[Sarcasm is Albert's best friend. But upon Moran lolling again and seeming to be utterly turned around, he stops them both in the middle of the walking path. This is... Ridiculous. They could have been somewhere quiet and sheltered by now, but no. Moran is being Moran.
Wow, that's actually funny. He's well past his limit, clearly. Albert puts out an empty hand for the device, perhaps a bit eager to show off how quickly he picked up using it.]
Give it to me. I'll get us there. Or back to mine, if you're so hopeless.
[ He breathes out slow as he looks down at the black screen of his device. Moran knows that it is charged, at least, and it isn't yelling at him for manna so that is also a plus. The only issue is trying to figure out how to turn it on -- his eyes squint down at it as he brings it up closer to his face. ]
Huh?
[ Moran pauses to look to Albert, then. His eyebrows shoot up when the man offers to navigate the device and he soon breathes a laugh out his nose. He extends his hand to drop it into Albert's waiting one -- and only somewhat conscious to not have it so high that it might hit his companion's fingers and smash onto the pavement below. ]
I would, as one might invite in a stray kitten during a frost.
[Albert takes the device after Moran's initial token effort of... staring at it and doing nothing of value. He's sober enough to turn it on, and he does glance to Moran with a smugness at the ease with which he has acquired the tech use here. It's not as bad as he expected when space was initially involved, but he did spend a good several hours figuring out his own device.
I'd rather freeze if that's what you're likening me to.
[ There is little bite in his words as he pauses to stare at the device that is in Albert's hands. He blinks in a dazed fashion at it before drawing his eyes back up to the man's face. Unlock it? ]
What?
[ He repeats the word a few times as he looks back down at the black screen. Oh. Right. A password. Moran wonders what he would actually choose. The immediate thought that hits him is "William." But the unlock screen isn't what he expects.
Ah, shit. It has dots all over the screen. That means that he has to draw out some design using those dots. ]
[It's not like Albert can actually resist giving Moran a hard time. But, good grief, does he have to make things so damnably difficult? He doesn't remember his passcode? Seriously?]
Repeating yourself doesn't change my question.
[Okay, plan B it is. He merely reaches over to shove the device back into Moran's nearest pocket so he has a free hand to retrieve his own.]
You're lucky I'm so kind. My residence is down the next street.
[ He grumbles, but it doesn't sound like he means it. His eyes still fixed on the device in his hand. Really -- what would he make as his passcode? It makes sense that he'd choose this instead of numbers, though. ]
I'm lucky that you want something.
[ He lets out a sigh as the phone is taken out of his hand and tossed into his jacket pocket. The weight of it is felt immediately, but immediately ignored. ]
Or that you have some other scheme that you're thinking...
Has it occurred to you that I might only want company?
[Beep boop pulling up the map to his place now. Don't ask what his passcode is, but at least he knows it.
There's not a trace of annoyance in his voice now, but a touch of amusement. Moran might be about to drop, if Albert isn't careful. It may be sad of him to want company right now, trusted company, arguably good company, but that's what Moran is. A comfort. A reminder of something distant and beloved. He's actually glad Moran is here.]
[Albert can only assume he'd be very vintage, once again. It seems most here are far more advanced than where he came from, though he can't say he hates it. It's fascinating.]
I'd wear a formal suit with a cravat most of the time, so yes, to a degree. I was a member of the House of Lords, and as such a certain level of dress was to be expected.
[A faint smile.]
Well, that's just for reference. I wouldn't stand on any sort of ceremony or title here.
[Kanade's tone is joking, but...well, she's not pulling any punches where teasing people about time of origin might be concerned. Even if she'll happily help out with tech, it won't stop her calling someone old-timey or outdated if the need arises.
She pulls a bit of a face at the idea of having to be that presentable all the time, though.]
I gotta be presentable for my job, but it ain't that strict a dress code. Now that you got a chance, you should try out some other looks, there's gotta be stuff other than suits that you look good in.
[He doesn't mind the joke, not on the surface. He's well aware that he's behind many times, and well aware that having a constructive attitude about it is the only way to press on.
Besides, the clothes could be worse. At least he can find nice jewel tones.]
I'm afraid I wouldn't know, but you're absolutely correct. Now is the time to try.
[Something rakish like Moran, or something comfortable like Fred... Those are far out of his usual wheelhouse and about as far afield as his mind goes. Still, he'll pull a few choice items to try on.]
Then again, would anyone blame me for staying safely to what I know works?
[Kanade makes a bit of a scrunched-up thinking face at that, making a bit of a meal of it intentionally.]
Well, I would kinda blame you for not stepping outta your comfort zone a little when you get the chance, but that might just be me. I just ain't the type to let myself get too safe.
[Despite her expression in saying it, her tone is joking, so at least she gets that it's not necessarily something everyone is going to be interested in doing.]
If you wanted to get real daring, I could even try picking out some for you.
[When you're Victorian and a noble, it's suits or tuxes for the most part, though he'd admit if pressed that he looks dashing in a smoking jacket, dressed down. Only if pressed, of course.
His face seems to light up at her suggestion, though.]
You'd take time out of your day to help me further? I'd appreciate that. I dare not be anything less than daring, if I'm to be judged harshly.
[Keeping up appearances is an art, and he's an artist about it, after all.]
[Kanade laughs and shrugs, like it's not a big deal for her. She was here anyway, so as far as she's concerned, it lets her get a better look at what the store has at the moment while also helping someone else out.]
Don't worry about it, I was gonna be spendin' a fair bit of time here anyway. So might as well give you the grand tour and see if we can find anythin' you like that might not be what you expected.
[That said, she heads over to one of the nearby racks, picking through what's on it.]
So before I pick somethin' that just don't fit your needs, tell me if you like your stuff tighter or looser fit. If it's important you can move in it, or whatever else.
[ are you awake, nii-san? william knows. he can feel the sadness in their bond, profound and melancholy.
and so tonight, he quietly pads into albert's silent, dark room, slipping under his covers with a cat-like grace.
he comes up behind him now, arms wrapping around his waist to hold him. there are no words necessary between them -- his beloved albert is grieving, and william will tend to him. ]
[ there is no pleasure to be gleaned from his brother's grief and misery, and william is quiet as he takes in the opened letter, his fingers threading with his in a show of support.
it's one of the few times albert is this vulnerable and sad, and all the more, william yearns to protect him. ]
[ william watches the rose fall from the nightstand for a few moments, absorbing his brother's pain -- of all the things he could do, delivering him from heartbreak isn't something even william can plan to pull off.
so he noses briefly against the back of his neck, listening to the rawness in his voice. ]
Yes. [ he says after a moment. ] I think you are a man who loves deeply and fiercely.
[ he shifts to head off the bed, going around to pick up the rose for him and set it carefully on the nightstand so that he can study him in the dim light properly, quietly concerned. ]
[Albert looks back at him for a moment before offering a pained smile. The fact that this wasn't even the strongest pull he feels here is terrifying. If he were to lose more than this, he wonders if he might not be able to endure it at all.]
That's never been good for me, has it? I lost you, as well.
[He's grown sick of these nightmares. They aren't a regular occurrence, but the building stress of the elections made them more frequent of late, and he struggles with them silently. At night, it must be easy for his partners and brothers to feel his unease, the times he wakes frequently, the times he gives up and stays awake until dawn...
Tonight is a special night, six months since he met and fell for Mitsuki almost immediately, and he cleared his entire schedule for another night on the town. It went swimmingly, though he's not quite sure about karaoke, really, but as he laid down to sleep, he was so satisfied that he was certain there wouldn't be any sort of ill omens tonight.
He was wrong.
Some time in the single-digit hours of the night, Albert tenses. His arms tighten slightly around Mitsuki's smaller form, and the black nothingness behind his eyelids resolves into...
Flames. Tall flames licking up the sides of a taller building, a grand mansion with fire and smoke pouring out of every window and door. Everyone around has run to safety except the lone figure in a tweed suit and cravat standing in the middle of the building. He's surrounded by two bodies, one smaller, young, one older, and in his hand he holds what looks like a stake or some errant piece of wood.
It's covered in blood, from its jagged tip all the way up to the hand that clutches the wood, that shakes incessantly. But the figure doesn't move from the flames. He simply stands there, shoulders square, back tall, blood creeping up from his hand to his sleeve and higher still until he grips the shaking arm. That seems to stop the blood from its unnatural spreading.
But something steps out of the flame toward him. It resolves into a figure as well, with no distinguishing features, but that seems somehow familiar to the man in the suit. He rushes toward the featureless something and drives the stake into its side, just as it takes the form of a woman in a Victorian evening dress. She slumps, gripping his coat feebly before falling to his feet and being swallowed by the flames.
The stake shifts forms, and so does the man's clothing, a tuxedo now, and the stake becomes a large, fearsome knife. He raises his hand to his mouth, a handkerchief there, as if to stop himself from retching.
The handkerchief turns into a wine glass full of deep red wine, and with a shaking hand, he takes a sip.]
[It’s been a wonderful day - celebrating half a year with Albert. Six wonderful months with him, and he’s loved every moment of it. He’s never been so happy to know someone, and he just wants to enjoy it. He’s glad to spend the night with him, curled up against the man. His tails make everything so warm, but this transformation is much easier to deal with then being half a snake.
He’s happy. Content.
He’s standing in a burning building.
Mitsuki startles, looking around as everything around him goes up in flames. He doesn’t recognize it - the architecture is old and Western, and it’s out of place. Then his eyes fall on Albert, on the bodies, and he feels his heart leap into his throat with horror. He runs towards him, stumbling, reaching forward.]
Albert!
[He grabs the man’s arm, distress plain on his face.]
[Albert stops, the wine glass at his lips, and his eyes slowly move to Mitsuki. He doesn't seem to see him at first, but it's obvious once he registers just what's going on.
The wine glass drops from his hand, and the knife falls from his other as well, clattering to the ground by Mitsuki's feet. Albert's eyes lack the light they usually have around Mitsuki, and his expression is a grim, false smile that makes it look like Albert is more distressed than remotely happy.
The flames roar, reaching higher, towering over them both.]
Oh, God. Now I'm dreaming about you being here, too?
[One shaking, blood-drenched hand raises up to stroke Mitsuki's cheek.]
I don't want you to see this. This isn't where you belong.
[He knows it’s a dream, that they’re not in danger, but none of this… None of this is right. He’s afraid to look down, to see the bodies and the knife and - ]
Albert… It’s just a dream, right?
[It has to be. It’s just a nightmare, some… Twisted manifestation. Not something based in reality or memories.
But he’s still afraid.
He can barely hear himself think over the sound of the flames, and he wonders how this is going to end.]
[No. He stops dead in the middle of his sentence, eyes going wide with fear.
This isn't some dream manifestation of Mitsuki. Louis has done this before. Albert has been through this. And his heart wrenches so hard in his chest that he gasps aloud and clutches at the cloth of his now bright blue suit before sinking to his knees in the fire.
Mitsuki has seen it. This. The nightmare he has, the recreation of his sins. His voice shakes as he speaks quietly beneath the crackling and roaring of the fire.]
You need to wake up, Mitsuki. You need to wake up and leave me.
[Albert can't even look at him. He plants his hands on the burning floor, hands landing in shattered glass and at the edge of the knife, but he doesn't seem to care.]
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Feb TDM -> Moran
If wishes could be so easily made to come true...
[Sarcasm is Albert's best friend. But upon Moran lolling again and seeming to be utterly turned around, he stops them both in the middle of the walking path. This is... Ridiculous. They could have been somewhere quiet and sheltered by now, but no. Moran is being Moran.
Wow, that's actually funny. He's well past his limit, clearly. Albert puts out an empty hand for the device, perhaps a bit eager to show off how quickly he picked up using it.]
Give it to me. I'll get us there. Or back to mine, if you're so hopeless.
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[ He breathes out slow as he looks down at the black screen of his device. Moran knows that it is charged, at least, and it isn't yelling at him for manna so that is also a plus. The only issue is trying to figure out how to turn it on -- his eyes squint down at it as he brings it up closer to his face. ]
Huh?
[ Moran pauses to look to Albert, then. His eyebrows shoot up when the man offers to navigate the device and he soon breathes a laugh out his nose. He extends his hand to drop it into Albert's waiting one -- and only somewhat conscious to not have it so high that it might hit his companion's fingers and smash onto the pavement below. ]
Oh? You'd actually invite me back to your place?
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[Albert takes the device after Moran's initial token effort of... staring at it and doing nothing of value. He's sober enough to turn it on, and he does glance to Moran with a smugness at the ease with which he has acquired the tech use here. It's not as bad as he expected when space was initially involved, but he did spend a good several hours figuring out his own device.
But. He forgot this part.]
Unlock it so I can pull up the location.
[Passwords.]
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[ There is little bite in his words as he pauses to stare at the device that is in Albert's hands. He blinks in a dazed fashion at it before drawing his eyes back up to the man's face. Unlock it? ]
What?
[ He repeats the word a few times as he looks back down at the black screen. Oh. Right. A password. Moran wonders what he would actually choose. The immediate thought that hits him is "William." But the unlock screen isn't what he expects.
Ah, shit. It has dots all over the screen. That means that he has to draw out some design using those dots. ]
What?
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[It's not like Albert can actually resist giving Moran a hard time. But, good grief, does he have to make things so damnably difficult? He doesn't remember his passcode? Seriously?]
Repeating yourself doesn't change my question.
[Okay, plan B it is. He merely reaches over to shove the device back into Moran's nearest pocket so he has a free hand to retrieve his own.]
You're lucky I'm so kind. My residence is down the next street.
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[ He grumbles, but it doesn't sound like he means it. His eyes still fixed on the device in his hand. Really -- what would he make as his passcode? It makes sense that he'd choose this instead of numbers, though. ]
I'm lucky that you want something.
[ He lets out a sigh as the phone is taken out of his hand and tossed into his jacket pocket. The weight of it is felt immediately, but immediately ignored. ]
Or that you have some other scheme that you're thinking...
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[Beep boop pulling up the map to his place now. Don't ask what his passcode is, but at least he knows it.
There's not a trace of annoyance in his voice now, but a touch of amusement. Moran might be about to drop, if Albert isn't careful. It may be sad of him to want company right now, trusted company, arguably good company, but that's what Moran is. A comfort. A reminder of something distant and beloved. He's actually glad Moran is here.]
You assume so much, especially when you're drunk.
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Feb TDM -> Kanade
Vintage?
[Albert can only assume he'd be very vintage, once again. It seems most here are far more advanced than where he came from, though he can't say he hates it. It's fascinating.]
I'd wear a formal suit with a cravat most of the time, so yes, to a degree. I was a member of the House of Lords, and as such a certain level of dress was to be expected.
[A faint smile.]
Well, that's just for reference. I wouldn't stand on any sort of ceremony or title here.
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[Kanade's tone is joking, but...well, she's not pulling any punches where teasing people about time of origin might be concerned. Even if she'll happily help out with tech, it won't stop her calling someone old-timey or outdated if the need arises.
She pulls a bit of a face at the idea of having to be that presentable all the time, though.]
I gotta be presentable for my job, but it ain't that strict a dress code. Now that you got a chance, you should try out some other looks, there's gotta be stuff other than suits that you look good in.
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[He doesn't mind the joke, not on the surface. He's well aware that he's behind many times, and well aware that having a constructive attitude about it is the only way to press on.
Besides, the clothes could be worse. At least he can find nice jewel tones.]
I'm afraid I wouldn't know, but you're absolutely correct. Now is the time to try.
[Something rakish like Moran, or something comfortable like Fred... Those are far out of his usual wheelhouse and about as far afield as his mind goes. Still, he'll pull a few choice items to try on.]
Then again, would anyone blame me for staying safely to what I know works?
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Well, I would kinda blame you for not stepping outta your comfort zone a little when you get the chance, but that might just be me. I just ain't the type to let myself get too safe.
[Despite her expression in saying it, her tone is joking, so at least she gets that it's not necessarily something everyone is going to be interested in doing.]
If you wanted to get real daring, I could even try picking out some for you.
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His face seems to light up at her suggestion, though.]
You'd take time out of your day to help me further? I'd appreciate that. I dare not be anything less than daring, if I'm to be judged harshly.
[Keeping up appearances is an art, and he's an artist about it, after all.]
By all means, lead the way.
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Don't worry about it, I was gonna be spendin' a fair bit of time here anyway. So might as well give you the grand tour and see if we can find anythin' you like that might not be what you expected.
[That said, she heads over to one of the nearby racks, picking through what's on it.]
So before I pick somethin' that just don't fit your needs, tell me if you like your stuff tighter or looser fit. If it's important you can move in it, or whatever else.
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and so tonight, he quietly pads into albert's silent, dark room, slipping under his covers with a cat-like grace.
he comes up behind him now, arms wrapping around his waist to hold him. there are no words necessary between them -- his beloved albert is grieving, and william will tend to him. ]
I'm sorry, nii-san.
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I never thought to grieve so soon.
[A moment's silence, and he turns his head slightly toward his pillow. There's a recently opened letter on the nightstand, precariously on the edge.]
I wonder if I've made a grave error.
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[ there is no pleasure to be gleaned from his brother's grief and misery, and william is quiet as he takes in the opened letter, his fingers threading with his in a show of support.
it's one of the few times albert is this vulnerable and sad, and all the more, william yearns to protect him. ]
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There's a rose beside him on the pillow, which he moves to the nightstand at that question. It falls to the floor. He doesn't bother retrieving it.]
Love. It isn't to be so freely given, is it? I'm an absolute fool.
[A pause, then:] Do you think of me as a strong person, Will?
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so he noses briefly against the back of his neck, listening to the rawness in his voice. ]
Yes. [ he says after a moment. ] I think you are a man who loves deeply and fiercely.
[ he shifts to head off the bed, going around to pick up the rose for him and set it carefully on the nightstand so that he can study him in the dim light properly, quietly concerned. ]
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That's never been good for me, has it? I lost you, as well.
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Late August
Tonight is a special night, six months since he met and fell for Mitsuki almost immediately, and he cleared his entire schedule for another night on the town. It went swimmingly, though he's not quite sure about karaoke, really, but as he laid down to sleep, he was so satisfied that he was certain there wouldn't be any sort of ill omens tonight.
He was wrong.
Some time in the single-digit hours of the night, Albert tenses. His arms tighten slightly around Mitsuki's smaller form, and the black nothingness behind his eyelids resolves into...
Flames. Tall flames licking up the sides of a taller building, a grand mansion with fire and smoke pouring out of every window and door. Everyone around has run to safety except the lone figure in a tweed suit and cravat standing in the middle of the building. He's surrounded by two bodies, one smaller, young, one older, and in his hand he holds what looks like a stake or some errant piece of wood.
It's covered in blood, from its jagged tip all the way up to the hand that clutches the wood, that shakes incessantly. But the figure doesn't move from the flames. He simply stands there, shoulders square, back tall, blood creeping up from his hand to his sleeve and higher still until he grips the shaking arm. That seems to stop the blood from its unnatural spreading.
But something steps out of the flame toward him. It resolves into a figure as well, with no distinguishing features, but that seems somehow familiar to the man in the suit. He rushes toward the featureless something and drives the stake into its side, just as it takes the form of a woman in a Victorian evening dress. She slumps, gripping his coat feebly before falling to his feet and being swallowed by the flames.
The stake shifts forms, and so does the man's clothing, a tuxedo now, and the stake becomes a large, fearsome knife. He raises his hand to his mouth, a handkerchief there, as if to stop himself from retching.
The handkerchief turns into a wine glass full of deep red wine, and with a shaking hand, he takes a sip.]
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He’s happy. Content.
He’s standing in a burning building.
Mitsuki startles, looking around as everything around him goes up in flames. He doesn’t recognize it - the architecture is old and Western, and it’s out of place. Then his eyes fall on Albert, on the bodies, and he feels his heart leap into his throat with horror. He runs towards him, stumbling, reaching forward.]
Albert!
[He grabs the man’s arm, distress plain on his face.]
Albert, what’s going on?
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The wine glass drops from his hand, and the knife falls from his other as well, clattering to the ground by Mitsuki's feet. Albert's eyes lack the light they usually have around Mitsuki, and his expression is a grim, false smile that makes it look like Albert is more distressed than remotely happy.
The flames roar, reaching higher, towering over them both.]
Oh, God. Now I'm dreaming about you being here, too?
[One shaking, blood-drenched hand raises up to stroke Mitsuki's cheek.]
I don't want you to see this. This isn't where you belong.
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[He knows it’s a dream, that they’re not in danger, but none of this… None of this is right. He’s afraid to look down, to see the bodies and the knife and - ]
Albert… It’s just a dream, right?
[It has to be. It’s just a nightmare, some… Twisted manifestation. Not something based in reality or memories.
But he’s still afraid.
He can barely hear himself think over the sound of the flames, and he wonders how this is going to end.]
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[No. He stops dead in the middle of his sentence, eyes going wide with fear.
This isn't some dream manifestation of Mitsuki. Louis has done this before. Albert has been through this. And his heart wrenches so hard in his chest that he gasps aloud and clutches at the cloth of his now bright blue suit before sinking to his knees in the fire.
Mitsuki has seen it. This. The nightmare he has, the recreation of his sins. His voice shakes as he speaks quietly beneath the crackling and roaring of the fire.]
You need to wake up, Mitsuki. You need to wake up and leave me.
[Albert can't even look at him. He plants his hands on the burning floor, hands landing in shattered glass and at the edge of the knife, but he doesn't seem to care.]
You were never supposed to see this...
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He’s afraid. He’s so very, very afraid.
He crouches down next to Albert, but he’s too scared to reach out to him. He doesn’t know what would happen.]
I’m not going to leave you. I…
[The flames are so loud, and he thinks that if this were real they would have both burned alive, ruby immunity to flames be damned.]
You need to talk to me, Albert.
[He reaches out, finally, fingers brushing his arms.]
We’ll wake up, and we’ll talk, but I’m not leaving.
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