Dinner in Five CornersIndex | Time Under Chaos | Game Logs | PreGameLogs | Dinner in Five Corners "But why do I have to go upstairs?" Tanstaafl said, gazing down at Tear from his pearch above the cupboards. "Because you'll try to hog all his attention," Tear said. She wiped some crushed tomato from her cheek with the back of her hand. Fortunately, most of the tomatoes had ended up in the pot rather than her. She quickly checked the rice, currently cooking on the wood-stove, then returned to her sauce. "Besides, you don't like him." "It's not that I dislike him," Tanstaafl said. "I'm just worried about you. You've been acting very domestic since you met him. Distinctly unnerving, I must say." She glanced up at him, "I've never made dinner for someone before. This is a crime?" "When I'm not allowed to have any, yes… it's a crime against nature itself!" He flicked his tail and laid his muzzle upon his paws. He made a loud smack of his lips as Tear stirred the flavorful sauce; the house smelling of onions and garlic and chilies. Tanstaafl had been complaining since she dragged him through the marketplace getting the ingredients for her dinner party. His complaining worsened when it was announced her would be spending the night upstairs translating the Nine Seals. "I promised to give you the leftover and some bread pudding. So knock it off." She added the shrimp and covered the sauce. As she washed up in the sink, Tanstaafl came down and brushed up against her legs. She smiled softly and knelt down to cup his face. "You know that you're the most important man in my life, right?" "How could I not be?" he quipped. "I've just never had. A friend. It's nice. And I like. Him." "Well, if you like him, I'll endeavor not to leave a surprise in his shoe when he isn't looking," Tanstaafl said. It was as close to acceptance as he could get for now. She kissed his muzzle, "Thanks. Now, can you watch the stove while I change? Call me if something is boiling over." "Go already." Tear ran upstairs to wash up and change. A quick freshening up and running a brush through her hair had her looking as good as new. She'd already laid everything out when she got home, so it only took her a few minutes to slip into the dress. Carefully, she descended the stairs, her burgundy gown and ruffled chemise threatening to get under her feet. "Very pretty," Tanstaafl announced as she posed for him. "Thank you," she blushed. "Can you help me with the sleeves so I don't get them dirty?" "Of course… Baroness," he mocked. He stood up on his hind legs and held Tear's wing-style sleeves as she prepared the rice and sauce for serving. With the food in their bowls, she put them on the dinner table and adjusted the settings. "There," she announced. "Done." As if on cue, the chimes at front door rang, announcing an arrival. Tanstaafl gave her one last look. "Have a nice night, Tear," he said and then rushed up the stairs to his room. Tear took a deep breath—as deep as her bodice would allow, anyway—and went to open the front door. There he stood, almost filling the door with his cloak, top hat and silver-tipped cane. He doffed the hat and smiled. "Miss Solitaire Helgram I presume?" Vikund asked. "May I come in?" Tear chuckled, "Yes, it's me, Mr. Anansi. Please, come in. May I take your hat and cloak?" "Thank you," Vikund replied. He produced a small package wrapped in shining gold paper and a bottle of wine and offered them to Tear. He also had a black leather folder but that remained under one arm. "A bottle of Bayle's Best and a little something for afterwards," he said with a smile. Her eyes glimmered in the light, a bright smile warming her features. "Oh, thank you. I bought you some whiskey for later, but I had no idea what wine you liked. This will do perfectly." The folder intrigued her, but she didn't inquire. They had all evening together for her to find out what he'd brought. She offered her arm to take the cloak and gestured for him to enter. "Dinner is just ready. I hope you don't mind eating first." "Not at all," Vikund smiled. "As it happens I have walked some distance to give myself an appetite. I was beginning to fear for passing horses." "I hope this should taste better," Tear giggled. "No promises though. But it shall be filling, that I can assure you of." She collected the wine, along with his cloak and hat. After hanging up his outerwear in the closet, she took the wine over to the small dinner table. Tear positively bounded as she walk, unable to contain her nervous energy. The house appeared to be more workshop than home. Although there was a comfortable leather couch, a récamier with pillows, and a reading chair with an ottoman, the rest of the living room was dominated by towering bookshelves. The single coffee table had been cleared off, most of the papers put on a workbench in the corner. Like her notebook, most of the papers are filled with equations and diagrams. She hasn't hidden any of her work, just moved it in a modest attempt at appearing orderly. "Perfectly charming," Vikund commented. "Where would you like me to sit?" Tear gestured to the two chairs at the dinner table. They didn't match the table itself, padded for prolonged comfort rather than the usual hardback chairs one would expect. She probably had never actually used the table for eating or seating company. "Please, whichever seat you want," she said. "I'll fetch us some wine glasses. Make yourself at home. And thank you. I'm sorry. It's a little cluttered. Not like you're accustomed to, I'm certain." "Oh I don't know about that," Vikund replied. "I have my moments of chaos." He settled himself into a chair and made a long, slow scan of the room, as if looking for something. "Do you have any of your uncle's clocks?" He called. "Most of them are upstairs. They help me sleep," Tear said, reemerging from the kitchen with two flutes of azure crystal. "But the one on the mantle over there is his. A gift to my mother and father at their wedding." At first glance, one would think the bronze unicorn and serpent to be a refined piece of statuary. They entwine fluidly, meshing with one another, arching upward like a beautiful flower. But within their shared heart, there is a glass sphere filled with gears and a wheel-pendulum. Two tiny hands tick off the minutes silently as the four spheres of the pendulum rotate back and forth. Tear set down the glasses and began to open the wine. "It's an anniversary clock. You only need to wind it once a year. Uncle Gloomy said time is eternal. Like love." She shrugged faintly, her features darkening with memory and loss. "Quite beautiful, and a remarkable piece of workmanship," Vikund said, then turned back to Tear. "I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sure your parents would be very proud of what you've achieved." "I'd like to think so. I hope so," Tear said, removing the cork with a faint pop. She poured a glass for him and then herself before sitting down across from him. She took his plate and added a generous heap of white rice at its center. Around that, she ladled out the shrimp creole; filling the air with heady spices. She repeated this for herself, albeit a much lighter portion. "Please begin," she said, waiting patiently for him to try it. She worried the inside of her cheek, violet eyes glimmering in the candlelight. "Thank you," Vikund said, "but first a toast." "To the future," he offered, and raised his glass. Tear blushed brightly, but touched her glass to his nonetheless. "To the future," she said, letting out a nervous chuckle. She took a sip of wine and nodded with deep appreciation. The wine is actually pretty good, with a rich fruity aroma and clean taste. Better than most of what was on offer in the restaurants of Five Corners. After setting her glass down, she returned to observing his reaction to the food. "How was the rest of your day after we parted?" Vikund commenced eating, and nodded appreciatively. "Excellent," he said. "I doubt even Master Mandor's sorcery of exquisite cuisine could manage better." "Thank you," Tear beamed and finally began to eat. She continued to watch him eat, smiling happily to herself. "My day was mundane in the extreme, but that is no bad thing," he continued. "How about you? You seem to have emerged relatively unscathed." "Me? Well, yes," she said, setting down her fork. "Our lunch inspired me, actually. I guess. When you're not thinking on a subject all the time, it appears new when you look at it again. Does that make sense? Well, anyhow, I was thinking about the kis~E" Tear's ears turned quite red and she caught herself. She took a quick sip of wine, "I was thinking about our time together and the excited calmness it gave me. I know, it's difficult to explain, but I'm no poet. "I'll start again." She took a calming breath and smiled. "As I was walking back to my lab, I was wondering about what stirs us. You know. Our hearts. What gives emotion energy? What fuels that energy? But mostly, how could I be ecstatic, yet feel at peace? "Since fire is an element of emotion, I started looking at it from a different perspective. It's hard to put it into logical words, but I tried to unweave its essence to find that excited calmness within. And then. There it was. I could see it. Touch it. Mold it." She giggles musically, "I thought Master Mandor was going to actually break a smile when he saw the results. "And I have you to thank." "My pleasure, Tear." Vikund replied. "If I have helped in any way, I'm pleased. It helps to have a difference of perception and perspective from time to time, it's true. Much of what is wrong in the world is caused by losing sight of the bigger picture, or even another's point of view," he said. "So you see, though they teach you from books, and they lecture you from notes, these are the old established ways. You will rise above them. Someday soon you will not be a student, but an innovator." He smiled then and returned to eating, letting Tear consider this. Tear's tongue poked slightly out between her teeth, her violet eyes staring off distantly. She cocked her head one way, then the other. After a abrupt exhale, she shrugged and returned to eating. "Never thought of it that way," she muttered. "Huh." She ate in silence, occasionally looking up to make sure Vikund didn't need anything; a glass refilled, more rice or sauce. But mostly, she watched him as if he were the most intriguing thing she'd ever seen. Vikund was content to eat in silence, and Tear's scrutiny did not seem to bother him. When he'd cleared the plate he smiled appreciatively. "I think I rather needed that," he said. "When the meal is over, we can talk about the trumps, if you like." Tear grinned and began clearing the plates. "Could you pour me some more wine, please?" she said; her cheeks slightly flushed. "We can have dessert by the fire and talk. I've been dying to show you that trump I mentioned." She soon returned with a plate of beignets and coffee. A look of pure horror and shame was painted on her face. "I~E I hope these are okay," she said. Casting her eyes towards the roof, she said in a loud voice, "Because someone ate the BREAD PUDDING!" A guilty thump resounded through the roof. Vikund smiled sympathetically and poured more wine. Tear set the tray down, along with her notebook. She opened the book and said, "Nightmares: Unknown Trump." Immediately the book began to flip through its pages until it came to a page of notes and a singular trump. A demonic creature stared out of the ancient card with elliptically-pupiled eyes. Its fanged mouth curled back, either in a smile or a snarl. "Sugar or cream?" Tear asked. "Both, please." Vikund replied absently as he studied the image. "You probably don't need me to tell you this being is not of Amber. I'm afraid I don't know who it might be, but I shall try to find out. Do you mind if I make a sketch copy?" Tear added the cream and sugar to both cups, smiling faintly. "Please go ahead," she said, setting his cup beside him. "I have some charcoal and paper, if you need it." Vikund shook his head no, and unzipped the leather folder. She noticed her glass of wine was set on the same side of the coffee table as his and bit her lip. Rather than appear rude and move it, she sat down on the couch with Vikund; as far from him as physically possible, so as to not crowd him. Vikund patted the couch next to him. "I don't bite, honestly," he smiled. Tear regarded him for a moment, as if weighing the truth of his words. Finally, she inched over next to Vikund and returned the smile. Now beside him, he could see just how tiny she really was in comparison. She reached for her coffee cup and held it close to her chest, trying not to look up at him too often. She glanced down at the trump and shivered. "I. I dream of him sometimes. Maybe he was a relative? I found his card while going through my baby things. But even before that. I dreamt of him." "A being of some power, I'd warrant," Vikund said. "As soon as I find something, I'll let you know. Have you ever told Master Mandor about these things?" He meantime had pulled out his own sketchbook and pencils from the folder and laid them out. Half were drawing pencils of various softness, the other rainbow colours. Watching him work with violet wonderment in her eyes, Tear shook her head. It was a difficult admission; one that made her blushed profusely. "I don't know why, but I haven't," she said. "But the Master probably knows anyhow. He. He gets in my head sometimes. But this is a deep dream. A private one. Maybe he doesn't know." She tilted her head, frowning. "Do you think that… that thing… could be family?" "Most nightmares are," Vikund replied. It was not entirely clear if he was joking or not. "Mandor knows many people Court-side I do not. If you really need and answer go to him. Otherwise, I will do what I can." He took up a pencil and began to sketch, outlining the figure in stark black lines. "No," she said; perhaps, too quickly. A shiver passed through Tear, a shadow crossing her delicate features. "Mandor mustn't know. And besides. I just want his name. He'll find me again. I'm sure of it." Vikund looked up sharply at the decisiveness in Tears' voice. "He will," he replied, and returned to his sketching. Tear worried her lip, fear watering her eyes. If it were possible, she actually appeared to get smaller; shrinking in on herself. Perhaps out of pure necessity for any form of contact, she rested her head against his shoulder, but said nothing more. She sipped her coffee, almost spilling some because of her shaking hands. For a time, she remained quiet, watching Vikund draw. It did not take long, for Vikund did not complete the sketch. It was as if he wished to capture the essence of the image rather than risk invoking the being he was trying to draw. He turned over the page and began to work on a different image. At first all that was evident was that they were eyes, then he added lashes. He worked with such a fever it almost seemed that he had forgotten Tear was at his side. It was a status she was much accustomed to. She simply gazed at the results and shivered again. She only looked up at him once when he turned the page and began anew. It confused her, unsettled her, but she understood more than most what it meant to be caught up in one's work. Tear warmed Vikund's coffee and returned to her silent vigil. It became more obvious who the subject was when he reached for the coloured pencils and began to work on the violet of the irises. His demand for hard, vivid colour was too much for the simple instrument and the tip snapped. He cursed and sat up, before reaching for his coffee and taking a deep draught. "You see," he said. "You have infected my dreams like our friend here has infected yours." He stared into those eyes, and for a moment lost himself. He kissed her, this time full on the lips. It lasted the length of a heartbeat before he was suddenly on his feet. "I'm sorry - that was unforgivable." The pencil snapped. Tear sat that, dumbstruck; her eyes wide as saucers, her mouth moving soundlessly. One moment, she had been marveling at Vikund's artistry; more so when she began to recognize her eyes staring up from the paper. And then suddenly, he was kissing her. And she was kissing him. And it was so spontaneous and wonderful and terrifying. And then it was over. Her first kiss. It had happened so fast that she didn't quite understand what had occurred. And now everything was going wrong. And she didn't know why. She trembled slightly at Vikund's agitation, but touched his hand; eyes tearing with apology. "Did. Did I do something wrong? I. It was my first. Didn't I do it right?" She touched her quivering lips, her voice hoarse with concern. "It is not you, but I," Vikund replied. "This unworthy fool." He knelt by her then and looked into her wide eyes. "Your kiss was not mine to take. I did not mean to take advantage, I ... lost myself," he said. "You invited me into your home, gave me a wonderful meal and I have betrayed your trust. Perhaps I should go." He began packing his things back into the leather folder, emotions warring on his features. Tear blinked away the tears forming. This wasn't making any sense at all. "Go? But. What did I do? Unworthy? I. What happened? You're not making sense." Her voice continued to rise with confused desperation. She stood up and touched his back, carefully, gently. "Please Master Vikund. Stop. You have to make me understand what went wrong. I can fix it. I swear I can.” "Can't I?" Vikund stopped, looked at her and broke into smile. "Yes... I believe you can." He exhaled and rubbed his temples with his fingertips. "First you must promise not to set the Tanstaafl on me," he said mildly. "Then we will rewind a little and start afresh." Tear wrinkled her nose and wiped away a stray tear. She let out a faint chuckle, not sure what he meant, but knew it was in jest. And she needed a laugh right now, even a tiny one. She stepped closer to him, laying her small hand upon his chest. With a sniffle, she said, "I promise not to set him on you." She tilted her head, violet eyes wide and luminous in the faint light. "Now. Will. You tell me. What I did wrong? Please?" "You didn't do anything wrong. You are a high-born lady of Chaos, whereas I..." Vikund replied. "Well, I'm not sure your mother would approve, put it that way." His expression softened. "Now you can tell me how to eat a beignet without ending up with sugar all over my face," he said. Gently he raised his hand and wiped a tear away from Tear's cheek. Tear opened her mouth to say something and then let the moment pass. She leaned into his hand, smiling shyly as he touched her cheek. She reached up and laced her fingers with his, guiding him back to the couch. "You're very silly," she said. And thus, they had started over. "The secret to eating a beignet is to embrace the essence of Chaos," she said. "You must simply eat and be one with the beignet. Otherwise, you will have powdered sugar in places you never imagined possible." Her lips curled up playfully, "Observe." Tear daintily picked up a beignet and began to nibble it from one direction. And then another. She turned it and moved it in an arcane fashion, nibbling happily until finally she could pop the remainder of it into her mouth. Much to her credit, she only had sugar on her fingertips and nose when she was done. She brushed off her hands with a napkin, "Your turn." "I'm not sure I'm able to embrace the essence of Chaos just yet," Vikund admitted. "But I will try." He tried to replicate the intricate pattern Tear managed in reducing the beignet to manageable proportions, but still managed to liberally cover himself in sugar. He cursed playfully. "That's one thing that can be said for Bread Pudding. Far more likely to end up feeding the stomach than the clothing. Less fun, though," he smiled. By the end of his performance, she was laughing hysterically; covering her mouth up to suppress the giggles. She could hardly manage to form a straight face by the end of his memorable attempt. "Indeed," Tear chuckled. "You have some… well. Everywhere, frankly." She took a cloth and began brushing off his cheek; a wide smile lighting her features. "I'm almost glad Tan ate it. This is far more enjoyable." She dusted off his other cheek and then leaned back. Remaining blissfully unaware of the powdered sugar still on her nose, Tear nodded with approval. "Much better. You're almost presentable again." "Almost?" Vikund smiled. "My lady is too generous." He wet his finger and very deliberately wiped the sugar off Tear's nose. "Et tu," he riposted. Tear wrinkled her nose, laughing as he wiped the sugar away. When he was done, she reached up to touch her nose, as if to inspect it. "Ewww," she chuckled. "Haven't you heard of a cloth?" Her generous smile said that she wasn't entirely displeased by his methods. "May I have more coffee?" He asked. "Then I should like to browse some of our mother's papers, if I may." "Oh. Of course," she said, breaking eye contact. She refilled his cup, adding sugar and cream. After doing the same wit her own, she got up and retrieved several yellow pieces of vellum from her roll-desk. Gingerly, she placed them in Vikund's hands. The penmanship was beautiful and elegant, almost like calligraphy. But it was nothing in comparison to the beauty of words themselves. Melantha had been a brilliant writer; or could have been had her life not been ended so abruptly. Tear sat down beside Vikund while he read, close this time to enjoy the contact between them. [It's a mixture of poetry and memoir, thoughts on diplomacy and interrelations. It would make for very powerful speeches on peace, obviously written by someone inspired by love.] "This is wonderful," Vikund replied after taking a sip of coffee. "Have you thought of having them framed? They are works of art in themselves." He arrayed the vellum across the table with care, apparently looking for some pattern or sequence. Tear shook her head, "No. I. I don't know. I read them every year, so I know where I came from. But it's hard for me. It would be like having a gravestone in my house. I need some sanctuary from the pain of losing them." Her cheeks flushed as she looked up at him. "Does that make sense?" she said, biting her lip. "Yes, it does. Well then, you'd best put them back safe," Vikund said, and gathered them carefully up again. "Thank you for showing them to me." Tear smiled softly and helped him put the papers and notes back into their portfolio case; tying it closed with a wistful sigh. She stood and went to put them away back in their protective case. As she did so, she paused. Vikund could hear her whisper something in an odd dialect of Chaosian; a prayer perhaps. "Have you never had any contact from your mother's family? It seems odd that they haven't tried to get in touch," he enquired. Tear turned and shrugged. Her arms wrapped around her in a defensive hug. "No," she admitted sadly. "I don't think I have any family. Other than the one here. Master Mandor said my mother's realm fell into decay after she… died. Someday I intend to use the trump I have and go there. But until I can get back on my own power… I'm not allowed." She smiled and sat back down beside him. Her hand sought his and laced fingers. "I have all the family I need here. And I'm making new friends." "Yes, you are," Vikund smiled, and he gave her a comforting hug. "There is plenty of time exploration when you have finished your study. Don't forget what I gave you, should you ever find yourself in need. That is one trump you may use any time you like." Tear curled into him as they hugged, holding on and lightly rubbing his back. Her eyes looked up to meet his and she smiled; a wistful, hopeful expression on her face. "I'll cherish it," she said. "And… having it makes me feel safer somehow. My knight." She touched his cheek and blushed as she lightly caressed his smooth skin. Then, like curious fish, her eyes darted away and then returned; violet curiosity filling them. "Why is it...?" she paused with a sigh. "Why is it that I feel like we're saving each other somehow? Does that sound stupid? I know I'm young. And haven't experienced the world. But I can be there for you too." Tear bit her lip, hiding her face in his chest. "Everyone needs a saviour," Vikund replied. "I will happily accept your offer, my guardian angel." He smiled and held her tiny hand in his. Tear smiled happily, looking down with a hint of shyness. "Thank you," she said, her voice soft as a breath. Her eyes lifted slightly, a strange smile on her lips. "Does that make us worthy enough to kiss again?" she asked. He hands, so small in his, trembled. "Will we ever kiss again?" And then they were kissing again. No dramatics this time, just shared warmth and security of being together. The heartbeat became a second, then more, as if time itself had stopped in wonder to watch. Tear pressed her mouth to his, not wanting this gentle intimacy to end. This was how she'd dreamt it; tender and soft and warm. She brushed her fingers over his shoulders, pulling him slightly forward, savor this overwhelming connection. Her mind drifted, filled with a tempest of emotions and feelings she'd never experienced. Before it overcame her, she reluctantly pulled away and sat back from him. Her hand went to her lips, touching the wide, comical smile there. "Oh. Well. Yes. Thank you. My," she stuttered. Tear brushed her hair with her hands and then straightened her dress. "Yes. More coffee, I think." She giggled and stood up, too excited to really know what she was doing; only that she needed to do something, anything. Vikund leaned back and watched her. "Yes, more coffee," he agreed. "but no more beignets, please." Given a task to accomplish, Tear gladly went about it; fixing them another cup of coffee. Her smile would bloom time and again, her violet eyes seeking his. After handing him his cup, she sat down beside him. She gave him a hesitant glance, and then turned away. She worried her lip as she struggled to measure and rearrange the words in her head. She looked up at him. "So. What. What does this mean? Are we. Together now? Or just friends that kiss?" Innocence and fear and wonderment colored her delicate features; a storm shadow of emotions. "That is up to you, my dear." Vikund replied. "If you want to call it togetherness, friendship or something else, that is up to you. I think I would be quite happy for you and me to become 'us'." He sipped his coffee and observed her with his dark eyes smiling. "We have all the time in the world, and I don't want you to feel I am imposing. If at any time you don't feel comfortable with me being here, you need only say the word and I will go." Tear blushed as he talked, but her smile widened with every word. At the mention of 'us,' she reached over and took his hand; raising it to brush her cheek. She kissed his fingertips before letting him go. Her violet eyes studied him in return, as if he understood so much that she did not. And, in truth, that was undoubtedly the case. "What are you going to tell your furry friend?" He enquired. She sighed faintly, "Well, I'll tell him the truth. That I have feelings for you. And that you'll be around more often. He'll be jealous at first, I'm certain. He is by nature. It's really just been us for the last ten years. "But once he sees I'm happy, he'll be more accepting. And I am happy." Tear leaned her head against his shoulder, taking his free hand and holding on to it. She paused for a moment, summoning the courage to say the words darkening her heart, even on this cheerful occasion. "I know I'm very young. And that might. Well. You've probably had a hundred loves before. So, if I. Bore you. Or disappoint you." She gazed up into his eyes; biting her lip. "If that happens. Just say so and I'll let you go. Okay? Just. Give me the chance to. Make you happy first." "Oh, I will," Vikund assured her. "I shall make sure there are plenty of opportunities to do just that." He gave her another gentle squeeze and settled back with his coffee, the picture of contentment. Tear smiled faintly and then curled up beside him, resting her head against his arm. She kicked off her slippers and folded her feet beneath her on the couch. Her violet eyes touched his briefly and then she closed them, a relaxed grin on her lips. She fell quiet and remained so for some time. Her hand drifted around his waist to hold him, as if to keep him near or to prove his existence. Only the faint click of the wedding clock and the crackle of the fire could be heard. [eot]
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