Petal 03 -- Open to Action

[shylyintrepid]

[When the feed starts, Jehan is clearly not in his cabin. He's down by the shore.

And he's been crying. His voice is hoarse and when he speaks, his accent is a bit thicker than usual]

If...if anyone else knew Zane, son of Venus, he...

[He wants to say "died". Died would be so much easier than the truth]

He was a...he was an agent of the Red Room. This entire time. He...he was here to spy on us.

[And he cuts the IM. As he does, you can see him break down yet again. It's going to be a long time before he recovers from this heartbreak]

Comments

[wokethedragon]

I-

[Now Dany goes scarlet.]

I was speaking about romance, Jehan.

[shylyintrepid]

...so, nice to know that several years later I still have the language issue.

[Facepalm]

[wokethedragon]

It happens to the best of us.

[She places a hand on his shoulder.]

I suppose I will figure all of that out when I am older.

[shylyintrepid]

What, romance or sexuality?

[wokethedragon]

...well, both, I suppose. It simply isn't my time.

[shylyintrepid]

Don't worry about it.

[He smiles as he finishes her hair]

Sexuality is fluid and all that.

[wokethedragon]

[She furrows her eyebrows. Daenerys is young, and does not know much about the ways of love.]

...excuse me?

[shylyintrepid]

I don't believe there's a binary when it comes to sexuality. Some people like strictly one or the other, but there's nothing wrong if people like a little of both, or mostly one but occasionally the other.

[wokethedragon]

[She's quiet for a moment, not really sure if she wants to know the answer to her question.]

Do you suppose...Enjolras might not return my affections because he prefers the company of other boys?

[shylyintrepid]

...it's possible, but I don't think that's the case with Enjolras. I don't think he knows what affection and romance is, when it comes to relationships involving him.

[wokethedragon]

...do you, though? Do you understand the ways of romance? Jehan, you're a poet. You simply must be able to.

[shylyintrepid]

I...[thought I did] I'm not sure, not right now anyway. I...

[wokethedragon]

[Oh, no. She'd spent so much time ruminating on her own experiences that she completely forgot about the reason Jehan had sent out the IM in the first place. She cannot allow this to happen.

She moves closer to him, scooping the older boy up into her arms.]

I am so, so truly sorry, Jehan. Speaking this way was impolite of me, inconsiderate.

[shylyintrepid]

[He hugs her back]

No, it's fine. I can't expect everyone to make exceptions for me, can I?

[wokethedragon]

[She shakes her head, not letting go - no, this is unacceptable.]

No, Jehan. I will not stand to see you so upset. You are one of my closest friends - I will always make an exception for you, from this moment forth. You have my word.

[shylyintrepid]

...thanks, Dany. That...

[He starts crying again]

[wokethedragon]

[She pulls him to rest his head on her chest, gently patting his hair like a mother would. This is really all she can do for Jehan, as they're both in a semi-similar situation, but she hopes it helps.]