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* Glossaria sits curled in her favorite chair in the Tower Library, beside a tall window a little ways back from her desk. Golden afternoon sunlight streams in, lighting her hair into green fire. She slowly turns the pages of a small clothbound book resting in her lap. Occasionally, she giggles. * Vallel walks over to the Tower, stopping every so often to kick rocks out of his way. He stops near the base of the Tower, looking up. He sighs, then walks over to the door which has, for some reason, turned itself upside down this afternoon. <Vallel> ::knocks:: Hallo? * Glossaria looks up from her book at the sound of loudly quacking ducks, today's version of the Tower doorbell, and sighs. "It's not *that* funny, you know." * Glossaria unfolds herself from her chair and heads down the main staircase to the door. "Welcome to th-- oh! Hello, love." She smiles warmly and steps to one side, inviting Vallel in. "Mind your head. The Tower's in a... playful mood today." * Vallel frowns for a while, then climbs warily into the doorway, flipping over halfway through. <Vallel> I hope I'm not bothering you or interrupting anything important... ::Vallel looks around, nervously eyeing the Tower walls and hallways:: * Glossaria offers him a kiss, and then draws back a little, looking concerned. "Are you alright? You look a little... stormy." <Glossaria> ::shaking her head as she leads him to the solar:: No, silly, your visits are never a bother! I was just reading something for fun. <Vallel> I've had what you might call an upsetting afternoon. <Glossaria> Oh? ::cocking her head to one side:: Did... ::she looks apprehensive:: Did Meghan come to talk to you again? <Vallel> ::reaches into his belt pouch and pulls out a small book on Kara-Tur government structures:: Here, I brought this for your family. <Glossaria> ::smiling as she looks at the book:: Not keen on politics, are we? ::she crosses the room and lifts the lid of a small terrarium that appears empty aside from some fine sawdust and strips of paper. Carefully, she clears a space and lays the book inside:: * Vallel peers curiously into the terrarium. "Actually, it's a very good book. I read it three times already, tho, so I don't need it anymore." <Glossaria> ::she smiles:: Mother says thank you. She's developed a taste for Oriental food. <Vallel> Anyway, in answer to your question, I haven't seen Meghan since earlier this week. We went out to lunch the other day. But... ::sighs:: she's been on my mind quite a lot recently. * Glossaria replaces the lid to the terrarium and moves to the window, taking a seat beside it with a sigh. "She came to visit me yesterday, you know. I was going to come talk to you this evening after your last class, but, well..." She smiles ruefully and waves a hand at him to indicate his presence. <Vallel> ::nods, folding his legs up and sitting at Gloss's feet:: I heard... <Glossaria> ::cocks her head, puzzled:: You heard? But... you said you hadn't seen her? * Vallel leans against Glossaria's legs, wrapping one hand around her ankle. "Master Kevil came to see me about two hours ago." * Glossaria cocks her head to the other side, gesturing for Val to continue. * Vallel rests his chin on Gloss's knees, looking up at her. "He told me she came to see you... to tell you she still... " He breaks off, looking awkward. <Glossaria> She still loves you. Yes. ::looking sad:: <Vallel> That's what I'm given to understand. Although she hasn't really said anything to me about it... not recently. <Glossaria> She came to explain her behavior-- what happened before she left. And to ask how I would feel about the three of us in circle together... because Michelle suggested it, she said. ::shaking her head:: I don't think she fully understands what a circle means. It's not two women sharing a man... it's everyone in the group, bonded to one another. <Vallel> I... ::he sighs:: Kevil came to tell me that I needed to... to tell Meghan that I don't love her. <Glossaria> ::nods, her voice gentle:: I think he may be right. I... ::she blows out a sigh:: she *said* she would try to keep you only as a friend. She promised me that she wouldn't... do anything like that again. But... ::shaking her head:: I don't know if I... if I trust her anymore. Do you know what she said? <Vallel> No... what did she say? <Glossaria> ::Gloss's voice is nearly colorless, and her face is stiff as she blinks her eyes, recalling:: The night before she left, when the two of you... spoke. She said she loved you so much, was so full of what she could do to help you, that she wasn't thinking of *you* at all. <Vallel> ::blinks:: Gloss, honey, that doesn't make sense. <Glossaria> I know, I... ::her voice breaks:: How can she help, when she doesn't even understand how she *hurts* you? ::she bites her lip, her face crumpling into tears:: * Vallel gets to his knees, pulling Gloss to him. "Honey, please don't cry..." <Glossaria> ::sniffing, burying her head into Vallel's shoulder:: I'm sorry, I don't want to be, I... it's just... there's been so much... and... and... I know you care for her, and she loves you, but she... she doesn't *care* for you! * Vallel strokes Gloss's hair, murmuring nonsense under his breath. * Glossaria calms with Vallel's touch, finally taking a deep breath and leaning back to wipe her eyes and blow her nose. "And I took *her* to task for having no control over her emotions." She gives him a watery smile. "I love you too, you know. I don't tell you often enough." * Vallel smiles, tapping her slightly red nose with his fingertip. "I know you do." * Glossaria smiles back a little more confidently. <Vallel> I think, perhaps, part of the problem has been... I haven't always been sure how I feel, and she tends to catch me at those moments... ::sighs:: I've been awfully confused, sometimes. It's not always easy to tell what I feel from what Charoli wanted me to feel from Meghan's feelings. <Glossaria> ::nodding:: She wanted to show me her feelings. I opted for the safer method of talking about them. But... I believe she really does love you. Hopelessly in love, as they say. ::looking down at the carpet:: I told her that I pitied her... I think that hurt. I didn't mean it to. <Glossaria> ::cocking her head to the side again:: How *do* you feel? Now, I mean? I tried to tell her how I *thought* you felt, but, well... that's only my perspective. And I'm not sure she listened. <Vallel> See, that's the thing... it's very hard not to... not to want someone who can do that... can you just imagine? ::he sounds slightly wistful, then shakes his head:: <Glossaria> ::nodding, sounding rather wistful herself:: I can imagine. ::quieter:: I can imagine what it must be like, just to love another psionic... someone you can share thoughts with, and... ::sighing:: I wish I could give you that, so much. But I can't. And I live with it. <Vallel> But, see, that's the thing, hon... what I love about her isn't *her*. It isn't Meghan the person, Meghan the individual... it's Meghan, who can reach into my mind and give me her whole heart. I love *that*, not her. <Glossaria> ::shaking her head:: And that's why I pity her. I think... from how she speaks of you, I honestly think she'd be content with that. If you offered it to her. * Vallel looks away. "I... I can't love someone just to satisfy my own ego. And she would know. She might not look at it all the time, but she would know. I think it would hurt her more, if I were to try, than if I just let it go." * Glossaria nods gravely. After a moment, her face breaks into an almost impish smile. "If you need your ego satisfied, you're always welcome for a walk in my garden." She taps her forehead. <Vallel> Gloss, ::stops, looking at her:: There's something else, almost totally unrelated... I... I think you ought to know. * Glossaria takes a long look at him for a moment, and puts a finger on his lips. "She's pregnant?" <Vallel> I wasn't talking about Meghan... ::he looks out the window:: <Glossaria> Ah. ::dropping her hand:: Then...? <Vallel> I've... I've been trying not to bother you with it, but maybe I should... you should at least know... <Glossaria> ::turning her head to look at him sideways:: Vallel, you're worrying me. Out with it. What is it? <Vallel> I can't... stop thinking about what happened... I've been going to my recovery meetings, with the girls from the school... and what Charoli did to them... it sickens me. And yet... I find myself dreaming of her. What I did, what she made me into, I can't... ::he gags:: * Glossaria slips quickly from her chair to kneel next to him on the floor, holding him. "Shhh, relax, it's alright..." <Vallel> ::pulls Gloss up to her feet, looking directly at her, his eyes filled with self-loathing, disgust and anguish:: It is *not* all right. Sometimes I don't think it will ever be all right. Meghan knows, she went looking around. ::drops his eyes:: I've... I've been thinking that the only way to stop it... is just not to be, anymore. <Glossaria> ::looking horrified:: No... ::hugging him tightly to her:: No, Vallel, please, don't even consider that anymore. You're right, it's *not* alright. Not yet. But it *will* be, you'll see. You're a *decent* man, whatever she twisted you into, and even she couldn't change that. You hate what she's made you do, what she's done to your head, but... please, Vallel, never hate yourself. <Glossaria> *forcefully* I... LOVE... YOU. Not what you were, before this... well, I loved that, too. But I love what you *are.* *Who* you are. ::leaning her head on his chest:: The bravest, most caring man I've ever met. <Vallel> I don't know what to do... ::he blinks rapidly:: You know, you're the only reason I didn't. As much as I want her out of my head, I didn't... I couldn't walk away from you. <Vallel> I know how Meghan must feel... ::he closes his eyes:: If she feels half as much for me as I feel for you, how can she just stop, just walk away? <Glossaria> ::looking up, to look into his eyes:: Thank you. <Vallel> ::blinks:: For what? <Glossaria> For not giving up on you. * Vallel rubs his eyes somewhat awkwardly, looking vaguely ashamed of himself. <Glossaria> ::she shakes her head:: It's not just... stopping. "Time heals all wounds." But if she loves you-- *really* loves you, I mean, she'll be alright, as long as she knows you're happy. If she knows what you want. ::smiling a little:: As Milord Kevil might say, "She lives to serve your wishes." <Vallel> ::shudders:: Don't say that... I feel badly enough about it as it is. I don't want to hurt anyone. * Glossaria smiles, and reaches her hands around him a little further to give him a squeeze. "City men are allowed to cry, you know. I'm told even Lord Malkier does it, sometimes." * Vallel swallows hard. "Are you hungry? For some reason, I'm suddenly starving..." <Glossaria> ::tipping her head back again to smile into his eyes:: And *that* is what sets you apart from what Charoli tried to make of you. If you weren't a decent person, the dreams wouldn't torture you so. Have you thought of talking to Mistress Tyl about them? She helped me a great deal, when I... well, with my dreams." <Vallel> ::shakes his head:: I'll talk with her when she gets back... <Glossaria> ::firmly, a touch of the schoolmistress in her voice:: See that you do. ::she smiles:: Do you want to see what the Kitchen will produce, with the Tower in this mood, or would you like to go out? <Vallel> I should take you out. ::laughs a bit nervously:: <Glossaria> ::smiles:: Wonderful. Actually, I don't believe I've been out of doors in several days. ::laughing a little:: With Mistress Zoya gone, I feel like I'm... housesitting. ::thumping a wall affectionately:: <Vallel> ::offers her his arm:: Shall we, then? <Glossaria> ::takes his arm, snuggling against him happily:: We shall. * Vallel leads Glossaria out of the Tower, nearly spilling both of them onto the ground when he forgot about the upside-down door. <Glossaria> ::chuckles:: Alright... sometimes the Tower's sense of humor *is* funny. ::picking herself up:: Vallel, about the dreams...? <Vallel> Yes? ::looks at her, his eyes still slightly haunted:: <Glossaria> Just... remember that that's what they are. Dreams. They're not what you are, or even what you want. ::looks a trifle wry:: At least, I don't *think* I want a horde of mad gnomes dressed like clowns chasing me around the Tower with rubber chickens... * Vallel laughs, brushing the back of his trousers off. "I'll try and remember that." <Glossaria> ::shakes her head:: Sorry. But, I mean... just remember that you're not alone. If you ever want to talk, about anything... just... I'll never hate you, Vallel. I won't judge you. ::biting her lip:: I couldn't. You're not... alone in the dreams, either. At least, about Charoli. <Vallel> ::nods, looking sober:: I know... <Vallel> Oh... ::looks cautiously at Glossaria:: I think... you know, I was... ::frowns, trying to think how to start:: <Glossaria> ::nods:: Good. Just... when you're feeling... bad... remember that. Please? ::cocking her head:: Yes? <Vallel> Well... with... ::takes a deep breath:: Our year isn't up yet... and I think I've been assuming that... Glossaria, do you still *want* to marry me? * Glossaria looks at him for a long moment. * Vallel trembles, looking nervous. * Glossaria takes his left hand, and looks at his ring. Slowly, she lifts his hand to her lips, kissing it. She looks up at him, smiling broadly. "I do." * Vallel smiles with relief, grabbing Gloss and swinging her around, kissing her. <Vallel> Woman! Don't scare me to death like that! <Glossaria> ::laughs:: Wheeee! <Glossaria> I wanted to make sure you knew I was serious. ::grinning:: Men never believe women who answer too quickly. <Vallel> You! ::shakes his head, setting her lightly on the ground:: Come on, let's go eat. <Glossaria> ::nods:: The only time I've *ever* doubted, Val, was... well, let's just say I wasn't in my right mind. * Glossaria taking his arm and looking up at him. "And do *you* still want to marry *me*? <Vallel> More than anything... ::smiles at her:: <Glossaria> Good. ::nods firmly:: Then, let's go eat. And while we're eating, we can plan our trip to see your parents. * Vallel frowns. "We can?" <Glossaria> ::reaches up with her free hand and pushes the corner of his mouth upward:: We can. You don't think we're going through with this without my asking your father for your hand in marriage, do you? ::she grins impishly:: <Vallel> ::sighs:: I suppose... <Glossaria> Besides, I want to meet the rest of your family. And from what I hear, that means the whole town. <Vallel> Most of the whole town, at any rate. ::sighs:: <Glossaria> And Val... I know you don't want to, but... I think it's very important that I at least meet your father. And that you talk to him. ::she shakes her head:: I don't want you to gain a wife and lose a father. It's not supposed to work that way. <Vallel> Well... all right. As long as you bring a teleport spell with you and we can come home if things get ugly. <Glossaria> ::she grins:: And several fireproofing spells, and a cone of silence, and some materials on animal husbandry and veterinary medicine... <Vallel> Hey, I haven't accidentally set anything on fire in quite a while... <Glossaria> I know. But you're going to see your family. People always regress when they see their families. Look at Mistress Lisl! <Vallel> I guess... * Glossaria hugs his arm. "It will be alright. We have your mother's blessing. Just remember... don't think of it as "sides." We're all going to be a family." * Glossaria speaks with the firm conviction of someone who's never had to deal with a human father or mother. <Vallel> ::laughs:: Easy for you to say... <Glossaria> ::grinning:: I know. I just did! <Vallel> Come on... lunch... remember? <Glossaria> ::nods, and laughs as her stomach growls:: Lunch. |
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