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sildilTitle: Rebel Rebel
Author: Sildil
Rating: Adult
Warnings: Angst
Summary: Dante hunts for Cai
Disclaimer: Caeru, Pell, Ashmael and any other har making cameo appearances belong to Storm Constantine as do all her wonderful Wraeththu, Dante, Cai, Apollo and other bit part actors belong to me
(Cross posted to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
raythoo as always)
Part five
The years fly so fast when you don't grow old, time passed and Dante scarcely noticed. Apollo remained steadfast in his affection for his friend and if he sometimes thought wistfully of their relationship being more, then Dan never knew or if he did he never spoke of it.
Cai...Caeru, was a dream, remembered at times with an empty longing for what might have been but otherwise buried deep. Dante got on with his life, sometimes working in bars, sometimes in bands, but more often using skills honed by years of accompanying Jeremiah. His ability to mindspeak had eventually been recognised by hara who trained him, raising his caste to that of Algomalid. His new level and status frequently brought him work within the higher ranks of hara, especially those who valued discreet investigations and careful diplomacy.
Which brought him to his current position, waiting nervously outside the door of an 'important har'. He ran over recent events in his mind. The mysterious cloaked visitor like a character in an old book, the brief instructions on how to get through the gates and the letter of permission to pass by the guards. He rubbed his hands on his pants, straightened his shirt and knocked. A soft voice bade him enter and he pushed open the door.
General Ashmael Aldebaran sat behind the large, polished desk, his polished boots resting on the surface. He gestured to the chair opposite and Dante entered the room, nodded and sat down.
'You asked to see me, Tiahaar?' he said, grateful that the General had already informed him that his mindspeaking would pose no problem.
"Yes...Dante. I am glad you came and I will not waste your time or mine, but get straight to the point. I have heard good things about your work..."
'...Really?' Dante laughed nervously. 'Wh..what sort of work do you mean? As a barhar...?'
Ashmael smiled. "No...your 'other' work. As an investigator. You are discreet....you make no waves. Just the sort of har I need for some...delicate investigations."
Dante flinched. Damn...THAT sort of work 'Delicate? Now wait a minute, if you think I am going to dish dirt on somehar, you can think again...'
"...No, no, not at all." The General stood and moved to the sideboard where he took two glasses. "Sheh?" he offered as he poured the drinks. He returned to the desk, perching on the edge next to Dante and handed him the glass. "That is why I have asked you here...your reputation for honesty and integrity...and your... particular skills"
But surely the Hegemony has plenty of hara at its disposal, far more qualified than myself...? One who can actually speak, for example,' said Dan to Ash's mind and sipping his drink.
"...Ahh but this particular little task is of an extremely delicate nature. If one word of the investigation got out, if one item of information was made public, then the consequences would be dire and far reaching...to ALL concerned. Do you understand?"
Dante nodded, taking a slightly larger gulp of his drink. 'Sure...but how am I going to know whether I can carry out this investigation without knowing anything about it? Ohhh, wait, don't tell me, I have to sign a contract in blood BEFORE I get to know what you are going to ask me to do?'
"No, the Hegemony have much more effective methods to ensure your...silence," said Ash with an amused and alarming grin.
'Oh. That's comforting,' Dante replied, then thought for a few minutes. 'OK, I admit it, I am intrigued. You have my silence, naturally, and my time. What do you want me to do?'
The General smiled and returned to his chair. "Our illustrious Tigron wishes you to investigate a har close to his person...and his heart. The Tigrina has been...distracted of late, and the Tigron is concerned that he may have taken an unsuitable lover. You will find the details here." Ash handed over a folder thick with letters and papers.
Dante took them, glancing at the first page where a familiar name caught his attention and stopped his heart. He stared for a moment then threw up every mental shield he had and sipped his sheh, buying time before he replied. 'I see.' He swallowed. 'Tell me General, why does the Tigron believe that ...the Tigrina is distracted? What evidence does he have?'
Ashmael waved his hand towards the papers. "All the information you need is it in that folder including Caeru Meveny's mood swings, unusual behavioural patterns and so on. If you need anything else, come only to me. Do you understand?"
Dante nodded, finished his drink and stood, suddenly eager to leave the room. 'I only come to you. This will take some time...'
"...As long as you need. Just bear in mind, nohar is to know anything about this investigation, especially the Tigrina." Ash sighed. "Candidly, it's my belief and hope that there is nothing in it at all and that it's just Pellaz being over protective of his...consort." He smiled. "Let's hope that I'm right, it will make everything so much easier."
Dante smiled weakly and made for the door. 'Goodbye General, as soon as I have any information I will bring it to you.'
Ashmael nodded and returned to his papers, dismissing Dante with a wave of his hand.
As soon as Dan left the room he glanced around, desperately needing a place where he could sit and think. Fuck! Fuck, fuck fuck! Caeru? Cai?! The TIGRINA? Shit, what am I going to do?
Part Six
A passing har looked at Dante in surprise as he leant against the door to the Ashmael's office, clutching at his hair. "Excuse me, tiahaar, can I help you?" He asked, while thinking poor soul, he's probably been torn off a strip by the general.
Dante shook his head and sent a very clear 'back off' message which the har obviously heard as he sniffed disdainfully and continued on his way. The very last thing he needed was gossip.
He pulled himself together and left the premises the way he came, heading for the bar where he had arranged to meet Apollo. He had told his friend very little about his past, and certainly nothing about the fact that his childhood love was now the har known as Caeru and the Tigrina, but suddenly he felt he wanted to share it all, including his recent shocking discovery. He desperately needed his friend's sound advice and help.
He found the bar and settled at a corner table to wait. By the time Apollo arrived, Dante had smoked at least half a dozen cigarettes and drunk the best part of a bottle of sheh. "Sorry I'm so late Dan. Well, how did it go, what did they want?" he said as he slid into the corner beside his friend.
Dante swallowed and shook his head. Not here 'Pollo...let's go somewhere private...
It didn't take mind reading for Apollo to see that his friend was distressed and had suffered some sort of shock and so he stood, paid the barhar and helped Dan to his feet. "Come on, let's go home," he said and led Dante out to the street.
Dante didn't want to go back to their rooms just yet. He wanted to walk, to clear his thoughts and so he shook his head and instead began walking towards the harbour, holding out his hand for Apollo to walk with him. Apollo took his hand and held it tight. They walked quietly for a while, hand in hand, until Apollo broke the verbal and mental silence.
"What happened Dan? What upset you so much?" he said softly, with a concerned squeeze of Dan's fingers.
Dante stopped in the middle of the pavement and shrugged helplessly. How do I begin?
Apollo smiled sympathetically and stepped closer to his friend.
"Was it a job?"
Dante winced and nodded.
"So it's something you don't want to do, is that it?"
Dan shook his head and turned to stare out over the dark harbour, his thoughts in a turmoil. I wish you could understand me 'Pollo, he thought wistfully.
Apollo touched him gently on the shoulder, turning him round again. "Share breath with me love, if it will help?" Dante sighed and smiled sadly. Yeah...OK...but I'm scared...scared this is going to change everything. You might not want me afterwards...when you know where my heart is. He stepped close to his friend and parted his lips, leaning forwards to join them with Apollo's. Dante breathed out softly, infusing his breath with memories and thoughts of he and Cai before inception, of when they met Jeremiah...of his loss.
Apollo pulled back with a gasp. "Oh Dan, I never realised. You must have been devastated to lose your friend. You loved each other so much." He put his arms around his friend to comfort him. "What has this to do with your assignment though? I don't understand...is it something to do with that har...the one who incepted you?"
Dante sighed and shook his head. He took Apollo's face between his hands and stared into his eyes, trying to communicate without the intimacy of sharing breath again, trying to judge just how upset Apollo would feel if he showed him all. Apollo smiled sympathetically and pressed his hands over Dan's. Oh fuck...I'm gonna have to tell you , aren't I Dan thought, and slammed their lips together again, letting everything out, everything...finding Cai, learning who he had become and lastly Ashmael's request, all in a torrent of emotion and anxiety.
As he finished pouring out his heart he pulled away and gasped for air, closing his eyes. Dante couldn't bear to look at his friend, he was so afraid to see the certain rejection. Dan felt gentle fingers stroke his face and shook his head, biting his lip. "Hey...hey, Dan...what's wrong? We're friends, aren't we? Do you think I didn't know you loved somehar else? I've always known," said Apollo softly.
Dante opened his eyes and stared nervously at his friend. He frowned and waved his hand helplessly, then shoved it through his hair, giving a silent groan. I'm sorry...I'm so sorry 'Pollo... he thought, wishing he could say so much. His face reflected his feelings perfectly however and Apollo smiled, pulling him into his arms.
"Enough of that, darling. You and me have some serious thinking to do. Let's get back to our lodgings and open that old bottle of brandy I've been saving, come on," he said, wrapping an arm around Dan's shoulders and leading him away from the harbour.
*****
The room was warm and snug. Apollo had lit the fire as soon as they arrived and threw pillows and cushions down on the floor in front of it, placing the brandy and two glasses beside the makeshift seating. He threw himself down and patted the space beside him. "Now sit here and let's work out what to do." He took out his cigarettes and offered one to Dan, grinning. "To anyhar else, this would look like a grand seduction! Cushions, a roaring fire, my best brandy...all we need now is soft music and a bearskin rug...it would look like one of those old porn movies...do you remember those?"
Dan nodded and laughed as he took the cigarette and lit it. Yeah I remember... Apollo's cheerfulness, clear head and willingness to help was just what Dan needed to sort out his thoughts and he settled back on the cushions, frowning.
"OK, so as I see it you have two problems here. The first is easy, it's just doing your job. You've tailed har before and dug around...you know how to find out stuff that nohar else can. The second..." Apollo paused and leant forward earnestly, taking Dan's hand in his. "...the second is that you have to decide if you really wanna see Cai again."
Dante frowned and nodded. Apollo was right, he DID need to decide. Would it be the right thing to do? Cai...his beautiful, young, innocent Cai was the fucking Tigrina of Immanion now. He had power...wealth probably, scores of lovers undoubtedly...would he even want to see his old friend? Dan decided that perhaps it would be better to just do his job, give Ashmael Alderbran the information he wanted and then leave. Cai need never know Dan was even there. Dan smiled wistfully at Apollo and sighed, shaking his head.
It was obvious to Apollo that Dan had made his decision not to seek his old lover but that he was unhappy about it. He pulled him into his arms and held him close, stroking his back tenderly. Oh Dan, I'm not sure you've done the right thing here, you still love him, don't you? he thought privately, keeping his mental guard up. He tipped his head back and smiled at his friend. "I think you need a bit of loving Dan," he said softly, and kissed him gently on the lips and cheek and neck, nuzzling the pale skin.
Dante sighed and let Apollo make him feel less hurt, less lonely, less scared for one more evening.
To be continued...
Author: Sildil
Rating: Adult
Warnings: Angst
Summary: Dante hunts for Cai
Disclaimer: Caeru, Pell, Ashmael and any other har making cameo appearances belong to Storm Constantine as do all her wonderful Wraeththu, Dante, Cai, Apollo and other bit part actors belong to me
(Cross posted to
raythoo as always)Part five
The years fly so fast when you don't grow old, time passed and Dante scarcely noticed. Apollo remained steadfast in his affection for his friend and if he sometimes thought wistfully of their relationship being more, then Dan never knew or if he did he never spoke of it.
Cai...Caeru, was a dream, remembered at times with an empty longing for what might have been but otherwise buried deep. Dante got on with his life, sometimes working in bars, sometimes in bands, but more often using skills honed by years of accompanying Jeremiah. His ability to mindspeak had eventually been recognised by hara who trained him, raising his caste to that of Algomalid. His new level and status frequently brought him work within the higher ranks of hara, especially those who valued discreet investigations and careful diplomacy.
Which brought him to his current position, waiting nervously outside the door of an 'important har'. He ran over recent events in his mind. The mysterious cloaked visitor like a character in an old book, the brief instructions on how to get through the gates and the letter of permission to pass by the guards. He rubbed his hands on his pants, straightened his shirt and knocked. A soft voice bade him enter and he pushed open the door.
General Ashmael Aldebaran sat behind the large, polished desk, his polished boots resting on the surface. He gestured to the chair opposite and Dante entered the room, nodded and sat down.
'You asked to see me, Tiahaar?' he said, grateful that the General had already informed him that his mindspeaking would pose no problem.
"Yes...Dante. I am glad you came and I will not waste your time or mine, but get straight to the point. I have heard good things about your work..."
'...Really?' Dante laughed nervously. 'Wh..what sort of work do you mean? As a barhar...?'
Ashmael smiled. "No...your 'other' work. As an investigator. You are discreet....you make no waves. Just the sort of har I need for some...delicate investigations."
Dante flinched. Damn...THAT sort of work 'Delicate? Now wait a minute, if you think I am going to dish dirt on somehar, you can think again...'
"...No, no, not at all." The General stood and moved to the sideboard where he took two glasses. "Sheh?" he offered as he poured the drinks. He returned to the desk, perching on the edge next to Dante and handed him the glass. "That is why I have asked you here...your reputation for honesty and integrity...and your... particular skills"
But surely the Hegemony has plenty of hara at its disposal, far more qualified than myself...? One who can actually speak, for example,' said Dan to Ash's mind and sipping his drink.
"...Ahh but this particular little task is of an extremely delicate nature. If one word of the investigation got out, if one item of information was made public, then the consequences would be dire and far reaching...to ALL concerned. Do you understand?"
Dante nodded, taking a slightly larger gulp of his drink. 'Sure...but how am I going to know whether I can carry out this investigation without knowing anything about it? Ohhh, wait, don't tell me, I have to sign a contract in blood BEFORE I get to know what you are going to ask me to do?'
"No, the Hegemony have much more effective methods to ensure your...silence," said Ash with an amused and alarming grin.
'Oh. That's comforting,' Dante replied, then thought for a few minutes. 'OK, I admit it, I am intrigued. You have my silence, naturally, and my time. What do you want me to do?'
The General smiled and returned to his chair. "Our illustrious Tigron wishes you to investigate a har close to his person...and his heart. The Tigrina has been...distracted of late, and the Tigron is concerned that he may have taken an unsuitable lover. You will find the details here." Ash handed over a folder thick with letters and papers.
Dante took them, glancing at the first page where a familiar name caught his attention and stopped his heart. He stared for a moment then threw up every mental shield he had and sipped his sheh, buying time before he replied. 'I see.' He swallowed. 'Tell me General, why does the Tigron believe that ...the Tigrina is distracted? What evidence does he have?'
Ashmael waved his hand towards the papers. "All the information you need is it in that folder including Caeru Meveny's mood swings, unusual behavioural patterns and so on. If you need anything else, come only to me. Do you understand?"
Dante nodded, finished his drink and stood, suddenly eager to leave the room. 'I only come to you. This will take some time...'
"...As long as you need. Just bear in mind, nohar is to know anything about this investigation, especially the Tigrina." Ash sighed. "Candidly, it's my belief and hope that there is nothing in it at all and that it's just Pellaz being over protective of his...consort." He smiled. "Let's hope that I'm right, it will make everything so much easier."
Dante smiled weakly and made for the door. 'Goodbye General, as soon as I have any information I will bring it to you.'
Ashmael nodded and returned to his papers, dismissing Dante with a wave of his hand.
As soon as Dan left the room he glanced around, desperately needing a place where he could sit and think. Fuck! Fuck, fuck fuck! Caeru? Cai?! The TIGRINA? Shit, what am I going to do?
Part Six
A passing har looked at Dante in surprise as he leant against the door to the Ashmael's office, clutching at his hair. "Excuse me, tiahaar, can I help you?" He asked, while thinking poor soul, he's probably been torn off a strip by the general.
Dante shook his head and sent a very clear 'back off' message which the har obviously heard as he sniffed disdainfully and continued on his way. The very last thing he needed was gossip.
He pulled himself together and left the premises the way he came, heading for the bar where he had arranged to meet Apollo. He had told his friend very little about his past, and certainly nothing about the fact that his childhood love was now the har known as Caeru and the Tigrina, but suddenly he felt he wanted to share it all, including his recent shocking discovery. He desperately needed his friend's sound advice and help.
He found the bar and settled at a corner table to wait. By the time Apollo arrived, Dante had smoked at least half a dozen cigarettes and drunk the best part of a bottle of sheh. "Sorry I'm so late Dan. Well, how did it go, what did they want?" he said as he slid into the corner beside his friend.
Dante swallowed and shook his head. Not here 'Pollo...let's go somewhere private...
It didn't take mind reading for Apollo to see that his friend was distressed and had suffered some sort of shock and so he stood, paid the barhar and helped Dan to his feet. "Come on, let's go home," he said and led Dante out to the street.
Dante didn't want to go back to their rooms just yet. He wanted to walk, to clear his thoughts and so he shook his head and instead began walking towards the harbour, holding out his hand for Apollo to walk with him. Apollo took his hand and held it tight. They walked quietly for a while, hand in hand, until Apollo broke the verbal and mental silence.
"What happened Dan? What upset you so much?" he said softly, with a concerned squeeze of Dan's fingers.
Dante stopped in the middle of the pavement and shrugged helplessly. How do I begin?
Apollo smiled sympathetically and stepped closer to his friend.
"Was it a job?"
Dante winced and nodded.
"So it's something you don't want to do, is that it?"
Dan shook his head and turned to stare out over the dark harbour, his thoughts in a turmoil. I wish you could understand me 'Pollo, he thought wistfully.
Apollo touched him gently on the shoulder, turning him round again. "Share breath with me love, if it will help?" Dante sighed and smiled sadly. Yeah...OK...but I'm scared...scared this is going to change everything. You might not want me afterwards...when you know where my heart is. He stepped close to his friend and parted his lips, leaning forwards to join them with Apollo's. Dante breathed out softly, infusing his breath with memories and thoughts of he and Cai before inception, of when they met Jeremiah...of his loss.
Apollo pulled back with a gasp. "Oh Dan, I never realised. You must have been devastated to lose your friend. You loved each other so much." He put his arms around his friend to comfort him. "What has this to do with your assignment though? I don't understand...is it something to do with that har...the one who incepted you?"
Dante sighed and shook his head. He took Apollo's face between his hands and stared into his eyes, trying to communicate without the intimacy of sharing breath again, trying to judge just how upset Apollo would feel if he showed him all. Apollo smiled sympathetically and pressed his hands over Dan's. Oh fuck...I'm gonna have to tell you , aren't I Dan thought, and slammed their lips together again, letting everything out, everything...finding Cai, learning who he had become and lastly Ashmael's request, all in a torrent of emotion and anxiety.
As he finished pouring out his heart he pulled away and gasped for air, closing his eyes. Dante couldn't bear to look at his friend, he was so afraid to see the certain rejection. Dan felt gentle fingers stroke his face and shook his head, biting his lip. "Hey...hey, Dan...what's wrong? We're friends, aren't we? Do you think I didn't know you loved somehar else? I've always known," said Apollo softly.
Dante opened his eyes and stared nervously at his friend. He frowned and waved his hand helplessly, then shoved it through his hair, giving a silent groan. I'm sorry...I'm so sorry 'Pollo... he thought, wishing he could say so much. His face reflected his feelings perfectly however and Apollo smiled, pulling him into his arms.
"Enough of that, darling. You and me have some serious thinking to do. Let's get back to our lodgings and open that old bottle of brandy I've been saving, come on," he said, wrapping an arm around Dan's shoulders and leading him away from the harbour.
*****
The room was warm and snug. Apollo had lit the fire as soon as they arrived and threw pillows and cushions down on the floor in front of it, placing the brandy and two glasses beside the makeshift seating. He threw himself down and patted the space beside him. "Now sit here and let's work out what to do." He took out his cigarettes and offered one to Dan, grinning. "To anyhar else, this would look like a grand seduction! Cushions, a roaring fire, my best brandy...all we need now is soft music and a bearskin rug...it would look like one of those old porn movies...do you remember those?"
Dan nodded and laughed as he took the cigarette and lit it. Yeah I remember... Apollo's cheerfulness, clear head and willingness to help was just what Dan needed to sort out his thoughts and he settled back on the cushions, frowning.
"OK, so as I see it you have two problems here. The first is easy, it's just doing your job. You've tailed har before and dug around...you know how to find out stuff that nohar else can. The second..." Apollo paused and leant forward earnestly, taking Dan's hand in his. "...the second is that you have to decide if you really wanna see Cai again."
Dante frowned and nodded. Apollo was right, he DID need to decide. Would it be the right thing to do? Cai...his beautiful, young, innocent Cai was the fucking Tigrina of Immanion now. He had power...wealth probably, scores of lovers undoubtedly...would he even want to see his old friend? Dan decided that perhaps it would be better to just do his job, give Ashmael Alderbran the information he wanted and then leave. Cai need never know Dan was even there. Dan smiled wistfully at Apollo and sighed, shaking his head.
It was obvious to Apollo that Dan had made his decision not to seek his old lover but that he was unhappy about it. He pulled him into his arms and held him close, stroking his back tenderly. Oh Dan, I'm not sure you've done the right thing here, you still love him, don't you? he thought privately, keeping his mental guard up. He tipped his head back and smiled at his friend. "I think you need a bit of loving Dan," he said softly, and kissed him gently on the lips and cheek and neck, nuzzling the pale skin.
Dante sighed and let Apollo make him feel less hurt, less lonely, less scared for one more evening.
To be continued...
