumandog.livejournal.com]

There have always been concerns. Is it even possible?

[Private]

[impure-tale.livejournal.com]

Of course it is possible. I graduated, didn't I?

[Private]

[inhumandog.livejournal.com]

What do I need to do?

[Private]

[impure-tale.livejournal.com]

I haven't got a checklist on hand, my treasure. I would encourage you to follow the path that you are on.

You might also give some thought to those letters I asked you to write some time ago.

[Private]

[inhumandog.livejournal.com]

For how long? I've been on this path for almost two years now.

And I don't want to write them. There's no reason.

[Private]

[impure-tale.livejournal.com]

You will not be ready to move onward until you have settled the matters of your past, Iago. That means confronting your own actions with conviction, regardless of your opinions of others.

[Private]

[inhumandog.livejournal.com]

I've settled those matters. Consider them finished.

[Private]

[impure-tale.livejournal.com]

Iago.

[Private]

[inhumandog.livejournal.com]

What will you have me do? Write a letter to Othello? Tell him why I did to him what I did? What will that solve?