[open] channeling angels in a new age, now.

[priorly]

Who: Prior Walter (priorly) & you??
What: Catch all logs for October!
When: October!
Where: various
Warning(s): language, likely mention of terminal illness (AIDS). Adult themes?
Notes: Please PM me if you'd like a starter, or feel free to wildcard me anytime.

Comments

[vorrutyer]

[ Another shrug. There's a slight quirk to his lips that indicates some emotion that borders on irony - he's certainly not pleased or charmed by this bit of bloody history. But it's certainly not a trauma for him, either. And more to the point, he enjoys Prior's shock enough to far outweigh any bitterness he has at the injustice of it. ]

The official story is war. The lady is Betan - Beta is another planet, I've mentioned it, it's the one you'd adore - and we were fighting against them at the time. So: the sanctioned action of a soldier in a time of war. [ But. ] But it's quite convenient, it seems to me - a man sees his ex-lover murdered and later marries the woman who did it. And then ascends to the most remarkable political prominence. Of course, we can't know what really happened - after all, three people in that room, and one of them is dead - but one cannot help but reflect on the advantage of a rising political star cutting the throat of his embarrassing past peccadillo.

[priorly]

I see. As much as one can see through such a tangled web. My condolences for your loss. [Because that's just manners, even if it doesn't seem that Byerly's misty-eyed over recollections of being bounced upon the man's knee.] So, Beta's a haven for warrior women and twinks, while on Barrayar you're all manly and butch. I wouldn't last five minutes, would I?

[He's sympathetic, really, to Byerly's being the last man standing - at least Prior's planet represents itself well here, even if none of its people are truly his. - all the same, were his compatriots to wake at any time it seems unlikely their association would continue. Embarrassing past peccadillo or not.]

[vorrutyer]

[ By waves dismissal of the condolence. ]

I was three years old when it happened. Hardly weeping over a fellow I didn't know at all. Even if relatives do tell me I resemble him most uncannily, though I suppose that might be a comment on behaviors rather than appearance. Also, don't you despise that? The oh-you-look-just-like-this-dead-person comments? Wretched.

[ Then, with a pat on his wrist - ] And you'd find a place there. It might sound brutal, but much of that is the past. Not the present.

[priorly]

Oh, thirty-three times over. And it isn't even true - of those I've met, at least one of them looked closer to... I don't know, Nathan Lane than any genes of mine, for gods sakes.

[And then Byerly does that and Prior arches a singular eyebrow.]

Is that consolation, that pat? There, there? As one might console a maiden aunt?

[vorrutyer]

Dear Prior, I have never consoled my maiden aunt. Mostly I've ducked the cutlery she's hurled in my direction, truthfully. But is that how you think of yourself, fellow? Maidenly?

[priorly]

[Some mild spluttering.]

No, and don't you dare. [Even if he may be a cutlery hurler, himself.] I may not be butch, but if you'd like to know how many butch boys this nancy's brought home and put through the wall I'll start a list.

[vorrutyer]

Oh, please do.

[priorly]

[LOOK.

...He lets his head tip back against the pillow.]

Well I didn't catch all of their names.

[vorrutyer]

Ooh, that's a salacious start. Come on, lull me to sleep by listing off the ones you do remember. The more details the better.

[priorly]

Terrible. Do you know it's been four years since I was with anyone other than Louis? Though of course I was with him too, back then. Twenty six. An infant. And still.

[An exaggerated sigh really doesn't disguise the beginnings of a grin.]

I think some people put so much effort into reaching a certain size, they just don't have a clue what to do with it when they get there. So they go out just begging to be told.

[vorrutyer]

But size isn't everything, of course.

[priorly]

I'm not a queen in that department, no.

[vorrutyer]

So tantalize me with that tongue of yours. Lavish on my yearning, trembling ears the sweet kiss of your voice. Leave me gasping and spent with the rough and thrilling texture of your storytelling.

[priorly]

[Prior's eyes widen.]

No point, I think I just came.

[If only It were that easy, etc, but good grief, Byerly.]

[vorrutyer]

[ By laughs, then kisses his hand and presses that hand to Prior's cheek. ]

Spoiling sweet maidens has always been amongst my favorite pastimes.

[priorly]

[Prior makes a vaguely repulsed noise at the insinuation, but he's laughing.]

There was one wall. Macy's men's room, third floor. I don't think the store security had the first idea what to do, but it's hardly my fault. They make the stalls so flimsy there.

[vorrutyer]

[ A little quirk of his eyebrow. ]

You met fellows in a restroom?

[priorly]

If it was too cold for the park?

[Ye - es?]

[vorrutyer]

Not - oh - parties?

[priorly]

Sure, parties too. Though that often ended up in the restroom. [He rests his chin in his hand.] Are you shocked? I'm only talking about meeting for sex, not booking assignations by the urinals to plan a beautiful future together. Fifteen minutes and you'd never see them again.

[vorrutyer]

Not shocked, no. It simply seems... [ Hm. ] Inelegant.

[priorly]

It's sex. [A little frown.] Is all yours elegant?

[vorrutyer]

Well, think about who I am, Prior. Do you think I have ever not been elegant?

[priorly]

God, I hope so. I think I'd like to see. [More slips in the facade, not specifically - well. Prior's unsure of the impression left by these stories, though, a little wrongfooted.] I'm sorry if it's terribly unromantic. It's just how things are done. A lot of people aren't - can't - look for relationships, but you can always find something anonymous and quick. It's not how I met Louis. Though, when he and I finally fell into monogamy we were quite the novelty among our friends.

[vorrutyer]

[ A little reflectively: ]

Perhaps the issue. When you're High Vor, nothing you do can ever be anonymous.

[ Ah, well. He shakes his head just a bit, then says: ]

I can understand why they were shocked, though. Monogamy, eh? Heavens, what a curse.