[Open Post - Titus Groan] Titus Arranging

[77th_earl]

The recent sudden departures of people for whom he cared has weighed on Titus's mind. These vanishings feel worse than experiencing the death of a loved one: at least when one can stand by the graveside of a loved one laid to rest, one has some sense of closure. But in these cases, one cannot know where this friend or lover has gone, and what took

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[trolololdamsel]

We've decided that Titus should meet Maledisant. She's standing somewhere not too far away, watching him with a look of mild and haughty amusement on her face, like he's something that exists solely for her entertainment. We're not sure what he's doing, exactly, but Maledisant finds it hilarious and mockable. Somehow.

[77th_earl]

He might be painting the upturned bottom of the boat, refreshing its coat of paint as it rests on top of a couple of rocks. And he's likely not yet aware that company has approached. Even still, he's gotten paint on his arms and his hands, though he seems to be paying no heed to it.

[trolololdamsel]

Maledisant watches him for a moment before she speaks. "I hope you realise there are other boats."

She doesn't understand why he'd put so much effort into mending this crappy little boat when there are others in perfectly good working order.

[77th_earl]

He'll look up on hearing her voice, then glances back at the boat. "I suppose there are, though I admit, I am rather attached to this one," he admits, simply and straight forward. "I first came to this place, paddling in this boat, emerging onto the lake; I intend to use it to find a way out."

[trolololdamsel]

Maledisant can't help smiling. It seems like this one is going to be very easy to mock.

"Aye, is that so? And how are you planning to do that, pray tell?"

[77th_earl]

"I am hoping to bring enough like-minded folk with me, in a fleet of boats; people have left this place en masse, and with our combined wills, perhaps we can open a way out of this place," he says.

Yes, he's just admitted that he's expecting to use the power of hope to tip the powers in this place toward their favor.

[trolololdamsel]

"Or perhaps you'll end up on the other side of the lake," Maledisant replies, amused.

She thinks you're dumb, Titus.

[77th_earl]

"We shall see what happens, and that can be found only in the doing," he says, jaw set, firm in his conviction, no matter how foolish it might sound. After years of being determined to leave Gormenghast and seeing that come to pass, he's harder to shake from his plan, however crazy.

[trolololdamsel]

"And when are you planning on making your expedition, pray?"

She wants to know so she can watch and laugh.

[77th_earl]

"The moment that I have a goodly number of willing volunteers, people who have grown as tired of this place as I and who wish to be quit of it," he says. "We may need more than one boat, but so be it."

[trolololdamsel]

"Do you truly have so many willing to go with you?"

Maledisant doubts it. But then again, people at the Mansion can be pretty stupid, so you never know.