Reverance and resonance [Malthus]

[toviel]

[rs=2][atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=style,border: 1px #000066 dashed; border-radius: 10px;] The file folder tucked neatly under his arm, Toviel stepped in through the open door, closing it all but a crack behind himself. The warm-colored wall, elaborately decorated with symbols and artistic depictions of their Gods, greeted him, and he paused to pay his respects. Then, with a flourish, he whipped open the door to the office and strode in. His shoes were soundless on the floor, their undersides soft but stiff. His suit, on the other hand, made little, soft noises as the fabric crinkled against itself, the starched shirt starting to wrinkle. He dipped his head in greeting, a small smile on his face. Something about being in the temple always made him feel so serene, even with the intrinsic danger involved. “Rosalia gives her regards,” he slid the papers onto the desk, not quite looking at the man sitting behind it.

[atrb=vAlign,top] ✾ [style=font-family: arial narrow; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; text-transform: lowercase;]While all deception requires secrecy, all secrecy is not meant to deceive. Malthus [/style]

[atrb=vAlign,bottom] ✲ AMB Tanz

[malthus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width:250px;] my tongue has now become a platform for your lies

[cs=2] It wasn't necessarily difficult, wading through this new task. No, it just left Malthus feeling like a Rapidash trying a new bit, with foreign jargon like harsh metal against his gums. Toviel's visit was a welcome reprieve. "Toviel." He had something he could ask of the other man, anyway. "If I could ask a favor?" Phrased as if the other had much choice.

Coded by AMB Tanz

[toviel]

Glancing up to meet Malthus' eyes, Toviel nodded slowly. "What do you need?"

His folded his hands awkwardly in front of him, wondering if he should sit. Malthus hadn't told him to, though.

[malthus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width:250px;] my tongue has now become a platform for your lies

[cs=2] "It won't take long." But Malthus motions for the other man to sit anyway, if he wants to. "It's about Kearny." And perhaps Toviel can see where this is going. Perhaps not.

Coded by AMB Tanz

[toviel]

He takes a seat, a little uneasy. Toviel has no idea what Malthus could want from him, but he recognizes the name that's mentioned. Kearny.

Something in his head kicks in, clicks on, shuts him down. For a moment he sits, tense and white-faced, barely breathing. If Malthus knows..... "About Kearny?" his voice cracks.

[malthus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width:250px;] my tongue has now become a platform for your lies

[cs=2] Malthus notices Toviel's unease and offers a smile. There's not much more he can (or is willing) to do for Toviel, there's not much else that cannot be misconstrued. Instead he gets to it. "Kearny will be married soon, I'm sure you're aware." He let's it hang in the air, but only for a moment. "He'll need a rolemodel, someone he'll be able to come to for advice." Malthus suspected that even if he were married, Kearny would not be able to come to him. And that was just fine. "Someone around his age would be best." Toviel's marriage was stable, or so it seemed. Unfortunate about the children (or lack thereof), but Toviel was one of them all the same.

Coded by AMB Tanz

[toviel]

[atrb=border,0,bTable] {

you're not real you know you've got everybody fooled He hadn’t been holding his breath. He knows this, because he tried to breath out, to exhale forcefully as the stress suddenly ebbed from his muscles, but it didn’t work. Instead, he found himself gasping out air he didn’t have, then taking a shaky inhale. “Of course,” and it was the farthest thing from his mind, being a rolemodel, being someone’s guide into married life, being a- a confidante, almost. But he couldn’t say no, could he? Not when his marriage to Medana was picture-perfect. Not when he was making a name for himself in the community. Not when he was so close to the Whitewood family, when he’d need a good reason not to want to help them. “I’d be glad to provide a little guidance for him,” and he doesn’t mention that he knows Kearny once went astray, but then, that’s common knowledge. “An engagement can be a confusing period, so having someone to help you through that is….” he straightens in his chair, “a God-send.” Hysterical laughter is choked back down before it can bubble out. If Malthus only knew what he was really thinking. But no, he can’t find out, and neither can Kearny, neither can any of them. “He’s lucky, to have such a beautiful bride lined up. I’m sure they’ll be very happy together.”

[style=height: 100px; width: 100px; border-radius: 50px; background-image: url(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x220/FireflyK/Toviel%20-%20PRE/zhIBVs.jpg);] Malthus [/style]

made by katya

[malthus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width:250px;] my tongue has now become a platform for your lies

[cs=2] Toviel had earned Malthus' attention, now. He straightened in his chair. His eyes narrowed some, but he retained his smile, and soon was back into the facade of caring. "... Yes, of course." He set down a folder, focused his attention on the younger man in front of him. Such peculiar behavior. "Are you alright, Toviel? Is something the matter?" Is there something I should know?

Coded by AMB Tanz

[toviel]

[atrb=border,0,bTable] {

No one knew me look right through me, look right through me Life is all about risk. That’s what he told himself when he met Medana. When he married Medana. When…. So he straightens up and looks Malthus in the eye, and he’s not being honest, but he manages sincerity in his voice nonetheless. “I would be glad to help Kearny with the path set before him, but I… am concerned about outside influences on Medana.” What goes unspoken- Medana is the ideal wife, quiet (in public), obedient (they agree on everything), a homemaker (wrestling with the pokemon in the backyard and painting murals on their walls). Kearny is… a known troublemaker. A bad influence. “You understand, I’m sure, my concerns with maintaining my marriage. But it shouldn’t be a problem. I’m confident that I can keep my two responsibilities separate.” He’ll be a shoulder for Kearny, an ear, a source of advice. But he won’t be bringing Kearny into his home, or introducing him to his wife. Though for different reasons than Malthus might imagine.

[style=height: 100px; width: 100px; border-radius: 50px; background-image: url(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x220/FireflyK/Toviel%20-%20PRE/Jg2j6s1.jpg);] Malthus [/style]

made by katya

[malthus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width:250px;] my tongue has now become a platform for your lies

[cs=2] Malthus understands Toviel's intentions. He manages a smile, still regarding this boy who had been saved by Entei with polite caution. "I understand you will do your best." And Toviel will, because that is what is expected. There is a pause. Malthus worries about Kearny, as well, perhaps for different reasons, perhaps with less benevolence. But now is not the time to show as much. "Now. Is there anything I can do for you?" And that is either a dismissal, or an offer of trade. With Malthus, it might be difficult to differentiate.

Coded by AMB Tanz

[toviel]

[atrb=border,0,bTable] {

No one knew me look right through me, look right through me He’s unclear on whether Malthus’ offer is genuine, or merely polite, whether he is expected to say no. But, actually, there is something he needs, and so he goes ahead and asks. “I’ve ordered a Pokemon for my business, but due to the destruction, they won’t deliver to Goldenrod. The closest they can do is Azalea town, and I’m… hesitant to make the trip and have to deal with Outsiders. Would it be possible for someone to accept the delivery for me?” He manages a weary smile. Surely it will be understandable that he’s uneasy at the thought of leaving the confines of the cult after what happened the last time… after the accident…

[style=height: 100px; width: 100px; border-radius: 50px; background-image: url(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x220/FireflyK/Toviel%20-%20PRE/cWKXms1.jpg);] Malthus [/style]

made by katya

[malthus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width:250px;] my tongue has now become a platform for your lies

[cs=2] There is a pause, but Malthus makes no objection and fixes on Toviel with a steady gaze. He can understand the situation, but it's still a nuisance. Nevertheless, he nods. "Do you have anyone in mind?" Because perhaps Toviel has a better understanding about how each of the cultists have been impacted by Goldenrod's more recent events, never even mind Toviel's more personal story. Malthus had not been there, had failed to be there, and though he could ask around he would rather not waste time if he did not have to. He might bring that up with the other man, actually. But another time.

Coded by AMB Tanz

[toviel]

[atrb=border,0,bTable] {

No one knew me look right through me, look right through me Once more, he’s been put on the spot. Toviel hesitates, searching his mind for any ideas. Frankly, he doesn’t know anyone he can send. “I… hadn’t thought of anyone, no. I was hoping perhaps as a leader of our community, you might know more people.” Because people are a risk. People might ask difficult questions. People might find him a little different than he’d been before the accident, people might pry a little too much. “If… there’s no one available, I’ll understand. I know there’s a lot for everyone to deal with right now, what with the massive reconstruction efforts..”

[style=height: 100px; width: 100px; border-radius: 50px; background-image: url(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x220/FireflyK/Toviel%20-Pre/OUY5F.png);] Malthus [/style]

made by katya

[malthus]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width:250px;] my tongue has now become a platform for your lies

[cs=2] Malthus nods once, because what Toviel says is true. "I have someone in mind." And it's such a small thing to admit. He's watching Toviel now, but no, he's decided to save that particular bit for another time as well. It feels wrong, sitting in a chair while others are working, and he's want to leave, find a way to better help out. Or at least stretch his legs. "I'll make sure it's handled. Send my regards to Medana."

Coded by AMB Tanz

[toviel]

[atrb=border,0,bTable] {

No one knew me look right through me, look right through me “Thank you,” Toviel lowers his eyes. If there’s one thing he’s good at, it’s humility. “I’ll let her know you said hello.” Another turn of conversation, to yet another topic he doesn’t want to discuss. In a sense, he likes that Medana’s expected to be a homemaker, because it lets him shield her from the rest of the community. Not that he isn’t part of the community, of course. It’s just…. But now’s not the time for regrets. He slowly gets up from his seat. “Have a good afternoon,” and he turns for the door.

[style=height: 100px; width: 100px; border-radius: 50px; background-image: url(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x220/FireflyK/Toviel%20-Pre/OUY5F.png);] Malthus [/style]

made by katya