018 - Sleep to the Stars Overhead

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[She has overseen the complete moving of her household to her newest estate, so recently completed.

She has seen her rooms completely moved to the ones downstairs, once belonging to a minor duchess. Louis' eldest daughter wanted them as well, and the tension still simmers. The rooms that stand adjacent to the King's own are now occupied by someone far younger, if less adept.

She has seen her staircase, her delicate spiraling staircase, walled up and utterly erased from the architecture of Versailles.

And for all that, Reinette is exhausted. The kind that goes bone deep, past any touch or balm. The sort that is impossible to sooth when surrounded by so much that is new and unknown. Who would have thought, Reinette considers as she brings herself to the Plane, that this would become the most familiar.

Where she would feel as if she might rest. Even sleep.

She is curled up on a settee, doing just that. Sleeping. And she cannot promise what will be said if you wake her]

Comments

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[and his efforts are most certainly effective. She is awake, smiling slightly even if her eyes are still closed. She will certainly not make it easy. She is know to be difficult that way]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[yeah, he's totally trying to play this like he's not trying to wake her, so he isn't looking closely enough to see that smile. so he will just sigh a little louder and readjust himself on the seat so he's a bit closer and maybe a bit more disruptive. he's still restraining himself enough that he may claim he didn't mean to wake her, despite the fact it's obvious that is what he is trying to do]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[oh but she is teasing you now, it might be suggested. There is a sigh, almost a mirror of his own.It is remarkable what she manages while sleeping. Her smile, however, is dangerously close to giving her away]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[he totally hears that sigh, and notices that smile, and he totally knows you're awake, and he will sigh again]

Well, I suppose I should just enjoy the peace and quiet. It's not as if there's anyone about who would be entertaining or anything of the sort.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[an eyebrow arches at that sigh, even with her eyes closed]

I am speaking because I wish to, not because of your clumsy attempt to bait me into doing so. I am quite certain of my ability to entertain. I do not need your affirmation on the matter.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[since her eyes are shut, he can grin as much as he likes]

Oh, I'm absolutely certain that is true.


[also, that icon! soooo pretty]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she would suggest he should smile, it suits him -- if she were to open her eyes of course]

Though if it is peace and quiet you desire, I could stop.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you could, but I wouldn't think you'd want to.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she finally opens her eyes, meeting his gaze. Whatever she has learned today, it is not evident there]

And why is that?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Well, because I'm brilliant company, and you can't resist talking to me, of course.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she would never go so far as to say that he is right, but her broad smile suggests it all the same]

Perhaps.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[his very smug grin says he knows exactly what that smile suggests, and he will now move on without another word, because grins seem to speak loudly enough]

So what has you sleeping out here?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[only that is quite a smug expression you are wearing sir, and she is aware of it]

It seemed to be the one place I might.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[and smugness gets replaced with concern]

What? Why? Everything is all right for you in France, isn't it?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[at his expression she realizes how her words might be misinterpreted, and amends them]

The Clockwork Men have been almost abnormally quiet of late. There is no need for concern.

[a smile]

No, life just seems rather determined to be exhausting of late. My rooms were finally finished downstairs, so I have been removing myself from my others.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Oh.

[his expression lightens, relieved that it isn't anything sinister]

Do you like them, then? These new rooms?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

They are --

[and this word is the most carefully chosen of the day]

Different.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[and that is one tricky word with a million definitions]

Different?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[It is, is it not?]

Different.

[she would never use the word lonely]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[studies her]

A change of pace can be a good thing too, yeah? New beginnings and all that sort of nonsense?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she surprises even herself with her lack of hesitation]

It will be, yes. Eventually. The worst of it is over, I think.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[grins]

That's brilliant, then. From this point on things can only get better if you're over the worst.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[and then she sits up fully, finally]

Yes.


What of you?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Me?

Oh, nothing terribly exciting. Just finished dealing with some nasty wormholes.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she arches an eyebrow]

And yet am quite certain that you thoroughly enjoyed yourself.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Well, I do always try, at the very least.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she laughs lightly]

But you do not always succeed?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Well, you have to fail once or twice to truly appreciate it when you do succeed, I suppose. Having it ideal all the time would have to get boring.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[the tilt of her chin suggests while she accepts the reality of his words, she will battle them all the same]

I still find that I disagree with the notion of failure.