sanguis & aurum

"Do you? Fascinating. That must be a skill you have acquired very recently. I have not had the chance to witness it. It would seem a demonstration of it would be well advised right now."

"I had it mastered during my mortal years as well. Do you not remember me knowing just how to push and pull you to get your attention, Master? It was long ago, hardly a blink within your life, perhaps it escaped your mind."

"I remember reining myself in. What has kept you alive then, my pupil, was my temperance. Not your skill at recognising a line that should not be crossed. Not everyone has such enduring fondness for you."

"I remember you whipping Riccardo in front of in response to my near death when I fell into the canal. You seemed fit to punish others but avoided allowing your temper to be unleashed on me. If it wasn't my avoidance of the line it was your failure to establish one. Nor should everyone, I am not without my faults."

"Isn't it marvellous how you're always your own person and entirely independent when it fits your argument and at other times, such as now, something as simple as not realising why some lines need not be crossed becomes my fault entirely?" It truly was quite something to behold. Marius let out a heavy sigh. "Will it rein you in if I keep trying to advise you? Or will it unleash even more of your talent of infuriating your elders?"

"You need to not speak in absolutes, Master. I would never say something is your fault entirely unless your hands remains the only one on the pulse." There was a glint of a cheeky grin, the small mocking he felt safe to do without upsetting his maker. "The true question is, do you wish to reign me in? Do you not enjoy seeing me tease and taunt my elders as the wicked boy you once loved to parade about? Master do not lie, I know you far too well."

"Whatever enjoyment I could glean from it is marred by something much more primal when you are facing off to someone who has no love for you and more power than reason." Reaching out, he took a hold of Armand's shoulder and coaxed him to step closer. "As the wicked boy I shall always love, your safety is sacrosanct to me. If I can help it, I won't let anyone threaten it. Especially not your own actions."

"Have you come to this conclusion regarding all instances in which you believed you had received an inkling of her wishes? Do any of those attempts at communication resist scrutiny still?"

"Madonna incomparabile, if I knew with certainty, I would confirm your suspicion, so you may justly judge me. Perhaps you will do it either way. In truth, I cannot tell. I cannot trust my mind in this and what else is there?"

"Do you? Fascinating. That must be a skill you have acquired very recently. I have not had the chance to witness it. It would seem a demonstration of it would be well advised right now."

"I had it mastered during my mortal years as well. Do you not remember me knowing just how to push and pull you to get your attention, Master? It was long ago, hardly a blink within your life, perhaps it escaped your mind."

"I remember reining myself in. What has kept you alive then, my pupil, was my temperance. Not your skill at recognising a line that should not be crossed. Not everyone has such enduring fondness for you."

"I remember you whipping Riccardo in front of in response to my near death when I fell into the canal. You seemed fit to punish others but avoided allowing your temper to be unleashed on me. If it wasn't my avoidance of the line it was your failure to establish one. Nor should everyone, I am not without my faults."

"Isn't it marvellous how you're always your own person and entirely independent when it fits your argument and at other times, such as now, something as simple as not realising why some lines need not be crossed becomes my fault entirely?" It truly was quite something to behold. Marius let out a heavy sigh. "Will it rein you in if I keep trying to advise you? Or will it unleash even more of your talent of infuriating your elders?"

"Mm. How very sensible, Master."

"There is no need to wish upon a star when I am able to talk to you as you are."

"Well, that doesn't faze me. You were never one to 'wish upon' anything. Still, I cannot help but notice that your understanding stems more from a vein of stoicism than genuine acceptance," tilting his head, brown eyes flicker to the cerulean blue of his maker's eyes. "It is mildly aggravating."

"Causing you aggravation was not my intention. If I do lack acceptance of any kind, know that it is not because anything about you is unacceptable. It's my own mistakes that I regret, and the consequences thereof. If I was to merely focus on the ultimate result, you, before me as you are now, beautiful and glorious?" Marius reached down, his hand cupping the side of Armand's face, thumb tucked under his chin to lift his head up. To make sure he could keep a hold of his gaze. "You don't need my acceptance but you shall always have my adulation."

"Mm. How very sensible, Master."

"There is no need to wish upon a star when I am able to talk to you as you are."

"Do you? Fascinating. That must be a skill you have acquired very recently. I have not had the chance to witness it. It would seem a demonstration of it would be well advised right now."

"I had it mastered during my mortal years as well. Do you not remember me knowing just how to push and pull you to get your attention, Master? It was long ago, hardly a blink within your life, perhaps it escaped your mind."

"I remember reining myself in. What has kept you alive then, my pupil, was my temperance. Not your skill at recognising a line that should not be crossed. Not everyone has such enduring fondness for you."

"Do you? Fascinating. That must be a skill you have acquired very recently. I have not had the chance to witness it. It would seem a demonstration of it would be well advised right now."

Careful how you imply things, Master, you may paint a very telling image for those listening in if you continue to speak of your lack of gentleness in relation to myself.

I do not wish to indulge whatever fantasies people might concoct but I believe enough is known that this is not a shocking revelation. I am not gentle.

Little needs to be concocted considering you also painted rather detailed imagery in your own writing as I did mine. Gentle is within your reach but I've learned your touch is most tender after it has been firm.

And you are most appreciative of such tenderness after a firm reminder. We have always fed into each other in that regard. Just as you like to provoke my ire, you also earn my gentleness.