rogueinladysclothing: (Restless)
Amelia Royer (Ronsam) ([personal profile] rogueinladysclothing) wrote2016-01-02 03:52 pm

A friendly visit [Tagging Viatorus]

It hadn't been her intention to stay away this long. In truth, Amelia had intended to see Viatorus again right after Christmas, to thank him for his gift and make sure he wasn't in trouble for accepting hers. But after being cursed and then putting Steve through hell as she came down from it, she needed a few days to herself. Now, however, she feels fine. Now she wants to make good on her plans to see her friend again.

As she makes her way toward Viatorus' office, she realizes that, by postponing her plans, she's forgotten to make an appointment. Again. Normally, she'd consider pushing her way in as she did last time. Given her desire to not cause a scene, though, other measures need to be taken. Time for Amelia to exercise some of her more... questionable talents. It's early enough in the day to pencil in a late afternoon appointment, right?

When the office comes into view, so does Lyall. Amelia waits in the shadows of a nearby alley until the guard is distracted by some passerby before walking up and palming his scheduling notebook from a pouch on his belt. Once she has that, it's a simple matter of passably forging an appointment for herself in his handwriting and returning the notebook to his pouch when she's done - all in the span of about 60 seconds. That part of her plan complete, she heads off to a nearby cafe for a light snack and some tea to fill the time before her "scheduled" appointment.

About five minutes before said appointment, Amelia appears at the door to the office. Lyall doesn't exactly scowl at her, but his displeasure at seeing her is obvious, even if her lack of armor over her usual linen clothing and corset puts him a bit more at ease with her today. The rogue is completely undaunted as she steps up to him with a bright smile on her face. "I'm here to see Viatorus," she says in an equally bright tone. "But no need to worry today, friend, I have an appointment this time."

Lyall crosses his arms in front of his chest and rolls his eyes at her. "You most certainly do not." His voice rumbles from deep within his chest, and would likely scare off most people. Sadly for him, Amelia is not most people.

"Please check your appointment ledger - I have an appointment with Viatorus this afternoon." There's a certain smugness in her eyes that doesn't match her cheery tone of voice, but she can't quite help it on this one.

Begrudgingly, Lyall grabs his appointment book and opens it, his eyes widening when he sees an appointment listed for the current hour. When did that get there? He's certain he didn't put that in, but... there it is, in his handwriting and everything. He looks up at her with a look that is equally surprised and upset. "Amelia Ronsam, I presume?"

How she manages to keep smiling when she wants to be grinning is anyone's guess. "Yes. I'm not too early, am I? I can wait out here if necessary." It's a good thing Lyall works for Viatorus, or she might be getting her friend in some serious trouble right now.
heirtothearcane: (All smiles)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-04 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
Lyall stares back down at the book and then at Amelia for a long moment, but then he folds his arms unhappily and turns away with a grunt. She can knock on the door, it looks like. He's a Durant guard, not a butler.

The knock will bid the door to open by itself, or appear to. Really it's Viatorus who waves his hand and gets it to open, because he's halfway to his study with a mug of tea. Rushing over and spilling tea just wouldn't do. Seeing who it is, he smiles brightly. "Amelia! How are you?"
heirtothearcane: (Quiet revelations)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-04 01:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"Good, good." He carefully guides his mug to a shelf so he can set it aside. "Please, come in, sit down. Would you like a cup of tea? I would have made a pot if I knew..."
heirtothearcane: (All smiles)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-05 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, it's alright. I'm just not used to having visitors like this." He smiles at her and gives a lopsided shrug. "It's nice. "

"I've just made myself some tea." And throwing out hot tea is blasphemy. "But I could make you some of yours if you'd prefer it."
heirtothearcane: (Distant smiles)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-05 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's not a bother. I like making tea," he tells her as he accepts the container, holding it as if it were glass.

He isn't long, returning with a china mug for Amelia as well as her container of tea and setting them both on the coffee table. "It smells lovely. Would you like any milk or sugar for it?"
heirtothearcane: (Watching)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-06 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Viatorus picks up his own cup of tea and settles slowly into an armchair. At her questions, his brow lifts and he puts on a small smile. They're not questions he particularly wants to answer, and certainly not truthfully. His voice is a little sing-songy and light. "Oh, they were fine, it was fine. I spent some time with Verity and Naugus and the chao. My family has a meal together for Yule, so I got to see some relatives I like."

One, anyway.

"What about you? Did you have fun? Did you try eggnog, or sing carols?"
heirtothearcane: (Distant smiles)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-07 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
"No, no. They were fine. It wasn't bad." It's pretty clear that he's lying, and badly too, but he's sticking to it. Anything to keep the tone cheerful. "The goose was nice."

"Oh! Next time I'll have to pay more attention to these things. I would have... done... something..." His eyes roll to one side as he considers that, really, him throwing a party would be a disaster in the making. Best to avoid that. Amelia gets his attention again. He can explain things until the end of days, so it's a much better topic. "Eggnog is a sweet, milky alcoholic drink. It's very nice when it's made well, but it can be sickly if it's not. Carols are songs that people usually sing during festive celebrations. Mostly it's for Christmas, and a lot of them are based around the Christian beliefs, but they're really lovely to hear. They're usually sung by choirs, groups of people who have worked to make haunting, beautiful harmonies. Some are just fun to sing though."
heirtothearcane: (Distant smiles)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-08 07:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"Next time I'll make more time for my friends here." A twist of his lips brings a sheepish smile to his face. "I've never had friends to think about before. I... I'm not used to it."

The wink is a good idea, because he'd work to clarify that otherwise. As it is, he's allowed to move on to more questions and answers. He nods seriously. "It really is." Then he hesitates. "The reason why... is explained differently by different people."
heirtothearcane: (Quiet revelations)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-09 06:26 pm (UTC)(link)
He nods in agreement, smiling. "It is."

Eyes flickering back into focus, he smiles softly, reassuringly. "I'm sorry. It's... It's just I know that there are people who don't believe in the gods, or any gods, and they think we're all mad, Christian and pagan alike. They... They think that people back then were superstitious and didn't understand the world. That the Christian 'God' was created to explain natural phenomenon. That all gods were."

Sitting back, he rubs the back of his neck and shrugs. "But the things I've seen... The gods I know aren't made up. They're divine and unknowable, but they're real. The... The problem is that in history people have used their gods as an excuse to take what they want. They claim divine right so that they can ignore everyone else. It gives them power. Eventually the more important figures and cultures became Christian and that has become one of the main five religions. That's why it's so influential."
heirtothearcane: (Watching)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-09 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Amelia's musings get gentle nodding from the scholar as he silently agrees with her. It's good to hear her getting to grips with a culture that is so alien to her. Truth be told, parts of it are alien to him too. Still, he's comfortable here, in this exchange of information given and knowledge extracted.

He's in the middle of a sip of tea when she asks about dreams. In a hurry to answer, he narrowly avoids choking as he swallows and nods. "Yes. It all does. Everything about who a person is, and their experiences. Your beliefs are part of who you are, why you believe them too. Then there's all the symbolism that comes with religious beliefs."
heirtothearcane: (Quiet revelations)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-10 01:37 am (UTC)(link)
"That depends on the dreamer, but... Christianity emphasises the guilt of mankind. A lot of people's fear and guilt appears with Christian values and imagery." It's the best explanation he can give without going into specifics.

Viatorus thinks as he sips his tea and lifts a shoulder in a half shrug. "Not much more than you've told me. You're fixed on your home, your family and friends. Your mind is eager to resolve the fears you have around them, around being apart from them. Your psyche is trying to help you resolve those issues. It's trying to tell you something. But... I changed the dream. So I can only comment on what happened before that."

He shuffles a little closer and leans forward. "Was it alright? Your dream? It didn't turn sour, did it? Was it good? Did you feel rested afterwards?"
heirtothearcane: (Distant smiles)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-10 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sin. I don't understand it fully, but the Christian God seems to consider a lot of things as sinful and wrong. Something worth punishing or something they should seek repentance for."

Their situations might be difference, but he understands the importance of family. Sad smiles are going to be inevitable for the foreseeable future, but as long as they can talk about beautiful things at the same time. She has his full attention and he smiles when she does. "I'm glad. You seemed happy when I left you with your friend."
heirtothearcane: (Quiet revelations)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-10 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"I don't know. I never did study much of it. The way they see the world..." He shakes his head. "It doesn't make sense to me."

Luckily, he doesn't take note of the pink in her cheeks, being too distracted by the stretching smile which he returns with a small, confused tilt of his head a furrowing of his brow. That confusion is quickly cleared up and he blinks, surprised at the answer. He's not sure how to take it, so he smiles. "Oh. Thank you... I think. I mean, that's... that's not uncomfortable for you, is it?"
heirtothearcane: (Distant smiles)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-11 05:49 pm (UTC)(link)
His fingers drum in a slow wave against his mug and he briefly chews on the inside of his lip while he listens. Truth be told, he doesn't know how to feel about it. It's surely a compliment, though, which is nice, so his smile stays in place as he shrugs.

"It's alright. I've been told I look like people before. Mostly... Mostly my father and his father, though. I know that's different."
heirtothearcane: (The eyes of your ancestors)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-11 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
The smile that tugs at his lips is awkward, polite. He shrugs and his thumbs fidget against the mug handle. "It's good, I guess. I don't really think about it much. Except when people talk about me having my grandfather's eyes. Durants don't often have green eyes, so they mention it a lot."

It feels strange to be talking about how he looks, and he'd rather not think about his knobbly features and gangly form. He's eager to turn it away from himself. "You... Do you look like your mother?"
heirtothearcane: (Watching)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-13 12:01 am (UTC)(link)
Talking about his own family makes him nervous, rather than sad like it makes Amelia. Especially when people are becoming increasingly prone to criticising them. For once he'd like to not have a friend pre-emptively dislike his family. "No, a-and they don't comment on it all the time. When they comment on me, though, it's... it's usually what they mention."

"I did see it. I had a little look. I thought it might help in the dream, and it did. It's very impressive. Doubly so since it was drawn from your memory and not his. To have something of them so well done must be nice."
heirtothearcane: (Tweed)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-15 02:04 pm (UTC)(link)
This time it's his cheeks going bright red. He ducks his head and clears his throat. What fidgeting he had been doing is only going to increase. "Oh. Thank you. That's... That's really too kind of you to say. Um... I guess, in my family, 'amazing' is sort of... normal."

Blushing doesn't bother him. He doesn't really notice it, even. He does notice her halting and hesitating. Feelings are things he picks up on rather quickly, and her awkwardness is definitely one of them. "It's... It's alright. I know what you mean. Anyone would feel the same. It's like... like being able to see them every day again. Being able to take comfort in seeing them safe and strong."
heirtothearcane: (Watching)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-16 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
"Magic... Magic is a wonderful thing. It does beautiful things," he agrees, happy, but shy and unsure how to take the compliment. "I'm... I'm glad you like what you've seen."

When she smiles, he smiles back in an attempt to encourage her. It's bad enough that he's awkward and nervous. He'd like to do everything he can not to make Amelia the same. "Would it... Would it help if you talked about them? I've never been away from my family except when I come here. One of them is always with me back home. But I expect you've been away from your family a lot."
heirtothearcane: (Watching)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-16 02:15 am (UTC)(link)
"It's not," he tells her earnestly, but feels the need to add, "As long as it's in good hands."

"I promise you won't bore me. I've stayed in my study and read for days and days about old relatives so distantly related they might as well have been a family from another continent. You can talk to me about them all you like. I know how important family is."
heirtothearcane: (Watching)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-17 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
His smile goes wide, though he ducks his head bashfully. "Thank you."

It's nice to see her relax properly for once. Not that he doesn't understand it. Even around his own family, it's difficult for him to relax. "But... I mean... It's not so bad that you wanted something for yourself. Maybe... Maybe this is fate's way of giving you time for yourself. Rest. Though I know it mustn't feel like it."
heirtothearcane: (Distant smiles)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-18 08:13 pm (UTC)(link)
He leans forward a little, earnest in his response. "You can't blame yourself for coming here. How could you have known? How could anyone have known? You might have still ended up here even if you had stayed at home living a quiet life."

"They trusted you to be there when they needed you, and they trusted everything would work out. Now it's your turn to trust them." He tries to catch her eye and smile encouragingly. "Amelia, I'm sure they're fine. And worrying won't help them. They'd want you to be happy and safe."
heirtothearcane: (Watching)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-19 06:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"Amelia, they're your family. You're related to them. I'm sure they're more than capable." Quietly, he tries comforting her a different way. "I'd bet the worst that is happening is that they're missing you."

"Oh don't say that. Spring is wonderful." He hesitates and, carefully, he offers, "Maybe we could help make it better for you. All your friends in the Nexus. We could help make it feel more like home. Or more enjoyable, at least."
heirtothearcane: (Quiet revelations)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-19 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
The tears turn his own expression into one of dismay. He shuffles closer, but doesn't quite reach for her, eager as he is to comfort her.

"You don't have to," he says quickly. "Tell me when it is. Tell me what you used to do. What you'd love to do. I'll throw you a party. It will be lots of fun."
heirtothearcane: (Kind of shrug)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-21 02:25 pm (UTC)(link)
The strong protest throws him off. He flinches back slightly, withdrawing and looking extremely apologetic. Rubbing the back of his neck, he shrugs and shakes his head. "I... I'm sure there's something we can do... Offer a distraction maybe. A day out, doing something else. Not... Not celebrating. Not if you don't want to. But... something.""
heirtothearcane: (Tweed)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-21 05:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"I love dreams, and I love thinking, but sometimes hiding away inside isn't the best thing to do," he tells her softly. After a second of silence, he feels he can move onto the more fun thought of planning something. "What... What would you like to do? Would you like to be with a few friends? Or just one? Maybe two? Would you like to go for a walk, o-or see a film? Explore, o-or go shopping, or...?"
heirtothearcane: (Watching)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-21 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
He doesn't realise it. Surely Amelia, like Verity, is so well loved, and so confident, she must have dozens of friends by now.

"A movie. A..." His eyes flicker back and forth as he thinks of the simplest explanation. "A recording. Like theatre, only captured and recorded as a moving image. I can show you an example, if you'd like."
heirtothearcane: (Watching)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-22 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Tears are something Viatorus has had more experience with than he'd like to admit. He, more than anyone, knows the embarrassment they bring with them. Distractions, and moving on swiftly? That's all he knows to offer, since he finds it so hard to offer physical comfort. "There are lots of devices that play them, but some are better to watch on than others. New ones come out in cinemas, with screens bigger than my wall. But mostly people watch them on televisions, which are shaped like... like large paintings, landscapes."

He's eager to encourage the curiosity, the questions. "And they can be about all kinds of things. Real life, but mostly fiction. Stories. Romance, comedy, science-fiction, fantasy... Heroes and villains. A lot like theatre, really."
heirtothearcane: (Watching)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-23 10:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Bouncing in his seat as he adjusts his position, he thinks of how to describe things he hasn't read as much about as he'd like. "Science fiction is about imaginary tales based around science. Sometimes it's big things like stories about people living in space and aliens. Sometimes it's small like... like if everyone had machines to help them live incredibly long lives."

"Fantasy is... is usually based around magic. Around magical creatures and people. Sometimes it's in an entirely make believe world, with strange and wonderful creatures, civilisations, magic... Like science-fiction, some stories seem very normal but for a small difference. People being able to do bits of magic, or... or magical creatures being real."
heirtothearcane: (All smiles)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-01-24 04:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yes, I guess it is."

He beams when she laughs. It's so good to see after her tears. He'd much rather she was happy than upset and the feeling of joy runs through him at being able to make that change. Just like turning a nightmare into a dream.

"I like old movies. Fantasy and romance are my favourites... I like the old movies about Greek heroes and Romans. We could watch one of those and see how you enjoy it? You can always tell me if you don't like it and we can stop it."
heirtothearcane: (Watching)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-02-04 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
"We can do it whenever you like. I don't have much going on these days..." And it would be nice to have a distraction from the whole fiasco with Verity and how he's been an awful friend...

"You don't need to bring anything. I'll have wine and tea, and I can get popcorn and snacks... I'll pick out a few movies and we can choose one."
heirtothearcane: (All smiles)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-02-04 01:02 am (UTC)(link)
"I'll choose a few movies and then next week we can decide on one and watch it." The chocolate comment gets a smile out of him before he can help himself. "Popcorn is popped corn, it's... well, you'll see. And of course I'll have chocolates. We'll make an evening of it, trying different chocolates and watching movies."
heirtothearcane: (All smiles)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-02-04 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
"I can come and find you. I might... maybe, if you're alright with it, invite you back to my home in my world. I have a good television for watching movies there."

"I don't mind. Truffles are lovely! I'll bring some pralines too, and some Belgian chocolates..." He beams and shakes his head. "I'm getting carried away."
heirtothearcane: (All smiles)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-02-04 10:18 am (UTC)(link)
"Good," he chirps happily.

"I think we will too." Though he's smiling, he looks around, but of course there's no clock, so he settles on Amelia again. "I should let you get on your way. I'll start thinking about films and chocolates and I'll see you next week."
heirtothearcane: (All smiles)

[personal profile] heirtothearcane 2016-02-04 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
He walks her to the door, oblivious to sad thoughts for the moment, and smiling from the pleasant plans ahead of them. It's the first truly good thing to happen to him in a while.

"I won't keep you long. It's been far too long since I've watched a film. I'm looking forward to it already." He makes sure to be a gentleman and open the door for her, still beaming as he wishes her goodnight.