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[road_to_calvary]

 Room 9430


Valjean has not been downstairs in over a week. There was a little bread in his room, and there is water in the taps, so there has been no need to leave. He looks tired - older - and moves stiffly as he checks to see if his door will open. It does not, so he moves to the bar, where he is promptly presented with a small jar of Nutella, and a note in handwriting that used to be familiar.

He holds it for a long time. Then sighs, and takes it  - and a cup of tea - to a nearby table. 

Comments

[not_his_pa]

William comes in from the stables, its getting cold and frowns when he sees Valjean, he doesn't look well.

Once he gets his coffee and a small plate of warm biscuits from the Bar, he heads over, "Can I join you?"

[road_to_calvary]

'By all means.'

He smiles, a little wan but still friendly.

'Good evening, Monsieur Evans. How are you?'

[not_his_pa]

As he sits, he puts the biscuits near the middle of the table, Valjean looks like he needs to eat,

"Not too bad. What about you, sir?"

[road_to_calvary]

'I am well, thank you.'

He lets the boy settle, and sips his tea.

'Have you been working outside?'

[not_his_pa]

"Yes, out in the stables, just makin' sure all the horses are doin' alright. The weather's gettin' colder."

[road_to_calvary]

'Is it? I have not been outside recently.'

He glances towards the back door.

'Though I suppose the year is coming to a close, here.'

[not_his_pa]

"Yes, not too much left in it, but its been an fairly good one. How are you doin'?"

As he talks, he starts on the biscuits but makes sure to keep some on the plate.

[margolotta]

Lady Margolotta is sitting not far away, with a scrapbook, some clacks flimsies, and a long piece of parchment on which she is making a list.

"Good evening," she says when she spots Valjean. "How are you, monsieur?"

No Raising Steam Spoilers, plz!

[road_to_calvary]

'Good evening.'

A smile, which is genuine, if tired.

'I am well, thank you, madame. How are you?'

Okay!

[margolotta]

"Busy," Lady Margolotta says. "As you are; there's always things to do. But I've been thinking about you. I'm sorry I got you so worried about your friend, the last time we talked."

[road_to_calvary]

'Ah.'

He glances at the jar of Nutella.

'There is no need to apologise, madame. I am sorry if I seemed abrupt with you. It was rude of me, I expect. I rather fear you took me by surprise, but that is no excuse for my behaviour.'

[margolotta]

"You have chocolate in a jar," she states, raising her eyebrows.

Beat.

"You do not need to apologise, either. You had bad news about a friend, and were worried, and wanted to know more," she then says. "I hope he's well?"

[road_to_calvary]

'He is not a friend, exactly.'

He pokes the jar so that the label is facing him; like Javert, he does not understand the name of the stuff. Nutella. It does not sound like a real word in any language.

'Is that what it is? Chocolate in a jar? For what purpose, do you know?'

[street_sparrow]

"M. Valjean." Gavroche is a little shocked, and rather confused, by the change in the older man. "Are you all right?"

[road_to_calvary]

He glances up, and smiles easily enough.

'Gavroche. I am quite well, thank you. How are you?'

[street_sparrow]

"Quite well", he echoes. "But sir, don't take this the wrong way, but... you look tired."

[road_to_calvary]

'Ah. Well, I am old.'

A hint of humour in this, in an attempt to deflect.

[street_sparrow]

Gavroche eyes him.

"Not hardly. Not for a rich man."

[road_to_calvary]

He wonders how well known his wealth is. And then remembers that he has been dressing in his decent clothes since he came here, not the more run-down ones which he tended to wear around Paris. To Gavroche, he would still probably seem well-off.

'The wealthy are not immune to age, Gavroche.'

Millitimed back from minor EP which should be forthcoming...maybe...ish.

[moonandstar]

Garyn has set his armor and equipment in his rented room upstairs. Much as he is unsure that he can afford to occupy it permanently, he needs a place to keep them until he can finally step out the door to Balmora. Until then, he drinks and he waits.

His brow furrows at the arrival of the old man. It seems he's seen someone like him before, but he cannot put a name to the face.

Well, if they've met, he's likely to recall Garyn. It's not like there are any other Dunmer here to mistake him for. He ventures to greet him.

"Evening, sera," he says.

Re: Millitimed back from minor EP which should be forthcoming...maybe...ish.

[road_to_calvary]

'Good evening, monsieur.'

There is clear recognition on Valjean's face - no, they did not exchange names, but it is a hard face to forget.

'How are you?'

[moonandstar]

"It's been one long day and two long nights of travel," Garyn says. "But I didn't have to kill anyone today, so I'd say my condition has improved."

He takes a drink of mazte. "And what of you? Settled in here well enough?"

[road_to_calvary]

'A good day indeed.'

Yes. Killing anyone would not be good.

'I am well, thank you. I am becoming a little accustomed to the place, though it is also endlessly odd.'

[moonandstar]

"And hopefully not too rare an occurrence," Garyn says. "Though I suppose that depends on how the Empire chooses to put me to work. They know I was a mercenary by trade."

He nods, snorting slightly.

"Indeed. Every day is full of new surprises. Were you here for that...delightful Earth holiday?"

[road_to_calvary]

'Do you speak of Halloween? If so, yes I was.'

His face...probably says all that needs to be said on the matter, though for clarification he does add,

'I was put in trousers made of gold, and a shirt made of an animal.'

It was most embarrassing.