Dorian had gotten reservations for the spot where the family could dine, giving the staff a night off, and even light duty to the essentials. Recent days had been momentous and the very depth and breadth of the one twin's scheming ability was getting Dinah there early and to himself. With her hair black he held her hand through town, presuming few would note his twin given they looked a little more different lately. So with his Sabina on his arm he'd bring her to the romantically lit deck and once there suggest, "If I were the marrying kind, this would be the sort of place to consider asking that question."
He'd grin in punctuation, presuming the fabulous view of water and isle would amply distract from the heartfeltness beneath the absurdity of what he'd said. A server got a point and a wink of simultaneous acknowledgment and invitation to come over.
Dinah smiled as they held hands through the town, though she'd titter from time to time and sidle up to him a little closer. As they arrived at the restaurant, she pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"It's a lovely place. And anywhere close to the sea is always a good choice in general, I think" she agreed, moving her hand from his to his arm and resting it there for a moment until she parted to approach the railing, peering over the edge.
"Though it surprises me you'd not choose the seiki. you seem so much more fond of that half of town.."
Dorian made a note to self, to propose marriage as close to the sea as he could get, if he could ever find a time and place to make that work. This was as close to that moment as he'd ever been, but yet not it. So he'd watch her watching the sea with a self satisfied smile tinged deeply with longing, and find something appropriate to talk about, which was not proclamations of love nor lust for his twin. It took a moment in which he'd walk up to her side and look from her to the water below and beyond, wherein he'd purl, "My love of the Seiiki is not your love. Just because I enjoy chopsticks and gyoza and shumai and soba... does not mean everyone wants their shoes off and to sit on the ground with me to eat them. Besides, we'll go there soon enough. I had a fine time with Lilah when we went near Christmas. Are you still enjoying being the teacher? Threatening to cut any twins yet to see who bleeds?"
Dinah laughed gently and she turned enough to shuffle against his side, resting her cheek against his shoulder. "I liked when we went to that little house and watched the flowers. that was lovely" she admitted "I am not quite sure I understand why we have to sit on the floor, though. I suppose I am just... beyond some things" she stood up to press a quick sneaky kiss to his cheek with a giggle. "I enjoy being a teacher well enough. it's a little dull sometimes, i can see most of them don't *really* want to learn but in enough time, I'll find somebody who has the talent and the inclination to learn.."
Dorian gladly, so gladly received his love at his side and felt humming long moments of satiety and love for being able to do so in the free air as he hadn't been able for much of his life. He'd started beaming from the moment she'd granted him cheek kisses, and giggles? It was all he could do not to also emit a few sympathetic rumbles of happy laughter. He'd listen with intent curiosity to her summary of what teaching was like, responding after, "I suppose that must be what a teacher looks for, someone to go on a journey with them, hn? Will I need to be jealous of that student, someone who shares your joy in... arcane thi--"
The server finally made their way to them. A whip-thin individual who Dorian would nod Di's attention to, before ordering, "Scotch and water for me, and whatever the radiant lady beside me desires."
Dinah nodded, trailing her fingers along the veins of his arms, skimming him with her nails. "I don't want to try and press people, to try and MAKE them be interested in alchemy. if they don't want to be, then they won't learn, and if they don't learn right, then they make stupid mistakes" she agreed, turning to look towards the waiter. She smiled and nodded. "Vodka and tonic, with lemon. Thank you.."
She looked back up towards Dorian once more. "Are you bored being a lord of leisure, yet? or do you long for the shops once more?"
Dorian never had it in him to consider teaching people so hearing about it from his twin took him closer to that reality than he'd ever been. The server moved as she'd asked her last and he'd with a half a laugh in his voice, "I am not bored, there is always something to do. If one of the men is ill on the docks or the dive, I am free to help, and most mornings, well, you know." He and Irene had their contract from the time she spent shipboard where he'd promised the mare she'd not stay cooped up again once she'd put up with the long journey. There were times when he spent hours longer in the forest or abroad than expected and he'd always answer the same: training to fight Roesler felt so good that he continued honing his skills a few times a week, with blade and fist. Despite their father's absence he'd yet to pick up a firearm.
He'd carry on where he let off a few seconds later, "Why would they take your class though if they wanted not to learn, is it not a waste of time and money?"
Dinah hummed her agreement and she nodded once more at his words. snuggled up to his arm, she turned her attention away from the server again and she leaned over to look into the sea.
"You are always doing *something* but that doesn't mean you're not bored, love. Just as long as you keep yourself occupied in a way that you enjoy" she shrugged her shoulders with an impish smile.
"Some people just like to pretend they are intellectual. OR they think that alchemy is going to be all fidgeting about with dissolving things and potions and intricate salves" she pursed her lips "..or turning things into gold. I have a lot of people think that I can turn lead into gold"
Dorian explained, "I still go to the shop to listen to the newest albums coming in from the continent, from home, from the old colonies of the New World. That was the best thing about the shop, listening to music all day. Now I just get to bring that home to you." He stuck out his tongue a little bit, at the end there, because when he was home there was music blaring much of the time and him dancing about wherever there might be space for it. As regards alchemy and what he knew about it largely having to do with bringing water up to boiling and adding tea to that, he'd rejoin, "If that was what it was, we would all have golden barques and plumbing pipes. Even I know that."
Dinah grinned and she pawed at his chest, nodding with a smile. "I do like your music. I always like what you bring home to us" she laughed at his words again and she nodded.
"We COULD have golden pipes, if you wanted. I CAN do it. it's just not terribly worth it" she admitted, closing her eyes as she listened to the sea. she hummed, eyes closed, smiling wistfully as she listened to it, before she looked up towards him again "I ought to learn more music again. do more. Maybe I could learn to sing better. I have enough time. And now roesler doesn't own the cabaret, you might be able to come with me" she teased.
Dorian snuggled himself against her side and made a sound of deep satiety when she pawed at him, and in turn he'd tug on dark hair, getting his hand up under the curtain of it behind her back to reach for the raven locks at her nape. "I do not want golden pipes, nor a golden ship, it would only be too hot to walk the decks and an invitation for vandalism. And to what end? Not worth it at al--"
Their drinks arrived, tab started and the pair left alone while Dorian lifted his cup and suggested, "To music, your music, and our going to the cabaret together." He'd say another part inside, for all the good it did him not to project it to her, /without a serpent underfoot./
"I like when you sing, and hum. I love hearing your voice even when you are cross with me. That must be terribly annoying... for you." Tug tug on her hair. It was true, how often did her being cross end with him grinning or giving up or carrying on just to hear her?
Dinah shivered and grinned as he tugged at her hair and she turned herself so she was facing him, reaching up to touch his jawline with her fingertips.
"It would be terribly gaudy, wouldn't it?" she agreed, taking up the glass and sipping it lightly. "To our music, to your dancing, and the cabaret" she agreed, though she laughed again at his addition.
"Sometimes it can be terribly difficult to be cross with you, and you make me laugh or I'll try to be serious and you pull my hair again like that to be a scoundrel" she grinned, shaking her head as she ran her hands up to his hair too. "Very much a scoundrel indeed, i think."
Dorian let her hair go and once her fingertips touched his face he'd lean down to press a kiss to her lips, because he was a scoundrel. He never drank deeply enough of them, he always wanted to feel his mouth and hers mingled. He probably, to her mislike, tasted like scotch, but her shiver had meant he'd needed to do all he could to induce another, or maybe resolve them. Kisses were better to him than words, and he had to remind himself to hold onto his glass rather than to drop everything to get all over her as he wanted. He could never understand the variety of women and men some others moved through in their lives when he'd only ever wanted and been with, been for one person. Other women were like a different species from his sister. They were not part of him, they were not goddesses that were part of him. When he finally moved to pull away he'd ask, "Do you think Hector will want to be a Windgrace, with all that comes alongside the name?"
Dinah kissed him back tenderly, chuckling softly against his lips. She curled her fingers into his hair, then as he released her, she wrapped her arms around him, careful not to tip her drink on him as she turned her head to look out towards the sea.
"...I don't know," she mused. "It's not up to him anyway. it's *us* who would be performing the ritual. Delilah hasn't even been Painted yet, so... I would feel a little strange painting him and not her" she said thoughtfully. “He might not even want to, though. But... I'm not sure. it'd be very strange if he didn't want to be forever.."
Dorian pulled himself out of the area where the well of his body heat mingled with hers from head to toe, instead remaining in contact only where their hips bumped and free arms intentioned while he managed no real words, just stared at her. He was thinking at her though, prurient desirous thoughts that had a lot to do with bailing on dinner and going to find somewhere to have some more private fun. He'd sip his drink while trying to steer himself from those thoughts and looking at the lips he'd just felt her pulse through.
Dinah returned to her drink as he remained silent, though she sidled her gaze up towards him with an amused look on her face. "you are *such* A scoundrel" she said playfully, looking out to the sea again. "It *does* mean we will have another brother though, doesn't it? do you think mama will be mad that he's marrying a man?" she asked, trailing her fingers up and down his forearm, pausing at his wrist, and then returning back up towards his elbow again.
Dorian: || At length he was able to pull his gaze from her to look at the sea which was nearly as lovely at this hour with late light painting the water and little white crests of foam in bright sunset colours. He had to shake his golden curly head to stop thinking about tangling limbs with his sister, and thoughts of his mother helped with that. He'd "Hmmmmmm," at first while considering it again. Watching a band of pelicans fly in formation, he'd pipe up, "I think Drystan can convince her past her first reaction. He's like the reasonable version of fath-- He is strong willed and reasonable, and happy. Is that not what matters to her? That and figuring out who this woman is."
Dinah wrinkled her nose when Dori compared Drystan to father, but she nodded slowly "I think father must have had an affair. Some maid has popped up out of the woodwork." she said with equal parts amusement and distaste. "Looking for Drystan because he's in charge of the money now. Either that, or she just wants cash out of him for something or other." she knocked back the rest of her drink and wiggled it at the server for a refill, then looked back up towards Dorian with a smile. "I don't even remember how long it takes to get here by ship, but it should be soon, shouldn't it?" she mused "We'll find out soon enough. Either that or Mama is testing him."
Dorian: "She wouldn't!" But as soon as he said it, he knew their mother would. Especially at such a distance and time where she was aging alone. "Some weeks, depending on the ship and the route. But we shall see. If it was a maid Maman would know her, unless she was from one of... What do you suppose he means when he says he ties up his loose ends anyway.?The mind boggles." It was his turn to muse, to then grumble at having been petted, drink down his cup so he could get a new fill when Di's was carried off for the same. The servers were attentive, able to spot money.
Dinah laughed quietly and she nodded "she would and you know it, darling. you are the lucky one, being second born boy, she was never pushing you to marry. I am very surprised that they stopped sending *me* letters from prospective suitors." she shrugged. "it depends. it might not be *our* maid. Papa was in his little clubs, after all. some old boys' gun club in london or something" she hummed and she shrugged. "Drystans'...trysts often end up like poor gunner, don't they? that would almost definitely be a tying of a loose end"
Dorian burst into a rich snarl of laughter, one that made him put one hand on her shoulder as he leaned over with how wrong it was that it was quite so funny to him. Standing to his full height again he'd wipe a tear from the corner of his eye and remark, "Poor Gunner, poor Sara. If this woman, if she's one of Father's I can see why mother would not care to speak to them. But would it not be a fine thing to meet another one of us. What if Papa had one whom he treated like he treasured? I would want to meet them. You are the one that said all things are possible."
Dinah pondered his words as she looked out towards the sea again, looking thoughtful. Her tongue touched her teeth for a moment.
"If Papa had some girl that was his favourite who he treated like a treasure, if she gets here and bragged as such, I would throw her into the sea" she considered, humming once more as she leaned her hands on the railing. "It's honestly... I doubt it is going to be a problem, all things considered. either she's a problem, and she goes into the sea, or she isn't, and no trouble, mm?"
Dorian shook his head at his sea-shucking sister, ready to levy offerings to the deep ones with so little hesitation. He'd remark on an impossibility, "Remind me never to get on your bad side, my love."
The server returned just then with their refills, her vodka tonic with a twist, and his scotch and water. Dorian took both and handing Di hers would conclude, "Maman is probably just saying she wants to talk. I am almost done with her letter. I am getting her some of those sakura silk blooms I got for you to send with it. I think she'd like them."
Dinah huffed softly and she smiled ruefully up towards him "you should know best of anyone not to get on my bad side, dorian darling" she agreed, taking her glass with a nod of her head.
"You worry too much. it isn't as if she's Haversham locked away. she *CAN* go and make friends if she were so inclined. perhaps if they hadn't been so rotten to people, then that would be why they'd be lonely" she shrugged. "Let me know when you want me to help with the letter, beloved. I can help with whatever you'd like to polish up. " she leaned her hip back against the railing, staring into her glass to watch the bubbles on the lemon zest.
Dorian mused on a difference in the upbringings, "They did try so very hard to marry you off. Remember when they thought Drystan might get that Italian princess... you got quite a few new dresses out of that one. Perhaps I shall write to Maman about that. That woman turned out to be a poisoner did she not? I think she went through three husbands before joining a cloister at the end of a writ." He'd nodded about getting her help with the letter, and an unrelenting grin remained plastered upon his lightly stubbled face all along. Even while he sipped.
Skye Beach Waves 4 whispers: Let the lapping of the waves commence
Drystan Windgrace approached the restaurant alone, for the time being. Hector was expected at some point, but he had to finish closing up the Apothecary. So instead of arriving together, Drystan left to meet up with his siblings and maybe get a few drinks in beforehand. He walked proudly, head held high, a bit of swagger in his step that settled in his hips. The wind whipped up off the sea and breezed through the place once his boots hit the wooden flooring. Casual confident entrance had been achieved. He smiled broadly as he approached the pair, opening his arms up wide as he received them both. "My kin...." He gathered one long arm around Dorian's back and the other around Dinah, mirrored action. "Lovely to see you both looking so happy and fresh this evening.." He muttered into the group hug he gave them both, going from kissing Dinah on the top of her head to giving his brother a smacker on his cheek. He pulled away and looked down into the little triangle they made together in a clump all facing one another like a
Drystan Windgrace: team huddle before a game match. "You are both beautiful creatures and I love you both. Always." Something he'd said to the pair of them time and time again over the years. He flooded the immediate area with what he felt in his heart, which was lots of love, respect, gratitude.. All wonderful lovely feelings that he wished to impress upon them both. It wouldn't smack them in the face with it, but be a warm comfort that eased into their bones. He stepped back again and lowered his arms, clasping his hands in front of him. "Hector will be joining us, but he had to close up the Apothecary, so he will be along soon." He explained and then turned and lifted a finger to the waiter that had been staring at him since he's mosied (sp?) up to his family. "Yes please...single malt scotch whiskey neat."
Dinah grinned towards him and she chuckled. "you have so much jewelry *because* they tried to marry me off so often." she gestured to his rings "....she has been suspiciously quiet of late though" she added in a mutter, turning to look down into the sea.
"I think it might have been somewhat amusing if she had tried. Poison won't exactly harm us. it would have just maddened her eventually with trying to murder someone who couldn't die" she tittered, turning on the spot as Drystan arrived. "Darling~" she stood on her tiptoes to smooch his cheek. "you are late for the first round. I am already on my second" she teased. "You are in a good mood. I'm pleased to see it."
Dorian wrinkled his face at Di peevishly over her remarking on the ring-bedecked nature of his fists. For all the gold he wore, he was perhaps the dimmest light in his family chandelier, at least the one in the library, so he rejoined late, smirking because he was proud he remembered to say it at all, "Maybe it is not that I worry too much, but that you worry too little. So think about that... though, I prefer myself doing the worrying, I suppose job well done, me." He drank to that Dorian-type clever riposte however late it was delivered and meandering.
When big brother approached they had a triple hug going which was enough to split his smirk into a big broad grin. Laughingly, he remarked, "We were just talking about the poisoning principessa Mother was so excited about you courting." He'd hold up his cup too indicating that like his twin he was also on his second.
Hector hurried from the Apothecary. It had been a VERY long day of filling orders. He was about to close the door when someone came in at the very last second, claiming it was only going to take a minute and then stood there going back and forth about how much of each item they wanted. Eventually he managed to wrap it all up and shoo them out the door. He managed to wash his hands and change hats, but that was about it. There was no time to shower or anything, he was already terribly late. He frowned at every clock he passed on the way to the sea-side cafe'. The moment the trio of Windgraces came into view, he made a bee-line for Drystan and wrapped his arms around the back from behind, kissing the back of his neck. "MWA! Gah, I'm so sorry. This woman came in at the last second. I barely had time to wash the cocaine off my hands once she was finally gone." He breathed out heavily and gave Dinah and Dorian tired but happy smiles before quirking a brow. "Poisoning Principessa?" Head tilt.
Dinah shrugged her shoulders and she laughed in amusement when Dorian accused her of not worrying enough. "Do you think you'd ever need to worry about something like that?" she asked with interest. She nodded in assent to Dorian's words, though when Hector joined them, she beamed.
"Hello, dear." she nodded happily, taking a sip of her cocktail. "Mama found this *charming* young Italian lady when we were far younger. She was the black widow type, though. I was just mentioning to Dori that it would have been almost worth the price of admission for if she'd tried and it would have done *nothing*."
The server came to attend to Hector shortly after bringing Drystan his drink, and since he and Drystan were drinking the same thing, he'd suggest, "Just bring us the bottle, if you would? Ah and whatever the gentleman in the hat would like as well, our tab,..” Thus Hector was being followed and hectored for what he wanted to drink by an attentive server with an inviting raise of the brows.
"It would have done something, after a few stomachaches he'd've known. Then it would have gotten very interesting. Welcome Hector! You have arrived at a perfect time, you have only missed two rounds, and have plenty of time to catch up." Dorian winked at his brother and brother's lover with mischief in his face. His winks were so obvious people in the kitchen could probably see them.
Hector snorts at the idea of a Black Widow driving herself batty trying to off Drystan for his money. "Oh how fun. Would be extra fun to have one slide up to us in the future. With me standing in the background with the entire inventory of the Apothecary shop at my disposal and your Butler poisonous to the touch. What's the saying? 'You've come to the wrong neighborhood?'" He snicker snorted and squeezed at Drystan again and then sighed, looking happy but just glad to be done with work. To the server he paused and wet his lips. "Ah, can I get a Lavender Lemonade with Prosecco please? Thank you." It was apparently fruity purple drinks tonight.
Dinah grinned and nodded at Hectors' words. "There's every possibility that's what this random woman wants. Some sort of gold-digging plan to wretch money from the family. there's always *some* sort of con trying to ply my brothers free of their cheque books" she smiled impishly and shook her head, leaning back against the railing and nodded towards Dorian again
"Soon you will be the only bachelor of the family, darling. you will have no end of simpering fawns throwing themselves at you." she lifted her cup and shook her head "thank goodness that near everyone in the city has more sense than to try"
Drystan Windgrace burst out laughing after Hector had come up behind him and wrapped his arms around Hectors that were wrapped around him. He laughed and laughed at Dinah and her pestering of poor Dorian. "One day, ..things will change, and it will be no matter if you two marry. I feel that in my bones. We are on the precipice of a revolution of changes, and I'm looking at the best of the batch. " He turned finally to reach over to Hector and face him, leaning in and giving him a soft kiss while holding his cheek, tucking his head up under that wide brimmed hat. "I am so glad you made it. Tonight, dinner will be in celebration of you, of us, and to our family growing." He beamed and turned back to look at his siblings.
Dorian argued with every and anyone who'd talk to him about any but one particularly divine sort of marriage, "The devil I will. I am not the one with the company. I am the spare. Oh fuck me, this is possibly going to happen. Bloody hell." Dorian drained his glass, hoping that it was true that he only had to fend off mother and the odd cousin's requests. He spent so little time considering anyone other than kindred that he was surely oblivious to many people, thinking them friendly. "I should think the town knows I am somewhat unavailable. I am the madcap, willing to duel a doctor." He pulled himself up out of worrying, and into certainties that he liked to believe were true.
Hector drew in a breath thoughtfully and offered a shrug. "I am always looking for reagents. I am not above drawing and quartering someone who has the wrong idea of what life will be like here." It was said in a calm and matter of fact tone like he was talking about putting salt on the rim of his glass. Drystan turned in his arms and he was kissed. He closed his eyes and the faint possessiveness exaggerated by exhaustion slipped away, leaving him chill and compliant again. "Mmm, it is not as if there would be the normal issue of a human couple in your situation." He shrugged and smiled to Dorian and Dinah. "Love will win out. If I didn't believe that, I could never have gotten up the courage to propose, not even somewhat 'quietly' as I did." He gave a little waving motion with his hand like swatting away a fly while looking at Dorian. "I promise your brother will have an heir, so there won't be any excuse that you will have to have a child to be a Windgrace. That is already covered." He seemed completely assured of this.
Dinah 's expression warmed and she nodded up towards Drystan, reaching up to cup his cheek for a moment in her fingers. "Dori and I keep joking that with my hair like this, I look like a completely different woman. so if you hear that *scoundrel* talking about a 'sabina' he means me" she shot a smirk to her twin with amusement. She cackled a laugh though at Dorians' vociferous arguments. "Darling, you *are* a bachelor, and mama won't accept 'sorry mummy, i have dinah' as a proper justification" she teased. "you watch. it'll happen. The fluttering of lashes will start. The *simpering*" she threatened, her voice full of amusement as she sipped at her vodka tonic. She bobbed her head at Hector.
"Speaking of reagents, I might need some eyes soon. human ones." her tone was chatty, despite the subject, but she smiled.
"Mama is old fashioned, Hector. you shall see one day. Drystan having *one* heir is fine but all of us could have heirs too and strengthen the family. I suppose she will want at least two out of all
Dinah: of us, just to be sure. Two are traditional. Mama just got lucky that she had one and two halves. I cannot promise how mama will act when she finds out, you know. we were talking about that too" she rested her hand on Dorian's arm.
Drystan Windgrace was blushing already, he couldn't help that much, but he held that slight embarrassment from the flow of emotions coming from him like a happy and contented fountain. He was not about to try to explain exactly how Hector was so sure, because he was not keen on the gritty details, but...he knew that at least partial equipment for the task already existed. He just shook his head and looked at the floorboards. "Mother will either like it or not. I love her, but I honestly do not care about her approval, not in a long time now. Plus it's not as if she doesn't know i fancy both men and women, When a man of my age...29? hasn't got a wife already and is off traveling the Mediterranean? She knew, and knows." He shrugged and waved it off. "I have considered going back to visit for a short time. It would be up to Hector if he'd want to join me, but she will see my face before.." He let it trail off. "You know." He looked out to sea and smiled. "It's a lovely evening though. Thank you for coming to join the pair of us."
Dorian was distracted with thoughts of how to keep friendly people at arm's length as he'd done for much of his life, but more of them. Who would ask him questions about his bachelorhood. It was enough to keep him quiet, that and the thought that they all needed to procreate. He did not want to do that mathematics. He was not built for fatherhood, he was sure. The possibility of doing things Charles' way hung too heavily in his thoughts. The whole business of growing up and doing a wealthy man's duty remained distasteful as ever. The navy was a better bargain, before war became what it was today in the protracted everlasting battle fronts.
He murmured, ever their mother's defender, given he was the one the woman had a soft spot for, "It is good you are going to see her. I think she will be happy you're happy, though I wonder where you plan to get a child, or two... I mean I love you, and Hector we shall be glad to add you to the family but... are you adopting one of our cousins from the other line?” There were
Dorian: afterall Windgraces who lived and died regular lifespans carrying on as parts of the peerage that stayed on one side of the veil. Dorian ended up pressing his hand atop Di's hand on his arm, assuring her with a touch that he planned on having none of that marriage business unless it was to her.
Hector couldn't help but laugh and offer a shrug. "Do you think if I manage to pop out twins or triplets it will impress your mother enough to 'like' me?" His eyebrows were up and a fingertip went to his chin. He blinked out of it due to a server bringing his drink. He bowed his head and took it, pulling it to his lips and taking a deep thirsty drink. He made a yummy sound and went to sipping after the first good few gulps. "Should have seen Drystan's face when I told him I promised an heir." Roams his hand up and down Drystan's back, making little scratching motions through his clothing. Just enjoying being near and sharing a drink with family. It's been so long since he's had any. He tilted his head and wet his lips. "I will go with you to visit your mother if you wish me to. In fact, would you like to meet the Petersons? I have been in touch with them a bit. I wrote to them when I applied to the Academy to explain who I am and request ah...proof of bloodline I guess you might say. They were surprised to hear of me at first, but quickly seemed to accept I am who I say I am. Mmm, inviting some of the Eldest and Most...Traditional Witches in the world to Callisto. THAT could be interesting." Then Dorian asked where they were getting a baby. Hector smirked and tilted his head. "My dearest Dorian, do you think me incapable? I think you'll find I am full of surprises. No, we are not adopting. I have every intention of carrying Drystan's seed. I am going to do it with the One in Yellow's blessings. There are no lengths I would not go for Drystan and this family. I have known this much since the first moment I met all of you. I hope to live long to hammer home that point many many times."
Dinah snorted into her drink and she shook her head "nigh thirty and traveling as a confirmed bachelor til now? gracious. she *ought* to know but I doubt she'll admit it, darling" she rested her free hand against the railing. "It IS a lovely evening, though. you would go back? Visit cheriton? it is lovely there, I suppose, but.." she trailed off, pulling a face. She glanced up towards Dori as he touched her hand and she smiled, squeezing his fingers. She made a noise in her throat when he mentioned the other line,
"We'll see." she murmured, though when Hector spoke of the yellow king, her eyes flicked from her Vodka to the witch.
"Not him," she said softly. "Do not put a child in his name until the child is old enough to swear itself. He will claim it for himself. Seek the blessing of Yidhra. A mother of earth and darkness and fertility, she will not claim the child."
Drystan Windgrace bowed his head as Hector spoke, knowing how serious he was. Naturally Dorian would assume adoption, but there were those that crafted in flesh, and science and magics could create things beyond imagination. He looked keenly at Dinah after Hector spoke and nodded in agreement. "This is true, once they are old enough, they can choose that. Each patron is learned and comes with time. I didn't know till we moved here who was mine, but then it was plain as day, but that is how it goes with Seeing and Knowing. It happens at strange angles, that are both too thin and obtuse at the same time. For instance," He held his hand out."I believe that Hector was brought here to Callisto for a purpose. For me to find him. He is unique, not just..some man." He knew that long hushed truths of their families and origins and the hows and why's of things would be discussed in time. "Yidhra is ...perfect. Her presence is on the island. I know that. I can feel that as well, though I know not where."
What could the elder twin do with Hector's promise but blink a few times, top off his cup, and drink it down straight away. He'd asked for and received a bottle afterall and would reach to top Drystan up too, while keeping his whisky hole shut. He'd fill himself another and listen to Dinah's casual explanation of the faith. She was his entre to that world, his connection to what he believed because she believed it. He'd ultimately lift his renewed cup to the prospect of these children, and maintain his quiet.
Hector pursed his lips when Dinah advised NOT to use the Yellow King. He seemed to consider this deeply before bowing his head. "I yield to your greater expertise on the subject." His fingers continued to roam up and down Drystan's back, but he let the subject pass by like the sea spray from the ocean just beyond the railing. He breathed out and closed his eyes, leaning into Drystan lightly. When Drystan said he was 'unique' he couldn't help but chuckle, eyes sliding mostly closed so his thick lashes were kissing at his cheeks. "Unique eh? That's one way of describing my weirdness." He gave the eldest Windgrace a little nudge in the ribs. "But I...believe I was brought here too." Shrugs. Lifts his glass toward Dorian when he clams up about the whole thing and just gives him a smile. "I push people's souls out of their bodies, can exercise a spirit straight to the next life, and play a fiddle...dare I say better than the Devil. Are you really so surprised? I would say just consider me like your sister
Hector in determination. If I set my mind to something, I'm GOING to find a way to do it. I believe that strongly in that which is meant to be." He reached up and gripped the stone dangling around his throat. "And Drystan and I were meant to be."
Dinah smiled and nodded in agreement to Drystan's words, though when he spoke of Yidhra, she brightened even further. "Her name is lily. She is a shard of Yidhra, I have seen it in her. I've seen the constellations in her eyes. I have *seen* it" she gushed excitedly. "She doesn't know it yet, though. She will, though.she will." she curled her fingers around her glass and gave Hector a grateful smile.
"Hastur is a powerful patron to have, and no mistake. But at the same time, he is one of the more active, and if a babe is born in his name he might do something unpleasant because to his eye the child is HIS. I will help the heir find their patron when they can" she finished her drink, gnawing on the lemon peel.
"... is Hector to be...painted?" she asked quietly, silver eyes owlish.
Drystan Windgrace flicked his eyes around the group of them. He then settled them on Hector, and spoke softly. "I don't know that yet. I am putting the finishing touches on our own actually, so we will be ready for the next Ritual." He reached out and took Hector's hand. "He is already longer lived than he looks, and there are...things that I am able to do to extend it to a degree, ...but it is something that is under consideration. It is ultimately Hector's choice. I've only..." He paused and looked back at Dinah. "..only made that offer once before and I was refused." Big time secret sharing time! "So I take it very seriously. But we have ...time...do decide about time."
Dorian shook his head immediately as Hector said to compare him to his twin. Disagreeing that it was a comparison he could agree with. But understanding the spirit of it, he'd remark, blithe and playful at once, "You've nothing to prove to me, Hector. I do not see why any of us need make children when we're still children ourselves. At least personally speaking. Say, why don't we take our table, I know what I am getting already, they do this baked macaroni with lobster, crab, and scallops, and it sounds rich. As rich a story about someone Drystan almost bloody *painted.*" Even as strong as his liver was, he was starting to feel the edges blur, having slammed them just quickly enough back to back to back. He'd lead the way to the table they'd been staked out by, had been led to earlier despite loitering on the deck like they owned the place.
Hector blinks when Dinah says there was a shard of the Earth Goddess alive and among them. "Really? Wow..." Add that to everything else he'd met so far and it was one mean line-up. He filed away the name 'Lily' and then tilted his head. "Mmm, your hesitance to bring Madness into the world is refreshing. Truth be told, I was completely prepared to be breeding Icons for the Awakening." He shrugged. "It's hard to express how I see the world. Everything is 'natural' to me...even that which is fundamentally 'unnatural' to everyone else." He drained his glass and then shook it to ask for another. "Mmm, however, having children who can perhaps follow in MY footsteps if they so choose? All the better, I say. I love unconditionally." And he truly did. Then there was talk of painting and he tilted his head. "Hm?" It took him a minute and he made an 'oh' face, looking down into a freshly filled glass. "The children for certain, myself. I am not so sure. As he said, I'm already an old man and will likely live a couple centuries more without needing to even consider it. Plus, there are alternatives for myself." Then he was following to the table. "Oooh seafood macaroni bake? That DOES sound delicious."
Dinah made a thoughtful noise in her throat, nodding in agreement with Dorians' words. "The only one of us you need to prove anything to is Drystan and that seems to be well in hand" she confirmed, though when Drystan mentioned offering to paint someone before, she cocked her head "Delilah?" she asked with interest, but she was distracted by Dorian's suggestion of the pile of seafood, carbs and cheese.
"...how you are not as big as a house is absolutely beyond me" she despaired quietly, lifting her glass to shake towards the wait staff. Glass 3. She gave Hector a warm smile and she shook her head.
"Creation and destruction must be in equal measure, dear. Madness is a term I frequently don't use... but this is not a dinner party conversation." she waved her hand dismissively. As much as they'd end up with their macaroni, Di would probably just end up with far too many oysters. and far too much more vodka.
Drystan really enjoyed hearing Hector talking to the twins, about personal things, about the things that mattered. Not some fluff conversation about weather or some bullshit. When They moved to take the table he pulled out the chair for Dinah before Dorian had the chance and gave him a shit eating grin as he'd gotten there somehow before him. Brothers. What to do? He made sure they were seated and settled for their dining, and then he moved to the table nearby, also set for two. Sure it wasn't going to be one big family meal, but this allowed them the chance to talk to one another at least in the circle of good company till they headed out for the evening, and judging on how much Dinah had to drink so quickly, as did Dorian, he doubted it would be long. When that Mac and cheese was gone, they'd be gone too he mused to himself. Turning back and seeing Hector already sitting down, he smiled and pulled out the chair across from him and sat himself down, scooting into the table just a bit. He reached forward and took up the glass he had a bit of whiskey still left in it, raising it to Hector. "To us. Simple as that."
Hector rolled his eyes and moved to sit down as Drystan flitted off to annoy Dorian. He looked over the menu, choosing to get the macaroni bake as well, but also some oysters on the half shell and some shrimp to munch. He leaned back, raising his glass to toast back. "To us..." He purred, a smile upon his face and a twinkle in his strangely colored eyes. He sighed out after a few moments and sat his glass down upon the table, now half empty and missing an ice cube. He gave a crunch of the cube in his mouth. "Thank you for this. It's lovely. I assume you've come down from the shock of it all, now and are more looking forward to the future than panicking?"
Drystan smiled and drank off the last of his drink and motioned for another to be brought over and for Hector as well. He sat back and took a deep happy sigh. “Yes. You’re entirely correct. Things have been in flux since we arrived here, and..truth be told, I’ve lived how I have for so long the notion of it just sort of blew me away. It seems so fast, but that is the bane of living a long, long life. Tends to make one not keen on swift changes if you aren’t careful.” He hadn’t really looked at the menu, but when the waitstaff arrived he made sure Hector ordered first, and then he added that he wanted a large cut, as nice a cut of steak done medium, and whatever fresh vegetables they had.
“I think It might take me taking Dorian to the side and bluntly telling him how the child thing would work. Dinah will understand, as she’s started her own venture into the art of it, flesh crafting that is.” He made a small frowny face and returned his gaze up to Hector and smiled softly. “I don’t entirely understand it myself, but …We aren’t there yet. One big thing at a time, thank you.” He snuffed a laugh and took up the new glass filled with amber colored spirit, sipping at it. “How …are you feeling? Generally, and about things, thus far?”
Hector stretched a bit, tilting his head one way and then the other, neck popping and then letting out a bit of a yawn. He rubbed at the corner of his eye and thanked the wait staff for the fresh drink. "Well, nothing against your brother, but something tells me that his favorite position is touching ankles." He chuckled and shook his head. "There are many men who do not understand how babies come to be and don't really want details. It IS quite a scary and messy business. It's mostly the Catholic Church that got it into society that men can't or shouldn't carry. Merpeople for instance," He made a motion with one hand and continued. "Some of their men are born perfectly capable and are favored to carry eggs once fertilized because they are heartier and can scare away predators more easily." He shifted slightly. "It was part of the reason I thought about the One in Yellow. People consider that Old One a 'he' but in things that I have read, babies come out from underneath that yellow cloak. Though I suppose both you and Dinah are correct in the possessiveness would set in." He shrugged. "But anyways, how am I feeling? Good. I mean...the world seems to want me and your Butler to be at one another in constant miscommunication but other than that." he spat out his tongue with a grin. "Oh! Do you know an individual that goes by 'Naoki?' I believe he has an affiliation with Thirteen."
Drystan listened keenly, interested in all he had to say. He nodded along and sipped his drink near constantly, just because it was how he drank if he was going to drink it for any other reason than to satiate thirst. “Once he was done speaking he set the glass down. “As I’ve learned, Hastur’s children that come from under his cloaks are the very children he claims, the precaution that Dinah mentioned. There is nothing wrong with seeing the King in Yellow as your patron, but individual patrons for the child will be discovered by themselves in their own manner, in their own time. We can ask for the blessings of Yidhra upon the …erm..pregnancy, and to aid in the labor and to grant the child strength, and for yourself as well.” He smiled gently. “Oh you and Mr. Song will get along just fine eventually. He’s an odd man, but I suppose when you’re sharing a mind with a snake, that tends to happen.” He quietly mused and rubbed at the silverware in front of him idly. His brow furrowed trying to recall that name, but when he said Thirteen, he nodded. “Ah…yes in a manner of speaking. We met at the Winter festival, but he was not feeling very talkative, just ..possessive of Miss Thirteen.” He shrugged lightly. “Why do you ask?”
Hector nodded a few times about the patrons and different things that may or may not come to be. He yawned into his hand and then shook his head, sitting up straighter to try and get the tiredness to be driven away. Then there were shrimp and oysters and he started nibbling while they waited for the main course. "He appeared in the Apothecary the other day. He said that someone sent him to help me. We discussed the state of the world as far as the dead and he gave me some reagents. He's supposed to be working on more and helping out with the Ritual for the...issue in the ravine." He offered a shrug. "I'm just not sure what to think about it. It was so out of left field. As for possessiveness and not big on conversation. If it wasn't obvious...he's not human." He spat out his tongue. "In fact, he's not alive." He chuckled and shrugged. "Mmm, it's like the dead things on the island have risen up against the Gods who have neglected them and are...trying to help me restore balance. But I'm not sure if I should trust it, or is something else going on. I just don't know what to think, ya know?"
Drystan rolled his eyes a bit at the fact that his man was in fact dead, and he wasn’t shocked. Not anymore. It happened to be part of being here where so many of the supernatural had congregated. “Okay, dead man walking.” He nodded at the rest and ran a hand over his cheek, scratching at it before replying. “I honestly don’t know what to say. I don’t know him or..who would have sent him to you for help, but maybe someone knows of your plans, or had heard you at least HAD a plan, not just random waffling.” He shook his head a bit. “Beyond me… If the dead want to be lifted from oppression, unable to pass because of some Death God with his knickers in a twist, then raise up I say. We should all be free, alive or dead.” He smiled as the main courses came and he picked up a fork and knife and started to saw into the pink meat, chomping down a large chunk. “Orrmmphh Iff tho gooof!”
Hector looked especially glad to hear that Drystan supported him in 'liberating' the dead. He exhaled and relaxed a bit. His fork dove into basically mac'n'cheese but hella fancy. "Thank you for saying that. It means a lot to me. It feels like you support me. I mean you DO support me...even though it's a really weird thing to 'support.'" He couldn't help but laugh, offering a shrug and continuing to eat. "I love you." He purred softly, taking another sip of his drink. "I'm trying to think positive. With Esher having gone missing though, I can't help but get a bit paranoid." And with that, he'd make footsy with Drystan under the table while they ate until they decided to head 'home' for cuddles.