Love is in the air

[npc-excolo.livejournal.com]

Sunday, February 14th
Valentine's Day

I sit on my bed with my legs crossed, writing real careful in my notebook. MRS CLARA GRANGER I write, all tidy, then underneath I practice my signature. Clara Granger. That nice man at the market swore it wouldn't take too long for him to propose after he drank the potion. After I practice my signature a few times I write our names together. PETER AND CLARA, and I put them inside a nice big heart.

I hear Momma shouting for me and I sigh. I know she won't approve when Peter and I get together, cos he is a bunch older than me and she says seventeen is way too young to settle down. But I know she married Pop at nineteen, so she's just a hypocrite. And Peter's a real good catch - got his own job, his own place. There's that Maya of course to worry about, I think, and I push my pencil a bit too hard into the page and the point breaks. But once Peter's had the potion he won't remember that he likes her. I just need to work out how to get it to him.

Momma shouts again.

"Coming!" I shout. I know she wants me to go to that dumb Valentine's market and help her sell quilts. Ugh. But Peter might be around town, so I check my hair is nice before I go down.

***

This punch just don't look too appetising. I sigh and shout for Clara again. What is that girl doing? Probably dreaming about that barman. She thinks I don't know she's moony about him. I'm just glad he's got a sweetheart, or else he might go for my Clara - she's real pretty and men like adoring girls. He's much too old for her. I taste the punch and it's real nice, course it is, made from our fruits, but the colour just don't pop. Feeling a bit guilty, I get out some food colourant and drop it in, and it goes a nice reddish colour. That's about right for Valentine's, ain't it? I stopper up the barrel. Clara comes down.

"Get those quilts in the cart, will you?" I say, hustling her out and then getting the punch on the wagon. Roads are clear, so we get set up easy. Just a few stalls for this - jewellery, flowers, all kinds of novelties. I put out the prettiest quilts - maybe some guy'll think one'd make a nice present for his wife, and more practical than earbobs - and set up the punch.

"Free punch, sir?" I say, holding out a cup. After a bit of prodding I get Clara dishing up punch too. Hopefully it'll be a good day.

[OPEN]
[Closed]

Comments

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

I smile when I see Tess approaching.

"Good morning," I say. "And please, call me Valmont," I say. "We're well. How's Kate?" I ask. "I was just looking at these earrings. Wondering if they would suit Hermia." I turn over a little pair of silver earrings. "I'm not sure that she's really celebrated Valentine's Day before, but it seems a good idea to buy my fiancee a present on this sort of occasion."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"Good morning," he says with a smile. "And please, call me Valmont. We're well. How's Kate?" I nod t'his welcome 'n reply "She's good, thanks. She was a bit shook up over everythin', but Excolo ain't the sort 'a town where you can stay rattled fer too long."

Honestly, I think it bothered me more. Things got better after I put my knife away in the cabinet Kate got fer me. I dunt think I'll be usin' that again, unless I've got a dire need t'hurt someone.

"I was just looking at these earrings. Wondering if they would suit Hermia." He points out a pair 'a small earrings, that flash bright in the sun. "I'm not sure that she's really celebrated Valentine's Day before, but it seems a good idea to buy my fiancee a present on this sort of occasion."

I take a look at 'em. "They ain't what I'd wear," I say, touchin' my un-pierced ears, "but I could see Hermia wearin' 'em. That sort 'a small nice kind 'a thing suits her." I doubt he needs my advice though. "My family ain't bin much fer it, livin' so far out as we do, but I know there's all sorts 'a traditions folks follow." Some from Excolo proper, but lots from away too.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

I say goodbye (http://community.livejournal.com/estdeus_innobis/381944.html?thread=9765368#t9765368) to Lucien and Jarmyn, and Glass and I walk over to Tess and Valmont.

"Good morning," I say to Valmont, "how are you today?" And I smile at Tess and touch her arm lightly. I like that people know, I've decided. it still - I still get embarrassed, but overall I'm glad. That I can be with her and not have to worry about my friends suspecting, because they already know. "Were you thinking of buying something for Hermia? Is she well?" I look at the earrings Valmont was admiring. "They're pretty." I look at a fancier pair of earrings, all sparkle, and smile. "Glass, look, these would match your wedding ring," I say. I've got used to seeing Glass wearing her ring, but I don't know that I'll ever think it suits her.

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

Kate comes over, her face lighting up when she sees Tess. She's changed so much from the woman I met back in June. But we have all changed a great deal in the past few months, I suppose, and I think of the spring that is coming and smile. I really must get Hermia to set a date.

"I'm thinking of them for Hermia," I say, "but I'm not sure yet... Hello, Glass," I say. Glass has been looking quite tired lately, and I have had my suspicions as to why. If I am right, then good luck to her and Iago, and I hope Hermia and I may not be too very far behind them. That gives me the sort of pleasant thought of having friends who have children who can play with my children, and I'm smiling quite cheerfully at everyone.

"I'm going to keep looking around," I say. "Perhaps I'll come back for these. Have a pleasant day, ladies."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Bloody well had years of practice not letting folk see more'n I cared t'have them see, hardly as if I'm going t'flinch over Kate drawing up by Tess, hand light on her arm... My hands in the pockets of my coat, one she made for me, and sudden bitterness over one so new t'her taking on such weight, so much more'n me.

Valmont's words catch attention, and I manage faint smile and dip my head. "Morning," I say, and look to Tess. "Hope you're well, Tess."

"Glass, look, these would match your wedding ring," Kate says, and I only-- why'd she speak of it? Unclench my hand and draw it from my pocket and look down at it for a moment t'gather breath.

"They near enough would, at that," I say, managing a smile. "Though then I'd need t'keep them aside while I worked as well, and don't think they'd thread so well on cord." Smile twists up a touch at the corner of my mouth. "Came looking for s-something for Iago--don't suppose they'd suit him." Glass Beddau, you are babbling. Look aside and up as Valmont moves on. "Pleasant day t'you. My best t'Hermia?"

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

I smile past Valmont as Kate comes over, Glass trailing 'long 'side her lookin' a touch out 'a sorts - though I can't always tell with her. "Mornin'," I say as Kate touches my arm, and I nod t'Glass too. "Mornin' Glass," I greet her.

"Hope you're well, Tess." I nod. "Yeah, thanks." I should say more, but I'm still tryin' t'figure out how t'talk t'Glass without things gettin' all brittle, and so I leave it fer now.

Valmont takes his leave, and there's just the three 'v us. I never quite feel left out when it's just me, Kate, 'n Glass, but the two 'v 'em are so close that there's little understandings 'tween 'em that I'm just not part 'v. "Did you get a chance t'tell Hermia 'bout Wanda?" I ask Glass, my voice low.

It's hardly the right sort 'a question fer a day like this though, and I grimace. "Sorry, love," I say t'Kate. "It's just bin on my mind."

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"Came looking for s-something for Iago--don't suppose they'd suit him."

I laugh.

"I suppose not," I say. "Maybe some cufflinks?" But though Glass is smiling she seems ill at ease, somehow, and I wonder about it. I should tell her about talking to Dorian, but I know she wouldn't like me to do it in front of Tess. It can wait.

"Did you get a chance t'tell Hermia 'bout Wanda? Sorry, love. It's just bin on my mind."

I shake my head.

"You don't need to apologise. Hermia and Valmont should know..." I look at Valmont's retreating back and frown. "Do you want to step into our apartment for a cup of tea, Glass?" I ask. It might be nicer to chat at home. "Unless you had plans."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Made Kate laugh, at least, and mind myself pleased at that, the sound on the air. "Maybe cufflinks," I agree. That might actually suit, come t'think on't, and'm glad for her being there and having maybe some sense t'see what might suit, even if I'd not care overmuch t'speak of it at the moment.

And Tess answers back t'm "Yeah, thanks," and no more, and feel my smile grow the faintest touch distant. Not saying'd expect the same from her, but t'see it set out in such plain silence--

Comes t'me then that I'm after caring over her not passing courtesy with me, and've no mind for why.

"Did you get a chance t'tell Hermia 'bout Wanda?" and rather afore I can gather myself t'answer she's turning to Kate and "Sorry, love," and oh, that thorn again, sharp and dark and quick. "It's just bin on my mind."

"You don't need to apologise. Hermia and Valmont should know..." Looks after Valmont and worried and wish I could give her better news, but--

"Didn't manage," I say, looking guilty to her and then down as she glances back. "Meant to, only didn't manage t'draw her off, and--" And bloody hell, hardly seemed something t'blindside Hermia with in midst of their homewarming. Damien made it awkward enough. "'m sorry."

"Do you want to step into our apartment for a cup of tea, Glass? Unless you had plans," and think I really ought t'claim I do, ought to take a moment alone, then turn back to looking for a gift for--

"Take it as a kindness," I say, smiling faint, and that is true, though I think I am being a fool. But keeping most of that from showing too clear, I hope, I hope... "Not sure I'm like t'have much luck here, in any case."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"You don't need to apologise," Kate assures me. "Hermia and Valmont should know..." She looks at Valmont as he leaves, and Glass answers "Didn't manage," she says, shootin' a strange look at Kate. It's almost like she's ashamed, but that can't be right, knowin' what I do 'v Glass. "Meant to, only didn't manage t'draw her off, and--'m sorry."

My eyebrows rise in surprise t'that. "It's alright," I tell Glass. "But I think it's good for people t'know."

Kate invites her inside, and I frown quick at that, though there ain't nothin' I can say. Glass accepts 'a course, and I ain't sure 'f Kate means me t'follow 'r not.

Well, I live there too, now. "I want t'say 'hi' t'Johnny," I tell Kate, layin' a hand on her arm. "But I'll come home after."

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"I want t'say 'hi' t'Johnny. But I'll come home after."

"Alright," I say, and really I'm glad I'll have a minute alone with Glass, because she doesn't seem quite herself. I hesitate briefly, but then I think - everyone knows, so why shouldn't I? - and I very briefly touch my lips to Tess's cheek. "I'll see you at home."

Glass and I walk down the street.

"Are you alright today, Glass?" I ask as we go. "You seem a touch - unsettled," and then we are at my front door and my smile is lifting up at the sight of the ribbons on the door handle. I laugh with my hand over my mouth. "Oh, she remembered," I say, and I'm blushing, but not with embarrassment. I gather myself and look back at Glass. "It was a tradition, where I grew up," I say. "On Valentine's Day. I told Tess about it." I open the door and we go in, and I set the kettle on the stove.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Wonder suddenly if I'm ill, chilled, distant in myself as she kisses Tess. Glance aside and think I see touch of distaste on face in crowd, and feel my shoulders set. One word against her, say it, only one...

Tess crosses t'see John, then, and fall into step aside Kate. Asks if there's aught awry and I'm trying for words, a way t'set out the shape of it, and then the blood's rising to her face as she looks aside. Split-second of hope and then see what she's looking at, white as snow and red as blood and purple like a bruise. "It was a tradition, where I grew up," she says glad. "On Valentine's Day."

"Kind of her t'remember," I say, and mean that much. Glad t'see Kate happy, always, though something of the whole matter's strange t'me now.

"I--" Shake my head. "Of an odd mood," I say. "I-- never particular kept t'the holiday, I w-was-- I hoped--" Go t'run my hand back through my hair and find it caught, of course, as my hair's pinned back.

"'s strange," I say in a moment. "Iago-- there's something at the Tavern he's not telling me the way of." Thin grim joy at the setting out of this, some bitterness turned to a purpose I can't name. "Not sure, exact, but Lannie thinks Verdi's going mad, and..." Gesture to empty air.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"Of an odd mood. I-- never particular kept t'the holiday, I w-was-- I hoped--" She runs her hand through her hair, and I haven't seen Glass this nervous around me in a long time.

"Iago-- there's something at the Tavern he's not telling me the way of.Not sure, exact, but Lannie thinks Verdi's going mad, and..."

I look at Glass for a moment.

"Should we sit down?" I say, and the kettle whistles. I fill the teapot, and we sit at the table, thin February light streaming in.

"Verdandi going mad?" I say, and it puts a chill through me. "And you think Iago knows of it and is holding it from you?" I can feel my skin crawling. I think something is wrong here, very wrong, and oh, why can't think town stay quiet for a few days at least? Must everything come down to hurt and madness?

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"Verdandi going mad?" she says, and reach out t'touch her hand. "And you think Iago knows of it and is holding it from you?" and shake my head at that.

"Sure he'd not," I say. "But Lannie thinks it so, says she's seen Verdi... ranting after wishing ill, something of the sort--told her of Sentinel House, and her first thought was that we'd be moving--" Catch myself and shrug by way of apology. "He bought it," I say awkward. "Bought it and gave it me, and--" Glass Beddau, you are tangling this madly. Stop and take a breath and cover my eyes a moment with my free hand.

"Sure if he thought she was a danger t'me, he'd speak of it," and I am sure of it, know it in my bones. "But Lannie thinks she's a danger, and said they've spoken of it a little, and-- either she's worrying overmuch, or else he's not seeing his way clear over the matter." I think that's all of it.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

She touches my hand, and I squeeze her fingertips, then listen to what she says.

"Let me try to untangle this..." I say, and I pour out the tea. "Iago bought you the whole of Sentinel House?" I say. "All those apartments?" To me it seems the sort of grand gesture you might make if you're trying to distract someone, but I don't say that. Not yet, anyway. "And Lannie's worried... She has had a horrible time of it lately, which might make her see dangers that aren't there. But," I add, seriously, "with Excolo as it is, I'm more minded to pay attention to someone who's warning of danger than someone who says there's no danger at all." I sip my tea. "Can you tell me more about what Lannie said about Verdandi?"

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"Let me try to untangle this..." and takes her hand away, and feeling cold as I sit there alone. Take one of the mugs of tea in my hands, hold it closer than may be that I need to, the blank heat leaching into my palms. "Iago bought you the whole of Sentinel House? All those apartments?"

Nod at that, and want to reach for her hand again and don't, only glance aside for a moment in the guilt of it all. As he did, and easy as it may've been for him t'do, he yet thought of it and I need weigh that, and here across the table from Kate it seems a poor thing to set aside... Moving on to matter of Lannie and "She has had a horrible time of it lately, which might make her see dangers that aren't there. But with Excolo as it is, I'm more minded to pay attention to someone who's warning of danger than someone who says there's no danger at all."

"C'n see the way of that," I say quiet. Well. Never after shutting my eyes to a particular misery coming, was I? Pick up the cup and swallow down tea.

"Can you tell me more about what Lannie said about Verdandi?"

Think on that a moment, the tea back on the table and turning in my hands. "Started with something in passing, over her driving Iago t'loose the rest of his mind. Asked after that thinking there'd... may be there'd been trouble with work, was all I took it for, you see? And she grew shocked over Verdi not giving me trouble, and when I asked what'd been done, she..." Stop again t'try and gather my words, find a way to set this out.

"Called her quick-changing, sweetness and light one moment and threatening t'take after all you care for the next. Warned me against going to the cellar--it's where Verdi brews," I add, "'ve never been, though Iago and Thomas go there often enough. And-- she was scattered, a little, you see?" Think of her laying blame for Benedict taking after her at Verdi's feet, and my mouth twists. Always took Lannie for steady enough, but not seeing send t'all of this.

"Said she'd no mind for what Verdi'd done t'him, but that he'd no problem with it, thought only she'n Thomas were misliking it. But she wasn't particular setting out whatever Iago's not minding. Not sure he told her the way of whatever it was exact, truly."

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"Started with something in passing, over her driving Iago t'loose the rest of his mind. Asked after that thinking there'd... may be there'd been trouble with work, was all I took it for, you see? And she grew shocked over Verdi not giving me trouble, and when I asked what'd been done, she..."

"The rest of his mind?" I say, and then Glass is gathering her thoughts again and continuing. My unease is hardening into worry, a feeling which gets worse as she goes on.

"Called her quick-changing, sweetness and light one moment and threatening t'take after all you care for the next. Warned me against going to the cellar--it's where Verdi brews,'ve never been, though Iago and Thomas go there often enough. And-- she was scattered, a little, you see? Said she'd no mind for what Verdi'd done t'him, but that he'd no problem with it, thought only she'n Thomas were misliking it. But she wasn't particular setting out whatever Iago's not minding. Not sure he told her the way of whatever it was exact, truly."

Things kept secret, and Lannie and Thomas afraid... Oh, I don't like this at all.

"Does Verdandi have some hold over Iago?" I ask. "Maybe she's some way of stopping him telling you more, because it seems so unlike him - you two seem to share everything."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"The rest of his mind?" and shake my head quick at that, holding up a hand.

"They tease at each other," I say. "Light insult, take turns cheating coin-toss for cleanup... Means no harm."

"Does Verdandi have some hold over Iago?" and think of it, but... "Maybe she's some way of stopping him telling you more, because it seems so unlike him - you two seem to share everything."

"None I know of," slow and thoughtful, and find'm reaching 'cross table for her hand again. "'s why I'm not even sure how much's happening, you see? He's not-- mean, he's not even seeming worried. And think between my being at home and her brewing--" or whatever she does in the basement, where Lannie warned 'gainst-- "'ve not seen Verdi in weeks, so's hardly's if she's hovering over him or..." Shake my head.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Glass takes my hand again, which gives me a sense of how troubled she is.

"'s why I'm not even sure how much's happening, you see? He's not-- mean, he's not even seeming worried. And think between my being at home and her brewing-- 've not seen Verdi in weeks, so's hardly's if she's hovering over him or..."

"Maybe you need to speak to Verdandi," I say after a moment. "Carefully. And not in the basement. I'm minded to trust another woman's word on what places aren't safe." I rub my thumb lightly against her knuckle, and then I reach for the teapot and top up our cups. "I saw Dorian," I say after a moment. "The other day. I went to give his watch back," I say. "He left it here when we lost our memories." I don't want to just say I went to see him to tell him off about Glass, and the watch part is true enough. "He's... different, since all that," I say. "He seemed nervous to be around me. It was strange."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

There in quiet a moment, thinking on it all and holding Kate's hand. "Maybe you need to speak to Verdandi," she offers. "Carefully. And not in the basement," and her touch stroking light and warm as summer sunshine 'cross the back of my hand and'm suddenly dizzy and looking aside as she goes for tea and ought be words for this but've no mind for any of it, any at all.

"I saw Dorian," she offers, and close my eyes a moment, some miseried tangle of her and him and all there-not-there, thin conversations around some other matter. Too ragged to sort it out and compose my face and look up. "The other day. I went to give his watch back," and nod. "He's... different, since all that. He seemed nervous to be around me. It was strange."

Thin smile at that, and can fair to see them talking, Kate direct as she's minded t'be and Dorian... well, being as he is, and guessing even the thought of Diego surely not settling him any. "He's afraid more'n you'd think, when you catch him..." Not the right word, shake my head and try again. "When he needs speak t'folk, not play at them? Something of the like."

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"He's afraid more'n you'd think, when you catch him... When he needs speak t'folk, not play at them? Something of the like."

"I think you're right," I say thoughtfully. "He's always playing a part... When I gave him back the watch, I said I'd seen him be kind, and it - seemed to shake him. He said whatever I thought I knew about him was a lie. But I don't think that's so." I breathe out and shake my head. "You are tangled up with some complicated men, Glass," I say wryly, and I sip my tea.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Can see Dorian calling kindness a lie--'m not placing him ever having done such a thing exact, but the way've heard him speak of, of such things as Kate does... fits with that. "He's... you know there're t-times you, you want something and choose not t'do it?" and can feel the blood rising in my face but set it aside, carry on. "Think t'him, it's-- he sees it as less true." Consider that a moment and find myself adding sudden "'ve no mind for it, he cares so much for how others see him, tries t'make them look t'him'r me'r--" Break off and sigh, and swallow tea (http://community.livejournal.com/estdeus_innobis/381944.html?view=9807096#t9807096).