alma meets simon

[01:31 AM] Alma Beoulve is coming home for the first time in a while, and wouldn't you know it? Dycedarg isn't home. The guard informed Alma that he was summoned to Duke Larg's estate to discuss something, though what it is the guard is not at liberty to say. And of course, Zalbaag is off gallivanting /somewhere/ in Ivalice, in a desert or a swamp or the pit of Hell itself, rather than be sitting behind a desk at home.

Really, is it so much to ask that her family actually be /home/ every once in a while?

In any event, Alma heads up to her bedroom, hoping to simply lay down and remember the days when she actually had people she could talk to that wouldn't just reply with "Yes, Miss Alma." or "No, Miss Alma." In her frustration, however, she accidentally opened the wrong room, not noticing that it was inhabited.
[01:37 AM] Simon-Blackquill has been in his bed by himself for hours now, wallowing in pain and unable to sleep. His leg is hurting him so, so bad that there's just no hope for slumber, plagued by insomnia or otherwise. Every once in a while, he attempts to shift his body, to keep from forming bed sores, but he can only do so much when he's got a broken leg. Ugh... He's beginning to sort of regret kicking everyone else out.

Just as he starts thinking that, however, the door opens and Simon sits up to glare at whoever comes in. He didn't exactly expect to see a young girl walk in, however. He's never seen her before, and his expression softens immediately.

"...Excuse me?" He asks, attempting to sound soft, but with features like his, tone of voice may not matter much.
[01:40 AM] Alma Beoulve is very startled and squeals, jumping back and covering her mouth with both hands. Just as she's about to book it out of the room, thinking Simon to have broken into the mansion and that this was just like when the Corpse Brigade stormed into her home less than a year ago, but then she notices his splinted leg.

"Oh! You're hurt!"
[01:42 AM] Simon-Blackquill looks at his leg and lowers his head, closing his eyes, which have become difficult to make out under the shadow of his hair. All that can really be seen are the dark marks underneath, making him look like some kind of pale, crying monster.

"I see you have an acute grasp of the obvious," he remarks, trying to keep any signs of pain absent from his voice... but not quite succeeding.
[01:48 AM] Alma Beoulve approaches the crying monster's side, ignoring his attempts at sarcasm to look at his leg. "Has someone been in to see you? I can't imagine it would take very long for Doctor Blastbody to repair a break like this."
[01:50 AM] Simon-Blackquill laughs weakly, pathetically. "That fool with the hat? I want nothing to do with him," he admits, though he did appreciate some of the assistance he provided... it wasn't worth putting up with the irritating man himself. "I would rather allow my body to heal on its own than deal with him."
[01:51 AM] Alma Beoulve: ((RUDE))
[01:53 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: (( and then a while from now, simon catches iroquois smooching quincy. GASP!!!! ))
[01:58 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: ((dun dun duuuuuuun))
[01:58 AM] Alma Beoulve frowns at him, hard. "Doctor Blastbody is not a fool! He is a good person and I will not have you speak ill of him." She smacks his shoulder, but lightly. He does still have a broken leg, after all.
[02:00 AM] Simon-Blackquill looks up at her with a hurt expression, to see if she falls for it. "......He wasn't incredibly pleasant with me, I'll have you know," he says, bringing a hand to his head and running it through the white portion of his hair. "Would you be kind enough to do me a small favour?"
[02:02 AM] Alma Beoulve's frown softens into a concerned look. Doctor Blastbody could be a little overzealous with difficult patients, she remembered. "What is it that you need?"
[02:05 AM] Simon-Blackquill keeps putting on the look since it seems to be working. Besides, it actually makes him feel rather -- justified? No, that's not the right word, but something like that -- to pull a face like that, as it actually reflects how he feels to some extent. "I'd like something to chew on. Do you have anything I can put in my mouth that isn't edible?" He doesn't have a Taka feather and he can't ask for David's cigarettes.
[02:09 AM] Alma Beoulve , funnily enough, begins to bite at her thumbnail when thinking about his request. "I'm...not sure that I have anything that would fit that description, but I can che-" And then she noticed the broken shackles on his wrists and narrowed her eyes. "...you're someone's prisoner, aren't you."
[02:11 AM] Simon-Blackquill frowns instinctively when she begins to speak, but his expression blanks when she cuts herself off. He lowers his head again, and once more, his eyes can't be seen underneath his hair. He sighs. "I suppose you could say that." Play to her feelings, Simon. It might get you somewhere.
[02:17 AM] Alma Beoulve began looking him over. "You don't look like a thief...so would that make you a prisoner of my Lord Brother?" Despite herself, she pulls up a chair and sits next to the strange samurai. Is she really that lonely that she would sit and make conversation with a prisoner of war? "You look like a man of Limberry. The Marquis is just as fond of Far Eastern culture as you seem to be."
[02:21 AM] Simon-Blackquill has... no idea what the hell she's saying. Great, why did he have to respond with a yes? Well, he had technically been a prisoner, hadn't he? Now he has no idea what to say... "......You've nailed it in its entirety. I underestimated your observational skills," he decides to say, with full knowledge that he may regret this later, so it's time to try and memorise everything she's said!
[02:26 AM] Alma Beoulve claps her hands together excitedly. "Oh, so you're a man of the Southern Sky? What is it like in Limberry? Did you grow up there, or were you raised elsewhere in Ivalice? Have you met Count Orlandeau?" Her eyes practically shine with how eager she is to learn about the world beyond.
[02:27 AM] Simon-Blackquill sighed. ..........And there it is. He knew he'd regret this, but damn, that retribution was swift. He's fully deserving of it, however. ".....I'd prefer not to talk about my time spent there, in all honesty," he replies, determined to bullshit his way through this conversation until he's called out on it.
[02:29 AM] Alma Beoulve's face crumbles a little bit, disappointment etched on her features. "Oh, I see. Of course. My apologies." And she wanted to chat with him, too....
[02:33 AM] Simon-Blackquill begins to feel a little guilty for his lie, but he'll deal with it. He clutches his chest, partially in emotional pain, but mostly in physical... and partially to further manipulate. "Worry not, lass." He's trying to sound concerned, because he actually is -- he's got a bit of a weakness for children. But man, those features of his. He's probably scaring her.
[02:34 AM] Alma Beoulve is only scared for him, thinking him to be suffering from some ailment. "Oh no! Are you hurting? Hold on, I am trained in the use of white magic, tell me what's happening and I can ease your pain!"
[02:36 AM] Simon-Blackquill chuckles weakly, but he doesn't seem to be smiling. "......I'd rather not. I merely have a chronic breathing condition," which is actually one of the first things he's said to her that isn't a lie, "And I'm not... quite fond of magic being used on me." Also not a lie! The concept of magic still makes him vaguely uncomfortable.
[02:37 AM] Alma Beoulve adopts a puzzled look, but sits back down in her chair. "Oh, I...see." She doesn't see, but she's not so impolite as to pry. "Is there nothing I can do for you, then?"
[02:39 AM] Simon-Blackquill's reasonings are all pretty bullshit, really. He's vaguely uncomfortable with magic, mostly because he obviously can't scientifically explain it, but... he also feels like he deserves this punishment, so he doesn't want it to just be whisked away. ".......The company you're providing is surprisingly calm and pleasant, actually."
[02:40 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: (( im so tempted to have snake pop in but.... i think id rather he be introduced to the other beoulves by dycedarg ))
[02:47 AM] Alma Beoulve giggles and stands to deliver a polite curtsy. "Well, my lord, I am honored that you should find my company so pleasant." She giggles again and sits back down.
[02:50 AM] Simon-Blackquill actually offers a small smile at her response. Oh no, she's a cute one. "...Please, just refer to me by name. Simon Blackquill," he introduces, lowering the hand clutching his chest and placing it into his lap. It's about the best he can do to appear somewhat dignified, being injured in bed and all.
[02:53 AM] Alma Beoulve gives another giggle. "Very well, Simon Blackquill. You may refer to me by name as well. I am Alma Beoulve."
[02:55 AM] Simon-Blackquill pauses. Wait a second... Beoulve is Dycedarg's last name. Is this his daughter? No, wait, she mentioned something about a 'lord brother'... and then he remembers that Dycedarg does indeed have siblings. Yes, this must be his sister, then. Should he be having a surprised reaction to this? Well, his eyes widen anyway, he can't help it. "A pleasure to meet you," he decides to say, even though he just admitted to being her brother's prisoner. Oh well.
[02:58 AM] Alma Beoulve: A pleasure to meet you as well, Simon Blackquill. I would extend to you a hand, but...well, you can certainly understand why I would think that a poor idea.
[03:01 AM] Simon-Blackquill shakes his head. "Nonsense. It's only my leg that is broken -- my arms are perfectly fine." And to demonstrate, he extends his own hand.
[03:05 AM] Alma Beoulve hesitates, then takes his hand after all, deciding to be a little naughty and kiss it, as if Simon were the lady and she were the gentleman. She giggles doing so. "I was referring to those broken manacles, but you couldn't get far with your leg like that. So I suppose I shall just have to trust you not to be a blackguard and attempt to steal me away."
[03:08 AM] Simon-Blackquill watches the action and blinks, not sure if that's standard behaviour or if she's being obnoxious... but he finds it cute, so he doesn't necessarily mind. "I'd never dream of doing anything of the sort. I may be a criminal but I have standards," he states, puffing out his chest a little.
[03:12 AM] Alma Beoulve giggles. "Of course, O Brave Knight of Limberry." She looks at the encircled feather on his jinbaori. "Is that your family's crest, Simon?"
[03:15 AM] Simon-Blackquill grins a little at her remark... yes, he quite likes the sound of that. Brave Knight of Limberry. ...Wherever that was. Perhaps he'd investigate that area sometime. "Why yes it is. Observant you are, once more." And that's actually not a lie either! He's actually rather impressed that she noticed it. Not many people comment on it.
[03:21 AM] Alma Beoulve nods "I thought so! The Marquis must be missing you dearly, considering you're my brother's prisoner. But at least I can keep you company this way~" She gently laid a hand on his arm, as if to convince him that she is a friend instead of just her captor's sister.
[03:23 AM] Simon-Blackquill doesn't mind her affectionate nature at all. Ordinarily he wouldn't be so fond of it, but... children, okay. She's as cute as a button. "Heh. Indeed you can. It makes my imprisonment a little less harsh, I suppose." ...Now he doesn't want her to leave. Oh.
[03:28 AM] Alma Beoulve smiles now that she has made tentative friends with this dangerous swordsman. "So, aside from being held here against your will, how are you enjoying Beoulve Manor?"
[03:31 AM] Simon-Blackquill .......actually has to laugh a bit at that. That can't be something she's saying in ignorance. That has to be a joke. Cute. "Well, it's certainly a well-maintained residence..." He isn't exactly sure what else to say about it without giving away too much information. "Classy. Grand. If I were here under different circumstances, I may possibly be honoured." Does that sound prisoner-y enough? Maybe.
[03:41 AM] Alma Beoulve smiles. "Then mayhap when this war is over and relations between the White and Black Lions are restored, mayhap you may visit us again? I, for one, shall be glad to receive you here. You could even stay in your old room, if you like. I get the sense you are fond of it." She gives what passes for a smirk on her innocent face
[03:46 AM] Simon-Blackquill raises an eyebrow, though it isn't easy to see underneath his hair. He's got a lot of it, and it's rather thick. "Well. I have grown attached to it, I suppose." How does he react to that? He doesn't know what manors in Limberry were supposed to be like. Did he come across as rich or noble? Certainly not, right? Then this would be a grand accommodation for him, prisoner or not. Yes. "...The Lord is surprisingly hospitable."
[03:47 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: (( thoughts: i read on almas profile that shes gotten really fretful over the wellness of her family, so i can definitely see her being delighted when dycedarg tells her hes got a new dedicated bodyguard. and then that traps snake further because then shes [i]counting on him[/i] to protect her brother and he cant let this sweet pea down!! ))
[03:48 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: ((OH MY GOD))
[03:48 AM] Alma Beoulve's face grows a little more solemn. "Well...we have so many empty rooms now, and...so few people to fill them..." Alma is now staring at the floor, expression blank. She's thinking back on all the people that used to live here that are now gone. Tietra...Delita...Ramza...
[03:49 AM] Alma Beoulve: ((YOU WOULD BE A MONSTER IF YOU LET THIS POOR GIRL DOWN))
[03:49 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: (( IROQUOIS CANT DO IT, HE CANT LET HER DOWN ))
[03:51 AM] Simon-Blackquill frowns at that. "So I've noticed." He decides to take a gamble and ask a question that he figures he should have the answer to, but he's already come up with an excuse for him not to have if he needs to use it: "I presume the war is to blame for that?" Let's see if he can squeeze some information out of her...
[03:56 AM] Alma Beoulve shakes her head. "No, it was before that. Early last year, when the Corpse Brigade...." She makes a choked sob before shaking her head again. "Well, it doesn't matter anymore."
[03:58 AM] Simon-Blackquill's eyebrows furrow, and he reaches a hand out to carefully touch her shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Now now. There's no need to elaborate if you don't wish to. I apologise for reminding you of such a thing."
[04:04 AM] Alma Beoulve wipes her eyes and gives a smile. "Thank you, Simon. It is...difficult to talk about. I lost so many people I loved, all at once...and Lord Brother Dycedarg is barely around, and Lord Brother Zalbaag avoids this place like plague these days...heh, I suppose that's why I'm sitting in here, making conversation with a captive Limberry Knight."
[04:07 AM] Simon-Blackquill pats her on the shoulder gently, shaking his head. "You've nothing to be ashamed of. You've been through quite a lot, but I understand. We all have our share of sorrows, and it's perfectly normal to try and find an outlet or confidant... and there are times when someone you hardly know is the best person for the job. Even scum such as myself."
[04:15 AM] Alma Beoulve frowns and smacks his shoulder again. "You are not scum! You are a brave knight and I will not hear you disparage yourself like that!"
[04:16 AM] Simon-Blackquill chuckles. "Well, I certainly won't disagree with the sentiment that I'm brave. But trust me when I say that I'm an awful person. You'd do well not to get too close."
[04:27 AM] Alma Beoulve shakes her head. "Nope! I refuse to believe it. As far as I am concerned, you are a gallant knight of Limberry, held captive in enemy territory, and I shall hear not one word against it." She pointedly turns her nose up and looks away from Simon, eyes closed
[04:29 AM] Simon-Blackquill goes right back to frowning, leaning back in his bed, crossing his arms over his chest with a rattling of broken chains. "Unfortunately, there is far too much blood on my hands for me to ever consider myself gallant. I am nothing but a man of sin, living his just punishment."
[04:32 AM] Alma Beoulve frowns, adopting a much more solemn look on her face and sits back down, her hands in her lap. "...I apologize. I did not mean to make light of what you have seen, or done. I understand that being a knight is more than just fanciful tales of heroism. There is blood in it, all too often."
[04:34 AM] Simon-Blackquill nods and looks down at his shackled wrists, lowering his hands down to his lap and fiddling with his own chains. "........I'm not proud of myself for what I've been forced to live through."
[04:37 AM] Alma Beoulve: I'm sorry.
[04:38 AM] Simon-Blackquill: You've no need to apologise to me. You have done nothing wrong.
[04:39 AM] Alma Beoulve: Still, I...I feel as though I should apologize. If only for those who won't, or can't. I cannot help but feel that too many people have hurt you without any regret in their hearts.
[04:40 AM] Simon-Blackquill: ...That's an interesting claim to make. What compels you to believe such a thing?
[04:48 AM] Alma Beoulve pauses for a moment. "...My best friend and her brother were commoners. Taken from their home and raised here by my late father, since their parents died of plague. We both attended the same preparatory academy here in Eagrose, but...all too often, the other girls there would bully and abuse her, simply because she was born a commoner and they were all nobles. She always thought of others, though, never herself. She never even told her brother what was happening, just so he wouldn't worry." She looks directly into Simon's eyes. "For some reason, I'm reminded of that part of her when I talk with you. Like you carry wounds within your heart that you would not burden another with the knowledge of. Not for your sake, but for others."
[04:54 AM] Simon-Blackquill meets the eye contact and feels as if he's being seen right through... but he can't find himself unsettled by it, for once in his life. She's correct, of course... and that fascinates Simon in a way he's never really gotten to feel before. He's so used to being forced to hide hid feelings and intentions, even if someone were to guess at them, but being trapped like this meant he didn't [b]have[/b] to live a lie. He could let it out.

And with that thought, Simon's eyes start to water, and he's forced to break off eye contact. ".......You're wise beyond your years..." is all he can manage to say. He closes his eyes and sees Athena's young face, and with that movement of his eyelids, tears are forced to fall... and he can't will himself to care if she sees them.
[04:56 AM] Alma Beoulve sees Simon crying and envelops him in a very gentle hug. "I'm sorry, Simon. I didn't mean to dig up more bad memories for you."
[04:58 AM] Simon-Blackquill's tears slide right through the marks running down his eyes, and he keeps them closed as they continue to fall, not bothering to wipe them away or make any sound. "You need not worry about me. No matter where I go or what I do, I will always be reminded of the phantom that haunts me."
[05:05 AM] Alma Beoulve hugs Simon all the tighter for that. "Shhhhh...I'm here with you. Whatever has happened, whatever you've done, or didn't do, I'm here." She begins to lightly stroke his hair to try and sooth him.
[05:10 AM] Simon-Blackquill finds himself... chuckling? No, he's sobbing, isn't he... His shoulders raise and fall, and his breathing quickens. "I've... done nothing but fail repeatedly. I deserve this punishment."