rpg_palace | Karl surprises himself. (Reply)

Guy checked the clock, shaking his head as he realized he'd actually managed to arrive early. "That has to be a first," he murmured, getting himself a coffee and muffin and settling down, happily adding packet after packet of sugar, stirring absently as he people watched.

"Oh, sorry." Karl gave a weak smile to whoever it was he bumped into, than went inside. He stared at the menu without seeing it, til he was nudged from behind. Quickly giving his order, he took it and looked around the cafe. With a deep breath, he forced a smile and walked over. "Hey."

"Hey!" Guy looked up, grinning at Karl. "Strangely enough, I was early. Good to see you, have a seat. How's it going?"

"Same. You know." Karl shrugged as he sat down. "How are things with you? Other than what I can see on the posters and such."

Guy rolled his eyes. "Oh shut it. You hear what my incredibly sexy but evil boss talked me into for Carnival? Kissing booth," he snorted.

"Could be worse. Could be 'Have Your Picture Taken with the FACE of PALACE." Karl laughed.

"Yeah, well, either way gets me groped by old ladies all day, but at least they wouldn't be trying to stick their tongue down my throat," Guy made a face. "But I will persevere. One of me mates is doing a lot of the organizing for it, so I’ll show up, pucker up, and shut up."

"I still don't know what to do for it. Viggo's doing face painting. I want to do something, but I can't do anything."

"Wanna take my job?" Guy offered, batting his eyelashes. "Or... balloon animals? Could just work in the adult section if you can't think of anything else, I suppose. I here there's a daycare," he shuddered. "Couldn't pay me to do that, let alone volunteer."

"That's okay. Harry's doing it." Karl grinned, than snorted. "And what could I do in the adult section? Give freebies? Only thing I know is being a Retriever and a Libertine."

"I don't think it's freebies... I think they pay; the funds just go to the charity. 'Course, it's possible I wasn't paying attention when they were talking about it... might have drifted off a little."

"Yeah, been doing that myself lately. With wondering what to do and all." Karl quickly added.

"Yeah, you are looking a touch bit vacant," Guy furrowed his brow, looking at Karl carefully. "You sure you're okay? Don't look great. And who slammed your hands in a door," he added, pointing to the fading bruises on Karl's hands.

Karl brought his hands under the table. "No one. Nothing. So, how much are you being sold for at Carnival? You realize they can get a good chunk for you."

"Oh no, I'm not for sale. Kissing booth, that's it. There are limits to what I'll do, even for charity. I don't take clients I haven't pre-screened. Ever." Guy said firmly.

"That's what I meant, Guy. How much they charging for you."

"Oh. I dunno. What's a kiss worth these days? I haven't checked the market... ah, 'sides, I'll be working it with Sean. I figure between the two of us, they'll come up with something nice and rich," Guy grinned.

"Sean? Wow. Hey, is it true that he's almost free, or free already?" Karl leaned forward. "I don't know whether to believe that or not."

"Really? That's honestly not one I'd heard," Guy looked surprised. "'Course, I've got so many years left, I don't pay much attention to how much time anyone has left."

"I hope if it's true, that doesn't mean he's leaving. They let you stay on, after you're done. I'm counting on them doing that. He was the one who brought me here, you know. Him and kinda Viggo." Karl started eating.

"Well, I'm never leaving. Even if I finished all my time. They'd have to drag me out, kicking and screaming." Guy looked at Karl. "Did I know you were recruited by Sean? That's pretty impressive."

"Me and Harry found Viggo. Ian sent word to Palace, and Sean came to see. He saw me, offered me a tour." Karl blushed slightly. "Fucked my brains out in that big room with the great rug. Than offered to have me work here."

"Mmm.... fuck, Palace is nice, isn't it?" Guy purred. "Best reason I ever heard of to Level up is that now Three's and up can work there, if their clients can afford it. And Sean's amazing. Fucked him once- got me Leveled from Four to Two. Well, that and a sweet ass client rec," he added. "How's it been, taking clients? As the person who tested you," Guy winked at Karl, "I'm understandably curious how it's going."

"It's been interesting. Harder some ways, easier in others than I thought. But...yeah..." Karl smiled. "I don't think I'll get any higher than what I am. Which is fine with me."

"You never know," Guy shrugged, taking another sip of his coffee. "I never had any intention of rising higher than Four. And I was strong-armed into testing for Four in the first place because they needed Votaries and testers. I could have happily stayed at Five forever."

"I just want to stay here long enough for Viggo to be done, than whatever happens....whatever."

"How long has he got?"

"Twenty five."

"Not bad. Nothing compared to some," Guy shrugged. "I can't imagine being anywhere else, so it's a good thing I like it here."
"I know. It's funny. I thought I wouldn't be anywhere else but Ian's. Not I can't be anywhere else but here."

"Good people, nice place to live, and you get paid to fuck. Doesn't get much better'n that in my books. 'Course, I was never a retriever," Guy winked.

Karl smiled. "It's something. Chasing after someone, tracking them. Riding hard for days. Sleeping under the stars. It was great."

"Never got Runners," Guy shrugged. "But, I pretty much knew I was going to be a libertine, and I stepped up for my time, so it really wouldn't have made sense. You miss it?"

"I do sometimes. Being out from behind walls for a while. Riding my horse wherever. You know, Harry didn't even have mine or Lija's bracelets locked to Ian's after the first few months. He knew we wouldn't run. That if I left for a couple days, that I would be back. "

"Why'd you give it up?" Guy leaned back, taking another drink.

"When I was Retrieved, I thought you had to have a power or gift to be at Palace. Total hick thing I know but anyway...I was tested at zero. So I gave up on that. Harry took me in and so that became my world. Than Sean gives me the chance to be here." Karl smiled. "I had to try at least."

"Good thing it is wrong- I'm totally Talentless," Guy laughed. "Well, I think you'll do well. Wouldn't have Leveled you where I did if I didn't. You do look like you're working too much though. I did a bunch of that a bit back... looked all tired like you do. Don't over do it, yeah?"

"I might have...I don't know if I'll be expected..." Karl rubbed his face. "Nevermind. You don't let Prince Orlando work you too hard."

Guy frowned. "I've got a pretty good balance now between clients and publicity nonsense. You sure you want me to nevermind? I don't mind listening if there's something in your head."

"My head is the problem." Karl sighed. "I'm going to be seeing someone. A head doctor. Only I'm going to be the client. I'm not wild about the idea, and that's how I got these." He held up his hands.

"Ouch," Guy winced. "Don't want to imagine what the walls in your suite look like. But you are going, so is that a good thing?"

"It wasn't the walls. Take it you haven't seen Harry lately. And I don't know if it's good. Just something that needs to be done."

"Harry? The one Orlando's with?" Guy shook his head. "Never met him. Take it I wouldn't recognize him if I saw him right now, huh?"

"Not much, no." Karl sighed. "He meant well, which is usually what goes wrong for me."

"Yeah, last time I stuck my nose in with all good intentions, I lost one of my best mates for a good long stretch," Guy admitted. "But I couldn't help it either. So you just nervous, or you think it's a bad idea? I can't see how it would hurt."

"I'm scared out of my mind." Karl pushed his food away. "But I'm locked into doing it. I know I should, that it will help me. I just wish I didn't have to go thru it."

"Maybe it's one of those things where the first time is the worst," Guy suggested, looking sympathetic, but not pitying. "I am sorry it's something that's so rough for you."

"I'm sorry. Enough people are having to deal with me and this. I don't want you to have to either. It's okay."

"Well, if it's something that's got you scared out of your mind, it's not okay," Guy pushed his coffee aside. "I haven't known you that long, but I do think of you like a mate, Karl. So if you want to talk about it, I'm more than willing to. And if you want to tell me 'fuck off and leave it be, Guy', I can do that too."

Karl was quiet for a long moment. "Not here. Fuck, I keep swearing no one else is going to find out and I keep telling more people. And if he...Not here, Guy."

"Your place or mine," Guy stood up, finishing the last of his coffee.

"Yours please."

Guy nodded, leading the way to his room and opening the unlocked door, gesturing for Karl to head further into the suite. "Couch is that way... I can make more coffee, or there's beer."

Karl fell onto the couch, lying back and staring up at the ceiling. "Whichever. Don't care."

Coffee. Guy set the pot to brew and came back into the living room. "No one's forcing you to talk if you don't want to, Karl. Just offering an ear if you want it."

"He said I better not. That he would make it worse if I did. But this is Palace, right? He couldn't get in here. Not with them still having the escorts." Karl talked more to himself than Guy. "It's safe here, right?"

Guy frowned. "It's safe here. Look, I don't know who 'he' is, but I had a prick come in and see me as a client, it was a bad scene for me, and he can't book me anymore."

"Miles. His name's Miles." Karl looked at Guy. "You wouldn't stop being my friend if you found out something about me, would you? Some bad thing?"

Guy's frown deepened. "No, I wouldn't. That's not the kind of person I am. I don't judge people like that."

Karl sat up, bring his legs up. "I...I got messed with, when I was a kid. Miles. He...he kinda rented me off my parents." His gaze wavered between Guy's face and the floor. "It wasn't nothing like what those kids at that club went thru. Not near as bad."

"Jesus," Guy murmured, sitting down next to Karl. "And that's what you're seeing this doctor person about? What that Miles guy did to you when you were little? Never saw anyone before now?"

Karl nodded. He looked down, his hair in his face. "He was training me. To be the best for him. He..." He clenched his fists, taking a deep breath. "Fuck you'd think this would have gotten easier to say as much as I have been."

Guy bit his lip, wanting to try and comfort Karl, but not sure he'd welcome any touches right now. "You're doing fine, Karl. I can't imagine it ever getting terribly easy. You said you've been telling more people lately?"

Karl gave a strained laugh. "I told the bastard if you can believe that. Than I had to tell Viggo and Lija. Seemed only right. He fucked me. Beat me when I didn't do things right. Teaching me my place. Kept me....there were things in his basement that he...yeah."

The bastard? Guy knew he was forgetting something, but decided not to ask. "How long it take you to be able to tell anyone about all this? Was it a long time ago?" he asked, trying not to be too visually horrified by what Karl was talking about.

"Right before Harry came for me. Two nights before was the last."

"Christ," Guy murmured. "How come you think it took this long for you to tell anyone?"

"He said not to. And I thought it was over. He couldn't get to me. Don't even know how long it took Harry to get it out of me. The fucking nightmares and how I was..."

"He? Miles?" Guy checked.

"Yeah. Miles."

"So... that's got to be a good thing then- I mean, he had all this power over you, kept you quiet all this time. And now you can talk about it. It's fucking hard, that's obvious. But you can do it. That has to be a good thing."

"Yeah, that's what they say." Karl looked at Guy. "I'm doing it for Viggo. So he doesn't have to see what Harry saw. He's already seen too much as it is."

"Well, even if you do it for him, maybe it'll end up helping you anyway. Still- brave," Guy said, getting up and heading for the kitchen for coffee for both of them.

"Not brave. Just want it over with. Don't want to anymore."

"Doesn't matter- you're doing it, even though it scares you. Qualifies as brave, whether you believe it or not," Guy handed Karl the cup. "And it was brave to tell me."

"Would it be bad if I said I didn't know why I did?" Karl took a drink.

Guy thought about it, then shook his head. "No, I don't think so. Maybe it just has to come out now. And I don't think you have to be ashamed about something that was done to you."

"Just wish I could forget it. Not have to be dealing with it at all. Not have the people I care about have that look in their eyes."

"There's a look? Did I do the look?" Guy frowned.

"Seeing what happened to me. Thinking about it...

"It's hard not to, Karl," Guy pointed out. "But all it means is that people care about what happened to you. If they keep looking like that forever, well, then you kick their asses."

Karl chuckled. "I guess I could try. With Harry, anyway." He looked at his hand. "I thought for sure Prince Orlando would send his bodyguard after me."

"Orlando doesn't need to send a bodyguard after anyone- he's scary enough on his own," Guy shuddered, exaggerating only a little. "Missed a photo shoot once- I swear, he peeled the skin of me... and that was just over the com!"

Karl smiled. "I knew I got off lucky. One time hitting him and twice Harry is all I think I'm allowed."

"You do like to live dangerously," Guy shook his head. "I'm telling you, mate- don't let the pretty face fool you... he's scary."

"Well, I apologized to him, so guess that helped." Karl took another drink.

"I'm sure if he was pissed at you, he would have let you know," Guy nodded. "So... feel better, worse, or neither to have told me?"

"I don't know." Karl shrugged. "Still surprised I did."

"Well, in case you were wondering, far as I'm concerned, still friends," Guy smiled, clapping Karl on the shoulder.

"Thanks, Guy." Karl put his hand on top of Guy's. "Means a lot to me."

"You're welcome," Guy nodded. "And you seem like you're in a little better mood to me, so if talking helped, well, then I'm glad for it."

"I'm just waiting for him to be right. He said if I ever told, that people wouldn't like me. That they wouldn't want to have me around them cause of what I was."

"Fucking cunt," Guy growled. "He was just trying to keep you scared. Bitch of it is that it worked for so long. Don't let him stay in your head, Karl. He's been there long enough."

"But he's been there so long. How do I know he will come out? And who says I'm going to be any better if he does?"

"I don't know," Guy said honestly. "But from what you're telling me, you're going to see just the bloke who can tell you those things in just a couple of days. Maybe that'll give you some answers."

"I hope so. I really do. For Viggo's sake."

"He's a lucky one. Doing all this for him. It's allowed to want things for yourself too... you know that, right?"

"Guy, if it wasn't for Viggo, I wouldn't be doing this. There'd be no one to see the nightmares and I never remember them. So why try to change things?"

"I don't know. I don't have the dragons in my past that you do. But I think whatever it takes to help you both is a good thing."

Karl nodded. "We'll see."

"We'll see," Guy nodded in echo. "Why don't you go see him, Karl? Because I could keep going with the comforting, but I'm running out of ideas that involve me keeping my pants on, and I think you need him for that," Guy grinned.

Karl laughed. "Okay. I'll see you later. Thanks for everything, Guy." He gave him a quick peek on the cheek.

"You're welcome," Guy said, leaning back on the couch and watching Karl go. "Bloody couples," he sighed after the door closed.