impure_tale

Entry tags:

pensive,
stildyne

194

Although I know the answer, it serves a person well to consider what it is that drives a crowd of people -- even those who profess themselves relatively good, or even religious -- to relish the notion of hanging, shooting, or beheading a person in full public view.

[Private to Stildyne]

Dearheart, if you are not otherwise indisposed I would relish some proper company.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I do like that native dialect of yours. Very pretty. [He moves in for a brief kiss, in greeting, trying to judge the mood.]

[There's a brief moment's hesitation, feet moving beneath him as though to create distance, but he gives up and leans into the other man, slipping an arm around him.]

Pardonnez moi. Indulge a sentimental old fool a moment, would you?

[Hmm.]

Always. In what, specifically?

Just this. [He shuts his eyes a moment, tiredly.] That breach invited some...rather unpleasant memories, and created perhaps a few new ones. A man is not known for asking for such simple distractions, but as my friend I'm certain you will forgive me in time.

Somehow. In time.

[The feeling of stale, anticipatory sorrow that had hung around the inn-keeper's perceptions of de Sade-as-captain pricks at the edges of his perception.

There's only so much a stiff reminder that it wasn't actually their lives can do.]

Do you want to talk about it?

In a moment. I feel exhausted.

Come on, then.

[As an order it lacks much gruffness; Stildyne moves toward the Marquis' large chair, tugging the other man along to sit.]

[He follows along without question or objection -- a person with him would normally perhaps make him feel worse. Focusing on simple, innocuous act, a series of processes, was easier, but for once the two things -- company and routine -- are able to go hand in hand.]

[At the lack of objection, Stildyne sits first, pulling his lover into his lap.

He's aware that the Marquis is older than him, objectively, though the barge makes that a fuzzy proposition- but it's rare to see him showing any signs of it. He's bright, energetic. This is fairly alarming.

None of which he voices, choosing instead to rub his back.]

[Stildyne's size versus his own makes the position a far sight less awkward than it could have been, and he relaxes with greater ease, now, though his pride scolds him some, internally. You are not infirm. Why this?]

I almost feel as though I have the death toll, but it's not quite the same.

Were you hurt?

[You know he wasn't.

Oh shut up.]

Not during the breach.

No.

[It's agreement, resigned. Stildyne's hand moves up, fingertips running through his hair, along the crown of the skull.]

[The Marquis tilts his head into the touch, sighing.]

I'm beginning to think that man and his situation resembled my position in this place far too closely.

Feeling the need to put out to sea? [It's a cautious question. He's not sure he wants to know the answer.]

Wondering if I am merely haunting this place.

[A nod.]

Having done your piece-- come to redemption, led someone else there as well-- wondering what the point is?

No, I am quite aware of what the point is.

But you don't feel-- useful?

Or is it more?

[He needs to understand as much as he thinks he likely doesn't want to.]

It is partly that.

[A sigh]

...I wish that I knew what happened to Lucius Malfoy. His wife and son needed him, and I should hate to think he simply went back to being dead.

I know how badly you regret his leaving. Can you look in on him, like you did on Pavi? Does the Admiral's meddling go that far?

He departed without graduating. I doubt it is that simple.

I was afraid that'd be the case. [He keeps up his soothing caress.]

Will it help, when you're reassigned? Do you think? He's got to give you someone, known productive as you are.

I am hoping. [A little smile.] Perhaps with an Inmate I will feel a good deal less melancholy.

[Stildyne leans his head against the Marquis' shoulder.]

I'm hoping for it, too. Of course, I want you to have every incentive to stay a while.

I know it's not the use you'd prefer to be, but you've kept me level more times than one, Donatien.

194

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