[voice]; un: TheChancellor

[profanation]

[ The words are spoken with a lingering, loving attention. Every syllable is caressed by the tongue and lips before being allowed out. There's even a slight pause between words that makes the sentence measured and slow, like someone reading a line from an erotic novel. ]

You are now aware of your tongue.

Comments

[sassian]

[He tuts]

Even so, you must please let me know what I can do personally to contain the damage. One must take responsibility for one's missteps, after all.

[profanation]

Well, you'll certainly owe me reparations in my demichroma deficit... I'm sure a no-claims would order a half hour of hand-holding to replenish that!

[sassian]

Then let us settle outside of official channels. I would be quite willing to engage in a bit of hand-holding, at your convenience. Why, I could even be talked into throwing in a hearty handshake.

[profanation]

Be still, my thundering heart!

I finish up at about six in the evening. You're more than welcome to escort me home to settle this dispute.

[sassian]

Very well, I shall write it into my schedule. I just so happen to have some free time to fit you into.

[profanation]

How lucky for me! I'm sure you'll find me standing outside the Lunar Scientia with my desk items in a box.

[sassian]

Oh dear. Well, I shall be sure to write you an excellent character reference to aid you in getting back on your feet.

[He does, in fact, head out to meet Ardyn]

ACTION??

[profanation]

Ardyn could be found waiting outside of the Lunar Scientia in the early evening. He did not have a box in his arms, filled with his belongings or otherwise. He doubted anything from that post was going to be looked at in much detail, let alone the joking conversations he'd had. And if it did... well, he was a Moonblessed there. The place was very suspiciously bending over backwards for all of them.

Either way, he wasn't about to miss his "hot date" with Emet-Selch. When he saw the other man slouching his way across the square, he raised his hand in greeting and called out.

"Coo-ee! Oh, Emet! Over here!"

ACTION!!

[sassian]

Emet-Selch hardly would have missed Ardyn, with the dense, writhing mass of darkness that was his soul, but it was a rather pleasant novelty to have someone call for his attention. He picked up his pace slightly.

"Good evening, Ardyn," he said with a slight bow as he drew near.

"Why, it looks like you haven't gotten the sack after all. What a stroke of luck."

[profanation]

"Yes, I was really quite lucky."

Cordis did draw people to them, but Ardyn rather thought he'd be drawn to this one even if they didn't. After what he'd learned in their shared memories, it was affirming, in some way, to have a man who had suffered on scale different to his, but in a way relative to his.

And finding that they had so much in common was truly an added bonus.

Ardyn offered his arm to the other.

"But I'd rather not linger at my work, lucky as I am to have it! Shall we be off, then?"

[sassian]

"Yes, let us."

He took Ardyn's arm daintily and settled into step with him. The small trickle of Chroma was an added bonus to the company.

"I understand, of course, if you are weary from your travails, and wish to retire from public view for the evening, but I hear there is some amateurish attempt at a play taking place at a nearby park. A base affair, no doubt, but once should encourage those interested in the arts. Would you care to join me in providing some helpful critique?"

[profanation]

The Chroma felt like a balm to a difficult day. Normally, Ardyn would resent that even if he appreciated the energy it gave, but as this was Emet-Selch, he found he didn't mind it so much. It was nice to walk arm-in-arm with someone who, to a degree, understood. It took less effort. Less... just going along with something, until it could solved.

Camaraderie, was it?

"I could think of nothing more delightful. Lead the way!"

[sassian]

Such a welcome change, having a solid presence at his side again, and one who wouldn't saddle him with tedious tasks, at that! The darkness that swirled in him like a tempest was unlike any Amaurotine, of course, but, Emet-Selch's allegiance being what it was, that certainly was not unpleasant.

"Oh, I am glad that you are amenable. There are few things I enjoy more than a bit of theatre."

He lead them to a smallish park where an outdoor stage had been set up. A troupe of Prismals milled about, preparing for a play the banner above the stage proclaimed to be 'Tides of Passion: A moonlit romantic comedy.'

[profanation]

Ardyn read the words 'romantic comedy' with a dead look in his eyes.

Then his expression split into a slow, evil smile.

"Oh, marvelous. Shall we find prime seats?"

[sassian]

"Hm, yes. Front and center would suit me best. It is important for actors to witness the reactions of their audience, you see."

And surely he and Ardyn could give them plenty to consider, if he had judged the play correctly by its title.

[profanation]

These poor, unfortunate souls.

Ardyn led Emet-Selch to the front row. Either word had got around, or this troupe shared actors with the other, but Ardyn thought he saw one or two side-long looks being tossed Emet-Selch's way.

That just made it better. Ardyn beamed at them as he took his seat beside the Ascian, lacing their fingers together and resting their joined hands on his own thigh.

"Do include me in some of the finer points! It's always fascinating to learn from a master."

[sassian]

"Very well, a shall keep you apprised..."

He gave Ardyn's hand a little squeeze and turned a critical gaze to the stage.

"Well, they certainly will not be winning any awards for stage-dressing. Why, those props look like they were found in a refuse pile out back of a primary school."

[profanation]

Ardyn listened with genuine interest, but he would be lying if he said he only looked up to verify Emet-Selch's point. True, the props did look somewhat low budget, but it was the stage hands that Ardyn couldn't help but spy. To their credit, they were studiously not looking up. Poor things. Ardyn smirked.

"Perhaps it's for ease of transport. If they didn't do a pop-up in the park, they might have props with more integrity."

[sassian]

"Oh, perhaps, but that does not excuse the costuming. A well-tailored coat travels as well as a poor one."

He leaned over, resting some of his weight against Ardyn's side.

"Ah, but I suppose they could yet salvage it all, if the script and acting are sufficient to distract from the visual deficiencies. Dare we hope?"

wrap up?

[profanation]

Emet-Selch was a warm weight against his side. Ardyn stiffened at first, for though he had grown used to close contact here, there was something decidedly too familiar about that.

But then he thought, well, if he couldn't accept it from an even more ancient, exhausted immortal than himself, who could he accept it from? He settled his arm around his shoulders and leaned his head against his.

"I suppose we can try."

so we shall

[sassian]

"Then let us hope for, but not expect, greatness."

And so the two wretched immortals sat, engaged in companionable panning of the amateur, but sincere, performance, their irreverent commentary forever instilling anxiety and dread into the hearts of the local budding artists.