impure_tale

No, I'm not.

You only tend to bring up your friend when you're feeling like taking a jab, my cherub.

[Okay, he had a point. West leans back in his chair and frowns] If I wanted to take a jab, I'd tell you that the reason I was out of my room when you and my visitor exchanged blows was because I was elsewhere with him.

Which you have just done, so thank you for proving my point. [He turns a page, scribbles something else, then glances up at him.] I'm not a fool, Henri. [He frowns, looking down at his hand.] I know you come to me because I say 'yes'; with limited means and a lack of want for revealing your predispositions to others, every law of survival agreed with you. I know how old I am, and what years have done to me physically. It's only natural you would tend toward someone closer to your own age once keeping your secrets became less important to you.

[Well. Now he feels bad for his spiteful behavior] That's not it. He really is just a friend. [He looks at the Marquis and his expression softens] And I don't know why you say that. You're not that old and you're not bad off. And it's not as though I'm the most brilliant catch, either.

The more defects a man may have, the older he is, the less lovable, the more resounding his success. [He smiles sardonically at that.] Thank you, sparrow.

Pardon? Why are you say-- [He arches his eyebrows in confusion, then says hesitantly and half-heartedly (as he still IS upset with the Marquis)] Right. Welcome.

Nothing. [He sits back.] Just remembering a conversation I had shortly before things went wrong in my last life. [He tries to smile.]

It doesn't sound like a particularly flattering conversation.

Edited 2008-10-07 16:36 (UTC)

It wasn't, but it was true. A person tends to put on fewer airs when they can't put up much of a facade.

I suppose that's true. [He fiddles with the sleeve of his shirt-- an odd habit that he'd picked up during the flood that just sort of... stuck around] I don't just hop into bed with you for the convenience, you know. It might have started out that way, but... I do consider you a friend.

I think of you the same way, sparrow. [He smiles.] But I won't say that at first it wasn't something that I needed as well.

Right. [He pauses] I know I can be moody. And insufferable. And self-centered. But... [He frowns. And here comes the moody!] You could have at least made an effort to understand why I'm feeling so upset about my dreams, beyond 'it's not my cup of tea'. Of course rape isn't my 'cup of tea'-- it shouldn't be anybody's!

Edited 2008-10-07 16:56 (UTC)

Of course I understand, Henri, but what do you expect me to say that isn't going to upset you further? Have you read the things I write? People do not tend to come to me for heart to hearts about certain subjects.

[He glowers slightly] Right. Of course. [And then decides to segue] So, is there anything I can get you, seeing as the staff won't allow you to leave?

[He sighs.]

Henri, this might be a little easier on both of us if you would say how it's affecting you, first. Obviously, the subject would strike a sour chord more with someone who has dealt with it in life. So what is it for you?

I was never in that position, myself. The only time I've ever been that... helpless was at the time of my death [Not entirely true, but there are some things he never wants to talk about (and still, that particular incident isn't even in the same league as his dreams, anyway)] But...

[He hesitates for a long time. He doesn't like telling anybody this; in fact, he distinctly recalls disliking Billy when they first met for coming to this very conclusion] I had, in my life... ordered the same thing done to others. [He scoffs, then adds in a sour tone] For a good cause.

Edited 2008-10-07 18:50 (UTC)

For a good cause? [The Marquis raises an eyebrow, not sounding shocked or overinterested, but like he's genuinely listening. He would like to hear his rationale for such a thing.]

There was only myself and my boys left. We needed women... for the future.

Edited 2008-10-07 20:30 (UTC)

I see. [He looks down at his hands.] If that was how it was, then you were thinking only of survival. It is the natural way of things. It's not pleasant, to be sure. But what else do we have when everything is stripped away? [A glance up, that last question doesn't quite have the same tone as the rest, like he thinks there might be another answer to that question.]

That's what I told myself-- been telling myself, but... having seen the other side of things... [He shakes his head] But they're just dreams.

Who are you when you're dreaming?

...a woman. [He doesn't want to say any more]

And what decisions have you made, having since dreamt these things?

Um... [He shrugs] None, really.

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Action! - this could just be my sleeping pill addled brain misunderstanding things...

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