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

[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?"

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

Damian looks down, his emerald eyes trailing over where their hands are still joined. After what must be several minutes, he shakes his head and whispers, "No."

It is selfish -- he knows that -- but he can't go back to being the creature he was in Scandinavia, one without a will who served all others before himself for fear of being harmed or exiled.

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

"It is for Asher to come to terms with. His wounds run so deep, and he chooses to ignore them rather than allow them to heal. He has nurtured his pain, fed it like a pet, and now it threatens to poison his current happiness."

Sorrow looks over her shoulder, the wind whipping her birch-colored hair slightly.

"And he will drag Nathaniel down into it, his fear and jealousy and anger wrapping around Nathaniel as surely as love and lust."

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

Damian is silent once again, debating whether or not to speak the question that comes to mind... not because he wishes to keep it from Sorrow, but because he isn't certain whether or not he actually wants an answer.

He eventually voices it.

"Will there be something can do to help, or will efforts to bring them together only part them farther because the words or actions come from me?"

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

"There is nothing you or Nathaniel can do."

She presses her lips together a moment, and then looks back at Damian.

"It has to be Asher's choice. He wishes to see you both together, thinking that will settle his jealousies."

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

Damian has a feeling that seeing them together won't settle Asher's jealousies, but he also thinks that seeing what he and Nathaniel are like with one another is better than not seeing and making assumptions instead.

He wouldn't mind spending time with Asher and Nathaniel together. In fact, tonight is quite a good time for that if both the others are willing. It doesn't have to be anything as intense as his time at Guilty Pleasures... just mingling, talking, kissing perhaps.

He isn't sure if Asher would be willing to have him around with Nathaniel there too. It's worth asking.

Re: The Castle

[three_of_swords]

"It is worth asking," Sorrow agrees, squeezing Damian's hand. "It is the only way for anyone to find answers."

Re: The Castle

[mr-smarty-vamp.livejournal.com]

"Then I will ask, and we shall see what their choices bring," Damian reasons. His smile is a bit sad as he looks up at Sorrow. "Thank you for the warning, and for bringing me up here." His gaze sweeps the ocean lit by the two, nearly-full moons. The colours might be a bit strange, but it is still a beautiful place.