perpetual anticipation is good for the soul but it's bad for the heart

[maxxx]

Comments

[thefaxwhisperer]

There isn't usually a meet and greet for all prospects. It usually depends on who recruited you.

[But she doesn't seem to be bothered by the fact that Damon doesn't have a direct reference. People wander in all the time.]

Or turned you.

[unforgivably]

She died in a fire.

( Good riddance. Kind of. He's still in love, he doesn't want to talk about. )

[thefaxwhisperer]

Hence the lack of a welcome mat.

[And then, because Donna is no slouch:]

Are you actually here because you're interested in the Tower, or are you here for something else?

[unforgivably]

Passing travelers regaled my family with Tarot. I knew the practice originated on this continent, I did not know it had such... influence.

( He's grasping at vagueties, to be clear, but he likes to come off as someone who knows a little about a little. )

I'm looking for someone. Their friend is... unnerved. Worried. And frankly, I'm not far behind.

[thefaxwhisperer]

Not that kind of tower. Think more of an Ivory Tower.

[Members looking to pull on the threads of power. But she doesn't seem bothered by him missing the mark. He's here because he's worried about their friend. And he probably should be.]

What's their name? The person you're looking for.

[unforgivably]

( They don't need to go into the differences. He weighs trusting his new friend vs not. )

Scarlett.

[thefaxwhisperer]

The nurse.

[So yes, Donna knows who he's talking about. And from the look on her face, she seems concerned, though mostly for Scarlett, not about Damon.]

Yeah, she's here. They brought her in maybe a week ago?

[unforgivably]

Brought her in? Was she not in her right mind?

( Or was she... coaxed? )

[thefaxwhisperer]

No one coming in from the front are in their right minds.

[Which is harsh to say, but it's also true. War takes it's toll on everyone.]

But if you're asking if you're aware of where she was and what she was doing, she seemed with it enough to consent to being here.

[unforgivably]

Enough, at least. And she is here?

( In an adjacent room? He scans the crowd again: (16) )

[thefaxwhisperer]

[She's not out here in the crowd, no. Donna glances back over her shoulder, before reaching for his hand and guiding him towards the back rooms.]

Follow me.

[unforgivably]

Brazen.

( But, he does, keeping alert. He averts his eyes from the more unsavory acts around them. )

[thefaxwhisperer]

It gets you places.

[As they wander through the hallways, they'll find Melanie, lingering in the doorway of one of the rooms, watching the person within it. As he arrives to lean over her shoulder, Damon will see Scarlett sitting inside, idly brushing her hair in the mirror.]

[unforgivably]

( She's in one piece. And she's alone. She could be worse, he assesses (15), but she's far from the technicolor personality he remembers.

He slips past Melanie, and approaches. He stops a distance away, so as to not startle her. )

Scarlett?

[prettyclothes]

[Scarlett spins at the sound of her name and her face lights up when she sees him.]

Damon. Well, hello, darling. What are you doing in Paris?

[unforgivably]

( He doesn't know what to expect, only that she was missing, and now she's been found. But he knows how delicate she can be, and how temperamental. )

Melanie worries. ( And Rhett if he could admit it to himself. ) You join organizations now?

[prettyclothes]

Oh, I'm still being courted.

[She flashes him a coy smile as she turns her attention back to the mirror to continue fixing her face.]

But they've been so kind to me after I lost my head a bit on the front.

[unforgivably]

They found you, you found your head, everybody is finding things. What exactly are they courting you with? I never saw this kind of display as your... choice of frivolity.

( He tries to be equally delicate and probing. He wants answers, but not at the detriment to her psyche. )

[prettyclothes]

It is rather gauche, isn't it?

[She wrinkles her nose.]

I haven't been partaking much, but they've been so kind to me, I'm trying not to judge.

[unforgivably]

( It's not his cuppa', that's for sure. It's a far cry from what Sage taught him and a half a world away. )

Where's your head at, now?

[prettyclothes]

[She gives a small shrug.]

Enough that I can handle myself, but ... not quite comfortable enough to leave.

[Melanie frowns, because she's never been good at making Scarlett do what's actually best for her. There's only one person who's good at that, and she has a feeling he's not making transatlantic flights anytime soon.]

[unforgivably]

And can something be done, to make you more comfortable. What are you waiting for Scarlett O'Hara?

( He's trying gentle on for size, but he's this close to bringing his nastier side out. Bring out her fire. Get her fired up. )

[indurare]

[Melanie reaches forward, hand on his arm to keep him from taking that next step. She has a feeling it won't help.]

I don't think it's a what, Damon. I think it's a who.

[Scarlett sniffs, turning up her nose and turning back to the mirror. "I have no idea what you mean, Melly. You of all people said I should be expanding my social circle."

Melanie rolls her eyes, because she did say that. But she also knows that she wouldn't be sitting here, wasting her time, when there are other friends to make. Scarlett catches it in the mirror, before huffing.

"It's his turn to apologize."]

[unforgivably]

You can't apologize to someone you can't find.

( Or, don't want to apologize to, but this is not about him. )

Do you want to talk about it?

[prettyclothes]

I'm sure if he asks, Mellie will tell him.

[Her eyes flicker back to Damon because for all that he has experienced life, there's one thing he never has, could never have. He would never know what it was like to bring a life into the world, fail that life spectacularly, and have your worst failing be continually thrown in your face for all of eternity.

No. She doesn't want to talk about it. And she wonders if this is the time when she will decide that she and Rhett are untenable for good. But she isn't quite ready to give up on that just yet. He's still the only man who has ever loved her for all of her sharp and jagged parts - but he's also hated her for them too.]

He'll find me when he's ready. He always does.