![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Hello Huaisang,
I want to thank you for inviting me to your birthday party. I had a lovely time with you and Ferdinand. I hope the rest of your evening was wonderful.
I had a question for you, however. I met a man there named Hannibal. He claimed to have arrived in the city a week ago and to be your Submissive. I was confused by this, as I thought your husband was your only Submissive, and I was unsure how he was able to contract with you so quickly. He told me there was a previous Hannibal here... But as I understand it, they could be from different worlds, and be very different people. Of course, I trust your judgement, but I also feel quite worried for your safety, contracting to a man you do not truly know... Please let me know that all is well. I apologize if this is overbearing... I have been told I can be such.
I want to thank you for inviting me to your birthday party. I had a lovely time with you and Ferdinand. I hope the rest of your evening was wonderful.
I had a question for you, however. I met a man there named Hannibal. He claimed to have arrived in the city a week ago and to be your Submissive. I was confused by this, as I thought your husband was your only Submissive, and I was unsure how he was able to contract with you so quickly. He told me there was a previous Hannibal here... But as I understand it, they could be from different worlds, and be very different people. Of course, I trust your judgement, but I also feel quite worried for your safety, contracting to a man you do not truly know... Please let me know that all is well. I apologize if this is overbearing... I have been told I can be such.
All is well. It's a good question and ... maybe a long story. Maybe not a long story, I don't know. Shall I come over with you and chat with it in person, so you won't worry that any of my responses are under duress? I can cancel my other appointments for the afternoon.
If you would like to, you are welcome. Ferdinand may have some tea that is to your standard...
Is Ferdinand home? I adore him, but if the conversation turns to serious emotional topics I'd rather have it with just you. [He knows Hubert better, and ... if he were to have the same conversation with Ferdinand, Huaisang expects it would go down different paths.
He is out. I will ensure our conversation is confidential.
All right. I'll head over, then.
[He arrives shortly, with a smile in place, dressed in what constitutes casual errand attire for him. He leans up to greet Hubert with a kiss on the cheek once the door closes safely behind them.]
All is well. Though your question is fair. I have encountered different versions of people--loved ones--who were very different, and in ... some cases that turned out very unpleasant for me.
I'm happy and certainly not under duress. Which part of your questions do you want me to start with? [Huaisang's not sure he wants to have to pick, because he feels entirely avoidant of several parts of the topic.]
[He arrives shortly, with a smile in place, dressed in what constitutes casual errand attire for him. He leans up to greet Hubert with a kiss on the cheek once the door closes safely behind them.]
All is well. Though your question is fair. I have encountered different versions of people--loved ones--who were very different, and in ... some cases that turned out very unpleasant for me.
I'm happy and certainly not under duress. Which part of your questions do you want me to start with? [Huaisang's not sure he wants to have to pick, because he feels entirely avoidant of several parts of the topic.]
You look nice.
[He beckons Huaisang into the living room, where sitting on the coffee table is a nice tea set, tea already brewing. He is certainly not as good as Huaisang or Ferdinand at brewing tea and never will be, but he's still put effort into making it. He sits and pours them each a cup; it's a floral tea Hubert bought for Ferdinand back when they first arrived in the city. It's grown to have something of sentimental value to Hubert, due to its presence in his life throughout the roller-coaster that has been his first few months in Duplicity.]
Hm... I suppose I mainly would like to know how all this transpired so quickly.
[The speed of it is what alarms him most.]
[He beckons Huaisang into the living room, where sitting on the coffee table is a nice tea set, tea already brewing. He is certainly not as good as Huaisang or Ferdinand at brewing tea and never will be, but he's still put effort into making it. He sits and pours them each a cup; it's a floral tea Hubert bought for Ferdinand back when they first arrived in the city. It's grown to have something of sentimental value to Hubert, due to its presence in his life throughout the roller-coaster that has been his first few months in Duplicity.]
Hm... I suppose I mainly would like to know how all this transpired so quickly.
[The speed of it is what alarms him most.]
[Huaisang makes a soft, dismayed sound at the question, which is perfectly valid but he's not sure how to answer it. And yet he does need to talk. He's been feeling like he needs to discuss this with someone, as much as he's also been avoiding it. He settles where Hubert indicates and tucks his knees up, shifting close to lean against Hubert's side.] I ... it feels like there are so many parts of 'all this' that it's hard to know how to answer. But specific to just Hannibal ... the earlier Hannibal. I was ... very fond of him. And it's been three years, but I ... missed him. There were aspects to my relationship with him that I haven't had with anyone since.
But even with that, the relationship was ... perhaps not very deep. I couldn't say how important I was to him. We were both dominants, and that alone meant that there was distance between us.
So this new Hannibal arrives, and he's a submissive. And I resonate with him the way I did with the former Hannibal. Even more strongly, I think. The two versions are different. But similar enough in the ways that are important to me.
I decided that I did not want to bear the jealousy of seeing him contracted to someone else, and ... I knew I could have what I wanted. [It feels incredibly selfish to phrase it like that, but it also feels true. He thinks that maybe he's punishing himself, in a way, by phrasing it so harshly.] He likes art and luxury, values it as highly as I do. I wanted to be able to offer that to him, and I knew ... well. There aren't many in this city who can compete with me on that front.
But even with that, the relationship was ... perhaps not very deep. I couldn't say how important I was to him. We were both dominants, and that alone meant that there was distance between us.
So this new Hannibal arrives, and he's a submissive. And I resonate with him the way I did with the former Hannibal. Even more strongly, I think. The two versions are different. But similar enough in the ways that are important to me.
I decided that I did not want to bear the jealousy of seeing him contracted to someone else, and ... I knew I could have what I wanted. [It feels incredibly selfish to phrase it like that, but it also feels true. He thinks that maybe he's punishing himself, in a way, by phrasing it so harshly.] He likes art and luxury, values it as highly as I do. I wanted to be able to offer that to him, and I knew ... well. There aren't many in this city who can compete with me on that front.
Huaisang, I am at my wit's end. It troubles me greatly to tell you that Hubert has not come home in some time, and my messages and calls do not reach him. I am left to fear the worst...
Have you seen him within the past few days, by any chance?
Have you seen him within the past few days, by any chance?
Oh no! I haven't heard from him in the past few days, no. I assumed he just needed some time to be anti-social.
Do you want to come over? I can provide cuddles and company while you're figuring things out.
Do you want to come over? I can provide cuddles and company while you're figuring things out.
Come over at once. I can't let a friend as sweet as you suffer in such dark thoughts alone.
You are so kind to me. I will be there shortly.
[Ferdinand indeed shows up within the hour, drained of any of the warmth or spirit that lifts his demeanor on a normal day. His current concern is etched deep into his brow, the thoughts that draw them ever possessing him.]
[Ferdinand indeed shows up within the hour, drained of any of the warmth or spirit that lifts his demeanor on a normal day. His current concern is etched deep into his brow, the thoughts that draw them ever possessing him.]
[Huaisang greets him at the door with an immediate hug, arms tight around his friend's waist, wanting to offer all the comfort that he can.]
[All of the bottled emotion he suppressed while stressing over finding anything out at all about Hubert's location and whether he is safe or not is squeezed up into his tightening throat at the hug, which he returns readily, matching the tightness and leaning his head down against his. When he speaks, he sounds wounded, uncharacteristically quiet.]
What if he is truly... gone?
What if he is truly... gone?
When people go from here, [Huaisang murmurs, staying hugged close for now,] they often return again. Sometimes it can be a slightly different version of them--people say there are different worlds, each slightly different, like echoes. But often they'll return with new memories from home.
I went, once. I came back two months later, with no new memories, but also I was unharmed, and I had every memory of being here.
[He lifts his head, giving Ferdinand a soft smile.] He might come back in a month or six, Ferdinand. And he's likely to still remember you. He'll definitely still love you.
[This is a significantly sugar-coated version of what Huaisang actually believes, but it's not untrue.]
I went, once. I came back two months later, with no new memories, but also I was unharmed, and I had every memory of being here.
[He lifts his head, giving Ferdinand a soft smile.] He might come back in a month or six, Ferdinand. And he's likely to still remember you. He'll definitely still love you.
[This is a significantly sugar-coated version of what Huaisang actually believes, but it's not untrue.]
[ a sturdy blue envelope addressed to / TO MR. HUAISANG / with a periwinkle wax seal arrives at your home address on october twelfth.
attached is a handwritten note -- ]
Dear Mr. Huaisang,
It would be my husband and I's pleasure to have you attend. Please do bring a friend if you should like.
With regards,
Daphne ]
💙 PARTY LOG LOCATED HERE 💙
attached is a handwritten note -- ]
Dear Mr. Huaisang,
It would be my husband and I's pleasure to have you attend. Please do bring a friend if you should like.
With regards,
Daphne ]
YOU ARE INVITED
to artemis's bday party
at catsanova
on 10/29 7pm
itll just be a chill low-pressure thing
costumes not required but encouraged ;)
hope to see you there!!!
to artemis's bday party
at catsanova
on 10/29 7pm
itll just be a chill low-pressure thing
costumes not required but encouraged ;)
hope to see you there!!!
[A beautiful giftbox shows up at his house. Inside is a selection of gorgeous handmade glass dildos that are clearly meant more for display than use, and the best teas the city offers. There's also a note:
Merry Christmas!
M]
Merry Christmas!
M]
怀桑 ,
Good evening. I hope this message finds you well. It has been a while since our first meeting, and I was wondering if you'd still like to meet. For tea or drinks perhaps, whichever is your preference.
Erik Lehnsherr
Good evening. I hope this message finds you well. It has been a while since our first meeting, and I was wondering if you'd still like to meet. For tea or drinks perhaps, whichever is your preference.
Erik Lehnsherr
Edited 2025-01-04 18:16 (UTC)
[It takes Huaisang a minute to understand what's strange with how his name is written, before he realizes that there isn't something strange with how his name is written. Erik's written the characters rather than the sound-symbols that other cultures use. Huaisang wonders how he knows the right ones, how he learned to recognize and repeat them. He touches the tiny digital brushstrokes for a moment before he can manage to concentrate on the rest of the message.]
Either would be lovely. I'm glad to hear from you.
I'd be happy to perform a formal tea ceremony, if that pleases you. Would you like to come over to my home? I have some time tomorrow afternoon.
Either would be lovely. I'm glad to hear from you.
I'd be happy to perform a formal tea ceremony, if that pleases you. Would you like to come over to my home? I have some time tomorrow afternoon.
[ He's an annoying know-it-all, that's why. Especially with languages. He's not really fluent, for what it's worth, but he's absorbed plenty enough to understand and make himself understood. The different writing system is hardly a deterrent. ]
That would be nice. I'm not very familiar, so I'll have to take your lead.
When would you like me to come by?
That would be nice. I'm not very familiar, so I'll have to take your lead.
When would you like me to come by?
Around 2pm would be lovely. I look forward to it.
[Huaisang will send his address immediately, looking forward to their date.]
[Huaisang will send his address immediately, looking forward to their date.]
[A bouquet of red roses and gardenia are delivered to Huaisang's door with a note that is (thankfully) not written in Krem's handwriting]
With sincere apologies that I haven't made more effort to visit since you were so kind to me when I first arrived. I hope these are received well. With care, Cremisius
With sincere apologies that I haven't made more effort to visit since you were so kind to me when I first arrived. I hope these are received well. With care, Cremisius
Page 5 of 5