( atticus was content enough to finish dinner without further conversation but miss bennet's request positions him askew, like one's first time on a ship on the waves. a low chuckle hides his imbalance. ) Customarily, I require a fee for my services as a raconteur. However, as I am amongst friends, I shall waive it for this one occasion.
( where should he begin?
should he speak of the azure waters of the mediterranean sea where grey-winged gulls fly in the sun's rays while salt lay heavy on his parched lips? or should he speak of winter in the lappland province of sweden? cheeks red and numb from the frost as green lights danced in the inky black sky. or should he recount the hazy glimpses of the great pyramid of giza through a storm of fine, yellow sand?
oh, what if he speaks not of past travels but of dreams for the future? his feet upon american grass, ancient and untouched, and his neck craned to behold the verdant crowns of the weymouth pines swaying in the unspoiled wind. a place in the green of leaves and in the shadow of mountains where true isolation and peace could be attained. he works for that.
but his tongue halts, catching itself on his teeth like a foothold trap.
no. he has been bared enough today. instead, he shall speak of a place that should provide familiarity and, perhaps, comfort. ) Your youngest sister currently resides in Newcastle, yes? I stayed a fortnight therein last year though — ( a grin tugs at his mouth. ) — I did not have the pleasure of encountering your sister or brother. ( he expresses the sentiment out of sheer formality and kindness not because he believes mr. or mrs. wickham would be pleasant company. if rumours are to be believed, mrs. wickham is mrs. bennet's facsimile and yet occupies less space in the realm of sensibility and good judgement. and mr. wickham? the less said about him, the better. without meeting the man, atticus's opinion of him is unfavourable.
he continues, ) The area is known for its glassworks and shipyards but, I confess, my time was spent mostly at the Literary and Philosophical Society. On the day of my departure, I realized that I had spent no time engaging Newcastle's society. Although, forsooth, I had very little inclination to do so.
( certainly, mr. and mrs. wickham's presence would have put him off society entirely. his interest in public society, especially in cities, has always been tenuous at best. he prefers seclusion or small gatherings of trusted friends. )
no subject
( where should he begin?
should he speak of the azure waters of the mediterranean sea where grey-winged gulls fly in the sun's rays while salt lay heavy on his parched lips? or should he speak of winter in the lappland province of sweden? cheeks red and numb from the frost as green lights danced in the inky black sky. or should he recount the hazy glimpses of the great pyramid of giza through a storm of fine, yellow sand?
oh, what if he speaks not of past travels but of dreams for the future? his feet upon american grass, ancient and untouched, and his neck craned to behold the verdant crowns of the weymouth pines swaying in the unspoiled wind. a place in the green of leaves and in the shadow of mountains where true isolation and peace could be attained. he works for that.
but his tongue halts, catching itself on his teeth like a foothold trap.
no. he has been bared enough today. instead, he shall speak of a place that should provide familiarity and, perhaps, comfort. ) Your youngest sister currently resides in Newcastle, yes? I stayed a fortnight therein last year though — ( a grin tugs at his mouth. ) — I did not have the pleasure of encountering your sister or brother. ( he expresses the sentiment out of sheer formality and kindness not because he believes mr. or mrs. wickham would be pleasant company. if rumours are to be believed, mrs. wickham is mrs. bennet's facsimile and yet occupies less space in the realm of sensibility and good judgement. and mr. wickham? the less said about him, the better. without meeting the man, atticus's opinion of him is unfavourable.
he continues, ) The area is known for its glassworks and shipyards but, I confess, my time was spent mostly at the Literary and Philosophical Society. On the day of my departure, I realized that I had spent no time engaging Newcastle's society. Although, forsooth, I had very little inclination to do so.
( certainly, mr. and mrs. wickham's presence would have put him off society entirely. his interest in public society, especially in cities, has always been tenuous at best. he prefers seclusion or small gatherings of trusted friends. )