Two Parts Crook

They call me Your Majesty, but I am king of nothing, and nowhere.[Permanently Inactive]

[twopartscrook]

The End

Glory is that bright tragic thing, That for an instant Means Dominion, Warms some poor name That never felt the sun, Gently replacing In oblivion.

- Emily Dickinson

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*She takes in a slow, deep breath as he kisses her brow, letting acceptance, or something close to it, wash over her. Letting him go isn’t something that she wants to do, but she knows that keeping him won’t stop what is to come. She can see how weary he is and knows that he won’t last much longer. Before letting him go, though, she reaches for his cheek, barely applying any pressure to the thin flesh. On her tiptoes she rises and places one last kiss to his cheek, almost as a blessing both to him as he goes and to her as she lets him.  As she pulls away her lips tremble, but another deep breath holds her emotions at bay.* Go softly, love.

[twopartscrook]

Like the dusk into darkness, my sweet Rose. He touches the spot where she kissed him as if he's been given something precious, and manages a last smile that has in it the last flickers of the mischief that lit so often in his eye. Remarkable... To think it is a kiss that frees us. He waves to her, almost idly, then turns, and staggers away from her. He doesn't glance back, and he doesn't make it far - just out of her line of sight - before he collapses. A cool wind rushes through, and swirling silver dust drifts up toward the sky.

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

You did, once upon a time.  *She sniffles, then, wiping the tears from her cheeks with the heel of her palm.*  You probably know that you don’t deserve the tears that I’m shedding for you, and yet… I can’t stop myself.  I don’t think that I understand myself any better than I understand you. *She makes a weak attempt at a smile.* 

[twopartscrook]

In any event, that will no longer matter. I have only to remove myself from your sight and that is one trouble that will have come to an end. It was odd to think of it so cheerfully, but after having endured death, near death, and undeath, the prospect of finally crumbling into nothing seemed peculiarly insignificant. It is for the better. I have no place, here.

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*She nods, taking his hand from where it cups her cheek and holding it gently between both of hers. She can feel how frail he has become and it amazes her that he has lost so much strength.* Perhaps you may finally find peace, Ardost.  *She had come so close to calling him ‘love’ like she had so long ago, but she caught herself before she slipped, afraid that calling him that would only make matters more difficult.*  You should know that you will never be forgotten.

[twopartscrook]

Someone as ridiculous as I? I should hope not, sweetling. A sudden weariness overtakes him, and for a moment his silver eyes slip closed. Concentration tightens his features, as he steadies himself. Peace is more than I have earned, but perhaps I shall find a little quiet. He leans forward, and kisses her on the forehead, mindful of the cut he saw when she had scratched at it. But now, let me go. This is something you surely will not wish to witness.

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

I have. *She looks up at him, looking so confused that she almost looks lost.* I don’t know why I am weeping, now. I… This is so weird. *She gulps and holds her breath for a second, trying to stop the crying. Truth be told, at this point she is tired of crying.*

[twopartscrook]

Perhaps it is for old times’ sake, hm? He cups her cheek, but his touch is frail, almost tremulous. It seems as though he might fall to dust at any moment. But let us put a stop to this weeping. At this rate, you might stain your cheeks permanently. The jest comes with the wry quirk of a brow, and half of a rasping laugh that rattles too much in his chest. Did I not make you smile, once, also? Near as often as I brought you to tears, I think…

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

You did, once upon a time.  *She sniffles, then, wiping the tears from her cheeks with the heel of her palm.*  You probably know that you don’t deserve the tears that I’m shedding for you, and yet… I can’t stop myself.  I don’t think that I understand myself any better than I understand you. *She makes a weak attempt at a smile.* 

[twopartscrook]

In any event, that will no longer matter. I have only to remove myself from your sight and that is one trouble that will have come to an end. It was odd to think of it so cheerfully, but after having endured death, near death, and undeath, the prospect of finally crumbling into nothing seemed peculiarly insignificant. It is for the better. I have no place, here.

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*For a moment she is quiet, simply breathing and thinking on his words.  She is feeling overwhelmed by his presence and the feelings that still linger, and now by knowing that he will be gone for good.  She takes in several deep breaths to fight what she knows is coming, but she can’t win.  As much as it confuses her and troubles her, knowing that after everything he doesn’t deserve her tears, she begins to weep.*

[twopartscrook]

As ever, her tears only confuse Ardost. He frowns at the sight of them, and draws nearer, to brush them away. Hush, now. This is glad news. Have you not wept enough for my sake?

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

I have. *She looks up at him, looking so confused that she almost looks lost.* I don’t know why I am weeping, now. I… This is so weird. *She gulps and holds her breath for a second, trying to stop the crying. Truth be told, at this point she is tired of crying.*

[twopartscrook]

Perhaps it is for old times' sake, hm? He cups her cheek, but his touch is frail, almost tremulous. It seems as though he might fall to dust at any moment. But let us put a stop to this weeping. At this rate, you might stain your cheeks permanently. The jest comes with the wry quirk of a brow, and half of a rasping laugh that rattles too much in his chest. Did I not make you smile, once, also? Near as often as I brought you to tears, I think...

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*Still looking down, she speaks.* What would you have me do?

[twopartscrook]

Oh, Belle… I am not come to burden you. I have all that I sought from you. I know that for your brushes with death, you have emerged, and will be well. And it is enough that you, in turn, will know that I have turned to dust, and, from dust, there shall be no returning.

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*For a moment she is quiet, simply breathing and thinking on his words.  She is feeling overwhelmed by his presence and the feelings that still linger, and now by knowing that he will be gone for good.  She takes in several deep breaths to fight what she knows is coming, but she can’t win.  As much as it confuses her and troubles her, knowing that after everything he doesn’t deserve her tears, she begins to weep.*

[twopartscrook]

As ever, her tears only confuse Ardost. He frowns at the sight of them, and draws nearer, to brush them away. Hush, now. This is glad news. Have you not wept enough for my sake?

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*She presses her lips together again and looks down, almost feeling ashamed for pointing out such a thing.* I’m sorry… I didn’t…mean to… *She sighs.* I’m sorry.

[twopartscrook]

Do not be. The former comment was a jest, and the latter… Somewhat a lie. I suppose there are none who would wish to perish knowing that were none who might take note, even for an instant, before forgetting.

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*Still looking down, she speaks.* What would you have me do?

[twopartscrook]

Oh, Belle... I am not come to burden you. I have all that I sought from you. I know that for your brushes with death, you have emerged, and will be well. And it is enough that you, in turn, will know that I have turned to dust, and, from dust, there shall be no returning.

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*She winces again, and her hand raises to the stitched cut on her forehead, relieving an itch just beyond the hairline.  After relieving it, her hand drops, and so does her expression.* This is it, isn’t it… The end is coming for you…

[twopartscrook]

And here, I had hoped I would manage to forget it. There are so few surprises left to me, of late. He lets out a wry laugh. I had also hoped it was not so obvious…

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*She presses her lips together again and looks down, almost feeling ashamed for pointing out such a thing.* I’m sorry… I didn’t…mean to… *She sighs.* I’m sorry.

[twopartscrook]

Do not be. The former comment was a jest, and the latter... Somewhat a lie. I suppose there are none who would wish to perish knowing that were none who might take note, even for an instant, before forgetting.

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

I…think that I am.  Before, I was much too tired and…well…empty to want to try. But it was wrong to try to take back what I have been given.  I see that, now.

[twopartscrook]

You will find your way. He give a slight nod, and his bones continue their loud complaint, at which he draws in a sharp, involuntary breath. As I should find mine. I… only wished to look on you for a time. To know that you will be well…

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*She winces again, and her hand raises to the stitched cut on her forehead, relieving an itch just beyond the hairline.  After relieving it, her hand drops, and so does her expression.* This is it, isn’t it… The end is coming for you…

[twopartscrook]

And here, I had hoped I would manage to forget it. There are so few surprises left to me, of late. He lets out a wry laugh. I had also hoped it was not so obvious...

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*She winces at the sound, flinching as if feeling the pain of it herself.  She sighs.* That’s… It was only a dream.

[twopartscrook]

Perhaps… I suppose it matters little. You live, yet. But are you glad of it?

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

I…think that I am.  Before, I was much too tired and…well…empty to want to try. But it was wrong to try to take back what I have been given.  I see that, now.

[twopartscrook]

You will find your way. He give a slight nod, and his bones continue their loud complaint, at which he draws in a sharp, involuntary breath. As I should find mine. I... only wished to look on you for a time. To know that you will be well...

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*She winces at the sound, flinching as if feeling the pain of it herself.  She sighs.* That’s… It was only a dream.

[twopartscrook]

Perhaps... I suppose it matters little. You live, yet. But are you glad of it?

[stopstalkingmefreaks-deactivate]

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*She turns back, meeting his eyes. Her lips twitch downward.* If it loved me, then surely it would have kept me.  *Her brows furrow.* What do you mean when you say that you…felt it?

[twopartscrook]

I dreamt, some time ago, and saw you step into a blinding light. I woke in agony. He shrugs, and his bones grind so loudly that it sounds as though they are really and truly splintering.

[twopartscrook]

I daresay you’ve endured burdens enough, in my absence.

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*She gives a single nod, still looking away.* I tried to take my own life.

[twopartscrook]

Ah... Yes,I believe I felt it... His brows furrow, and he remembers the sudden agony that had left him unable to venture out, to see. He edges closer. Look not away, Belle. The name settles oddly, when he says it. Let me see you. You, who death will not touch. It loves you too dear, I think. Another tired, little smile carves its way across his face.

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*She looks back up, studying him a moment from beneath her lashes.* …Ardost? What… What’s happening?

[twopartscrook]

Nothing new, sweetling… Nothing new. I am merely spent. It does not matter.

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*She presses her lips together and looks away, brushing a piece of hair out of her face.* Right… 

[twopartscrook]

I daresay you've endured burdens enough, in my absence.

[ofheroismandsacrifice-archive]

*She looks back up, studying him a moment from beneath her lashes.* …Ardost? What… What’s happening?

[twopartscrook]

Nothing new, sweetling... Nothing new. I am merely spent. It does not matter.

[twopartscrook]

queenofthehostessclub replied to your post: OoC: Closing the Book

((I know I haven’t actually talked to you in the longest time, but, I’m going to miss seeing your rps on my dash!!))

((Kind of you to say. I'll admit, I'll miss this dash, too. There's a good crowd on it. :3))