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[impure_tale]

My sweet fellow denizens, I have been entirely too moody of late -- sufficient enough to make an old pervert quite nostalgic. Enough so that recording my exploits in these new standard journals has become especially distasteful to me. There's a certain element of the art that is lost -- the succulent red of the ink, every sharp tip or gentle curve

Comments

[inhumandog]

You want to talk to me after that speech?

But, I suppose that can be arranged. Stop by this afternoon.

[impure_tale]

Of course.

Spam

[inhumandog]

[And so Iago waited then, leaning back as he pondered his bookshelf. He had rearranged his room seven times already out of sheer boredom and now was thinking of taking out all of his books and going for an eighth.]

Spam

[impure_tale]

[Within minutes the Marquis arrived, the picture of his usual confidence but not quite the same man at all. He looked tired but not defeated. More like the sort that felt their body giving but refused to rest. Renate padded into the room behind him and barked happily at Iago. She shows none of the same signs of fraying as her Master, still impeccably well cared for.]

Spam

[inhumandog]

[Iago turned when he heard the door open and trailed a hand down for the dog. He noted the difference in the Marquis, but didn't know how to place it. So he filed it away for the moment. Iago, for his part, was in very high spirits, though obviously restless.]

And what are we to talk about?

Spam

[impure_tale]

I believe that when we last spoke the idea of a transfer was being entertained. [The Marquis was very matter-of-fact about this, neither appearing to hold it over him as a threat nor was he completely dismissive either. It was simply the truth.]

Spam

[inhumandog]

[Iago visibly flinched at the mention of the transfer. It was certainly not something he wanted to talk about.]

Do you still want to be transferred?

Spam

[impure_tale]

I never said that I wanted it, Iago.

Spam

[inhumandog]

Then why say it? [His look darkened just a bit.]

Spam

[impure_tale]

Because you said you did.

Spam

[inhumandog]

You know that's not what I meant.

Spam

[impure_tale]

And what have I taught you about saying things that you do not mean?

Spam

[inhumandog]

[Iago wrinkled his nose and looked away for a moment. For a few seconds, he was tempted into silence, but he refrained, finally answering.]

It wasn't a lie. But being left alone doesn't extend to you.

Spam

[impure_tale]

[The Marquis sighed]

And I have spoken out of anger and frustration in our previous encounters. I will admit that it does not all come from your behavior. [But it hasn't helped either, he thought.] And foisting off my responsibilities is something I would have done before I had graduated.

Spam

[inhumandog]

[Confident now that he would stay, Iago gave a small smile.]

Well, then is this conversation over? Can I leave my room again?

Spam

[impure_tale]

[The Marquis started to take a step toward him, but stopped himself, a look crossing his face suggesting that whatever he had been about to do had been on reflex, without forethought. He shook his head and turned to go.]

Very well. Come, Renate.

[The dog whined.]