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[flawmaturge]

"You have reached Wiktor Szulski. If you need me for something, you will be the first person in my life ever to do so. Leave a message and hopefully neither of us will be dead before I get back to you."

Comments

Immediately post-breach

[droppedstitch]

Wiktor.

I need something from you. Put on something respectable. I will be at your cabin in a few minutes.

Re: Immediately post-breach

[flawmaturge]

...you're fucking kidding me right now. Istra? Why.

Why right now?

[ There is some impressive cursing in Polish before- ]

Yes, yes, I'm already dressed, just- door's open.

Re: Immediately post-breach

[droppedstitch]

Don't fucking start.

[He opens the door a few moments later. He has no makeup on, his hair pinned back, and he's wrapped in a blanket over sleep clothes. He doesn't even have shoes on. He fled his room almost immediately.]

Re: Immediately post-breach

[flawmaturge]

[ And Wiktor will be glad that this strange funhouse version of his family home brings one right into the den because he can both usher Istra over to the couch and sit in one of the chairs with a minimum of movement. ]

I will fucking start. Especially since I opened the door. Now, what is it that you need.

Re: Immediately post-breach

[droppedstitch]

He sits and he's quiet, cocooning under the blankets like it gives him any semblance of protection from the outside world.

"I am sorry. To wake you like this," he starts. "But you know I wouldn't if it wasn't important."

He knows he's stalling, but he can't say it. Once he does, then that's it. There's a distinct line between the life he had and the life he has now.

[droppedstitch]

[Singsong:]

Oh, Warden!

Are you hungover?

[She sounds hopeful.]

[flawmaturge]

Why would you assume that?

[ No, he isn't. ]

The wedding was days ago. And I was mostly sober.

You looked lovely, by the way.

[droppedstitch]

I know I did. How could I not?

And you dont have to have an occasion to have fun and drink.

Anyway, come and meet me in the art gazebo. I have a project.

[flawmaturge]

I am on my way, Istradez. Do I need anything?

[fuckingphoenix]

There's no fanfare. No grand gesture. No big announcement. There's just Abaurycy, quietly slipping a small bundle of cloth to Wiktor across the table over breakfast.

He had made eggs and toast that morning for them both, ensuring that Sokie did not come over. This moment is for them. That's the only indication that something might be different.

"Happy Christmas," he tells him.

[flawmaturge]

He looks up from his book to the bundle in his arms. He makes sure that Pierogi is not in it, because he could see that being a part of it, before he looks up at Abaurycy.

"Happy Christmas, my love."

He pauses before he gestures towards the mantle of the fireplace.

"Your present is there. I thought to give it to you after dinner."

[fuckingphoenix]

Pierogi is not there. Just the wrapped cloth.

"I can open it after," he assures him. "But open that now."

Abaurycy is unusually nervous, fidgeting with his fork and tapping his fingers. It may become obvious if Wiktor opens the bundle. Because despite the size, there are only two items inside. One is Adam Mickiewicz's poem To M-- written out and the other is a small silver band. It looks very plain to the naked eye. Inside is engraved: "Tym grubszym kirem twą pamięć pomroczy, from that same poem.

But the ring itself is not the most important part. Not to Abaurycy. He may not be a wizard, not in the way that Wiktor is, but he knows enough. He's had the ring for weeks, the ideas for longer. Every time that he's touched the ring, every time that Abaurycy laid hands on it, has been when he was feeling particularly in love with Wiktor. Not lust. Not want. But love. Every memory of Abaurycy's love is tied into that ring. Every time Wiktor smiled just right, every evening full of laughter or drunken dancing, is in that ring. The feeling of being wanted and accepted and Abaurycy's desire to simply bask in Wiktor is in that ring. It's the greatest poem he's ever written without having penned a single letter.

He waits.

[flawmaturge]

Wiktor can feel it, even through the cloth: his senses sing with it, with something so bright and so pure and personal to him, to Abaurycy. A thaumaturge he may not be, but this is beyond a mere trace and straight into a the realm of intent. Abaurycy will feel and hear him swallow as he undoes the cloth and pulls out the folded page... and the ring.

Which he makes sure to stare up at Abaurycy as he immediately holds it out to him.

And holds up his hand.

...they will never have a wedding. They will never have a marriage. Neither of them would want to do it here, where they don't have enough people who matter and where Ligia could not attend. And they certainly couldn't do it in Warsaw. But here, now-

[droppedstitch]

Did you die?

[flawmaturge]

Unfortunately no. But I am somewhat medicated.

How can I help you, Istra?

[droppedstitch]

That's good. You can sit in a daze and i will talk at you.

Are you dressed?

[flawmaturge]

I am hardly dazed, Istradez. And I am most certainly dressed. I would not simply laze around unclothed. Not around here.

After he’s paired with Lucifer

[abrightboy]

Wiktor, hi! You… probably remember me. I’m Malcolm Bright, Will’s husband. Anyway, I saw the Admiral paired you with Lucifer. I just wanted you to know that his boyfriend Alastor is my inmate - and they live together - and so if there’s ever any issues in that… area, I’m the guy. You know. If you need to call someone about Alastor.

Re: After he’s paired with Lucifer

[flawmaturge]

...why do you think that I would forget you, Malcolm. I thought you an acquaintance at least, perhaps even a friend.

Though I was aware of your pairing. I... don't see much need to call you on that purpose, however. Do you see a need?

Re: After he’s paired with Lucifer

[abrightboy]

Really? I’ve been told I come on too strong, so I try not to assume too soon. Though that can also cause problems. …I haven’t worked out the middle ground yet. But thank you! I’m so pleased!

Anyway.

I don’t see a need currently, but you never know what might happen. Especially if it happens to one of them.

Re: After he’s paired with Lucifer

[flawmaturge]

I'm not sure how one can come on 'too strong' but I also walk into a room ready to throw punches at any point.

I will keep it in mind, however.

After lunch post Abaurycy spat

[weirdnecro]

Słońcem, gwiazdami, i tlenem.

I'm an idiot and way too dramatic.

But I would not be surprised if Abaurycy doesn't want to see me for awhile. I pressed too hard.

Re: After lunch post Abaurycy spat

[flawmaturge]

Moje serce, moje oczy, powietrze w moich płucach...

Meaning you pressed?

Re: After lunch post Abaurycy spat

[weirdnecro]

He was bothered by something, and he wouldn't tell me.

I pressed.

Re: After lunch post Abaurycy spat

[flawmaturge]

He won't until he is ready to threaten you over it.

Getting to it before then is your Arthur's problem now, no?