E. Giles

@ringforgiles

RP blog for one Ernest Giles, gentleman's gentleman.

428 posts

There was a man passed out in the parking lot of the motel where Giles and Ossie were staying. Some inspecting revealed he was snoring, not dead, but the bug-headed punk was very clearly not planning on getting up anytime soon. Snooooork.... snoooooooork.....

Giles was out for his regular morning walk when he nearly tripped over the man. With a frown he cleared his throat and leant down to gently nudge the man's shoulder

"Excuse me sir"

push-that-pesticide

One of the man's bulging, compound eyes opened, and Giles would've been able to see himself reflected in each segment. He blinked a couple of times, clearly returning back to consciousness, before hoarsely stating-

"I'm not in my car, am I."

"Not as such, no" Giles raised an eyebrow, "Were you expecting to be?"

push-that-pesticide

"Well," he propped himself up on his elbow, scratching absent-mindedly at his stubble, "I wasn't expecting to be in a parking lot. 'N considering I don't have anywhere else to go, I kinda figured I'd be there."

Bugsy gave Giles another careful once-over.

"I am in a parking lot and not on the front lawn of Buckingham, right? 'M not," he gestured vaguely at his face.

Giles huffed in amusement,

"Well I certainly hope not," he offered a hand to help Bugsy up, "Last I was informed this was the carpark of a small motel in [town]"

push-that-pesticide

"Too kind, sir, too kind,"

The small fly tattoos on Bugsy's hand buzzed curiously at where Giles' hand met his, before returning to scattering across his knuckles.

"Well, at least I'm still in the right town. You didn't happen to see a shitty-ass beater come through last night, did you? Covered in stickers?"

"Not that I can remember," Giles shook his head apologetically, then cast a subtle but assessing eye over Bugsy, weighing up possible courses of action, "Would you like to come inside? I could help you locate your car after some breakfast if that would be amenable to you"

There was a man passed out in the parking lot of the motel where Giles and Ossie were staying. Some inspecting revealed he was snoring, not dead, but the bug-headed punk was very clearly not planning on getting up anytime soon. Snooooork.... snoooooooork.....

Giles was out for his regular morning walk when he nearly tripped over the man. With a frown he cleared his throat and leant down to gently nudge the man's shoulder

"Excuse me sir"

push-that-pesticide

One of the man's bulging, compound eyes opened, and Giles would've been able to see himself reflected in each segment. He blinked a couple of times, clearly returning back to consciousness, before hoarsely stating-

"I'm not in my car, am I."

"Not as such, no" Giles raised an eyebrow, "Were you expecting to be?"

push-that-pesticide

"Well," he propped himself up on his elbow, scratching absent-mindedly at his stubble, "I wasn't expecting to be in a parking lot. 'N considering I don't have anywhere else to go, I kinda figured I'd be there."

Bugsy gave Giles another careful once-over.

"I am in a parking lot and not on the front lawn of Buckingham, right? 'M not," he gestured vaguely at his face.

Giles huffed in amusement,

"Well I certainly hope not," he offered a hand to help Bugsy up, "Last I was informed this was the carpark of a small motel in [town]"

There was a man passed out in the parking lot of the motel where Giles and Ossie were staying. Some inspecting revealed he was snoring, not dead, but the bug-headed punk was very clearly not planning on getting up anytime soon. Snooooork.... snoooooooork.....

Giles was out for his regular morning walk when he nearly tripped over the man. With a frown he cleared his throat and leant down to gently nudge the man's shoulder

"Excuse me sir"

push-that-pesticide

One of the man's bulging, compound eyes opened, and Giles would've been able to see himself reflected in each segment. He blinked a couple of times, clearly returning back to consciousness, before hoarsely stating-

"I'm not in my car, am I."

"Not as such, no" Giles raised an eyebrow, "Were you expecting to be?"

There was a man passed out in the parking lot of the motel where Giles and Ossie were staying. Some inspecting revealed he was snoring, not dead, but the bug-headed punk was very clearly not planning on getting up anytime soon. Snooooork.... snoooooooork.....

Giles was out for his regular morning walk when he nearly tripped over the man. With a frown he cleared his throat and leant down to gently nudge the man's shoulder

"Excuse me sir"

It was after dinner, the pair had assumed their usual position of cozying up on the couch next to the fire, both with their respective fancies for the night. After a few moments though, Ossie piped up. "You know, I still simply cannot believe that Beetle is here with us."

Giles hums, "It is certainly very unexpected, and good fortune that she happened to be passing through"

There's a question there, although his voice doesn't betray it easily. Are you sure you can handle this, and are you sure about her

"I say, Giles, you certainly seem to have your reservations about her. I myself am bally thrilled to have family again, I just wish..."

He huffed, put down his book, and carefully laid himself in his Fiance's lap.

"Things with her seem a lot more complicated than when she was a child. "

Giles lightly pulled a hand through Oswald's hair,

"I merely worry, love, in the past you have tried to distance yourself from Before, and there is always the chance she's not who she says she is. The situation is complex, as you say"

"Oh, again with that rot- if she's staying here in any sort of permanence, she would've agreed to the freehold pledge, and if she was known to the London courts, she would've been sworn there, too. If she was up to any sort of mischief, she wouldn't have even gotten this far, wot," he huffed.

"And you said I had no cause for suspicion when Ginger came into town."

"You were allowed your reservations with Ginger, I am allowed mine with Miss Greene." Giles shook his head slightly, "I doubt this was your aim on bringing her up"

"It wasn't indeed."

If he was a little cranky, it was the sort of mood that Giles knew would pass quickly.

"I... I brought her up because I worry I don't have a place in her life, now."

Giles hummed sympathetically, and leant down to press a kiss to Oswald's forehead

"While nothing can be quite what it was, I'm certain there will be a place for you in her life should you wish it"

"But she's so different now- and she's older than me, and it seems to me like every time I try and talk to her, I step on her toes. I- I just wish we could go back to when she liked me, Giles."

"I'm hardly the person to seek advice from on this love," Giles smiled, nearly a laugh, "Perhaps you ought to get to know her as she is now, and try not to concern yourself with what you remember"

"Oh blast it Giles, what do I have with her that isn't baked in memory?"

He cuddled closer, attempting to seek more physical comfort.

"I- I hardly know this woman. I care for her as I did back then, of course, but I can't have a relationship with her that isn't steeped in back then."

Giles hummed, kissed Oswald, and resumed petting his hair, aiming to at least provide the comfort he needed

"I don't have the answers here love, you are far better with people than I."

"I'm not asking for advice," he looked more a little hurt, removing himself to look directly at Giles.

"All I'm asking for is some sympathy and a kind shoulder to cry on, is that so difficult?"

Giles watched with wide eyes before dropping his head and looking away with a barely audible "I'm sorry"

He let out a breath and looked back up at Oswald, reaching out to take his hand

"I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you, my love"

Ossie lightly squeezed his hand and placed his head on his chest again, but didn't seem overly comforted.

"Terribly sorry for the outburst, old thing. It's not your fault."

Giles hummed, letting the hum turn into shallow purr as he pulled Oswald properly into his lap and held him close

It was after dinner, the pair had assumed their usual position of cozying up on the couch next to the fire, both with their respective fancies for the night. After a few moments though, Ossie piped up. "You know, I still simply cannot believe that Beetle is here with us."

Giles hums, "It is certainly very unexpected, and good fortune that she happened to be passing through"

There's a question there, although his voice doesn't betray it easily. Are you sure you can handle this, and are you sure about her

"I say, Giles, you certainly seem to have your reservations about her. I myself am bally thrilled to have family again, I just wish..."

He huffed, put down his book, and carefully laid himself in his Fiance's lap.

"Things with her seem a lot more complicated than when she was a child. "

Giles lightly pulled a hand through Oswald's hair,

"I merely worry, love, in the past you have tried to distance yourself from Before, and there is always the chance she's not who she says she is. The situation is complex, as you say"

"Oh, again with that rot- if she's staying here in any sort of permanence, she would've agreed to the freehold pledge, and if she was known to the London courts, she would've been sworn there, too. If she was up to any sort of mischief, she wouldn't have even gotten this far, wot," he huffed.

"And you said I had no cause for suspicion when Ginger came into town."

"You were allowed your reservations with Ginger, I am allowed mine with Miss Greene." Giles shook his head slightly, "I doubt this was your aim on bringing her up"

"It wasn't indeed."

If he was a little cranky, it was the sort of mood that Giles knew would pass quickly.

"I... I brought her up because I worry I don't have a place in her life, now."

Giles hummed sympathetically, and leant down to press a kiss to Oswald's forehead

"While nothing can be quite what it was, I'm certain there will be a place for you in her life should you wish it"

"But she's so different now- and she's older than me, and it seems to me like every time I try and talk to her, I step on her toes. I- I just wish we could go back to when she liked me, Giles."

"I'm hardly the person to seek advice from on this love," Giles smiled, nearly a laugh, "Perhaps you ought to get to know her as she is now, and try not to concern yourself with what you remember"

"Oh blast it Giles, what do I have with her that isn't baked in memory?"

He cuddled closer, attempting to seek more physical comfort.

"I- I hardly know this woman. I care for her as I did back then, of course, but I can't have a relationship with her that isn't steeped in back then."

Giles hummed, kissed Oswald, and resumed petting his hair, aiming to at least provide the comfort he needed

"I don't have the answers here love, you are far better with people than I."

"I'm not asking for advice," he looked more a little hurt, removing himself to look directly at Giles.

"All I'm asking for is some sympathy and a kind shoulder to cry on, is that so difficult?"

Giles watched with wide eyes before dropping his head and looking away with a barely audible "I'm sorry"

He let out a breath and looked back up at Oswald, reaching out to take his hand

"I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you, my love"

It was after dinner, the pair had assumed their usual position of cozying up on the couch next to the fire, both with their respective fancies for the night. After a few moments though, Ossie piped up. "You know, I still simply cannot believe that Beetle is here with us."

Giles hums, "It is certainly very unexpected, and good fortune that she happened to be passing through"

There's a question there, although his voice doesn't betray it easily. Are you sure you can handle this, and are you sure about her

"I say, Giles, you certainly seem to have your reservations about her. I myself am bally thrilled to have family again, I just wish..."

He huffed, put down his book, and carefully laid himself in his Fiance's lap.

"Things with her seem a lot more complicated than when she was a child. "

Giles lightly pulled a hand through Oswald's hair,

"I merely worry, love, in the past you have tried to distance yourself from Before, and there is always the chance she's not who she says she is. The situation is complex, as you say"

"Oh, again with that rot- if she's staying here in any sort of permanence, she would've agreed to the freehold pledge, and if she was known to the London courts, she would've been sworn there, too. If she was up to any sort of mischief, she wouldn't have even gotten this far, wot," he huffed.

"And you said I had no cause for suspicion when Ginger came into town."

"You were allowed your reservations with Ginger, I am allowed mine with Miss Greene." Giles shook his head slightly, "I doubt this was your aim on bringing her up"

"It wasn't indeed."

If he was a little cranky, it was the sort of mood that Giles knew would pass quickly.

"I... I brought her up because I worry I don't have a place in her life, now."

Giles hummed sympathetically, and leant down to press a kiss to Oswald's forehead

"While nothing can be quite what it was, I'm certain there will be a place for you in her life should you wish it"

"But she's so different now- and she's older than me, and it seems to me like every time I try and talk to her, I step on her toes. I- I just wish we could go back to when she liked me, Giles."

"I'm hardly the person to seek advice from on this love," Giles smiled, nearly a laugh, "Perhaps you ought to get to know her as she is now, and try not to concern yourself with what you remember"

"Oh blast it Giles, what do I have with her that isn't baked in memory?"

He cuddled closer, attempting to seek more physical comfort.

"I- I hardly know this woman. I care for her as I did back then, of course, but I can't have a relationship with her that isn't steeped in back then."

Giles hummed, kissed Oswald, and resumed petting his hair, aiming to at least provide the comfort he needed

"I don't have the answers here love, you are far better with people than I."

It was after dinner, the pair had assumed their usual position of cozying up on the couch next to the fire, both with their respective fancies for the night. After a few moments though, Ossie piped up. "You know, I still simply cannot believe that Beetle is here with us."

Giles hums, "It is certainly very unexpected, and good fortune that she happened to be passing through"

There's a question there, although his voice doesn't betray it easily. Are you sure you can handle this, and are you sure about her

"I say, Giles, you certainly seem to have your reservations about her. I myself am bally thrilled to have family again, I just wish..."

He huffed, put down his book, and carefully laid himself in his Fiance's lap.

"Things with her seem a lot more complicated than when she was a child. "

Giles lightly pulled a hand through Oswald's hair,

"I merely worry, love, in the past you have tried to distance yourself from Before, and there is always the chance she's not who she says she is. The situation is complex, as you say"

"Oh, again with that rot- if she's staying here in any sort of permanence, she would've agreed to the freehold pledge, and if she was known to the London courts, she would've been sworn there, too. If she was up to any sort of mischief, she wouldn't have even gotten this far, wot," he huffed.

"And you said I had no cause for suspicion when Ginger came into town."

"You were allowed your reservations with Ginger, I am allowed mine with Miss Greene." Giles shook his head slightly, "I doubt this was your aim on bringing her up"

"It wasn't indeed."

If he was a little cranky, it was the sort of mood that Giles knew would pass quickly.

"I... I brought her up because I worry I don't have a place in her life, now."

Giles hummed sympathetically, and leant down to press a kiss to Oswald's forehead

"While nothing can be quite what it was, I'm certain there will be a place for you in her life should you wish it"

"But she's so different now- and she's older than me, and it seems to me like every time I try and talk to her, I step on her toes. I- I just wish we could go back to when she liked me, Giles."

"I'm hardly the person to seek advice from on this love," Giles smiled, nearly a laugh, "Perhaps you ought to get to know her as she is now, and try not to concern yourself with what you remember"

It was after dinner, the pair had assumed their usual position of cozying up on the couch next to the fire, both with their respective fancies for the night. After a few moments though, Ossie piped up. "You know, I still simply cannot believe that Beetle is here with us."

Giles hums, "It is certainly very unexpected, and good fortune that she happened to be passing through"

There's a question there, although his voice doesn't betray it easily. Are you sure you can handle this, and are you sure about her

"I say, Giles, you certainly seem to have your reservations about her. I myself am bally thrilled to have family again, I just wish..."

He huffed, put down his book, and carefully laid himself in his Fiance's lap.

"Things with her seem a lot more complicated than when she was a child. "

Giles lightly pulled a hand through Oswald's hair,

"I merely worry, love, in the past you have tried to distance yourself from Before, and there is always the chance she's not who she says she is. The situation is complex, as you say"

"Oh, again with that rot- if she's staying here in any sort of permanence, she would've agreed to the freehold pledge, and if she was known to the London courts, she would've been sworn there, too. If she was up to any sort of mischief, she wouldn't have even gotten this far, wot," he huffed.

"And you said I had no cause for suspicion when Ginger came into town."

"You were allowed your reservations with Ginger, I am allowed mine with Miss Greene." Giles shook his head slightly, "I doubt this was your aim on bringing her up"

"It wasn't indeed."

If he was a little cranky, it was the sort of mood that Giles knew would pass quickly.

"I... I brought her up because I worry I don't have a place in her life, now."

Giles hummed sympathetically, and leant down to press a kiss to Oswald's forehead

"While nothing can be quite what it was, I'm certain there will be a place for you in her life should you wish it"

It was after dinner, the pair had assumed their usual position of cozying up on the couch next to the fire, both with their respective fancies for the night. After a few moments though, Ossie piped up. "You know, I still simply cannot believe that Beetle is here with us."

Giles hums, "It is certainly very unexpected, and good fortune that she happened to be passing through"

There's a question there, although his voice doesn't betray it easily. Are you sure you can handle this, and are you sure about her

"I say, Giles, you certainly seem to have your reservations about her. I myself am bally thrilled to have family again, I just wish..."

He huffed, put down his book, and carefully laid himself in his Fiance's lap.

"Things with her seem a lot more complicated than when she was a child. "

Giles lightly pulled a hand through Oswald's hair,

"I merely worry, love, in the past you have tried to distance yourself from Before, and there is always the chance she's not who she says she is. The situation is complex, as you say"

"Oh, again with that rot- if she's staying here in any sort of permanence, she would've agreed to the freehold pledge, and if she was known to the London courts, she would've been sworn there, too. If she was up to any sort of mischief, she wouldn't have even gotten this far, wot," he huffed.

"And you said I had no cause for suspicion when Ginger came into town."

"You were allowed your reservations with Ginger, I am allowed mine with Miss Greene." Giles shook his head slightly, "I doubt this was your aim on bringing her up"

It was after dinner, the pair had assumed their usual position of cozying up on the couch next to the fire, both with their respective fancies for the night. After a few moments though, Ossie piped up. "You know, I still simply cannot believe that Beetle is here with us."

Giles hums, "It is certainly very unexpected, and good fortune that she happened to be passing through"

There's a question there, although his voice doesn't betray it easily. Are you sure you can handle this, and are you sure about her

"I say, Giles, you certainly seem to have your reservations about her. I myself am bally thrilled to have family again, I just wish..."

He huffed, put down his book, and carefully laid himself in his Fiance's lap.

"Things with her seem a lot more complicated than when she was a child. "

Giles lightly pulled a hand through Oswald's hair,

"I merely worry, love, in the past you have tried to distance yourself from Before, and there is always the chance she's not who she says she is. The situation is complex, as you say"

It was after dinner, the pair had assumed their usual position of cozying up on the couch next to the fire, both with their respective fancies for the night. After a few moments though, Ossie piped up. "You know, I still simply cannot believe that Beetle is here with us."

Giles hums, "It is certainly very unexpected, and good fortune that she happened to be passing through"

There's a question there, although his voice doesn't betray it easily. Are you sure you can handle this, and are you sure about her

A woman sat at the bar, head against one hand as she contemplated an empty glass. Faint lines of mesh replaced skin in patches, with a hollow core visible beneath that seemed to play host to a few small insects although it was hard to tell from a distance. Oswald had certainly never seen her before, a mien like that would be hard to forget, but despite that there was an eerie familiarity that clung to her.

Well, Oswald was certainly never one to pass up exchanging pleasantries with a fellow changeling, it was likely that they'd crossed paths without speaking or some such prior. He jaunted over, smiling brilliantly as he sat down beside her. Upon seeing her face, his smile wavered- he knew her from somewhere, didn't he? But the smile flickered back to full effect just as quickly.

"What ho what ho, if you don't mind my intrusion, may I ask how this evening is finding you, old thing? I say, not to be funny, but do I know you from somewhere?"

"I say, you've been back longer than I have."

There went any fantasy of guiding her through the ins and outs of changeling society- if anything, she ought to be guiding him.

He demonstrated the knock on the coffee table, repeating it as many times as it took for her to commit it to memory.

"I was wondering if it was a winter mantle or if you were courtless. This town is much kinder to the courtless than some others I've been to, but you still ought to make yourself known to take the oath and all that rot. At least so people know you aren't a privateer- and for my sake."

Puppy-dog eyes. He wasn't going to ask her to stay outright, but he could certainly imply he wanted her to stay.

beatrice-beetle

Beetle laughed, "Winter? Hah, no far too sombre. Did a stint with Summer for a while, Spring too, but they didn't take. I mostly keep to myself and nobody much bothers me, never found a place I liked well enough to stay once people started getting antsy anyhow"

Giles generally made himself scarce when Oswald brought a visitor unexpectedly, especially when it was someone new, and now was no exception. Although he also tended to keep close enough to hear some of what was going on, not to eavesdrop necessarily, more the lasting habit of ensuring he was close enough to be available nearly instantly were he to be called on. He sighed when he heard the familiar knocking rhythm, and quickly made his way into the livingroom,

"Oswald, may I speak with you a moment please?"

"Giles!"

Ossie leapt up to immediately attend at Giles' side, gesturing to Beetle.

"Darling Beetle- you've met Giles, Giles, you've met Beetle. Fortune has it that we've ended up in similar circumstances. Won't be a minute, my old flesh and blood,"

He allowed himself to be ushered away to wherever it was Giles wished to talk to him, but before he could get a word in edgeways, he started with-

"Now, I know what you're going to say, and I know that I am to alert you before I teach anyone the knock, but this is family, Giles! My darling niece, with us again! You'll forgive my haste, won't you?"

Giles let out a small resigned breath, "I suppose I cannot fault you for that, but I would rather have been informed first." he paused, glancing back a Beetle briefly, "Are you certain? About this, about her?"

He couldn't help being a little wary, no matter how much he trusted Oswald's judgement.

"Giles. Up until twenty minutes ago, I had believed her and her brother to both be dead, I had resigned myself to the fact that my niece and nephew, who I loved as if they were my own, were dead in a war I never got to see. But now she's here, and able to live how she wants, no less. I have never been more certain about anything that I want to be in her life again."

He was more resolute than Giles had seen in a while, sticking his chin out in that way that he did when he wasn't going to budge from something.

Giles smiled, nodded slightly, and kissed Oswald,

"Of course love," Giles ran his fingers through Oswald's hair before stepping back, "I'll leave you to your reunion"

A woman sat at the bar, head against one hand as she contemplated an empty glass. Faint lines of mesh replaced skin in patches, with a hollow core visible beneath that seemed to play host to a few small insects although it was hard to tell from a distance. Oswald had certainly never seen her before, a mien like that would be hard to forget, but despite that there was an eerie familiarity that clung to her.

Well, Oswald was certainly never one to pass up exchanging pleasantries with a fellow changeling, it was likely that they'd crossed paths without speaking or some such prior. He jaunted over, smiling brilliantly as he sat down beside her. Upon seeing her face, his smile wavered- he knew her from somewhere, didn't he? But the smile flickered back to full effect just as quickly.

"What ho what ho, if you don't mind my intrusion, may I ask how this evening is finding you, old thing? I say, not to be funny, but do I know you from somewhere?"

"I say, you've been back longer than I have."

There went any fantasy of guiding her through the ins and outs of changeling society- if anything, she ought to be guiding him.

He demonstrated the knock on the coffee table, repeating it as many times as it took for her to commit it to memory.

"I was wondering if it was a winter mantle or if you were courtless. This town is much kinder to the courtless than some others I've been to, but you still ought to make yourself known to take the oath and all that rot. At least so people know you aren't a privateer- and for my sake."

Puppy-dog eyes. He wasn't going to ask her to stay outright, but he could certainly imply he wanted her to stay.

beatrice-beetle

Beetle laughed, "Winter? Hah, no far too sombre. Did a stint with Summer for a while, Spring too, but they didn't take. I mostly keep to myself and nobody much bothers me, never found a place I liked well enough to stay once people started getting antsy anyhow"

Giles generally made himself scarce when Oswald brought a visitor unexpectedly, especially when it was someone new, and now was no exception. Although he also tended to keep close enough to hear some of what was going on, not to eavesdrop necessarily, more the lasting habit of ensuring he was close enough to be available nearly instantly were he to be called on. He sighed when he heard the familiar knocking rhythm, and quickly made his way into the livingroom,

"Oswald, may I speak with you a moment please?"

"Giles!"

Ossie leapt up to immediately attend at Giles' side, gesturing to Beetle.

"Darling Beetle- you've met Giles, Giles, you've met Beetle. Fortune has it that we've ended up in similar circumstances. Won't be a minute, my old flesh and blood,"

He allowed himself to be ushered away to wherever it was Giles wished to talk to him, but before he could get a word in edgeways, he started with-

"Now, I know what you're going to say, and I know that I am to alert you before I teach anyone the knock, but this is family, Giles! My darling niece, with us again! You'll forgive my haste, won't you?"

Giles let out a small resigned breath, "I suppose I cannot fault you for that, but I would rather have been informed first." he paused, glancing back a Beetle briefly, "Are you certain? About this, about her?"

He couldn't help being a little wary, no matter how much he trusted Oswald's judgement.

A woman sat at the bar, head against one hand as she contemplated an empty glass. Faint lines of mesh replaced skin in patches, with a hollow core visible beneath that seemed to play host to a few small insects although it was hard to tell from a distance. Oswald had certainly never seen her before, a mien like that would be hard to forget, but despite that there was an eerie familiarity that clung to her.

Well, Oswald was certainly never one to pass up exchanging pleasantries with a fellow changeling, it was likely that they'd crossed paths without speaking or some such prior. He jaunted over, smiling brilliantly as he sat down beside her. Upon seeing her face, his smile wavered- he knew her from somewhere, didn't he? But the smile flickered back to full effect just as quickly.

"What ho what ho, if you don't mind my intrusion, may I ask how this evening is finding you, old thing? I say, not to be funny, but do I know you from somewhere?"

"I say, you've been back longer than I have."

There went any fantasy of guiding her through the ins and outs of changeling society- if anything, she ought to be guiding him.

He demonstrated the knock on the coffee table, repeating it as many times as it took for her to commit it to memory.

"I was wondering if it was a winter mantle or if you were courtless. This town is much kinder to the courtless than some others I've been to, but you still ought to make yourself known to take the oath and all that rot. At least so people know you aren't a privateer- and for my sake."

Puppy-dog eyes. He wasn't going to ask her to stay outright, but he could certainly imply he wanted her to stay.

beatrice-beetle

Beetle laughed, "Winter? Hah, no far too sombre. Did a stint with Summer for a while, Spring too, but they didn't take. I mostly keep to myself and nobody much bothers me, never found a place I liked well enough to stay once people started getting antsy anyhow"

Giles generally made himself scarce when Oswald brought a visitor unexpectedly, especially when it was someone new, and now was no exception. Although he also tended to keep close enough to hear some of what was going on, not to eavesdrop necessarily, more the lasting habit of ensuring he was close enough to be available nearly instantly were he to be called on. He sighed when he heard the familiar knocking rhythm, and quickly made his way into the livingroom,

"Oswald, may I speak with you a moment please?"

"Giles- Giles darling, check my tie again?" Ossie had been preparing for this event for the last couple of months, buzzing around to ensure that everything was perfect for the pair of them; suits perfectly pressed, masks organized, the whole shebang. Unfortunately, Ossie was a ball of nervous energy in the hour before they were due to leave, fussing over himself and Giles in equal measure.

Giles smiled, holding back his fond amusement as much as he could even as he straightened Oswald's tie. Which was already perfectly straight, just as it had been the last ten times.

"You needn't fret so much love, everything will be fine" his gaze flickered to the pair of masks, and he raised an eyebrow, "If anything goes awry, you can always pretend it wasn't you"

"But I'll know it was me, dear boy," he whined, as he stood in place stock-still for Giles to fix his tie.

"Oh- we do have everything in place if people want to kick on, yes? The nice cognac, the cigars, the- oh blast, we didn't forget the nibbles, did we?"

In lieu of answering, Giles pressed a firm kiss against Oswald's mouth and held him close, running a hand soothingly over his back. When he pulled away after a long moment, he spoke softly but firmly and gently held Oswald's face with one hand,

"Trust me, everything is organised, we both have checked and rechecked more than is strictly healthy for either of us, all we can do now is let what comes, come"

Oswald squeaked, but quickly reciprocated, ensuring not to wrinkle Giles' suit.

"I say, I suppose you're right. Still- could it hurt to just check once more? I- it would be terrible if we overlooked something, I say, the reaction of the guests alone would be dreadful."

"No," Giles gave Ossie a stern look, "There is no need Oswald my love, I doubt anyone will even notice if we missed something, and if they do, they will be kind. We know these people, they're your friends and they understand"

"Oh alright- if you insist, we'll chance it that we haven't forgotten something. Is it time to leave yet? I do hope Angora hasn't gotten into the rose bushes again- it took forever to polish her earlier."

Giles nodded, and gently ran his thumb over Oswald's cheek with a smile. Before Oswald could work himself up some more, Giles lead him out of the hollow to where Angora was waiting for them in the carpark with not a scratch on her vintage metallic body, having for once been well behaved enough not to get into mischief whilst left alone.

Ossie scritched her interior appreciatively, promising salmon and other treats when they returned home. This would've been the part where Ossie turned the key and pointed Angora towards the venue. But instead he just sat there for a long moment.

"I say, Giles, I- this will be our first formal event since we left New York."

Giles watched Oswald with a fond look, his cat-like eyes blinking slowly,

"Indeed," he took Oswald's hand in his own and pressed a kiss against his knuckles, "and the first together"

"What if I'm out of practice and I make a right fool of myself? What if something horrible happens? Oh Giles I- I couldn't bear the idea of something going wrong."

"Are you sure you want to do this, love?" Giles kept his gaze on Oswald, brows furrowing just slightly in his concern, "There is no requirement for our presence, remember"

"Giles- Giles darling, check my tie again?" Ossie had been preparing for this event for the last couple of months, buzzing around to ensure that everything was perfect for the pair of them; suits perfectly pressed, masks organized, the whole shebang. Unfortunately, Ossie was a ball of nervous energy in the hour before they were due to leave, fussing over himself and Giles in equal measure.

Giles smiled, holding back his fond amusement as much as he could even as he straightened Oswald's tie. Which was already perfectly straight, just as it had been the last ten times.

"You needn't fret so much love, everything will be fine" his gaze flickered to the pair of masks, and he raised an eyebrow, "If anything goes awry, you can always pretend it wasn't you"

"But I'll know it was me, dear boy," he whined, as he stood in place stock-still for Giles to fix his tie.

"Oh- we do have everything in place if people want to kick on, yes? The nice cognac, the cigars, the- oh blast, we didn't forget the nibbles, did we?"

In lieu of answering, Giles pressed a firm kiss against Oswald's mouth and held him close, running a hand soothingly over his back. When he pulled away after a long moment, he spoke softly but firmly and gently held Oswald's face with one hand,

"Trust me, everything is organised, we both have checked and rechecked more than is strictly healthy for either of us, all we can do now is let what comes, come"

Oswald squeaked, but quickly reciprocated, ensuring not to wrinkle Giles' suit.

"I say, I suppose you're right. Still- could it hurt to just check once more? I- it would be terrible if we overlooked something, I say, the reaction of the guests alone would be dreadful."

"No," Giles gave Ossie a stern look, "There is no need Oswald my love, I doubt anyone will even notice if we missed something, and if they do, they will be kind. We know these people, they're your friends and they understand"

"Oh alright- if you insist, we'll chance it that we haven't forgotten something. Is it time to leave yet? I do hope Angora hasn't gotten into the rose bushes again- it took forever to polish her earlier."

Giles nodded, and gently ran his thumb over Oswald's cheek with a smile. Before Oswald could work himself up some more, Giles lead him out of the hollow to where Angora was waiting for them in the carpark with not a scratch on her vintage metallic body, having for once been well behaved enough not to get into mischief whilst left alone.

Ossie scritched her interior appreciatively, promising salmon and other treats when they returned home. This would've been the part where Ossie turned the key and pointed Angora towards the venue. But instead he just sat there for a long moment.

"I say, Giles, I- this will be our first formal event since we left New York."

Giles watched Oswald with a fond look, his cat-like eyes blinking slowly,

"Indeed," he took Oswald's hand in his own and pressed a kiss against his knuckles, "and the first together"

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