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[livinginmyglass]

Viola is not sure, by the strange reckoning of Milliways time, how long she spent in the Enchanted Forest after returning there. And then one day, as she passed the threshold of Kazul's cave to pay a visit, she found herself back in Illyria, safe in her chamber, instead. And that is where she has been.

And now she returns: running full-tilt, an unsheathed rapier in her hand. She is quite pale, trembling somewhat, but her expression is not one of fear-- and when she looks around and realizes where she is, the mad mix of emotions she has experienced in the past twenty-odd minutes-- panic, terror, confusion, indignation, joy-- bubbles up into a fit of laughter.

Comments

[never_promised]

It's some millitimesy handwavey bit later that Harry comes back to the main room, possibly against doctor's orders. He's looking a little better than he did at his arrival--which is to say still weak, emaciated, pale, lost in a dressing-gown that didn't used to be so big on him. But his face brightens after a moment of peering at Viola.

[livinginmyglass]

She's having some difficulties trying to get the rapier back into its sheath when her gaze happens to fall on Harry-- and she nearly impales herself as she starts in surprise. (No one, it turns out, bothers to make sure a young gentleman knows how to use a sword before giving him one-- they just assume he does.)

"Oh, sir!" And then, seeing the look of him, she says again, dismayed, "Oh, sir."

[never_promised]

"So bad as all that?" Yeah, it is, he knows it is, he's seen a mirror. He glances around and finds somewhere to sit. "But look at thee, good--Cesario! Thou hast been to the wars!"

[livinginmyglass]

Viola comes to his side, still trying to get the stupid rapier back in its stupid-- it's too long, that's the problem! --anyway.

"I was challenged to a duel," she says, trying to sound unconcerned about the whole thing and not like she'd nearly fainted from fear.

[never_promised]

"On what grounds? Stealing away young men's sweethearts? And hast thou slain the fool that did challenge thee, brave Cesario? --Nay, allow me--" He reaches for the sword.

[livinginmyglass]

She sheepishly hands over the sword and draws near enough for him to reach the scabbard.

"Something very like. Some new suitor of the Lady Olivia's, who little liked the attention she has paid me-- and I could scarce tell him that I like it still less!"

[never_promised]

Harry's hands are a little shaky, but his grip turns firm with a sword in his hand and he slides it home. "Thy maiden fingers are unsuited to this task," he says, with a faint smile and a weak little eyebrow-raise. See, he's already feeling a bit better, he's up for off-color jokes!

"But what was the outcome? Thou art unbloodied?"

[livinginmyglass]

"I am unharmed. I was most strangely rescued, by a man who--" Her voices catches, and she reaches impulsively for Harry's hand. "O, sir, I now have cause to think my brother liveth!"

[never_promised]

"Why--here is happy news!" He wraps his fingers carefully around her hand. (Warm, living.) "Happy news indeed. Hast had word from one who has seen him?"

[livinginmyglass]

"A man I never in my life have looked upon did part my opponent and me, and called me Sebastian. I am very like my brother," she adds. Her hand still clutches his. "We were ever told so-- and thus you may divine what a beauty I was accounted. But I cannot think what other cause-- and yet I dare not hope-- but pardon me, this confusion I will bear myself. You look not strong enough to carry another's troubles. You have been ill?"

[never_promised]

"Troubles? Nay, this is no trouble, 'tis welcome news. I hope the man spoke as one who saw thy brother alive and well but yesterday." He can picture it all ending in laughter and tearful embraces--but why tease Viola with the thought if it's not certain.

And--hrm. Things that are certain. He rubs his jaw, still unused to the sharpness of the bones beneath the skin. "Ay, ill; I have been ill."

[livinginmyglass]

"But you are now something recovered, I hope?" He certainly doesn't look it. "For you speak clear enough, and here you are at liberty-- I cannot think your friends would permit it, were there some danger yet."

It feels strange, looming over him like this. She sits down in the nearest chair and leans forward, looking serious.

"But look you, sir: full twice now have you promised me you would never again return to this place. I begin to think you a most wicked oathbreaker. I shall waste no more of my thoughts upon thee, I shall not trust thy absence enough to miss thy presence."

[never_promised]

"Thou'lt waste no more of thy thoughts upon me? Why, that is to say that thou thinkest of me! O, what an honor this is; thou hast given my sighing heart some little hope; I may say to myself Viola thinks of me and be content! And then--that thou hast missed me--"

...he can't make himself tell her.

[student_of_impossibility]

Well that's a sight you don't see every day, even in Milliways.

As a result, the tall young man in Roman-esque plate armor, seated at a table near and with an easy view of the door when Viola bursts in, gives her a bemused and mildly incredulous look. "I've had my dramatic entrances," he notes. (Ones like slamming the door or being covered in wax and blood.) "But even I haven't run in here with a drawn blade before."

Unspoken is the question of what story created this.

[livinginmyglass]

"O!" She looks startled, then embarrassed. "I meant no harm by it, I do assure you."

She tries to sheathe the rapier. This... turns out to be harder to do than she anticipated.

[student_of_impossibility]

"I assure you," he echoes her phrasing, "I did not believe you did."

Especially not with that impressive swirl of emotions.

He watches her for a moment, internally laughing a little, because the green fish--new legionares--in the First Aleran were just as awkward once. "Would you like practice sometime?" he asks kindly. "I suspect even my people's duelibg style is much different, but that is not always the worst to spar against."

[livinginmyglass]

"I would rather spend such time in prayer that will never need such skill again," Viola says fervently.

[student_of_impossibility]

"Almost anyone who uses a blade, even for a living, hopes they'll never have to use it again," he tells her wryly. "That doesn't mean we don't practice against the possibility."

[livinginmyglass]

Viola can't help but smile. "I am sure it is so, sir-- but for mine own part, I intend to be as peaceful as a maiden for the rest of my days. I have learned I have not a fighter's spirit. But shall I guess by your fine armor that you do, sir?"

[student_of_impossibility]

Peaceful as a maiden. It is enough to make Tavi want to laugh, although he restrains himself for the sake of not alienating this particular young person so soon. "A fair number of the people most dangerous in combat that I know are all women," he notes with amusement.

Peaceful. Maidens. Sure. Tell that to Placida Aria--or, Great Furies forbid, Kitai.

(He wonders if Alanna knows this one.)

He looks down at his armor for a moment. By plenty of Citizens' standards it isn't fine at all. It is well-used and hardly pristine. It is, however, perfectly hardy, which suits him fine. "I do what I have to. I'll probably leave field work for good in a couple months, though.

"Why did you have your sword drawn, then, if it's not how you make a living?"

[livinginmyglass]

"Are they so!" That's a surprise. Well, she'll never make one of them. "I was challenged to a duel, sir, quite against my will."

[student_of_impossibility]

Tavi nods, considering that list. Alanna, of course. Aria, Kitai, Navaris before she died, Amara, Ellen Park... Thayet can at least protect herself, too, though he's reasonably certain she's no warrior like Alanna.

So he just smiles a little. "Definitely. There's one excellent woman I couldn't point you to yet," because he will not break Alanna's cover, not ever, "but here in Milliways there's always Ellen Park, if you get a chance to meet her. And my fiancee comes here sometimes. She and I spar."

For definitions of spar that involve fire and lightning and generally terrifying things.

His eyebrows shoot up. "Only duel I've been in was my instigation. How'd you get dragged into a duel?" His new acquaintance doesn't seem the terribly offensive type, after all!

[livinginmyglass]

A faint blush begins to creep into Viola's cheeks. "For the heart, it seems, of a lady-- a lady whose affections I desire not. In truth, I cannot think how I offended my opposite, for I lay no claim upon the lady, nor have I ever scorned this gentleman. And yet..."

She shrugs helplessly. Even she can't explain it better than that, and she was there.

"And what is an instigation? I know the word, but not so used."

[student_of_impossibility]

"Really?" Oh that's just amusing, if incredibly puzzling. "I'm afraid I can't offer much in the way of advice, then--romantic adventures have never been my specialty. I take it the man in question knows the lady has feelings for you--even if they aren't returned?"

Tavi waves a hand. He's more casual with his language than she is, clearly--although at least as careful. "I made the challenge. It's a long story."

And involves a lot of politics which make very little sense in some ways.

[livinginmyglass]

"He has noticed she much favors me, I cannot think any know how-- how--" What is a good word? "--powerful her affections have proved."

Viola cannot help but laugh at this explanation. "Why, then you are a master of the art! I apologize for my disgracing of it."