(Vaguely) Open

[john_ofdarkness]

The evening's unseasonably warm, the low, grim clouds folding over the Mansion like a thick quilt. John stands on the porch with his elbows on the rail; the wind cuts through his thin outer shirt on occasion, but for the most part he's comfortable, content.

He has a cigarette in his hand, as comfortably held as though he'd never gone without. Against the failing light, he breathes out smoke.

Comments

[queen-oracle.livejournal.com]

"Oh, the funny one."

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

Resting his arms on the railing, he asks (casually, casually; he has no investment in the answer, of course),"The funny one, eh?"

[queen-oracle.livejournal.com]

"Yes, the funny little one," Mickle says, firmly. "He's having the church built."

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

Oh, snicker--imagining fleshy-healthy Alyosha as little amuses him to no end. "That he is. We'll need to get a piano brought in, or it won't be a proper church."

[queen-oracle.livejournal.com]

"I should steal you one next time I go out."

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

An eyebrow raised. "Steal a piano. Ambitious of you."

[queen-oracle.livejournal.com]

"I bet I could."

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

"I don't doubt you could--but it's ambitious nonetheless."

[queen-oracle.livejournal.com]

"I think I'm entitled to a little ambition."

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

"As much as you like, certainly." He finishes off his wine and puts his glass aside. "Do you aspire to anything beyond a life of musical crime?"

[queen-oracle.livejournal.com]

"Not any more," comfortably.

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

"Thwarted ambitions in your past?"

[queen-oracle.livejournal.com]

"I abdicated, so I think I thwarted myself." She grins at him.

[john-ofdarkness.livejournal.com]

"Tut, tut. That's a nearly poetic fall from grace--the queen turned piano thief."

[queen-oracle.livejournal.com]

"You could write a nice musical about it."