Truth and Consequences (Rp for quitehomoerotic)

[ambitious_woman]

The next morning passed pleasantly enough. Jack ordered breakfast just as he promised, and presented himself with a smile. She presented himself with his shirt, neatly folded and soon enough there were returned to her sitting room. Just as he promised, it was as if they never left

Comments

[ambitious_woman]

Even with her eyes closed Reinette was aware of when Jack pressed his way into the room. The air in it conceded to him as it always did, and suddenly there was a great deal less of it and a great deal more of him. She almost smiled at it

Re: Six months later

[ambitious_woman]

Once his greeting assured her of her welcome, to at least some extent, Reinette took several more steps forward and narrowed the distance between them. It was a natural reaction but as thought overwhelmed action she tempered it, still leaving a great deal of space remaining. She took the moment instead to close her parasol in a single, controlled motion.

The sounds of the party made their way to them, muted and diluted.

With her gaze she attempted to determine just how long it had been for him, but there was very little to go on. Reinette suspected it was intentional on Jack's part. Not just for her benefit, of course. But merely how he lived his life. Still, it did seem as if least some time had passed. Or at the very least some of the anger.

"Interesting things behind trees," she repeated, purposefully misunderstanding him and looking about the space where he stood. "I never would have thought. You must let me know what you discover."

Re: Six months later

[quitehomoerotic]

"Oh, nothing yet," he said with a half smile and a sing song tone to his voice. "If I spot anything I'll be sure to let you know though."

He looked back beyond the trees as though his interest lay there, and as though he were making any sort of effort to actually look for something, when the true purpose of his being here was now standing a mere few feet from him.

He could feel her gaze.

"You look nice," he said, observing her while not looking at her. And added, "Nice dress." as though that were what he was talking about.

He left another pause and shifted a branch between his fingers, looking out beyond the leaves.

"I've got something for you," he said, only appearing half attentive. "It's in my pocket, take a look." And yes, he was prompting her to step to him, and to reach for him. He doubted she'd back down.

Re: Six months later

[ambitious_woman]

"I shall be polite and save some of your efforts. Do not look in the direction of Monsieur Lebarge. He is quite dull. I only just escaped. We talked extensively of his cravat. He is over there, to the right."

Her words were there to sooth the vague feeling of discomfort she felt at his compliment. He was not looking at her, not fully. It was hardly the same as when she first dressed for London, or after. Not even when they both dressed for the ball, openly perusing one another and just as openly enjoying the exercise.

She looked nice, yes. Her mirror told her that well enough this morning. The spring truly did favor her. But what did Jack mean by it? That she did, just that? Look nice? Or rather look better compared to when he last saw her. Her chin lifted by degrees

Re: Six months later

[quitehomoerotic]

"Ohh I don't know," Jack said, seemingly appraising the gentleman in his sights. "It is a nice cravat." He smiled, just slightly, yet still didn't turn his head towards hers.

He hadn't planned this moment. Or at least hadn't planned its specifics. He wanted to take it steadily and make sure his tendency to fly off the handle didn't come into play. It's why he didn't look at her.

"A gift," he confirmed. And at her question he did spare her a look. A look and a raise of the eyebrows and nothing more. Well, nothing more until, "Dated a Greek guy once, he had an amazing body. Phew. Just like those statues." A deflection accompanied with a small smile.

As she took the chain his eyes turned to watch, and when she questioned, only then did he turn.

"It's a diamond," he told her, "a split diamond. A very special diamond."

For now, at least, he kept its properties to himself. "I saw it and thought of you."

Re: Six months later

[ambitious_woman]

"With you Jack," Reinette fell back into the easy humor that once flowed so easily."I would somehow not be surprised to find out he was one of those statues." And then she smiled

Re: Six months later

[quitehomoerotic]

"Mmm you know I think someone did carve him once. I should take a look see if I can find that."

Jack watched as she examined the pendant. It would appear to be that, of course; a pendant and nothing more. But Jack knew better of its properties, and how it might help should she require it. It wasn't pity though, and he didn't want her to think it was, so perhaps that is why (at least for now) he concealed its true meaning and purpose.

It could be, for now, merely a pendant.

He looked at the chain and then up to her face, and he found then that her eyes were already on his.

"It's nothing," he said, rolling back his shoulders slightly, making light of it. "But I'm glad you like it. Keep it on you."

He turned again, back to the tree and the party beyond it.

"So Monsieur Cravat over there. He need shaking up?"

They weren't the words he said of course, but he hoped she understood the meaning. He was back.

Re: Six months later

[ambitious_woman]

"There is a great deal of Greek statuary that was recently acquired in the south gardens. We might walk there sometime."

Their gaze connected, however briefly, and Reinette was glad of it. At least she was certain he could and would look at her directly. Because Reinette sound herself quite ready to all but throw herself into the business of before.

She smiled even though his attention was no longer on her. Which, Reinette supposed, meant that she smiled for herself.

"Oh me," she echoed. With Jack so close the old banter returned. "At all times, Jack? And on all occasions?"

Not certain enough of him yet to wait to an answer, Reinette instead stepped just beside him and took her own place to stare between the branches of the tree. It was strange to look back at her world in such a manner. Lebarge fared no better from this distance.

"They all need shaking up, I think. But I often wonder if they would appreciate it." Her face tilted to examine Jack's profile. "We could walk instead?"

Re: Six months later

[quitehomoerotic]

"Hey," he said, "maybe we'll spot him!" As though the statue of a Greek man that may have never in truth existed would be honestly sitting in a garden of Versailles.

It was nice, he thought, to be able to feel that he could return to a place with her that he felt comfortable. A place where they could throw himself into being someone that could smile and could feel. Someone even that he vaguely liked.

"On you," he confirmed with a raise of his eyebrow and a cheeky tone. "On every occasion."

He laughed slightly, just briefly on his breath and his eyes took a side glance as she joined him by the tree.

"Now that," he smiled, "is the best idea I've heard in a long time."

He offered out his elbow for her to take.

Re: Six months later

[ambitious_woman]

She laughed before she could think to temper the sound.

His eyebrow arched and a familiar teasing tone emerged and a simple sense of happiness washed over her. And so Reinette laughed. It was not perhaps the wisest of reactions. He was just returned and she did not know how long he had been away. Masks, perhaps, were for the best. But in that particular moment Reinette did not care. She could reclaim her mask at a moments notice, if needed. Just not now.

She made a great show of considering something, her hand pressed tight against her bodice in thought.

"I suppose it is small enough to be manageable, and to not get in the way."

With that she linked her arm through Jack's own, and began leading them away from the crowd behind them.

"They gardens will be at their most beautiful today. It is the perfect time for a walk."

Re: Six months later

[quitehomoerotic]

Her laugh, ah now that was good. Jack realised that he had missed that. He of course missed a great many things in a great many people, but most of which he could do nothing about. He couldn't go back, but to her, he could. He was only glad he'd noticed that before it had been too late.

"So tell me," he said, "what have I missed?"

Re: Six months later

[ambitious_woman]

They walked in stride, and Reinette enjoyed the smell of the green and the earth about them. Everything seemed fresh, and to hold its own story.

As they walked she considered how to answer his question. To what degree, and how much he would honestly like to hear. Reinette settled on what they both excelled at, her her chin turned toward Jack cradling another smile.

"December," she listed off easily. "January and February. I believe there was March. And ah yes, April."

Reinette continued to look at Jack.

"So tell me," she pressed. "What have I missed?"

Re: Six months later

[quitehomoerotic]

"Really?" Jack replied with a smile and a mock surprise. "I really missed that much? Well damn. I best see what I can do to catch up then."

He turned his head to smile at her.

"What have you missed?" he repeated her question and his smile grew wider.

"Me."

Re: Six months later

[ambitious_woman]

"You," she repeated, elongating the word as if testing the idea and the taste of it in her mouth. Her mouth compressed briefly in intent thought.

"I am not entirely sure of that. I shall have to consider."

And with that she unlaced her arm from his own. Now she used both of her hands to still their walk, encouraging him to stand straight before her. And with that she made a fine show of placing both hands behind her back, a fine echo of a performance she had now seen him give several times. Slowly she circled his form, familiarity giving way to her skirts brushing his feet. Reinette took her time.

Finally she came to stand just before him, still wearing a thoughtful expression.

"You are correct, I did miss you Jack. There was that one week -- I believe it was March."

Re: Six months later

[quitehomoerotic]

As Reinette unlaced her arm Jack at first frowned. He frowned but it was momentary and nothing more, and it twisted instead into a somewhat amused smile.

He stood and in how she mirrored what she'd seen in him, he gave the same performance back, hands clasped behind his back, standing tall and shoulders straight, occupying the space in which she gave him.

He allowed her to observe him.

"Shame I missed March then," he smirked.

"So," he asked, lifting his chin slightly as he stood in front of her. "What are you feelings on me in May?"

Re: Six months later

[ambitious_woman]

"March was lovely."

It occurred to Reinette then that the last time they had stood just so she had been several inches shorter and without the benefit of shoes. She was thankful now for her reclaimed height, for all that Jack still held the advantage.

At least in this case it was somewhat less.

Reinette released her hands from behind her back, but she did not move to touch Jack. Instead her chin tilted upwards just as his did so, maintaining the distance between them. Her voice was soft, though there was no danger of anyone overhearing their conversation.

"I am glad that you are here, Jack," she admitted. "So I do not have to miss you at all."