♣ 6 ♣ [video]

[dyingisnotdead]

[The device turns on, revealing a Loras who looks...tired. He has been sleeping for two weeks (he has looked at the date), but he feels no more rested than he would, before.

He has been home. Living for months without knowledge of this place. But as he has woken up--he remembers the prophecy, the future he saw, so many weeks ago.

He knows that when he returns home, it will come true.

There is no escaping it.

So if he looks more serious, older, well. It is just the way of things, now.]

It seems while I slept, I returned home. I do not understand how it has occurred or why I have returned but--

--I can not deny the truth of it.

[He runs his free hand through his mess of curls.]

Can someone tell me what I have missed?

And--how many of you have returned home, and had no recollection of this place? Is that how it happens, always? With no way to use the knowledge of things learned here, back in our worlds?

[To avoid his fate--oh he wishes that he could.]

Comments

[dyingisnotdead]

No. I attacked, because the Queen regent said that if I did not take the castle, she would not send the necessary men to defend my home.

I had little choice.

[true_renaissance_man]

[Politics...
Instantly this Queen was disliked. It was bad enough to have to deal with nobles when you were only a commissioned artist but when there were so many lives at stake... and moreover when Loras was involved...]

I never cared for those kinds of people who say they will help you if only you do this for them in return. I know it is impossible to avoid with rulers but it would be better if they had more consideration.

[dyingisnotdead]

I am certain now she did it, hoping that I would get killed as a result.

She may get her wish, as it seems.

[true_renaissance_man]

What!

[Oh he... he felt lightheaded for a moment and had the headrest of the bed not been there to catch him and bring him back to his senses he might well have slid off the bed entirely.]

Why would she do... even contemplate something like that?!

[dyingisnotdead]

Because she wants my family to lose our power, to see us dead. Because she is a cruel mad woman.

Does it truly matter, why?

[true_renaissance_man]

No...

[But, such cruelty! To go to such lengths to destroy a man and his family...

The horror and faintness he had felt was quickly replaced with an anger that set his jaw. His next words were harsh and held a threat just beneath the surface.]

If only she were here. I would have a few friends to introduce her to!

[Friends one usually finds it best not to speak of, but with Loras it was different. They shared a connection and a love... there was no harm in talking freely around him.]

[dyingisnotdead]

And I would not mind you doing so.

[Loras sighs, and moves to pull Leonardo back down, brushing his lips against his gently.]

There is nothing to do about it, now. We just...have to try and ignore it.

[Or at least, Loras will try. It is the best he can do, some days.]

[true_renaissance_man]

[The flame of anger was so quickly lit but even faster extinguished. Or perhaps it was more fitting to say the flame had been redirected, moved from one wick to another, as Loras's lips teased at his own transforming itself into passion instead of rage. ]

Lei ha ragione.

[Leonardo spoke softly now, in nearly a whisper, a far cry from the outrage of a moment ago. ]

You are usually right.

[He leaned in to that gentle caress, trying to steal a moment from his love's lips, so close but tantalizingly distant.]

[dyingisnotdead]

[Loras lets the kiss last a bit longer, a hand moving to slide up into Leonardo's hair, his other hand cupping his neck. After a few moments, he pulls back, smiling softly.]

Well, I do try to be right. It helps make things easier.

[Though he knows he is usually wrong. Or...or he has been wrong, in the worst way, recently.]

Did you work on anything why I was gone?

[true_renaissance_man]

[Work? It must have been telling when Leonardo only blinked at the question like he was having trouble remembering whether he had or not. ]

I may have done something...

[A curl was captured and twirled around a finger. Loras did have the most beautiful locks of hair.]

Does it matter?

[dyingisnotdead]

...no, not really.

[Loras smiles, settling back against Leonardo.]

At least not to me.

[He's sure someone cares about Leonardo's work. Most of it goes well over Loras' head, so he just enjoys it for how happy it makes Leo.]

[true_renaissance_man]

[His projects were fun! It was impossible not to get a thrill out of putting the finishing touches on a painting or seeing a machine you have only just dreamed up actually coming to life but after all the worry and concern of a past few weeks those little joys had been forgotten. Right now there was no greater gift than to be able to lean back against a pillow and hold Loras close to his chest. ]

I can get back to those things later. You are far more important!

[dyingisnotdead]

[Well Loras will never complain about being fawned over. So he just smiles, preening ever so slightly.]

Well I'm glad you think so.