Professor Randolph Lyall (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
craftylikea) wrote2019-09-17 10:48 pm
craftylikea) wrote2019-09-17 10:48 pm
[Ah, well, this is....a curious message? Lyall isn't sure what to make of it, so as a result he is...exceedingly polite. It's his way in the face of the unknown. Fall back on a stiff upper lip.]
I am quite unclear as to which man you are referring to, I am afraid.
I am quite unclear as to which man you are referring to, I am afraid.
[For the love of god, Alessandro.]
Ah yes, I see.
Yes I rather think we should.
If it is convenient for you, I would prefer to meet in the evening. I work at Mr Tarabotti's shop weekday evenings and through to the early morning if you would not mind that venue for a chat.
[Notably, regardless of when she sent the message his response did not come until after sundown.]
If the evening isn't doable for you then we can, of course, arrange something else.
Ah yes, I see.
Yes I rather think we should.
If it is convenient for you, I would prefer to meet in the evening. I work at Mr Tarabotti's shop weekday evenings and through to the early morning if you would not mind that venue for a chat.
[Notably, regardless of when she sent the message his response did not come until after sundown.]
If the evening isn't doable for you then we can, of course, arrange something else.
After 9pm at least if you are coming by the shop.
And that is very kind of you but not necessary at all.
[It's...10% suspicion and about 90% the conviction that the host should provide the tea.]
We have a decent stock here and I am the only one who drinks it.
[Because Alessandro is a coffee-drinking heathen.]
And that is very kind of you but not necessary at all.
[It's...10% suspicion and about 90% the conviction that the host should provide the tea.]
We have a decent stock here and I am the only one who drinks it.
[Because Alessandro is a coffee-drinking heathen.]
[ they'd been terribly in love, hadn't they? they'd been terribly in love and happy together and nightingale had woken up with a smile. it hadn't lasted, of course, because he'd then recalled that he doesn't know this man at all, not really, no matter what the dream may have told him.
and yet, the dream happened and he's reasonably certain it wasn't only his dream.
still, he likely wouldn't have contacted lyall at all if not for the fact that recent developments in the city are somewhat reminiscent of the war, if not for the fact that he is, admittedly, worried. if not for the fact that dream or no, he remembers caring about this man. ]
Mr Lyall.
[ the formality seems strange, now. ]
I apologise for contacting you so unexpectedly. I merely wish to ask if you are all right.
and yet, the dream happened and he's reasonably certain it wasn't only his dream.
still, he likely wouldn't have contacted lyall at all if not for the fact that recent developments in the city are somewhat reminiscent of the war, if not for the fact that he is, admittedly, worried. if not for the fact that dream or no, he remembers caring about this man. ]
Mr Lyall.
[ the formality seems strange, now. ]
I apologise for contacting you so unexpectedly. I merely wish to ask if you are all right.
It would be. Feel free to come whenever is convenient. I have already arrived for the night.
Might I have your name?
Might I have your name?
[...Oh.
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?
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?
[ 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.
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.
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.
Then I will see you in a few hours.
Until then.
Until then.
I can't say that I do, no.
[ 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.
[ 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.
( it's close to midnight when lilith walks through the doors to the shop, asking for his location before walking further through, slow, quiet steps as she approaches him )
Lyall?
( her voice is curious, making certain that she has the right person as she addresses him )
Lyall?
( her voice is curious, making certain that she has the right person as she addresses him )
Edited 2019-09-30 19:56 (UTC)
[It's a relatively small shop, in fact, which means Lyall is simple to find. (He is also the only one working.)
The man sits at a desk that is tucked slightly behind a glass counter at the back. He is unassuming and unmemorable in practically every way. Well dressed, but not ostentatiously so. Small. Not ugly, certainly but not handsome either. Once Lilith enters and says his name, he stands up to round that case and meet her.]
Yes, at your service. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms Lilith.
[Well, she didn't give a last name and propriety is very important to him. His expression is mild but certainly not unpleasant, as is his tone of voice. If anything gives away his interest in her and the opinion he is trying to form by collecting information it is a slight tilt to his head.]
Can I offer you some tea?
The man sits at a desk that is tucked slightly behind a glass counter at the back. He is unassuming and unmemorable in practically every way. Well dressed, but not ostentatiously so. Small. Not ugly, certainly but not handsome either. Once Lilith enters and says his name, he stands up to round that case and meet her.]
Yes, at your service. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms Lilith.
[Well, she didn't give a last name and propriety is very important to him. His expression is mild but certainly not unpleasant, as is his tone of voice. If anything gives away his interest in her and the opinion he is trying to form by collecting information it is a slight tilt to his head.]
Can I offer you some tea?
[There's a soft sigh from Lyall's end. He does dislike fighting and violence in all forms. It's all so messy and more often than not, unnecessary.]
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, 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.]
Please.
[Lyall gestures around the case to indicate an extra chair pulled up near the desk. It's only polite to offer the lady a seat.
Then he smiles. It's perfectly polite and perfectly bland.]
Didn't he? I am almost surprised.
[He doesn't choose to draw attention to the fact that Alessandro clearly did not tell him anything about her. Or to let on just yet that he'd chosen not to ask. Yet.]
[Lyall gestures around the case to indicate an extra chair pulled up near the desk. It's only polite to offer the lady a seat.
Then he smiles. It's perfectly polite and perfectly bland.]
Didn't he? I am almost surprised.
[He doesn't choose to draw attention to the fact that Alessandro clearly did not tell him anything about her. Or to let on just yet that he'd chosen not to ask. Yet.]
[ 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. ]
I would prefer to be.
[ wrong, that is. in this, at least. ]
I would prefer to be.
[ wrong, that is. in this, at least. ]
Yes, I think I would prefer you to be as well.
[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.
[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.
I expected as much.
[ 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.
[ 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. [No sigh this time, but a resigned tone.] They don't, do they.
[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.
[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.
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