Xerxes Break (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
maddeninghatter) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sirenspull_logs2012-08-30 08:12 pm
maddeninghatter) wrote in sirenspull_logs2012-08-30 08:12 pm
Entry tags:
If ever I should become a burden to you, do not hesitate to cut ties with me.
Who: Gilbert Nightray and Xerxes Break
When: The evening of August 21
Where: Phancyhive
Summary: Raven vs. Hatter
Warnings: None
[ This afternoon, Gilbert had said "tonight." Break had initially protested the delay, though not so much for the sake of his health. He feared he might lose his nerve. But he has managed to convince himself, somehow, that this is all an information-gathering exercise.
How strong is Gilbert, really? How strong is Gilbert's Chain? It's vital information. Because Break has long suspected that one day Gilbert might stand before him not as his subordinate, but as his enemy.
So Break's attitude, this evening, is carefree and easy. He's content to wait until after dinner. He's even being magnanimous enough to let Gilbert go out and have a smoke, first. But after he returns, Break cracks his knuckles and remarks, in the most off-hand of tones: ]
Well?
Shall we?
When: The evening of August 21
Where: Phancyhive
Summary: Raven vs. Hatter
Warnings: None
[ This afternoon, Gilbert had said "tonight." Break had initially protested the delay, though not so much for the sake of his health. He feared he might lose his nerve. But he has managed to convince himself, somehow, that this is all an information-gathering exercise.
How strong is Gilbert, really? How strong is Gilbert's Chain? It's vital information. Because Break has long suspected that one day Gilbert might stand before him not as his subordinate, but as his enemy.
So Break's attitude, this evening, is carefree and easy. He's content to wait until after dinner. He's even being magnanimous enough to let Gilbert go out and have a smoke, first. But after he returns, Break cracks his knuckles and remarks, in the most off-hand of tones: ]
Well?
Shall we?
no subject
He's not going to do that right now. Save it for later, after the burden of the seals has begun to affect him. Gilbert always was one of those people who have got to learn things the hard way.
Instead - perhaps this is an opportunity. Gilbert is sleepy and exhausted: unguarded. If asked a question, he might just answer... ]
Why?
[ Break's voice is gentle, as if he were addressing a child. ]
Why would you do such a thing, hmmm?
no subject
[He trails off without specifying what he means.]
If it's only me who has to hurt...then that's fine.
no subject
Can't fail? No, that makes no sense. Gilbert thinks of himself as useless, failing is simply something he does, in his own mind at least.
Therefore he can't lose something. No - someone. ]
Who--
[ But the question dies on his lips. He knows the answer.
He's fairly certain Gilbert had tried to take a swing at him, just now. Gilbert can't stand him, he knows this, he's made sure of it over the years. Yet this is an extravagant act of friendship--
No.
It's an act of love. ]
You fool.
[ Despite his best efforts, Gilbert is yet another person willing to suffer for his sake. Not only that - but he is risking so much, in a vain attempt to avert the inevitable. Abandoning reason to cling to hope…
Break falters. The weight of crushing guilt and the sensation of failure is nearly as heavy as his now-sealed contract had been. He has to stop, leaning against a corridor wall, to catch his breath. ]
no subject
Break? Are you all right?
[He asks, more concerned in his tone for his boss rather than for himself.]
no subject
All right?
[ What a question. A sudden surge of anger inflames him. ]
I feel like I'm going to throw up!
[ With this, he yanks on Gilbert's arm, half-carrying him, and continues down the hall, towards Gilbert's bedroom. ]
no subject
[It's the only explanation he can come up with at the moment.]
no subject
[ All of a sudden, he recalls that awful night, when he'd wept in Gilbert's arms and told him... ]
Shut up. Shut up!
[ He kicks open the bedroom door and shoves, on purpose to hurl Gilbert's body across the bed. ]
no subject
But thankfully Break's aim is good enough that Gilbert manages to pitch forward and land face-first into his bed, arms flailing as he tries to balance himself needlessly.
He mutters some flustered words into his blankets, but gives up on trying to speak pretty fast. The bed feels nice...sleep would be...]
Fade to black
Right. He'll do it. Later. Right now he's... tired.
As he leaves Gilbert's room, he realizes how quiet it is. No voices in his head, nothing scrabbling about in his chest. He doesn't feel lonely; nor is he bereft. It's more like nostalgia. For the first time in years, he can remember his life before contracts or Chains; when he'd been just a knight, nothing more.
Life had been so simple, until he'd made a mess of it. ]