closed rp, Beaufort and Percy.

[oui-ministre.livejournal.com]

After being seemingly possessed by the spirit of piracy and violence, whilst seemingly forgetting his inability to use any kind of weapon, Beaufort thought it better to stay indoors. Especially after that new doctor took the trouble to laugh at his misfortune in French (which, admittedly, led to some sarcastic comments about the Swiss), he didn't particularly feel like being social. For at least a week or so, his desire to not be ridiculed further by certain people was winning over his desire to go and apologise for his impropriety. If you could class drawing a sword on someone as impropriety.

However, he did eventually find the nerve to go and knock on Percy's door, and for once, was hoping he, and not Marguerite, was in instead of vice versa. There was a lot of explaining that needed to happen, but there was a lot he felt he had to say too. Before he lost the chance to say what he had so foolishly got into a proper fight over.

Comments

[oui-ministre.livejournal.com]

Beaufort scowled a little, "That was not entirely my point, Mr Blakeney. I was more saying you should take nothing for granted, sir."

[yousir-mesir.livejournal.com]

"What makes you think that I'm taking her for granted?" He raised his brow and smiled quietly. "Public life can be very different than private life, monsieur."

[oui-ministre.livejournal.com]

"If you thought I was unaware of that..." Beaufort breathed in carefully, as he was running out of ways to express what he thought without sounding...wrong. Not that he took this to mean that he was wrong. "But to be honest, the fact for a long time, I spent more time with her than you did. That, I don't quite understand."

[yousir-mesir.livejournal.com]

"Not that I have good reason to explain myself to you," Percy said with a nod of his head, though he did not sound very off put. "My wife and I had our reasons, monsieur. I thought she very much loathed the sight of me, and I had my own reasons for the estrangement. I shall not go into details, though I wonder how much she told you."

[oui-ministre.livejournal.com]

"Not that you do, sir, not at all. But in that sense, you also cannot blame me for making certain assumptions, no matter what she did, or did not tell me." He was vague sure. He did vague well.

[yousir-mesir.livejournal.com]

Percy put his hands on his hips and stared at the Frenchman. "No," he said through pursed lips. "No, I cannot blame you. Tell me, monsieur, if you worry about my relationship with m'wife, and yet you tell me that I should have no more concern about your intentions, why are you here exactly?"

[oui-ministre.livejournal.com]

Beaufort considered this question, as he hadn't really expected it. Why was he here? "Because, there were a lot of things that I felt like I had to say, but perhaps it was not a good idea to say them whilst I...at an earlier point. I suppose I'm raising these concerns now in order to clear the air, so I can leave this be without thinking there are many things I still need to say."

[yousir-mesir.livejournal.com]

"Well, have you accomplished this, Monsieur Beaufort?" Again, he was sincere. If the man had thought enough to speak to him, he might as well be a little considerate. Marguerite thought well of him. Really, besides being 'competition', Percy had no real ill will towards him.

[oui-ministre.livejournal.com]

"To a large extent, yes, I have." He swallows hard, because he's particularly sure that saying something, as was quite usual, didn't get him very far at all. "Although, I'm intrigued, sir, why do you play the fool? You're clearly much more insightful than first appears."

[yousir-mesir.livejournal.com]

Percy leaned his head to the side and thought quietly to himself, toying with that quizzing glass hanging around his neck. "Sir, I can do no more than answer that is it a coping mechanism. I wear a mask to protect myself, that is all."

He dropped the quizzing glass and sighed very softly. "We all wear masks, do we not?"

[oui-ministre.livejournal.com]

"Oui, bien sur." There is one thing which Beaufort still feels the need to ask about, "I am still curious, though, what on earth do you need to hide yourself from here, of all places?"

[yousir-mesir.livejournal.com]

"Habit, I suppose," Percy replied, the very hint of a smile on his face. It kept things interesting as well, but he wasn't about to admit that out loud.

[oui-ministre.livejournal.com]

"Seems like the sort of habit most people would be quite happy to have an opportunity to break." Beaufort noticed the slight change in expression in his face, otherwise he would have let it go.

[yousir-mesir.livejournal.com]

"Ah, but it's a very strong habit, monsieur," said Percy. "I am attempting to change my ways, sir, rest assured."

[oui-ministre.livejournal.com]

"Strong habits aside, I do not wish to be...at odds with you any longer, sir, which I suppose was my real purpose in coming here and talking to you." He had no real interest in having the Englishman angry with him.

[yousir-mesir.livejournal.com]

Fair enough, thought Percy. With a gentle nod of his head he extended his hand to the Frenchman, "I don't wish it either. A truce then."

[oui-ministre.livejournal.com]

Beaufort extends his hand briefly, then looks at it and realises that it will probably hurt. Quite a lot. So he switches to his left and gives Percy a slight smile, "Do you mind? I...yeah, that's not pleasant."

[yousir-mesir.livejournal.com]

"Oh, my good sir, not at all" Percy said after a slight awkward pause. He smiled as well and switched hands, grasping Beaufort's good extended hand and shaking it firmly. "A truce then."

[oui-ministre.livejournal.com]

Beaufort shook his hand and nodded, "A truce indeed. I'd invite you to drink to it, but alas." Well, that was one peace made in his life, at least. If a relatively minor one.

[yousir-mesir.livejournal.com]

"Alas. Perhaps a ride on the teacups sometime then," Percy replied, laughing quietly as he withdrew his hand.

[oui-ministre.livejournal.com]

Beaufort laughs slightly, as he knows that'll only end with him flat on his face. "Perhaps, yes. Or maybe just coffee."

[yousir-mesir.livejournal.com]

"Coffee, coffee sounds...splendid. Just splendid." He smiled a bit more naturally, having felt better about the whole situation. Yes, this could be very good, he decided. "Well, you must forgive me, Monsieur Beaufort, for I am not yet dressed for the day and must excuse myself."

[oui-ministre.livejournal.com]

Beaufort nods, "Very well. I shall see you at some point soon for coffee, non?" He smiles and makes to leave, feeling much better about the situation.

[yousir-mesir.livejournal.com]

"Oui, you shall, monsieur." Percy half bowed at the waist and smiled gently, opening up the door for Beaufort and seeing him off. "Take care, sir."