But They Said It Really Loud

Diomedes literally has no more time than that before Thermodosa arrives on the scene with Theano in tow.. "Somebody would like to see you!" she calls out in a sing-song voice that interrupts the conversation.

And there is she is, Theano with her eyes full of hope.

"Seeya!" calls out Corwin to Diomedes with a wave, taking this as a sign that the group is breaking apart, and he turns back to Dina and Terry.

Diomedes gives the briefest of nods to Corwin before he turns, palms sweaty and a bead of sweat on his forehead already, to the approaching Rebman ladies.

There she is, and except for Thermodosa, the two of them are almost alone in a very crowded room.

The strange feelings he got all through his petition to Moire, the trip from Flora's Shadow to Brand, to a guilty night's pleasure interrupted by a machine of death, to a drive to Arden, capture, and escape all rush through Diomedes brain like a wave crashing again and again upon a shore.

He had abandoned this woman for reasons he still did not fully comprehend. Did his uncle only give voice to fears he already had. He certainly had not ensorcelled him in any real sense. Diomedes had taken every step that took him away from Rebma himself. Every step.

And, likewise, every step that brought him back.

As Diomedes looks at her upon her approach, he tries to pace it out. Just when had he decided to come back? Just when had he chosen to return?

Random. Random's Curse and his seeking of Diomedes to break it. The realization that he could not, and Random could not, without a reckoning, without facing what he had run away from. Just as Diomedes had run away from her. And that if he had to make a choice, and get entangled, then wasn't it better to get entangled as he had, now with the knowledge and the wisdom gained from his encounters with Fiona, Eric, Flora, Random, Delwin, Julian and Bleys?

And then there is no more time for thought. He bows in the Rebman manner and with tears in his eyes and his voice a whisper only Theano and her boon companion can hear.

"I'm so sorry."

He straightens, and then offers her his hands, palms upward.

Thermodosa doesn't even know how to react to this very intimate by-play of emotion. She blushes, but smiles, and she turns away to melt into the crowd.

Diomedes catches her out of the corner of his eye, but as soon as her vector and intentions are clear, he disregards any further of her movement, in favor of the woman in front of him.

Theano though- She meets Diomedes eyes and reaches out with her hands to place them on top of his. Before he can close his around hers, she slides those hands up the length of his arms as she walks right between them and into his embrace. Then she tilts her head a little, rises up on her toes, closes her eyes, and kisses him on the mouth. A long, slow, good kiss as a matter of fact....

...There, in the middle of the Rebman Throne Room, admist a buzzing crowd. Friendly laughter can be heard, along with a few easy cheers.

Diomedes responds, hesitantly at first. Guilt, fear and even infidelity come to his mind. A stray strand of thought comes to bear, wondering if she can taste, sense, that Diomedes has been with a few others in the one year. And one very recently indeed.

"Welcome home Tom Cat," she whispers in his ear. "Don't be sad. Everyone has to learn not to stand out in the rain sometime." She nuzzles him. "Oh, we have to talk- that's for certain. But I can't say that I wasn't impressed."

There is the numb dumb moment where every man in Diomedes' position has to ask themselves, am I going to get away with this? Can I just catch a break this one time, and I'll never look at another woman again.. so long as I live? It is a silent questioning moment. One with no immediate answers.

Diomedes gives a dumb, small nod of his head in agreement with part of what she says at the very least.

Pulling apart she hooks her arm in his. "Come on," she says. "Let's go to my place where we can talk in private..." Theano glances over at the cowled women and the young women who assist them, and then back at Diomedes... "Unless...?" she starts to ask but does not finish.

Diomedes gently but insistently unhooks his arm from her. He lowers his eyes, unable to meet her gaze as he pours his heart forth again. He shakes his head with the sadness and regret that, even reunited, refuses to, and may never break.

"A year ago, I broke a Promise, a binding Promise that, in the cold crystal clarity of hindsight, was a horrible thing for me to break. I should have told you about my doubts, about my dreams and nightmares, and my encounter, the very first night we met. I should not have simply ruminated, reneged and run."

"I did not know, then, however" Diomedes continues. "what I have learned since."

Theano suddenly looks very anxious, frightened even. Not understanding what he's saying, and having it not said simply is torture for her, clearly.

Diomedes, unsure why Theano is reaction in this manner pauses, regards her for a moment and then continues.

"I've been paying prices and learning, the hard way, that Promises are meant to be kept." Diomedes continues to capitalize the word Promise in his speech. "Much has happened in the last few days that has brought that into full realization. The consequences of broken Promises and the catastrophes,concernments and consequences of them string behind me like wrecked and ruined monuments lining a lonely road running through the ruins of a fallen civilization."

If Theano could look any paler, she would..

"In order to secure Aunt LLewella's aid in coming here from my imprisonment. And then, to Moire as you heard." Diomedes continues. "I made a Promise to reveal what I have learned, to these." Diomedes gestures to the hooded women now, not looking directly at them either, but he turns his not-straight gaze back to Theano after indicating then with a watery wave of his hand.

But in response, Theano does look in their direction, clearly confused, but a little relieved?

"You and I, my love, we have much to discuss, but it would be a poor thing if I broke the Promise to Llewella and her Majesty and did not speak with them, now."

"It may be very long hours indeed, but will you wait up for me?" Diomedes asks.

Theano swallows and takes a deep breath as she composes herself. "Diomedes," she says a little sternly, as a bit of color starts to return. "You have no idea of the thoughts you had running through my head!" She whispers loudly, but the words don't carry far. "I thought you were about to tell me that you'd married someone else this past year, and she was having your baby. Don't scare me like that."

Diomedes briefly parts his lips in surprise at Theano's admission. The look on his face is cowed surprise, as if he could not conceive or was completely unaware of the effect his words had upon her. He shakes his head. with his eyes wide.

"Yes," she continues quickly (assuming Diomedes doesn't do anything rash), "I know they've been very concerned. They predicted that we would be a couple, and when you left.. well they went all a flutter because they're not often wrong." She leans forward to kiss him on the cheek. "Why don't you go talk to them then, get it over with.. that way you and I can go back to the way our lives used to be?"

She gives him an encouraging smile, perhaps not understanding his depression. However, Diomedes is wise enough to know that if he doesn't start to lighten up soon, or at least pretend not to have a guilty conscience, Theano *will* start to suspect something. It will be like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Diomedes exhales a breath of bubbles, letting his body language relax. Even if he has a guilty conscience, and an air of impending doom, he can at least fight his worst impulses.

And then, in demonstration for himself, and reassurance for her, and striking a chord for the both of them, with his grasp he draws her in again, and kisses her on the lips, chaste only because of the time and impending situation rather than any lack of desire. As he pulls back from her with obvious reluctance, he whispers.

"I'm missed you terribly, Lady Shark. Wait up for me."

And then he turns to the Seers at last.