(Untitled)

[mrmoneypenny]

There’s a Villiers and an Imriel curled up on a sofa, and a teeny tiny rabbit on the table busily munching on some hay.

What? Where’s Le Chiffre, you ask, and why is the local doormat snuggled with someone so young and devastatingly gorgeous? Well, perhaps you missed their dramatic and slightly pyro-tastic breakup. Perhaps not. It's been a while,

Comments

[weeper_of_blood]

Lies! Le Chiffre's right here.

Well, actually, one might not be able to see him just yet, for his many years as a stalker type have meant he's quite capable of watching from afar.

Seething would be a good word for how he feels about what he's viewing. Jealous, too. Murderous, maybe. Psychotic, almost always.

None that he shows though, impressively. Even as he's on his feet without even realising, and moving to approach the two, very little in the way of emotion, except the usual glare.

[broodingbacchus]

Cuddle cuddle cuddle oh who's tha--

--shit.

Imriel nudges Villiers and sits up a little straighter, wondering why he has the urge to feel guilty, trying and failing to suppress it.

[mrmoneypenny]

Oh.

It's a Le Chiffre.

And Villiers has the gall to keep an arm wrapped lightly around Imriel as he blinks over at his ex. Then again, it's been a while for him -- without a Le Chiffre around to care for, he's had the opportunity to go back home, and honestly, it's done him some good.

[weeper_of_blood]

No better way to make a man feel welcome than by staring at him awkwardly.

".. It's been a while," he mentions, glancing between the two, though more than likely addressing Villiers.

His tone is pleasant enough, and lacking in any possibly expected malice.

[broodingbacchus]

"So it has," Imriel murmurs politely, relaxing.

Back into Villiers' arms.

Casually affectionate, but not amorous; no kisses, only a hand resting lightly on a knee.

[mrmoneypenny]

Munch munch, goes Niko, ignored on the table.

"Indeed," he comments lightly, considering Le Chiffre with some confusion. Because the Le Chiffre he knows wouldn't be so calm.

Odd.

"And you've been well, I hope?"

Small talk. It is easy and dances lightly around the obvious.

[weeper_of_blood]

There's a nod of recognition towards Imriel, curt and very short, while Le Chiffre's eyes do a subtle scan of all the points of contact being made. The look can't really be helped.

"Coping," he answers, because 'well' isn't the best way to ever describe his mental state.

"Friedrich's been missing you."

[broodingbacchus]

Imriel is perfectly all right with being ignored.

He reaches out a long-fingered hand to gently pet the bunny, ignoring Le Chiffre in return. Fair's fair.

[mrmoneypenny]

Fingers tap against Imriel's shoulder, an unconscious move of guilt, because...Friedrich. He actually does miss the gigantic dog and his obnoxious friendliness. The walks outside in the mornings, and watching him try to sit on Le Chiffre as he lazed. It's-

-no longer his to consider, end of story.

"I'm sorry," he says simply.

Meanwhile, Niko purrs happily.

[weeper_of_blood]

"Don't be," Le Chiffre's quick to reply, almost understanding, forgiving and.. altogether not really Le Chiffre.

"You'll see him around, I'm sure. If not, then you can pay him a visit if you ever need."

On the plus side of it all, Friedrich and his owner have been spending a lot more time together, walks and all.

[broodingbacchus]

His hand squeezes Villiers' knee, just a little, trying to soothe away the guilt.

Subtly.

He neither looks up nor intrudes on their conversation.

[mrmoneypenny]

The touch from Imriel helps, a little, even if Villiers hardly notices it.

Because now, at least, he's too busy being suspicious. Because a polite and socially acceptable Le Chiffre is something to be wary of.

Villiers would know. He spent months with the man, at his side.

"Thank you. I'm sure he'd appreciate that."

Said carefully and so, so warily. With perhaps more than a touch of confusion.

[weeper_of_blood]

Le Chiffre knows that look, and he knows that tone. Not that he can really blame Villiers for being confused or suspecting over the acceptable nature of Le Chiffre, it just tends to be difficult for the villain to find that balance between polite and massively suspicious.

"I trust you're doing well since our.. last meeting?" See, he's not forgotten what happened last time. Maybe that's why he's behaving?

[broodingbacchus]

Petting the bunny. Petting the bunny. Ignoring the conversation with the lover's ex. Petting the bunny.

[mrmoneypenny]

The bunny, at least, is very appreciative.

Enough to stop munching on hay, at least, which is high praise.

Villiers, meanwhile, holds Imriel a touch closer.

"Quite well, yes. You remember Imriel, I trust?"

Because, yes, you're going to be dragged into this too. Why? Because Villiers cannot think of any more small talk to say, and despite the time, he is still a little bitter, so why not?

[weeper_of_blood]

"How could I forget?" He replies with just a tad too much sarcasm to that. Le Chiffre rarely forgets a face.

Well, if Villiers is going to try dragging his new boytoy into this, who is Chiffre to stop him? He can play along with this small talk business.

"I do hope he's been treating you well, Imriel."