[Open Post] When the Wolves Come Out of the Walls...

[77th_emo_earl]

For the first time since his abortive attempt at escaping back in November, Titus no longer feels so much at home in this place. Something nasty has come out of the woodwork, and he's wondering now if trying to escape was the better course of action. He cannot be alone, not after nearly harming himself, and so he's headed for the kitchen, hoping to find *someone* who hasn't been affected by this madness...

Backdated to the night Morgoth tried to break his mind

Comments

[not-snake-bite.livejournal.com]

Steerpike stares, for a moment.

"... you must be mad," he says, but then, there is uncertainty in his composure galore.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"I was, perhaps, mad when I spoke to you so offensively," he replies, dryly, but still in earnest. "But if you do not wish to accept my apology, I will understand: after the way that I treated you, you would have every right not to accept it, nor to have any further contact or conversation with me."

[not-snake-bite.livejournal.com]

Steerpike blinks, and sees an opportunity in the situation. "Mayhap," he says slowly, "I would consider it if I did not see this as a prank, my lord."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He shakes his head. "I assure you, there is no prank intended," he replies, and his tone couldn't be more serious. "For what it is worth, you have my word that I speak the truth.

[not-snake-bite.livejournal.com]

"And what is that worth, exactly?" Steerpike still looks doubtful.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"It probably is not worth much to you, after the way that I have treated you," he admits. "I would make amends, however I can: I do not expect us to be friends, but I would have us part amicably, if nothing else."

[not-snake-bite.livejournal.com]

"In other words," Steerpike says slowly, "you are afraid of me, still."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't call it fear, I think it is a matter of not wanting to offend you further. Slips of the tongue are always a possible hazard and I would avoid making the same mistake twice," he replies. "It is myself whom I distrust more."

[not-snake-bite.livejournal.com]

"Surely, you must be jesting," Steerpike says again.

He just can't believe what he's hearing.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"I assure you, I could not be any more serious," he replies, patiently, wondering if he's being strung along or tested, but reminding himself that this should be expected, after how he's treated the other young man.

[not-snake-bite.livejournal.com]

"Prove it," Steerpike says finally, after some debate with himself.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He blinks, a bit at a loss. "How would you have me to do that? It seems nothing I can say can convince you otherwise, and I hardly expect that from the start, since we got off on the wrong foot."

[not-snake-bite.livejournal.com]

"I have no idea, but it's not my problem, is it?"

Now Steerpike's just being difficult.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

Titus sighs, haggardly. "I am merely trying to make peace between us: I'm not asking you to be my brother. I simply want to end this and move on." Inwardly he's at the point of wanting to simply end this, amicably or not, just to be done with this.

[not-snake-bite.livejournal.com]

Steerpike shrugs, makes a liberal gesture. "Move on, then, since it never was."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"I suppose that is the best way in which to handle this predicament," he replies, resignedly. "And let the past remain in the past."

He makes a move as if he would offer his hand in an amicable handshake, but in the distance, a blood-curdling scream arises, crescendos to a full-throated wail, then is cut off. Titus jumps, looking at the ceiling.

[not-snake-bite.livejournal.com]

Steerpike startles as well, then looks up. "-- Blasted wolves," he growls.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"Could they have gotten into the house? That shriek sounded as though it came from abovestairs," he says.

[not-snake-bite.livejournal.com]

Steerpike rolls his eyes. "There would have been more than one scream."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"Unless the worst has happened to the unfortunate," he suggests, quailing back from the door, and eying it as if expecting a wolf to show it's face.

[not-snake-bite.livejournal.com]

"In which case we'd already be dealing with it. Man up, Master Groan. It's fear gripping your belly, not the wolf."

Steerpike might be amused by this.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"I would suggest that we go take a look to be certain it is not as I fear, but that would put us in the path of any intruders," he replies, coming back to the table and sitting down, but his posture is still wary.

[not-snake-bite.livejournal.com]

Steerpike looks at Titus, raises an eyebrow.

"I shall go, then, if you are to live in fear, I will not."

Should consider wrapping this up, perhaps?

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

Titus forces himself not to bristle at that. "I would choose, rather, to err on the side of discretion," he replies, coolly. "Do not let my reticence detain you."

Sounds like a plan! And hee, I have a feeling these two might be frienemies...

[not-snake-bite.livejournal.com]

Steerpike sneers at Titus disdainfully, then smirks cockily, then goes.

Heee, it's already a step forward, aye? ^^