burn it to the wick (barracuda!)

[scionofkushiel]

She's back

Comments

[sweariwontdie]

Armand, still musing over recent events--the nicer ones, for once, brings a cup of tea into the room to sit by the fire when he spots her. He's surprised, because it's been so long since he's seen her, he thought her long gone. "Melisande? Pardon me, mademoiselle, but I cannot recall your family name."

[scionofkushiel]

Here's someone she hasn't seen in some time, and her smile is wholly genuine and certainly pleased. She stands, gracefully, and offers a curtsey. "Armand St. Just," with impeccable memory, of course. "It has been some time - I have sorely missed the pleasure of your company. Come and sit a while? I'm sure there is much I have to catch up on..."

[sweariwontdie]

He bows in return, balancing his tea, then reaches a hand toward her. "I have been in retirement for some time, only recently returned. I am sure your news will be much more exciting than my tales of family, children and pets."

[scionofkushiel]

She offers her hand as well, plainly pleased to see him. "Retirement, you? At such a young age? For shame, Armand. You needn't retreat that way yet, not by far." Her smile is teasing, and light, and utterly unbeguiling. "So you have been well? I should be pleased to hear it."

[sweariwontdie]

"It was a bit of a retreat, from the chaos here," Armand explains. It feels nice to have what seems to him a very simple conversation. "I have been mostly well. There has been some difficulty lately with my adopted relatives, but I think it will calm itself down quite well."

His hand in hers is quite warm and he clasps her fingers. "Sit down again, my lady, and we can both talk."

[scionofkushiel]

"Adopted relatives? I do not believe you have ever spoken of them before..." But she sits, and tugs Armand with her. "But I suppose that sort of thing is fairly common here, is it not?"

[sweariwontdie]

He lets her pull him along. "Yes, and... you'll find this odd. There's another me here. With a sister." He hasn't yet met Marguerite. As he sits beside her, he doesn't even seem to notice how close they are. It's just how he is with her, almost as if he were one of Margot's childhood friends.

[scionofkushiel]

She laughs, lightly. "Another you? Surely he cannot be half so charming, however. I do not think any world could tolerate so much of a good thing." She leans over and kisses his cheek, just greeting, riiiight. "I have missed you, Armand. You were always such a dear to me."

[sweariwontdie]

"He is very young," Armand ventures. "I am not certain how young..." He colors a little at the kiss. "Oh, Melisande! You are far too generous to an old married man."

[scionofkushiel]

"Too generous? No. You sell yourself for too little." She shakes her head, and remains close to him, perfectly comfortable. As though this is the most natural thing in the world, for her. "You are very young as well. Surely you can't think of yourself as not."

[sweariwontdie]

"I'm nearly thirty," he protests, squeaking a little. "And a father besides."

[scionofkushiel]

She laughs. "And must that make you elderly? I am older than you, by a year or two. I hardly think I am aging." She gives him a coy look, through her eyelashes, even teasing. "Surely you do not suggest it."

[sweariwontdie]

"I would never suggest it of you, such a beautiful lady, but my responsibilities wear on me. I feel very old sometimes." He sighs, and tries not to look like he's seek sympathy, though he is perhaps. Generalized sympathy.

[scionofkushiel]

She clicks her tongue a little, and frowns. "Poor dear. Perhaps delegation, Armand? There must be someone with whom to share your duties. A man like you should not be feeling any years, much less many."

[sweariwontdie]

"My problems are mine, Melisande. As are my duties... I can't foist them upon someone else." He'd love to do so. Sometimes. "Surely you have responsibilities, dear lady. You should understand."

[scionofkushiel]

"I understand," she murmurs. "But I also know when they are too much for me and I must delegate some. And problems are not often meant to be kept only within oneself..."