"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

[brotherlaurence.livejournal.com]

A big brute comes in--looking like Valmont but not acting like him at all and I straighten. I feel everyone tense. Kate has the kitten and though she's not really in any kind of danger, I step in front of her and now the man seems to have a wall of men before him, in addition to a sheriff and Hermia herself.

"I think you should leave, sir," I say evenly to him, backing up Valmont's statement.

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

I am laughing at Wanda as she stalks off, and I consider going to sit with Miao when the tension in the garden increases tenfold. Miao looks over, concerned.
I slip up to Wanda's side to see what is going on, actually pulling her back a step or two so we're not in the way, but it's obvious that the new gentleman is not well liked.

Sigh inwardly and hope this can be resolved quickly and quietly....

without any concussions.

[chester-excolo.livejournal.com]

Hermia bends over so that the new kitten an I can get acquainted, an someone takes the opportunity to kiss the birthday girl on the cheek. It doesn't go over well.

Hermia straightens up an tell him to get out in a voice as cold as winter winds. This is backed up by Valmont, who politely but just as coldly demands he leave. I can feel my fur puff up at all this. The kitten is passed off to Kate for safekeeping and Laurence an Boku appoint themselves her bodyguards. Mab comes up behind the man who touched all this off, but waits to see what happens next. Glass slides out of the middle to come stand with Mab. Wanda joins them. As does a tall blond fellow.

Kate fellow also add his voice to those asking the intruder to leave.

I stay right where I am at Hermia's feet, I pull my lips back in a hiss and crouch to prepare for an attack should one be needed. The man's a fool if stays against all this opposition.

[lysander-vassos.livejournal.com]

Hermia’s face grows hard and cold and her voice, colder, "Get out." she says. And I have to admit, it is a positive change in her. Perhaps living amongst these redneck, salt of the earth types has done her some good. Unfortunately it won’t do her any good once we’re home, unless she intends to shame herself further. If nothing else, my smile grows at her words. Shadows move in the corners of my eyes, truly people in this town must have little to do if this is their idea of a show. Not that they’re worth my attention, nor do they draw it. Though, I do find it intensely amusing that they have such little faith in Valmont’s ability to handle it on his own.

Valmont of course pipes up next, and as much as I’d like to ignore his existence as well, I can’t help but look at him and laugh in amusement at his words, "This is an invitation-only party. Please leave, or do I need to ask the sheriff to see you out?"

“Ah, yes. Madame Sheriff,” I chuckle, shaking my head. Madame Sheriff and her boy genius deputy, it certainly explains a lot about this town. “Perhaps you should. I figured you to be the sort that hides behind the skirts of women. Though, if you’d like me to go, perhaps you should remove me yourself? Or would you care to settle the matter in a more gentlemanly fashion? Say a duel?” I ask cheerfully.

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

I feel myself relax a little as our friends cluster around. Lysander is the stranger here, the outsider, and his cruelty and selfishness will not be accepted by those who care about us. It's a comfort, knowing so many people react at once to seeing Hermia upset. If anything should ever happen to me - though God willing I will live to a fine age - she has a great many people here who will look after her. And I think of how it would be for her to go back to that cold, lonely life in Athens after having this love, and my resolve hardens.

“Perhaps you should. I figured you to be the sort that hides behind the skirts of women. Though, if you’d like me to go, perhaps you should remove me yourself? Or would you care to settle the matter in a more gentlemanly fashion? Say a duel?”

I step forward, moving myself between him and Hermia. I feel my blood cold and clear in my veins as the Pontarlier.

"I will ignore the insult, coming as it does from a man who clearly has no idea of the value of women. But where I come from, one does not make a casual invitation to a duel. Was that an official challenge, sir?"

[lysander-vassos.livejournal.com]

"I will ignore the insult, coming as it does from a man who clearly has no idea of the value of women. But where I come from, one does not make a casual invitation to a duel. Was that an official challenge, sir?"

"Oh, it was official," I laugh, "And to the death. We'll settle this once and for all, sir."

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

I remember a bright sun rising at my back and the feel of the grass rising high against my legs. And I remember how Hermia looked when I told her about that day, how afraid she was. I promised her I would not seek out danger... But it has found me. And I cannot turn down a direct challenge, or I will have no honour, and whilst I have been a rogue for much of my life, I like to think I am an honourable one.

"I accept your challenge, sir," I say, and I can hear the sighs and murmurs around me. "I assume you know how to handle a blade." Not well, I would guess; adequately, but not well. "When you have appointed your second, we will appoint the day." I look at him coldly. "Know this now. We do not fight over Hermia as if she were a possession. I fight you so that she never needs worry about anyone taking her freedom from her again." I look him up and down with distaste. "And now, sir, I think you should leave. You have overstayed your welcome."

[lysander-vassos.livejournal.com]

I positively grin when he accepts the challenge. He can convince himself all he likes of his reason but it all boils down to the fact that we are fighting over her. And when I kill him, he'll be out of my way for good.

"I will send word when I have a second," I nod with a smile showing teeth. Then hold back my laughter at his sneering look. "And so I shall." I've gotten what I came for, as if I would want to stay with this rag tag group of nothings. "Enjoy your gift, precious," I say giving Hermia one final smile and then take my leave.

Its a nice night for a walk I think.

[chester-excolo.livejournal.com]

It was Valmont's right to defend Hermia so I let him. But Oh I want a piece of this bastard for myself! I think of following him invisible form the Other Side, but that means leaving the party. Don't wanna do that. I have his scent now though. And not just the scent of his body. I have the scent of his soul and with that I can find him wherever he goes. Perhaps I'll pay him little visit later. Just him an' me.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

...well, then. Get caught in watching him leave for a moment, and then shake my head once and quick and sharp. Wishing I had some better idea of what to do, but I ought be able to find something.

End up stepping back to one of the tables a moment, and filling a glass with the punch--not the one that's only juice--and bring it over. I can guess at the possibilities Hermia's setting out in her mind, and wish I could think of something to say, as Miao or Kate could. Touch the back of her hand light instead to catch her attention, and watch her as I do it. I'd never take her for like to fainting, but if she needs a hand...

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

Well....

A duel with swords. Wunderbar.

I wait for the unpleasant fellow to leave, then look towards Valmont. "Let me know when this will take place. I believe these situations usually call for a doctor on standby, correct?" I offer softly with a grim smile.

[regal-vigilante.livejournal.com]

I stand back and let the scene play out, and when they suggest a duel I bite my tongue. Not what I'd like, but my vote won't count much I'd guess.

Its not something that I haven't seen before though, and looking around there isn't anyone else. Who's he going to ask? That great lump of a barman?

"Let me know when this will take place. I believe these situations usually call for a doctor on standby, correct?"
I step forward as Lucien speaks, "Yes, usually a wise idea," I reach up to the lapel of my jacket and un-clip my badge. Stick it in my pocket and look at Valmont, "Its also good to have a second who knows what they're doing."

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

Shaking my head in amazement, I sigh and wonder how this party-crasher was able to sneak in. And for no reason other than to disturb Hermia, it seems. On her birthday, no less. What a prick.

And now there's going to be a duel between Valmont and Lysander. Hmm, I wonder if anyone's laying odds on how quickly Valmont is going to finish him?

Keeping an eye on Glass, I watch the scene with interest. Hermia deserves better, much more so than this smug jackass. I hope Valmont kicks the shit out of him.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

[cont here] (http://community.livejournal.com/estdeus_innobis/205512.html?thread=5777352#t5777352)