|
Post by Mortimer on Dec 23, 2008 15:18:12 GMT -5
The insult did not escape the sharkman and he pursed his pretty lips to a thin, hard line, his dark brows angling down and his eyes searching Erik's ugly features for apology. When he found none, he took a half step back, fingers working at his buttons to free himself of the stupid, ugly uncomfortable clothing as he muttered, quite coldy,
"But he would not have Erik, even if Erik tolerated him."
He had seen enough of people to be able to determine that Erik was very ugly, to them, and that it was why he did not go around Above. He didn't find Erik ugly himself, he thought his friend very beautiful, in fact, but the sudden hurt Erik had hurled at him only made him want to return the insult.
Mortimer stripped off his vest and shirt, turning to run and somehow managing to shuck his boots and trousers on his way to the door.
|
|
|
Post by Erik on Dec 23, 2008 15:32:39 GMT -5
The insult thrown back halted him cold. Of all the people in the world (aside from Julian, who was not in the world anyway) Mortimer he thought incapable of throwing his appearance in his face. It stung deeper than he'd have imagined, especially after all the rejection he'd faced lately--Christian, Pina, Megan... all had turned their backs. He had assumed, somehow, that Mortimer never would.
If Mortimer could be hurtful, what was keeping anyone else?
He flew after the man, catching up due to Mortimer's mobile disrobing, and thrust an arm out to impede him.
"What do you mean?" he demanded. "Do you mean because Erik is too ugly to expect anyone's love, and because you are capable of changing your shape you deserve it more? Of course people can love you, Mortimer, for you look enough like them. Do you think that matters? That underneath it all, you are one of them? You aren't, no more than Erik is. Valmont may find you pretty enough, but he was only using you, as he does everyone. Is it so very terrible for Erik to care that much about you? I suppose so, as he's so ugly!"
|
|
|
Post by Mortimer on Dec 23, 2008 15:52:06 GMT -5
This new hurt was appalling, and now naked again, he shivered more violently with the new cold and wrapped his arms over his torso and buried his face, hidden, against his forearms.
He hadn't meant to make Erik angry or sad, not really. His little frame shrank a bit, going bluegray and bald and his stiff dorsal fin poked up from his back with a little tear and dribble of blood, cutting the shark tattoo in half. The tone of his shape changed, sinking into itself until his ribs showed over the gill scars and the hard knobs of his spine curved over his back behind the fin and down along a sudden, pathetically thin and fragile-looking tail.
"Mortimer does not love Valmont, does not want to, does not think Valmont loves." he sniffled against his arms and raised a face like a nightmare--some thing for the deep dark of the ocean floor with tight dark skin and giant blind and glowing eyes, miles of teeth and an impossible maw.
|
|
|
Post by Erik on Dec 23, 2008 15:58:28 GMT -5
Erik gasped softly at the change. He could not help it. It was not alarm at Mortimer's appearance--or rather, it was alarm, but on the creature's behalf. For suddenly Erik was reminded of another's feelings, rather than his own anger, and quick as that he felt sorry. He'd done this somehow, and the appalling visage before him was his own fault. A reflection of how he himself had made Mortimer feel.
He reached out for him, recalling that Mortimer had shied away once before but wanting very much to comfort him and tell him he was loved, was wanted, that Erik had had no call saying those things. "Mortimer," he breathed. "Erik is sorry. He is a foolish, selfish man. And very bad at protecting those he loves from himself. Don't be upset."
|
|
|
Post by Mortimer on Dec 23, 2008 16:07:11 GMT -5
It stepped back from Erik, drawing the whipthin tail around itself as its blind eyes swiveled in the terrifying face, seeing nothing and rolling like the eyes of a panicked horse.
The deathgod shook its ugly head and turned, dropping to fours where it could more easily find its way to the door, which it forced open with brute strength and made a hasty b-line for the lake, sliding into the black water with only the smallest of splashes and disappearing under the surface.
|
|
|
Post by Erik on Dec 23, 2008 16:39:59 GMT -5
Erik raced to the lake's shore, calling out Mortimer's name to no avail. He could not follow. Oh, he could swim, and well, but he knew he was no match for this creature, who was built for it.
"Mortimer!" he tried again, his voice falling. "Izame." He felt an empty sort of horror within, knowing he'd done this, he'd driven him away. Somehow he could blame himself where Mortimer was concerned, whereas nearly every other betrayal was done to him.
|
|
|
Post by Mortimer on Dec 23, 2008 16:42:52 GMT -5
No sight of the thing remained, but off in the dark it echoed a mournful keen, like whalesong.
|
|
|
Post by Erik on Dec 23, 2008 16:58:32 GMT -5
It was clear Mortimer was not coming back--not right now, anyway.
It was equally clear what Erik had to do. Someone was responsible for this. Someone not him. He rose and went inside to change his clothes, donning his most dramatic black cloak and mask before striding out to pay a certain libertine a visit.
|
|