As you live you learn, though a torch you burn
I've re-read Dreamwalk Blue probably three times now as I've been working on The Solitude Sessions. I've got to admit - the original tempts me, the way the idea of Star Wars: The Special Edition must have tempted George Lucas. Must resist.
Session 4 is maybe five paragraphs away from being done, so here's another bit for the 5-10 folks who've stuck with me this long. You are all greatly appreciated. :)
From Session 4: Blue Again
Brionne gestured him over to where she sat with Veronica Bellaire. “Come here, Albus. Have a little something to ease the pain.” She surreptitiously tipped the contents of a flask into Veronica’s teacup, then her own.
“It does help,” Veronica laughed. “Though we promise to be good and not overindulge and embarrass you.”
“I have every faith in you.” Albus couldn’t help but smile himself. “I’ll pass this time, though.”
“Need all your wits about you in case there’s a duel?” Brionne said it lightly, but he knew her well enough to see she wasn’t really kidding.
“I won’t start a duel, Brionne. I can’t be answerable for anyone else’s behavior, though.”
Veronica looked from one to the other, one perfectly penciled eyebrow raised, but didn’t press the question. No doubt she’d ask Brionne to explain the second Albus was out of earshot.
“Do you suppose,” she said, deftly changing the subject, “that the governing board will finally allow female students to wear trousers? It was a hot topic of debate when I was student.”
“Which was all of about ten minutes ago,” Brionne said tartly, but she was smiling slightly behind her teacup.
Albus left the two sitting there and quickly made his rounds of the room, thanking the governors and the alumni in particular for joining them. He stopped short of welcoming Hayden and June, though. Brionne must have seen his hesitation because she suddenly materialized at his elbow, her spiked tea left behind and apparently forgotten.
“You will have to say something to them, you know. It would be a hell of a snub if you didn’t.”
“I know. I just may have to work my way up to it.”
“Albus,” Brionne looked caught somewhere between sympathy and frustration, “it’s been five years. Surely after all this time…”
“Eighteen.”
“What?”
“It’s been eighteen years, all told. So long as you’re counting, you might as well know the real number.”
“Even still.” Her expression shifted, the frustration gone, replaced with something that looked worryingly like pity. “It’s been quite long enough that you should be able to wish them welcome and then run like hell.”
Albus looked over her shoulder to where June stood, talking to a pair of quite elderly alumni. Fairborne, one hand resting possessively on the small of her back, was gazing down at her with raw, unguarded affection.
With an effort, Albus tore his gaze away and set down his cup. “I think I’ll take a bit of a walk.”
Session 4 is maybe five paragraphs away from being done, so here's another bit for the 5-10 folks who've stuck with me this long. You are all greatly appreciated. :)
From Session 4: Blue Again
Brionne gestured him over to where she sat with Veronica Bellaire. “Come here, Albus. Have a little something to ease the pain.” She surreptitiously tipped the contents of a flask into Veronica’s teacup, then her own.
“It does help,” Veronica laughed. “Though we promise to be good and not overindulge and embarrass you.”
“I have every faith in you.” Albus couldn’t help but smile himself. “I’ll pass this time, though.”
“Need all your wits about you in case there’s a duel?” Brionne said it lightly, but he knew her well enough to see she wasn’t really kidding.
“I won’t start a duel, Brionne. I can’t be answerable for anyone else’s behavior, though.”
Veronica looked from one to the other, one perfectly penciled eyebrow raised, but didn’t press the question. No doubt she’d ask Brionne to explain the second Albus was out of earshot.
“Do you suppose,” she said, deftly changing the subject, “that the governing board will finally allow female students to wear trousers? It was a hot topic of debate when I was student.”
“Which was all of about ten minutes ago,” Brionne said tartly, but she was smiling slightly behind her teacup.
Albus left the two sitting there and quickly made his rounds of the room, thanking the governors and the alumni in particular for joining them. He stopped short of welcoming Hayden and June, though. Brionne must have seen his hesitation because she suddenly materialized at his elbow, her spiked tea left behind and apparently forgotten.
“You will have to say something to them, you know. It would be a hell of a snub if you didn’t.”
“I know. I just may have to work my way up to it.”
“Albus,” Brionne looked caught somewhere between sympathy and frustration, “it’s been five years. Surely after all this time…”
“Eighteen.”
“What?”
“It’s been eighteen years, all told. So long as you’re counting, you might as well know the real number.”
“Even still.” Her expression shifted, the frustration gone, replaced with something that looked worryingly like pity. “It’s been quite long enough that you should be able to wish them welcome and then run like hell.”
Albus looked over her shoulder to where June stood, talking to a pair of quite elderly alumni. Fairborne, one hand resting possessively on the small of her back, was gazing down at her with raw, unguarded affection.
With an effort, Albus tore his gaze away and set down his cup. “I think I’ll take a bit of a walk.”