(Untitled)

[ostro_goth]

Teja is by the fireplace, eschewing the sunlight; he has his harp and plays a soft, sad melody, his fingers moving as if on their own while he gazes into the fire and thinks.

Oh, and he has much to think of, and to feel pain for!

Not only has Asher returned, and been hurt so deeply, mere minutes from his entrance, when Teja told him, straight

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[ruinous_fortune]

Ruin grins, flopping into a chair nearby.

"My, my. You've been busy, haven't you?"

[ostro_goth]

"Not very much," Teja says, looking at him grimly.

Pause. Then, he sighs.

"I would not take this out on you; you only do your duty. We all only do our duty. But is painful, upon occasion."

[ruinous_fortune]

"Mmm. You don't even know half of my duty."

Ruin regards Teja.

"Broke Asher's heart, right after trying to explain rape to my sister. Well done."

[ostro_goth]

"But half, I know," Teja says.

Pause.

"It was my fault, utterly, and his right to be offended at me!" he continues. "But all I could do, as things stood. I would not let him suffer, or lie to him, or betray my Charlie!"

Pause.

"Not any more than I would lie to Moon."

[fiery_ring]

A sherbet lemon drops down into the grim Goth's lap.

But can he spot the thrower...

[ostro_goth]

"Carlotta!" Teja says, looking up to try and spot her in the rafters.

"Is there any special reason you are throwing hard sweets at me?"

He is somewhat amused at that, though.

[fiery_ring]

"For you to eat, Your Highness." Carlotta says, dropping down in front of him.

"You looked like a cat that had been denied the cream, sir."

[ostro_goth]

"Some things are hard, at the moment," Teja says. "Friends in trouble, and much unhappiness for all."

[licensed_pro]

He'd heard months ago to watch out for Teja around midsummer. So here he is, leaning against the back of Teja's chair, listening.

"Teja. Tell me what's wrong, sweetheart." He very rarely uses any nicknames with Teja, but right now seems as good as any time to start.

[ostro_goth]

"Asher came back."

Pause.

"I told him about you right away, and that my heart is now yours alone; it pained him greatly. He looked as if I had broken his soul."

Pause.

"And the tarot cards keep dragging dark dank memories and thoughts out, as to make sure I not only will not forget them, but ponder them often, and with pain."

[licensed_pro]

"It's alright." He leans over to kiss Teja's cheek gently, brushing his hair away with his fingertips.

"I'm sorry that happened, all of it. If I see Ruin or Asher I'll talk to them."

[ostro_goth]

"My beloved," Teja says, softly. "Ever as ready to stand up for me, as I for him!"

Pause.

"And no, I mean that not in a physical sense now."

He smiles a little, and kisses Charlie's cheek, also.

"I fear those are paradoxes I must ever hold fast within my own heart; there is no resolution, only choice. And my choice: - are you!"