Malt Prompt
Chocolate #23. Insecurity - Malt
Rating : G/mild PG-ish
Timeframe : spring 1260
“Diplomatic missions involve crossing borders, not tending them,” said Dalton, slowly drumming his fingers against his arm to contain the urge that commanded him to start pacing the room.
Masakari’s brows knit, but only for a moment before the calm he was accustomed to returned. He waited, anticipating an answer, but none was forthcoming.
“Do you think me a fool, Masakari?”
She continued to hold her tongue. The need to move won out and he crossed the room in short, rapid strides. Masakari watched from her seat as he spun around and reversed his tracks.
“Perhaps you should take this up with your wife.”
“Who do you think fed me this rubbish about diplomacy?” There was a sigh, almost imperceptible, from the woman. “If I cannot trust my own wife-”
“This is not about trust,” she said.
“Then just what the hell is it about?”
“Ilya loves you. She cannot bear to worry you.”
Dalton’s frantic pacing ceased. He bowed his head to lock eyes with her steely blue. “Worry me? Can you imagine just how well I manage to worry myself? I have yet to see even one of these demons, but I’ve heard the tales and I’ve seen the scars. I will not be left alone with the nightmares I’ve been led to devise and false promises that all is well.” The steel softened, her lips parted, but she said nothing. He sighed. “If Ilya thinks she must protect me, so be it, but I will not take the same from you.”
“It is scarcely my place-”
“Do you think I care? I‘m leaving my wife in your hands, you could tell me what you plan on doing with her.”
The sigh this time was loud and clear. “What would you have me tell you?”
“The truth?”
“That this is not a diplomatic mission? That there are apt to be demons the likes of which we have not yet seen? That even I find the circumstances disconcerting?”
“Yes,” he said, though he hadn’t expected the last. He ran a hand through his hair as he headed for the door. “Thank you.”
“Is that really so much better?”
“Nothing you can tell me would rival the horrors I can dream up on my own. You‘ll understand someday.” Dalton paused with his hand on the latch. “I shall bring her along when I can. Just promise me you will do your best to keep her safe.” The door swung open and he left the room without waiting for her reply.
Rating : G/mild PG-ish
Timeframe : spring 1260
“Diplomatic missions involve crossing borders, not tending them,” said Dalton, slowly drumming his fingers against his arm to contain the urge that commanded him to start pacing the room.
Masakari’s brows knit, but only for a moment before the calm he was accustomed to returned. He waited, anticipating an answer, but none was forthcoming.
“Do you think me a fool, Masakari?”
She continued to hold her tongue. The need to move won out and he crossed the room in short, rapid strides. Masakari watched from her seat as he spun around and reversed his tracks.
“Perhaps you should take this up with your wife.”
“Who do you think fed me this rubbish about diplomacy?” There was a sigh, almost imperceptible, from the woman. “If I cannot trust my own wife-”
“This is not about trust,” she said.
“Then just what the hell is it about?”
“Ilya loves you. She cannot bear to worry you.”
Dalton’s frantic pacing ceased. He bowed his head to lock eyes with her steely blue. “Worry me? Can you imagine just how well I manage to worry myself? I have yet to see even one of these demons, but I’ve heard the tales and I’ve seen the scars. I will not be left alone with the nightmares I’ve been led to devise and false promises that all is well.” The steel softened, her lips parted, but she said nothing. He sighed. “If Ilya thinks she must protect me, so be it, but I will not take the same from you.”
“It is scarcely my place-”
“Do you think I care? I‘m leaving my wife in your hands, you could tell me what you plan on doing with her.”
The sigh this time was loud and clear. “What would you have me tell you?”
“The truth?”
“That this is not a diplomatic mission? That there are apt to be demons the likes of which we have not yet seen? That even I find the circumstances disconcerting?”
“Yes,” he said, though he hadn’t expected the last. He ran a hand through his hair as he headed for the door. “Thank you.”
“Is that really so much better?”
“Nothing you can tell me would rival the horrors I can dream up on my own. You‘ll understand someday.” Dalton paused with his hand on the latch. “I shall bring her along when I can. Just promise me you will do your best to keep her safe.” The door swung open and he left the room without waiting for her reply.