[It's strange on his tongue, remembering that dream. In some ways it had been something that he...doesn't have now. A love that was not bittersweet. His time with Alessandro is borrowed now and had been fraught then for...most of the time they'd shared.
But it hadn't really been theirs, had it? So, there's a stilted politeness to his tone. To match Nightingale's, no doubt. But pleasant enough, kind enough.]
No need to apologize, I appreciate the consideration.
I am doing...as well as can be reasonably expected, I think. Trying to steer well clear of everything though I suspect that will become more difficult if this all persists. And yourself?
[ it is strange — but despite the stilted politeness, nightingale finds that there is some measure of relief in hearing the other man's voice and finding it familiar and unhurt. ]
Much the same.
[ both on the count of doing as well as can be expected and on the count of trying to steer clear. ]
I suppose the chances of this blowing over quickly are unfortunately slim.
[It's the same on Lyall's end. Of course he doesn't really know Nightingale but the dream, he knows, hadn't been of his own forming and...perhaps simply given the nature of it he's inclined to think kindly of him. To at least feel pleased that he's alright.]
No, it seems to be shaping up to be very...involved.
Do you know much of either side? I am very new to all of this, I'm afraid.
[ unseen, his lips press into a thin line for a moment. ] I daresay any movement on either side precedes my presence here. But it seems to me that it boils down to the same thing it always does.
[ the sigh is something thomas can relate to, even if his dislike of fighting is less pronounced than lyall's — he does like to box and finds some enjoyment in a good magical duel. this isn't the kind of fighting that is exercise and skill, this is — the kind of thing that only brings pain. ]
[ briefly, thomas thinks back to lyall's smile, to the way happiness warms his gaze. the hint of humour now is only vaguely reminiscent of it and still, that is where his mind goes.
it's an odd thing, still, to remember the dream and know that it wasn't reality. ]
That is almost always true and yet, it is rarely the ones starting it that have to give first.
[ thomas wouldn't wish experiencing war on anyone. it's a horrible thing and he knows all too well that much of its horrors could have been avoided if people had just been more — sensible, he supposes. less concerned with power and reputation and more concerned with doing right by everyone, instead of only themselves.
it feels almost rude to think as much, now, when the ones who'd made the choices that led to most of the horrors thomas had been affected by most personally are dead and gone, most due to the war itself. ]
I suppose so.
[ his tone is grim; it isn't the kind of hope he really knows to hold on to. but that needn't be on lyall. ]
[Lyall makes another soft sound, something like a hum. Recognition, perhaps, of Thomas' tone. He knows it isn't a hope that can be expected to be fulfilled. But he hopes nonetheless.]
In any event. Thank you for your concern. [It's not quite dismissive and is certainly sincere, even though he seems to be drawing an end to the conversation.] I do hope that you will stay safe in all this.
[There's a short pause, and then that stilted sort of politeness returns, having receded slightly for a brief time.]
Perhaps when it does resolve we could, ah, properly meet.
[Thomas does, after all, seem a good sort. Even if any meeting of theirs is likely to be very quiet. And overly polite.]
Edited (accidentallyed a word) 2019-10-17 00:11 (UTC)
[ the recognition is both welcome and not: welcome because it signifies understanding, but unwelcome because it is the sort of understanding thomas isn't too keen for others to have, for their sake. ]
Quite. [ and ] I have no intention of making myself unsafe.
[ and then lyall suggests —that. and thomas finds himself quiet for a moment. ]
Ah, yes. I would like that.
[ get to know the man he'd been terribly in love with in a dream. somewhere at the back of his mind, he thinks he can hear david laughing at him. ]
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craftylikea) wrote2019-09-17 10:48 pm
voice
Ah, it is strange, isn't it.]
Mr Nightingale.
[It's strange on his tongue, remembering that dream. In some ways it had been something that he...doesn't have now. A love that was not bittersweet. His time with Alessandro is borrowed now and had been fraught then for...most of the time they'd shared.
But it hadn't really been theirs, had it? So, there's a stilted politeness to his tone. To match Nightingale's, no doubt. But pleasant enough, kind enough.]
No need to apologize, I appreciate the consideration.
I am doing...as well as can be reasonably expected, I think. Trying to steer well clear of everything though I suspect that will become more difficult if this all persists. And yourself?
no subject
Much the same.
[ both on the count of doing as well as can be expected and on the count of trying to steer clear. ]
I suppose the chances of this blowing over quickly are unfortunately slim.
no subject
No, it seems to be shaping up to be very...involved.
Do you know much of either side? I am very new to all of this, I'm afraid.
no subject
[ unseen, his lips press into a thin line for a moment. ] I daresay any movement on either side precedes my presence here. But it seems to me that it boils down to the same thing it always does.
no subject
No, I don't suppose you are wrong on that count.
[Power. Control. That is very distinctly what all this is about. In more ways than one.]
no subject
I would prefer to be.
[ wrong, that is. in this, at least. ]
no subject
[Instead of a sigh, there's a soft huff. Not quite laughter, not quite humor but...something a little like both of them. And very dry.]
At least it can't go on indefinitely. I doubt the city can support that. Something - or someone - will have to give. Eventually.
no subject
[ briefly, thomas thinks back to lyall's smile, to the way happiness warms his gaze. the hint of humour now is only vaguely reminiscent of it and still, that is where his mind goes.
it's an odd thing, still, to remember the dream and know that it wasn't reality. ]
That is almost always true and yet, it is rarely the ones starting it that have to give first.
no subject
[Lyall may not have seen quite as much war firsthand as Thomas - and nothing quite as devastating - but he is quite old.]
I suppose all we can really do is hope that they'll come to their senses or settle the matter before too much damage is done.
no subject
it feels almost rude to think as much, now, when the ones who'd made the choices that led to most of the horrors thomas had been affected by most personally are dead and gone, most due to the war itself. ]
I suppose so.
[ his tone is grim; it isn't the kind of hope he really knows to hold on to. but that needn't be on lyall. ]
no subject
In any event. Thank you for your concern. [It's not quite dismissive and is certainly sincere, even though he seems to be drawing an end to the conversation.] I do hope that you will stay safe in all this.
[There's a short pause, and then that stilted sort of politeness returns, having receded slightly for a brief time.]
Perhaps when it does resolve we could, ah, properly meet.
[Thomas does, after all, seem a good sort. Even if any meeting of theirs is likely to be very quiet. And overly polite.]
no subject
Quite. [ and ] I have no intention of making myself unsafe.
[ and then lyall suggests —that. and thomas finds himself quiet for a moment. ]
Ah, yes. I would like that.
[ get to know the man he'd been terribly in love with in a dream. somewhere at the back of his mind, he thinks he can hear david laughing at him. ]
no subject
Until then, Mr Nightingale.
[He doesn't reiterate "stay safe", but it's implied.]
no subject
[ likewise. ]