you're what happens when two substances collide :: OPEN

[heardmermaids.livejournal.com]

Who: Sebastian LeMat and YOU.
What & Where: Various places about town: Nazca's boat, Hellsing's infirmary, etc.
When: Throughout the third week of Velldaren
Notes: If you want to set something up, let me know!

For the sake of safety and common sense Sebastian has been relatively quiet on the network, preferring to communicate via voice or text only, but that hasn't stopped him from making a few general appointments for others in his cohort and throughout the city. Most of his work for strangers has been in and around Sobek Croix, doing his part to keep Hellsing in the canton's good graces during the current blood shortage. At the guildhall itself, he's been working on getting the building ready for winter -- finishing windows, checking the roof for leaks (again), and making sure there will be enough room to dry their crop of tobacco.

Comments

[amourpropre]

It was hardly his choice. Mostly swept up in the white water current that is Narcissa Malfoy taking the lead. And that isn't something he'd say out loud to her, let alone Potter.

So.

Lucius glances down dogwards, but. He doesn't mind dogs. Rapturously obedient animals are quite good to have around, he's always thought -- if Muggles were the same way, there would be a lot less trouble for them all. "It isn't quite so simple," he states, voice rough, although mostly from his drink of choice. "Likely one of many differences, don't you agree?"

[heardmermaids.livejournal.com]

"Yes," he says almost absently before shaking off whatever ideas were crowding him and fully returning his attention to the conversation at hand. Rationally, Sebastian knows he ought to be relieved that there are worlds out there where the war doesn't go as poorly as it did in his own; however, he's often found that rationality provides only cold comfort. "Yes, you're quite right."

[amourpropre]

Lucius can probably sympathise -- he should hope that his younger self can rectify his own mistakes a damn sight sooner than he ever did, but it's a bleak acknowledgment of a thing that pertains to him not at all. Sympathy isn't exactly compassion, however, and the half-smile that comes of it has that curve of a sneer that is just a natural part of his face after long years of being something of a bastard.

"Interesting, that the Boy Who Lived should really well be called the Boy Who Merely Survived. And look, you're still fighting, in your way."

[heardmermaids.livejournal.com]

There is a whip-quick instant where Sebastian is tempted to tell him that he didn't survive the war at all and that he's only here and able to talk through darkest necromancy or some such nonsense. It's a terrible idea, but one that does cheer him up a little.

"What else could I do? Painting walls and fixing windows doesn't fill all my hours and, well, with a marble knee I didn't think to take up jogging."

[amourpropre]

"Quite the hobby you've chosen for yourself, then. Do as you like, LeMat."

Grey eyes flick on over towards LeMat's own more pragmatic cane, and doesn't ask -- he hardly need to. There are weirder ailments, in the wizarding world. "I approve more of the books." Lucius has yet to find much else to do, but attempting to redirect a timeline in which he is no longer a part is low on his list of priorities. Becoming acquainted with his newest universe is enough, for the time being.

[heardmermaids.livejournal.com]

"And you as well." Odd as it is, he seems genuinely pleased by Malfoy's approval of his reading material. He stops again, weighing his words before continuing, "I'll tell you what I've told your alternate: for me, the war is over and I will not let that horror taint us more than it already does. In the last world we went to, there were other British wizards, and the Malfoys were the only sane, kind people among them. I don't expect us to become allies, but in this place I have no complaint or issue with you."

Sebastian wrinkles his nose and briefly looks as young as he really is, "That was a bit rubbish and speechy, but I thought I ought to make sure you know."

[amourpropre]

He'd accused Malfoy Jr. of being reticent of these details, but really, Lucius hadn't asked, not wishing to seem overly interested or really give much ground at all to the younger man where he did not need to. But that interest is here, in a sharp stare across the table and only blunting when the conversation circulates back to the two men at this here table, studying the empty glass in front of him.

"We're strangers," he says-- decides-- after a reasonably lengthy pause bordering on socially awkward. "And this is an acceptable compromise."

As in, there is no way he can really pin his feelings of ill-will against Harry Potter to a man who has lived a different life, in the important ways, and barely resembles the child and the schoolyard rival of his son he'd menaced on occasion. The chair scrapes beneath him as he rises -- would that he could go and get a second drink, but as with all things Baedal, Lucius never quite feels welcome to, no matter kind words and invitations.

[heardmermaids.livejournal.com]

"I'm pleased you think so," he says simply as Velcro settles back down to doze under the table.

Sebastian is honestly pleased that this Malfoy has no desire to continue the war; after all, with Bellatrix in town, he could use all the indifference he can get. "Good evening and be well, Malfoy."