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Good morning.
Not at all.
Are you alright?
Not at all.
Are you alright?
[ He types out an "I'm fine," but that's not how they talk. How they are. ] I'm doing ok. Considering.
Meet me in the courtyard.
Meet me in the courtyard.
[ There's no need to confirm that she's on her way. She knows William is on his way. He's dependable.
Instead she arrives at the courtyard and fully expects to already see him there. Perhaps he's been waiting all along, or maybe their timing is simply on point. It's not something she needs to overthink, but rather a happiness she can take in despite their atmosphere. ]
Instead she arrives at the courtyard and fully expects to already see him there. Perhaps he's been waiting all along, or maybe their timing is simply on point. It's not something she needs to overthink, but rather a happiness she can take in despite their atmosphere. ]
[ William's seated on a stone bench built with a much larger body in mind, his court-correct posture in disarray: one leg idly swinging, body propped up against an arm. When he looks up, she's there. Just like that. ] Miriam. [ The false name almost melts with the warmth of his voice.
He scoots over, not that it's necessary. ] How are you?
He scoots over, not that it's necessary. ] How are you?
[ Dolores has never been more pleased to be right. He doesn't need to move for her. She sidles up next to him despite the plentiful space on the bench.
She resists the urge to shake her head at her chosen name. Instead she reaches out to remove a stray hair from masking his face and moves it back into place with an easy gesture. ]
I don't think there's anyone around. We ought to be alright.
[ These names are all so silly to her. William will never be John-- he's exactly as he should be right in this moment. ]
You seem to be in a good mood today.
She resists the urge to shake her head at her chosen name. Instead she reaches out to remove a stray hair from masking his face and moves it back into place with an easy gesture. ]
I don't think there's anyone around. We ought to be alright.
[ These names are all so silly to her. William will never be John-- he's exactly as he should be right in this moment. ]
You seem to be in a good mood today.
[ He leans ever so slightly into her touch. It's as if he's forgotten gentleness, in this short time—although there's a breeze here, the beds are soft, the wine sweet. He's lucky to have her to remind him. ] I won't put you at risk. [ William's voice is quiet, unshakable. He holds her eyes long enough for the words to set into a promise. ]
I have something for you. [ A pause, and his smile gets away from him as he turns to whisper her name in her ear. Dolores: a secret kept, treasured, between them. ] I found it this morning.
[ The book is beside him, on the bench—he picks it up, offering it to her without ceremony. It's almost small enough fit in the palm of her hand, and old—the pages yellowed, the cover flaking off in places—but ornate.
The only writing, should she care to look, is on the first page, in a perhaps surprisingly unruly hand: Let your soul stand cool and composed before a million universes. -W ]
I have something for you. [ A pause, and his smile gets away from him as he turns to whisper her name in her ear. Dolores: a secret kept, treasured, between them. ] I found it this morning.
[ The book is beside him, on the bench—he picks it up, offering it to her without ceremony. It's almost small enough fit in the palm of her hand, and old—the pages yellowed, the cover flaking off in places—but ornate.
The only writing, should she care to look, is on the first page, in a perhaps surprisingly unruly hand: Let your soul stand cool and composed before a million universes. -W ]
[ The first thing he does after coming back to life: ]
You ok?
You ok?
[ A second's doubt. ] It's me.
Please tell me you're safe.
Please tell me you're safe.
I'm on BASE. It'll be another week before I can come back. Don't make me stare at your vitals this whole time.
Do you know what I saw?
Do you know what I saw?
They can bring us back. Like taking a step back in time.
I only wanted to protect you. I thought I could.
I only wanted to protect you. I thought I could.
You're a damn fool thinking that.
I missed you so much.
I missed you so much.
[ Somewhere in time and space, he chokes out a laugh. ] My track record wasn't bad.
I won't do it to you again.
I won't do it to you again.
We've only been here a matter of weeks.
...One week until I can see you?
...One week until I can see you?
I'll stick to video games when I get back.
One week. But we can talk like this every day.
One week. But we can talk like this every day.
First of all, pardon me for sending a message without being properly acquainted.
On the recommendation of Commander Grothia, I was advised to contact you. If you have any interest in attending the more courtly affairs of Jhashch, then I would be interested in attending with you. Because of my status as both male and a magical being, it does make attending these events somewhat tricky, but I can say with certainty that I have considerable skill at navigating the social graces and situations demanded at these events.
If you have no interest, I do understand, but I did wish to do my due diligence in reaching out. Also, if nothing else, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance in the event that we are to work alongside each other in the future. If you have any questions, please, feel free to ask, since I do realize that reaching out in this way may be somewhat unconventional.
Sincerely,
Sebastian Michaelis
On the recommendation of Commander Grothia, I was advised to contact you. If you have any interest in attending the more courtly affairs of Jhashch, then I would be interested in attending with you. Because of my status as both male and a magical being, it does make attending these events somewhat tricky, but I can say with certainty that I have considerable skill at navigating the social graces and situations demanded at these events.
If you have no interest, I do understand, but I did wish to do my due diligence in reaching out. Also, if nothing else, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance in the event that we are to work alongside each other in the future. If you have any questions, please, feel free to ask, since I do realize that reaching out in this way may be somewhat unconventional.
Sincerely,
Sebastian Michaelis
I don't find it unconventional. I find it exceedingly polite.
I'm willing to help you in any way that I can.
I'm willing to help you in any way that I can.
I love you. [ Words he believes should be spoken, lived, not transmitted, but they nearly died with him. ]
I want you to know that. I'm done clinging to a life that was prescribed, expected.
This is where I want to be. Who I want to be.
I want you to know that. I'm done clinging to a life that was prescribed, expected.
This is where I want to be. Who I want to be.
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