futaille | Open Post: Who invented this calendar anyway?

How unfortunate.

Yes, Grantaire was fully aware that the year being longer at the mansion would logically cause seasons to drift when someone kept track of the old calendar, or at least what had been pinned down as the old calendar for convenience sake, which was almost necessary when people's arrivals weren't necessarily tied to the day they left. He hadn't given it too much thought last year, when his birthday, such that it was, arrived in spring like he was used to.

Dark, though, was unfortunate. Not inappropriate for the next notable anniversary coming up, but for this one, not at all. Of course, it wasn't as if he would have been planning much in the way of an event, Dark or no, but it would have been nice to treat himself to something or other, regardless.

Instead, he has installed himself in the game room, where he is carefully balancing dominoes on their ends to make a domino rally on the billiards table. It's a nice large flat surface, so it should work nicely. Have to keep entertained somehow.

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From:

quote_gentle_unquote

"I ought to have come to you sooner," she says, leaning forward again. If the top of her dress pulls tight against her chest with the movement, well - that's just how clothing works, especially on a body like hers. "Have you got more?"

From:

futaille

"Ah..." Grantaire can hardly be blamed if his gaze drifts as a result. He's only human. "Well..." He manages to shift his eyes back upwards. "Oh! Raking out the sand at the beach and clearing out any driftwood."

From:

quote_gentle_unquote

"You don't suppose that one might be a little too obvious?" she asks, thoughtfully. She, too, is only human - so when she tracks his gaze, she idly leans the slightest bit more.

From:

futaille

"Possibly," he says, gaze drifting again. "Checking all the lightbulbs?"

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quote_gentle_unquote

"He is rather tall," Susan nods. Forgive her, she's now conducting experiments on Grantaire's attention by stroking a finger along the neckline of her dress, as if to check if the top button is still done up. (It is, and straining as hard as ever.) "What a reasonable task to assign him."

From:

futaille

His eyes trace the path of her finger. "Yes," he says. "And long arms. Excellent reach."

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quote_gentle_unquote

"Then I simply must add it to the list." Letting the straining button 'accidentally' slip open would be a blush too far, wouldn't it?

From:

futaille

Grantaire nods helplessly. "It's a good start then, yes?"

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quote_gentle_unquote

"Oh, very. You've got my gratitude." She finally lets her hand fall to her lap and sits back, button - regrettably - still straining at her chest.

From:

futaille

His gaze follows her hand as it drops and then he shakes his head quickly as if jostling something loose and looks back up at her with a sidelong smile. "I'll be happy to come up with more when you reach the end of the list."

From:

quote_gentle_unquote

Oh, that's even more interesting. The intensity in Susan's eyes softens, and her gaze turns more considering. She crosses her legs, playing with the stem of her wineglass, thoughtful. "I'm eager to hear what else you might cook up."

From:

futaille

He has a long sip of his own wine. "It's like mixing a drink. Finding the perfect blend of tedium and potential usefulness, but not anything too potentially useful."

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quote_gentle_unquote

"What sort of useful tedium are you putting into your mixed drinks?"

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futaille

"Oh, it's more the general principle of finding the right blend. Although I've found mixed drinks can often help with tedium."

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quote_gentle_unquote

"Cheers to that," says Susan, nudging the cheese and bread closer to him.

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futaille

"Cheers." He picks up some cheese and pops it in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. "You really do have excellent taste."

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quote_gentle_unquote

"In wine and cheese?"

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futaille

"Of course. And I should probably add knights."

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quote_gentle_unquote

Susan's smile widens. "He is lovely, isn't he?"

From:

futaille

"He is. Very much so."

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quote_gentle_unquote

"Just the most darling, sweet, handsome man," she sighs. "And ever so capable."

From:

futaille

"He's delightful all around, I would say."

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quote_gentle_unquote

"I'm so pleased you think so, too."

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futaille

"Of course I do. I'm not that foolish."

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quote_gentle_unquote

"I don't believe that's a label I've ever assigned to you," says Susan, smearing some bread through the cheese and taking a thoughtful bite. She washes it down with wine, then says, "You've not had sex with him yet, yes?"