xxiii. dictated

[heloise]

Spike
He came home.

What terrible months we have seen, before even the dog days arrive!

I say we put an end to it, at once. The Castle drinks our joys as greedily as it feeds on our sorrows; we might show it that happiness is what we seek. Happiness beyond bound, which we would gladly offer as payment for our borrowed time, and no more tears.

Summer brings music and merriment to the streets of Rome, gypsies and pilgrims alike dancing together. We can do similarly here.

Comments

[heloise]

[ HEY. He gets a decent slap on his arm for that even as she laughs and squirms to get away. All this tickling makes it hard to think about grudges okay. ]

Not against family.

[ofhope]

[ Abuh, squirmy vixen, well he still keeps a grip on her skirt so she doesn't go too far. ]

Then your brother can't hold a grudge against me, and you and my sister would have to be best friends.

[heloise]

[ Not like she's trying to, even shifting closer so she's in no danger of slipping off his lap. ]

Tell me how to earn her friendship. [ Since Cesare is a lost cause, but at least he wouldn't hurt Joshua when it would make her so terribly sad. He wouldn't, right? ]

[ofhope]

[ He chuckles, arms wrapping loosely around her waist. ]

You only need to be yourself.

[heloise]

[ She returns the chuckle, resting one hand over his too. ]

Silly. I am always myself.

[ofhope]

All facets of yourself, then.

[heloise]

[ Joshua's sister must be quite the character too. Moving to place both hands against his face, she narrows her eyes as if trying to imagine what she might look like now. How Joshua would look as a girl... ]

Are you sure?

[ofhope]

Why wouldn't I be?

[heloise]

[ She tweaks her eyebrows instead of shrugging. ]

I can name few who would be pleased with all facets of myself.

[ofhope]

Most people aren't capable of handling those kinds of things. But my sister is my sister.

[ Which really should explain it all. If she could accept Joshua, she could accept anyone. ]

[heloise]

[ She moves to bump her nose against him, giggling. ]

I imagine you and your sister are precisely alike, so I shall be dearly fond of her.

[ofhope]

I wouldn't say that... She's lighter; kinder.

[heloise]

You and Cesare. Rosette and I. [ The pairs seem fitting to her. ]