1. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    Eyebrows rose, then a slight nod at the header of the bed - toss them there, soldier. Walter let Laric hold his glass, and kicked off his shoes before climbing deeper onto the bed. He sat there, legs crossed, as he took the glass - and held Laric's to let the man situate how he wished. "To...
  2. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    "I think we should, it's not half bad. Lies about the mastery, though." He trailed off. Let his eyes drift closed and leaned into the touch with a soft sigh that sounded like relief, whole body letting the tension release some. Walter's hand rested on Laric's waist, pulled him in just for a...
  3. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    His jaw knit, already braced for an outburst, or more of that cold. 'I'm sorry, Walter.' A part of him wanted to flee the room. He stayed rooted. Old wounds hurt, and Laric wasn't the one who caused those. He didn't look up, brows furrowed slightly - not in anger, in thought. Lines at the corner...
  4. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    That would have been his last appeal. Walter was not going to apologize for asking to respect his space. Doubly so when he's been combat-jumpy, tense, hurting and trying to hide and rest. He knew what he desired, he knew the alarm the very unapologetic manner Laric still presented - caused him...
  5. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    He looked at Laric, who seemed more tense than ever. 'Not sure if there was anything to discuss' carried a particularly bitter sting, but it was not the blond's fault. Some ghosts took a while to let go. He brought the glass to his lips, the smooth glass and the wrapping sweetness of honey and...
  6. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    Walter shrugged, idly. As he passed, the scent of soap root mingled with the sage, fading fragrance of flowers from the clothes. "I've looked better," he huffed, glancing aside, and handed Laric the glasses as he entered. "I've been awake since dawn. They've been the first I've visited, them and...
  7. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    Walter was on the other side of the opened door. Less pale, but with darkness to his eyelids that belayed the man was speaking the truth, as ever, and didn't get much sleep at all. He was well-groomed, clean-shaven and clad in a muted blue doublet atop a grey shirt. "Good morn," he offered, an...
  8. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    "We the servants of Thornhall manor pride ourselves in proper conduct and hospitality. It truly is no trouble, Lord Delirien. The cat's name?" Anthea glanced to the tabby that seemed to be making herself comfortable at the corner of the bed. "Hm, I think some maids called her Dusty." A pause to...
  9. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    The head maid smiled. "Well, let me at least get you some warm blankets. The rain may have died down for now, but I trust my husband when he says there will be a storm by morning time. Ah, I see you've reunited with your dear friend. She's been excellent as the addition to the household...
  10. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    In the way you see fit. Walter smiled faintly, and nodded. "May your worries melt away as candles quench and the sun dawns, Laric. Be welcome in my home. Good night," Walter echoed. The way he spoke, the cadence of it, felt... a little odd, though certainly Walter himself was peculiar on...
  11. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    "You came all this way, and I am in for a sleepless night," Walter offered. All this way included - into his bedroom, unnoticed by the servants, looking slick in black not-mourning dress that outlined the waist and broadened the shoulders. Besides, now that he knew that Laric went where Laric...
  12. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    A sigh behind the screen. Water splashed into the face, hands pressed to the cold skin, fingers splayed as water ran down both his hands. He was quivering with pain, too tired to even be angry. So he took a few more breaths, straightening. The resonance of his heartbeat felt like it was echoing...
  13. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    Walter was sinking into his own head, pain too much. He felt like an exgausted dog that crawled home after a long sprint. Only to find himself not in a comfortable solitude but in unapologetic company. "Thank you," he took the vial, tilted it over an open mouth until three white round pearls...
  14. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    He heard the door shut softly, and exhaled with relief. Then, the door shut again. Walter kept cutting away at bandages, not with a surgery knife - with his own, jaw clenched tightly, breath shaking. The wounds revealed were almost circular, as if from rows on a round jaw with long, triangular...
  15. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    The cat chose to take a half an hour nap on Laric's lap, purring and loafing in a position only comfortable to herself. She wasn't keen on monsters, not even the dogs. The good life served her much better than hunting field mice to survive. The cart outside was on the side closer to the servant...
  16. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    Garrick smiled. Anthea, his wife, would like to keep the cats, on account that they would not serve as eyes but as mousers on the grounds. He made himself scarce, after, attention caught by a different servant, and placed a lackey by the door, to tend to Laric should he need. Minutes passed. A...
  17. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    "I see." Garrick seemed ironclad in pleasantries, his fatherly tone schooled to perfection. Something about him was echoing in Walter's high walls, as if the old servant was presenting not as a human nor a man, but a majordomo exactly - nothing more and nothing less. He did not seem as worn by...
  18. Walter Thornley

    Open Hart, Boar and Fox Fur

    Walter would only offer her a charming smile. His eyes smiled less, only a little bit. He was not free of worry, either, though it wouldn't do well to share his worries with Leysa. Any of them. "Nobility obliges," he teased, voice soft, and dismounted. "Oh, wonderful if even a dent. I'll do my...
  19. Walter Thornley

    Private Trouble at the gate [M]

    Another shiverful breath of autumn passed through the manor grounds. Garrick remained steadfast, right arm behind his back, his posture so precise that not only it would do an impression even at the royal court - it betrayed the deep confusion the more the old majordomo tried to hide it. This...
  20. Walter Thornley

    Private Summer Wine [M]

    He slept deeply for less than an hour. Then, his breath changed, and Walter rolled onto his back, still asleep. Less steady, inhale, shiver, exhale, his form lumbered over onto the other side. "Aedisch'fe omiat uss eteflo." A whisper, lower than the breath. "No... no." Gloved digits dug into...
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