[Gerald Stapleton (Aluinn)]

"Special people?"

His brother proceeded to ramble off a number of names, all deliberately male. Gerald rolled his eyes, a smile spreading across his face. He could see right through his baby brother; even as a child Geoff had always chattered on when he was avoiding speaking on a certain topic. An often effective attempt at distraction.

"The largest reason I was not more upset about appearing without pre-made plans was that you are a bachelor, brother." he licked the last bits of butter from his fingers and leaned back in his chair.

"Although you may change your mind once you find out what else London has to offer."

"Yes, well you must show me, or at least recommend something to me. You must work, I suppose, as you are a famous translator." he smiled musingly before his lips fell into a pondering expression; what was Gerry himself to do with all his long days and nights? He had no career or job now, though he had plenty of savings and investments to carry him into his graying years, he had nothing- that he could think of at the moment anyway- to keep his mind and body occupied.

Troublesome, that, especially for a man who was used to performing grueling tasks on an every day basis.

[Geoffrey Stapleton (Shar)]

"Well, translating's not precisely the business for a person who wants to be famous," Geoffrey conceded. "But it pays the bills, and offers some stimulation--not to mention my own schedule. I can work as I like--not to worry about that. And I like to spend some time visiting the fine haunts of London--museums, theatres, galleries, parks--we could even sit in the parliament balcony if you really want." This last was said with rather less enthusiasm than the preceding. And yet, some people really did find attending quite valuable. It remained to be seen whether Gerry would.

[Gerald Stapleton (Aluinn)]

"A schedule would be nice; one's own or otherwise." Gerald mused.

Museums, theatres, galleries and parks. Gerry raised a brow. He'd never been privy to these things, as a child he'd not had the opportunity to attend many musicales or theatre productions and in the prime of his young adulthood, he'd been at war.

"I should like to see a play. Or perhaps a musicale."

Something civilized would be a welcome change to what he'd been used to. Well, perhaps not welcome, per say, but different. Maybe it would ease him into the reality of what was to be his life from these days forward; one of a gentleman in London.

He tried not to shudder at the thought.

"However, I think Parliament is too much for me." Gerald chuckled; he'd been sent to war by the men in wigs sitting on their high chairs behind mahogany desks. He'd held boys as they died painful and gruesome deaths because old men had sent them to fight their wars.

Gerald sucked a breath and forced his thoughts away from such things; he did not wish to darken Geoffery's home with such dreary shadows.
"Have I interrupted any grand plans that you might have had for this week?" he asked, attempting to pick a crumb off his pant leg.

[Geoffrey Stapleton (Shar)]

Well, that was easy. Geoffrey nodded with some enthusiasm. "Excellent; there is a new production opening quite soon, I believe, starring Lady ______________ . Odd situation, that--a noblewoman on the stage. Yet she seems quite determined to push her way through it, and a surprising portion of society accepts her despite it all. Really a remarkable feat.
"Good. Parliament has always been too much for the likes of me. But if you ever change your mind, I'm sure we can sort something out. As for my own schedule--I had distressingly little planned for the week, so I'm quite relieved to have some company." He brushed his own hands off. "No doubt we'll find plans arranging themselves before our very faces."

[Gerald Stapleton (Aluinn)]

"I should very much like to see that production." Gerald said before his lips stretched wide into a yawn. He rubbed one of his eyes with the palm of his hand and gave a smile to his brother.

"I am glad that you are glad for my company." he said. In truth he had been mildly concerned that he would be an intrusion on his brother's life. Not that he would have turned away if that had been the fact, for what was family for other than to intrude on one another? But he would have been somewhat uncomfortable for the extent of his stay if he had felt at all like an intrusion.

"Well then, shall we make plans in the morning?" he asked, absently rubbing his left knee which was beginning to throb with the weight of the entire day's events, a rather long day at that.

[Geoffrey Stapleton (Shar)]

"By all means."
The camp bed was arranged in the study, good-nights were said, and Geoffrey with some misgivings retired to his own room to change for bed. In the morning, he promised himself, the first thing he'd do would be to have his desk moved into his bedroom. Should have done it long since, for just such circumstances.
Ah, well. The pertinent drawers were locked--he'd circumspectly bumped into them on his way to direct the bearers of the camp bed, and besides, what were valets for if one couldn't trust them to preserve one's most intimate secrets?--and Gerry didn't seem the sort to spy. Why, they were brothers! What sort of secret would one brother have from another?

He still dreamed of betrayals and ignominy.