tushanshu_logs | Dieu est mort! le ciel est vide...[closed]

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Dieu est mort! le ciel est vide...[closed]

Characters: Jean Prouvaire and Alcuin nó Delaunay
Date: April 10th
Location: Alcuin's apartment
Situation: Jehan found something of Alcuin's on Atam.
Warnings/Rating: PG-13 to be safe

[Jehan felt terrible about leaving the others, but he knew that he wouldn't be able to handle the excitement of a protest right now. He was still adjusting to the marketplace after last month. It was for the best that he didn't stay around and possibly get in the way (he also had a feeling they would need someone on the outside in case the protest went south). Besides, and he hadn't told them this, with the Emperor out it was possible that he could get into the library and look around.

He's back on the turtle now, though he doesn't head for his apartment. Instead, he heads for Alcuin's. When he had found his copy of Oresteia (and it was his copy, the copy from Paris, the one with the odd mark on the spine and back cover), he had found another book that looked French. It wasn't, but he recognized the name on it anyway.

Anafiel Delauny. Alcuin's Anafiel. He'd grabbed it as soon as he realized that. Alcuin would be delighted.

He knocks on Alcuin's door]

Alcuin? It's Jehan.

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[Alcuin hears the knock, but he has to run down from his bedroom so it takes a moment before he answers. wondering who it is. He was just considering what he should take to Atam, since he is planning to go.]

Ah, Jehan! [He smiles warmly, stepping back to allow his friend to come in. He wonders what he will say if he notices the new Charter Mark on his forehead.]

Do come in.

[Jehan doesn't notice the mark right away. He has something more important to worry about.

He holds out Anafiel's book]

Is this yours?

[He takes the book with some confusion, not having had any books that he would call his own here, but it fades when he sees the name of the poet, his dark eyes flooding with the sort of emotion he is so reluctant to express.]

I- I cannot claim ownership of it, but if I may- if I could keep it-

[He clutches it to his chest like Jehan would have a difficult time getting it away from him.]

[Jehan grasps Alcuin's shoulder, hoping to support him should the man be overwhelmed]

I could never keep this from you, Alcuin. It was in the shop my book was in. I didn't know if you would be going to Atam, so I bought it for you.

Thank you, Jehan. [He blinks back tears, but they're almost happy for once. The book is a concrete connection to Delaunay that he never thought he would have again.]

This is a gift beyond any price, truly, I cannot express how happy I am to have it.

I can imagine.

[He reaches for his handkerchief--no silly patterns, just a plain grey one--and hands it to Alcuin]

I read a little before I realized what it was. I hope you don't mind.

No, of course not. It- it should be read. It could not be at home.

[He takes the handkerchief and wipes his eyes, still holding the book against his chest. He looks happier now, truly pleased.]

It could not be read?

It was banned. It was dangerous to be found with it- all copies were supposed to be burned, but I know he kept one for himself. I never read it myself, but I think this may be it.

[He sighs.] I cannot say for certain. I will imagine that it is.

I've no doubt that it is his copy.

[Jehan smiles]

I am glad that you have a connection to him now.

Thank you. A thousand times, thank you. [He wraps his arm around Jehan's neck and kisses him fervently. It's the only way he can properly express his gratitude.]

[Well that was completely unexpected. Jehan understands that D'Angelines are incredibly affectionate--again, the Trois Milles made that terribly clear--but he didn't expect Alcuin to kiss him like this when he brought him the book.

It takes a moment, but Jehan eventually pulls away. He doesn't want to offend Alcuin, but that's a bit much for him]

Ah...you are quite welcome...?

[Alcuin blushes, rather embarrassed at his own effusiveness, but not enough to erase the smile.]

I was intending to go to Atam myself this afternoon. What is it like there?

[Now he wonders if he could find other things from home.]

[Jehan blushes as well, though not as prettily as Alcuin. He shakes his head]

Terrible. It is a militaristic city full of nothing but oppression and misery. There are no children, as far as we could tell, and in the center there is a courtyard filled with...with torture devices as well as stocks. The others are preparing a protest for the morning, but I...

[He sighs]

I am not at my best, yet. I would be of no help to my brothers and instead chose to return to the turtle. I may be of more help here if the protest goes wrong and they are arrested.

[Alcuin's blush fades and his eyes grow wide, shaking his head.]

That is- that is awful. Perhaps I should not... but I am one of you. [He's never been to a protest before, he's not actually sure what one is, but surely torture and misery are things that ought to be protested?]

I will go in your place, I think. Perhaps there will be somewhat I can do.

Oh, you do no have to, Alcuin. It is...it was unbearable for the three days I was there. I am certain it would be worse for you.

I wish to see it, and to help if I may. I do not think I ought to flinch from things simply because they are unpleasant. [And these friends have been so kind, so welcoming- he wants to add his voices to theirs to protest injustice.]

[Jehan nods. He understands the feeling perfectly]

I will watch over your things as well, then. It is the least I can do...

[He finally notices the mark on Alcuin's forehead]

Alcuin, did something happen?

That is kind. Thank you.

[He rubs his forehead, a touch self-consciously.]

A girl- Sabriel- spoke of teaching magic. I... am taking lessons from her. This mark is necessary to be able to cast her spells.

...magic? You can--people can be taught magic here?

Truly. Shall I show you one? I can make a light now.

Please. I can't...

[What is this place, that people can learn magic?]

[He concentrates, sketching the appropriate mark, and there's a gentle light glowing.]

I could hardly believe it myself. Of course, now I must carry this mark about everywhere.

Dear God...

[Jehan is amazed]

And it must be on your forehead?

So I was told. [He sighs.] But I think- I hope- it looks distinguished.

It does, I believe. If it bothers you, of course, I imagine make-up or a different hairstyle will hide it.

Oh, it does not bother me terribly. I try to control my vanity. [He has never been terribly conscious of his looks, mostly because they've just always been there.] In any case, it is worth it. Sabriel says that I can learn to heal- and to defend myself if I must. I have not learned the marks to do so yet, but I will study my hardest.

This place is quite amazing. People are able to learn skills impossible in their world, there are dragons and demigods and other amazing things.

[He's holding his Ortesia close at that. This was something amazing, too]

It does make the head spin. I find myself only able to keep my feet by telling myself anything is possible, so that I am only shocked and not shaken to the core. [He has seen so many strange things, after all. And now he is learning magic, and he has Delaunay's book... it would all be too much if he did not have the right mindset.]

I have had to adopt the same mindset. We saw what happened when I failed to.

[His voice is soft, like he's ashamed. He is, a little]

I think this place is closer to my experience than yours. [His voice is as soft, but reassuring.]

In my land, there is magic, and we are descended from angels. We know the gods are real. Your land seems to have fewer such aspects. It is not strange that it would be more difficult for you, Jehan.

It is still embarrassing, a little, that everyone saw that. I am open about my emotions as a rule, but...

[He nods understandingly. He wouldn't have liked it either- he is less open with his emotions than Jehan, at least the negative ones.] I do not believe any harm was done, at least? It allowed your friends to help you, and that is a good thing.

True. I was reminded that I am not alone, here. My brothers are with me and I have made many wonderful new friends in my time here.

[He smiles at Alcuin]

To make oneself vulnerable is frightening, yet it is sometimes the only way to gain what you need or desire. [He is familiar with that. Very familiar.]

Even if you do not know what, exactly, that is.

[He smiles a bit]

I am glad I was right in assuming the book was yours, Alcuin.

Indeed.

[He smiles and lowers his gaze to the book, thumb running fondly down its spine.]

I am glad you thought of it.

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Dieu est mort! le ciel est vide...[closed]

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