[Open] I'll be here after midnight wearing my beleaguered frown

[killedthesnake]

Neville wasn't a celibate hermit by choice, despite the fact he'd lived like one much of his first year at the Mansion. No, he'd been attracted to a few of the men he'd met, but he hadn't pursued it. When he'd first arrived, the sting of his last relationship was still too fresh; the betrayal by his lover had cut him deep

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[blackjewelmale]

At some point, Saetan will wander into the kitchen, looking to see if there's any red meat in the "cold box": the old codger's been busy keeping the library habitable and orderly, but he's happy for any company, and since he's nocturnal anyway,

"Don't mind an old man looking for his lunch," he says, with a stately self-deprecating lilt.

((Want me to punt any others of mine??))

[killedthesnake]

Neville is at the stove top, gently rolling a few cups of milk around in the bottom of a pan, over one of the burners. He glances up to the other man, having no idea who he is, not that that is so unusual here at the Mansion. He nods in greeting, and actually considers saying nothing more unless asked, but he begins to feel rude after a few long minutes of silence. He's really in no mood for small talk, but manners must be maintained. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Neville." He doesn't sound as jovial as he usually might, not that Saetan would know any different.

[blackjewelmale]

Saetan is accustomed to less than jovial, even surly: his sons can be quite grumpy, even aggressive. "I am Saetan SaDiablo: I was at work in the library, but even light work like that can work up a man's appetite," he says.

[killedthesnake]

"Do you normally work during the middle of the night?" Neville asks curiously. He'd have moved to shake the man's hand, but he doesn't want to scald his milk.

[pinkduelist]

Utena isn't a boy, but she's been thinking of some heavy stuff herself. Of being a prince, of little brothers she'll never see, of Ohtori, of the friends she failed to save. She enters in a pair of striped pj's, unable to sleep herself.

[killedthesnake]

Interesting way to meet, both in pyjamas, but not unexpected in a kitchen in the middle of the night. Neville is pouring warmed milk into a glass, and contemplating whether to add chocolate when Utena enters. He's tempted to just leave, making off with his milk, to sulk alone but he can't bring himself to be that ill mannered, no matter how low he feels. "Hello," he says quietly. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Neville."

incredibly late ^^

[ofsandandstone]

Lystra's up late, too, but not because she can't sleep. It's her son who can't sleep, and she's taking him for a walk around the Mansion in hopes that it will help him drift off. She appears in the kitchen doorway, with a very sleepy and grumpy looking toddler on her hip.

As soon as she spots Neville, she frowns and turns her nose up. "Neville," she says, sounding very serious. "I am terribly disappointed in you."

Because you have a greenhouse full of pretty plants and you haven't shown it to her yet.

[killedthesnake]

Neville looks up from his glass of warm milk, concern immediately in his eyes. "It wasn't intentional, whatever I've done," he assures her quickly with a frown. "What is it?" He doesn't like disappointing people that he likes, and she seems so serious.

[ofsandandstone]

"Parsifal says you have a house full of plants, and you haven't shown it to me. And I've been terribly bored."

[killedthesnake]

Neville almost smiles, despite his bad mood. "I had no idea you liked plants or I would have shown you," he assures her. "How about tomorrow?" Since he doesn't think it wise to traipse out there tonight.

[in_summer_leaf]

Hisoka happens to stop into the kitchen, in search of coffee. He's got the 3am - 6am hallway watch, but the beginning of that shift is hours away yet. He knows he should go to bed and try to sleep for a while, but as is usual for him in the springtime, the increasing intensity of the light seems to activate his brain and cause it to seethe with projects and plans, often making sleep impossible.

So he decides to caffeinate himself instead and work on his neglected plans for a second sailboat. He's got a folder of drawings under one arm and a satchel full of drawing instruments slung from his shoulder when he appears in the kitchen doorway.

He sees Neville, and a big smile comes over his face. "Good evening!" he greets him.

[killedthesnake]

Neville looks up and tries to force a friendly smile. It's not that difficult considering Hisoka is his friend, but feeling as strained as he does at the moment, he'd almost rather run into strangers who don't know him and won't expect a lot of conversation. It's a paradox -- feeling soul-deep lonely (and horny) and yet wanting solitude because of it. "Hullo, Hisoka. Tea?"

[in_summer_leaf]

"If you're making some, I wouldn't turn it down." Hisoka perceives the strain in Neville's smile. Since that's unusual, he wonders if something is wrong. But he doesn't wish to intrude, either. He sets the portfolio down on the end of the table and the satchel on the floor, but not as though he is settling in to stay.

[killedthesnake]

"It's easy to make enough for two," Neville murmurs, glad his hands and mind are busy with the task. "Do you want milk in your tea?" He already has a small pot of warm milk on the stove so it too is easy to add.