[Re-Introduction: Sir Dinadan]

[rebecs_with_the_straps]

Dinadan awakens, which is already several positive steps ahead of where he thought he'd be this morning (viz. in the void from which there is no awakening, or in the hereafter that he has done nothing particularly to avoid). A giddy thrill of relief washes through him. He cautiously cracks one eye open, and then the other. For a moment, the sunlight's brightness overwhelms him--an aching reminder that he is, somehow, alive.

But as the sunlight becomes bearable, he realizes that he is somehow, impossibly, once again, in Sagramore's cabbages.


"Christ, do you really only have one joke?" he calls to the sky--but he's grinning all the same. A life condemned to cabbages is better than a death condemned to Hell or the void, and given those are the only two options, he'll gladly take the cabbages.

Friends and strangers may find a tall, blond knight minstrel wandering around in Sagramore's borrowed clothes, occasionally strumming his rebec, definitely not touching anything he shouldn't.

Comments

[rebecs_with_the_straps]

"May I die old and a bachelor."

[sagramore]

"Hast succeeded in one, at least."

[rebecs_with_the_straps]

"Next time, I'll manage both."

[sagramore]

"Couldst try living forever. There are a lot of instruments to play here."

[rebecs_with_the_straps]

"Oh? And how am I to go about doing that?"

[sagramore]

"Just go to the music room and start picking things up."

[rebecs_with_the_straps]

"I meant living forever, thou ass--ah, my thanks for the coffee," says Dinadan as Laertes sets down a cup beside him. He holds the cup up to his mouth, then decides it's hot enough not to chance a sip.

[sagramore]

Sagramore makes no such judgement, and immediately burns his tongue with an oath, before catching Laertes' arm so he can kiss him thanks.

"Living forever? Isn't that impossible?"

[rebecs_with_the_straps]

"Then why didst thou say I should try?"

[sagramore]

"Oh, I was just trying to annoy thee."

[rebecs_with_the_straps]

"Thou art the resident expert in that."

[sagramore]

"Well do I know it, my friend."

[timebethine]

"I'll leave thee to thy sparring," Laertes laughs, and leans down to kiss Sagramore's temple one more time before heading out to busy himself in the garden.

[rebecs_with_the_straps]

"So," says Dinadan as the door shuts. "What's the story there?"

[sagramore]

He props his chin on the back of his hand, looking after Laertes; his gaze is soft. "I'm so lucky. I never imagined anyone like him.

[rebecs_with_the_straps]

"No, thy heart was fixed on someone altogether smaller, darker, and grimmer."

[sagramore]

A wince. "I'm sorry."

[rebecs_with_the_straps]

"It's fine; I don't resent thee for it. But I will prod that tender spot for at least another fortnight."

[sagramore]

"Well thou shouldst."

[rebecs_with_the_straps]

"So, go on--tell me the story of thy grand love."

[sagramore]

"I met him when he was newly arrived, and made him breakfast." He looks down at the brandy glass, faraway. "And he made everything feel exciting again. Novel. All the things I'd stopped caring about or given up on, I wanted to do those things with him. We started cooking together. He loves cooking. We read poetry together. I hadn't read anything in years. With him I wanted to be known, I-- I wanted to know everything about him and he wanted to know about me, and I wasn't ashamed of myself with him. He behaved as if everything he learned about me was worth knowing. He takes care of me when I seize. I take care of him when he's in pain. I don't know what to say. I never imagined there would be someone suited to me like that -- I never imagined I'd ever feel as if I were home, and it's with him. He's home."

[rebecs_with_the_straps]

"Careful," says Dinadan gently; "though might'st almost make me believe in love."

[sagramore]

"Jesu knows I've been in love before, I'm always in love, this is different. I feel-- bent towards him like an arc. I feel as if I'd been sleeping before, all though my life, and he woke me."

[rebecs_with_the_straps]

"And he gives other men's charms new savor?"

[sagramore]

"He does. I think I see everything differently with him."