Seeking advice (semi-open)

[jarndyceheir]

Richard was not a man used to looking for advice. He had been on his own from a young age and had thus grown accustomed to making his own decisions, even to the point of grieving Mr. Jarndyce and his other friends at times. So now that he found himself unsure of his course of action, the idea of asking for advice was one that puzzled him

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[hunt_theheart]

*Curio will give him a wave and a bow as he wanders through on his way to the kitchens--and, once he's buttered some rolls and spread them with jam, he'll bring them back with him in case Richard wants any (peering over his shoulder)* What's this? Is't writing in some other tongue?

[hunt_theheart]

*oh--stands, then, and fetches a chair so that they can look at one another almost on level--*

[jarndyceheir]

Richard hesitates, then says, "It's about Tom."

[hunt_theheart]

*nods, encouragingly (wait, is this about Tom about Tom?) and eats another roll to prevent himself from saying something unwise*

[jarndyceheir]

Richard looks down at his hands. "While he was a woman... Tom did confess to me that he loved me as more than a friend should love."

[hunt_theheart]

*small smile* And does he feel the same for thee as man?

[jarndyceheir]

"He said so, though I have not seen him since then."

[hunt_theheart]

And how dost feel? Art glad, or sorely vexed?

[jarndyceheir]

"That is..." he half laughed at himself, shaking his head without looking at Curio. "That is the complicated part, I am afraid."

[hunt_theheart]

*his head's going to get stuck like this if he keeps tilting it--but at the moment, he feels it's the appropriate reaction--*

[jarndyceheir]

He looks up at the other man. "I love him as a dear friend, as a brother. And yet... He told me of his love as a woman, and as a woman, I could love him well in the way he wishes. But I could not wish him to stay in a form that was not his, for it would not truly make him happy."

[hunt_theheart]

*nods--beginning to grasp the situation* Thou lovest him, but wouldst not lie with him.

[jarndyceheir]

He nods. "Not with any man. And yet I hate to see him pained." He pauses, and sounds a bit pained himself. "He offered to remain a woman for my sake, if it were possible. But he could not be happy so."

[hunt_theheart]

*pauses, thinking--aware that Tom loves Molly, and that Richard has a lady, as well* 'Tis silly, though, to change oneself for life to suit the tenor of a brief romance. Although I long have loved dear Valentine, the nearest friend I've ever known in life, when we did part as lovers at the last, our nearness suffered not for being chaste ... and he hath found a partner for his life. *smile* I hope that thou didst counsel him to keep the shape in which we long have known the man--

[jarndyceheir]

"Yes, certainly, I did, most strongly. I would not wish him to change himself so, for my sake or otherwise. And yet..." He hesitates.

[hunt_theheart]

Yet ...?