so long, lonesome

Muramura · Nov 8, 2016

Johann had been ready to turn around and leave, to just walk right out of there and escape to the library. Surely there was something that needed to be done, some book to repair or put away — but the vampire's words caused him to hesitate. A low huff rolled from him, and his posture straightened as he pivoted towards Aldric.

His arms crossed demurely over his lower abdomen, fingers curled at his sides as he inclined his head just so.

"[I am uncertain of what I would like right now. I ... never expected to see you again.]"

birdie · Nov 8, 2016

Instead of leaving, Johann folded his arms about himself. Aldric was glad to see he hadn’t left. So much time had passed, he couldn’t bear to see him leave again so soon—and couldn’t bear to part on a sour note, as they had the last time.

“[I never expected to see you again, either.]”

Aldric had finished cleaning up the infirmary, for the most part. The floor was clear. The desks were neat. The items on top of the desks were not near the edges, or ready to fly across the room again, as it seemed Johann had worn himself out.

“[I mourned you. I missed you.]” He sighed, and met Johann’s eyes. “[I became a doctor, to try and do right by your memory.]”

Muramura · Nov 8, 2016

The ghost lingered, uncertain of what he should be doing with himself. Having his hands behind his back and his head bowed felt too servile for their current selves, yet standing here and hugging himself felt too...too casual? Funny how he was now worrying about his stance and positioning when earlier he had been crying on the floor...But it was only just now that he was beginning to calm out of sheer exhaustion, the stillness of the room allowing him to better focus on the conversation at hand.

"[You--you missed me,]" Johann repeated, under his breath and more to himself than anything. Taken aback by that admission, he found himself maintaining Aldric's eye contact in awkward silence for a few moments before finally realizing what he was doing and glancing away.

"[I...Likewise. I--...Ah, I did my best to take care of the estate's library afterwards...And when I left, I eventually came here. I have been busying myself in the library since then...]"

birdie · Nov 8, 2016

“[I did,]” said Aldric. “[I’ve thought of you often. Prayed for you.” But his praying had done little good. He prayed for Johann’s peace in Heaven, yet here he stood before him, still on earth.

And for that reason, he could not decide whether or not he was glad to see him.

Johann looked away, and a moment later. Aldric lowered his eyes to the floor. He struggled still to look away from him, but he did not want the intensity of his awe to inspire any feelings of intimidation. His hands rested on his hips, a strong yet open stance, and not as casual as putting them in his pockets.

“[You work here, then?]” he asked. “[For how long? I have been here for… over a hundred years. Surely we could not have missed each other for so long.]”

Muramura · Nov 8, 2016

Johann found that it was easier to stare at the walls and notate all the damage he had caused than to look at his old mentor. This was surreal, like a waking dream. "[I often wondered what happened to you. I am glad--]" There was a hitched pause as he tried to sort his wording. I am glad you are still here, felt much too personal, and still alive seemed offensive. He finally settled on, "[are still around.]" That felt so clumsy, but it would have to do.

Shaking his head at himself, he glanced to the vampire briefly.

"[Ah...I have not been here that long, no. Only a year or so. It seems a nice enough place to work.]"

birdie · Nov 8, 2016

That was perhaps the first thing Johann had said so far that was kind with the intent to be kind. After a moment, Aldric offered a soft smile—it was small, just a slight tug at the corners of his mouth, but noticeable nonetheless.

"[A lot has happened to me,]" he said. "[I'm sure a lot has happened to you, too.]"

A whole year had passed and they had not seen each other. Aldric rarely went to the school's library, and a ghost had no need for the infirmary. It made sense, and yet—

"[A whole year,]" he said.

Another thing to mourn.

"[I am glad that another year did not pass before we found each other.]"
He offered another small, toothless smile.

"[How long did you stay at the estate before you came here?]"

Muramura · Nov 8, 2016

Catching the smile, Johann's attention lingered on Aldric. Constant eye contact was too intense for the ghost, and so he settled for focusing his gaze on the other's jaw line. A tiny, minute smile quirked the corners of his mouth upwards. Something about seeing the vampire smile eased a small fraction of the ache in his empty chest.

"[Mayhaps we will exchange stories one day.]" He mused, his stance and posture becoming a little less tense as he gradually started to relax, if only a bit. The undercurrent of hurt was still there, yes...But right now, he could at least briefly pretend things were normal.

"[Too long, perhaps. I did not leave until...oh...After the great war. Maybe it was for the best you were gone.]"

birdie · Nov 8, 2016

"[I'd like that,]" said Aldric. "[I'd like that very much.]"

He wanted to know what had happened in Johann's life. He wanted to tell Johann what had happened in his own. One day, he hoped, they could do that.

But first, Johann would have to look at him without looking at his murderer.

"[Why was it for the best?]" he asked, and then added, "[I would have stayed there for many more years if I hadn't been chased away.]"

Muramura · Nov 8, 2016

It was strange, to have so much of Herr Reinhardt's direct attention. It was somehow simultaneously comforting (he was being heard, he was being listened to) and anxiety-inducing (he was on display, he was vulnerable). Despite this, Johann remained rooted in place. He did not pivot away, he simply kept his gaze lowered, his amber eyes drifting downwards to settle on Aldric's shoulders.

"[Ah...Because of the war, it...would have been more difficult for someone of your condition. Due to how you appear, they may have tried to draft you, and...that would not have been good...]"

I could not stand seeing you go off into danger, remained unsaid. Instead, he dropped his focus to the floor, his hands coming forward to clasp against his lower belly.

"[...Have you...enjoyed your work? Is it fulfilling...?]"

birdie · Nov 8, 2016

The only reason Aldric hadn't had to fight in any of the wars over the past century was because he had been here, on the island, away from any country that could require his service. He nodded at once.

"[You're right,]" he said. "[It would not have been good. I'd have died, or I'd have had to run away. I suppose no matter what happened, I was never meant to stay in my own home.]"

He'd been born in that estate. He'd grown up there.

"[I've thought sometimes of going back. Until now I thought I'd only see a pile of ashes where the manor once stood. Ah, it doesn't matter; I hate to travel over water anyway.]"

He lifted a hand from his hip to wave it dismissively. Even if he wanted to return to say goodbye, there was nothing to say goodbye to. The estate would be so different now he doubted he'd recognize it, and Johann—well, he was here now, not in Germany.

"[I do find it fulfilling, yes. I am grateful I know how to save lives. I wish I'd known how years ago.]"

He knew there was a chance bringing it up again would only cause more hysteria, but casual small talk would fix nothing of what had been damaged between them.

"[I did try to save you, Johann. I really did.]"

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so long, lonesome

Muramura

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birdie

Well-Known Member

Muramura

Well-Known Member

birdie

Well-Known Member

Muramura

Well-Known Member

birdie

Well-Known Member

Muramura

Well-Known Member

birdie

Well-Known Member

Muramura

Well-Known Member

birdie

Well-Known Member