Forceful

True Selves and Soirées - Chapter 2

Celestin barely got any sleep that night for his nerves were too filled with nervousness and dread for the morning after. Astore got a little too much sleep as his alcoholic state knocked him out faster than any herb he had taken for sleeplessness.

His head ringing and his eyes unable to withstand any sort of light, Astore could barely manage to get up from his bed. Maybe he wasn't just tipsy. His own body betrayed him as he gagged and vomited right beside his own bed. Hurried footsteps could be heard out his door as they came closer until they opened the very door.

His mother, hand on hip, and eyebrow raised looked at her boy, distaste easily discernable on her face. She sighed and pushed Astore back on his bed, careful to not step in the bile. She looked at him occasionally while taking off his boots and said that he was in no state to go anywhere, much less get out of bed for the time being. 

He asked his mother the time and when he was sure that it was many hours before nighttime, he relaxed into his bed. 

His mother gently slapped his face told him to stop drinking that much. He nodded with a crooked smile and the older woman left the room in search of a wet cloth and bucket. 

Astore pulled his blanket over his head in an attempt to calm his raging headache, only for it to pulled off by his mother. She told him to clean up his own messes, as he's the one who made them. Groaning, he took the materials his mother handed him and proceeded to wipe the floor clean. He would clean, turn away, and take in another breath, hold it in, repeat. When he deemed the floor clean enough, he threw the cloth into the bucket and stood up.

He made way to the kitchen, where his mother was cooking a soup of some kind, and at an instant, Astore knew it was for him. 

His heart warmed.

Leaving the tools behind, he hugged his mother from the behind and the woman smiled, unbeknownst to Astore. She served him the soup and just to keep him company, she poured herself a bowl too. 

Over the supposed breakfast, they talked of everything and of nothing. In that very same conversation, he mentioned to his mother the engagement he had tonight. His mother's eyes narrowed at him and asked all the usual questions. Astore answered them all, all-dancing the on the fence of truth and lie.

Astore checked the time, it was half-past 11 and he knew he had to get clothing for tonight. He bid his mother goodbye and thanked her for the soup and went out into the town.

The letter had never mentioned a time but Astore and Celestin decided that they would both meet in Subsolanus at 8:30 when the sun fell and the moon rose to her glory. They assumed, together, that if this was a regular dinner party, which it would not turn out to be, it would begin at the appropriate time. 

He entered the shop, Onagre, which sold suits and formal wear for gentlemen, and walked right up to a traditionally older man. The man had spectacles and hair left barren with no headwear to be seen. He had a measuring tape hung around his neck and a pencil in the right hand, alongside a drawing pad standing still on a lectern made of dark wood behind him. 

Astore greeted the man and told him of the occasion and his needs. 

The man, Agusto Detti, made Astore try on various kinds of coats with various lapels and waistcoats to find a combination that fit Astore's budget and wishes. 

In the end, Astore left the shop with a morning coat, the colour of coal, a white starched shirt, a white bowtie, and an equally white waistcoat. He had a lapel that matched at home and a pair of black formal trousers.

He, didn't however, have gloves, but nobody would make that big of a deal out of it, would they? He didn't know, but just in case, he popped by another shop and got a pair of gloves, just to be safe.

When he came back home with his shopping, it was around 4 PM. He underestimated the time the tailor would take and hurried into the bath. He washed himself up and put lavender oil on his whole body, specifically because of the gentle and calming smell. He thought it would help calm his and his lover's nerves when going into this unfamiliar situation.

When the sun bid the day farewell, Astore, once again, left his home, this time, for Subsolanus. When he arrived there, he waited for a while and at a certain point, he thought that Celestin wouldn't show up. It was almost 9'O Clock and Astore heard the scurried footsteps on the cobblestones and when he looked up, he saw the face of his disheveled, nonetheless, handsome, lover.

Celestin apologized for being late and explained that he had to wait for Mamma to fall asleep before he could even think of sneaking out.

The two kissed and talked about transportation methods, Astore suggested the train, but Celestin didn't have money. Astore insisted that he would pay for both of their rides. 

Celestin paused, he looked up at Astore and asked where they were even supposed to go. Astore nodded and explained that he had asked his mother for the location of Jules Lucien's manor and he knew how to get there. 

Before they could make their way to their local train station, a carriage with two horses stopped in front of them, confusing the lovers.

The driver asked for their names and when he got the confirmation of their identities, he said that he was here to take them to where the party was being held. Astore was very suspicious, but Celestin was excited that he wouldn't be forced to walk to the train station and to the house. 

They both got into the carriage and at exactly 10:23 PM, they arrived in front of a gargantuan home. 

A boy, no older than the two lovers, helped them down and off the carriage and then motioned for Celestin to lend his ear. After listening to what the boy had to say, Celestin looked to Astore, tears filling his beautiful eyes.

Astore was concerned and stumbled over his words as he asked his love what was the matter. Celestin shook his head and looked him dead in the eye before saying

"We can be together here."