Lovely Lord Labelle

There's always wine on his breath. It's the smell of forgetting, and it's fine, fine, fine. Even if you couldn't see the lingering noblesse of his features, you would be able to hear its echo clear as a bell. It's in his name, which he keeps even when...

[coldwindscutclean]

Not until we get there.

[lordlabelle]

I know you’re trying to cheer me up.  I want this to work;  Really.  I just have my doubts.

[coldwindscutclean]

But I will.

[lordlabelle]

[He grumbles, but doesn’t protest.  Not outright, anyway.]

There are a lot of important people in Solitude.

[coldwindscutclean]

It’s okay, I’ll carry you there.

[lordlabelle]

[He groans.]  That’s not what I meant!

[coldwindscutclean]

Do what?

[lordlabelle]

Move.

[lordlabelle]

I don’t know if I can do this.

[sontaire]

This isn’t a step towards failure. Garan, I won’t lie to you. This is going to be difficult. And this is a cliche, but you have to see this as a step towards something new, not… another pitfall.

[lordlabelle]

I’ve only ever been good at one thing, known one thing.  I know it wasn’t always like that, but that’s what it feels like.  I guess if something feels easier, that means it’s not the better  choice.  [He looks at her, seeking support.]  Right?

[sontaire]

Garan… you do have to take different outcomes into account, but it doesn’t have to be the worst-case scenario… [She lifts her hand, slightly, wanting to reach out and offer him a comforting touch, but hesitating.]

[lordlabelle]

[He doesn’t move away, but his shoulders do slacken in embarrassment.  He doesn’t meet her eye.]  I don’t want to keep failing.

[sontaire]

Their trust for you is what makes you invaluable. I could hire simply anyone to do my books, too. When you worked for me, I hired you because I knew you were capable and I trusted you. That’s what they feel, too.

[lordlabelle]

But what if I hate it?  [He frowns, and it’s impossible now to hide his anxiety.  His mouth is tight, and his hands are clenched.]  I don’t want to let them down the way I let you down.

[sontaire]

Really? And are they as capable with arithmetic as you are? [Folds her arms.]

[lordlabelle]

Maybe not naturally, but that doesn’t matter.  They could hire someone to do the same job.  Anyone can do arithmetic with practice.  Just because I can do it fast doesn’t mean I’m invaluable.

[sontaire]

Solitude is a good, safe place to live. I’m sure with your talents together, it’ll be a very successful venture. [Something feels off about this chat. She manages a half-smile.] It’s good you’re getting out of Riften.

[lordlabelle]

It doesn’t feel like our venture.  It’s Auranel’s venture.  Shey’s venture.  I’m just along because they can’t leave me behind.

[sontaire]

Oh.

[She stops. There’s an uncomfortable pause, and something in her tells her she should be bristling. He assumes she wasn’t worried before? She felt her jaw stiffen.]

Where to?

[lordlabelle]

Solitude.  Auranel wants to have a bakery.  I’m going to handle the money, I suppose.  [He shrugs.  It doesn’t sound very exciting, even to him.]  I’m glad he’s getting what he wants, though.  And it’s a job.

[lordlabelle]

Birthday Plans

[coldwindscutclean]

I wish this wasn’t such a thing. [Shey complained.] I don’t want this to be a thing. I want it to be what it was like before. All flirting and sex and no guilt or jealousy from anyone.

[lordlabelle]

I don’t think we get to really pick what’s a thing for us and what’s not.  I didn’t want to make wine a thing either, but it did.  It’s okay to have a thing, Shey.  A thing you don’t like, I mean.

[lordlabelle]

Birthday Plans

[coldwindscutclean]

[Shey gives a sad little laugh. Even though Garan’s touch lightens, she leans into him.] He’s just…he’s impossibly respectful. I say I’m not feeling up to it, he doesn’t press. I, you know, I told him that when we did, we didn’t really finish, and he was so guilty about asking about it…

I’ve just been a mess, or we’ve been busy with the move, or just…I don’t know. I don’t care for him any less. I don’t care for you two any less. I just haven’t felt the same drive to have sex since…everything. Even the lion’s quieter about it.

But I really want to try. Especially for Aura’s birthday. I don’t know, I want to be normal again.

[lordlabelle]

We don’t have to try until then if you don’t want to.  I mean-- I don’t know if you want that to be the first time since, or what.  [He glances away from her, uneasy, and strums his fingertips against her hips.] ...But I want to try if you do.  Whenever you do.  [He kisses her suddenly, and chastely.]

Even if that’s months from now.  Okay?

[lordlabelle]

Birthday Plans

[coldwindscutclean]

…I don’t know. The last time didn’t go so well, and Aura was jealous because, well, he and I haven’t…in forever, you know?

[lordlabelle]

Oh.  [He frowns, but mostly in surprise.] ...He was jealous?  Auranel? [He slouches a little when he sits, and lightens his touch on her, almost self-consciously.] 

I don’t mean to pry, but... Why not?

[lordlabelle]

Birthday Plans

[coldwindscutclean]

Maybe if they’re lined in rabbit, made of kid-skin. I want to pamper him. I want to pamper you both.

[lordlabelle]

We might both think better after we’ve had sex.

[lordlabelle]

Birthday Plans

[coldwindscutclean]

Hey, that’s– [she makes an amused, soft noise, pushing him a little] –distracting.

What if we get him something that isn’t…I don’t know, about stuff he can make for us? Maybe something silly, like jewelry or…?

[lordlabelle]

I thought it could be something we could all use.  So we could learn his favorite things and cook for him, too.  That way he doesn’t feel like he has to do it all the time.  [He rests his hands on her hips.]

Comfortable new boots, maybe?

[lordlabelle]

Birthday Plans

[coldwindscutclean]

I don’t know, because this is easier? What can we give Auranel that isn’t a pain to move?

[lordlabelle]

Mmmm.. [He sucks at a spot on her throat as he thinks.]  Hm.  Maybe--?  He draws back, licks his lips.]  What if we made him a recipe book?  Things we all like?