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[devoutish]

Solomons & Melborn
1108 Sweet Cream Street

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[devoutish]

[Alfie sputters, caught between laughter and surprise. He had not been expecting that answer.]

Yes, you were--

[avere]

[ She laughs, clear like a bell, musical. ]

You've been spending too much time around Royce. I'm sure he talks me up like I'm some sort of saint, but I'm not. [ She reaches to take Alfie's hand. ] Listen. I don't want to belong to anybody. He doesn't either. It's why we work.

We're not normal, good people. I slept with people for money. He killed them for the same. We know we're not normal, and so what we make between the two of us - it won't be normal, either.

[devoutish]

I do know you're not a saint.

[He lets his hand rest easily in hers, fingers loose and relaxed.]

Nobody really is, are they.

[avere]

No, they aren't. [ She says, firmly. ] All that I'm concerned about is that he's happy. And you make him happy. You make me happy, too. I look forward to our letters.

[ A beat. ] Let me tell you a story. It's a short one, I promise.

[devoutish]

[He gives her a nod. Go on.]

[avere]

Years ago, I read Royce's palm.

I Saw that he would come to a point along his path where there were two lights, and one of them would be suddenly snuffed out, and he would be unable to go on. I was so, so sure, in my heart of hearts, that the light was Hadrian. I was sure that if he didn't go with Hadrian, save Hadrian - he would break.

But it wasn't Hadrian. It was me. And I didn't realize that until we ended up on that bridge, in the snow.

[devoutish]

[Alfie nods again, but says nothing. He's familiar with this story - though, obviously, from Royce's point of view.]

[avere]

It took me a while, to understand that I was important to him. [ She says, looking out across the village. ] That I was that important to him. And when I did realize it, I felt guilty. Surely I was distracting. Surely, I couldn't be as important to him as Hadrian was.

[ A pause. ] But I am. For different reasons, and for some of the same reasons. I thought about what I Saw, and Alfie - I don't think that light that was put out had anything to do with me. I think that it could've been Hadrian, too.

What I was Seeing - I think it was telling me that he was going to lose one of us, and it was up to the other to keep him loved and cared for until the other could come back to help.

[devoutish]

And you truly think this situation, here, is the same as that one back then?

[avere]

Yes. I assume you don't think so.

[devoutish]

[Another pause.]

Two years ago I would have said that.

[avere]

Would have said what?

[devoutish]

That I don't think the situations are at all the same; could at all be the same.

[avere]

And what do you think now?

[devoutish]

I think I can understand his way of thinking, and that I may come to understand yours, as well.

[avere]

That is a very diplomatic answer.

[devoutish]

No, it's a truly honest one.

[avere]

It can be honest and diplomatic. [ She tilts her head. ] This is one of those times that I'm deciding not to push, for the record.

[devoutish]

And why not? I should get used to talking about it, with you especially.

[avere]

I don't want to argue, so much, when this is the first and last time I'll see you for a while.

[devoutish]

Well-- all right. But I haven't been thinking of this as arguing.

[avere]

No, I haven't either. I just see the potential for it, that's all.

I've told you what I think, you said that you'll think about it. Is there much else to discuss?

[devoutish]

Suppose not.

[He huffs, amused at himself.]

I like arguing. Royce can tell you. We'll get to debating something, and he'll say he doesn't want to fight, and I nearly don't have the heart to tell him I've been enjoying it.

[avere]

[ She laughs a little. ]

Most of the time, he just doesn't want to hear an opinion that doesn't reflect his own. [ Sniff. ] I have noticed you're very firm. You know what you think and it takes more than just a few words for someone to change your mind. Royce and his silver tongue - he isn't used to that.

[devoutish]

I like that we think differently. Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciate our similarities, but I think our differences make us fit together just as well. We compliment each other.

[He looks over at her.]

I'm sure that's what makes the two of you work, as well.