Semi-Open

[john_ofdarkness]

*John's life has been very quietly spectacular for the last few weeks. he's had a sense of purpose, between cooking and writing music and the odd sojourn to Australia for entertainment and meds; on top of that, he has a serious boyfriend (and so what if he's a fictional 19th-century Russian? John doesn't judge).

therefore, he is lying out on a lawn chair, his reading glasses on the ground beside him, a book propped open on his stomach, his eyes closed against the sunlight. the lines of his face are gentler, for how truly content he is; indeed, he looks startlingly like James at the moment. he's not quite asleep, but only resting his eyes, and he might crack one open if he hears anyone moving about nearby. old friends and unfinished business are both welcome to bother him*

Mainly for L!V!C! folk, but Melou can pop by if he wants to be traumatized again apologized at, and Zjendjan can come pester him, too.

Comments

[lesser-son.livejournal.com]

...That was kind of a big thing to come out with, wasn't it? Oh, Melou, we have got to teach you how to do the whole 'conversation' thing correctly.

He just looks at John in his mournful way. "She lives here, but he hath not been well since. Lady Morvydd minds him."

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

"Well." He sucks in a breath. "That's good, isn't it. And he's getting better, is he?"

[lesser-son.livejournal.com]

"I have not seen him; I know not."

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

"Probably wisest, even if he's better," John mutters. He is so out of his league with Orkney family issues.

[lesser-son.livejournal.com]

"I have not seen him since I was a boy. I only know what my lord hath told me."

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

"What's he told you?"

[lesser-son.livejournal.com]

A little shrug. "That he is mad here."

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

"Practical of him."

[lesser-son.livejournal.com]

"I have heard he was never well, but when he slew my grandmother he grew too ill to live alone."

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

"Not surprising, really. He hasn't been violent again, has he?" Because that's probably the last thing he wants, what with the Mansion having blown up and whatnot. He sits on his chair again, gesturing Melou to sit if he wants.

[lesser-son.livejournal.com]

"Nay, never. And my lord said, once, it was because my grandmother had hurt him that he raised his hand against her." Melou looks at him shyly for a moment, and then sits.

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

"Your family's a bit of a violent one, isn't it?"

[lesser-son.livejournal.com]

"There were feuds. And a lot of trouble," uncomfortably.

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

"You got shouted at. Fairly often," he speculates.

[lesser-son.livejournal.com]

"Ay, sir."

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

"They didn't hit you, did they?" Voicing the logical conclusion: "Was that why you thought I was going to hit you?"

[lesser-son.livejournal.com]

"He only struck me once, sir," Melou protests, unhappily. "And I had done much to warrant it."

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

Very calmly--look, they're both just sitting here together; it's absolutely nonthreatening--he asks, "Then why did you think I was going to hit you?"

Typist: Off to bed now; sleep well!

[lesser-son.livejournal.com]

"You were angry, sir. And--" angry people hit.

You too!

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

"I was angry. Didn't mean I was going to take a swing at you."

[lesser-son.livejournal.com]

"Nay, sir. Forgive me."

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

Awkward pause, again. He will not say 'anyway.'

For real.

... "Anyway."

[lesser-son.livejournal.com]

"Sir?" lifting his face.

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

"You should probably go on, duck. I don't doubt you were going somewhere, before I held you here."

[lesser-son.livejournal.com]

"To see my grandmother," he agrees quietly, and stands up, because this is in effect a dismissal, he's pretty sure.