"What did you do on your birthday?" "Got older."

[hermia-sophia.livejournal.com]

Evening of Thursday, September 10, Day 102
Garden behind the Whitechapel Inn

My twenty-third birthday.

Dear Valmont, he is trying so very hard to make this a happy day for me! Waking with a kiss (even though I could hardly sleep last night), flowers on the breakfast table. And telling me that I should take the day off to luxuriate, which was wonderfully tempting, but I had to go back to the library. I did not want to feel that I was being kept away, for if I were, then Lysander would be winning. And I had to make sure that the library would still feel tranquil to me after yesterday - I don't want to lose that peaceful place I have found there.

When I walked in and saw the chaos that Lydia had made, I laughed until I cried. Or possibly the reverse - it was rather hard to tell at the time. And then we straightened the books up, and when I was done, I turned around to find a little book of poetry that had not been there before on the front desk, tied with a bow, and my smile came back.

And then Valmont came to walk me home, and we have kept happily busy and distracted with setting up the party. Through some unspoken pact, we have not mentioned Lysander all day. The thought of what happened yesterday still makes me feel as if I am falling...but I will not fall,and I will not let it ruin today, for today is about my new life and all of the people who belong to it. Valmont. My new friends. And...well, some of those coming are 'people' only in a rather loose sense of the term. But I would not want to risk bringing ill fortune down on myself by not inviting my people's gods! And there's Chester as well, who I suppose doesn't exactly count as a person either. Ah, Excolo guest lists. There's something comforting in that very oddness, though. People, creatures, gods - they are all part of Excolo and my new life. My new year.

The lanterns dance in the trees; the light of the setting sun glints off of the wine bottles and glasses, and I wait in the garden, feeling a little bit of peace. Let today be free of unhappiness, please! Let me be safe in the garden on my own day...

[Open to party guests]

Comments

[lei-miao-shan.livejournal.com]

Oh, look at Luke. Staring after Boku with such a smile on his face. It is desperately sweet. I did not know that Boku liked cats so very much...but did little Neko not tell me that she and her family are cat people? And is there not a cat living in the library? I suppose that he must like cats very much.

Luke nods at my question of whether he and Freya are alright.
"Yes ma'am, we're good. Sorta- " I do wish he would not call me "ma'am", but the politeness is endearing. "Wolves down.. down in the wood, south- south of town." and that does not sound like the whole truth, not at all. And as though he knows how he must sound, Luke tries a sick little half-smile and says, "Was what you told me about. The one as lives on the edge of the town with the seer girl. The dog one. But we're okay. Honest, and Ares come to get us anyway."

...Gaueko?! He was attacked by Gaueko?

My mouth is suddenly dry, and I take a sip of my punch before I try to respond. "So long as you and Freya are alright," I say carefully. And I suppose that Gaueko must only have been playing, if he allowed them both to escape...but it must have been terrifying. Poor Luke. I squeeze his hand again.

At least Ares will look out for him...unless, of course, their relationship has ended, and Luke has indeed taken up with Boku instead. I find myself wondering if perhaps I should speak to Glass...I do not know if she could do anything to stop this, but at least she seems to have some ties to him as his bloodkin....perhaps there is something that she can do....perhaps she would just like to know...

But Luke seems eager to leave the topic behind, and so I shall speak of it no more to him. Instead he turns the topic back to business. "Real sorry you've had trouble. Reckon it's best for folk to do that though, rather than keep 'em on longer than they want, you know? Cause if they're kicking up a fuss, maybe that means they're after you to fire 'em, you know?"

I sigh. "Perhaps subconsciously," I say. It pains me to think of Alana. We were never friends...to her mind, in fact, we were rivals...but I still did not relish firing her, and it made me sad to say goodbye to someone I had worked with for so long, especially under such circumstances. "This person...she always seemed to feel that the two of us were in competition, although I had no wish to do so. So although I think that she did not wish to be fired, she had no desire to work in a place where I was in command of her. So perhaps you are right, Luke." I do hope that Alana is well.

Oh, how his face lights up when we speak of books! It makes my own cares fall away, and my own smile return. "Boku leant me some, 'bout.. gods and that. And all creatures from Japan, they're really good. But Samuel's been working me so hard I keep falling asleep on 'em."

This makes me laugh, "I suppose that it is not such a good idea to read in the saddle, hey?"

And he brightens still more when I renew my offer to teach him Mandarin. "Really? Yeah, please, I'd love that. Really would. I been looking through them books you gave me. Boku's taught me how to swear in Japanese, but I reckon we should start with something else." he says, blushing.

I take another sip of my punch. I am not so sure what is in it, but I think that it is rather strong. "Oh, we do not have to do that," I say, smiling, and I lean closer to whisper in his ear, "Repeat after me, Luke: Ta ma de hun dan." Something wicked, but simple and easily translated. I sit back and smile.

[a-cheval.livejournal.com]

Takes her a second, but she goes a bit pale when I tell her who come upon me'n Freya that night. Maybe she'd know who the other one was too, but I dunno, I don't really reckon it's right to go on about that sorta stuff at poor Miss Hermia's birthday party, so I reckon I'll leave it for another time. Miss Miao seems to have the same idea. "So long as you and Freya are alright," she says, and she squeezes my hand. Smile are again, proper this time, cause she's a real nice friend to have.

Sit drinking and listening while she talks 'bout her friend from the Boy, only obviously she ain't a friend at all. Frown a bit at that. "I dunno, seems like she was just jealous. Back in Dry Run we had this rider, an' him and Samuel were mates, only when Samuel started beating his run times every day, they weren't so much mates no more, and eventually he moved on. Seems like that." Pause a moment, hoping I ain't just depressing her, cause that's not what I mean to do at all. "You're probably better off, I reckon."

"I suppose that it is not such a good idea to read in the saddle, hey?" Grin at that, shaking my head. "Nope, it ain't. Don't mean I ain't tried it, mind." Then I can't keep quiet about it no more, and I lean in a bit. "Hey Miss Miao, guess what I done? I- I- told Samuel 'bout... you know. Being queer." Still can't get it out without turning bloody scarlet, but there ain't a whole lot of people I can tell without getting all jumpy, so I sorta like telling her.

Thn she's whispering all close to me and I sorta laugh, cause I weren't expecting it. "Repeat after me, Luke: Ta ma de hun dan." An' I do, frowning a bit cause I'm concentrating, but I get it pretty bloody well. "Ta ma de hun dan. What's it mean?"

[lei-miao-shan.livejournal.com]

Luke seems well...and I know that Freya must be well also, or else Luke would not seem so casual about the incident. Still...

And he is so kind when I speak of Alana...truly, I have spoken to no one about what happened, and I think that perhaps was a mistake. "I dunno, seems like she was just jealous. Back in Dry Run we had this rider, an' him and Samuel were mates, only when Samuel started beating his run times every day, they weren't so much mates no more, and eventually he moved on. Seems like that. You're probably better off, I reckon."

"I think you are correct, Luke," I sigh, "both myself and the House, for it was affecting her work...but I have not seen her since, and I am worried." But I feel better now, after having spoken of it.

He jokes about trying to read while in the saddle, and we laugh together. But then he blushes again and lowers his voice, "Hey Miss Miao, guess what I done? I- I- told Samuel 'bout... you know. Being queer." The look of pride in his eyes is clear, and near as obvious as the look of relief. It is the same look a man has after setting down a heavy load he has been bearing for a long, long time.

I smile, "That was well done, I think. And it must have been very hard.". Judging from how Luke took such pains to hide it, I do not imagine that his brother was happy to hear this. But Luke is smiling, so I suppose he took it as well as can be expected. "All is well, then?"

And then it is my turn to smile as Luke repeats the phrase I gave him. I correct his pronunciation a few times, but he is very quick, and repeats it exactly by the third time. "What's it mean?" he asks.

I smile and take another sip of my punch, "It means 'son of a dog who is fornicating with his mother'. Only not so polite.". And then I laugh.

From the corner of my eye I see a young man approach Hermia and kiss her cheek. A friend? But she does not seem so happy to see him...

[a-cheval.livejournal.com]

Miss Miao sighs and leans back in her seat a bit. "I think you are correct, Luke. Both myself and the House, for it was affecting her work...but I have not seen her since, and I am worried." Aw, see, that's why I like Miss Miao, she even gets sorta worried 'bout folk that ain't done right by her, and I reckon that's how you can tell the real nice folk.

"I dunno... If she's headed down to Salthaven or Penitence or any of them, prob'ly I could find out. Folk talk at the post office," I say, shrugging a bit. True, too. Usually it ain't hard to find out 'bout stuff going on in one of them places just asking the clerk as works in the office. In Jezirat it's this old woman on her own and she always fusses over my hair and I don't like that too much. Always knows the most, mind.

Reckon Miss Miao can tell I'm sorta pleased with myself over telling Samuel. And if I don't think too much about his face when I did, I don't even feel sick no more when I think about it. Sorta. "That was well done, I think. And it must have been very hard." Nod a bit, cause I reckon it was about the harest thing I ever done. "All is well, then?"

"Yeah." Nod a bit and fiddle with my cuff a bit. Still ain't used to being in a suit. "He didn't like it, course... and he ain't really spoken to me since. But he ain't hit me or chucked me out or nothing. Reckon maybe... he's just thinking it through." I dunno, really, but I hope Boku's right. Soon as I told Samuel I weren't so pissed at him any more. Just miss him a bit, now, only there ain't no telling him.

"It means 'son of a dog who is fornicating with his mother'. Only not so polite."

"Miss Miao!" Sorta gasp and stare at her, cause you'd never guess something like could come out her mouth, specially not Miss Miao! But she's sitting there laughing away like she don't pay a bit notice to saying stuff like that, and here I am blushing like a bloody tomato. But I can't help laughing then too. Bloody hell, Miss Miao, who'd've thought. Practise saying it again though, just to make sure.

[lei-miao-shan.livejournal.com]

"I dunno... If she's headed down to Salthaven or Penitence or any of them, prob'ly I could find out. Folk talk at the post office," Luke says, shrugging and looking rather hopeful.

Oh, Luke. How kind he is. "Thank you, Luke...it is terribly sweet of you to offer. I think that she has remained in town, although I cannot be certain of that. I shall try to go and visit her myself later this week, I think."

He fidgets in his suit and tugs nervously at his sleeve as we speak of his brother. "He didn't like it, course... and he ain't really spoken to me since. But he ain't hit me or chucked me out or nothing. Reckon maybe... he's just thinking it through."

"I am sure it will be fine, Luke," I say gently, touching his arm. "From what you have told me, your brother is a good man." I hope that I am right. I have seen it happen before, of course, in more conservative towns...young men and women cast out by their families, shunned by the town as a whole...a number of my coworkers came to work in our trade under just such circumstances. I pray very deeply that it will not be the case for Luke...but at least if his brothers do cast him out, he will have places to go. I would offer him a room at Follow Me Boy (though not a job; I do not think I could ever see Luke as a courtesan). We even have a spare stall for his mare...

And, oh, how he laughs when I swear for him! "Miss Miao!" he gasps, his entire face going bright red. And this just makes me laugh harder. I cannot help but be reminded of an offended schoolmarm.

"Luke," I smile, taking another swallow of my punch, "You must recall where I work...I learned to swear very early, and very well. Though I do not often do so in public." And I wink at him. And notice that through his laughter he is repeating the phrase to himself and practicing the punctuation.

There seems to be some commotion at the other side of the garden...Hermia and the group that had gathered around her kitten are now tightening in a defensive manner, and all of them seem to be facing off against the newcomer. I frown. "What is happening, Luke? Can you see?"

[a-cheval.livejournal.com]

"Thank you, Luke...it is terribly sweet of you to offer. I think that she has remained in town, although I cannot be certain of that. I shall try to go and visit her myself later this week, I think." Nod, cause it's always best to talk things through with folk even if you don't want to talk things through at first. "Ain't no bother, Miss Miao, you know that."

She touches my arm when I tell her 'bout Samuel. "I am sure it will be fine, Luke," she says, and bloody hell I hope it is, I hope it is cause I don't reckon I'd be nothing without my family, no matter how many gods or cats or whatever else I know. Sometimes I still just want to sit out the back with my brother and have a beer and for it all to be normal, you know? "From what you have told me, your brother is a good man."

"He is, Miss Miao, he's a great man. Always my favourite out of him and Elias, always looking out for me, you know? Even when I was grown, sorta. Only I don't like to push it, cause... cause I just don't like to," I say, nodding. And it don't feel so bad, the waiting, while I got friends like her and Boku to go to parties with, even if she is laughing her bloody head off at me. "You must recall where I work...I learned to swear very early, and very well. Though I do not often do so in public."

Oh my lord, I don't need to know that! Then she's bloody winking at me! I reckon Miss Miao's got all sorts going on in her head that I don't even know about, but bloody hell I can't stop myself laughing with her. I tell you, folks're creative with curses over in them parts. But she's spotted something over the other side of the garden where Boku went, and I look over too. "What is happening, Luke? Can you see?"

Wrinkle my nose a bit. Don't reckon I like the look of that much. And bloody Boku getting right in the middle. Well, I don't reckon I'd need to fret much 'bout him, but still. "I dunno... looks like some bloke's come to see Miss Hermia and no one likes him much. He ain't kicked off or nothing, mind..." Bloody hope he don't, neither. Seems like parties here always go one way. "Best stay over here though, yeah? Ain't much room for standing over there anyhow." Ain't that the truth. I dunno, he don't seem so bad to me, poor bloke, and all them folks staring at him. Wouldn't like it much if it was me. How many of 'em do they need, anyway?

[lei-miao-shan.livejournal.com]

Luke smiles when he speaks of his brother. Oh, I hope that things end well for them...I know how deeply Luke cares for his family. "He is, Miss Miao, he's a great man. Always my favourite out of him and Elias, always looking out for me, you know? Even when I was grown, sorta. Only I don't like to push it, cause... cause I just don't like to." and he laughs.

Well, if Luke thinks so highly of him, then I doubt it will cause a permanent rift between them. "If he has always looked out for you, then I am certain he will continue to do so." I say, nodding. "I have an older brother myself...that is what they do, hey?"

But oh, then we are laughing, both of us laughing so hard. I think that I shocked him, my poor Luke! But then, I have shocked a few folk over the years...I think it impossible to truly enjoy my profession unless one keeps a sense of humour about it. But I suppose that I do not show that side of myself so very often.

When I point out the agitated-looking group at the other end of the garden, Luke frowns.

[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<i."i>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

Luke smiles when he speaks of his brother. Oh, I hope that things end well for them...I know how deeply Luke cares for his family. <i>"He is, Miss Miao, he's a great man. Always my favourite out of him and Elias, always looking out for me, you know? Even when I was grown, sorta. Only I don't like to push it, cause... cause I just don't like to." </i> and he laughs.

Well, if Luke thinks so highly of him, then I doubt it will cause a permanent rift between them. "If he has always looked out for you, then I am certain he will continue to do so." I say, nodding. "I have an older brother myself...that is what they do, hey?"

But oh, then we are laughing, both of us laughing so hard. I think that I shocked him, my poor Luke! But then, I have shocked a few folk over the years...I think it impossible to truly enjoy my profession unless one keeps a sense of humour about it. But I suppose that I do not show that side of myself so very often.

When I point out the agitated-looking group at the other end of the garden, Luke frowns. <i."I dunno... looks like some bloke's come to see Miss Hermia and no one likes him much. He ain't kicked off or nothing, mind...Best stay over here though, yeah? Ain't much room for standing over there anyhow."</i>

"He seems as though he came here deliberately to cause trouble, though," I say, troubled. "It seems to me that he knew he would not be welcomed...and Valmont reacted to the sight of him as well as Hermia." Even the cat does not seem to like him.

"But I think you are right, Luke...we shall stay here, unless it looks as though things are getting bad." For if things get bad I think that Hermia would appreciate all of her friends being at her back...but I hope it will not come to that...I hope whoever this is will simply decide to leave...

[a-cheval.livejournal.com]

"If he has always looked out for you, then I am certain he will continue to do so. I have an older brother myself...that is what they do, hey?" Well damn! I never knew that.

"You got a brother, Miss Miao? What's his name? Is he still in China? Guess you must miss him." Course she bloody misses him, he's her brother, Luke. Rub it in some more why don't you? "I- um, sorry. Didn't mean- but I bet he's real nice if he's your brother," I finish, nodding a bit.

Miss Miao looks over at the folks all bunched up. "He seems as though he came here deliberately to cause trouble, though. It seems to me that he knew he would not be welcomed...and Valmont reacted to the sight of him as well as Hermia." Turn and look at her for a moment, then back over at them. Ain't got a bloody clue how she can tell all that, I just saw some bloke with a present and then Valmont--

Bloody hell. They're talking 'bout duels now? Oh that ain't on, not at Miss Hermia's birthday party. Not on in bloody general, what's Valmont think he's playing at? It ain't a bloody book, there's laws, hell, there's a bloody sheriff standing right there! Ain't she going to do nothing? Bloke walks past us on his way out, but he don't look over. 'm just glad they ain't going to do it here and now else that'd be a right bloody birthday. Poor Miss Hermia. I never knew she was the sort to cheat on folk, mind.

[lei-miao-shan.livejournal.com]

"You got a brother, Miss Miao?" Luke brightens, "What's his name? Is he still in China? Guess you must miss him." and then he blushes again, oh, dear Luke. "I- um, sorry. Didn't mean- but I bet he's real nice if he's your brother."

I cannot help but smile. "Please, Luke, do not apologize. I do indeed have a brother, two years older than I. His name is Déshèng, and he is indeed a very kind man, though we are not as close as we were when we were children." We were very close indeed when we were young...but after my feet were bound and I was unable to run or to play Déshèng became too afraid of hurting me...and we drifted apart. That fact still makes me said sometimes. "He has a wife and daughter now, and they live in China still. He is not so good at writing to me as my little sister, Anming, is, but he still tries when he can."

And ay ya, but now there is a duel that will happen? A duel between Valmont and this man...I do not understand how this could happen. The man sweeps past Luke and I, but does not seem to take notice of us. "Ah, poor Hermia," I whisper, and get to my feet, "We should make sure that she is alright..." and be sure that Valmont is not about to get himself killed...

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

I nod once to Valmont and bow slightly. If I have anything to say about it, he will not be killed. I guess I'll have to explain to Mab how I know Valmont won't be seriously hurt.
With a gentle tug, I draw Wanda away from the knot of people so Valmont can work on getting her calm again. Walk us over to where Miao is and meet her halfway.
"Ask me again why I hate parties in Excolo." I joke softly, taking one of her hands and squeezing it.

[lei-miao-shan.livejournal.com]

Luke and I have risen and are approaching the group when Lucien and Wanda break off and meet us. Lucien smiles for me, but I can see the tension in his face, and feel it in his grip when he takes my hand. "Ask me again why I hate parties in Excolo."

I squeeze his hand in return. "Lucien, what happened? Who was that man? Is Valmont truly going to duel him?"

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

"Lucien, what happened? Who was that man? Is Valmont truly going to duel him?"
Wanda is still staring at the gate, like she could shoot daggers into the man's back and make him bleed with just her eyes. "I am not sure. The man apparently thinks Hermia should be with him, and although she obviously does not feel the same way, he wants her irregardless. And yes, Valmont is mindied to meet his challenge."
Squeeze Miao's hand and Wanda's side. "No worries. I will be present for the duel, as will Mab to observe. Everything should go smoothly and without too much bloodshed." Especially if I have any say in it......

[a-cheval.livejournal.com]

"Ah, poor Hermia," says Miss Miao, "We should make sure that she is alright..." and I nod, cause I feel real bad for Miss Hermia too, but I reckon she's got enough people all crowded round her and prob'ly they'd do a better job of it than me, cause I've only met her a few times and if it was me I wouldn't want a load of folks fussing. Plus, I dunno, I ain't much of one for this stuff all in public, folks arguing and fighting and talking 'bout who's with who. Makes me sorta antsy, I ain't used to it. Still I know Miss Miao's friends with her and she usually knows 'bout this stuff, so I offer her my arm and we go over - least, part of the way, cause Lucien and Wanda're there then.

Bloody Lucien. Only met him once but he called me a fool and I ain't a fool, and he don't even know me, so I dunno that he's the best judge of character, frankly. "I am not sure. The man apparently thinks Hermia should be with him, and although she obviously does not feel the same way, he wants her irregardless. And yes, Valmont is mindied to meet his challenge."

"Why don't she stop 'em?" I say, trying not to look at Miss Hermia too obviously. Hated it when I folks fighting over me, hated it. But he carries on. "No worries. I will be present for the duel, as will Mab to observe. Everything should go smoothly and without too much bloodshed."

Don't like to contradict him, cause he is a doctor and what do I know? Still, though. "I reckon the whole point of it's bloodshed, ain't it? You'd reckon the Sheriff wouldn't put up with it neither." I dunno 'bout this. 's all very well being all civilised and smooth and stuff like Valmont, but fighting over a woman's fighting over a woman. Ain't right.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

I'm still seriously considering following the bastard and teaching him some proper manners as Lucien explains what happened to Miao and Luke.
"I reckon the whole point of it's bloodshed, ain't it? You'd reckon the Sheriff wouldn't put up with it neither."

Manage a small, wry smile. "I don't think the gentleman, if he can be called that, cares much for the idea of a female sheriff." Smile turns sharp, still looking towards the gate, picturing him screaming his apologies for making Hermia upset... "I doubt very much he cares what any woman thinks."
Shake my head to clear it. "I'm sorry, Luke. From what little I heard, this will not be easily resolved." Give a small, apologetic shrug.

"Pardon me, I am going to get a drink, does anyone else care for something?" My head is pounding suddenly, between the concern and worry for Hermia and Valmont, and the sharp urge to hurt the person upsetting my friends.

[lei-miao-shan.livejournal.com]

Lucien explains to me what has happened, and I feel ill. I have seen such things happen before, particularly in my profession...there are men who believe that paying for our services means that they own us, and they can take it very poorly when we say otherwise. Sometimes there is violence. Sometimes folk are killed or hurt. Ah, poor Hermia. But Lucien assures me that he will be there and will make sure no one is hurt, and that reassures me some.

"Why don't she stop 'em?" Luke asks, looking both confused and unhappy. And then, "I reckon the whole point of it's bloodshed, ain't it? You'd reckon the Sheriff wouldn't put up with it neither."

"I do not know," I say, sorely puzzled as well. It is not as though any of us would allow Hermia to be taken away against her will. Surely there is some way to resolve this that does not involve fighting. Still... "There must be factors that we are not aware of. Perhaps he is holding something over her, or Valmont is insisting, or they believe that this is the only way that he will leave them be...I am sure that there is a reason.

"And as to Mab...she has a...less traditional approach, I think." I sigh. Perhaps she feels she can control it better by being there than by forbidding it and causing them to simply hide somewhere in the woods. I do not know.

Wanda seems to agree. "I don't think the gentleman, if he can be called that, cares much for the idea of a female sheriff. I doubt very much he cares what any woman thinks. I'm sorry, Luke. From what little I heard, this will not be easily resolved." she sighs, and offers to fetch drinks.

"No thank you, Wanda," I murmur, looking towards Hermia. She is with Valmont and a large white cat. I am reluctant to interrupt them, yet I wish to make sure that she is well.

[a-cheval.livejournal.com]

"I don't think the gentleman, if he can be called that, cares much for the idea of a female sheriff. I doubt very much he cares what any woman thinks." Now there I reckon Miss Wanda's right. Only I can't help thinking, well, let him care or not care, don't make much difference what he thinks 'bout women if he's in a cell, only I don't say it. "I'm sorry, Luke. From what little I heard, this will not be easily resolved."

Nod a bit. "Reckon you're right there. Stuff like this ain't never easily resolved once it gets to fighting." And I wonder if Miss Hermia'll be happy no matter the result. Imagine knowing someone got killed for you. Miss Miao sighs. "I am sure that there is a reason."

Knew Miss Miao'd understand. "Must be," I say, and anyway, not like I'd see the reason if there was one, cause it ain't none of my business. Shake my head at Wanda's offer. She seems a bit different tonight, like she's got a load going on in her head she ain't letting no one in on, and I hope she's alright. Ain't seen much of her, but it was real nice of her to invite me to her party that time.

But Miss Hermia looks to have calmed down some now, so I don't mind going over so much. Even if it'll sound sorta wrong wishing her a happy birthday. "Reckon I'll go say hello. Looks like she don't mind being distracted away from that sorta thought, anyway."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"Pardon me, I am going to get a drink, does anyone else care for something?"

"I'll join you," I say quietly, falling into step behind her. Think I maybe ought step aside from the whole matter for a moment, afore my tongue runs away with me. Suppose I'll have t'speak with Valmont, and find out when the time's settled. Suppose I'll have the body to lay out fair quick this time, whoever's he is.

...bloody hell, if Valmont goes and gets himself killed, I am going to be saying some very pointed things while I'm laying him out. Already misliking seeing Hermia as upset as she is.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

As I head for the libations table, Glass falls into step besides me.
Oh well, at least we're not racing for it like that night at the Follow Me Boy.
A quick glance of the table shows me a bottle of whiskey towards the back, and I grab that and pour us both a healthy measure.

Rub a hand over my eyes and try to clear my head of the jumble of thoughts.
The elixir Lucien gave me helps, but I still don't sleep right, and the nights he's not home I tend not to sleep at all.

"How've you been Glass?" I ask quietly, contemplating my alcohol. "Here's to hoping you really won't have any work from this fiasco." I say sullenly, touching my glass to her's before taking a long drink.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"How've you been Glass?"

"Well enough." Suppose it's true, at least since Tuesday. "I left off playing shop clerk for Bluebeard, did I tell you?" I add, taking the glass from her.

"Here's to hoping you really won't have any work from this fiasco."

Take a sip in acknowledgement, and consider Wanda thoughtfully. She's not looking at me, only at the glass, and grant the whiskey's a lovely colour in the evening light I'd not take it for so pretty. "And yourself? How've you been? Besides engaged."

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

(con't below)