The Majesty of Choice

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Gerard likes to think of himself as a good friend. He doesn't have any friends other than Patrick, but he's loyal to him, and to him alone. Aside from any threat of actual death, Gerard's pretty sure he'd move the world for Patrick. Given a situation where death is at hand he doesn't know what he'd do and would really rather avoid finding out. He's not really big on the whole near death experience thing. Thus, he avoids anything that might kill him at all costs.

That does not mean that he is not the most belligerent friend a guy could have. He may agree to go to the event that Patrick is dragging him to, but he will not pretend to be happy about it. No, instead, he will mope, keep his head down, and sulk like the loner he really is.

Patrick wants to be near the front. Gerard wants to be near the back. When they get there, they don't have the choice to be in the front, so Patrick gets them as close as he can, and that is where they stand as the whole town, and people from some towns over, start to file into the small paddock. Gerard isn't big on large sums of people, and he's not big on loud talking either. Basically, if not for Patrick he would be on the ground screaming and crying about too many people.

"How many people here do you think actually care about the Prince's politics?"

"Seven. Maybe eight," Patrick replies, "I'm pretty sure his fan club is here. They must have an agreement to rally here."

"They're going to try to steal his clothes I just know it," Gerard replies.

"Let's hope not," Patrick says, "the first impression I get of the Prince, I don't want to be of him undressed, partially or completely so."

Gerard shrugs. He doesn't have to comment, so he doesn't. He doesn't know what he'd say.

"What are you going to do if he recognizes you?" Patrick asks. "I mean, if you ever met him of course, which you haven't."

"I'd burst into flames," Gerard says.

"Really? Then maybe I do want him to see you. I really do. Could be exciting."

"You would let me die just to see a bonfire?"

"Depends on the nature of the fire, if it's a spontaneous one, that sounds amazing, if not, then maybe we can miss out. I've lit enough fires myself, they're not the most interesting things to start up, so trying to light you on fire would just be too arduous."

"I'm glad you care more about the time it would take than you care about my life."

"Anytime," Patrick replies.

"How long is this going to take? Like will I have enough time to sneak into my old room and steal Hattie's diary or am I going to have to wait until tomorrow? I really need the juicy details as to how she adores the Prince so. She's a real poet you know, she knows at least fifty whole words."

"Your hate of your sister is all that gets me through the day you know. Well that and the prospect of leaving this place as soon as I can. Maybe you can use your in with the Prince to get me a job in the castle."

"Yeah he and I are real tight. He gave me a rock and everything."

Patrick rolls his eyes, "Nothing sounds more amazing than washing the Prince's dirty dishes. What a life."

"Please tell me that was sarcasm and you don't have an obscene dish fetish," Gerard says.

"You're so smart."

"You're a bitch," Gerard responds.

"Oh I've spotted them," Patrick says, and he points to somewhere behind Gerard. He turns to see Hattie and Olive wearing two of the most stunningly awful dresses that he has ever seen. He knows that they're meant to be fancy and look better than ordinary dresses, but they come across as gaudy.