Verse 07 -- Voice

[poeticverses]

[The feed's just a voice one today. Jehan wants it to be quick and to the point]

I apologize for this announcement, as it could not possibly come at a worse time, but I feel it is my duty as his friend to let others know. If you knew Grantaire, he is no longer here. It is possible that his disappearance is connected to the rapid decay of Asti in these last few days though I do not think that is likely to be the cause.

[Still, you never know.]

It would not hurt to keep in contact with friends here, should this illness lead to more disappearances.

Comments

[virginprice]

Indeed. In the meantime, is there anything you need? You know you can ask me for even the slightest thing.

[He owes Jehan for loaning him his suite, after all.]

[poeticverses]

Nothing comes to mind.

[But, if you know him, it's a bit obvious that Jehan is tired. The stress of the rationing, R's illness, the rapid decrease in the turtle's health, and R's sudden departure are taking their toll on the poet]

Unless you've still got some tea?

[virginprice]

I do.

[His stocks are running low, but for an unhappy friend he is more than willing to make some.]

And you are going to come and have some.

[poeticverses]

[He laughs a bit]

I imagine you won't accept "perhaps later" as an answer. Has your suite been rebuilt?

[virginprice]

You are quite right. [He smiles warmly.]

Yes, it was just finished. I am fortunate that many of my things were salvaged, including my tea.

[poeticverses]

The same as it was? Your address, I mean.

[virginprice]

Yes. I'll see you soon.

action!

[poeticverses]

[Jehan arrives shortly after they hang up. He's not dressed particularly well today, too tired and distressed to really bother too much, though at least he matches. He knocks on Alcuin's door, waiting]

action

[virginprice]

[Alcuin opens the door immediately, ushering him inside.]

Sit down, my dear.

[He motions towards the seating area. It's scantier than it was- just a couch and a chair with a low table.]

I'm sorry I don't have anything to offer you to eat, but at least the tea is nearly ready.

action

[poeticverses]

[Jehan just nods and he sits on the couch]

Tea is fine. I am not certain I could eat anything offered to me at this moment. I'm simply too emotionally exhausted, I believe.

action

[virginprice]

Well, you must promise me that you will eat when you go home.

[He pours two cups of tea and comes over to the couch, sitting next to Jehan.]

If you don't want to talk, we can sit quietly. Or I could recite poetry, or whatever you like.

action

[poeticverses]

[When Alcuin sits down, Jehan can't help but move closer. He needs the closeness of another person]

I...honestly Alcuin, I am at a loss and do not know what I want. I spent a full month tending to him and most of this month continuing to mind him if needed and I am suddenly without not only my patient but a good friend.

action

[virginprice]

[Alcuin slides an arm around his shoulders and pulls him even closer.]

No wonder you feel adrift. You don't have to decide on anything, Jehan, not now. Simply relax with me.

action

[poeticverses]

[He leans against Alcuin, taking the comfort the other is offering]

It is strange. I am by no means alone, not with my friends from Paris and the friends I have here, yet it feels as if I am. It isn't as if Grantaire was particularly helpful, only providing cynical and mildly entertaining companionship when drunk and being remarkably bitter when sober and yet...

[Jehan sighs]

I imagine the stress of everything else is not helping. I should not have visited that strange indoor garden of sorts the other day. It was just too disturbing.

action

[virginprice]

[He shifts to rub the back of his neck gently, trying to soothe away some of his stress.]

Yet he was your friend. And you devoted a great deal of time to him- finding your way now that he is gone... I can see that it would be hard. I think you'll make it through all right, though. You can grieve his loss, and you will find that your friends are still here for you when you are done.

[He makes a curious noise.]

I have not seen it- it's very strange?

action

[poeticverses]

[Oh, that feels nice. Jehan shifts to allow Alcuin more room]

They are growing plants in water. Water that has apparently been altered to function as both soil and...well, as water. The plants look perfectly safe but I am not comfortable with the idea of eating something grown in such an unnatural environment.

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[virginprice]

[Alcuin keeps it up, since Jehan seems to like it. He can sip his tea one-handed and rub with the other.]

Water, truly? I wonder what Anael would think of such a thing... [He can't help a disbelieving laugh. It sounds impossible, but the turtle is full of impossible things.] I don't know if I would want to eat them either.

action

[poeticverses]

It is apparently a technique from the future of my home, this "hydroponic gardening". If it is truly something from Earth, however, I wonder if they did not read Frankenstein. It is an entire novel on how man should not play God and what science may do if we do not keep it in check. That isn't to say I am not grateful that they are doing all they can to keep people feed, of course. I simply wish it was not so unnatural and disturbing!

[Jehan has no issues with the natural and disturbing. It's when things get unnatural that he is uncomfortable. He sips at his tea]

action

[virginprice]

It sounds nigh-miraculous to change water so, but you are right. It is important to feed everyone on Tu Vishan, and if we must compromise with things that unsettle us...

[What can they do? They have to eat.]

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[poeticverses]

I will simply forget I ever saw the gardens. Combeferre would find them interesting, but I was just too unsettled by it all.

[He smiles a bit]

They are also sadly lacking in fruit. I will grow tired of potatoes and carrots before too long, I fear.

action

[virginprice]

Potatoes and carrots may feed our bodies, but they do nothing for our souls. It is hard to enjoy a meal when it is so plain.

[The food in restaurants is more edible than what Alcuin could make himself, but it's not really tasty.]

action

[poeticverses]

I did see what appeared to be basil growing, but there is only so much that can be benefited from one herb and that, still, will not provide the nourishment my--ah, our spirits need.

[Today is one of the few days that Jehan is admitting that all of this is getting to him. He hasn't much before as he was too busy with Grantaire but now that he's gone...]

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[virginprice]

I suppose there are other ways to find pleasure, but food is an important one. I wish that Asti were not so ill.

[For Asti's sake as well.]

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[poeticverses]

The poor creature must be exhausted, caring for us and then taking so ill so quickly. I hope we find more warm waters soon so that he may recover. And do not speak to me of other sources of pleasure. I am nearly out of paper and ink and have been without companionship for some time now.

[And he's not talking about the platonic kind. This rationing is killing Dorian's mood and Jehan hasn't seen him in some time. He may be a little sour, though he understands that a man's moods can be as fickle as the weather. (Seriously, though, Dorian's bad mood make Jehan's look positively cheery, and he regularly has bouts of melancholy.)]

action

[virginprice]

Yes, that would be pleasant- even if they were not so kind to us, if they helped him... [Though it was nice to have such a relaxing time there.]

If you need paper, I think I have a sketchbook of Favrielle's that is mostly empty. I'll see what I can find for writing, too. As to the other matter...

[He can guess what kind he's talking about. But Jehan has turned him down before, so.]

I will not speak of it, since it troubles you.