OPEN: Tea & Sandwiches!

[sweariwontdie]

Armand is relieved that Jehan promised to look after him for the next few days. Louis seemed so concerned about it. He's shaky and tired yet, and perhaps his reflection is a little pale, but Armand feels happy and proud. He helped Louis, though he fears he'll not be able to give such help often.

He settles into the lounge with a big armchair,

Comments

[but_a_piece]

He's not Mark, but here's Horatio walking by, reading Ernst's stolen copy of Hamlet. He pauses when he sees Armand, and his head tilts a bit.

"Prithee, good friend, art thou not well?"

[sweariwontdie]

"I'm getting over something," he explains cautiously, "but I'll be fine in a few days." Then he points to a nearby chair. "Sit, enjoy a sandwich."

[but_a_piece]

He politely declines the sandwiches with a shake of his head, but he does sit.

"Pray, then, what news with thee? Methinks it has been quite some time since we last talked."

[sweariwontdie]

"Too long," Armand agrees. He reaches for his cup of tea, grateful that his hands are steadier today. In general, he feels much better for his day's rest. "I've studied a bit and made some friends."

If he sounds a bit shaky on that last word, it's because it means so many different things now, most of which have him confused and slightly unhappy.

"How are you and Prince Hamlet?"

[but_a_piece]

"Although 'tis not my place to speak for a prince, I think it safe to say that we are, perchance, better than we have found ourselves before." He smiles fondly for a moment.

"But, i'faith, something is troubling you, nay?"

[sweariwontdie]

"A little perhaps..." he finally concedes after fussing with his tea for several moments. "The other night I did something that endangered my health--" Though there's every indication in the way he frowns and sets his teeth together stubbornly to thrust out his jaw that he won't explain that further just yet. "And Gordon... well, he acted as if it was the most awful thing I could have done."

The censure still clearly hurts since Armand isn't prepared yet to face the consequences of his promise to Gordon.

"But he was very kind and sweet to me after that." Armand blushes. "And I don't know what to do!"

[but_a_piece]

Horatio listens intently, with a slight tilt of his head, and he frowns just slightly.

"Mayhaps I could be wrong, but 'twould seem as though he is concerned for thee. May I ask what is confusing you so?"

[sweariwontdie]

Armand looks into his teacup. "We talked a great deal." And he blushes again. "I sat in his lap. It was comfortable there, but he said that's not something friends normally do. But he wanted me to sit there, and I wanted to sit there." He sighs in frustration because he's learned just enough reserve to be uncomfortable talking about some things.

[but_a_piece]

He can't help the small smile that passes his face.

"I see. I am hardly an expert on such things, dear Armand, and, nay, I could never pretend to be, but it does seem to me that ..." But he isn't sure how to finish the thought. "Are you fond of him?"

[sweariwontdie]

Armand bites his lip again, then manages a smile. "I am, very fond of him. He even persuaded me to promise something I didn't want to promise because I don't want him angry with me."

[but_a_piece]

"Then there would seem to be no reason for such confusion. Unless, of course, your fondness does not pass the boundries of good friendship?"

[sweariwontdie]

Armand blinks, still very confused. "I don't understand." He has a few questions he thinks asking would help, but most of them seem too presumptious or he thinks Horatio, being relatively new, wouldn't know. "Does not pass? How should I know?" He's near tears. "I wish my sister were here. She'd set this all straight again."

[but_a_piece]

Horatio tries to think of something to say to ease Armand's mind. Of course, it would be impolite to just ... Ask outright about such personal things.

"Forgive me, but I fear there is not much I can do to help. I have, myself, been in such a situation and found the solution to be purely accidental. Methinks that all you can do is let things run their course."

[sweariwontdie]

"Run what course?"

He gets up and goes over to Horatio. "I know that people can love all kinds of other people, but I don't know how to tell. I'm just very worried that I've hurt Gordon, and I cannot bear that idea."

[but_a_piece]

"Have you perhaps considered talking to Gordon about this?" He gets a bit of an amused look. "As for love, well, perchance one can never tell. I've been often told that one simply knows if it is love. I'faith, such was true for myself."

[sweariwontdie]

"I have. Well, not everything. I get confused when we're together, and I don't wish to do anything that upsets him."