There is no need. I will meet you there presently.
[ The library is a well known location already, so she'll be on her way.
While the Fae have presented them with new clothing, for now Vanessa has seen fit to spot clean and wear the same dress she arrived in. That sort of rebellion can only last so long, but she hopes to break out of here before any real length of time passes.
If such escape can include Ethan, that is. Though recent revelations have been shocking (but were they, truly?), there is nothing that would keep her from his side. ]
[ Ironic, then, that Ethan hasn't decided to accept their kindness in the form of the apparel either. At least not yet, but he has always been partial to washing and wearing the same clothing on a daily basis. Call it part of his rugged American charm.
He has found a quiet corner of the library to hunker down with a small mountain of books in front of him along with a notebook that he scribbles in occasionally. Only when he sees her walk in does he rise from his seat and give her a small smile, knowing he has quite a bit of explaining to do. He takes the notebook with him for obvious reasons, prying eyes can do more harm than good.
Well, at least as much as he can. He is nearly as in the dark as she is about his condition but, maybe together, they can find a permanent solution. There is no one he trusts more than her. A public presence means he falls back on his formalities but only when he is within earshot of her, close enough to take her hand if he wanted to. But he can't, he can still subconsciously feel the grit from that night on his hands. ]
Miss Ives. Thank you for coming. [ He offers her his arm. ]
[ Taking his offered arm brings a familiar comfortβan anchor in this strange realm. More than that, she hopes the touch serves as reminder that neither of them need weather these trials alone.
Though her gaze catches briefly on the notebook he carries, curiosity stirring at its contents, she knows better than to expect idle conversation. With a gentle nod, she falls into step beside him, patient silence encouraging his words.
The weight in his manner, the books he'd gatheredβthey paint a clear enough picture of what weighs on his mind. She has been waiting for him to broach the subject. ]
[ For far too long he just stands there basking in the comfort the contact brings him despite the fact that he looks down and smiles at her. It's the same smile he gave her that day at Ballentree Moor, the one that says that everything will be all rightβjust trust him. This time however there is a flicker or something else in his eyes, shame and pain.
Deep down he knows she accepts him, would likely be the first to do so back home, but keeping something like this from her was wrong. Even he knows that. So, he does something he is careful about doing in a public space, he lets his hand drift down the length of her arm so he can take hers. It grounds him enough that he finally says something. ]
I thought that if I kept it to myself, I could protect you from it. All of you. Now that you know, what will you do?
[ He knows what she will do but maybe a part of him is hoping he is wrong because he isn't willing to chance that what happened that night wasn't a fluke. Even though he could, can still, hear her voice as clear as day in his head calling him back from the darkness. ]
[ The touch is distinctly more intimate, but despite the public setting, Vanessa doesn't shy from the contact. Rather, she offers a gentle squeeze of his hand to emphasize her affection, while stepping to guide them further from any potential prying eyes. Though this realm does not have the limiting societal standards of nineteenth century London, this is a discussion best kept private, even with careful wording.
She might be one of the first to remind him how little ignorance has ever protected her, or even that she doesn't need the protection, but he may have discovered that himself...albeit somewhat late.
Is it too late? Never. Not where they are concerned.
His question is what sparks the strongest reaction from her, brows lifting as she stares up at him for a long moment before returning her attention to the path they walk. ]
What is there to do, beyond remain at your side? ...You expect that I would carry on any differently? I have always only wanted the truth.
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un: consilium (after arrival)
no subject
Where shall we meet?
no subject
no subject
[ The library is a well known location already, so she'll be on her way.
While the Fae have presented them with new clothing, for now Vanessa has seen fit to spot clean and wear the same dress she arrived in. That sort of rebellion can only last so long, but she hopes to break out of here before any real length of time passes.
If such escape can include Ethan, that is. Though recent revelations have been shocking (but were they, truly?), there is nothing that would keep her from his side. ]
no subject
He has found a quiet corner of the library to hunker down with a small mountain of books in front of him along with a notebook that he scribbles in occasionally. Only when he sees her walk in does he rise from his seat and give her a small smile, knowing he has quite a bit of explaining to do. He takes the notebook with him for obvious reasons, prying eyes can do more harm than good.
Well, at least as much as he can. He is nearly as in the dark as she is about his condition but, maybe together, they can find a permanent solution. There is no one he trusts more than her. A public presence means he falls back on his formalities but only when he is within earshot of her, close enough to take her hand if he wanted to. But he can't, he can still subconsciously feel the grit from that night on his hands. ]
Miss Ives. Thank you for coming. [ He offers her his arm. ]
no subject
Though her gaze catches briefly on the notebook he carries, curiosity stirring at its contents, she knows better than to expect idle conversation. With a gentle nod, she falls into step beside him, patient silence encouraging his words.
The weight in his manner, the books he'd gatheredβthey paint a clear enough picture of what weighs on his mind. She has been waiting for him to broach the subject. ]
no subject
Deep down he knows she accepts him, would likely be the first to do so back home, but keeping something like this from her was wrong. Even he knows that. So, he does something he is careful about doing in a public space, he lets his hand drift down the length of her arm so he can take hers. It grounds him enough that he finally says something. ]
I thought that if I kept it to myself, I could protect you from it. All of you. Now that you know, what will you do?
[ He knows what she will do but maybe a part of him is hoping he is wrong because he isn't willing to chance that what happened that night wasn't a fluke. Even though he could, can still, hear her voice as clear as day in his head calling him back from the darkness. ]
no subject
She might be one of the first to remind him how little ignorance has ever protected her, or even that she doesn't need the protection, but he may have discovered that himself...albeit somewhat late.
Is it too late? Never. Not where they are concerned.
His question is what sparks the strongest reaction from her, brows lifting as she stares up at him for a long moment before returning her attention to the path they walk. ]
What is there to do, beyond remain at your side? ...You expect that I would carry on any differently? I have always only wanted the truth.