[Back-Dated, Open] Titus A-muddled, or Natural Brother

[77th_emo_earl]

He may have a natural brother...

For a long time, Titus often dreamed of having a brother, dreamed of having an older brother to bear the title and the crown and the inheritance, but not like this, not in this place, not in this place, where titles and bloodlines barely mean anything. In their world, if he had known this sooner, he would gave handed over his crown gladly. Now more than ever, the words that the Steerpike he had known had snarled with his last breath haunt Titus: "You were lucky..."

But now that his suspicions have been all but confirmed, he is not sure what to think nor what to feel, much less what to make of the situation, and these thoughts leave him restless on his bed. His discreet encounter with Robin kept his mind off these things -- it was easy to forget with Robin's mouth working it's magic on his inexperienced flesh -- but now that he is alone, his mind returns to the notions that left him troubled.

His worst enemy and he may share the same blood, the same father, though clearly not the same mother. If this was Gormenghast, his enemy might be the rightful heir, and he, Titus, might be the usurper.

These ideas crawl through his mind like creepers, pushing aside all other thoughts like the roots breaking apart the stones they climb upon. No longer able to sleep, he pushes back the covers, letting them slide to the floor, before rising and pulling on his trousers and a dressing gown, shoving his feet into his shoes. He heads down to the kitchen, in search of some warm milk and a biscuit -- a childish way to settle one's whirling thoughts, but it seems as good as any at this point. Though he might also be hiding from himself the fact that he's hoping to find someone to talk to and to help him make sense of everything that is whirling in his head right now.

Backdated to a day or two after he made some unsettling discoveries. Looking specifically for Helen (M2), but he's open to other people offering an open ear and a concerned heart.

Comments

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He weighs this. "I appreciate your concern, but I think I would rather choose discretion and not confront him on it," he says.

[umpteenthdream.livejournal.com]

"My mind is simply overly active," she replies calmly, soothingly. "It's nothing to be worried about." Helen wanders over to the counter, and puts the kettle on. "I would be glad to listen, if you wanted to speak, however."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

At least he isn't alone, but he'd be the first to admit that his mind doesn't move as rapidly or as much as hers. "I'm not sure where to begin: I've had a few odd things occur to me the past few days, but perhaps the strangest is that I have found that I may have a natural brother."

[pinkduelist.livejournal.com]

Here's your friend Titus. Utena has a worried look on her face. Her friend shouldn't worry like this.

"Hey Titus... whats wrong?"

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He's rummaging through a cupboard, looking for a package of biscuits, but hearing her voice, he pauses, looking up at her. "Oh, Utena, are you having trouble sleeping as well? I'd just gotten up to find some milk and biscuits... would you care for some?"

[ohmaiden.livejournal.com]

She nods. "Then I won't talk to him about it. I promise."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

Relieved to hear this offer, he breathes easier. "Thank you, this means a good deal to me," he says. Then, somewhat eager to change the subject, he asks, "I hope nothing awakened you from your dreams?"

[ohmaiden.livejournal.com]

"...My dreams were what woke me, actually," she admits. "They were nightmares."

[umpteenthdream.livejournal.com]

"... I could see how such a discovery may keep you from restful sleep," Helen replies understandingly.

She's keeping an eye on both her kettle and Titus' pan - just in case he gets carried away with the confiding and forgets more earthly matters.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry to hear that," he says, reaching out to stroke her cheek with the back of his fingers. "If you want to talk about it, you've been kind to me in listening to me: I would be glad to return the favor."

[ohmaiden.livejournal.com]

She shivers a little at his touch, blushing.

"I have dreams about my...death. It's frightening, to have to relive it."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He snerks under his breath. "That is only the half of it: not only that, and not only is he here, but when I knew him in my world, he was my worst enemy, a man who wanted my crown and would stop at nothing to try and claim it." And he proceeds to tell her his life story, of the animosity between him and the Under-Secretary of the Ritual, and of Steerpike's one man revolt which nearly destroyed his family.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He covers her hand with his. "I'm sorry to hear that," he says. "So you came to this place through death's door? Perhaps you could speak to my sister Fuschia about this: she died in my world, though it seems she has found her paradise here, but she is in denial about it."

[ohmaiden.livejournal.com]

"I was a sacrifice, Titus," she explains, looking more than a tad melancholy.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He says nothing to this, but the look of horrified compassion on his face should speak volumes. "I shan't ask, unless you are at ease in telling it," he says, when he finally finds his voice. "I would not want to be the cause of more sorrow for you."

[ohmaiden.livejournal.com]

She nods. "It's all right. I'm here now, aren't I?" She attempts a smile. "And I've got good friends, like you. So I feel safe."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He smiles a little at this. "Yes, you could not find a safe nor a more pleasant place to live now," he says. "Aside from the strange things that happen from time to time. Were you out and about that strange night in the autumn, when the haunted carnival appeared and giant insects were running about?"

[ohmaiden.livejournal.com]

She shakes her head. "No, I wasn't. I heard about it--it must have been terrifying. But I know that I did have worse dreams than usual that night."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"It was. I don't know the cause of it all, but it was as dreadful as it sounds, perhaps worse," he says. "A giant caterpillar chased me through the ruinous carnival, but I was rescued by an old woman-warrior who freed it from whatever spell had been cast upon it.

"Do you know if there are any magicians or wizards in this place who could have done such a thing?"

[ohmaiden.livejournal.com]

"No, I don't. I can't think of anyone who would cause something like this..."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"I see..." he says, pondering this, and wondering how he could find out who could have had a hand in this.

Though his typist would hope he doesn't find out, for the sake of his sanity.

[ohmaiden.livejournal.com]

"It worries me, as I'm sure it worries you. But I suppose I'm lucky I didn't have to deal with such fearsome creatures. And I'm glad you're safe."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"You were lucky: It was one of the worst nights I have had since I arrived here," he says. But not as bad as the night he found out that he had a half-brother. "I hope there is someone who can put a stop to this, or see that it does not happen again."

[ohmaiden.livejournal.com]

She nods. "I hope so too. Sometimes it can be scary here, I know."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He looks at her, his violet eyes darkening with concern. "Might I ask what has happened in this place to trouble you?"