|
Post by Erik on Mar 9, 2009 17:38:21 GMT -5
"Would you?" beamed Erik. "Then you shall, Mortimer. Erik will see to it. As to Julian, we shall have to see." He hadn't thought of that before. "Erik is merely human, after all. And no one can complain about his singing."
|
|
|
Post by Erik Destler on Mar 9, 2009 17:43:45 GMT -5
**As Mortimer**
But Erik had a lifetime of experience singing, and Mortimer did not consider him "merely" human. Julian had only been singing for...well however old Julian was, which the sharkman knew not to be a great a number, and had had the benefit of whatever force had given him life. Still, he would hope that Julian could still sing very well, because for it to be otherwise would be another blow to his precious little family.
"Yes, thank you. Will I have to learn to read?" he frowned a little at that, because if he could read for himself, then Erik would not like to read to him anymore, he was sure.
|
|
|
Post by Erik on Mar 9, 2009 17:47:03 GMT -5
"That depends," Erik said, "on how hard you wish to work at memorizing things." He had started to teach Mortimer, but things Above had gotten (in Erik's opinion) quite out of hand and time had been limited. "One must be able to perform the works as written, unfortunately for anyone with an ounce of creativity. But Erik can teach you, either to read or the pieces by rote."
|
|
|
Post by Erik Destler on Mar 9, 2009 17:55:09 GMT -5
**As Mortimer*
He nodded and then leaned up to whisper, his little hands curling up in the material of Erik's jacket, "I don't want to learn Julian's parts unless he can't do them, Erik. I don't want to hurt his heart."
Mortimer gave Erik's cheek a little nuzzle and then sat back again to play with the buttons his fingers had found.
|
|
|
Post by Erik on Mar 9, 2009 18:02:13 GMT -5
"That is wise, Mortimer," Erik said approvingly. "Erik does not wish to, either."
In point of fact, Erik saw no reason Julian might not sing as well as ever. To normal ears. But the thought that they could never again share their strange duet dulled his own heart. Erik had heard Julian's music in his mind and in his soul. To never have that again...
He watched Mortimer idly, trying not to dwell on the new development.
|
|
|
Post by Erik Destler on Mar 9, 2009 18:11:02 GMT -5
*As Mortimer**
Mortimer would not understand the seperation, at any rate. He was connected with every living thing he came into contact with, in the way of whatever he was, and assumed it was that way for all people.
"You're still sad, though. But Julian isn't sick. Oh--does this mean I can eat rats now?"
|
|
|
Post by Erik on Mar 9, 2009 18:16:33 GMT -5
Erik blinked. Of course he was sad--everything had changed. Again. And then he blinked again.
"Rats?" he echoed. "I... you'll have to ask Julian." He peered at Mortimer. "Why on earth should you want to?"
|
|
|
Post by Erik Destler on Mar 9, 2009 18:23:20 GMT -5
**As Mortimer**
He shrugged a little and moved from playing with buttons to curling his little hands around Erik's long fingers. "I didn't get to taste one before, because they were Julian's friends. They look like furry little apples!" He let forth a musical little giggle.
|
|
|
Post by Erik on Mar 9, 2009 18:28:33 GMT -5
Erik's brow furrowed, more in incomprehension than disgust.
"They taste nothing like them, Erik can assure you. He has not partaken, but they eat refuse and carrion, which does little for the flavor of any meat."
|
|
|
Post by Erik Destler on Mar 9, 2009 18:35:46 GMT -5
**As Mortimer**
The sharkman clicked a bit and sighed.
"I know. But--they won't talk to me and it makes me angry. I want to chew their heads off!"
Mortimer gave Erik a little growl and then a pretty pout, hiding his face against the man's neck.
|
|
|
Post by Erik on Mar 10, 2009 9:02:15 GMT -5
Instinctively, Erik held Mortimer close. Instinct, that is, where Mortimer was concerned, not people in general. He wasn't sure what rats could possibly have to say, but it seemed to distress Mortimer.
"Perhaps they cannot," he pointed out fairly reasonably. "But you must ask Julian; Erik is indifferent, at best, to rats."
|
|
|
Post by Mortimer on Mar 11, 2009 20:37:16 GMT -5
"I don't really want to eat them. I think it would make Julian sad, even if he can't talk to them anymore."
He pulled out of Erik's arms, just enough to be able to look up at him and purred.
"I'm going to see Valentine, and to go walk in the park...you could come walk..."
|
|
|
Post by Erik on Mar 13, 2009 14:00:18 GMT -5
Well that was one hurdle avoided, anyway, and...
Erik froze.
"I do not think so," he said stiffly. "If you wish to walk... Feel free. Erik has no wish to. He will stay and care for Julian and work. He has much to do."
|
|
|
Post by Mortimer on Mar 16, 2009 12:34:20 GMT -5
"No one will stare, Erik. It's dark out now. I'll be with you and you won't have to be afraid of people. MOrtimer can take care of Erik, okay."
He leaned up to kiss the man's cheek and tugged on his hand a little.
"Or...we could go up on the stage?"
|
|
|
Post by Erik on Mar 16, 2009 12:48:46 GMT -5
"Erik is not afraid," Erik said, though he was slightly mollified by the press of Mortimer's lips. "Erik has... merely learned better than to try. You may be far older, Mortimer, but I have been doing this for a long time. One gets tired of failure."
|
|