(Untitled)

[bitter_innocent]

The Count of Monte Cristo must have determined, at some point since arriving, that this place is not the residence of his enemies. For though he is pale as always, he is as fit and healthy as ever. And while he consumes but little food or drink, one may get the impression that this is natural. The count has never been one to partake to excess

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[avenginggoddess]

BOO.

[bitter_innocent]

Well, if that was meant to startle The Count, it may have done, but Monte Cristo has enough control over himself and, his reactions, that he doesn't let anything- even the mild annoyance- show.

He finishes, instead, the paragraph he'd been reading and looks up from the text. One of many Histories of China which, like most, is telling him little that he did not already know. Little that he had not learned during his travels to that land.

"Good evening." He speaks in Italian, by default, like a Roman. But if he can determine which language is a person's native tongue, and if it is one he has learned, he will speak it out of courtesy.

[avenginggoddess]

*Speaks any language due to the whole...goddess thing, so she'll go with Italian, then.*

*Cheerfully, despite the bad mood* Hello! What are you doing? Well, reading, obviously....but what are you reading?

[bitter_innocent]

Oh, any language, certainly, but some are arrogant enough to speak only their own. Monte Cristo would be one, were disguise not to play a large part in his devices.

"Histories, signorina," Monte Cristo answers readily. "A history of the East, followed by a history of art. I much prefer the old masters, I find."

[cat_inthe_sun]

Jackrabbit remembered this rather stern and strange person, and decided to pop by and see how he was doing.

He had just come in from outside, where it was snowing, barechested except for a golden torque (matching a golden armband) and a gold colored thigh-length robe around his waist.

"Hello."

[bitter_innocent]

The appearance does not faze Monte Cristo at all. The Count has spent enough time in the east, and amongst cultures with very different styles of dress. He adapts easily, out of necessity.

And he too remembers Jackrabbit, though not fondly. Unfortunately, while he is a forgiving man in his way, The Count's good opinion, once lost, is hard to regain.

His eyes flicker, only briefly, from his book. A vague gesture of acknowledgment follows. It also requests a moment's patience. Monte Cristo's going to finish his page before responding.

[cat_inthe_sun]

Jackrabbit clasped his hands behind his back and rocked on his heels in a way that suggested patience but he wasn't going anywhere.

[bitter_innocent]

Conveniently then, Monte Cristo reads quickly. It's only another couple of moments before he looks up from the text. Nodding in greeting, "I did suspect that we would meet again, signor," he declares dryly.

[alcuin_delaunay]

Alcuin would care for some conversation, but he doesn't want to bother the Count. He enters silently, browsing over the shelves to decide on reading material, but the book he was reading before is gone. Puzzled, he goes in search, quietly checking the books the Count has taken, before he finds the volume he wants--the poetry of Horace, in the original Latin. He puts a finger on it, then looks up, hesitant to disturb.

[bitter_innocent]

The Count is one of those distinguished individuals who attract attention when they enter a room. But he is also the sort to note the comings and goings of others.

Monte Cristo does not acknowledge the arrival immediately, but does when it becomes clear that the gentleman has taken an interest in a book he'd selected.

"'hopeful in adversity, anxious in prosperity, is the heart that is well prepared for weal or woe.' A wise man, wouldn't you agree?" The Count asks, finally raising his eyes from his own text. "But do feel free," he adds, gesturing toward the book of verse. "It will take some time to finish the rest."

[alcuin_delaunay]

Alcuin's face--a pale face of exquisite beauty, with long white hair--lit up with pleasure, eyes happy. He replies in the language in which he was addressed (Italian, we assume, from a previous thread), softly accented but completely fluent. "You read Horace, my lord?" Alcuin is unfamiliar with the Count, but immediately recognizes that he is aristocratic, and should be addressed as such.

[bitter_innocent]

The Count has noticed the near albino qualities, contrasted by the dark eyes. Unlike his own pallor, Monte Cristo takes it to be natural.

"I read anything and everything, signor," he answers readily. "As you may have determined from my selection there. This does not rival my own library, I regret, but I have discovered a few titles that I do not own." Yet.