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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Nov 17, 2011 13:21:04 GMT -5
Arthur could only quietly nod, gently taking small sips. In all honest, he felt sick to his stomach due to how much he ached, but he was starving -- and the food was so good....
"I-It's beef soup.... s' nice...."
He didn't really pay attention to the other for the moment, murmuring to himself. He didn't seem too aware of Francis watching him, too hungry to really care.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Nov 18, 2011 13:05:04 GMT -5
Francis wondered whether he was overwhelming the man with too much chatter and attention. His guest seemed reluctant to speak to him, preferring not to be heard. Still, Francis was determined to take good care of him in every way possible.
Francis reached out and patted the man's hand. "I'm very glad to hear that." His gaze was warm. "You don't have to be hungry again as long as you're here."
Seeing the soup disappear fast, Francis stood and fetched the dessert he had prepared. He set the light cake, topped with cream and strawberries, before the man with a little flourish. After all, Francis was proud of his creation.
He sent his guest a little wink. "I do hope you still have an appetite for this!"
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Nov 18, 2011 18:52:26 GMT -5
Arthur's eyes widen a little at the cake, not quite believing that the man had gone ahead and made him something else as well. His eyes almost look moist.
He tentatively pulls the cake towards him, staring down at it for a few moments. He almost doesn't want to touch this... art, he guesses. After looking up at Francis for a moment, like a child, he slowly takes a piece, and starts to eat it.
Delicious.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Nov 19, 2011 22:00:39 GMT -5
Francis had the sudden urge to throw his arms around the man's neck, but he restrained himself. It wouldn't do to possibly drive the man away. But with the way his guest was gazing at him and the dessert Francis made, it seemed as if kind gestures were rare for the man.
"It's all yours," said Francis. "And don't worry if you can't finish it. I'll have Cook preserve it for you to nibble on later."
Francis moved to sit beside his guest, rather than taking his former seat across from him. Leaning his cheek against his fist, Francis looked at the man for a long moment.
"I would really like to help you a little bit more," started Francis slowly. "What can you remember now? Is there anything at all?"
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Nov 20, 2011 11:27:05 GMT -5
Arthur is preoccupied with the food for him to pay attention to Francis moving and sitting beside him at the table, and he only pauses in his actions when Francis asks about his memory; of which he freezes and looks down at the plate, staring at it, lost.
"H-Hn..."
He frowns, the same look of panic returns for a moment. He's still blank. He doesn't want to remember that he can't remember. He just wants to get back to his food and enjoy the taste and the food...
Though he does come out with a word.
"... Ship...."
He shakes his head profusely, and sniffs. He puts his utensil down, and yawns slightly. He blinks tiredly.
He doesn't want to remember what he doesn't. He looks up at Francis, worriedly. Was that bad?...
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Nov 20, 2011 20:10:39 GMT -5
The man had only uttered a single word, but it was more than enough for Francis. He could easily begin his search by collecting any tidbits of rumors and information on anything involving a ship, and from there, Francis could simply narrow all the facts down to what fit his lost guest.
Satisfied, he turned to place his full attention on his guest once more. When Francis had thought nothing was more adorable than the man blushing, he was proved wrong. The combination of his guest's yawn and blinking, sleepy eyes made Francis warm all over.
"Oh, you poor darling," he cooed, standing up abruptly. "You must still be so exhausted and sore! Come, let's get you settled in bed, shall we?"
He helped the man to his feet slowly and led him back up to the guestroom. Francis watched the man for any more signs of pain as they walked on - and perhaps also because Francis' curiosity about him had not abated any.
When they arrived back into the guestroom, Francis made sure that the man was at his most comfortable as he lay down. Francis tucked the covers around the man snugly himself.
"There." Francis straightened with a soft smile. "Is there anything else you need?"
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Nov 21, 2011 12:37:43 GMT -5
Arthur seems to be allowed to be led up back into the guestroom, probably dazed enough to not realise what exactly is going on. It isn't until that Francis tucks him into bed, and moves away from him does Arthur freeze, again, in panic.
He looks up to Francis, eyes wide.
".... H-Hn---" He suddenly pulls himself up, whimpering from the pain, and desperately grabs at Francis' arm, trying to cling to him. "D-Don't go--- N-No--"
His voice cracks. The last time he'd 'blacked out' in any sort of way was when he was on the way to die. He didn't want that panic and pain in his mind again, as much as he couldn't currently remember it.
"...monsters..."
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Nov 21, 2011 19:04:23 GMT -5
Francis was taken aback by how attached the stranger was to him by now. It was surprising, but Francis couldn't help but find it endearing as well. In a cautious, light gesture, Francis pulled his arm from the man's grip and moved closer.
"Oh, my dear heart," Francis murmured to appease the expression of fear on his guest's face, "there are no monsters here. Not while I'm around. I'll stay with you."
Francis leaned down and smoothed the man's hair from his face. "Why don't I read to you until you fall asleep? I'm sure you're not too far off. Don't fret, my sweet," he hastened to calm the man, "I'll stay here the whole night."
Francis gestured for the man to wait for a moment while he called for a maid to fetch him a book. It arrived quickly, and Francis was sitting on the man's bed in no time. He linked their hands together.
"Just rest," he coaxed, and began to read.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Nov 22, 2011 13:15:06 GMT -5
While Arthur grasped tightly at the other's hand, he refused to relax properly, sitting up beside Francis, blinking blearily at the words beside him.
However, as Francis began to speak, the intonation of it did seem to place a much more calming effect on the man. His eyes fluttered slightly, and while the story actually sounds quite interesting, it isn't till his grip slowly loosens on Francis' hand is there any notice of him slipping asleep.
A few minutes later from there, then Arthur is gently leaning against Francis, gripping gently at his arm. He's fast asleep.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Nov 22, 2011 23:13:04 GMT -5
Though Francis read out loud diligently, he still kept most of his attention on his guest. Francis shifted slightly to better accommodate the man leaning against him, waiting until the man's eyes dipped closed. Once Francis was sure that his guest was deeply slumbering, Francis made to transfer to the chair beside the bed, but found that he couldn't.
The man kept a near death grip on Francis even asleep, as though sleep provided no respite from his fears. Concerned, Francis decided to forgo propriety for the night and lay back, moving them both into a more comfortable position. Almost immediately, he secured his arm around the man's shoulders to reassure him that he would remain.
In the dark, with no one else but them, Francis felt free enough to stroke the man's hair affectionately. It was all so strange for Francis, how this man had come to be in his care and how this stranger had managed to tug on Francis' emotions. For a moment, he wondered how someone could even harm a man so sweet and innocent. His questions only strengthened his resolve to learn the truth.
But for now...
Francis glanced down at the man's peacefully sleeping face and sighed. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
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