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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[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?"