Tarot Beach Party

[lady_moon]

There are those of the tarot who know how to set up for a party.

Ruin had spent most of the afternoon building the bonfire. He has carefully made it much in the way he would have with the villagers of his mortal life when they would celebrate the harvests. Charity, Unity, and Skill had spent most of the day setting up food, both their sorts of foods and the sorts the sentients would be expecting.

Moon watched it all with rapt fascination, her eyes on the marshmallows Skill told her firmly she isn't allowed to touch yet. But they're white and fluffy looking and Moon is curious. Mons barks at her, warning Skill, and Moon is shooed off.

It's Fortune who puts out blankets, spread all over the beach area for everyone to use. Moon watches her family set up for a party, for guests... real guests who are coming simply to come instead of for answers. She watches Fortune set down a large stack of very warm looking towels, and she grins.

Swimming. Damian will like the swimming.

Her wolves run up and down the beach in excitement, and Moon knows it's time.

Disappearing back to Milliways, she sets it up so people can come and go as they need to, pleased with herself and her family.

Comments

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

Sorrow rises up onto her tiptoes, because Damian is so much taller than herself, and kisses beside his mouth so gently.

"The music has changed," she murmurs. "The theme is different."

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

He doesn't kiss back so much as accept hers. He does, however, raise one hand to comb once through her hair, showing in the gesture that he appreciates her. He would never have done so without Moon and Nathaniel's help with personal contact, and thoughts of them make him nod is agreement.

"I am happier than I have been in a very long time... and also more fearful, but for different reasons than before." With the arrival of happiness comes the fear of losing what has been gained. There are still many things that he fears, many things that he mourns.

He is just more quiet about it than most.

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

Taking a step back, Sorrow clasps her hands in front of her.

"You fear only one thing, and that is simply the loss of all you have now. Friendship, companionship, happiness. It is why you cannot fully enjoy those things, even as they are thrust at you."

Her smile is tinged with sorrow, as is everything with her.

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

Damian nods. He knows she is right. He knows he fears the loss of all he now has. He is afraid of being alone.

"I don't know how to change. After so long... It is difficult."

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

"Such is it with your kind," she says with a nod. "Jean-Claude and Asher share the same fault."

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

She gets a small chuckle at that.

"The side-effect of centuries spent in service of the cruel, I suppose."

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

"No supposing about it."

It's the simple truth. Negative stimulus no matter what they had done, be it good or bad, and you wind up with someone who is miserable and sad all the time, even when they could be happy.

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

"Is there no remedy for us, Lady Sorrow?"

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

"Being in the service of kindness."

Sorrow motions with her head for him to follow her, and she begins up the steps again.

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

With a last lingering glance at the wall of tapestries, he follows at a polite distance. He ponders her words and the way Anita is trying. She tries, and still there is a measure of sadness that he cannot force away.

He is quiet as he climbs the stairs with Sorrow.

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

"Sadness is a part of life," she says, her voice easily carrying down to him. They pass each Suit's tapestries as they climb higher and higher. "It is a part of you, of who you are now, and it is what makes the happiness all the sweeter when it is enjoyed. Without that touch of sorrow, would Nathaniel's smile move you as much? Without the hint of sadness, would each touch Anita gives you be as beautiful?"

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

"No," Damian answers softly, feeling a pricking at the backs of his eyes. "It is the sorrow that forces me to appreciate all I am given."

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

They crest the stairs, the cool, salty air moving gently around them as they tower over the ocean and beach. Sorrow smiles at Damian, taking his hand.

"It is not what forces you to appreciate it. Do not look at it so. See as that it helps you to appreciate the brightness, the love and warmth you have now when all you had was cold fear before for company."

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

Damian takes her hand in his willingly and gives it a small squeeze. The sight and smell of the sea was once used as a tool of torture against him, but here there are no bars keeping him from the water. There are no harsh reprimands awaiting him down near the bonfire.

He nods, not trusting to his voice as he thinks about how wonderful his friendship with Nathaniel is after all the centuries of fearing contact and comfort as much as the next torture. He tries to hold back his tears, but finds such an endeavour pointless. They well up in his eyes before cresting dark lashes, trailing twin streaks of red down his pale face.

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

Sorrow hops up onto the ledge of the battlement, watching him quietly.

"What are you thinking?"

Yes, she knows, but it's sometimes nice to ask.

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

He takes a few moments to make sure his voice comes out clear and calm. "I'm thinking of how nice it is to have a friend in Nathaniel. He is a source of light and warmth that I had never anticipated. I am grateful..."

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

"He loves you."

Sorrow looks over her shoulder at the bonfire, at the wereleopard who dances with Asher to a slow melody her father plays on the violin.

"It's so interesting to see a human whose only the desire to love and be loved in return."

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

Hearing her say the former makes warmth bloom in Damian's soul.

"He is unique." And it's a compliment when Damian says it. "His ability to love and trust are things that I marvel at, especially given his past." He may not know all the details, but what he knows of Nathaniel's past is dire indeed. "He has faith in those around him." Such gifts are always double-edged blades, but he still admires them in Nathaniel.

"I love him," he says, not fearing Sorrow's reaction.

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

"You do."

She looks back at Damian.

"And because you love him, and he loves you, Asher fears."

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

There is a sigh from Damian at that.

"I realise I should take my own advice and find security in what I feel, but I wish Asher would realise that I am not his competition."

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

Sorrow swings her legs a little, the pale blue of her dress shifting with the movement.

"You will be shortly," she warns.

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

He'll shortly be Asher's competition for Nathaniel?

Fuck.

He enjoys being close to Nathaniel, but dammit, what they have will never be what Nathaniel has with Asher!

"I don't want to come between them. That has never been my intention."

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

"Neither will it be your intention when it happens," Sorrow assures him. "But, things in your world have this way of simply happening."

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

He has to give her that. Damian doesn't like to be the cause of conflict. He likes solving or dissipating conflicts. Nevertheless, he seems to end up being a catalyst for conflict, no matter what.

He wonders briefly if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Perhaps both?

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

"Both."

Sorrow smiles at him, her eyes containing that for which she is named for even when amused.

"It will bring you a measure of happiness, though, so I ask you, would you sacrifice your happiness for Asher's security in his relationship?"