Multipup -- outside, Saturday afternoon

[cook_the_rude]

It's warm and sunny outside, and a number of people are about, each enjoying the weather in their own way:

• Teja is being lazy for once. He's sitting barefoot on his spread-out cloak by the lake shore, with his guitar, plucking the strings and humming in a purposeful manner, as if he was making a new song. Two of his cats -- grey Count, and black Myrrh -- are sleeping on the cloak beside him, stretched out as long as they can. Kitty is stalking unseen critters in the rushes, while Ferdinand isn't there -- most likely, he's with Egil and whoever is taking care of him today.
• Father Harman is very careful to stay in the shadow of one of the big parasols on the lawn while he is having tea and scones outside, wearing sunglasses and reading a book while he sips the tea. The book looks suspiciously like a murder mystery that has nothing to do with either vampires or religion.
• Dorian Gray is lying in the grass in the rose garden, squinting up into a thick rose bush and, through it, at the blue sky. His purple shirt is open, his feet are bare, and his arms are flung out wide while he's taking deep breaths, taking in the scent of roses and summer with single-minded dedication.
• Dr. Hannibal Lecter is on the Caribbean beach, in a light linen shirt and trousers, barefoot, and with a panama hat. He's sitting on the fallen tree trunk people often use here, and drinking a mojito. Beside him, a closed hamper promises more culinary delights to whoever might join him.
• Madame Thénardier is dangling her legs into the water of the lake and ignoring the little fish that approach her dirty toes in curiosity, because she is reading some historical novel -- what else? This one has an Grecian temple and a racing horse on its cover.

[[OOC: Open all weekend -- say in your tag whom you want!]]

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan limps outside slowly with his crutch to enjoy the sunshine.

[witchfinder_general]

"Athelstan!" Father Harman says, looking up from his book. "You look terrible! Would you like some tea?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Surely not as terrible as when we last spoke. Yes, please, tea would be excellent."

[witchfinder_general]

Father Harman pours him a cup.

"You expect terrible in a hospital bed," he says, "but at the moment, you look like your own ghost out in the sunshine."

He looks at him.

"But you do look a little more lively. Do have a seat!"

[athelstanthescribe]

He sits down gladly and with relief.

"It's still not been so long."

[witchfinder_general]

"How long?" Father Harman asks. "I take it you went back to your world?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"A few days, perhaps a week - yes, I did, but I wasn't entirely aware of doing it."

[never_shall_yield]

Javert has not been looking for Father Harman, exactly. Indeed, after their last meeting - even if it was not him at all, not Harman as he should be - he would rather not speak to him. But it occurred to him that the man might remember nothing...and even if he did, it would perhaps be better to know that than speculate on it on his own.

Besides, he needs advice before he panics into doing something stupid, and there is no one else to ask.

'Father?'

If he sounds a little awkward, it is because he feels so. It does not suit him, and he hates it, but there it is.

[witchfinder_general]

"Javert!" Father Harman says. "It's good to see you. Would you like some tea?"

[never_shall_yield]

'...yes, all right. Thank you.'

That was more cheerful than he expected. Perhaps this will be fine.

Still, he hovers, looking awkward.

[witchfinder_general]

"Do sit down," Father Harman says, pouring tea for him. "You seem rather awkward and worried. What happened?"

Most likely something to do with Valjean.

[never_shall_yield]

He opens his mouth, then closes it, then sits. His hat turns a few times in his fingers before he catches himself, and sets it down on the table.

'I did not mean to disturb your peace,' he mutters, looking at the grass.

'My apologies. But I did wonder if you remember our last conversation.'

[witchfinder_general]

Long pause.

"Which one?" Father Harman then says. "We haven't met for quite a while, but on the other hand, something in the back of my mind suggests that I've talked to you recently..."

[the_cupbearer]

That single-minded dedication may be interrupted soon.

Actually, no, it will be interrupted soon, because there is a Ganymede studying Dorian's bare chest, and his glass of icy wine is beginning to sweat tiny, cold droplets. And if his trajectory is right, they should hit his navel in three...two...one...

[capture_eternity]

"Eeeeep!!"

Dorian positively levitates up.

[the_cupbearer]

The gentle snort of laughter from above gives away the trickster, as Ganymede chuckles and bends down to see Dorian's face.

"Hello Dorian," he says, sunshades covering his eyes as h tilts his head.

[capture_eternity]

"Oh!" Dorian says. "Ganymede -- it's lovely to see you."

He sits up.

"I'm afraid I was rather captivated with the roses."

[the_cupbearer]

"Yes," he says, "I could see that. And while it's far from a waste of time, I thought this might be an easier way to catch your attention. Would you like me to lay with you?"

[capture_eternity]

"In any possible way," Dorian says, smiling up at him invitingly.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric lingers in the gardens too, shadowing Athelstan but keeping back far enough to give him space and privacy but close enough to run to him if needed.

[ostro_goth]

In time, he will find the hem of his robes stalked by a cat.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric spies the little feline stalking him and pauses to slip the fine silver chain and it's little bells from his uninjured ankle, trailing it along in the grass to chase.

[ostro_goth]

The cat stalks it with great fascination, pretending to be completely casual about it.

Oh, not interested at all. La, la, la, isn't there a cloud up there?

POUNCE!!!

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric giggles softly and lets the cat pull a little in the chain, pulling back to make the feline fight to keep his prize.

[ostro_goth]

The cat pretends to lose that fight, then suddenly yanks at the chain with great determination.