|
Post by Julian on Oct 11, 2008 2:11:03 GMT -5
*Julian looked a little ill. This man was asking him to hold back...for the sake of Carlos's...feelings? He couldn't understand how one so devoted to the art could ask such a thing in earnest.*
"You wish me to...undercut my performance? Should Faust not feel torment?" *He asked honestly.* "I rather thought it was pivotal to the part?"
*Not to mention the thought of Carlos as a friend was a bit difficult to believe possible. He found Destler ugly, and by that Erik. And to Julian, that was a cardinal and mortal sin.*
|
|
|
Post by Erik Destler on Oct 11, 2008 2:16:28 GMT -5
"Please understand that he is...delicate. He has not yet become accustomed to either myself or his new condition, and over that he still has no control. Until he learns to control the changes...only that. It is not unreasonable, it is for his safety, and likely that of others, it is not to spare his feelings or cowtoe to his diva-like whims and tantrums, and it is not because I with not for you to shine--you deserve to, Julian. For your own merits."
He reached up and stroked the young man's planar cheek.
"Would you grant me this favor, my friend? Until he learns his control?"
|
|
|
Post by Julian on Oct 11, 2008 2:20:39 GMT -5
*Julian felt like his innards were ripping apart, that he was being drawn and quartered. For yet another whelp who was unworthy. The muscles in his neck went taut.*
"And...how long will that take?" *He forced through clenched teeth. He wished Destler to be happy, but what he was asking...it was no small matter.*
|
|
|
Post by Erik Destler on Oct 11, 2008 2:27:47 GMT -5
He was aware of that, as well.
"I don't know. Now that I can play, that I've began to set things straight in my home, I can begin working with him on that. I have some ideas, it can be done. I know what I am asking--you must know that. But, Julian...he has stayed. His love is not a spell, I haven't forced it on him!" He pulled his hands away from the man's face and wrung them in the air a bit before returning them.
"If there is anything you should need of me, only ask and I will grant."
|
|
|
Post by Julian on Oct 12, 2008 6:56:09 GMT -5
"I see." *The words were only breath as Julian stood unmoving, his eyes cold. Behind him in the shadow by the kegs, something started to appear slowly. First, just a flicker, the faintest glow.*
"He must be a prize indeed if you are making a deal with the devil." *He meant himself, of course, Mephistopheles. The one that could give this man what he so desperately wanted. He was silent for a long moment. When he spoke again, his words were tight, but clear.*
"I will do my best to provide you what you have asked for. But only until opening night. By then, he must be ready." *He lifted his pale hand preemptively.* "That point is non-negotiable." *He lowered his hand once more.* "Though I will put forward great effort to see he is ready by then."
|
|
|
Post by Erik Destler on Oct 12, 2008 17:53:19 GMT -5
"I've made two." He grinned back and then nodded. "Good, boy, good. I'll begin to work with him immediately."
The composer began to turn to go, but halted and whirled back around. "Now...there isn't something you're not telling me, I hope?"
|
|
|
Post by Julian on Oct 12, 2008 18:04:03 GMT -5
*Julian's eyes narrowed.*
"And what sort of thing would that be?" *His brow arched. From behind him the glow took on a shape, thin translucent tendrils that swirled slowly from the shadows.*
"I have told you, I will do what I can. I intend to."
|
|
|
Post by Erik Destler on Oct 12, 2008 18:11:23 GMT -5
"I don't know, you seem set on Carlos being ready opening night. Is there something planned, then?"
|
|
|
Post by Julian on Oct 12, 2008 18:16:02 GMT -5
*Julian eased slightly.*
"I merely wish to perform at my best. Rehearsal is one thing, but surely you would not ask me to sacrifice a performance for a paying audience."
*The tendrils wrapped deftly about Julian, passing through him at parts, but the man seemed to pay them no mind.*
|
|
|
Post by Erik Destler on Oct 13, 2008 11:35:45 GMT -5
"No, of course not."
He took an involuntary step back and pushed his hand into his coat where his whip and knife no longer were. "Is this some pet of yours, Julian?"
|
|
|
Post by Julian on Oct 13, 2008 11:40:05 GMT -5
*Julian's brow lifted a moment, not understanding, but then he realized.*
"Fear not. They...comfort me."
*He glanced behind Destler to the door.*
"If there is nothing else, I am certain your man awaits you."
They always do.
|
|
|
Post by Erik Destler on Oct 13, 2008 11:49:48 GMT -5
The composer ignored the slight jab and stepped forward again, closer, leaning down and fascinated.
"What are they?"
|
|
|
Post by Julian on Oct 13, 2008 12:00:09 GMT -5
*Julian tilted his head slightly, seeming a bit more at ease than only a few moments before.*
"They are...what I was." *He didn't know if there was a better way to explain it.* "Where I come from. Before I am...what I have become."
*One of the tendrils glided closer to Destler as if curious. It was very thin and though it was translucent, there was no apparent bone structure inside it.*
|
|
|
Post by Erik Destler on Oct 13, 2008 12:06:55 GMT -5
He tilted his head this way and that toward it and lifted his hand with a finger crooked as one might do to coax a bird onto it.
"Do you remember, before? I thought M. Erik was your father--mother, whatever."
|
|
|
Post by Julian on Oct 13, 2008 12:13:39 GMT -5
"Erik is my mother." *Julian replied simply.* "But there are...complications about my existence. I remember some of what he was, before. Even at my birth, I was...this is not my natural realm." *He continued. It was hard to explain to one that did not simply understand do to the fact of being of the same being.*
*The tendril shifted, moving closer still, wrapping loosely around the tip of Destler's finger before passing partially through it like a heavy smoke. It's touch was cold and a hint electric.*
|
|