77th_emo_earl: (Not!brothers)
Titus Groan ([personal profile] 77th_emo_earl) wrote2010-12-10 05:47 pm

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

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.

[identity profile] 77th-earl.livejournal.com 2011-01-26 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
"It was rather hard to tell how my mother felt for me: she kept me at a distance for much of my life," he says, testing the handle of his mug to see if it has cooled. "But I shan't delve too far into that matter, as it is growing late."

[identity profile] umpteenthdream.livejournal.com 2011-01-29 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
"Do you feel ready to rest, now?" Helen's voice is gentle, patient.

[identity profile] 77th-earl.livejournal.com 2011-01-29 05:37 am (UTC)(link)
He takes a sip from the mug, finding it's cooled a bit. "I am on the borders of feeling tired, but the warm milk should help me to cross them," he says.

[identity profile] umpteenthdream.livejournal.com 2011-01-29 06:31 am (UTC)(link)
"Good," Helen replies. "I'm happy to know that you feel better."

FTB on yours?

[identity profile] 77th-earl.livejournal.com 2011-01-29 07:00 am (UTC)(link)
"I feel more at ease, though I doubt that this confused feelings shall pass away till they have run their course or I find some way to resolve this matter with my brother," he says, taking up the mug and two of the biscuits. "But I think that I should take counsel with my pillows and let myself dream of something more pleasant. You helped me to settle my feelings, I thank you for that, Helen." He's more at ease as he gets up and goes to his room.

Once he's alone, he finishes the milk and the biscuits, then curls up under his covers. Childlike means of comfort and he has had to bear such adult thoughts and concerns. But at least in dreams, he can be at peace and think of more pleasant things...