(Untitled)

[visiblemystery]

*It's his birthday, and Lord Henry has, essentially, gone into hiding. He is in his library, but he isn't reading. He is, instead, standing by a window, a glass of absinthe in hand-- he isn't far gone yet, but appears to be seriously considering it. He despises the passing of years.*

Comments

[ladywotton]

*it isn't a reminder, you must understand-- Victoria couldn't be so cruel; it is, shall we say, a statement, a memory, a memento: for Harry, in his rooms, waits this, a handsome pocketwatch handsomely engraved 'HW'; it is wrapped in pale pink tissue paper and accompanied only by a handwritten 'Happy birthday, darling' on a small card*

[visiblemystery]

*when he finds the gift, there's perhaps a soft, dry laugh-- a watch is both a delightful and a depressing gift, on a day that marks the passage of time, though he doubts she'll have thought of that. but it is a handsome thing, and he admires it a moment before putting it aside, just for now*
*and probably he won't mention it, but when he sees her next perhaps there's an added fondness in his smile, though the expression is as charmingly insincere as ever*

[auburn_wotton]

*has apparently robbed R's wine stash and tied a bow around the necks of a few bottles* ...Happy June?

[visiblemystery]

*drily* Is it? I wasn't aware.

[auburn_wotton]

Or, y'know, if you'd like -- Happy day Benedict Arnold was court-martialed?

[visiblemystery]

*and here's a trace of amusement, and the faintest of smiles* Dear me. And to think, I haven't done anything at all to celebrate.