249 - Fourth Wall Post

[impure_tale]

I suppose one last shout into the ether would not go amiss.

Come speak to me, my darlings. The universe is lonely without you in it.

Comments

[umgekehrt]

And why would it be the last?

[impure_tale]

I thought I would hear from you, at least.

Tell me, persimmon: Does the gonebeyond have very good wine?

[umgekehrt]

Not very. More grain than grape out here; some very decent wodac via the malcontent but wine's less common.

[impure_tale]

That sounds dreadful.

[umgekehrt]

[A rough chuckle.] And I'm happy to see you too, Donatien.

[impure_tale]

[ not to be deterred ]

Next you'll be telling me there's no chocolate there.

[umgekehrt]

Very little, you've got that right. What's the questioning about?

[impure_tale]

[ dramatic, pained gasping ]

And then no dancing or sex next, I suppose.

[umgekehrt]

Now it's not as bad as that-! It's mostly settled by the Nurail, after all.

[tentacruelest]

I prefer not to be referred to as darling, thank yeh very much.

I'm sorry about the icons. His account ran out and 5 of his 15 are flood icons -_-

[impure_tale]

Would you prefer "cuttlefish"?

haha I'm in the same boat, no worries

[tentacruelest]

Considering I've been human for some time, it'd be a more inaccurate nickname than most.

[impure_tale]

Then no one else would think to call you that, and it therefore remains special.

[tentacruelest]

It's special, is it? Some would consider it annoying. An insult.

[impure_tale]

Only used with fondness.

[tentacruelest]

Fondness, eh?

How is it I've no such fond nickname for you?

[impure_tale]

That's not up to me, mon ami. If you should like to give me one, I will not object.

I may accuse you of flirting with me, but that's not objecting.

[buywithme]

[Oh.

Oh, no, on Prefect's list of things he was not at all ready for today, bittersweet memories of leaving a place he loved was not at the top of that list.]

Comrade?

[impure_tale]

...Prefect.

[buywithme]

Marquis.

[He's quiet for a moment, and then he can't help it. He laughs, and it's like the sound is just falling out of him against his will, because it feels like it's been so long and--

And so much of him still comes from you. From all of you.]

I've missed you.

[impure_tale]

[ His expression softens, and he tries to laugh too. Even smile. His eyes glisten. ]

And I've missed you -- very, very much, mon ami. How are you?

[buywithme]

I'm well, Comrade. Barron's working, I've been... learning to deal with his family.

[He swallows, but he's still smiling.]

How about you? Are you-- are you ready to leave now?

[impure_tale]

[ He mirrors the swallow, pushing back the initial rush of emotion, but it still comes out like he's admitting something he's been holding in too long. And he kind of has been. How many times have they talked about this? How many times did Prefect come to his chambers to coax him out of the sound of his own humming and the scratch of a quill when he stopped living on the Barge and just started haunting his own cell -- just like Romana did when he first came? ]

I am. I've been keeping Brachi waiting too long.

[buywithme]

Keep him waiting a little longer, though?

[Prefect says this a little too quickly, and there's a kind of quiet, soft edged urgency in his tone.]

Come and visit us first, Comrade. It's hard to think about you leaving there... hard to think that if I ever go back to it you won't be there to meet me.

[impure_tale]

...Of course, dumpling. I would be happy to visit with you.

[ There's something left unspoken, some thought that crosses his mind and sets his brow knitting with worry. ]