[Soon, Val de Foncé will no longer be in the Gallows. Soon, this little room--his home for so long now!--will be empty, and Val will be sleeping on the ground in a tent, which he very much likes and enjoys. Yes, he will be sorry to leave behind his projects and his plans. Yes, he has had to bribe a small child to care for Veronique, and has paid said child extra in order to ensure that the care Veronique receives is loving. Yes, it is very sad about Hasmal, and Tantervale, and Starkhaven, but none of these places will be better served if Val goes to bed early and doesn't complete the writing that he is--
Oh, a knock at the door.
Of course he recognizes the voice at once, when he actually stops to listen to it. All books and papers are shoved aside, and the little writing desk is jarred with an audible screech of wood on stone as he leaps to his feet and goes bounding for the door, to wrench it open and behold--]
Jeannot!
[Val, married, looks much the same. Longer of hair--it is the fashion these days, is it not?--absently and endearingly scruffy in the way he gets when he is working very hard at something and neglects just enough personal hygiene to appear weathered and interesting and handsome (entirely by accident)--and so incandescently happy.
Without pause, he throws his arms around his friend--then leans back, a kiss on each cheek--and, this complete, then hugs him again.]
You are here! You are back! You are with me once more! You have only just missed Freddie--well, 'just', I suppose it has been some time. The months are blurred together, my friend! But yes, she has returned to her estate, there was a small situation--of course she has written to you about it, I hardly need to say anything, and so I will not--though she has left me quite alone and bereft, I have been talking to the walls, Jeannot, and they say so little back--
!!
Oh, a knock at the door.
Of course he recognizes the voice at once, when he actually stops to listen to it. All books and papers are shoved aside, and the little writing desk is jarred with an audible screech of wood on stone as he leaps to his feet and goes bounding for the door, to wrench it open and behold--]
Jeannot!
[Val, married, looks much the same. Longer of hair--it is the fashion these days, is it not?--absently and endearingly scruffy in the way he gets when he is working very hard at something and neglects just enough personal hygiene to appear weathered and interesting and handsome (entirely by accident)--and so incandescently happy.
Without pause, he throws his arms around his friend--then leans back, a kiss on each cheek--and, this complete, then hugs him again.]
You are here! You are back! You are with me once more! You have only just missed Freddie--well, 'just', I suppose it has been some time. The months are blurred together, my friend! But yes, she has returned to her estate, there was a small situation--of course she has written to you about it, I hardly need to say anything, and so I will not--though she has left me quite alone and bereft, I have been talking to the walls, Jeannot, and they say so little back--