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[longitudinal]

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quentin toma NOTES: sailor, navigator, loverboy, war-bringer. THREAT LEVEL LIKABILITY LEVEL SCANDAL LEVEL FASHION LEVEL WEALTH LEVEL

Comments

[holyposition]

Guess it's lucky you're so handsome.

Those things all followed me here. I don't know. There's a lot to like and a lot to hate. It's overwhelming.

[longitudinal]

well, i'm honored a handsome man thinks i'm handsome.

but it is overwhelming here. it's better for me here, than it is to go home. but i know we don't have a choice either way.

[holyposition]

:)

Is it really? I thought it would be weird for you being stuck on dry land now.

[longitudinal]

it is, in many ways.

admittedly, i haven't been on the sea in over a year back home. i miss the sea.

[holyposition]

Really? Why not?

[ Surprising, given that Quentin self-identifies as a sailor. Not 'I used to sail' or 'I like to sail', but a label implying that it's part of him. ]

[longitudinal]

there's a war. all the lands are involved.

[ he just doesn't mention why that war keeps him landlocked. ]

[holyposition]

Were you fighting in it?

[longitudinal]

fighting to stop it, in a way.

[ in as much as he can, seeing as he was instrumental in the main offender's success. ]

[holyposition]

But you'd rather be here? Than stop the war?

[ It does occur to him, in fact, that he's prying too much, that Quentin doesn't owe him any answers about things he doesn't understand in the first place. But he's drawn to Quentin, for better or for worse, and with that comes curiosity. ]

[longitudinal]

i don't know that i can stop it. i'm also the reason he's made it as far as he has.

it's complicated.

[holyposition]

It sounds like it.

I won't press you if it's too personal. But I do want to know about you. I'm here to talk if you want to. I've never been part of a war, but I think I'm a good listener.

[longitudinal]

the leader of my country wants control of the continent and he will do anything in his power to bring the other armies to their knees. someone told him i had skills that could be helpful to his cause.

he made it clear i had no option but to help.

[holyposition]

You were coerced by a dictator? What was he making you do?

[longitudinal]

[ how does he answer that question? how does he lay down the list of the many things he's asked to do, the many faces he has to wear, the many walls he hides his heart behind? ]

in a way, yes. i was acting as an advisor, of sorts. my hands were tied, i could do nothing to change my circumstances.

sorry, this is quite a dreary tale when it's so beautiful outside.

[holyposition]

You said he was exploiting some skills?

We can talk outside if you want to. It doesn't have to be about this.

[longitudinal]

it's better you don't know what that means. if he shows his face here, it's better to act as if you don't know me at all.

i'm by the lake with my shirt unbuttoned - will you survive the sight?

[holyposition]

You have to know that only makes me worry, right?

It's expected at the lake, not over eggs and waffles.

[longitudinal]

of course i do, but you'll simply have to trust me. please.

i'll make sure i leave one more button undone for you tomorrow morning, to commemorate this moment.

[holyposition]

I trust you. I care about you, too. Remember that if something happens, okay?

Thoughtful as always.

[longitudinal]

well of course, sweet man. i could never forget a heart like yours.

and i am nothing if not a gentleman. i live to serve you - or at least your eyes. :)

[holyposition]

You're a monster.

[longitudinal]

so you've told me. i take the title with honor, sweet man.

but when will you loose one button for me at breakfast? i am a man starving.

[holyposition]

Maybe I'll just start calling you that from now on.

I'll meet you in the middle. I can lose a button if you can add one.

[longitudinal]

by all means, i'll accept it with great celebration.

a bargain tho - one that you're on the losing end of. so fine - consider it a deal. button for button.

[holyposition]

It's a win if I can keep my eyes on my food.

👾