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.

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[virginprice]

[Alcuin leans in to gently press his lips to Jehan's. It's sweet and light, a taste to see if they both like it.]

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[poeticverses]

[As this is technically their second or third kiss, Jehan knows that he quite honestly does enjoy Alcuin's kisses. Still, he keeps it chaste if only because he's not certain he could do much else right this minute]

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[virginprice]

[Well, the others were more spur of the moment. Alcuin is taking his time with this one, just enjoying the sensations, plying his art- because even kissing is an art, and one he is very good at.]

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[poeticverses]

[Jehan most certainly appreciates his skill, too. He, sadly, has to pull away for air after a moment though he is smiling]

Lovely.

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[virginprice]

Now who's flatteing? [Alcuin laughs softly, hand curling around the back of Jehan's neck as he catches his breath too.]

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[poeticverses]

I told you, the truth can at times be flattering. [He rests his forehead against Alcuin's]

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[virginprice]

Ah, very true. You did say that. [He smooths the thumb of his other hand down Jehan's cheekbone, then gives him another quick kiss.]

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[poeticverses]

[Jehan chuckles softly when they part this time] A shame, I thought your memory was better than that.

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[virginprice]

I admit I was distracted by your mouth. [He kisses the corner of it.]

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[poeticverses]

All the more reason to remember what I said!

[This is so much nicer than everything else that Jehan has been thinking of or that has happened recently. It's wonderful]

For shame, Alcuin.

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[virginprice]

I hope you will forgive me. [He looks up through his lashes at Jehan, looking terribly contrite.]

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[poeticverses]

If I must.

[He laughs again and kisses Alcuin's cheek]

You are impossible to stay cross with, you know.

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[virginprice]

I do not remember anyone who has managed it. [People just don't get mad at him... well, all right, Vitale Bouvarre tried to kill him, but that was out of fear and not anger.]

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[poeticverses]

You win them over with your charms and then go about your business, comforted by the knowledge that you simply have to smile and you are safe from anger. Terrible.

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[virginprice]

I know, it's shocking. [He laughs and strokes his fingers through the hair at the back of Jehan's neck.] I hope you can stand it somehow.

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[poeticverses]

Oh, I will survive.

[His smile turns a little mischievous]

I used to be the same way, when I was in school.

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[virginprice]

I do not believe it. At least, not that you ever angered anyone.

[He is aghast at the idea. Entirely. Really.]

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[poeticverses]

Only the gentlest of boys is a perfect angel in school. I am sorry to disappoint, but I was a demon at times growing up.

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[virginprice]

Well, at least you could get yourself out of trouble. [Alcuin resumes his neckrub, smiling.]

I never associated with other boys when I was young. I'm sure it would have been educational.

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[poeticverses]

[Oh, yes. Alcuin is far too good at that]

Mm, though they might have mocked you for being so lovely. Young children, and particularly boys, are brutal.

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[virginprice]

Things are different in Terre d'Ange. Beauty in men is as admired as beauty in women, after all.

[He remembers, quite vaguely, being mocked for not having a father, but he isn't certain of that so he doesn't mention it.]

I am not certain whether I should take the fact that you think I would have been mocked for being lovely as a compliment or not.

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[poeticverses]

I did not mean to offend and I beg your forgiveness if I did. If masculine beauty is prized in Terre d'Ange, then you surely were quite popular.

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[virginprice]

You did not. I was teasing.

[He rubs a particularly sensitive spot on the back of Jehan's neck. His studies in anatomy were very practical.]

Mmm, yes, I suppose I was. I never thought of it a great deal when I was young, and when I was older, my beauty was... a commodity. Something to be used to help Anafiel.

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[poeticverses]

[Jesus Christ, that should be illegal. Jehan melts under Alcuin's attention. His stress is nearly gone]

A shame. That your beauty was a commodity, that is. It sounds terrible, though I imagine it simply sounds worse than it was. You don't seem bitter about it, after all.

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[virginprice]

[He's just glad to help!]

How could I be bitter? I paid my debt to Anafiel and helped him fulfill the oaths he had sworn. I cannot imagine doing anything else, though the work was more difficult than I had thought.

[He hated it, most of the time. He was not blessed by Naamah, to respond to the desire of others with desire of his own, but he's moved past the bitterness he had for it.]