Searching for a certain gentleman

[notallworthy]

Tom is, to the say the very least, mad. He doesn't know exactly what has happened to Richard and him and he doesn't even know if who was changed. But he is fairly certain that the gentleman had something to do with it. So he is wandering the mansion and grounds, shouting, "Sir!" at random intervals and most likely looking a right fool.

Comments

[thistledownking]

The gentleman in question is terribly piqued. He is almost not interested in speaking with Tom, after his gift of vengeance--so neatly and perfectly contrived! so perfectly suited to the crime!--had been cast down, demeaned, named a cause for blame. It reminds him of Stephen Black. It reminds him of the ingratitude of mortals when he only tries to help them. If Tom should search near their old apple tree, he will find the gentleman tossing an apple from hand to hand. It blackens a little more with every smooth catch; despite this, Tom will be able to discern that a bite has been taken from it.

[notallworthy]

"Sir! May I have a word? I'm afraid it may be urgent." Tom may be mad but he is still polite.

[thistledownking]

"Why, nothing is easier! Speak your piece." And although the gentleman is furious, he seems almost maddeningly calm.

[notallworthy]

"My friend, Mr. Carstone, sir. Something has happened to him or to me and I was wondering if you might be able to help, sir."

[thistledownking]

He has heard their conversation, so he knows exactly what's up, but he still wants to hear how Tom will phrase it (he wants to know if he can trust Tom to be the wizard he needs). "Whatever has happened?"

[notallworthy]

"I'm not quite certain, sir. I... I don't feel the same way about him." Tom tries to fight down the awkwardness that still comes from talking about it.

[thistledownking]

"Not the same way?" He tilts his head; he is looking for a judgment on this.

[notallworthy]

"Yes, sir. And I don't wish to. I wish to feel the way I did before."

[thistledownking]

"You wish to love him again?" As though confirming that this is the sentiment that is missing.

[notallworthy]

"Yes, sir."

[thistledownking]

"Did he not hurt you?"

[notallworthy]

"Yes, but it wasn't his fault, sir. I should take the blame more than him." He finally notices the apple and starts following it, noticing the bite but not thinking much of it.

[thistledownking]

The gentleman tosses him the apple, which flashes briefly green and then lands in Tom's hands, bright and red and succulent. "Here," he says. "Eat this, and you will love him again. It is quite a fine apple, I think you will agree!" And Tom will forget all of the magic that he has learned, as well, but the gentleman doesn't mention that.

[notallworthy]

Tom takes a bite. "Thank you ever so much, sir! How shall I repay you?"

[thistledownking]

"I need no repayment! I do it only for the love of helping the mortals who please me." He waves a hand impatiently, and plucks another apple down--transforming it into the semblance of a white rose, for an apple remembers that it was once a blossom. He offers the rose to Tom. "Bring this to your friend; it will please him, if it does not win his heart!" The gentleman smiles, thinly. "I have placed no love spells on it, for I think you would not be pleased if I did!" But the scent will make Tom and Richard gradually forget the gentleman; that is, after all, what the white rose means (silence; an echoing, silent place in the mind, where a stranger with thistle-down hair once walked).

[notallworthy]

"Thank you! And I am sorry for forgetting about my lessons, sir."