|
Post by Graf von Krolock on Jun 30, 2017 11:47:35 GMT -5
"I know, Herbert, I know. A dog could not have survived as you have."
|
|
|
Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jun 30, 2017 11:48:18 GMT -5
His shoulders sagged. His mouth sagged open too, a bit. He didn't realize.
|
|
|
Post by Graf von Krolock on Jun 30, 2017 11:50:59 GMT -5
Johannes shut it for him.
"Please mind your expressions, Herbert, you're better than that. Now come back, that we may assist one another."
He turned around and gave a little beckoning gesture with his first two fingers.
|
|
|
Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jun 30, 2017 11:51:57 GMT -5
"...I'm not a dog," he repeated sullenly under his breath, following his father equally sullenly.
|
|
|
Post by Graf von Krolock on Jun 30, 2017 11:59:41 GMT -5
"I know, Herbert, I know," Johannes said loftily. "By the way, this is yours."
He slid the robe from his shoulders and held it out to Herbert. He was dressed very severely and plainly beneath it, in unrelieved black that gave him a jarringly priestly air.
|
|
|
Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jun 30, 2017 12:00:42 GMT -5
Herbert shrugged. "I don't need it."
|
|
|
Post by Graf von Krolock on Jun 30, 2017 23:32:07 GMT -5
"Very well. I suppose I might keep it as a reminder, for when you are away," he said vaguely, folding it over his arm. "Where have you been staying? Are you well?"
|
|
|
Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jun 30, 2017 23:34:13 GMT -5
Herbert hoped his father was not going to push that, because he wasn't going to tell him - not merely for his and Alex's sake, but for the girl who had evacuated the place and left it possible for him and Alex to move in.
"I'm fine. I haven't been having fits, if that's what you mean-"
|
|
|
Post by Graf von Krolock on Jun 30, 2017 23:37:14 GMT -5
"There is more to your well-being than not having fits," Johannes said, loosening his collar. "Do you need money?"
|
|
|
Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jun 30, 2017 23:46:51 GMT -5
Herbert reluctantly said no after a lengthy, unhappy pause.
|
|
|
Post by Graf von Krolock on Jun 30, 2017 23:58:56 GMT -5
Johannes frowned.
"Herbert, there's no shame in needing help. You're my responsibility, you know."
|
|
|
Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jul 1, 2017 0:00:57 GMT -5
"No, I'm not, I'm mine." What did Herbert really need money for, anyway? Food for Alex, who was his responsibility. Utilities, or whatever. He didn't always need new clothes or liquor; he could go without, like his friends did when they were broke. He could live like them. He didn't have to live like he was rich.
|
|
|
Post by Graf von Krolock on Jul 1, 2017 11:20:43 GMT -5
"You're not well," Johannes said in concern. "You have improved, but you cause me so much worry-"
|
|
|
Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jul 1, 2017 11:22:54 GMT -5
"You make me worried, too," said Herbert crossly.
|
|
|
Post by Graf von Krolock on Jul 1, 2017 11:27:08 GMT -5
Johannes laughed sharply. It sounded like the bark of a wild dog.
"What reason do I give you to worry? You mustn't do that to yourself."
|
|