Serenade for String Orchestra in E Major

[collector]

[Braxiatel walks through the rain with an umbrella in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. He is taking more care in keeping the rain out of his tea than he is in keeping it away from his clothes, and for a moment he even sticks his head out from under his umbrella to look up at the clouds. When he speaks, he is speaking to himself, his voice like smoothed glass.]

That's an awful lot of oil going to waste. And in such a way. [His smile is made of irony, and he looks down at the stars still under their feet despite the rain.] How the old symbols are reformed.

[With the skill of the absurdly well-balanced, he switches his cup to the hand holding the umbrella, opens the library door, and steps inside.]

[After a moment, he pops his head back out again.]

Oh, one thing: have there been any odd deaths lately? I'd be interested to know.

[Then it's back in out of the rain.]

Comments

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

[she's startled by that and jumps, but finds her balance quickly, smiling at Brax and lifting her eyebrows in turn]

If you don't want to go, just say the word.

[collector]

I'm not religious.

[Sorry, he couldn't resist]

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

[Oh, Brax. He should be ashamed.]

Are you quite sure about that? I heard rumours once that you were a Cardinal in a previous life.

[collector]

Trust me, Bernice: it was a faithless job.

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

Do I have a choice?

[collector]

Yes, you do. You could ask those here who knew me then. I imagine one individual in particular would be more than happy to divulge information about my former life.

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

Oh, please. That sounds positively tedious.

Really now, Brax. Why would I want to do anything like that? I'm sure if there was something important to know I'd find out without having to go through all that trouble.

Right?

[collector]

[He isn't going to even hide how insincere this is.] Of course.

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

[she looks at him uncertainly] You think I should?

[collector]

I would rather you didn't. What I choose not to tell you is either irrelevant or undisclosed for a reason.

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

I assumed so. Which is why I wouldn't ask.

[collector]

[He smiles genuinely] And I appreciate that. But you could, if you so wished. I wouldn't blame you for it.