duplicity inbox | un: prince

[rosebyanyother]

"Morrigan Prince. I'm afraid I'm too busy to answer at the moment, but leave a message and I promise to respond as soon as I'm able."

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[rosebyanyother]

Hello. I don't have very much going on today, I could be free this afternoon if you'd like?

[He's curious about the subject of this talk they should have but he likes Hawke well enough.]

[haldaneprotector]

That would work well. Would you like to meet somewhere public, or more private? Have you been to Sanctuary?

[rosebyanyother]

Whichever's most convenient. If Hawke sent you my way then I trust you.
Sanctuary...refresh my memory on what that is?

[He's not a magic user so it's not entirely on his radar.]

[haldaneprotector]

Sanctuary is Anders' attempt to give magic users a safe place to gather and learn in Duplicity. It's the most secure location that it technically public I can think of. I can send you an address if you're willing to meet there.

or i can come to where you are.

[rosebyanyother]

Oh, yes, that's right. I don't mind meeting you there at all.

[He's a little curious about it, honestly.]

[haldaneprotector]

Then if you are free, I will meet you outside and we can... talk.

[rosebyanyother]

It sounds like a plan. Shall we say around 2pm?

[...He really does wonder what they're supposed to be talking about.]

[haldaneprotector]

[ He lets Peter know when he's leaving, and then does so. He's waiting outside the place - in the black leather jacket with dark green suede panels, and his hair back - when the other man arrives.

he steps forward with a slight smile to offer his hand. ]

I'm Alaric. Let's go inside and I'll try to explain myself - or Hawke, as the case may be.

[rosebyanyother]

[Oh, he's rather handsome isn't he? It's an idle thought, but a thought nonetheless.

Peter smiles as well, shaking Alaric's hand and then nodding.]

It's a pleasure to meet you. I can't say that I'm not a bit curious as to what this is all about.

[haldaneprotector]

[ He catches the gist but he's not paying much attention and, anyway, he knows that he is very pretty. ]

Relationships - with multiple people. Hawke seemed to think I could be useful.

[rosebyanyother]

Relationships with multiple... [Peter repeats the phrase - partially - in what seems like surprise, blinking a bit as well. That...is not what he expected.] Well. I suppose he's not wrong.

[He follows Alaric in to the building, still looking confused. And a bit thoughtful.]

I'm a bit surprised he's aware of my...situation.

[haldaneprotector]

[ There isn't much of a tour happening, but he is leading the way slowly enough to leave room for questions.

And headed for the 'library' which is relatively small - and quiet with good seating. ]

Why? Was it a secret?

[rosebyanyother]

[Peter is more focused on their conversation then getting an actual tour, though he does pay some amount of attention to the surroundings. Magic is a curiosity of his.]

Not secret, no. But I wouldn't know where-- ah. Hm.

[Hawke does know Jon. Works for Jon. He's just very surprised that Jon might have mentioned it to him....]

[haldaneprotector]

[ It is mostly well warded, secure (in a more conventional sense), open space with a small corner devoted to the library and some doorways. One of which Alaric is leading Peter toward. Through there it's simply a sitting room. Comfortable chairs, even. ]

Would you rather talk about something else? Or not talk?

[rosebyanyother]

No, no, I don't necessarily mind. If Hawke thought we should chat about that I'm sure there's a reason. [Peter's tone is a bit airy. He glances around the space Alaric leads him to and then seats himself in one of the chairs and continues to regard him curiously.] I take it you and he are in...that sort of situation? A relationship involving multiple people.

[haldaneprotector]

[ He folds himself down into another chair with an easy grace and comfort that seems (and is) just a little bit... manufactured. ]

I am. With both he and Anders. I was in a far less functional situation before I arrived here.

[rosebyanyother]

[Peter is especially good at spotting that sort of thing and so he notes the air of performance. It's certainly curious, but he isn't sure if it is a product of their conversation so far or something else.

So he'll press on unless it becomes much clearer that he shouldn't.]

How did you find yourself in this sort of relationship? Is it something you've done before?

[haldaneprotector]

Not in a relationship with both people no. This time I was contracted to Anders and his existing relationship - Hawke - arrived. Previously the 'relationship' was with my King. He, of course, had to get married. He adores his wife; she would like me dead.

[ That really is matter of fact as can be, but that 'performed' casualness is maybe a touch more intense. He kind of hates the second half of that. ]

[rosebyanyother]

That is...certainly less than ideal.

[It reminds him of how...it is entirely likely that his own situation might evolve into something similar. He hopes that he can charm Martin. He is not sure.]

Well. I understand now why Hawke suggested we chat. I...have been in something like a relationship with someone here whose boyfriend has just recently turned up. Or, well. Returned. He was here previously and had given his consent for us to explore what were more...uncertain feelings then.

...He doesn't remember doing so. [And those feelings have bloomed into love, since.] We're...waiting, now. Giving his boyfriend time to adjust to Duplicity before he tells him anything.

[haldaneprotector]

That seems....

[ He pauses there, thinking of something Hawke had said of his relationship with Brion. ]

Unfair to you. Did you participate in that decision or was it made for you?

[rosebyanyother]

[...Is it unfair? It had seemed...reasonable to Peter. Not ideal, not easy. But reasonable.]

I agreed to it.

[Which isn't answering the question directly but may well answer it indirectly.]

[haldaneprotector]

[ He arches his eyebrow a little, because yeah. That is a kind of an answer. ]

There are things it is very hard to say no to. Or to feel you can.

[rosebyanyother]

[Having this brought to his attention, Peter isn't sure...how he feels. A little defensive of Jon, honestly, because he feels as if Alaric is implying that there's been bad behavior practiced here.

Another, small part of him reaches for the empathy in Alaric's words. The recognition of unfairness, of the fact that Peter has been suffering. But....the former wins.

'I didn't think to say no' is on the tip of his tongue, but Peter goes with something else.]

It didn't make sense to object. It wouldn't help anything to overwhelm his boyfriend.

[haldaneprotector]

[ He doesn't delve into what the emotional reactions are, though he has enough sense into what his own reaction would be.

God knew he defended Brion and Jehana both, a lot. ]

As I said, my lover married a woman who could not stand me. This situation is better, by far, and sometimes there are no options that are fair.

But they are still unfair and painful.