Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 39: The Theatre~

Jiu had been haunted by the sight of that boy, trying to place who it reminded him of. He absently nodded along as Henry filled the silence of the carriage ride, trying to act as though he was listening, though deep down his could not help but think of the odd child. There were no children in the manor. Perhaps a servant or a servant's child had been snuck in? The carriage rolled to a halt in the town of Whittering, beside the pavement of a brightly designed theatre entrance. Dorian and Basil stood there, both looking cold and quite unhappy at how long they'd been kept. After all, Henry was always fashionably late, he loved pretending to be charming. The driver hurried to the door, helping both Henry and Jiu out with bows that looked as though he'd double over in an instant.
"Harry!" Dorian cried," You're late as usual! Oh, Jiu, what a dashing suit."
Jiu gave a weak smile and a small nod of acknowledgement from the compliment.
"I'll have you know it's one of mine," Henry pouted.
"Ah, right, I remember you wearing that in our Eaton days," Dorian grinned, elegantly.
"The play will start in ten minutes and I'm dreadfully cold," Basil muttered, half of his face engulfed by his scarf," If you wouldn't mind, I'd much like it to go in."
"Oh, you've been whining ever since we arrived!" Dorian stamped his feet.
"Now, now," Henry chuckled," Basil's right, we did cut it a little short. Let's go in."

Dorian and Henry led the way, laughing and chatting like school children, meanwhile Basil and Jiu skulked behind, both clearly had been dragged along against their will. They occasionally exchanged grumbled pleasantries to one another, but that was it. Neither were exactly one for conversation, it seemed. They made their way to the box seats, settling onto the velvet chairs and staring down at the less fortunate people who could not afford such luxuries. Dorian had wriggled Jiu to sit beside him, and Basil on Dorian's other side. Henry, sat beside Basil and ordered quite a few glasses of champagne for them each. He didn't hold back, clearly.
"So, Jiu, tell me more about China. What's it like there?" Dorian leaned forward; clearly he'd invited him to take the heat off the previous night and feed his curiosities.
Jiu wasn't in the mood, after seeing that peculiar boy at the window; he couldn't not think of it.
Jiu glanced away, keeping it simple," Well, it's alright, I suppose."
Dorian frowned slightly, seeming quite upset by this. Clearly Dorian always received attention when he desired it, even from Basil; everyone always pleasured him with it. So, when Jiu didn't give it to him, he assumed the worst. He reached out and gently touched Jiu's arm.
"I'm sorry if I was rude last time, Jiu. I can be a bit thoughtless at times." He smiled warmly.

"I'm not upset about the alcohol," Jiu shook his head, plainly.
Dorian's smile faded, confusion knitting his brows," Then what is it, Jiu? Please tell me."
"I'm upset at Henry," Jiu crossed his arms, matter-of-factly," Leora never leaves the manor. And when Henry took me to the play today, she seemed so...hurt. I don't want to hurt her. Ever."
Dorian's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of guilt passing over his face. He bit his lower lip thoughtfully.
"Oh, Jiu... I hadn't realized. You're right, Henry can be terribly thoughtless sometimes," He sighed heavily.
Jiu frowned," She isn't happy there."
Dorian's expression softened with genuine empathy as he gazed at Jiu," No, I don't suppose she is, poor thing. It's dreadfully unfair of Henry to keep her cooped up like that."
He drummed his fingers on the armrest.
"But Henry has his reasons, no doubt about that."
The ghost nodded, absently, glancing around the the theatre below. He watched as the lower class cackled, sloshing jugs of beer around and how revealing woman sat against the table, brushing up against the men. Jiu glanced, noticing Henry and Basil, noting that they were caught up in a conversation. He supposed it wouldn't be wrong to tell Dorian about the boy from earlier.

"You know how Henry and Leora's cousin, Duncan, died in the manor from falling in the river?" Jiu frowned," He was ten, when it happened, so I suppose you never knew him?"
Dorian shook his head sadly," No, I didn't. Henry never talks about it, and I try not to pry," He hesitated, then leaned in closer to Jiu, lowering his voice," But I've heard rumors..."
"Rumours?" Jiu brought his voice to a whisper.
Dorian leaned even closer, his breath warm against Jiu's ear.
"That Duncan didn't just fall... That he was pushed. That's why Henry's so protective of Leora. He's terrified something might happen to her too."
"Henry's protective of Leora?" Jiu frowned," But sometimes he seems to hate her?"
Dorian pulled back slightly, his eyes dark with understanding," It's complicated, Jiu. Henry's love for Leora is... twisted. He adores her fiercely, but he also resents her for being the reason he has to carry this burden of guilt and fear."
"You go to the manor often," Jiu began," Was there ever a servant about Duncan's age working there?"
Dorian's expression turned pensive as he thought back," Now that you mention it, there was a young boy, about Duncan's age, who worked at the manor a few years ago. His name was Alan, I think. He was a bit of a loner and kept to himself mostly."