After the snow has fallen

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

Wednesday, early evening; after the snow has stopped but the power is still out.

It seems that I missed some excitement last night. When I came through from the apartment to the inn proper in the late morning, I found a note from Adam.

Boss -
There was a bit of a ruckus here last night. Some girl took her clothes off and got offended when Billy Hogan got fresh. A fight broke out - just the usual broken glasses. Will tell you more about it when I'm in next. Don't believe everything any of the regulars tell you - I was the only one who wasn't drunk.
A.

I would, perhaps, have got to hear some of those stories, and I must say I'm terribly curious, but then it started snowing. It has been a long time since I saw snow fall like it did this afternoon; since I lived in New London, I think, for Versailles was warmer. The Whitechapel is quiet enough during the early afternoons anyway, so we locked the front door, Cora and Peter soon settled into a high stakes game of gin rummy, and I went to make sure that Hermia and Alice were alright. Luckily we have plenty of food and firewood, and the apartment is well furnished with candles.

The snow has settled down now, but it is very dark outside and the power is still out. So I come back into the bar and Cora - cheerful for once, having managed to take most of Peter's wages for this week - and I get the fire banked as high as possible and line the windows with candles so that passerby can see that we are open, and I unlock the front door. I imagine that many people's homes will be very cold and very dark this evening, and what better cure for that than company and alcohol?

[OPEN]

Comments

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

"About time you figured that out," I snort. "You could have saved me one hell of a lot of effort if you'd done it sooner." I nod at him, agreeing before I continue to speak. Gaueko's not done though and suggests, "You should tell her she needs to train her priestesses better. That one's going to get herself hurt if this continues."

Another nod and I say, "I assure you that I'll let Verdi know you said so." He's not pleased that I brought up Verdi and says, "Verdandi and I aren't on the best of terms right now, so don't push me, boy." I take the warning to heart and reply, "Understood, sir." I'll let Verdi know about that as well but truly, there's no need to poke this bear with that tidbit. Besides, he sounds as if he already knows. Too many words on my part will only prolong this conversation anyway and that's not what I'm hoping for.

"Never occurred to you to seek her out before, then? No matter how many people told you she was your wife? Better late than fucking never, I suppose." I look at him for a moment and then say, "I was under the impression it was a joke. I've been informed otherwise, most compellingly by the town clerk but you're correct; I shouldn't delay any longer."

I neglect to add that the last time I saw my wife, she was in tears but that's neither here nor there and I smile politely as he adds, "Get on with it, then. I'm sure she'll be pleased to see you. Or she might hit you with a shovel. You never can tell with my girl."

I grin, feeling vast relief as I rise and offer, "My thanks and I'll keep that in mind. Shovels don't bode well and I'd rather she be pleased to see me instead, than brain me senseless." I give him a short half-bow, setting my empty glass on the table as I continue, "Have a good night, sir."

I turn, motioning to Lannie and Lucien at the bar as I head for the door. "Lannie, time to go. We're expected elsewhere. Bring Lucien if you'd like." Hurry, Lannie. I want to leave now but being calm is the order of the moment.

[melania-lowell.livejournal.com]

I'm not going to make him leave, but don't think Lucien wants to stay anymore than we do. I also don't need to be told more than once that its time to go and its not long before I'm at Iago's side gesturing towards the door, "Age before beauty. Lead the way."

It might be best if he goes out first. If the god is gonna hurt someone, better its me than either of the guys. At least it might give them a chance to run.

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

"Lannie, time to go. We're expected elsewhere. Bring Lucien if you'd like." Right, leaving I am all about leaving, even if the statement made me sound like Lannie's personal possession. I have no issue with that. Lannie rises and I smile and rise with her, looking back to see Alice being herded upstairs by Valmont, which is another relief.

The three of us leave The Whitechapel, Lannie bringing up the rear. I never thought I would be so glad to be outside and cold in my whole life. I retrieve two cigarettes from my coat and light them up, handing one to Iago.

"So... how the fuck are you doing?"

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

Gratefully taking the smoke from Lucien, I reply, "If I told you that was just one bizarre incident in a long line of bizarreness, --even for Excolo-- would you believe me?" I light the smoke, taking a drag before continuing, "You'd think my telling everyone that I don't remember would be enough for people but nooo, apparently not."

Answering Lucien's question, I reply, "Not as well as I could be, mate. The people who are supposed to be my friends are not speaking to me and complete fucking strangers think they have a right to say whatever they want to me." I shrug, continuing in amused voice, "I suppose that gives me the right to water down their liquor." I think of Gaueko and the people who recently gave me a hard time as I add in a flat tone, "Fucking with me will get you that and more."

I give Lucien a steady look as I ask, "Why would I lie about recalling anything? What would be there to gain for doing so?"

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

"If I told you that was just one bizarre incident in a long line of bizarreness, --even for Excolo-- would you believe me?" I laugh a little and shake my head. "If I told you that what just happened has been a 'quiet night' for me, would you believe me?"

"You'd think my telling everyone that I don't remember would be enough for people but nooo, apparently not." We walk on a bit, and I give him a level look. "I know there's something wring with your memory..." I say, tapping his head with my knuckles. "... but it is a rather weak line coming from a man that passed over a almost naked Wanda wriggling beneath him to go find his wife." I say, but I am smiling so he knows I mean no disrespect when I say it, but then I stop. "You don't remember that, do you?" I ask.

He goes on rambling, and I really can't fault him and his reactions, it's kinda funny actually. "Remind me not to piss you off, I like my vodka."

"Why would I lie about recalling anything? What would be there to gain for doing so?"

I stop and regard him for a moment, smoking my cigarette. "Not a blessed thing. That's why it's so damn puzzling... wild in love one day, can't recall her the next. I'm trying to figure it out mate... but it may be beyond my capabilities. Won't stop trying to though."

[melania-lowell.livejournal.com]

I'm happy to be outside finally but my muscles are still tense, ready to spring. That whole thing was seriously fucked up but at least we're alive for now.

The guys are talking and when I hear Iago say "You'd think my telling everyone that I don't remember would be enough for people but nooo, apparently not." I snort a laugh."Yeah well that's what you get for thinking." Evidently its not a habit around here. Or maybe killing brain cells is one of Gaueko's powers. Me trying to divert his attention wasn't too bright, but hey, it might have bought Iago and Lucien some time to get out.

Listening to the guys talk makes me smile, and I arch a brow at Iago when Lucien mentions a naked Wanda wriggling beneath him? If she's the same Wanda I met, its hard to imagine. Iago walking away sound like him though. The him I've known for the past month at least. I'll have to ask him about it later. I laugh and nod when Iago mentions watering down peoples drinks and Lucien adds "Remind me not to piss you off, I like my vodka."

"Not a good idea to piss off wait staff as a general, But I think your drinks will be just fine," I add with a laugh and wink. Hard to imagine anyone being mad at him. He's so cute and sweet. I wonder what Verdi thinks of him. Another thing I'll have to ask. My thoughts about Lucien are proven right when he mentions trying to figure out where the amnesia came from. "Its nice of you to help," I say smiling his way. "I'm just trying to keep him safe," I shrug and then laugh, "Trying and not doing so well." But hey, he's still alive. We all are.

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

"If I told you that what just happened has been a 'quiet night' for me, would you believe me?" I look over at him and chuckle, knowing full well exactly what he means by that. Truly, I blame Excolo most of all.

I continue on, commenting about other people when Lannie chimes in, "Yeah well that's what you get for thinking." I give her an amused look as I add, "Yes, I'll have to work on that. Damn thinking always gets me in trouble," and I laugh before Lucien says, "I know there's something wrong with your memory..."

He taps my head and has a mock-serious tone as he continues, "... but it is a rather weak line coming from a man that passed over an almost naked Wanda wriggling beneath him to go find his wife." He smiles and I laugh before he adds, "You don't remember that, do you?"

I laugh a bit more and say, "Oh, I remember Wanda quite clearly and no disrespect to my current wife, but costumed Wanda as I encountered her was not easily forgotten." I take a drag and continue, "I recall turning down the firefly and then Wanda and Miao, but for the life of me, I don't know why. I'd figured out their identities but what bearing it had on the situation escapes me."

I make my plans for petty revenge and Lucien comments, "Remind me not to piss you off, I like my vodka." I chuckle, pleased that my mood's shifted so quickly to something better as Lannie replies, "Not a good idea to piss off wait staff as a general, But I think your drinks will be just fine," and I chuckle again before saying, "It's amazing how many people forget that one simple truth but yes, Lucien, your drinks will be fine. Just don't upset Verdi, otherwise there are no guarantees."

Lucien and Lannie discuss my amnesia, and Lannie adds, "Its nice of you to help. I'm just trying to keep him safe. Trying and not doing so well." I give Lannie a serious look and say, "You did well but I doubt he'll forget you after this, and please don't say his name. Verdi says he can hear that and I'd rather not risk a second encounter, if you please."

I grin and it widens as I say, "We did well though. How many can say they stood up to a god, most especially him. I'd pat us on the back but I'd like to make it to the tavern before we celebrate. No need to jinx it."

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I remember Wanda quite clearly and no disrespect to my current wife, but costumed Wanda as I encountered her was not easily forgotten." I manage to keep smiling, since I was the one that brought her up, but it is difficult. Wish I could have been there with them, wish I did a lot of things differently... "I have no idea who the firefly is, but you turned down both Miao and Wanda for a very good reason. Must've been some hell of a woman to make you walk away from those two."

Yeah... thinking about them and that one perfect night and how good it might have been, it sucks.

I am immensely glad when we start speaking of drinks and not pissing off the bartenders again, and my smile does return to something resembling normal.

"Its nice of you to help. I'm just trying to keep him safe. Trying and not doing so well." I laugh a little at that, and Iago gives her a stern warning about Gaeuko. Hopefully two of us in one day will make an impact. "You did well but I doubt he'll forget you after this, and please don't say his name. Verdi says he can hear that and I'd rather not risk a second encounter, if you please." I nod grimly and throw my cigarette into the snow. "He can. Trust me. Have a friend that can vouch for that."

"We did well though. How many can say they stood up to a god, most especially him. I'd pat us on the back but I'd like to make it to the tavern before we celebrate. No need to jinx it."

"I played truth or dare with the devil recently... does that count?" I ask flatly as we continue to walk.

[melania-lowell.livejournal.com]

"I have no idea who the firefly is, but you turned down both Miao and Wanda for a very good reason. Must've been some hell of a woman to make you walk away from those two."

I snort a laugh. The way he's been going, I'm glad he didn't have to make that choice again. Probably better than that Edie tart though. Something about her bugs me and makes me sneeze. Wanda seemed nice though. Aside from that whole lemming thing she had going on, I got the impression she might be a lot of fun. The mood lightens some when we talk about watered down drinks and then nod and sigh when Iago adds his own warnings about the god. They really should come with a manual. Ours didn't hang out at bars and bogart drinks.

"You did well but I doubt he'll forget you after this, and please don't say his name. Verdi says he can hear that and I'd rather not risk a second encounter, if you please."

"He can. Trust me. Have a friend that can vouch for that."

Are they serious? I consider them both for a minute before deciding they're not just fucking off and I smile. "You sure you don't want another round? But that one was so much fun," I tease. I'm tempted to say his name just to get Iago in a twist but If its true, I'm not going to get us all killed for a laugh. Once tonight was bad enough. Can't help the little streak of pride that runs through me at the fact that we didn't back down. Iago adds his own thoughts "We did well though. How many can say they stood up to a god, most especially him. I'd pat us on the back but I'd like to make it to the tavern before we celebrate. No need to jinx it."

I laugh and Lucien chimes in, not in a joking tone, "I played truth or dare with the devil recently... does that count?"

Speeding my steps, I look at him. No smile on his face anymore. We didn't believe in the devil but I've heard enough to know some do. The only thing Grandpa used to say when I asked was, "It is other peoples creation, and they can keep it."

He must've gotten played by one of the guys at the White Chapel. Devil is one of the nicer things I've heard someone there be called. Their games aren't all on the level.I don't play on the level either, but knowing that makes me feel less bad about winning because of my unfair advantage. "Only if you won," I laugh and playfully nudge him with my arm. I hope he did win and isn't like this cos he lost. We're almost to the tavern door. Hopefully he'll feel better once we're safely inside.