Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

[Later afternoon of Saturday, June 5 (day 270)]
[The corner of Main and Silk]

Three months back and it'd be growing dark, but summer on and the light's only mild and golden. The air's got a smell like garden dirt, soft and easy, and the blasted llygotwr's managing to take up the entire bed while I'm cleaning up the kitchen afore heading out.

Stop by the General Store, meaning to set hands on thread and needle; one of my shirts has a rip, and if I go by Dorian's I'd not get out without two new dresses and thirty seams that he'd go on about being for shaping. My hand's still stiff, but I can mend a tear. Open the door to the sound of the bell, and glance 'round.

[Open]

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[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

I spot her not far from the General Store and although I want to immediately catch up with her, I hold back, choosing instead to savor the delicious view of Milady Glass' swaying curves. A jingling bell prods me from my ogling and without further hesitation, I'm following in her wake, my hand holding open the door just as it begins to close behind her.

A gentle nudge and I'm inside, closing the door behind me as I grin at my love. "It must be my lucky day." Pleased, I lean close, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. She's intoxicating and I softly brush my fingertips over her cheek before saying, "You're a welcome sight for sore eyes, love." Unable to resist the unruly impulse, I steal another kiss, this one from her luscious mouth.

I could easily lose myself in her sweetness, but I settle for that single kiss before reluctantly pulling away. Tamping down a flurry of impatient thoughts, I'm pleasant as I ask, "How are you? Working today, love, or just visiting?" When last we spoke, Saturdays weren't her normal work days but that may have changed. My voice lowers a bit and I suggest, "Perhaps I could tempt you into taking an early dinner with me."

My imagination runs straight to the naked gutter, prominently featuring Glass and I engaging in dinner of a naughty sort. A delicious prospect, even if I am getting ahead of myself. Attempting to stay on topic, I casually continue, "I'd enjoy a chance to catch up and talk with you, Glass." My unruly nature won't be waylaid though, and I find myself grinning slyly as I add, "And more as well."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Catch someone coming up behind from the edge of my sight and hear "It must be my lucky day." Turn and find Iago leaning in, mouth and then fingers to my cheek. "You're a welcome sight for sore eyes, love."

"Been easy enough to--" to find me, and that's cut off as he kisses me again, and I'm-- remember sudden and vague how he waited until my mouth was full to start breaking out questions, and not liking it the slightest.

"How are you? Working today, love, or just visiting?"

"Neither," I say, and I've one hand on his shirt, pushing him away though it makes little matter with him already stepping back, and I pull my hand back, rake my fingers back through my hair. Look at him a moment and the air's too empty, full of dust, and I add "Needed to make mending, is all, and damned if I can set hand on a needle, so..." Shrug uncomfortable and trail off.

"Perhaps I could tempt you into taking an early dinner with me. I'd enjoy a chance to catch up and talk with you, Glass," and bloody hell I've missed him, true enough, and then he goes on and adds "And more as well."

And I think Six weeks. Six weeks and you've said naught to me and now it's to be taken on faith that you've set yourself so much to rights that surely I'd have no hesitation with taking up as if nothing changed since midwinter? More the kisses than the words, I suppose. Step back, which sets me with my back to the door, and pinch the corners of my eyes with one hand. "Think you'd be best off settling for talk," somewhat dry, and glance 'round, and no-one else in distance to speak at the moment and did that sound colder than I meant it? I've no sure mind for it, I don't--

"Someone cursed me near to death," I say, "and Syl Thorn undid it. And the wishes were... unkind." And Dorian built me--us--a bloody house, but not getting to that of the moment. "You, how've you been?"

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

My kisses don't seem as welcome as I'd hoped. Considering our situation I suppose that's to be expected and I set aside the notion of giving it too much weight as of yet. My love pushes me away with a light touch before pulling back herself and I step back a bit, giving her space without making a big show of it. She mentions difficulty mending without giving further explanation and that has me curious as to what may have happened.

Rather than broach that immediately, I suggest that she might accompany me to dinner with the possible addition of more. I was doing fine until then. That's when her expression changed. I tamp down my excitement, determined to remember that Milady Glass prefers to not rush into anything, including anything beyond a meal with me. Fair enough, and her next words confirm that without a doubt.

She's a bit tart there and I quirk an eyebrow at her before shrugging it off. Quietly, I gaze at her sweet face as she continues briefly about her troubled times. I feel a twinge of regret for not being with her through all that. She did tell me to go though and sort myself out. As it stood then, I doubt I'd have been much help beyond holding her hand but still, I could have been there anyway.

Ah well. There's nothing to be done for it now and in a concerned tone, I say, "That's terrible, love and I'm sorry to hear that you were burdened with so much. I want to hear all about it though, and share my tales with you as well," I pause, glancing around briefly before continuing, "But you did say you needed needles for mending. I don't want to distract you overly much," What a lie. I truly do want that. I grin at the thought, sobering a bit before continuing, "My offer of dinner still stands though. Perhaps after your shopping's done, love."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"That's terrible, love and I'm sorry to hear that you were burdened with so much. I want to hear all about it though, and share my tales with you as well." And I do care to hear this, though with all to mind takes me a moment to notice that he's not answering my question, only promising to. "But you did say you needed needles for mending. I don't want to distract you overly much."

Smile a little at that, though seems there's a knot trying to grow in my throat. "'m buying needles, Iago," I say mild. "Not-- can manage speaking t'you and picking them out of a moment." Step aside and 'round him towards the counter, still looking to him as he speaks.

"My offer of dinner still stands though. Perhaps after your shopping's done, love."

Murmur something as makes for assent. "The Miskatonic?" I offer.

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

She gives me a small smile before explaining that she can shop and talk at the same time. But of course she can, and I nod while chuckling lightly at myself. "Yes, love. Quite true." I make certain to let her know that my offer for dinner still stands and when she agrees, I grin, pleased immensely.

"Yes. The Miskatonic sounds fine, love." I follow behind her, gathering a few items for Alessandra's garden as I comment, "Can't forget these," and I show her the gloves. "I destroyed the last pair and meant to replace them sooner."

My sweet love is beautiful, even more so than the last time I saw her and her expanded curves immediately send my thoughts to naughty places. Does she have any notion of how sexy she is? Likely not but this is neither the time or the place to bring it up.

I search for another topic, something less likely to remind me of her lush body and remembering her question from earlier, I say, "As for how I've been, I've been better." I grin again, adding, "But I've been worse as well. Alessandra's kept me busy, sending me here and there. I've only just returned from Ipswich." I make a huffing noise. "Damn place hasn't changed a bit. It's still full of degenerates, criminals and libertines. And that's just my family."

Shaking my head, I continue, "It was a madhouse. My mother was drunk most of the time, as well as my Uncle Montano, and both of them decided that since I was visiting, they'd spend their time arguing with each other or hounding me. As big as that house is, I couldn't seem to find a moment's peace there." Another shake of my head. "And that doesn't include the random cousins or erstwhile friends that stopped by. Even Rosalind dropped by. It was mayhem and I couldn't wait to come home, love."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Picks up gloves as we move through the store, mentioning something about ruining the last pair, and raise an eyebrow. Given he's speaking of Alessandra keeping him busy, guessing it's matter of work rather than matches. "I've only just returned from Ipswich," and that comes as some surprise, stop and glance up to him.

"When were you gone?" Strange to think of, that I might've gone by to see him if I'd hurt a little less, if he'd not been out so far, and to have gone there and found him missing... Well. Suppose there's not much I can say to it, having asked him to damn well learn to mind himself. He needs to leave off telling me when he's in town for the habit of that, not going to gainsay him the space.

Still.

Shake my head and come back to "...hasn't changed a bit. It's still full of degenerates, criminals and libertines. And that's just my family," and smile quick and faint as he sets out time with his family. Takes me a moment to place the name Rosalind, but it comes to me then.

"Why'd she send you to Ipswich?" Some curiousity there, as I come to the counter and trouble Amanda for the needles. Guessing Alessandra can have things done without Iago to do them for her, so it's more question of why she wants him particular there, or wants him to not be here. Suppose it needn't be only the one.

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

When I mention my trip out of town, Milady Glass looks at me with surprise and asks, "When were you gone?" Obviously, since we hadn't spoken in so long, she'd had no notion that I wasn't in Excolo.

Thinking back to when I left, I reply, "I'd spoken to Lucien and then Jarmyn and not long after that, I left. May 12th, I believe. I remember being displeased that it was a Wednesday." I shrug, setting aside thoughts of Wednesdays past and continue, "As for my return, I've been back four days now, love."

I continue, sharing highlights from the insanity that was my visit to Ipswich. At the counter, I flash a friendly grin at the salesgirl as my love asks, "Why'd she send you to Ipswich?" I briefly notice the girl blushing before turning to face Glass. I ponder her question for a moment before saying, "She said it was to take care of family business but I believe she may have wanted to help me as well." I chuckle lightly, giving her half-grin before adding, "It's difficult to be sad when you're dodging thrown china."

"Besides honing my agility and quick reflexes, I tried to spend quality time with Mother." I glance down and away, uncertain of how much I can say without becoming melancholy over my mother. We're in public so I buck up and manage a small grin. "She's been drinking too much, as usual and my sister-in-law Ghita and I had quite a time wrangling her." I'm more upbeat as I continue, "My niece though, she was a joy, always dancing and singing. I spent the bulk of the time with her, having tea with Mr. Teddy and Miss Bunny."

Recalling a bit of her earlier words, I give her a curious look and say, "You said you were cursed and Syl Thorn undid it. What sort of curse was it and when was that, love?" And why didn't you come tell me? I shake my head, remembering what I'd thought when she originally sent me away and I leave the question unspoken, along with a few others. Concerned for her well-being, I ask, "How are you feeling now, love? And any notions as to who's responsible?"

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"I'd spoken to Lucien and then Jarmyn and not long after that, I left. May 12th, I believe. I remember being displeased that it was a Wednesday." Measure out the space of weeks in May, and murmur acknowledgement.

"That was the day I put my hand through Lucien's window," I say. "Best place in town to have it happen, if it was going to."

Suppose there's something to what he's saying, the idea of Alessandra giving him something to set his mind to. "It's difficult to be sad when you're dodging thrown china," he adds, and I catch a smile at the edge of my mouth.

"Focuses the mind wonderful well, I recall," I say light. True enough, and for a thin minute I'm remembering... oh, I've no mind for it. Easier times. Listen as he touches over matter of his mother, thin edge and turning to others in his family. "My niece though, she was a joy, always dancing and singing. I spent the bulk of the time with her, having tea with Mr. Teddy and Miss Bunny."

"How old's she now?" Thinking of Fiona, and tea at the Dormouse. Tea with toys almost seems strange, but then I found myself wearing wings, and suppose it's no great difference.

Turn to matter of the curse, then, and I shrug a little, ill at ease. "I'm mending," I say, gesturing with my hand and turning it to show the split along the side. Pay for the needle and see the blood rising to Amanda's face over Iago and don't say aught over it, and leave discussion of the matter until she turns away, moves down the counter. "Best guess is Manqueller, a week afore you left, and no mind for why. Someone set an evil eye on me, though; bad luck and worse mending." All to the good that the stillbirthing was undone; leave that for poor chance and infection to set their teeth to, and doubt I'd've been in any fit state to make it to Syl. I suppose I'd've been taken out there any case, but gladder I was able to walk it.

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

"That was the day I put my hand through Lucien's window. Best place in town to have it happen, if it was going to."

I stop what I'm doing and stare at her, vaguely alarmed before saying, "Yes, absolutely. Best place." I shake my head, growling low, "Fucking Wednesdays can go to Hell."

My grin returns at her comment about focus before faltering as I touch on my time with my mother and family. Talk of my niece raises my mood and Glass asks her age.

"Seven," and I hold up the correct number of fingers, imitating my niece's finger placement before continuing, "She was quite adorable and expected that I stay close and attend her whims. She wanted to hear all about you and decided already that she and our baby would be best friends." I chuckle and say, "Everything is possible in her mind and distance means nothing. She insisted so."

The conversation takes a heavier tone as Milady Glass shows me her wounded arm. Even on the mend, the wound's worse than I imagined. Glass pays for her needle and I do the same for my gloves. The salesgirl walks off and Glass continues, "Best guess is Manqueller, a week afore you left, and no mind for why. Someone set an evil eye on me, though; bad luck and worse mending."

"Manqueller? I don't know who he is, love, but if he has the evil eye or something of the sort, you might consider telling Mab. If for nothing else, than at least to warn her." I wish I could say I was surprised but living in Excolo has taught me to expect otherwise. "I wish this hadn't happened to you but thankfully, Syl Thorn undid the curse." I frown briefly before asking, "Was it expensive, love? Perhaps we should send the bill to Manqueller."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"Seven," and echo of a child's gesture, and then on about his niece. Younger than Fiona and older then Juliet, and that's closest in age that I know, I suppose. Wonder a little what all about me was and set it aside a moment.

"Manqueller? I don't know who he is, love, but if he has the evil eye or something of the sort, you might consider telling Mab. If for nothing else, than at least to warn her," and that's a practical thought.

"I ought," I agree. "If he does, doubt he'd have cause to turn it to her, but worth passing word along. Dry pinch of a man, smoked glasses, red hair...?" Wonder if Hermia could address the matter any, as well.

"I wish this hadn't happened to you but thankfully, Syl Thorn undid the curse. Was it expensive, love? Perhaps we should send the bill to Manqueller," and sniff amusement at the thought.

"Less'n half of what it cost for Kate," I say, "which I count in part as kindness. Not sure what t'do about Manqueller. Want surety over it being him, and afore that I'm minded not to cross his path." Fall silent a moment, gesturing towards the door of the store. "You hear about the wishes?"

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

Glass shares her description of Manqueller and I nod. "I'll keep an eye out for him. Surely there can't be too many like him walking around."

I suggest we send the bill on and for a moment she seems to entertain the notion before practicality wins out. "Avoiding him isn't a bad idea, love. At least until after Mab's assured you that he's not responsible."

"You hear about the wishes?"

I open the door for her, confused as I say, "No, love. I've heard nothing about wishes. What did you hear?"

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"Avoiding him isn't a bad idea, love. At least until after Mab's assured you that he's not responsible."

"You think she could tell?" I say, thoughtful. "Was guessing I'd turn more to Hermia or Syl."

"No, love. I've heard nothing about wishes. What did you hear?"

...well, then. "Town had its wishes granted," I say, "fortnight back or so; lasted three days. Tess'd left Kate sometime in the winter, Valmont was maybe a dozen years younger and his sister ran the Whitechapel, Lucien thinks he may've gotten coffee..." I shrug and there is no gracious way to say it, is there? "My child was a stillbirth," blunt and plain. "And three days later, all was as it was again."

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

"You think she could tell? Was guessing I'd turn more to Hermia or Syl."

I shake my head. "Not necessarily. I'm just assuming that she'll consult with an expert of some sort to confirm. Hermia and especially Syl are both sound choices." I give her a curious look and ask, "Do you plan on investigating for yourself, love?"

I'm surprised to hear of the recent wishes and even more so as Glass gives details. Lucien wished for coffee? Perhaps I misheard... I'm about to ask for clarification when she adds, "My child was a stillbirth, And three days later, all was as it was again."

I stop in my tracks, feeling very much like I was just punched in the stomach. She lost the baby but then...didn't? I shouldn't grieve but there's a moment where I do. Fishing out my smokes, I light one, sad but relieved as I open the Miskatonic's door for her. "That was quite a wish, love. I must admit that I liked Lucien's better," I turn my steady gaze on her, asking, "But how do you feel about it?"

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"Do you plan on investigating for yourself, love?"

"May be," I say thoughtful. "Might be needed to tell for sure where it came from, in any case, so not sure how far I can stay out of it..." Shrug and set the matter aside for the moment.

"That was quite a wish, love. I must admit that I liked Lucien's better," and comes to me that most are taking it for something done t'me at another's will. Feel the corner of my mouth twist up, that he caught it. "But how do you feel about it?"

Make a small thoughtful noise as I sit. "Angry," is what I settle on to start. "Takes a fool to think that what folk might want is what they'd choose, and petty cruelty of a god come walking to force it on them and those wished about." Flick my fingers in dismissal. "Tired, some. It's easier t'remember it's not happened, at least." Funny, almost as if I was exhausted and light-headed and losing blood and dosing myself and... any case. "Other things that happened, it's harder t'keep memory of them out. So suppose that's to the good."

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

"May be. Might be needed to tell for sure where it came from, in any case, so not sure how far I can stay out of it..."

"Likely not too far, love." I grin a bit and continue, "Your curiosity won't be satisfied until you know the truth of it." Her inquisitive nature has always been one of the things I enjoy the most about her. That and the fact that sooner or later, she'll ferret out her answer.

She mentions a few of the wishes granted in town and none of it sits well with me. I'm immensely relieved that I wasn't around to experience it myself but fuck, if what Glass' said is just the tip of the iceberg, I can't imagine what's happened to the rest of Excolo. Shit. I need to ask Alessandra about her experiences, and Walter as well. Curious, I ask Glass how she feels about what's happened.

"Angry. Takes a fool to think that what folk might want is what they'd choose, and petty cruelty of a god come walking to force it on them and those wished about." I nod, mentally ticking off Excolo's resident deities. Unfortunately, more than one of them could be responsible but likely none would admit to such manipulations. She continues, "Tired, some. It's easier t'remember it's not happened, at least. Other things that happened, it's harder t'keep memory of them out. So suppose that's to the good."

"I suppose it is," I say. "Especially considering the circumstances. It's a shame we don't know who's responsible." I take a drag, frowning as I say, "Although it's unlikely we could bring one of the gods to justice. I'd not mind a name though. Keeps my scorecard tidy."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"I suppose it is," he says, and I've rather missed the smell of cigarettes; not too odd, that, I suppose. "It's a shame we don't know who's responsible. Although it's unlikely we could bring one of the gods to justice. I'd not mind a name though. Keeps my scorecard tidy."

"Thing in the tower, may be," I say, "or Tez. Wishes granted, knives to twist." Not the Shuck, at least, and don't particular think it's a trick of that bitch of the moment, so leave off mention of her. Not Azrael nor Nanshe, either-- "Or that thing as took after Nanshe in the dream." Smile thin as Tulzcha comes by, trouble her for coffee and a sandwich. "May be that it was a dream, the whole of it; a dazzle over eye and mind for three days running, instead of a dreaming sleep, raree-show played out and snatched back. Makes no difference now."

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

"So one of three then. I'm familiar with the Thing in the tower and Tez as well but not the dream creature." I give my order to Tulzcha and turn back to Glass. "I don't recall meeting it when I was asleep either. I did talk to Ares though, and Benedict, of all people. It was a peculiar dream."

"Makes no difference now."

"No, it doesn't." I sigh, taking a drag while shaking my head. "You mentioned Tess leaving Kate, did they fix that? I can't imagine one without the other anymore." I consider the other wishes she mentioned. "And Valmont had a sister for three days but doesn't anymore? Do I have the right of that, love? Again I say, Lucien's coffee wish seems the best of the lot. It sounds as if the notion if knife-twisting is a common theme. Except for Lucien, of course."

My curiosity's piqued at what else may have happened and I ask, "Did you hear of other wishes, love?"

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"I don't recall meeting it when I was asleep either. I did talk to Ares though, and Benedict, of all people," and I grumble a moment, low in my throat. Fine as Benedict Donner is still and dead and no grudge there, I mislike greatly the idea of him come walking. "It was a peculiar dream."

"I died," I say thoughtful. "Was for a good reason, though. And then I wasn't asleep, nor yet woken, until it all broke. Recall there was a wolf, and a man without sight..." I run my fingers 'round the back of my neck.

"You mentioned Tess leaving Kate, did they fix that? I can't imagine one without the other anymore."

Well enough I'm not making it clear, and I take a slow breath, try and sort it out and set it out plain. "No," I say. "Tess never left Kate; only that those three days were a time when Tess had already left Kate back during the winter." I'm sure there are better words for this in Welsh, dammit. "And Valmont never had a sister, and he wasn't made younger--for those three days, he'd always been so. And near as I can guess, from the things I saw different, everyone and her sister in town had wishes granted." Tulzcha comes back with the coffee and take up the cup and consider it, trying to set it out.

"Did you hear of other wishes, love?" and that's a fine enough place to start.

"Durant--the one whose skull John Thiess cracked, outside the Tavern--he'd mended aright. Maryk and Karina were the ones as murdered the man hung out on the town sign... Mab and Hollow found that's true, I think. Mrs Ramsey's husband never died. Jane Veniver was wed to Jaime Kincaid. No-one knew the nature of the thing Wanda married, or else it truly was a man. Jenna was living out from under her mother's roof, and never at the Apothecary. Word came Esterly's daughter was having a child. Doubt there's anyone in town as couldn't tell you a dozen, cared they to speak of it."

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

She mentions dying in her sleep and I ask, "What was that good reason, love? Your dream sounds like it was more eventful than mine. All I did was talk to dead men in the woods. A few women as well but they weren't dead." A notion occurs to me and I ask, "Did you see Simon in the time you were dead but not awake? Seems like as good a time as any." I don't know what to make of the wolf or the blind man she mentions and I say, "Did the sightless man resemble anyone you might know?" She likely doesn't but it doesn't hurt to ask.

I ask about Kate and Tess, and Glass says, "No. Tess never left Kate; only that those three days were a time when Tess had already left Kate back during the winter." She adds an example about Valmont to clarify and I mull over the notion while smoking.

"Ah, so in that sidestep into wish-reality, situations like Kate and Tess' seemed to have always been as the wish made them to be. Fascinating." I listen as she goes on and the bit about Karina and Maryk grabs my attention. "Karina and Maryk, is that as true now as it was during the wishes?"

Considering all she's told me, I ask, "And now everything's back as it was before the wishes except for the memories?" I shake my head. "Again, that doesn't sit well with me, love but as I can't do anything about it..." I shrug.

I look across the table at my estranged wife, missing her terribly but unwilling to voice it more than I already have. To have someone so near and yet so far... I dislike this feeling of emotional vulnerability and briefly ponder whether or not I should have stayed in Ipswich. She likely doesn't remember about today either. I sigh quietly, taking another drag of my smoke before asking, "Did I miss any other exciting events? One curse and a spate of bad wishes doesn't seem like enough mayhem to cover the passing of one month in this town."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"What was that good reason, love?" and oh, bloody hell, suspect this might well enough lead to an argument. Try and draw the sense of it together.

"Death was set to being something else," I say, keeping teeth from showing much as it feels they'd like to. "Some puppet guardian. And guessed that his being called by someone dying... that'd be enough to break it. Had the right of it, too." Wonder if it's pride I'm feeling at the memory, or only the relief of seeing him break out of that mummery farce.

"Did you see Simon in the time you were dead but not awake? Seems like as good a time as any."

"It's not him I'd've seen," I say. "But no, not him nor Death." Azrael. "Only when I died; he was there then." Put my hand absent to my face, the dry heat of the coffee cup clinging to my fingers and slipping from skin to skin.

"Did the sightless man resemble anyone you might know?" and I shrug.

"May be? Don't guess I know him well, if so..." Think on it a moment. "Dark, but not so much as Cain nor Reed; more like Tez, and bloody sure I don't think it was him." Seemed polite and sensible, for one thing. "But didn't know him then, as we spoke, and it's hard to see past that."

Calls the way of the wishes a side-step, and think it's a name that suits; running down a path much the same, only out of step and different pacing than the way it was. "Karina and Maryk, is that as true now as it was during the wishes?"

"Seems it," I say. "Suppose the wish was only to know who did it, and that once that was done, could find proof that didn't melt away. Means it was always there, then." Asks if everything else's set itself back to rights, and I shrug. "Close as I can tell."

I've been down to the Abbey again. But so little sense of it to start with, hardly as if I can be sure. Surety'd mean turning up earth, breaking apart the clots of grave dirt in my hands, and I'm not after digging. I don't care to see that.

"Did I miss any other exciting events? One curse and a spate of bad wishes doesn't seem like enough mayhem to cover the passing of one month in this town."

Think on it a moment, then shake my head. "Westin fell off the wheel at the Carnivale and broke himself half to pieces," I say, which in truth I suppose was more exciting to him than anyone else, "and Alice--her as Valmont and Hermia took in--had a birth day party." Which I thought he might come to, not knowing he'd already left town. "Some fighting in the stable, but nothing that took Lucien's attention overmuch."

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

"Death was set to being something else. Some puppet guardian. And guessed that his being called by someone dying... that'd be enough to break it. Had the right of it, too."

I ponder the notion while sipping my coffee. "That's rather clever, love. And I knew your force of will was formidable but to end a town's dream..." I grin. "It's something I wish I'd have seen for myself."

I ask about Simon and her answer has me considering who else she would see if not him or Death. She did eventually see him though and that pleases me, for her sake. "I hope that was a comfort, love. I know you think highly of Simon."

I shake my head after she gives a description for the sightless man. "That's another person I don't recognize, love. But as before, I'll keep an eye out and let you know if I do."

I'm quite a bit surprised to hear that Karina and Maryk committed a crime of that sort. It just goes to show that you never truly know your neighbors or the secrets they hide. It seems the rest of town was restored, more or less, to its original state. Glass seems a bit somber about it and I quietly say, "Even though it wasn't permanent, I can't help but wonder about possible after-effects." I exhale, watching the smoke curl for a bit before adding, "Many of the wishes sound quite life-changing. I'm not quite sure that if I'd been in your place, that I could've been calm."

It seems that I missed a party. How disappointing. And the news about Westin, I'm thoughtful as I say, "He's lucky this town has as capable a doctor as Lucien. Otherwise, I don't know what the survival rates are for being broken half to pieces."

I shake my head briefly and continue, "And I missed the wide-eyed young miss' party. That, I do regret. I likely would have enjoyed the festivities. I'd not mind sending a gift along but truly, I haven't the faintest notion of what she'd like. Any suggestions, love?"

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Seems pleased I had the idea, but little more, and I'm thinking he's really not seeing the way of it. Or else he's grown calmer than I'd ever thought was in him at the mention of killing myself. Or else he caught the idea somewhere that setting yourself out to die for a god's only a joke, and doing so means sure they'll set it aside, send you home and take ram's blood or goat's heart in place of your own.

"I didn't end the dream," I say after a moment. "Only the snare it had 'round him, and him alone; and that was his will and calling to have it broken, not mine." Find the memory's easing me some... not enough for a smile, but the knots drawn low in my back and up through my shoulders loosen a touch, and when he mentions keeping watch for the sightless man I can smile a little.

"Iago," I say patient, taking him for not weighing it out rather than making a joke of it, "there's dozens in town as could be such as I remember. Not thinking there's enough to keep a watch on."

"Many of the wishes sound quite life-changing," he adds as Tulzcha comes back with the food. "I'm not quite sure that if I'd been in your place, that I could've been calm."

"Well," mild and smiling faint, "I was rather distracted from it all." Waking up to find out there'd been no stillbirth, that was a bloody shock. "Think the wound going foul was starting to tell on me... But folk manage well enough waking from a dream, and wasn't a greater upset than that, I think. Surely more troubling some ways, but no more harm done."

Agree that chance of survivng's not particular fine, surely not without maybe losing limbs, and turn on to matter of Alice. "And I missed the wide-eyed young miss' party. That, I do regret. I likely would have enjoyed the festivities. I'd not mind sending a gift along but truly, I haven't the faintest notion of what she'd like. Any suggestions, love?"

Shake my head over the question and pick up my sandwich. "Brought her a book on keeping house, as she seemed set such great store by managing that time I saw her at the General Store, but even that's a guess. Couldn't speak to aught else she cares for... Valmont may give you some word on that."

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

"I didn't end the dream. Only the snare it had 'round him, and him alone; and that was his will and calling to have it broken, not mine."

I nod. "Ah, I misunderstood then, love. It's a quite bit more complicated than I realized."

I mention keeping an out for the mysterious man but Glass puts me off, saying, "...there's dozens in town as could be such as I remember. Not thinking there's enough to keep a watch on." That's fine with me especially as she's likely correct. If she can't remember, there's no need for me to look.

The food arrives and I make comment about not being as calm as she is, especially regarding the recent wishes. "Well, I was rather distracted from it all."

"Yes, I can imagine so. I'm thankful you have access to Nu and Lucien. Syl as well. Wounded, cursed and pregnant. Yes, if it was going to happen anyway, better here than somewhere else." I shake my head and begin eating before asking after Alice and her party.

"Keeping house?" One eyebrow arches as I continue, "I'd not realized she put that much stock into something of that sort." I shrug, adding, "I'll make it a point to visit Valmont, or perhaps even Hermia. I'm certain both of them would be able to steer me in the right direction for a gift for Alice."

There's quite a bit I'd like to say to Glass and ask her as well, most especially about us but it all seems fraught with insurmountable complications. So much so that I'm completely at a loss of where to begin. Perhaps it's too late and there's nothing to be done, for any of it. I set my half-eaten food aside, no longer hungry as I crush my tiny cig. Lighting another smoke, I take a drag before sipping at the coffee. It's bitter and that's fine with me.

"How's the cat?"

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Murmur agreement to the matter of it happening here being a grace, and move on to matter of Alice. "Keeping house? I'd not realized she put that much stock into something of that sort."

Smile a little, recalling afternoon with her and Kate. "Not seen her put stock in aught else, myself," I say. "Save the Shuck, and bloody well not encouraging that." Fall silent a moment, thinking of... naught particular. Blood and iron and wood from the beam where a murdered women swung and twisted, I suppose. Long strange year it's been.

"How's the cat?" and out of place with the rest of it as it is, startles something close to a laugh out of me.

"Better now the rooms aren't looking to rot," I say, little more at ease. "Curse again, you know. Though she's fine through it all." No real surprise to that, really. She more comes through as she pleases, and looking back think she may've'd sense to clear out some over the worst of it. Cats're scarce fools, most times. Shake my head and turn to matters it brought to mind. "And how's Alessandra, 'sides sending you out to errand?"

It's a thinner topic than some, but easier to speak of, and turn conversation to that over dinner.