maskormenacelogs | Yet in my heart of hearts I feel your might; I only have relinquished one delight

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Yet in my heart of hearts I feel your might; I only have relinquished one delight

WHO: Toby, Athos, and Lucy. (I certainly hope Lucy will show up! LOL)
WHERE: Lucy & the Musketeers' place near De Chima, VA.
WHEN: Sometime in early August.
WHAT: Toby is a ~280yo vampire calling on Lucy Pevensie, only he shows up at the wrong window.
WARNINGS: V for Vampire and threats of Violence. Will update as necessary.

Not wanting to disappoint Lucy, Tobias takes great pains to head out to hers. Indeed, the directions are simple, and there are roads to the farm. But as Tobias had expected, there aren't any cabs that will take him that far out in the evening, and so he has to plan carefully how to get there.

He does have a bike. One of those traditional ones with actual pedals and wheels rather than those hovering sorts that he can't quite afford just yet.

So, as the sun tucks itself away and the shadows fall, Tobias finally heads out one fine evening after having worked out all the details of going to Lucy's new place on the farm. It must be more lovely during the daytime, but anything illuminated by the beam of light before him has to suffice for the time being. He can make out the road, the fuzzy outline of his surroundings... Without a power like Lucy's, the beauty out here is lost on Tobias.

He tries not to think about that too much because it's all too reminiscent of old feelings he'd much rather forget, the sorts of feelings that all but dissipate in Lucy's presence. It's one of the many reasons he's quite eager to see her. Truly, she is a light in the darkness of his world.

When he gets there, he parks his bike somewhere nearby and goes the rest of the way by foot. The house has many windows; which ones might be those in her room? He remembers that her tower in Cair Paravel is the highest one. What if the same goes for her house here?

Steeling himself up, he chooses a window and knocks. Once, twice, three times. And then he waits.

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[ He is not sleeping. He rarely does these days. In fact he is reading a book and nursing a glass of wine ( one of many ) when the knock comes at his windows. Athos does not move at first, but the third comes and he is quick to lift his pistol from his jacket. The only light in his room comes from a candle and he is not wearing his full uniform so it is easy for him to stick to the shadows and make his way over.

The window opens and unfortunately for Tobias the sight to greet him is the barrel of a gun and Athos' frowning face, not Lucy's sweetness. ]

I suggest if you want to live you move very slowly, Monsieur. [ He takes a step back and motions with the weapon. Inside, now. ]

[It's a shocking moment when Tobias finds himself staring down a barrel, barely seeing the scowling face behind it. His smile fades, quickly turning into dread. At the sound of the man's voice, Tobias finds himself startled and almost immediately throws his hands up where they can be seen, completely open and unarmed. His heart, or the vampire equivalent, all but leaps out from his chest as he swallows his fear.

Surely this is the correct farm, and Lucy had given him quite clear and concise directions... But Tobias has never met or even seen the man before. Nor had he known Lucy was living with a Frenchman.

With an expression of mixed misery and confusion, Tobias slowly moves as instructed. Looks as though he's off to the lion's den without any promise of redemption. Where could Lucy be?]

[ He does not lower his weapon, nor does he stop glowering. He had not expected to be interrupted and it shows. Once Tobias is inside Athos takes a moment to look him over.

For Tobias, the room he's in is sparsely furnished. Lucy has her hand in most of the decorations. The only things that even show who it belongs to is the cloak hanging from the door, the sword leaning against the bedpost, a bottle of brandy on the night stand and an abandoned book. It's not a friendly place. ]

What is it you are doing here, Monsieur? [ Aggressiveness in his voice and stance. ] You better not have thought about robbing this place. It will not work well for you.

[Though his gaze remains trained on the gun and its wielder, Tobias quite discreetly studies the room and notes its very utilitarian look and feel. It seems very nondescript and unlived in, like a room in a hostel or travelers' inn. The cloak, sword, and drink in this sullen place hint that the man behind the barrel is a lonely, unfriendly, and possibly unforgiving character.

Tobias feels ever more alarmed and troubled.]

Oh. No, I—this is all a misunderstanding. The young lady, Lucy Pevensie, asked me to call on her. [It's the truth, but not the whole of it, so he quickly elaborates, almost speaking in a single breath.] I know it's rather late, but please hear me out, I cannot visit in the day because part of my power is that I burn in sunlight, please understand...

[ He listens but does not immediately move to let Tobias out of his predicament. The story could very well be true, Lucy does indeed have many numbers of friends and he has seen a few in the farm since they have moved in. But the fact that this man did not use the door to call upon her goes against him. Athos is a gentleman. He expects people to follow the rules. ]

She did not mention any visitors. [ She might not have felt the need to. She sees Athos as like a kindly uncle and not a soldier who wants to protect her. ] Why can you not visit during the day? Surely that kind of power would be counteractive to the requirements here.

It is as I said— [His voice is urgent and frantic because now he is terrified that this man won't believe him.] —the sunlight turns me into char and ash and dust from the inside, one and the same condition afflicted upon me in the world whence I came.

[And here, he fears he has no choice but to explain his visits.]

When she still resided in Heropa, Government Residence Number Two, I visited her like so. In the evening, I would tap on her window, and I was grateful should she grace me with her presence. And if not, then I should go without; it's how I always visited, truly, I swear to you.

[ Athos doesn't move. ]

Your device. Use it and call her. If what you are saying is true then she will come to your defence, will she not?

[ And if she does not then Athos has every right to put a bullet in the trespasser's chest. There are no rules to stop a man doing so where he comes from. ]

[Tobias hadn't quite given Lucy advance warning, as he never really has before any of his visits, and now he can't help worrying this isn't going to work out. He swallows.]

Yes, she will.

[He spoke with some manner of confidence but is undoubtedly panicking inwardly. Carefully, quietly, he complies, pulling the tiny phone from his back pocket and squinting at the screen in search for her number. Then, he calls.]

Edited 2015-08-15 20:34 (UTC)

[She answers, sleepy.]

Hello?

[She makes a tiny noise, like she's waking up.]

Hello, Lucy—it's Toby. [He can't help sounding slightly nervous as he continues.] I came to visit you... tonight. In the usual manner, but...

[And now, somewhat more embarrassed.]

...your directions didn't include how to reach your window. So, to my surprise, this good man greeted me; as you might imagine, I'm inside now.

[Oh, this is unbearably humiliating.]

[She takes a moment before she realizes, oh oh, why did she not tell anyone, how could she forget such a thing? Athos, of course, it must be Athos, he is so fierce-

So she makes a noise and a moment later she is opening the door; she looks like she has hastily thrown on a robe, and has it closed tight with only her hands.]

Toby-

Oh, Athos-

[She has mussed hair, she looks terrible, just awoken.]

It's all right, I promise, I'm sorry-

[ He listens to this exchange between the two and although Lucy backs up the young man's story, he is not quite pleased with it. She is far too important to be meeting with men unchaperoned. Especially men who do not know how to use a door. ]

You do not have to apologise.

[ Tobias is still clearly unfavoured though. ] Perhaps next time you wish to receive guests you can tell me. [ And he can hover like a worried parent. ]

[So far as Tobias knew, Lucy didn't have a doorman or guardian before; what reason had he to believe she'd have one now? Regardless, it seems a bad time to protest.

To Lucy, ] He's right—I'm the one who should be apologizing. I'm really sorry... Surprise night visits to your window are hardly the proper way to meet with you.

[Then, to Athos,] And again, I owe you an apology as well. Had I only known of Lady Lucy's retainer, I surely would've been more forthright about visitation.

No, truly, I should have said-

[She moves forward a bit, takes Toby's hands. Who cares that her hair is a mess and she's only in her nightgown and a robe? Well, someone cares (somewhere Susan is screaming and she doesn't know why) but Lucy isn't that someone.]

-here, please, it's fine. Tobias, this is Athos, he is the head of my guard, and a very fierce protector of me and mine. And Athos, this is Tobias, he is a dear friend, and he cannot be out at what are called respectable hours for his powers are very cruel indeed.

[ Athos doesn't quite look at them because right now he's fallen back on treating Lucy like she should be treated. He keeps his gaze a little above and away but does not leave the room nor offer her and her friend time alone. ]

So he has told me. [ He doesn't understand why.

That's probably for the best. ] Still, the door is available day and night. [ Be a gentleman, Tobias. ]

[Toby looks properly chastised but starts easing up when Lucy takes his hands. Hers are soft and warm, and there's gentleness in her touch, just as Toby had recalled.]

I understand—the door is a proper entrance, this won't happen again. I promise.

[So much for serenading and window-side poetry readings... Although Toby has calmed reasonably, he's so rattled by the incident that he doesn't quite remember what exactly he'd expected from this visit.]

[Oh.

Oh..

Okay then.

Lucy gives a small, but a slightly sheepish smile.]

Would you like to take a walk? Athos, would you mind following along?

[Well, this is what serving royalty is like. An expectation of being on-call 24/7. She suspects Athos would have insisted anyway.]

I would not.

[ Of course he would have. ]

Perhaps Monsieur Tobias would not mind waiting downstairs while we get properly attired then. [ As if he's letting him hover. He also needs to get his sword. ]

I'd be more than happy for an evening stroll— [Slowly, he moves his hands away from Lucy's.] —but of course, as Ser Athos says.

[His gaze still lingers on Lucy, his focus on her lovely face rather than the robes she holds closed with only a hand. And then he glances at Athos, then at the door, before moving toward it.]

Excuse me.

[He takes his leave to find and wait in a suitable place downstairs.]

[When he leaves, she covers her mouth as to not burst into a nervous giggle, and looks at Athos with a bit of uncertainty]

I am truly sorry, just a moment-

[She slips out and comes back a few minutes later, knocking on the door. She's dressed in something infinitely sensible; trousers and a shirt, and her hair is up in a hasty bun.]

I'm ready, please.

[ He's pulled on his uniform and affixed his sword to his belt and heads down the stairs quietly. He will remain silent as they walk as is his station. Right now he is taking his guard duty seriously. ]

( ooc: so kids i just imagine athos will stay behind them for a while and not interject so if you guys wanna go ahead and tag each other without me for a bit that's cool. )

You're exquisite.

[Despite Lucy's rather sensible outfit, she may have been decked out for a ball or fancy party with the way Toby gazes on her. Even now, she's breathtakingly lovely. And bright, of course. A sunshine that doesn't burn him. He greets her with a bashful smile, though he notes Athos hovering nearby; still, he tries not to let her escort bother him.]

Shall I have a tour of your farm this evening? It's a shame I can only be about at night, when so much of the world is fast asleep.

[And then she is sunshine, the flattery making her glow a little, the color of it pink and pleased. Color is a new trick in her repertoire.]

You are very kind.

Oh, and it's lovely even at night.

[She steps out into the warm night, and takes his arm]

Down that way is a creek, you know.

I'd love to see it. I've spent far too much time in Heropa, and this is a welcome change of scenery.

[And while there isn't necessarily anything wrong with its beaches and forest, it's still hot and gross and different in Florida.

He also notes how the glowing light of her seems to have taken on a different colour, making their surroundings light up more like the daytime.]

If you don't mind my asking, Lucy... is it just me, or is there something different about the way your light shines?

My light?

[She isn't actually aware that she...glows.]

Which light?

[She's looking around, like maybe there's an orb she's missing. There's Athos, following behind, but no, no orbs.]

... You haven't noticed? [He offers a small smile.] All by yourself, you light up the world around you. It's amazing—you're like the sun... though without burning me, of course.

[She looks very confused for a moment, and then she looks at her own hands.]

Do I?

I do not think of my power so often-

[But that explains why she never feels like she's in the dark.]

I could be your sun, Toby.

If that's your wish, who am I to refuse you? Truly, I would be honored.

Oh, no, this is not about my wishes. It is your wishes that matter here, I think.

[She tugs a bit, heading down a hill and down to where there is actually a creek running though the farmland.]

Be wary of the raspberry bushes. They like to catch and sting.

Thank you—in that case, I would that you were the sun that lights up my nights.

[She might not be exactly like the sun, might not light the entire farm like daylight, but Lucy is more than enough. And so he smiles and marvels, heeding her words and following her lead, and eventually he sees the creek.]

The way you light the world up around you, it's beautiful. The farm, everything around us, the creek... It's all so amazing.

You flatter me more than I merit, I think.

[But she's smiling and pleased, and she's not complaining, not really. She tugs him down the hill a bit more.]

The land goes on for a long distance, yet. I'm told its one hundred acres, although I'm content to let it grow wild.

[How comfortable and natural it is to have arms locked as she tugs him around her new home.

A surprised gasp, then, ]

One hundred acres? You were able to buy that much land?

[He sounds incredulous but seems quite impressed. ~~After all, he blew a chunk of his government money cabbing up to Maurtia Falls from Heropa without using a Porter. The things people do for love.~~]

I sold some-

[She tilts her head back. Athos is a distance where he cannot hear her, she thinks, if she mumbles a little, so she tucks her chin to her chest.]

I sold all my jewels save my crown. They are of Narnian make and very fine.

[He notes how she seems to curl inward before she speaks, her words difficult to hear. And then he's even more surprised—shocked, really. Quickly, he casts a glance at Athos and then pretends like he hadn't.

His voice is low and hushed when he speaks, ] Wait, you... what? Why?

[Toby knows she misses Narnia and would rather be there than here, so he wonders how she could part with the jewels... not because of their material value, but because they might be of some sentimental value, a connection or attachment to the place where she'd much rather be, where she belongs.]

Because I wanted this more than my jewels. And because the city was very loud, and I could not always sleep.

[And because she wanted horses and wide open space and an entire place that was hers, that was more like Narnia than anywhere else.]

The land is in a poor state, overgrown and wild, but I do not mind it. And so I got quite a good price for it.

[She is still speaking quietly, but she is tipping her head just a bit, to look at Toby.]

Do you think it a poor choice?

—It's not. [He meets her gaze.] The jewels do you little good if they cannot bring you happiness.

[Glancing around and studying their surroundings, he continues, ] But here, you have something that's beautiful and your own. And so if this is what you wanted, what makes you happy, then what is a handful of jewels?

Yes, precisely.

You know, but Athos does not. I think he would be a bit shocked, if he found out.

[So don't tell him.]

I get your meaning. [He gives a small, somewhat mischievous smile.] Your secret is safe with me.

[She leans a bit against him, laughing.]

Yes, I had thought so!

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Yet in my heart of hearts I feel your might; I only have relinquished one delight

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totally cool with me

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