{ Video; UN: potentia.regere }

[earlofphantoms]

{ Vincent is in the theater and the ballet is in full costume, practicing one Act or another. They are lovely to see - full of bright colors, like proud, graceful birds. This might be an archaic art to some, but, as the camera turns, the Earl is beaming. }

Well worth an hour or two, I assure you. The full-length numbers are considerably longer, but amendments can be made and stories can be told over several nights. We're not going anywhere, after all.

{ He rises from his seat and paces towards the stage. Thankfully he stops before he ends up in the orchestra pit. That would be embarrassing. }

Tell me your favorite story, hm?

Comments

video; @cphantom

[sweetlies]

Fenian Cycle is still a favorite but I enjoy Doctor Arthur's novels a great deal more these days.

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[earlofphantoms]

You mentioned him and I did some research. Are you referring to Arthur Conan Doyle?

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[sweetlies]

Mm. [His son nods and the glances over at a small bookshelf in the living room. He may have been collecting the books since arriving.]

I invited him to a small party once, he was interesting. A bit self-deprecating but a good person.

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[earlofphantoms]

He seems the sort to keep an eye on most definitely. { Vincent might have snagged one of those books. For research. }

It's good that he doesn't know his own worth yet.

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[sweetlies]

[He only asks that there be no creased corners when he's done.]

Do you think so? He's considered giving up writing, although we may have given him inspiration to keep trying.

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[earlofphantoms]

{ He isn't a barbarian! }

What did you do? I am intrigued to know!

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[sweetlies]

[Some people can be though. He's seen the library's books.]

A little scare, nothing awful. Enough that he'll never lack for inspiration!

[It hadn't been his idea but it worked out in his favor.]

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[earlofphantoms]

{ Those people should live in shame as outcasts. }

How kind of you. { A craftsmen needs plenty of inspiration. } The whims of the population are hard to determine, but we should all continue to do what we do best.

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[sweetlies]

[Agreed.]

Mm, people can be terribly dim and tasteless. Have you read them all?

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[earlofphantoms]

Most, yes. Which ideas shall I attribute to you?

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[sweetlies]

Hmm... [That's a good question actually.]

Perhaps bits of the Hounds of Baskerville?

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[earlofphantoms]

Fitting! I did like that one; it felt almost too supernatural to be easily explained by science or otherwise.

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[sweetlies]

It did, didn't it?

[He and Undertaker had told Vincent about his sons circumstances so he's sure Vincent can put two and two together.]

It made for a good read, either way.

video | un: undertaker

[somakemelaugh]

What if I don't have one?

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[earlofphantoms]

I find that hard to believe!

[somakemelaugh]

You should, milord. But it's the truth. The stories that interest me aren't kept in books or told in performances.

[earlofphantoms]

Real tales, then? Yes, they can be riveting, but I have a taste for the fantastical -

Which you fulfill quite nicely.

[somakemelaugh]

Terrible screenplay, my life. You've something of interest there on stage. Why not lose yourself to it instead?

[earlofphantoms]

I do have a personal investment in your screenplay. { Just a bit. }

[somakemelaugh]

[This again?] Wouldn't worry about it. The one on the stage looks like it would hold audiences for you.

[earlofphantoms]

{ Always. } I asked for my sake. { But so be it. } This one we are doing is a tragedy. Everyone likes those.

[somakemelaugh]

[Phantomhives.] Ah, yes. The ones where the most important characters suffer the greatest before their death. I may even watch it myself.

[earlofphantoms]

This one features most of the cast dying and those who survive are likely left with a terrible burden. { It's fun! And totally not like what happened to him and Rachel and Ciel and everyone else involved... }

[somakemelaugh]

Isn't that how it goes? [The apple didn't fall too far from the tree on that bit.] I think they'll be able to relate, your audience. The closer to home it hits, the more they'll like it.

[earlofphantoms]

Plays or life? { That is answer enough. } Why is that? You'd think people would want to escape reality; not have it thrust into their face.